The only proper response to China's Oppression: Boycott the Olympics

[Zynx]

China's extreme violations of human rights have to be punished. Unfortunately, they are too powerfully positioned economically due to their ownership of massive amounts of U.S. government debt for more severe sanctions for this and other wretched behavior, we can slap them across the face for their actions in Tibet. If our government will not officially boycott the games in protest of the actions of the government of China in Tibet, we should put pressure on athletes and sponsors. A widespread boycott of the Beijing games would be a significant and deserved loss of face for the Chinese government.

[Mountainman]

1. I agree, the whole world should refuse to participate. Maybe have another one somewhere else

so the athletes can compete.

[Rick Myers]

2. From what I've read, China isn't even close to ready

Some teams want to ship in their own water. Most are shipping all their own food.

I'm all for a boycott.

[gilpo]

11. They can't ship in their own air, though.

From what I see, that's the biggest problem (physically) for the athletes.

[xchrom]

3. recommend and agreed.

[HuffleClaw]

4. punish the world's athletes for china's actions?

wow, what a horrible idea.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. Hold the games in a free society as an example. Canada would be nice.

O! Canada O! lympics!

[HuffleClaw]

10. we (Canada) have the 2010 Winter games already.

in Vancouver.

i'm none too impressed with what china is doing but thousands of athletes who have spent years of their lives preparing for the games need not suffer for the actions of the host nation.

[hulklogan]

14. Toronto could have had the 2008 Olympics. *sigh* n/t

[HuffleClaw]

43. don't get me started about that

though i'm comforted by the fact that Toronto will likely end up with a games eventually

[Johonny]

19. I agree

I thought the whole point of the Olympics was to keep them as a non-political world celebration.

[Why Syzygy]

5. I agree. k/r

[MethuenProgressive]

6. agree, kick, and rec

That's the DU triple jump!

[jasmine621]

7. So, then we all agree that Jimmy Carter was right? nt

[Rick Myers]

9. I can agree that Carter was correct...

:kick:

[Jimbo S]

12. This was tried 25 years ago.

Turned into a clusterfuck.

The athletes have sacrificed so much to get at this level, don't throw them under the bus now.

[applegrove]

13. I agree a boycott is called for. But doubltful any western nation has

the balls to do it. We are so beholden to that giant market to buy and sell stuff to.

[marmar]

15. I kind of agree, but.....

.... should Olympics in the USA be boycotted over Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo? (Hypothetically of course, since we're not hosting)

[aikoaiko]

16. Would a boycott accomplish anything?

Yes it would embarrass Chinese politicians, but I don't think it will lead to an improvement in Civil Rights.

[earthboundmisfit]

20. Might save the athletes' health

And the effects of the Beijing environment that they'll bear may or may not be immediately apparent...

[DadOf2LittleAngels]

17. What a great idea....

Heck if we will pseudo boycott the French for opposing our pre-emptive war with Iraq surly we can muster the will to boycott the Olympics..

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

18. Are you going to protest the U.S. over actions in Iraq?

[malaise]

31. Of course not

and it's OK for London to have the games in 2012 as well.
That Samarach, the former IOC President was one of Franco's men doesn't count either and don't forget good old Avery Brundage.

Never forget only Western murderers can host the Olympics.

The Olympic Games are among the greatest frauds inflicted on humanity.
How much is GENBC making this time around again? Let GENBC, Nike Adidas and the drug men fight over the Olympics while stupid nationals wave flags - they are a complete and total farce.

add.

[Zynx]

39. Ever hear of two wrongs don't make a right?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

50. That really doesn't apply to this situation.

Ever hear of sinophobia?

[Heywood J]

51. Perhaps if their products didn't poison or maim people, or if their response

to problems like SARS or avian flu was not to deny it existed until the problem was too big to prevent all mention, people might have less reason to be afraid of the Chinese government or Chinese manufacturers.

[SoCalDem]

21. I don't see it mattering much anyway

The olympics have been pretty much for the rich anyway...for a long time..

The Japanese people may not attend, due to their longstanding problems with China, and economic problems may cut down on the attendance of others too..

Unfortunately the Olympics has been tranished for decades, and I think many people have just given up on it.. the coverage stinks..and most of the athletes are professionals now..why bother

[superkia]

22. I agree, THE ONLY!NT

[madrchsod]

23. carter did it and nothing happened

but that was a long time ago when we had at least a shred of decency

[Lerkfish]

24. I don't think that really accomplishes anything, and is antithetical to the point of the Olympics

The Games are supposed to be a nonpolitical venue to bring countries together, not a tool of punishment against political problems.

[Zynx]

40. You have to understand how China's government views the Olympics to understand my point.

They view it as a legitimization of their government and growth in standing in the world.

[Dreamer Tatum]

46. I think there is one immutable fact that China can do nothing about

The air will be disgusting during the Olympics, and everyone in the world will see it. The athletes will
choke on it, and some will be sickened by it. There is no amount of Chinese puffery and no amount of
self-righteousness that will save them from this fact. Imagine thousands of news outlets worldwide
reporting air quality so bad you wouldn't even want to drive in it. Talk about humiliation and loss
of face. If Upton Sinclair were alive, he'd have written a book about China by now.

[Lerkfish]

47. oh, I understand your point, I'm saying it wouldn't accomplish what you desire

and that it would be the wrong venue.

[smoogatz]

25. Maybe we should boycott ourselves first.

Otherwise it's kind of pot/kettle/black, no?

[alarimer]

36. How can you compare the US to China?

China has an abysmal human rights record, even leaving invading Tibet out of the equation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China

I despise China.

[smoogatz]

37. How can you not?

Seriously. How can you not?

[elehhhhna]

26. Yeah, make the atheletes pay! How ridiculous. Boycott their PRODUCTS, sillies!

[Dreamer Tatum]

38. I fear that all products used to boycott other products are made in China nt

[Zynx]

41. This is an important loss of face for the Chinese government.

They specifically are punished by this proposal.

[Mike03]

27. I agree 100%. My heart is too broken to elaborate further. NT, Rec.

[ellisonz]

28. Two words: Jesse Owens

[crimsonblue]

29. If we gave a damn, we could cripple their economy..

The US makes up the largest percentage of Chinese Exports. I think a tariff on Chinese goods to force them to increase wages and working conditions is something we need to do. Now that the whole free trade experiment has failed with flying colors, maybe its time to go back to the protectionism that made American products the best in the world. Who cares if your favorite widget at Walmart goes up a couple bucks... the products would be American made.

[Better Believe It]

33. Let's Clean Up Our Own House First Before We Condemn Others!

As I understand it, protectionism deepened the 1930's depression, made it worse.

And let's not whip up some kind of hysteria against the Chinese people. We already see too much of that directed against Mexicans and other immigrant workers from Latin America.

Boycott the Olympics?

Hell No! Should the winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City been boycotted by the rest of the world because of Bush's repression and violation of democratic rights? No.

Before we preach to the Chinese on democratic rights we need to clean up our own house!

I don't think the policies of the Bush government have made this nation a positive example in the area of human and democratic rights around the world. Just the opposite!

[spoony]

30. k&r

[Virginia Dare]

32. Bush is going as a "sports fan"...

he probably would have gone to Nazi Germany though. In a heartbeat.

[Better Believe It]

34. We Didn't Boycott Olympics In Nazi Germany.

That's a good thing.

I'm sure glad Jesse Owens went to Nazi Germany and competed. Owens made Hitler leave the stadium in disgrace when he won the gold!

[Zynx]

42. Except I don't think there is a political statement to be made here.

Unless we have Buddhist athletes that can do the same.

[Thickasabrick]

35. Agree - because they make so much stuff for us now we overlook

basic human rights abuses - it totally sucks.

[Truth2Tell]

44. I agree. K&R

And yes, I would boycott them in the U.S. too. The Olympics have basically become a made-for-TV corporate exploitation extravaganza anyway. And the TV coverage has Suuuucked for the last 16 years.

What we really need are a new "people's games" of some sort - one that eschews the nationalism and consumerism of the current BS Olympics and replaces it with a new set of values more compatible with the historical universalist traditions of sport.

[ShaneGR]

45. Here's the problem... we're headed into a deep recession... you ready for an economic showdown?

Because you can bet if we boycotted, half our goods will suddenly double in price within a month or become unavailable.

[smoogatz]

48. It's much worse than that.

China owns a big chunk of our national debt in the form of U.S. treasury bonds. If they dump them, we're screwn. Why do you think we're letting them flood the U.S. market with billions of dollars worth of cheap crap made out of toxic waste?

[femrap]

49. I agree....and please stop

buying goods made in China. This can be done...especially with clothing and food. I try to buy from Taiwan.