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Boycotting 2008 Olympics

mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
edited June 2007 in A Moving Train
I know this was mentioned in last nights debate and only edwards and Richardson supported the idea. What do the rest of you think about this. For those of you who didn't watch the debate or read about it this morning. It was brought up during the debate that if China, who wields a tremendous amount of influence over the Sudanese government, does not intervene in the Darfur genocide that the US should boycott the 2008 Olympics in China. I should also note that China has also prevented the UN from sending any peace keeping forces to the region.
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  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,492
    I hope that's not our best diplomacy regarding the issue, but if it does have an economic impact it certainly is taking a morale stand. Sucks for the athletes, but I'd support it if I had more info I think. Though it seems petty on the surface.
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  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    I think it's a great idea. The Chinese have invested so much time and money into getting ready to look good for the world that there is no way they would let the U.S. boycott their big event. We should add a boycott threat towards their poisoned toothpaste as well (j/k...kinda).
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    cincybearcat wrote:
    I hope that's not our best diplomacy regarding the issue, but if it does have an economic impact it certainly is taking a morale stand. Sucks for the athletes, but I'd support it if I had more info I think. Though it seems petty on the surface.

    It does seem petty, but on the other hand China has blocked all attempts by the UN Security Council to intervene in Darfur.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • KannKann Posts: 1,146
    It would be a good idea, but these are the olympics. Along with the hundreds of thousands of dollars there is talk about men being brothers, freedom and civil rights. I think it's one of the reasons china was chosen for the olympics, to use that special occasion to get them to talk/act about those problems they have.
    On the other hand what they are doing in Darfur is nauseating so I guess I'm split. sorry for the non point.
  • godpt3godpt3 Posts: 1,020
    Remember Tiananmen Square!
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    —Dorothy Parker

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  • MilestoneMilestone Posts: 1,140
    Rushlimbo wrote:
    The Chinese have invested so much time and money into getting ready to look good for the world that there is no way they would let the U.S. boycott their big event.quote]

    I think it would make the US look like crybabies.

    Not to mention the fact that the USA hasn't exactly led an effort to help in Darfur over the last few years.
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  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    uhhh ... it would be waaaay too hypocritical ... and the exposure would hurt more then help ...
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,492
    polaris wrote:
    uhhh ... it would be waaaay too hypocritical ... and the exposure would hurt more then help ...


    What if the US wasn't the only country?

    I certainly see where you are coming from, and like I said, it seems petty on the surface. But I culd support it if it had a significant economic impact, etc.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    cincybearcat wrote:
    What if the US wasn't the only country?

    I certainly see where you are coming from, and like I said, it seems petty on the surface. But I culd support it if it had a significant economic impact, etc.

    the problem is that it once again has the wealthy nations dictating to poorer nations policies when they aren't willing to do anything themselves and are most capable of ...

    i support the crux of this action 100% ... i don't buy much stuff that comes from china already as well as other countries ... i would love to see this happen ... exposure of the hypocrisies would be fantastic ... but for that reason - i don't see it happening ...
  • jlew24asujlew24asu Posts: 10,118
    mammasan wrote:
    It does seem petty, but on the other hand China has blocked all attempts by the UN Security Council to intervene in Darfur.
    is there any particular reason why they do this?
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    polaris wrote:
    uhhh ... it would be waaaay too hypocritical ...
    Exactly... "Why do you see the straw in your brother's eye, and the beam that is before your eye you do not notice?" Not that I'm a bible person, but this quote says it all.
    mammasan wrote:
    It does seem petty, but on the other hand China has blocked all attempts by the UN Security Council to intervene in Darfur.
    And the US does the same re the Israel/Palestine conflict.... Goes back to the hypocritical arguement.... If the US want to boycott those olympics, they need better reasons.....
  • stuckinlinestuckinline Posts: 3,378
    mammasan wrote:
    It does seem petty, but on the other hand China has blocked all attempts by the UN Security Council to intervene in Darfur.
    china has also blocked efforts to let the fda into china. first the pet food was contaminated and now toothpaste......
    http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/05/24/consumer-toothpaste.html
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    I want Misty and Kerri to get to go and compete. I mean, why punish them for fucked up world politics?
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    Cosmo wrote:
    I want Misty and Kerri to get to go and compete. I mean, why punish them for fucked up world politics?
    That's the problem boycotting sporting events such as the olympics. Athletes train for years to be good enough to compete at the olympics. Might be their only/last chance as well. It is punishing the wrong people.
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    Cosmo wrote:
    I want Misty and Kerri to get to go and compete. I mean, why punish them for fucked up world politics?

    and why punish guys who just wanna watch some beach volleyball? ... womens beach volleyball ... :p
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    redrock wrote:
    That's the problem boycotting sporting events such as the olympics. Athletes train for years to be good enough to compete at the olympics. Might be their only/last chance as well. It is punishing the wrong people.
    ...
    Exactly. I say... get the goddamn politicians to fix their bullshit. Isn't that why we voted them to their jobs? Get to work you fucking bastards or we'll fire you!!!
    ...
    I wish it worked that way.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • redrockredrock Posts: 18,341
    polaris wrote:
    and why punish guys who just wanna watch some beach volleyball? ... womens beach volleyball ... :p

    Is that an olympic sport? :confused::D
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    polaris wrote:
    and why punish guys who just wanna watch some beach volleyball? ... womens beach volleyball ... :p
    ...
    Damn straight... fuckin' aye.
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • mammasanmammasan Posts: 5,656
    jlew24asu wrote:
    is there any particular reason why they do this?

    China imports a great deal of Sudan's oil and in return the Sudanese government buys their arms from China. China doesn't want any of their business ventures with Sudan to be affected by any type of UN intervention.
    "When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    Yes. The lives of those in Darfur pale in comparison to an athlete competing for a piece of metal. It wouldnt be fair to them.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • crittablescrittables Posts: 342
    redrock wrote:
    That's the problem boycotting sporting events such as the olympics. Athletes train for years to be good enough to compete at the olympics. Might be their only/last chance as well. It is punishing the wrong people.


    i don't care if a bunch of athletes lose their opportunity to compete. aren't the lives of hundreds of thousands of africans more important? i mean seriously, where are our priorities if we care more about gold medals?
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    i have planned on boycotting the bejing olympics for quite a few reasons. there is no way in hell those games should be played in that oppressive country

    i may just have to pass on the olympics forever because of this one

    i started talking about it quite some time ago and my friends look at me like i was crazy :rolleyes:
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    jlew24asu wrote:
    is there any particular reason why they do this?


    why else...OIL

    it makes the 21st century go round
  • CosmoCosmo Posts: 12,225
    Rushlimbo wrote:
    Yes. The lives of those in Darfur pale in comparison to an athlete competing for a piece of metal. It wouldnt be fair to them.
    ...
    No one claims a comparison between the people of Darfur and Olympic Athletes. Athletes cannot fix the Darfur situation... politicians can. Boycotting the Olympic Games doesn't help the people of Darfur one bit.
    If American business didn't rely so heavily on Chinese manufacturing, then the job would be a lot easier. A better boycott would be a consumer boycott of anything made in China... which will put all the Wal-Marts out of business.
    Face it... we decided to sleep with the Chinese guy. Now, we're compalining because we got Chinese Wang up our butts?
    Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
    Hail, Hail!!!
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    there are alot more reasons than darfur the games shouldnt be there, as if that wasnt enough
  • crittablescrittables Posts: 342
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    No one claims a comparison between the people of Darfur and Olympic Athletes. Athletes cannot fix the Darfur situation... politicians can. Boycotting the Olympic Games doesn't help the people of Darfur one bit.
    If American business didn't rely so heavily on Chinese manufacturing, then the job would be a lot easier. A better boycott would be a consumer boycott of anything made in China... which will put all the Wal-Marts out of business.
    Face it... we decided to sleep with the Chinese guy. Now, we're compalining because we got Chinese Wang up our butts?


    1. it's not about the athletes, boycotting the games would be a huge blow to the chinese government's ego. they want to prove that they are some powerful, developed country, worthy of attention and respect.

    2. boycotting chinese goods and putting wal mart out of business would be a huge mistake. millions of american rely on the cheap goods they can get at walmart and no where else. it's nice that some people can afford the alternative to chinese goods and walmart, but for many there is no alternative.
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    Cosmo wrote:
    ...
    No one claims a comparison between the people of Darfur and Olympic Athletes. Athletes cannot fix the Darfur situation... politicians can. Boycotting the Olympic Games doesn't help the people of Darfur one bit.
    If American business didn't rely so heavily on Chinese manufacturing, then the job would be a lot easier. A better boycott would be a consumer boycott of anything made in China... which will put all the Wal-Marts out of business.
    Face it... we decided to sleep with the Chinese guy. Now, we're compalining because we got Chinese Wang up our butts?

    I agree with boycotting Chinese goods but disagree that threatening to boycott the Olympics wouldnt help those in Darfur. The Chinese look at these olympics as their introduction to the world as a new world power. Do some reading about what they have done to prepare for this and you will see that there is no way that this would not frighten the hell out of them.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    crittables wrote:
    1. it's not about the athletes, boycotting the games would be a huge blow to the chinese government's ego. they want to prove that they are some powerful, developed country, worthy of attention and respect.

    2. boycotting chinese goods and putting wal mart out of business would be a huge mistake. millions of american rely on the cheap goods they can get at walmart and no where else. it's nice that some people can afford the alternative to chinese goods and walmart, but for many there is no alternative.

    1. again - a US boycott would be embarassing for the US in general
    2. are you saying access to slave labour goods with no worker rights is more important then the lives of the sudanese?

    the intent is not to be facetious but the reality is that there is a plethora of things wrong with china ... and it all boils down to economics ... economics for them as a country and we as consumers ... everything is interconnected - the choices we all make affect the lives of others ...
  • RushlimboRushlimbo Posts: 832
    crittables wrote:
    2. boycotting chinese goods and putting wal mart out of business would be a huge mistake. millions of american rely on the cheap goods they can get at walmart and no where else. it's nice that some people can afford the alternative to chinese goods and walmart, but for many there is no alternative.

    millions of americans are losing their jobs to cheaper labor in China BECAUSE they continue to buy at Walmart. Truly a terrible cycle.
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength
  • crittablescrittables Posts: 342
    polaris wrote:
    1. again - a US boycott would be embarassing for the US in general
    2. are you saying access to slave labour goods with no worker rights is more important then the lives of the sudanese?

    the intent is not to be facetious but the reality is that there is a plethora of things wrong with china ... and it all boils down to economics ... economics for them as a country and we as consumers ... everything is interconnected - the choices we all make affect the lives of others ...


    america constantly embarrasses itself. i'm not worried about that.

    i agree that there are a lot of things wrong with china. i'm just HATE the argument i get all the time that we shouldn't be buying their products from walmart. that walmart should be put out of business. i get the argument from smug assholes (not saying you are one of them) that can afford to go to target or the mom and pop stores and pay more money. but other people can't. so before you make that argument think about the millions of people that would be hurt here.

    and yes i care about the sudanese people, which is why i'm arguing for a boycott of the olympics. if that is enough leverage to make the chinese act in darfur, then great we should give that a try. besides, do you really think you can get enough americans to boycott chinese goods to make an impact? doubtful. people love cheap shit.
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