First,
Let me apologize for taking so long to update this blog for those who still follow it. Since I lost my job, things have been ok, but I don't like what I have to do to survive. That being said, I told my dad about Hannah and he was supportive. But we haven't talked about it since. I'm not surprised about that, but it's ok. My first priority right now is finding work so I can get out of his house.
On to the title of the post. First, let me say that I am a fan of apple, as most of you know. Regardless of how they get their products made, or their policies, the fact is that the other tech companies do the exact same thing.
Now, with that said, Around the time of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, my friends and family had a number of different reactions as to my response to the location of the games. I hated it. China does not know the meaning of the words "Human Rights." Most people brushed off my argument as being a supporter of "Seattle 2008" a proposed location for the Olympics. Truth is that's only partly the reason. After all, the opening and closing ceremonies looked amazing and it was so great because China reduced its pollution output as a requirement of the games, and that's what's required to have a great games, Right?
The truth is that China is still a communist country with no respect for human rights. That is not a place for the countries of the world to come together and celebrate humanity. Oh, and by the way, that pollution, is back and still pumping into the atmosphere. Doesn't take a lot of energy to turn off a few of your factories for a year or so to help your air quality and then turn them back on. But what comes next is a little more maddening...
Lets face it, we all use our laptops, desktops, ipads, blackberries, cell phones, etc. This will never stop. Its a way of life. And I will always (when I can afford it) buy my apple products. But, for those of you who still believe (after my previous argument) that China was a good place for the Olympics, I would encourage you to listen to this program that aired on NPR (available on Sunday at 7pm).
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/454/mr-daisey-and-the-apple-factory
If the link does not work, go to NPR.org and go to programs, Choose "This American Life" and the Program called "Mr Daisy and the Apple Factory"
I believe that, regardless of how amazing your opening ceremony is, your country should at least take some value in "Human Rights." Any Country will do. And I apologize to my Seattle friends who believed that the traffic from an Olympic Games would have been a nightmare (not that it isn't already). But we did already have the facilities for the games (Centurylink and Safeco Fields). But like I said, any other country would have been fine with me.
All this being said, I am typing this on a MacBook, but the difference between a macbook and a pc is nil, as far as china is concerned.
Hannah
