How naive do they think we are?

A lot of people other than the super-rich bods make money out of car racing. For some people it's even their only livelihood, I expect. So long as enough 'punters' will pay for it, it will continue. Just off to read some articles now as I haven't cottoned on to what the protests are actually about yet.

There is so much hypocrisy about this issue in Bahrain. So many Saudi leaders have had their private education in Britain and have English accents. They have multi-billion contracts with the western world and huge influence because of the oil reserves. Bernie Ecclestone may think he is dealing at a 'commitment to sport' level, but he is being manipulated just as much as the protesters who want to challenge the regime.

I haven't the slightest argument with motor racing - just with the undemocratic regime in Bahrain.

Same here. Ecclestone does have a point about it being nothing to do with him while the British government (and no doubt others) still sell arms and tear gas to the Bahrain government though . I think it might be more helpful to fairness if that were to be stopped first.

It was the hypocrisy that annoyed me. I don't know if action by sporting types has any effect on such regimes, but I think it might have done some good in South Africa, if only in letting the white supremacists know what the world thought about them.

In the end I think it was the trade sanctions that made a difference in South Africa. The sporting stuff was just more talked about.

I think the fact it went ahead actually highlighted the problems and in an absurd way did a good job. Can I ask those who are against the race going ahead, would you accept, protesters continually running on the stage of the Old Vic and other theatres. I have noticed a lot of people in the arts seem to regard spoiling sporting events as fair game. I am sure if the table was turned they would be most indignant and there would be an outcry.

Sporting events of any nature have a loyal following and the sportsman themselves work damn hard to be at the top of their profession. It was asked on gransnet what we thought about the Oxford, Cambridge boat race and practically everyone said the protester was a fool and spoilt the day. I fully understand that they are worlds apart in cause but I wonder if there is somewhat of a backlash because motor sports are deemed to be for the wealthy.

The Arab nations are a very complex matter altogether. I believe it was actually a spokesman from the 'oppositon' in Bahrain who actually declared that he was glad the race had gone ahead as it had brought to the minds of the world the problems in Bahrain and it was a good thing?

Do you really believe that a 'spokesman for the opposition' would be allowed to give an interview?
Perhaps the relatives of the protestor shot dead could be asked their opinion.

It certainly was not a government spokesman. If you read what was said he was glad the problem in Bahrain had been brought to the minds of the world. Surely no government spokesman would admit there was a problem!

POGS I agree with the adage of "there 's no such thing as bad publicity"

This has actually raised the world's awareness of much that is wrong with the system there ...but I do wonder about what will happen once the spotlight has been removed??