Boycotting 2008 Olympics

mammasan
mammasan 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.
"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Ron Paul
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Comments

  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,952
    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.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Rushlimbo
    Rushlimbo 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
  • mammasan
    mammasan 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
  • Kann
    Kann 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.
  • godpt3
    godpt3 Posts: 1,020
    Remember Tiananmen Square!
    "If all those sweet, young things were laid end to end, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised."
    —Dorothy Parker

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  • Milestone
    Milestone Posts: 1,143
    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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  • polaris
    polaris Posts: 3,527
    uhhh ... it would be waaaay too hypocritical ... and the exposure would hurt more then help ...
  • cincybearcat
    cincybearcat Posts: 16,952
    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
  • polaris
    polaris 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 ...
  • jlew24asu
    jlew24asu 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?
  • redrock
    redrock 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.....
  • stuckinline
    stuckinline Posts: 3,407
    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
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo 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!!!
  • redrock
    redrock 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.
  • polaris
    polaris 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
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo 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!!!
  • redrock
    redrock 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
  • Cosmo
    Cosmo 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!!!
  • mammasan
    mammasan 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
  • Rushlimbo
    Rushlimbo 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

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