5616 replies to this topic

[engel]

A lot of people cared, not just one week before the race.

They could have released and deported him before the race... But they didn't.
Why not? Possibly because they never had any intention of doing so? Why, then, would they make a false promise? What did they have to gain? Perhaps an attempt to persuade the opposition not to "make a scene" during the UniF1ed race?

The question remains: Who lied, and why?

If it was either Al Khalifa or Ecclestone, then it is clearly a case of F1 getting involved in local politics. If it is Dr Ala'a Shehabi who is lying, then what is the motive? Perhaps no one lied, Al Khalifa meant what he said but some one else over-ruled him? Even if that is the case then there is still no justification for Ecclestone getting involved - it is still a breach of the FIA's political neutrality.

The world at large had no clue about Bahrain, most heard it from the news when talk outside F1 started about whether F1 should or shouldn't go started a week before the race. I am sure you follow news outside this thread and this board, Bahrain wasn't even mentioned. And I again I am talking about Joe Q Average here.

Ecclestone isn't the FIA. He's the promoter so the whole "neutrality" thing is stretching it pretty thin. Beyond that it makes no sense for the Bahrainis to use him as a gobetween with that woman (who I don't know but assume is an activist). I have no clue why Ecclestone would say he was told they would release him and I have no clue why she would even discuss it with Ecclestone or heed anything he said.

[finignig]

The world at large had no clue about Bahrain, most heard it from the news when talk outside F1 started about whether F1 should or shouldn't go started a week before the race. I am sure you follow news outside this thread and this board, Bahrain wasn't even mentioned. And I again I am talking about Joe Q Average here.

Ecclestone isn't the FIA. He's the promoter so the whole "neutrality" thing is stretching it pretty thin. Beyond that it makes no sense for the Bahrainis to use him as a gobetween with that woman (who I don't know but assume is an activist). I have no clue why Ecclestone would say he was told they would release him and I have no clue why she would even discuss it with Ecclestone or heed anything he said.

His comments to her baffled the public, activists and the opposition parties as well. No one figured out how to deal with him on an official scale after him suggesting to them to “protest peacefully and block the roads to F1” and “hold a press conference on the GP weekend” while slagging them off as rioting kids in the media. My understanding from leading figures is that they decided not get into whatever play he was orchestrating and just do their thing.

[TheBunk]

The world at large had no clue about Bahrain, most heard it from the news when talk outside F1 started about whether F1 should or shouldn't go started a week before the race. I am sure you follow news outside this thread and this board, Bahrain wasn't even mentioned. And I again I am talking about Joe Q Average here.

Ecclestone isn't the FIA. He's the promoter so the whole "neutrality" thing is stretching it pretty thin. Beyond that it makes no sense for the Bahrainis to use him as a gobetween with that woman (who I don't know but assume is an activist). I have no clue why Ecclestone would say he was told they would release him and I have no clue why she would even discuss it with Ecclestone or heed anything he said.

Engel youre a very respectable poster but you cant tell me that a: the world didnt know about Bahrain, and b: that you dont know that Ecclestone tells everybody in F1 how high they must jump.

I think Nigel Roebuck is one of the best reporters in F1 eventhough I didnt always agree with him in the past, but I love his choice of words and sarcasm. Since he left Autosport he seem a bit more free to put a more critical tone towards F1 and Ecclestone.

This is his view on Bahrain:


http://www.motorspor...uck-on-bahrain/


"Ecclestone has always maintained that sport and politics have nothing to do with each other, an easy cop-out with absolutely no basis in reality"

Edited by TheBunk, 27 April 2012 - 03:40.

[engel]

Engel youre a very respectable poster but you cant tell me that a: the world didnt know about Bahrain, and b: that you dont know that Ecclestone tells everybody in F1 how high they must jump.

I think Nigel Roebuck is one of the best reporters in F1 eventhough I didnt always agree with him in the past, but I love his choice of words and sarcasm. Since he left Autosport he seem a bit more free to put a more critical tone towards F1 and Ecclestone.

This is his view on Bahrain:


http://www.motorspor...uck-on-bahrain/


"Ecclestone has always maintained that sport and politics have nothing to do with each other, an easy cop-out with absolutely no basis in reality"

Of course I can tell you that Joe Q Average on the street had no clue about the situation in Bahrain before the debate about whether F1 should go there or not started. If you don't believe me pick any 10 of your favorite newpaper sites, or news sites, and search. The mainstream media started reporting about Bahrain while F1 was in China, you won't find anything of note before that. Unless you go back a full year.

Beyond that my reply was to this:

Because apart from 3 or 4 people in this thread no one else cares now?

and what I meant was that Bahrain was as much out of the media before the race as it now, the "peak" in the media attention was in the 2 weeks before and during the race

On Ecclestone, my point was rather simple. Slartibartfast referenced the FIA's political neutrality with respect to Ecclestone speaking with that particular activist. I just pointed out Ecclestone isn't the FIA and therefore isn't bound by their regulations with respect to political neutrality. It's irrelevant how powerful he is.

[Risil]

On Ecclestone, my point was rather simple. Slartibartfast referenced the FIA's political neutrality with respect to Ecclestone speaking with that particular activist. I just pointed out Ecclestone isn't the FIA and therefore isn't bound by their regulations with respect to political neutrality. It's irrelevant how powerful he is.

Hardly irrelevant. And surely it's the FIA's ultimate decision who they allow to be a promoter? If Bernie's abusing their World Championship for political ends, then it's their problem.

Edited by Risil, 27 April 2012 - 12:46.

[Tifosi4ever]

Bahrain was a fantastic race. Thank god the FIA didn't listen to the opposition who tried to hijack a sport for political means, and failed. The only incident came from a criminal chucking a molotov cocktail at the police. Not exactly painting them in a good way.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Did you get your regime talking points by carrier pigeon or something? You're about a week behind.

[finignig]

Bahrain was a fantastic race. Thank god the FIA didn't listen to the opposition who tried to hijack a sport for political means, and failed. The only incident came from a criminal chucking a molotov cocktail at the police. Not exactly painting them in a good way.

There were other incidents, like a protestor having his neck broken, burnt and shot at from very close range by a shotgun, as well as over 70 arrested.. mostly in dawn raids. But i guess those are not considered people if they arent wearing the colors of some team in F1

[Nonesuch]

The situation in Bahrain doesn't seem to have changed a whole lot since the race was held there earlier this year. Today, the Bahrain state banned all public rallies and demonstrations.

The New York Times reports: "Citing recent episodes of violence, the government of Bahrain on Tuesday banned all public rallies and demonstrations, a move that drew swift condemnation from human rights groups and opposition activists who said it was intended solely to stifle criticism of the ruling monarchy in the tiny Persian Gulf nation. (...) Backed by powerful allies, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, Bahrain’s government, its critics charge, has faced little pressure to change. The Fifth Fleet of the United States Navy is anchored in Bahrain.”

Edited by Nonesuch, 30 October 2012 - 23:15.

[Risil]

A short article about this fresh increase of violence in Bahrain, fears of radical opposition turning to terrorism. The next couple of months, says the researcher, will be critical for Bahrain's political future.

A warning to F1 that if they turn up next year, they may encounter worse things than protests and petrol bombs.

On the other hand, the article is certain that the Crown Prince and race organiser Salman bin Hamad is key to resolving the conflict. The lack of international media coverage is noted, without any reference to the Grand Prix. Which suggests that its effect on the conflict's international profile was negligible. This may seem surprising but given the lack of non-sports journalists allowed in the country, maybe not.

Edited by Risil, 07 November 2012 - 20:14.

[Jackman]

I caught up with a friend of mine tonight who lives in Bahrain, and he did suggest that it's probably worse than ever at the moment. He also stated that, if it gets any worse, the tanks will flood back across the causeway because there is frankly no way that the Saudis will live with "Iranians on the doorstep".

He's actively looking to move his family to Qatar or Dubai.

[Risil]

Wonder how Finignig's getting on.

[Slowinfastout]

It's amazing how little news filters out of that place..

[Felix]

It's amazing how little news filters out of that place..

You have a pm...

[Clatter]

It's amazing how little news filters out of that place..

Is it not coming out or is our press just ignoring it?

[jjcale]

And on that note, here is something I posted in the thread in the Paddock Club:

Not that we didnt know that the big media corporations were covering up for the Bahrain Govt but here is finally some hard proof.

CNN Exposed! Caught Producing "State Sponsored News" in Bahrain

Some of you will know the interviewer and some may even be fans but in my experience he is not most people's cup of tea.... so if you dont like him dont be put off by him, listen to what the former CNN journalist he is interviewing has to say. Now, the important points about Bahrain are spread around a 30+ minute interview but the whole thing is important IMO so its not a waste of your time to watch the whole thing to get to the nuggets about Bahrain.

The question I would want to ask is how much were the F1 journos also complicit in covering up for Bahrain?

Mods: can I post this in the RC forum or is this too political?

Since then the former CNN jounalist Amber Lyon has done this other long interview with another "alternative media" podcaster called Joe Rogan

She has also been on short spots on RT and Press TV - but that's it. Which I find amazing, notwithstanding that CNN is owned by the biggest media company in the world and most journos would think twice about crossing them ... but, even so, why is this not a bigger story??!! Lyons is credible - she is a former 3 times regional emmy winner and a peabody award winner.... if anything she was too good at being an investigative reporter.

... so anyway - back to Bahrain.... we have to seriously question if we even know in any real way just how bad it is out there.

[Gilles4Ever]

This thread is no longer about anything other than the politics of Bahrain and the reporting of events there and is even quoting posts from the Paddock Club so the discussion can be taken there