CNN

Mistake, no! They got their money, (Kickbacks)!

It was a very big mistake. What were they thinking when they chose China, that they'd change all their represses policies just because they were chosen to host the olympics?

Probably. But there are far worse precedents: both summer and winter games were played in Hitler's Germany in 1936. I do not know if there was talk of boycotts, but US African American athlete Jesse Owens went there and made a fool of Hitler and his race theories.

I wonder if there are any Tibetan athletes who could do a similar number on the Chinese?

It's called "politics," Jack. How ironic?... Nothing else matters.

No, but I think China is making a big mistake by hosting them. It will draw attention to their miserable human rights violations. It will galvanize protests against them. It will elicit boycotts. And most of all, their filthy environmental conditions will clog up the athlete's lungs. The Olympic Committee just did it's job. Can China doe their job as hosts?

No, it was not a mistake to award China, but their city choice is questionable. With all the pollution Beijing has, Hong Kong or Shanghai would have been a much better selection. China has every right to host the Olympics, just as any other country does.

No it wa not a mistake. The influx of foreginers may help to let a little daylight in.

The big mistake was the illconsidrd trade agreement.

Yes.

Yes they did. So now what do people do in the name of peace beat up the people that are carrying the torch.

On the short term, yes. The air quality, the politics, the trade issues all make China a bad choice.

On the long term, we'll see. There's nothing like the eyes of the world to make a country re-think it's bad habits.

Take the USA, for example. We're about to re-think ours by dumping the Republicans.

Patricia in Idaho

NO. We can't even help our poor folks who are starving in the Us but yet we can criticize China? Talk about calling the kettle black. Mind your own business America. We need help here.

Yes – if for no other reason than the horrible air pollution in China. That was a fact the Olympic Commitee should have seriously considered and would/will affect the athletes health and performance.

I respect the idea that political causes should not be a factor in choosing a site for the games. However, human rights – being treated with respect and consideration – is certainly not something China is noted for, and should have been the main reason to prevent China from hosting the games.

No Jack they didn't the eye's of the world are on the oppression that is happening now in Tibet because of the upcoming olympic games, China is probably questioning their descision to pursue the bid because of the bad press they are getting now.

Believe it or not, I've got to say that it wasnt a mistake. This has finally brought all of China's civil rights issues to the forefront of public view. Maybe something will finally change this time, Jack.

No, the Olympics has put the China's human rights record, environmental pollution, military build up and business practices under the spotlight. Thank God they have a reason to "play nice" – come September all bets will be off!

Jack,
Duh, ya think? The last time the International Olympic Committee screwed up this bad was when they gave the games to Hitler in 1936. What were they thinking? Do you think it's too late to change 2012? I was thinking, how about Darfur? Or maybe North Korea. Or that all time favorite, the West Bank.

How can we boycott a country who is giving us money to send checks to millions of Americans in a few months? An conomic boycott would works but of course there is no way we can stop buying Chinese good. This would further hurt our economy and country. Well its seems that we are stuck between a rock and a hard place on this one! American Hypocrisy rules again!

Hello Jack:

Yes they did. China shows little regard for their own people much less other nations. We should not be doing business with China either.

Ron K. San Diego

I don't see how we can object to China getting the Olimpic games, our human rights record is without blemish. It is like calling the kettle black.
The Olympic games should not have anything to do with politics it is about athletes. These protestors should get a life and even a real job.

The IOC is being totally consistent. In the past it has awarded the summer games to the nazis and the soviets, so what's the big deal about awarding the games to another fascist regime? It's not as if the IOC has a set of fine principles to which it must adhere.

Jack,

Yes, they did. Although if the United States and other countries boycott the Olympics, the end result might be leaps and bounds better because of the attention paid to China's terrible human rights record compared to if they had not hosted the Olympics. This year is already going down in the history books as an Olympic-sized failure on behalf of the International Olympic Committee. A global boycott of the games might just be the nail in China's economic coffin.

Brian
Idaho

No. China has been like this since the took over tibet over 50 years ago, and even before that. If there was a mistake made by the IOC, it was Making it a possibility for China to hold the games in the first place, knowing who they were and what they have done.

Mike, From Staten Island, New York.

Yeah,of course its a mistake! The IOC just made a political decision without thinking of the consequences!

no, the olympic games are about sports not politics. If the world wants to punish china for thier treatment of the people in both their country or tibet stop buying any products that they export all around the world. the world would never do this because china is a large market and a cheap labor. punish the pocketbook ot the sport games but do we have the guts.

Too late now even if it is a mistake. It's not like the decision was made yesterday to hold the games in China. The best we can do now is hope that the Chinese will meet people from many different cultures and may be inspired to change the way their government operates, which is another reason why Bush should stay home. He is not a shining example when it comes to human rights.

With hindsight as a "Monday Morning Quarterback" it sure looks it.
But remember, the games are awarded years ahead of the actual event without the benefit of a crystal ball. Still, the track record of the IOC is not that great: Nazi Germany (Summer and Winter, 1936); Militarist Japan (Summer 1940); Fascist Italy (Winter 1944); Soviet Union (Summer 1980). On the other hand, the United States' record of racial tolerance is hardly stellar; the British and French have less than perfect records concerning colonial peoples (former and present citizens). I suppose the only way to avoid these embarassing situations is to award the games to Norway and Iceland every four years (though I'm sure someone will find something to object to). So no, the IOC did not make a mistake, but the Games sure are taking a beating.

No. The Olympic Committee should not be doing the dirty work that should be done by politicians.Let governments decide if China's or any other country's participation in the Olympics is offensive enough to boycott. The gutless politicians that we fall all over each other to send to Washington won't do that,too much money at stake for American companies.

Nope, not one bit. This circus of protests is just what is needed to expose the slimy underbelly of the dictatorship that is China.

Everything involving China has been a mistake.
It started with Nixon and escalated when Bill Clinton pais no attention as Los Alamos National Laboratory was being raided of secrets at will by the Chinese spys. It was so easy for them that it would more accurate to call them tourists. Things have gotten worse as time has gone on to now when China has most of the good middle class jobs that we once had. The very jobs that produced national wealth, as they have done for China.
Did the International Olympic Committee make a mistake awarding the summer games to China?
After all the mistakes leading up to this, what the hell is the difference?

The Olympics run the risk of boycotts every single time the games are not held in the U.S., Greece, Europe, Australia or Japan. Period.

yes, it was, but it could have served to have China clean up its act and move toward human rights. China's idea of saving face could result in innumerable dead because of a Bushlike inability to admit a mistake or reconsider policies. To most of the west, admitting mistakes and tolerating human rights would be China's face saving course of action.

Absolutely. The corporate-minded idiots that run the olympics should be ashamed. The Games are not about getting countries together and competing in a non-violent way nor is it about the athletes, not anymore. Selecting Beijing as an Olympic site must have been a thank you by the corporate world for delivering cheap products made for minute labor costs to prop up their bloated bottom lines.

Perhaps so, but I don't think the Olympics should be a way to make a political statement. If America wants to Boycott China, why don't we take everything that says made in China off our shelves. Boycotting the opening ceremonies is a cheap way to show solidarity for injustice. Maybe we should boycott the closing ceremony when all our athletes have already returned home. This is Much A Do About Nothing. Let the games begin!

I have never seen a list of reasons why a city is chosen other than how much money they offer the Olympic Committee to chose them.

no.it will help bring attention to the regime's actions ,in their country,and around the world,and ,perhaps shame them for their human rights abuses.if it had been here,in the us,we would have all the attention on our actions here and abroad,and we would be the one's shamed for our human rights abuses,ie.-gitmo,waterboarding,iraq,wiretapping,habeus corpus,eavesdropping,more people in prisons,than any other country,including,uhmm, china,...shall i go on?

As a recent visitor to China, I have very mixed feelings about this question. I choose to speak from the point of view of the Chinese people, not their government. I loved the people. The ones I had contact with were gentle and very sweet. The people take great pride in the progress their country has made. They embrace capitalism with great enthusiasm! Like people everywhere, they just want to be happy and have enough money for the things they need and want. They seem to be looking forward to showing off their progress to the rest of the world.

Some of them had their land and their homes taken from them by the government so Olympic buildings could be constructed. I can only project my feelings onto them, but surely they must resent that, and that resentment would be compounded if the major players boycotted the games.

Awarding the games to the people of China was not a mistake. Awarding the games to the government was a mistake. How is that for an ambiguous answer?

If it was a mistake or not is moot at this point – it is too late to change now. It does no good to insult the atheletes by refusing to attend the opening ceremonies. If they really want to make a statement, attend, but refuse to meet with any chinese officials- honor the atheletes, but refuse to honor the chinese gov't. Snub them, don't evenacknowledge their presence. Bush will probably go and kiss their butts!

Jack,

No, it's not a mistake. They send us tainted toothpaste, they send our children lead toys, they've occupied Tibet for decades, they've taken our jobs thanks to uneven trade agreements, and they have kept a stranglehold on their citizens since the revolution. While we have plenty of political, social, and economic reasons to spar over with China, they are not recent revalations and they have nothing to do with the athletes. Jesse Owens left Hitler's olympians in the dust in Berlin and who can forget the American "Miracle on Ice" victory over the Soviets during the Cold War. There are plenty of arenas in which we can show our disapproval of Chinese policies, the Olympic arena shouldn't be one of them...

Jack, Communist China doesn't deserve the Summer Olympic Games. Their record, on human rights, at home and around the world is dismal. Citizens are being removed, by force, from their own capitol, to hide them, from the general public attending the games. Once removed, their homes and property is destroyed and replaced, with an Olympic venue. At least our government uses the legal system, to take our land or property.

Jack this is a great opportunity to highlight why China is NOT America's friend.

Absolutely! How could the IOC name China as the host for the 2008 summer olympics knowing its' past track record and current regime? They have caused this problem and should just cancel the games! Steven Speilberg refuses to do anything with the opening ceremonies because he does not condone their actions or policies. I learned last evening that Hillary was advised not to go to China as the honorary chairwoman of the U.S. delegation at the U.N. Fourth Conference on Woman held in Beijing. Dick Morris reminded her of China's policies on human rights but she decided to go anyway. Now she is calling for Bush not to attend the opening ceremonies! I agree that Bush should not go – but Hillary is exemplifying "Do as I say,not as I do!"

Of course it was a sad mistake to reward the oppressive Chinese government with a public relations imprimatur from the world community. But it's done now, and China is about to discover how the true Olympic spirit among the young peoples of the world can backfire on those who would attempt to quash it.

The Olympic Committee should add a new, high-risk sport to the China Summer games: Standing in front of a moving tank.

Did the voters make a mistake making Bush president? Was it a mistake invading Iraq? Is wrong tp import lead toys and dog poison from China? YES. China's disposition to high handedness has never been in doubt. Their treatment of their citizens as prisoners and the treatment of prisoners worse then animals at a slaughter are not lost on us. Their threat to Taiwan and Tibet and other neighbors isn't news. To the best of my recollection the Olympics is supposed to foster peace and unity. So what is the justification of awarding the Olympics to a country that has never heard the word peace. I challenge anybody to say the words peace and Unity in Chinese. I think the error in awarding the Olympics to China has robbed the Olympics of its meaning. Up China Olympoops.

Jack
The Olympics are not a political forum, this young people have been training for years for this event. It should not matter where the Olympics are held in China or in Fargo North Dakota. If people want to protest against China for their policies in Tibet let them go to the UN.

Jack, Yes, but then again what are the rules or standards that the Committe have?,

Our politicians have rewarded China with our jobs and our dollars and now they want to talk about the Olympics? Boycotting China won't do anything. Let's make a change in our administration to effect some real sanctions and laws againt China's actions. Don't pander me with a useless boycott of the Olympic games.

There hasn't been this big of a blunder since the 1936 Olympics were awarded to Germany. Even though it was a propaganda coop for Hitler, the world showed up to compete. The world is as spineless today as we were then. Our government and those of the other competing nations pay lip service to, but hold no stock in human rights or liberty when it doesn't serve their own self-interest.

Of course! China is doing nothing about the Tibetan monks just like they didn't do anything about the crisis in Darfur. We need to stand us all over the world and boycott the opening ceremonies!

Olympic Games are played to determine who among the many different sports the best athletes are. No country should be omitted from participation. As despicable as this communist nation may be, more good than bad can come from Beijing sponsoring the events.

You are assuming that the Olympics are still a forum for international goodwill and sportsmanship, and that money is not a driving factor.

Yes Jack, I think they should have been awarded to North Korea. If you're going to bolster the reputation and economy of a totalitarian state, why not start off with the worst? North Korea 2012!

When the first modern day olympics were hosted in Athens Greece in 1896, the sole purpose was to unite people of different cultures, backgrounds, and ethnicities. This was the one time when countries set aside political ideas and controversies. Now, the main event at the Olympics are the political games itself. The international Olympic Committee kept this idea in mind when deciding the location. However, governments and people around the world have lost this idea of the olympic games ever since a little hockey game in 1980. The International Olympic Committee did not make a mistake when it comes to the real purpose of the Olympics. Which was to unite all people of the world.

Absolutely "Not", in fact in was the right thing to do at the time, and is in my opinion heading in the correct direction for the future. Lets face it ,the genie is out of the bottle, and with do respect (China) playing pretty much by the rules in this crazy world we live in today! The Tibetians have always been a thorn in China's side ,not to mention Tawain? If anybody is at fault, you might as well "Paint The Entire Capitalist Countries" into the "Corner of Greed", and sign-off with this old (but appropriate) contentious phrase,"The Road to Hell was Paved with Good Intentions"!

Jack, I think the I.O.C. wanted to show Communist China just as it wanted to show the old U.S.S.R. that if it changed it's restrictive behavior towards it's own peope & made an effort to move away from it's choke-hold on it's citizen's lives that wonderful thngs could happen for the government. But, Communist China didn't take the hint & the people of Tibet are making them pay that price.
Was it a mistake to give Communist China the games, I don't know. Should the President of the United States not attend the Opening Cermony? NO!

No. China will learn an important lesson. If they desire to be in the spotlight – culturally or economically; they're going to have to clean up their act or "lose face".

It was more than a mistake.......it was a crime and now we want China to turn "preachers" under pressure. It is a little late for that. The only solution is endure, and live with it. It is not going to change.

Again, why are my comments consistently "awaiting moderation?" They are innocuous enough. Has somebody your end been served bad beer DownUnder?

I can't say much for their timing but think about it. We fought with the Germans, The Germans fought with France we were in a cold war with Russia we dropped the atomic bomb on Japan and yet we all come together to compete at the Olympics. The Olympic Games are a time to set aside differences and let our best and brightest athletes come together and compete on an even playing field where the victor earns the pride of their country and a medal not a bullet or a knife in the back. Politicians need to use other methods of negotiation besides holding their own people back from something they worked for all their lives up to that point. What ever happened to sanctions and embargoes and peaceful dialog to solve world problems?

Jack, It's my understanding that the I.O.C. doesn't "award" the Olympics, it sells them. If so, then it's certainly reasonable to see that the richest country,ie China, is the one country that can afford it. other "Rich" countries will get their shot at them later. It's my guess Tibet won't be hosting any games for some time.

The IOC made a huge mistake. It's disturbing how China immediately "denounced" the Olympic protests but not the atrocities happening in Tibet.

Boise, Idaho

Tibet secede? How about Texas? I have a nephew who belongs to the Free Texas committee and contends that Texas was illegally annexed. Damn shame he can't get the backing that Tibet has from fellow Americans. I wonder what would happen in Austin if those people staged a "demonstration'.

Perhaps the Olympic Committee will never again consider awarding any country with a problem the games.

Jack,

Do you think if it was in The United States there would be protests against the invasion of Iraq? Perhaps the Vancouver Olympics will also be protested. The United States needs to realize that they are not the sole "deciders".

They should have held them here. We need this sort of money to get an economic boost for our recession.

Having the Olympic Games in China is not a mistake, but rather a move to completely uncover the horrendous human rights violations the Chinese have been committing. An ulterior motive definitely exists for the Olympic Committee.

Big Mistake. Anyone who think this administration is going to say anything to China is a few bricks short of a full load. My dad always said,"Don't talk bad about someone you owe so much money"!

Of course it was a mistake. They should have let Toronto have it. China was chosen based on political reasons and now people have every right to bring politics into it. Choosing China was NEVER in the best interests of the athletes, the Olympic committee needs to own up to this fact. We shouldn't stop countries from boycotting the Opening Ceremonies or any part of the Olympics. Athletes who have been training their whole lives for this year's olympics were screwed over the minute Beijing was chosen!

Nav
Toronto, Canada

I'm sure the IOC has felt some heat from our Government considering we'll be in debt with China until the end of time. The least we can do is award them the Summer Olympics. China has and will continue to play by their own rules; just look at the imbalance of our import/export. Let's also look at China's history regarding humanities.
I think that everyone is also forgetting about the athletes. These athletes spend their lives being able to qualify and be a part of the Olympics. What if these conflicts get worse and the idea of canceling the Summer Olympics is put out on the table? All these athletes want to do is live out their dreams.

What a no brainer Jack....They should never have been chosen as the host and for there to be an out cry now is like Clinton voting to disenfranchis MI and FL and then screaming about it when it was a done deal and she suffered for it. I've no doubt Tibet wonders what we, leaders of the free world, were thinking.

I think it was a huge mistake for the committee to put the summer games in China. I understand that right now their economy is blooming and the games will help to bring China into the 21st century, but just because America owes them lots of favors and wants to stay on China's good side doesn't mean that we should just turn a blind eye to all of the human rights violations that their government is committing!

Jack -Disagreement over foreign policy and the inevitability of war could be used to imbrue any multi-national celebration with the perspiration of conflict and discontent. George Bush may be right, the ideals of the Olympic Games are designed to allow us to lay down our individual national agenda's, and wipe the brow of political ideologies, at least for a brief time.

The Olympic Committee should be approaching the selection with the hope of promoting diplomacy between all nations, and not the political agenda of America or any nation for that matter. It's obvious that they are having some success. After all, it was George bush and John McCain who insisted that to sit down and talk to a political enemy would be an irreponsible and outrageous show of weakness. But apparently running, jumping, laughing, hugging and celebrating in the country of a historical enemy is O.K.

That just goes to show:
1) You're never to old to learn (McCain)
2) You can teach an old dog new tricks (Bush)
and
3) Sometimes when you wipe your brow, everything seem a lot clearer.

Andre,
Miami, Florida

No, for several reasons.
1) If you eliminate a country because we (& other nations) disagree with a certain country politically, you can always find a fault with anybody.

2) The purpose was to promote good will among all nations, not necessarily countried. By not granting the game to China, you will only alienate China and Chinese. We are talking about eliminating over 15 billion people!

It's about time people should get off their high horse.

As someone who loves the city of Toronto (the second place finnisher behind Beijing) I will always wish the IOC would have chose differently.
As someone who is pretty consistantly disturbed by what goes on in China (and Darfur for that matter) I am bothered by China and her capital pretending to embody the Olympic spirit and ideal, but I dont think that any of us have the moral authority to suggest that China shouldnt host the games, or the moral authority to suggest that any country should boycott the games when we continue to trade with China and enjoy the cheap prices to be found in places such as Wal Mart that result from the procurring of Chinese goods.
IF we are serious about addressing the Tibet issue, the freedom issue, the Darfur issue (etc) well lets then talk boycott of trade. If we are not, well let the games begin.

No, Jack. The Olympics are supposed to promote international unithy through sports, and I wouldn't want it to be used as a political tool.

Go to show that members of the IOC are still immersed to payoff and bribes, just like always. The 2008 games to the highest bidder, what the IOC care about oppression as long as their pockets get lined with cash?

In a word, Yes.
Living in Toronto, I still remember losing our bid to China. It was a sad day and we all knew the IOC made a mistake. But I guess the IOC did award the games to Nazi Germany, so I'm not surprised. It's all about the money, and China is printing money on the backs of all those they oppress.

Michael from Toronto

Not a mistake. China may see a financial bolus from having the games there, but the spotlight the Olympics has shown on the human rights violations going on there will likely be more beneficial in the long run than any financial gains the Chinese government will see.

Jack I think it was a big mistake to award China the games. Especially with their air pollution problems which many of the athletes voiced concerns about. Then you add to that their gestapo tactics and it makes a very bad choice.

Our country is so indebted internationally. Soon we'll have no say!
China is just the beginning....

As long as China keeps giving us money I guess it's okay, isn't? We shouldn't place all the blame on China.

If we're going to point fingers, let's point them at who allowed China's bid for the Olympics to pass.

Mistake? I don’t understand? I thought all this Tibet stuff got worked out after that Brad Pitt movie.

Chris, Brooklyn Ny

If a Countrys political policys such as Chinas recent crackdown on Tibet is allowed to influence the IOC, what chance does Chicago have for the 2016 bid? People in glass houses should not throw stones.

Yes. They forgot the Chinese are Communists. Only the president is to forget such things. Rick, Yakima, Wa.

Yes, it was a mistake but not for the reason that most people think. The Olympics are supposed to be about sports and not politics, so let's ignore the Tibet issue for the moment. We're talking about one of the most crowded cities on earth with a terrible air pollution problem hosting hundreds of thousands of athletes and tourists. Beijing officials have already declared that the tap water is undrinkable, and the Chinese aren't exactly the world leader in food safety. On top of that there are several venues that were hastily built or aren't even finished yet. This all comes together to spell a health and safety hazard for the athletes.

China getting the Olympics is yet another gutless move to apease the sleeping giant. The World has been trying so hard for so long NOT to hold them accountable for their atrocious, inhumane, insufferable arrogance and "global ambitions" that China has now grown so powerful that noone dares slap them down.
Why should the Olympic Committee be any different? Afterall the Olympics are just a "cash-cow" enterprise anyway. If its all about athletics why are there no "track & field leagues" to rival the NFL?
Does watching a slim guy on a tiny sled shoot down an ice-chute feet first launch anyone from the couch screaming "ALRIGHT"?
The Olympics are a yawn, Jack. That's why there isn't coverage of archery competitions, track & field competitions, and Water Polo Leagues. I'd rather read a good book.

China has been the Sleeping Dog Country for many years now. It wasn't a mistake Jack, now at least the rest of the world can see how oppressing China really is. China's Government is just as fake as President Bush.

I think it was, but China's selection for the olimpic games is in part a reflexion of the international opinion about their increasing economical development. Even if we don't want to, our economy is deeply indebted to the chinese government, and the endless bill from Iraq war is paid with the money we borrow from them. That impairs our ability to be critical of their decisions.

No,because in the big world of global politics China's human right policies doesn't look any darker than than the world at large.All the world economic and political puppet masters really don't care about the poor and needy.the olympics wouldn't be so big and mighty except for the masses.We need to realize,that when the masses care.Then only will the powers that be take notice.

You are all missing the point. You should have made these complaints long ago when Beijing made the bid to host the Olympics, not now. The Olympics is about the athletes, about uniting us world wide in spite of our different politics. To boycott at any level only hurts the athletes!

Jack
Finnally a good question. Yes China should never be allowed to have the olimpics.

YES! The Olympics are about athletics, competition, respect, harmony and peace. The Chinese government is committed to the destruction of the integrity and spirit of their own citizens as well as to whomever they choose to impose their mission. China is about politics rather than the Olympic spirit and in awarding them Olympics, the international committee failed their mission. If the Olympics continue to be awarded to countries who choose the ongoing defeat of the Olympic spirit in their own country, the Olympics will eventually be destroyed.

Yes, I think the IOC made a mistake. The olympic bylaws do explicitly mention human rights. It's nothing new that China is at war with basic human right and everyone knew it. So why did they give the Olympica Games to China? Did they really think that China will change its policy because the entire world is watching ?
I think no one who dealt with that issue could have thought so.
So in my eyes it was a mistake because it gives China the chance to make a fool of the entire world. They pretend to be a modern and progressive state but in fact China is still a dictatorship in which words like freedom and democracy do only exist in the dictionary.

China will be the center of the world's stage. The spot light will pay attention to all there warts and wrinkles. They do not want to be known for the outrages. So they have ben tempering their autocratic rule, for the sake of the olympics. This is not a bad thing.

No, they should have the games, it's the least we can do for them, since they are financing our "economy stimulus check"!
San Diego, CA

Yes. The Chinese government deserves nothing. They are one of the biggest threats to the world, due to their disregard for anything that lives. I'm still upset about that stupid gigantic dam.

If a clean record on human rights was a prerequisite for hosting the Olympics they would have to be in Sweden every year. Hey, what's the matter with that?

A very big mistake. The Olympic games began in Greece which is the birthplace of democracy. To allow these games to take place in a communist country which is the sworn enemy of democracy is an abomination. Red China violates human rights as a matter of policy and should be declared a criminal government and excluded from all association with civilized countries.

Of course they did and they knew it but the money was too good!

The U. S. team has announced, rudely, that: they will not stay in the Olympic Village, they will not eat Chinese food, and will arrive late to avoid breathing Chinese air. With that attitude they should not go and whoever invited them should withdraw their invitation.
As to China's policies in Tibet, a Country that occupies Iraq and kills their citizens and has a civil rights record as bad as the US's has no room to criticize other Nations. Stay home US until your manners improve.

I don't think so. China will soon be the most powerful country on earth. How can you ignore them. We will need their support to survive in the furture.

Considering that we attended the games in Nazi Occupied Germany in 1936 we don't have the best reputation when it comes to the Olympics in countries with a laundry list of human rights violations. China may be many things but one thing they aren't are Nazis.

Then again, in 1980 the US led 60 countries in boycotting the Moscow games and 10 years later, the Soviet Union was no more. One thing may not have anything to do with the other, but if a significant number of nations stand up and say they don't believe in what China stands for, it may just send a strong and truly international message that China is on the wrong path.

Tibet is not ground for foreign political exploitation. Let china handle its own mess. The chinese government has heavy money on developmental projects for the region, and still has. Last riot of Tibet was 40-50 years ago, all of a sudden it strikes again, coincidence? maybe. Politcally motivated? I think so.

I for one don't like Chinese government's repression tactics, but i do appreciate that they are making progress. As long as they are makig progress not regress we should concentrate domestically and stop stickin noses overseas.

Yes it was...on the other hand, GOD works in mysterious ways....if they were not hosting, would we be talking about their horrible human rights record this much?!?!?

maybe good can come out of all this protest

im on the side of the Athletes, the Tibetans, and the Sudanese

a solution that helps all those people is a good one!

OBAMA 08!!!!

I think the IOC may of been trying to help nudge China in the right direction with bestowing this honor on them so we'll see where the proverbial chips fall.

I paid my five bucks to drive over that Golden gate bridge, it isn't the place to demostrate. The boycott of everything made from China around the world would send a better message. Start with all the merchants that knowing produce, market, and sell toxic items made from China. If I wish to watch track and field, I would rather watch my cats they are more important then people jumping into sand boxes.

The situation in Tibet is not new, it's just worse. Suppression of human rights is part of China's system. They still deny the Tienemen Square (sp) violence. If human rights issues determined the Olympic site, how many countries would qualify? Would we? The Olympics have been held in Moscow, in Hilter's Berlin. Obviously the IOC looks at stadiums and hotel space more than the politics of the country. Companies do horrible things and still we buy their products. Countries do horrible things and still host the Olympics. to quote the Witch of the West, what a world, what a world.

China and it's way of life have existed for thousands of years. Democracy as we practice it here in the US is about 1 week into conception if compared. Each time a democratic style event is held in China, millions of Chinese are exposed to the Western way of living. Sooner or later, the Chinese people will rebel and take charge. The implications brought about by the Olympic committee's decision to hold the event in China are probably far more positive than the negatives injected by mere political snubbery.

The Olympic Committee should not award any country who oppresses it's citizens with it's summer or winter games. However, with that said I don't believe we should boycott the Olympics. At this point it would be detrimental to athletes who have worked so hard to get there.

Whoever thinks sports are pure and non-political is either stupid or using too many cheap drugs: during the Cold War the Olympics was as political as the Space Race; it was viewed much the same in the days of its origin between Greek city-states. It is merely combat in another form, just mostly non-lethal.

The people of China deserve the Olympic games (and the business boom that goes along with them) as much as any other people. The government of China however, does not. Through blatant disregard of human rights and denial of basic freedoms (including freedom of the press) to the people of their nation and the people of Tibet the Chinese government should not be rewarded or awarded anything.

Valparaiso, Indiana

Olympics can stabilize a regime (see 1936), but it can maybe also destabilize it, by showing its oppressed citizens that the government is NOT respected by the people abroad. I think the choice of Bejing was defensible but not desirable. If the Olympic fire would come to Minneapolis, I would be out demonstrating for the people of China and Tibet against their oppresive govenment.

The IOC knowingly made a huge mistake when it gave the Olympics to the "People's Republic" of China. Its government has never kept its word on improving the human rights situation, as we have learned on multiple occasions, most recently China's membership in the WTO. Meanwhile, innocent people are being killed or sent off to jail. How can anyone justify awarding this behavior?

Jack, its too late to back up the tape on China's selection. Lets hope the choice of Beijing as a future site for an olympics is not repeated.

Best use I've seen "my" bridge put to in a long time.

Of course not. It's all about money and the ICC are known to take gifts, etc. to buy a vote for a city, and we all know who holds the purse strings today, thanks to their inclusion in the WTO. BTW, a rather large Bill mistake.

Wendy
San Rafael, CA

of course not...the more attention that china gets the more they have to address human rights issues...i say let's all go over and start talking to the people during the games about a better way of life and let the Chinese people do the rest...revolutions start with just an idea...we need to be there to sow the seed...

The Olympics has been a commericalized perversion of amateur athletics for the as long as most people on this planet have been alive. Why not embrace its rich history with comparing China's present hosting to that benchmark of national humanity Nazi Germany's 1934 hosting.

No, I think that the Olympic committee made the right decision. If people don't want to deal with China, then quick buying all the goods that China produces. If you want China to change, you hope by opening up the country, some change will gradually occur. What country is so pure as to be without controversy. Canada has the separatist party in Quebec, as well as the living conditions of many aborignial people. Every country has its own skeletons.

The real question is what would a boycott of the opening ceremonies do? Or even a boycott of the games themselves? If we continue to trade with them and borrow money and cater to them every day of the year then it's a bit hypocritical to use the Olympic games as a stage to protest. If we want to protest the Chinese actions in Tibet how about we do it with all of out actions dealing with the Chinese and not just the Olympics......I truly feel sorry for these athletes that train for years so that the games can be used as a political football.

Yeah, but that means that the U.S. government doesn't have a monopoly on poor international policy decision making.

I don't think so. We keep talking about China's human rights violation. But what about Iraq? Isn't U.S violating Iraqi people's rights but going to war with made up evidence?

Jack,
If China thinks people are complaining now and threatening boycotting, wait until the athletes arrive in Beijing and choke from the pollution that is thicker than pea soup. Since the Olympics is all about sports competition among countries, you would think an athlete's health would be taken into consideration when choosing a location to host the games. The world can't predict what might happen politically in a country before the games begin (although there were concerns here with China and human rights), however, there can, and should be, environmental standards that must be met to host the Olympics. These athletes train for years and they maintain healthy bodies to compete. Spectators enjoy watching them compete and admire their discipline. The least we can do is provide them with a basically healthy environment. By the way, the Chinese gov't has been taking water away from their own farmers to save for all the Olympic visitors. These farmers have been complaining about not having enough water to feed their crops. Fearing their crop production will be low, there won't be enough food to sell. Pathetic, isn't it?

Why shouldn't China be allowed to hold the Olympic Games? Doesn't owning almost all of the United States' debt account for anything anymore? I guess the bragging rights aren't so good now that the American Dollar is tanking. I guess you could look at the bright side; they won't have to run far to find a title sponsor... WAL-MART!!!

They did not. There would be always people trying to make political statements at the wrong places just because is easier. Sports should be kept separate from politics otherwise there would be no sports events. Where else would IOC have to put it if they had to account for political factors, in USA, or Britain, etc? Imagine the Iraq related protests that could have resulted if it was set in USA for example.

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

The Olympic creed is about the compitition not politics and policies.

I wonder if China will censor & ban the Olympic results when it comes to their athletes losing an event?

This was a major mistake they will not be or can not be shamed into treating their people better. They feel superior to us and others and we are into their debt; so how much can we really say? We have sold our drawing and be heard Freedom of Speech in the world today. Hopefully we can change this under the next President and command respect again when we speak, suggest or instruct.
We have as much respect any more in the world as some substitute teachers in rowdy class rooms. They have to turn the classes around to their way of doing things with creativity and communicative skills. They do not purchase their way into leadership and can not bully their students.

The Olympics has resulted in more people learning about China and issues surrounding it – that must be good.

As for human rights violations: Suspension of habeas corpus, Guantamo Bay, extraordinary rendition and secret prisons, Abu Ghraib, waterboarding, only applying World Court rulings on a case-by-case basis – all the USA.

Americans tend to forget that the USA itself doesn't have a spotless human rights record either.

Lastly, I find it hypocritical to call for a boycott of the Olympics but not the footwear companies that pay chump change to people for shoes they sell for $80 and more, or American companies who benefit from what is essentially slave labor.

Jack,
No the IOC did not make a mistake. China is now a leading producer of consumer products for the world. It is time for Olympic medals to say won and made in China. China is routinely granted "most favored" nation status by the US Congress and President. So the US TV networks will favor them with lavish fees for the broadcast rights.
The China Olympic games will be the success that its' commercial sponsors are paying for and they will be a pleasant diversion for the world press from the ever tedious US political issue of the minute.

We should not be there at all, Jack. Our president boycotting the opening ceremony is stupid. Who cares. Big deal. I wouldn’t even invite Bush to my house. I got better things to do like watch TV or play online computer games. We have been slapping China on the wrist for how long now? To date, this approaches has resulted in little more than China being China and flipping its finger to the rest of the world community. China, like America, and just about every other country is arrogant. Stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result.

America, not Bush, needs to boycott the entire Olympic games. We shouldn’t even send one athlete there, period. We should pay off all our debts to China and how 'bout we form an economic alliance with other democratically minded industrialized nations and screw the rest of the world? Then when they come begging us for help, we make our assistance conditional and offer it only after their leaders beg on their knees before all their constituents and confess to be self-serving leaches.

Most definitely! It is a shame that Bush, who is supposed to be the defender of human rights, is going there, against the wishes of most of the American people. Which side of his mouth is he now speaking from?

Bow Down to your masters. China owns us. I think all athletes and those who have planned on attending should boycott . The water and air are unhealthy (to put it lightly), athletes are suppose to be healthy, the air is going to poison thier lungs, and just where are they gonna get drinkable water? BOYCOTT CHINA and thier whipping boy in the white house.

It was a mistake for China. The Chinese government thought that the rest of the world would bow to their script and censors and just report what they were told to report. (I.E. propaganda). We are instead going to witness pollution that will make the athletes sick,horrible living conditions and all sorts oh human suffering. Maybe the Olympics will lead us to boycott all Chinese products.

The mistake was not the Olympic committe awarding the games to China. The mistake was the United States borrowing money from China. Sticky isn't it...

Edith Carol
Springfield Oregon

you bet it was a mistake! China's record of human rights abuse goes back decades, and has yet to let up! Is there a mystery here? Read 'Life and Death in Shanghai' to ATTEMPT to understand the backwards, self-centered ethno-cleansing of this sick country. In my home, we have a life time boycott on China. Is Tibet free? Do you truly understand the peaceful nature of the Tibetans? If so, then you know how incredibly SICK China's government is. BOYCOTT CHINA!

Jack, the IOC is doing the same thing that our government is doing, along with many others. For some reason we've decided that it's better to cater to the Communist regime rather than engage them. We all see what that has gotten us.
Allen
Hartwell, Georgia, USA

Sometimes the best medicine for corruption and oppression is a nice big spotlight... The Chinese Government should be careful what it wishes for.

Knowing that many countries are financially indebted to China as well as the United States, no it's not a mistake that they were awarded the Olympic games. The United States and other countries have known for years China's human rights practices and China has been embraced as part of the International community. China holds the money.

Jack,
Not only did they make a mistake in awarding the summer games to China but American's make the same mistake everyday we continue to allow China to conduct buisness in America and look past the cheating, stealing and lying that has brought small buisness in this country to a virtual stand still. China treats America far more abusively than Tibet. Through their tade practices and currency manipulation American's are losing their jobs and livelyhood at record numbers. When China sends the date rape pill to Tibet's children like they did here I'll show some concern towards Tibet.

Well the point is how many of us are watching the Olympics to actually care?

I say no, it wasn't a mistake.

Each of us can help boycott the Olympics by simply refusing to watch the games. History repeats itself and now we are seeing the 1936 games repeated with a new world power. Free Tibet!

China is the world's whore. Cheap labor and cheap products are the hallmark of this nation. Prisoners are responsible for the production of many of China's export goods, but the world closes its collective eyes to this fact for economic reasons.

Whether they were right or wrong then doesn't really matter now. The world must stand to this bully and boycott the games entirely. China stands to make billions of dollars due to the games. The world must unite and deny China this opportunity.

President Bush not showing up is really going to put a damper on the games, yeah right!

Another opportunity to act outraged by the Committee giving the games to China, where were you before the decision was made? It kind of reminds me of the now outrage over MI & FL's vote not counting, if they had only known before Hillary needed those delegates and popular votes!

After the fact is usually TOO LATE, Jack!

Darlene
from Georgia

Probably. But we don't want to make China mad, now do we?

Jack,

The IOC's decision to grant China the olympic games is as solid of a decision as supporting McCain or Clinton in the current election...sorry Jack, couldn't skip the opportunity for a cheesy campaign joke.

Obama '08

I don't think it was a mistake to award the games to China at the time the IOC did so. However, it could be a big mistake for people in the U.S. or the E.U. to attend or support them since the latest fiasco in Tibet.

As several commentors have pointed out here, this does shed a spotlight on China's human rights record, which is a good thing to do. It may, however, end in violence, which is not so good. I suspect that whatever happens at these games will be a catalyst for some kind of change. Let's hope it goes in the right direction, and that no innocent athletes or spectators will be injured at the games

Name one country where they could be held that would be free of any kind of controversy.

yes it was a huge mistake to give the summer olympics to china. its already written in the charta of the olympic commitee that human rights have to be respected in countries where the olympic games will be given to. so the olympic commitee had to be blind when they gave the summer olympis to china because china always ignores human rights!! we all shouldnt go there and show them that we just dont take it!

In a word, YES!!!!

yes!

Yes. The Olympics should be boycotted by anyone and everyone. The Chinese are so far behind the times with the way they treat their people that they have no right to host anything. Communist China unfortunately is a dead-on description of this bass-ackwards country.

Yes, it was a mistake to award China the Olympics in the first place. However, it is not the athletes fault and yet, they are the ones being hurt by all the protests.

I lived in China for over a year 2 years ago, and I can honestly say that what the average tourists sees in the big semi-western cities is a lot different that what one will see incountry. The local communist party leaders control the small and midsize towns and the locals had better tow the line. If a communist leader wants your home torn down, without giving you compensation for a building that they have an interest in, then you hit the street. Human rights throughout China has a long way to go. It is bad when an 86 year old cobbler told me that the local communist goons are worse than the Japanese were during there occupation.

Jim. Prescott, MI

Huge mistake, both ethical and political. China's human rights record is disgraceful, from Tibet to Darfur. They have not shown themselves to be a nation morally qualified to hold an international event representative of a multitude of countries. We need to pressure China to change its policy, and one of the best ways to get through is denying them the honor of hosting the olympics.

I wouldn't hold a single event in China. China who, China What!

Since when has the Olympics been about civil rights? Germany oppressed the Jewish populace during the 1936 games. There were further terrorist assaults in 1972 and in 1996. When have the Olympics ever meant world Peace in the last half a century or so? They've become a breeding ground for Coca Cola and McDonalds to spread their insignia throughout the world. What better place than the emerging market of China?

Yes, it was a mistake. But since they are the host it isn't right to diss the athletes and boycott the opening ceremonies. I realize there are political reasons to do so, but the whole idea of the Olympics is that politics can be set aside, so countries athletes can compete. We have a bad enough reputation around the world and the current administration doesn't have much of a leg to stand on the rights of citizens etc...

It's tricky, because it is bringing the benefit of international attention to the horrible human rights abuses in China, but at the same time it is telling the Chinese government that the international community will do nothing about its brutality, and even financially reward them.

Absolutely! The IOC was well aware of China's lack of human rights prior to awarding the games to Bejing.

I would say it's a good thing, so people can see how oppressive China's government is. But they are so good at hiding it and being sneaky. More likely, people will think "Hey, maybe China isn't so bad". And that ain't right.

No Jack it was not. The whole concept of the games is to unite and open up other countries and to open up potential dialogues. China made the mistake of trying to control, own and possess a people that does not want to be owned or possessed. Same would apply to Taiwan would you not think which wants freedom to be clear of China rule but is forced to accept such rule.

Answer is simple! just pay a visit to Darfur yourself, watch China's involvement live! then answer the question! the truth is in what one sees, experiences, suffers and re-lives! live!

Jack, the old saying about the horse already out of the barn might apply here. Having the Olympics in China could turn out to be the door opening that enlightens the Chinese people. In these days of the internet, etc., It should be nearly impossible for China to keep its society closed to the rest of the world. Don't boycott the Olympics... let's all participate and open that door as wide as we can.
Bud Curtis
Miami, OK

This double standard towards China is very unfair.

The Chinese treatment of the Tibetans is 100 times more humane than the American's treatment of the native American's. China is a big country with 56 ethnicities and a long and complex history. Some sort of racial/cutural clashes from time to time are almost unavoidable. China went through many wars and adversity in the last 200 years, therefore, peace and stability is the top priority for the government. What the government did was out of praticality.

Every country has to go through some growing pains, politically, economically, etc.. The western world knows very little about china, its culture, its history, its people. Yet they are quick to throw judgements.

The olympics is a world event. China has 1/5 of the world's population. it is infact inhumane to deny china's rights to host the olympics.

No Jack, sports and politics should not be mixed. The Olympics held in China should not be viewed as a reward for China, but rather as an event celebrating human unity, togetherness, will power, sporting achievements and fair play. After all, if we had more sports and less politics, the world would be a better place.
Alex
Illinois

Of course it was a mistake, China has a horrendous human rights record and did not deserve this kind of recognition. If Bush had the guts of Carter we wouldn't be going at all, as it is all we can do is let potential sponsors know we will not puchase thier products of services i9f they continue sponsorship.

Weren't other Nations involved in deciding where to hold the Olympics? Or do we decide that all by ourselves too. It's to late to back our now; and remember too that the US owes billions of dollars to China thanks to Bush's war. Put's us in a tenuous position to be arguing human rights issues with China.

Geeez Jack................What the Olympic committee does is really at the top of my priority list of things to worry about!

Shame! Shame! Shame! It should not have been awarded to that country. At least we should boycot olympics by not attending the events.

China will be the biggest trouble maker of the world in this century.

The one with the most money wins. And in this case the one owed the most money wins.

I don't believe the IOC made a mistake in this case. I'm a young man, and to be frank, our Olympics are getting kind of boring. Where's the drama? Sure we had some kind of lame bombing in Atlanta, but without evil socialist countries to combat, it simply gets dull. Three cheers for social activism!

Hey how about we have the summer 2016 Olympics in Iraq that might be what they need something to look forward too.

Simply: Yes, a huge mistake.

YES

Jack,

It is what it is. The Olympic Games are a showcase to the world, so let the world see what the future looks like under the yoke of China. A wake-up call is what is needed and this just might do the trick.

China's human rights violations have been known for years, yet the Olympic Committee still chose Beijing for the 08 Olympics. What message is the Olympic Committee trying to send by chosing places like this to host such a sacred sporting event?

rj

Absolutely not. If the Olympics were not given to the Chinese, the world would not focus so much on China. Finally they are put under the scrutiny they should have been under all this time.

Jack, Let history repeat itself. (This time without a boycott.) Nine years after the 1980 games East & West Germany united. Twelve years after the 1980 games the old USSR folded into smaller democratic nations.

Let the games go on. In ten to twelve years new leaders will come into power that will lean more to democracy. And who knows China just might free Tibet just like Russia did with the Baltic State.

One can only hope.

Ridiculous.. China should have not been awarded with hosting the Beijing olympics, it's only a PR move to make it look like China is a great nation non-corrupted.. which is untrue.

Ryan
Money Making Blog

No. There is no reason that China should not be allowed to hold the Olympics. While I do not agree with China's actions against Tibet, it is ridiculous that torch holders are being attacked.

I beleived that it was a mistake such as the ysenators gave bush the go ahead the invade Iraq. But we hope it works great and the U.S dominate as usal.

Obviously, it was a mistake to award the Games to China. They SHOULD have been awarded to Cuba. Oh wait. We are boycotting Cuba because of their human rights violations. My bad.–Ron, Florida

Absolutely shouldn't of awarded it to China- but it is VERY good they did as now it will educate the world about their lack of Human Rights.

Today's world order, the worst human rights violators get the benefit of the doubt. China should have never got the games.

One more note – I am from Europe and back in the old good communism regime my mother used to tell me "always have Vodka and rice in house because you don't know who's gonna get here first' No Joke – it's true even here in US.

Absolutely!

No communist country should ever be awarded The Olympic Games ever! What were these idiots thinking?? I suppose the next "Games" will be in Cuba or North Korea! How could The Olympic Commitee not anticipate the protests that would follow?

I guess it would depend on what type of kickback the commitee members recieved for awarding it to China Jack. As in past Olympic sites being named, many of the olympic members recieved special favours from the chosen country

I'm beginning to think that the IOC may have made just the right decision. With all the controversy and all the animosity in the world surrounding China, awarding Beijing the 2008 Olympic Games may have given the world just the rallying point they needed to get behind a cause and fight for human rights. If China doesn't get that it's very much disliked in the world after all of this, I can't imagine what could possibly open their eyes.

Jack, China should never have gotten awarded the Olympics. You think their record on human rights is abysmal? Do a little research into how they treat their dogs and cats. Remember Gandhi's quote:

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the
way its animals are treated."

The mistake with China has been to send all our jobs, companies, and technology over there. They own us, but the main idea to have olympics in these type of countries is to show them everyone can compete on an even field no matter where it is. Kinda like the time we thumbed our noses at Hitler when he was promoting his aryan race at the '36 Olympics. Jesse Owens was the man!

Yes, not only for their dismal human rights record, but for their atrocious environmental one as well.

I think it was a great idea! People will again see some of the terrible things the Chinese government does to its people. It really brings the controversy to the forefront of the news cycle. When people have anti-China demonstrations, perhaps people will finally realize what is going on in the world. Maybe a few more people will pay attention and stop allowing China to have its way with America's economy.

The IOC doesn't know JACK... I have no problem with the games being in China, but they should have been awarded under a series of provisions for better human rights practices. A boycott, though, would squander all efforts in Chicago for the US to host the Olympics in 2016. What a mess...

Beijing was picked over Toronto, last time i checked, Canada was not enslaving Quebec and not sponsoring Genocide in Darfur. Yes it was a mistake.

The Olympic Games should have been rewarded to China in the first place. They have been preparing for the games for years and instead of fixing the human rights problems they have found ways to gate off and build around the sweatshops and other human rights violations. On the brighter side of this grim situation, issues in Tibet and around China would not be international new issues if the games were not there. Now it is important for countries to not hurt their athletes but instead force China or recognize these issues and change them.

If the crazy Spartans, and Athenians, could stop killing each other for the "Games"; then, surely, we have not come very far. Truly, we are Barbarians.
The protest diminish the spirit of what the Games were all about. It is not the time, nor place, to show disatifaction with China.

It was not a mistake, we have no choice. They have all the money and we have too approve almost anything they want. They bailed us out with Bears & Stearns just 2 weeks ago. They have manuvered themselves into our financial decisions. If we don't like what they are doing thats too bad. We made this bed and we may never get another good nights sleep.

Perhaps there were some real lefties on the olympic committe that geniusly voted in favor of hosting the Olympic games there in order to hilightght all of he wonderful human rights poliies of the Chinese. If so, it was genius.
April Cook

no, it was not a mistake to award China the right to host the Olympics. this is a chance for China to show how they have improve and the stride they taken to reach where they are right now. the Tibet incident is an unfortunet thing, but i haven't all countries commit their own "atrocity" such as the Olympic in Berlin??? Please don't make the Olympic into what it is not: a political game!

i feel your comment on it being a mistake a groundless and bias statement.

The coverage of torch relay has shown the bias of the western media toward China. We couldn't see the welcoming groups in different cities, but the protest. Shame on you, so-called independent free press.

This was a huge mistake and the Olympic committee must have known that this situation was going to happen. However, money talks and the people on the committee have their pockets lined and are in no danger so why should they care.

Once upon a time, the Olympics gave amateur athletes the chance to shine but because of power and greed it is now the professionals that compete and it is all about winning.

yep- you bet it was a mistake !

- if for no other reason than the horrible pollution !!!
how are the athletes supposed to breathe properly while participating in the outdoor events ???

i have heard (?) some athletes have already dropped out, due to fears of the pollution affecting their performances.

It doesn't matter...this is about the athletes, not politics. If people want to punish China for cracking down on Tibet they should hit them where it hurts stop buying Chinese made crap. Hang a "Free Tibet" sign in front of Wal Mart instead of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Olympics? They happen so often anymore it's as exciting and predictable as filing my income tax every year. Sure the IOC shold not have granted China the event, but since they did, I think we should boycott it Jack, so that China loses money. We already spend enough money on their products, why should we let them profit off the Olympics? It's about as tasty as duck soup.

Of course! We must all tread lightly when dealing with China on the international stage – they are a competitor as well as a source of many potential in the business opportunities. Why put the international comunity in the position of taking a stand on human rights when it just wasn't necessary and it's obvious that everyone has been trying to avoid doing that.

NO! Holding the Olympic Games in China provides a lenghty, premier world stage for the rest of the world to condemn China's horrendous human rights practices, day after day. Never before has such an opportunity presented itself, and the world shoiuld make the most of it. While China can censor what its people read, it can't shield its athletes and attending fans from the spectacle of frequent protests during the Games, and thanks to the Internet, much of the population will become aware of the protests.

Let the REAL Games begin!

Some care needs to be taken Jack.on any boycotts, or China will raise the interest rates charged on their US governement credit cards and the US deficit will rise significantly.

Asolutely not! What do you think brought down the Soviet Union? It was the Olympics and other events. When people and camera crews go into a confined society like that, the truth is expose to the world. Citizens of that country are able to interact with citizens fron other countries and learn the truth. The only way China can continue to suppress its people is by closing their country off from the rest of the world. The best way to move them in the right direction is by attending the games and showing them what freedom can be.

China is a communist regime and the Oympic Committe and the world knew that. Ofcourse it was a mistake to award Olympics to China. How naive is this world that they thought that by awarding the games to China, it will improve its human rights. The Chinese government does not give a damn about human rights or what the world thinks.

Absolutely, when will the IOC learn? Our best protest is to support the athletes and their accomplishments here in the US, but not support the activities in China. Make this a money losing Olympics!!

What every totalitarian dictatorship fears most is that other ideas, ways, and people interact with their own; the only guarantee of remaining in power is to shut out all concepts of "another way of doing things". Putting the brightest spotlight in the world on such a system is the best way to destroy it. Right now, what we're seeing is the Chinese leadership squirming on this internaitonal spotlight. Good job, world!

It was a very foreseeable disaster. Honestly, when I was young I thought it was so important to keep sports separate from politics. That intermingling of athletes helped spread good will. It's an idealistic view of the world I can no longer afford to hold.

Tell me, how many athletes do you think will try to defect to China during the Olympics?

'nuf said...

K S Rose

Its a serious mistake

The IOC absolutely made a mistake awarding China the Olympics. Even if the IOC didn't foresee protests before the Olympics, someone had to beg the question what the world would think when one of China's mobile execution vans sat parked outside of the Olympic venue, right? Then again, China will undoubtedly tone down their human rights violations just like the Nazzis did during the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The short answer is YES.
The problem is that now China is the number one manufactured; financier and holder of promissory notes from all the other major countries. And provides funding to the smaller countries thus who is going to complain

Peter Williams
Cayman Islands

Dear Jack,
I think it was as short sighted as our country's commitment to send our companies to China to exploit cheap labor. We just don't think much about the consequences of our decisions. do we?

No because if they didn’t we would never have this great opportunity to tell China how we feel about their grotesque human rights abuse.

Yes, there's no question the IOC has made a serious mistake. These are the same Games Toronto spent billions of dollars to try and get, only to be upstaged by a country with an horrendous record on human rights. Go figure. Now, the IOC is paying for big mistake by having to endure protests which will only intensify. The real question now is will these Games even get under way with such widespread opposition? I doubt it.

From Ballston Lake New York.

Would we even be talking about Chinese oppression in Tibet if it weren't for the Summer Games? Hopefully the next site selection will be Iran or North Korea. We should have the Olympic games every year, that should provide the media with enough of a hook to actually cover the real tragedies in the world. Movie stars could actually go back to making movies!

YES! Where was the USA when
Tibet was sacked,China too big to iniate democracy as w/Iraq?

China should never have been selected to host the games nor should we allow China to flood our country with its cheap goods to the point that it seems that almost nothing is manufactured here any more. The Nafta treaty was opposed supposedly because Mexico was not a democratic country. What about China?. It has the worst human rights record in history. According to the Guinness Book of Records 35,000,000 people were killed by Chairman Mao. What has happened in Tibet is terrible but it is only the tip of the iceberg. When will we wake up and take a strong stand against this international dragon?

Yes, the International Olympic Committee made a mistake awarding the summer games to China!!!!! It would be just as wrong for the Super delegates to nominate Hillary Clinton!!!!!!!! BOOOOOO to both.

The game should't have awarded to communist china in the first place. The IOC knew the china's human rights violation in Tibet and elsewhere and other's objections but the awarded it anyway. Now the IOC is whining about the torch protests.

We waged war in Afaganistan cos islamic terrorists killed over 3000 americans, we went to war with iraq in the name of human rights and democracy, what are we doing with the communist china when it has militarily invaded Tibet and Tibetans have been suffering so much under brutal occupation of communist china?
1.2 million innocent Tibetans have died under china's occupation and Tibetans are minority in their own country.

Despite all this, the president says he will go to Beijing for the olympic games. Does he truly stand for human rights and freedom?
I am proud of bring a Tibetan and I am so happy that individuals worldwide are taking actions for Tibetan freedom

Free Tibet!

"Um, sorry about that. Maybe China wasn't the best place for the Olympics after all."

Sincerely,
The IOC

DUH; See you on the Streets of San Francisco tomorrow.

Fresno, Ca

Re China and Olympics.
Too late to second guess the decision. But ordinary people are the same all over the world. The Chinese Government is awful but the people are beautiful. Go visit and see for yourselves. Change to China has to and will come. Witness the end of USSR and apartheid in South Africa. Lets hope we all live long enough to see it.

Jack:
Is this not to late to ask this question ?

I think the whole world is wondering why is China being rewarded with everything from WTO to Olympics. Big rewards for being communist and guess what it is spreading its tantacles again. Watch out Nepal, Burma, Disturbances in India and influences around other parts of the world.
These countries are not hard to be swayed with dragon on the top and masses tired of high prices (OF democracy !).

Western world is feeding the dragon God knows why? May be we need to to have an enemy once we are done with this current war.
It seems both can start in same era and bring us closer to our down fall.......

James, GA

No, the IOC did not make a mistake in awarding China the Olympic games. As much as I disapprove of the actions of the Chinese government, I believe the focus on the country will be beneficial to the millions of people suffering under the rule of the tyrannical regime. Finally the unspoken problem of human rights abuses in the country is out in the open again and drawing substantial media attention. The world-wide protests over their atrocities will hopefully force governments around the world to take long overdue action and force the Chinese government to recognize the sovereignty of Tibet and respect human rights.

Of course it was a mistake! Not simply because China has an awful human rights record, but the mere fact that they are a rapidly growing industrialized nation masquerading as a developing country in order to circumvent environmental laws that countries like us (America) and others must abide by. I mean come on, if the head of the FDA made a mistake in our country, he would be fired or forced to resign, not executed! It is time for the world to realize that this country has broken the backs of its own citizens to present a situation that is clearly all smoke and mirrors.
-Whit-
Carlisle, PA

Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee commented that the Olympics served "to bring nations closer together, to have the youth of the world compete in sports, rather than fight in war." The point is to unite and celebrate humanity by focusing our competitiveness in the sports arena and not the battlefield. By awarding China the opportunity to host the Olympics, we are overlooking its flagrant violations of human rights and turning our backs to the ideals and spirit of the Olympics.

The Olympics should not be politicized. There is practically no major nation on earth that would not be met with protests should the Olympics be hosted in their country. China is no different. I can guarantee that if the games were to be held here in the United States the level of protest would be considerably greater. If not Bejing, where?

The IOC awarding China the olympic games is the same mistake as the US Supreme Court awarding George Bush the presidency.

If America was to hold it instead, would and should there be "human rights" protests for the Iraqi people over this war?

No way, the IOC should not have given the Olympics to China. They are our enemies. They are communists and they have a horrible human rights records. Both the United States and Europe should boycott the Olympic Games along with every other democracy in the world.

Of course they screwed up. I think, but am not certain, that they "caught" Bush's bad judgement, osmosis or something. Or, more likely, they ALL got paid off to make China the Olymipc site. That's actually likely what actually occured. But was fun thinking that must have caught Bush's bad judgement (and former Pres. Clinton, for that matter) with regard to Communist, anti-human rights, China.
Glad that Senator Clinton appears to have better judgement with regard to China, now if it just STAYS that way.

Kim Rife
Central Ohio

This is a huge mistake in a humanitarian way from a humanitarian organization. But then again, like most political decisions, its ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! If there is a boycott and protests, make it significant. ALL athletes should wear black arm bands to show world unity against the Chinese government's atrocities towards the Tibetan people.

Does Hillary Clinton blow in the direction of the wind? Of course the IOC made a mistake.

No, because China needs to be confronted on these issues. Protest is effectively nuetralized in China itself, but outside its' borders the people can really show their "warm" welcome, absent the diplomatic filters world leaders are forced to adhear to when dealing with such an world economic power. The people's true voice can be heard and we're saying, "we don't need your stinkin' economy bullying!"

1.3 billion people’s voice deserve to be heard and it is a good thing for world to understand more about the great Chinese culture. This so called “free Tibet” movement is just like a fashion for bored people who don’t have a real life. I challenge you that if 5% of these people can point Tibet on a world map! What a joke! Get a life!

Jack
Yes they were correct.
China experienced nearly a Century of turmoil to achieve their deserved status as the "Middle Kingdom" or "Center Nation" of Eastern Asia. In the 21st Century, China cannot afford to have a vulnerable "back door" in Tibet. It is not an ideal situation, but necessary. Can you imagine if Texas was occupied by China what we would say?

This Olympic tourch tour is the perfect venue for citizens to comment – positivly or negativly – on the host of the upcoming Olympics, China. While these games should be held this summer with no political slant, this tour allows protestors to present their case against the Chinese government. The staff who selected China to host these Olympics should have known known better than to pick a sponsor with such a poor human rights record.

YES! Where were th UN and USA when
Tibet was sacked? Not next to Iran, huh? Rita- toronto,Ontario

Yes it is a huge mistake for the Olympics Committee to award China with the summer Olympics! It's ridiculous that the Olympics, so called symbol of peace and bringing the world together is promoting a country with the most dirtiest hands in human rights violations not only in one country but 3! Everyone is upset about China's hand in Tibet due to recent events but what about the genocide in Darfur? More importantly what about BURMA??? WHY IS NO ONE MENTIONING THE ATROCITIES CURRENTLY OCCURRING IN BURMA TODAY?? China is the BIGGEST supporter of the brutal regime in BURMA and there are innocent people being executed daily and no one is talking about this, why is Burma not a worthy news for you people to report? The protest in London this weekend was not only for Tibet but there were many Burma activists whom were not even mentioned!! I assure you there will be hundreds of Burma activists in San Francisco tomorrow and I hope you all can mention BURMA for once! Another thing.... why is everyone 'debating' politics and the olympics should not go together? HUMAN RIGHTS IS NOT POLITICS! EVERY HUMAN BEING HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREE, IT'S A ISSUE OF HUMAN LIVES NOT POLITICS!

YES, YES and YES! I've been wondering for a long time why they were being held in China . I don't remember the reasoning behind this stupid decision. The environment is totally unhealthy and look what's happening now. I'm not surprised and I don't think many people are. By the way Jack it's good to have a few discussions about something besides the campaign and how wonderful Obama is as compared to Clinton.Thanks

Ah, fond memories of the 1936 Olympics hosted by another regime showcasing the economic growth of another country under a totalitarian regime.

Instead of a boycott of the Games or the Opening cermonies, each team should march in with uniforms saying "Free Tibet". Even the Chinese will have trouble censoring that television image.

Then we need the modern day equivalent of Jesse Owens trouncing the best that the Chinese can field at 'their' Games.

Jack, China could have set a whole new era in the way they treat the people of their own country by hosting the olympics. Instead, China has shown the world that it's business as usual, that it intends to keep it's people downtrodden and surpressed. The IOC, in chosing Communist China to host the games, showed no forethought or was sadly disillusioned to think that the Chinese government could possibly show the world it understands HUMAN RIGHTS. The IOC should take responsiability for the mess currently happening with the torch relay.

It was time for China to host the Olympics. And they have certainly been proven capable of supplying the facilities to do so. Their human rights record is not good, but...do the photos of Lhasa remind anyone of Chicago, Detroit, Washington, Los Angelas in the 60's? The protesters...do they know what the Tibetan flag represents? Have they contributed to any causes in Tibet? And the protesters who climbed the towers of the Golden Gate (did anyone check to see if they might be terrorist? Where was Homeland Security?

HUGE mistake! I feel sorry for the atheletes around the world that want to participate in the Olympics but China is no place for that. Rule of thumb – if George W. Bush thinks it's ok to go, it's probably not.

Jack-absolutely just as they were awarded to Hitler's Nazi Germany in 1936. I'm a baby boomer who heard from my parents about the Nazi's and their human rights violations and we all know that led to the Holocaust. My dad was a World War II vet God rest his soul.
The best thing we can do is to go forward, support our athletes, and let them "make a statement" to the world by winning lots of Medals.
In 1936, despite the Nazis, Jim Crow laws, and a world in turmoil a man named Jesse Owens came along and had enormous impact on Americans for decades to come.

Let me answer that question by posing another, was it wrong to allow Nazi Germany to hold the ceremonies? Boycotting China only adds more bricks to the growing wall of distain our countries hold for one another.

Yes the IOC made a mistake but whether you agree with the IOC's decision or not, one must remember the whole point of the Olympic Games...the athletes. These athletes spend years trying to qualify and compete for these games and for many, this may be the only Olympic Games they will compete in (four years is a long time). So we should take our social activism and direct it towards the IOC, Walmart, Nike and most importantly, ourselves because it is the American Consumer's consumption habits that contribute to some of the sweatshops and human rights issue in China. Let the Games Begin!

Jack,

Olympics should be a venue where political and diplomatic rows should be off-limits. This should be about celebrating one's sports talent regardless of where he/she comes from.

China wants to be accepted by the world while holding on to extreme measures of abuse. The Olympics have always had political tendencies no matter how much our political leaders try to tell us it's just about the athletics. China should never have been awarded the games.

Karen
Burlington, Ontario (Canada)

No of course not and the next one should be in North Korea and then after that Dafar

The IOC did the right thing for the wrong reasons. The Olympics are supposed to be about as apolitical as it gets, yet a political theme dominates coverage due to coordinated and very visual protests. This puts their policies front and center for a good 6 month loop. You couldn't buy that much time if you wanted to. The Chinese made the most overtures to the IOC in it's petition to hold the games, basically promising to outspend everyone else. But political and environmental concerns will end up giving them a few more gray hairs before it's done.
But don't count on political change in China in this generation.

The IOC knew exactly what it was doing, and it has not been a mistake. This is the attention which can compete with this year's Presidential campaign. The Olympic name is a business, ask Mr. Romney, and are subject to the same problems on the way to a profit. This Olympiad has ratings written all over it. By the way, China's got a lot of money.

Yes, it was a mistake to award the Summer Games to China. The IOC officials was stupid to succumbed to Beijing's pressure after Sydney was awarded the 2000 Olympics.

No. Without the olympic games the Tibet issue would have never gotten the international attention it has now.
Things don't get better by ignoring them.

No, I believe that shedding light on this country and its bad habits can only help. Just like Hitler and the Berlin Games, maybe this will be the torch that will burn down the inhumanities and cruelties of this communist nation. Hopefully it will also shed light to the import to export trade that we have with that country to see what is really in the products that we get from that country as if we didn't already know: and the lobbyists that support them.

Absolutely!!! But we do need the torch to continue it's trip across the US, stop in Washington DC and light a fire under the current administration to make them see the inhumane acts China is comitting....Instead of just seeing dollar signs to finance the Iraq war.

NO! It was not a mistake to afford them the chance to clean up their human rights record. They did not, now it's time for the world to speak out against the Chinese government.

Awarding them the Olympic games has also given the people of Tibet a voice that they would not have if the games where held elsewhere.

China had it's chance, now it's time for the people to be heard and boycott. For those that feel bad for those that trained so hard, blame China for not living up to it's end of the bargain and, also think of the millions inside China who don't have a voice.

Any athlete that boycott's the games is a hero.

mistake? i think they know they did. yet, i don't think anybody should boycott the olympic games because it is not about china, and i say this as a former olympian because after training your entire life for this occassion and the focus to be taken away from the athletes, that's not fair.

It's time for China to host this event. Their past experience in hosting major sporting events (Asian Games, Tennis Master's, etc) demonstrate their ability to do so. As for their human rights record, not great...but, pictures from Lhasa reminded me of photos from Detroit, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles in the 60's. Besides protesting, what do the protesters know of Tibet? Do they know what their flag represents? ; Have they ever contributed to Tibetan causes? And the climbers at the Golden Gate? Where was Homeland Security? Could they have been terrorists? Who knew?

Heck yeah!!!

The Olympic Spirit is one of non-political competition among athletes who have dedicated YEARS, not months, to their quests.
Are we to stain these noble efforts by pursuing extraneous goals?
Nonsense!
Let's focus on the Games and use our (perhaps) valid protests in other venues and at other times.
Besides, Politically, we do more harm than good by attempting to embarrass our Asian neighbors.

It's all well and good to want to be fair and have different countries participate as hosts, however, I feel they made a big mistake with choosing China when they had to know all the upset it would generate, and rightly so. What were they thinking?or not!

Of course they did. The committee should postpone them until next year, and pick a city that has already hosted, and is well equipped to handle, the games. Too bad for the athletes, yes, but do they really want to participate in a country that has no respect for human life.

If the games weren't in Beijing they would have likely been held in Toronto.
Enough said.

The IOC definitely made a mistake. It is ignorant of people to think that somehow the Olympics are not, or should not be, related to politics. Human Rights should be respected and protected in all countries around the world and the world would be a much better place if everyone actually gave a damn about that fact. Unfortunately, most people seem unable to comprehend the fact that we are all human, and we all matter.

No, it was not a mistake. China's human rights record pales in comparison to our own. If Americans weren't so ignorant of history, they'd realize that our treatment of American Indians was - and still is - much worse than the Chinese treatment of Tibetans. The United States does not have the moral authority to lecture any nation on human rights. So shut up and let the Chinese have their turn.

Don Web,
Houston, Texas

The IOC definitely made a mistake. It is ignorant of people to think that somehow the Olympics are not, or should not be, related to politics. Human Rights should be respected and protected in all countries around the world and the world would be a much better place if everyone actually gave a damn about that fact. Unfortunately, most people seem unable to comprehend the fact that we are all human, and we all matter.

Mark
Lihue, HI

Big mistake! Hugh!!! Why would humane, civil people reward the practices of China? The games should not go on.

YES! It was a huge mistake. If what the Olympic committee believes about their mission statement is true, then they sold out when they awarded the games to China. China has its people enslaved, the Chinese are not free, there is NO democracy there. And don't even get me started on Tibet!

BUT, we OWE the Chinese a great deal of money. So we have to 'play' nice with them. Sad, really pathetic of our once great nation.

Think how wonderful it would have been to have the Olympics in the United States of America. Then, the leaders of most countries of the world would be asked by their citizens to boycott the Olympics due to Irag. We would win all the gold!

This blog is so lame. CNN will not post you comment if you support China! Yea, freedom of speech and human rights that you guys been talking about?? Totally BS!

Not only Tibet,

How about Darfur, Spying on the American Government, poisoning our kids with lead, poisoning our pets.

What will be next, sniper firing at our candidates

This reminds me a whole lot of when Hitler hosted the Summer Olympic games in 1936. Adolf Hitler's Nazi dictatorship camouflaged its racist, militaristic character while hosting the Summer Olympics and I can see China doing the same.

Ultimately, it is a moot point. It was awarded and is happening. I don't think the olympics is a great choice for politically-based protests, especially anything violent. It would make more sense to protest at something solely chinese...the athletes themselves have worked so hard and long, how is the fault theirs? After all, isn't it supposed to be about peace, unity, and the strength of the human spirit?

Hi Jack....yes it was a mistake to pick China. Why we are even doing business with them is another issue I can't understand although I am sure the root of all evil is behind it...money.

Mistake? There was not mistake – the kickbacks worked. You know – they beat Toronto, Canada! lol

Hosting the Olympics in China was absolutely a mistake. The Olympics has a long history that is intertwined, symbolically, with the West and our ideas about democracy and human rights. To give the games over to an autocratic regime is sick and was based only on commercial interests. So should the dollar always trump our ideals?

Yes, a mistake. An undemocratic regime that supports totalitarianism in many nations, including Zimbabwe, and which helps to facilitate genocide in the Sudan's Darfur egion should never have been given the honour of hosting the games. China claimed it would open up to the world as a result of this honour, but they have done nothing but spit in our faces, sending gigantic thugs to trample on protesters along the Olympic torch's route.

Stupid people~~~~!!
how many of you have even been to China and how many of you have actually lived in China?
How on earth do you know and understand actually how's the human right situation in China and What the Tibet riot actually is!!!

I take it as Yes and No.
Yes, because Olympics shall only be granted to our superior western countries, which have unbiased news press and have respected human rights around the world.

No, because when two governments have opposite political ideas, the more powerful Western political democracy can always find fault and dirt at the less powerful Chinese government, which is slowing becoming a democratic country.
Olympics in China allows the chinese people to see the world, and changes from within China is the only means. External means, say boycott, would only anger the innocent chinese people.
Why don't we wait till the Olympics is over, and then ask the visitors if they like China, because you can never find out how the Chinese people are really treated unless you actually visit there.

I think that America shouldn't say anything because if we can't even manage it's own poverty what's the point of calling out China. Also our economy isn't doing so hot either for right now. I admit that holding the olympics at a super, air polluted city is pretty idiotic but you shouldn't base the olympics on a political point of view. Do most of the other people around us really give a damn about what happens to other people, seriously? I'm not saying i don't give a damn, but all I usually see around me nowadays are a bunch of racist/prejudice people walking around this so called "Land of Equality". You guys really need to get a grip...

Americans & the western world can are such Hypocrites — what mistake? How many your items you have bought in the last month are made in China? You are all pretending that you care about human rights while your Walmart’s, Kmart’s , Costco’s, Mall’s are overflowing with goods made in China — what a butch of ignorant people?

Also, note that athletes sacrifice a lot to compete in the Olympics, so don’t ruin it for them.

Tibetans who are willing to give their lives for their country are fighting the Chinese regime in Tibet not in London, Paris or San Francisco — real fighters don’t fight from foreign countries — they give their blood and & sweat and sometimes their lives, fighting within the confines of their struggles. If you want to separate from China, fight from within to do so — FYI, people in Darfur are suffering, unlike the Dalai Lama and exiled Tibetans and westerners who are willing to join any cause endorsed by celebrities.

Cry all you want. Throw yourself in front of the touch all you want — it’s just another spectacle.

I think Olympics should be the people's event. It is not fair to penalize the people by boycotting the games just because of the policies of
the government which you don't agree with.

The Olympic committee never fails to amaze me. I think it was a mistake to award the games to China. Their track record (Olympic Commitee) is questionable. I think back on the 1968 Olympics in Mexico city where 180 people were killed in a protest against the Mexican government that was going on two weeks before the Olympic Games. This the committee called an internal affair and not relevant to the games. Two black atheletes raised their hands in celebration of their power and were stripped of their medals. All in all the Olympic committee leaves a lot to be desired.