Bahrain GP situation: postponed, reinstated, cancelled

[andrew]

None of the other countries currently holding races are shooting their own civilians in the streets in between races./quote]

They just do ot in opther countries unfortunately.

I don't know if there is a precedent : has any other country gunned down their citizens and kept their grand prix?

Not sure about gunning down but China's human rights record is terrible.

Several peacful protestors were beaten during the student protests last year. There was even fotage of a protester in a wheelchair (they have cerebral palsy) being dragged out of his wheelchair! Sure there was a militant element but I think this was a minority.

What about people being made homeless for the Indian GP? I have not read anything about the state rehousing them (I remember Manchild raising this previously).

What about the US with Guantanamo Bay and other activities in other countries?

OK maybe there hasn't been a country gunning down its citizens that I can think of that has been allowed to keep an F1 race (if Western media is to be believed) but there have been things going on which are just as bad.

[beelsebob]

None of the other countries currently holding races are shooting their own civilians in the streets in between races./quote]

They just do ot in opther countries unfortunately.

I don't know if there is a precedent : has any other country gunned down their citizens and kept their grand prix?

Not sure about gunning down but China's human rights record is terrible.

Several peacful protestors were beaten during the student protests last year. There was even fotage of a protester in a wheelchair (they have cerebral palsy) being dragged out of his wheelchair! Sure there was a militant element but I think this was a minority.

If dragging people out of wheelchairs is the measure, we need to cancel the british GP too http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11987395

[Mr Alcatraz]

None of the other countries currently holding races are shooting their own civilians in the streets in between races./quote]

They just do ot in opther countries unfortunately.

I don't know if there is a precedent : has any other country gunned down their citizens and kept their grand prix?

Not sure about gunning down but China's human rights record is terrible.

Several peacful protestors were beaten during the student protests last year. There was even fotage of a protester in a wheelchair (they have cerebral palsy) being dragged out of his wheelchair! Sure there was a militant element but I think this was a minority.

What about people being made homeless for the Indian GP? I have not read anything about the state rehousing them (I remember Manchild raising this previously).

What about the US with Guantanamo Bay and other activities in other countries?

OK maybe there hasn't been a country gunning down its citizens that I can think of that has been allowed to keep an F1 race (if Western media is to be believed) but there have been things going on which are just as bad.

Well the US does not have a GP, but since the UK, and Canada are involved in hostilities in Afghanistan, and Libya lets ban Canada and Silverstone.
The Arab Spring is a very important and fragile movement that can bring meaningful changes to 100 of millions. I don't condone, or support my countries policy in regard to gitmo but there are only a handful of detainees that need to be given fair trial and get that process over with.

[andrew]

Well the US does not have a GP...

It does next year.

Point is, citing Bahrain's human rights violations as an excuse not to have the race is a weak argument.

[doink]

Money money money. It should have been left well alone until next season IMO.

[Giblet]

What pisses me right up a fence is that Canada lost it's GP one year because of being progressive and getting rid of tobacco sponsorship, and that meant it was short cash.

So we behave responsibly and lost a GP, and Bahrain kills it's own people and get to reschedule the race. That is the thing that really bothers me. The reason they were allowed to reschedule is "force majeure" meaning completely out of your control. Japan is a good example. If they can, they get their race. I don't see how a government that hosts the race and mows down its own people can be considered an act of God or force of nature.

The rich entitled oil barons should pay the race fee and be thankful we will be back next year if they can keep from murdering until then.

Then give Japan two races. Fuji and Suzuka.

[Mr Alcatraz]

Well the US does not have a GP...

It does next year.

Point is, citing Bahrain's human rights violations as an excuse not to have the race is a weak argument.

And I draw a distinction between "Human Rights Violations" and opening up on your own citizens with
a bunch of goons totin' "Chicago Typewriters"
I see that we seem to be very far apart on this issue so
I have spoken my peace with you and believe we simply disagree. If you feel the desire to have the last word,
I hand you the floor sir!

[...]

[Max Speed]

Not all countries that host Formula One races shoot people for protesting against their goverment - the line needs to be drawn somwhere

[andrew]

Not all countries that host Formula One races shoot people for protesting against their goverment - the line needs to be drawn somwhere

Maybe not but they are guilty of horrendous crimes against humanity in other countries, usually hiding behind a noble facadde.

Shooting your own people is just as bad a shooting innocents in other countries in my book. It is never justified.

[donskar]

Ethics and morals don't come into it at all and have no place in the decision. None of the countries which host F1 races have a spotless human rights record.

If you apply ethics and morals there would be no races at all, except maybe on the moon.

You cannot in all seriousness cherry pick which human rights atrocities you want to be unhappy with.

A rather unfortunate post, Andrew. Mature humans recognize that perfection is a goal to be pursued, but never attained. That being the case, those same mature humans work hard to discriminate among the varying degrees of "right and wrong." We (some of us) recognize that lack of perfection is not the same as total corruption. You are right: no country has a "spotless human rights record." But that is a statement that ends thoughtful discussion, rather than recognizing the need for such discussion. The obvious, and useless response is "so?"

[red748]

Today, Bernie Ecclestone told BBC TV that the
reinstatement of the Bahrain Grand Prix...quote
'..has nothing to do with money...' unquote

[gridwalker]

Thank you Donskar.

[strad]

the race and it has always been a rich man's plaything in a land where most of the local population can't afford to attend the race

.
And in which country is that NOT the case...Even in America or Britain only those with fairly good incomes can afford the price...Let alone Malaysia or China and others...Brazil costs a months salary

[PlatinumZealot]

Well the US does not have a GP...

It does next year.

Point is, citing Bahrain's human rights violations as an excuse not to have the race is a weak argument.

And I draw a distinction between "Human Rights Violations" and opening up on your own citizens with
a bunch of goons totin' "Chicago Typewriters"
I see that we seem to be very far apart on this issue so
I have spoken my peace with you and believe we simply disagree. If you feel the desire to have the last word,
I hand you the floor sir!

[...]

So no race in Germany then.. because Germany had Nazis! Germany gassed out the Jewish people!

China! oh my God! Malaysia! Singapore! Child labour everywhere you go!

America? They bombed the Japanese with a "Nucular" bomb! disgraceful! Thy had slavery too!

England! Ravaged and raped it's way through the whole world!

-----

Guys, what I am saying is Formula 1 is a sport. Sport transcends politics. Sports can bring peace and reconciliation. How is Formula 1 going to hurt anybody? I can see it as a form of outreach and healing for the kingdom of Bahrain. One must not take what you see on CNN or BBC as the truth..believe me my country is made a mockery of on BBC and CNN all the time, sometimes just flat out selective reporting and "half truths." I am not a bahraini but unless I live in Bahrain, I would keep a cool head until the race.

[red748]

Today, Bernie Ecclestone told BBC TV that the
reinstatement of the Bahrain Grand Prix...quote
'..has nothing to do with money...' unquote

Please can one of you comment on this!!!