Boycotting the Olympics because of China’s crackdown on Tibet?
A burning car sits on a street in the Tibetan capital Lhasa after violent protests broke out on March 14, 2008. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
China has been hoping to boost its image in the eyes of the world as it gets ready to host the Summer Olympics in Beijing, but the Chinese government's crackdown on protesters in Tibet is not helping.
What began a week ago as mostly peaceful protests by monks has spiraled into violent clashes, with Tibetans attacking the Chinese and burning their businesses. The Chinese government is now vowing to protect its territory and issued a midnight deadline that's now passed for protesters to either surrender or face harsh consequences.
There are reports of Chinese authorities parading handcuffed Tibetan prisoners in the capital of Lhasa. Chinese police are going house-to-house checking id cards and residence permits. The Chinese government puts the death toll at 16, with dozens injured. But the Dalai Lama's exiled government says 80 people have been killed.
Meanwhile, the protests that started in Tibet have spilled into three neighboring provinces and even to Beijing. And sympathy protests are also going on around the world.
China insists the violence won't harm the upcoming Olympic games. The U.S. has called on China to show restraint.
However, it’s getting support from who else but Russia – another beacon of human rights. The Russian government says it hopes China will take "all necessary measures to stop illegal actions." It adds that any efforts to boycott the Olympics are "unacceptable."
Olympic officials also say they are opposed to a boycott because of the violence in Tibet.
Here’s my question to you: Should countries boycott the Olympic Games in light of China's crackdown on protesters in Tibet?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jeff from Carmel, New York writes:
It's a travesty. We stomp around the world fighting for freedom except when the offender is someone like China, whose money we desperately need. The world should rise up and boycott everything Chinese until the people of Tibet regain their freedom. These are the most peaceful people on earth; they should be role models for all of us. They deserve better.
Terry writes:
I remember in 6th grade participating in a school debate over boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. I supported that boycott, but today's world is different, as is my opinion. Go to China, enjoy the games, and take your digital cameras. The citizens will be putting on a display for you. Send your pictures to CNN. Don't get caught. Sunshine in China may be the best thing to happen to them. If you want to boycott something to really hurt China, stay out of Wal-Mart.
Brian from Redondo Beach, California writes:
Yes, boycott. China reminds one of Germany in the 30s. Will our people be safe there? And will the judging be fair even if we do attend? Hit them economically, which is what a boycott would accomplish.
James from Canada writes:
Given Guantanamo, rendition, Abu Ghraib, waterboarding, etc., the U.S. is hardly in any position to lead a human rights boycott of the Olympics.
Krake writes:
Boycotting will be a late and inadequate reaction. Allowing China to have the Olympics was the big mistake, especially since it was already known that the Chinese government is a human rights abuser and cruel regime. The violence in Tibet simply highlights what was already known.
Troy writes:
I would rather see our athletes wear "Free Tibet" T-shirts in Beijing during the opening ceremony. Oh Mao goodness.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
It's neat idea Jack. But it may not work with China unless most of the countries does that together. It is not going to happen. They are a super power and it is difficult to isolate them. Any attemp will create unwanted cosequences.
Nuwan from Houston, Texas
Boycott, schmoycott. Politics and the Oylympics should not go hand in hand or foot in mouth!
Mel Bakuy
Rancho Mirage, California
NO the US boycotted the 1980 while a great statement was made; the only once that were hurt were the athletes. No one was help by this action the Soviet Union lost in Afghanistan because the Afghans wanted to be free. It is better to go an show China that a freemen can win more gold the an oppressed people.
China in the past few years has proven itself one of the most irresponsible governments to date. Oppressing the people isn't the only thing they're guilt of either. Their government does nothing to stop their own environment's destruction and pollution, all in the name of monetary gain. Meanwhile, the lower-class and working population suffer. Maybe a boycott will give them a good kick in the pants.
China's crackdown on protestors in Tibet have been gruesome and totally inhumane to say the very least. It clearly shows a nation that has little or no no value to human element. People have the right to protest when their needs are not being met or their voices are not being heard. Dozens and scores of Tibetans, a very peaceful lot, have lost their lives as a result of this crackdown.
A boycott from countries will send a very strong message to China that the world does not support such human right violations and violent and totally brutal crackdowns. Every human has the right to be heard. Well, the world can clearly see the manner of leadership that the "Red Dragon" – China wields. The nations of the world should be concerned and I do not blame any body politic that decides to boycott the Beijing Olympics. That is my take – end of story.
Yes, end of story !!!!!
There are all kinds of reasons to boycott the Olympics. Did you know they're rounding up pet cats by the thousands and slaughtering them in preparation for the games?
Seeing that China is the biggest abuser of human rights in the world, the US should lead the way by removing all US businesses from China, stop borrowing money from China, stop giving them our technology and not go to the olympics.
Absolutely. We have the crazy situation of hundreds of thousands dead in an illegal war in Iraq. WE shouldn't be there.
If we defended Tibet from the illegal invasion of China that would be legal and true to American principles.
One function of the Olympics is – supposedly – the bringing together of peoples of differing cultures through sport. The idea is – supposedly – to learn from each other that although cultures differ there is always a common ground. The idea of foregoing this interplay in some sort of political protest is counterproductive at best.
there are a lot more reasons to have NOT given the Chinese the Olympics in the first place. their Communist dictatorship is every bit as oppressive to it's own people as to the people of Tibet. has everyone forgotten Tiananmen Square in 1989 where the so called "People's Liberation Army" murdered thousands of their fellow citizens?
not only should we not be going to the Olympics, we should NOT be doing BUSINESS with those Communist criminals.
Of course we should stay home but we won't and reason is simple. They have used their slavery based economy to buy ours. You don't go around ticking off the banker that holds the mortgage on your house or the guy you have to go to for a car loan. So we will smile and send our best to be poisoned by their putrid air and water.
No, i don't think so, the Olympics comes around every four years and it seems like some country lose there minds and does something to get attention.
It's terrible to oppress a people like the Chineses have been doing but it wouldn't right to deprive others of the opportunity of a life time.
A boycot might be counter-productive, but I think any US citizens going – unless they have relatives competing – are stupid.
The trade deficit has pretty much forced me into boycotting anything Chinese. But if I do go, I'll try to fly using Tibet Airlines. I hear they still use Boeing Aircraft with Sherpas instead of cabin attendants.
No, please, don't boycott China. If we do, then they might stop supplying Wal-Mart with cheap goods, which will throw our economy into a full-scale depression.
I don't dare to think what will happen to us if we are deprived of all those toys with lead paint.
The fact that China was even awarded the Olympics is enough of reason to show how low the standards are for obtaining the games.
It's a travesty the way the Chinese government is run. It has a long history of human atrocities which they make no apologies for and take no responsibility for! If the spirit of the Olympics games are truely about unity, China should have never been even given the opportunity.
And the real victims are the trained athletes who don't think of anything else except for the chance to represent their country in competition without having to deal with all the redderick that comes with it.
I truly believe that it is the only way to get the point across without starting WWIII and it may anyway. You can't breath the air so it would be healthier for our kids to stay home. How do you leave out the "Do Nothing Policies", of the Bush Administration, Jack?
Well what is more important, sports or human rights?
.. Boycott the Olympics because of Tibet ?? How about jus' boycotting China itself because of Tibet , the trade deficit, Comunism, Human rights abuses, Lead toys, poison dog food, stealing of intelectual property, fake perscription medicine. The list could go on forever. Start your own boycott by staying out of Walmart. Sure it would be difficult, like most things worth wild are. Eventually if you stopped buying Chinise goods, Sooner or later someone else would make them...
Jack, Isolation is not the key, but if we really mean to use isolation as a tool, it must be total to have an effect. If we must use it, then we must boycott Chinese imports, travels, etc., because boycotting the Olympics which is just a transient event will not evoke any serious reactions and it has not in the past. Having governments address the issue direct ly with the Chinese leadership and having them understand that the crack down is unacceptable may have economic consequencies will certainly have more bite; don't you think so.
No. We have been around that block before without any results. America stood up for ideal to improve the lot of others against injustice done int 1980s Olympic games hoping to sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which would sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and injustice. It didn't happen and it want happen in the 2008 Olympic games.
Most of us don't care what happens with the Olympics...we are worried about our expenses on a daily basis in our homes . Who cares what happens to the Olympics.
All freedom loving democratic countries should byocot the Olympics! If she wants to be part of the world arena,China must learn to respect the rights of others!
Though the behavior of the Chinese government towards its people is many times despicable, I think the world's governments should not use sports as a venue of protest. I think it should be left up to the individual athletes as to whether they will participate or not.
Yes the Olympic games should be not be held in China. For years the govenment of China have pushed around the weaker nation and the world now wants to give it the Olympic games! That makes me sick! Everyone would have said no if the games were held in Cuba with the way it's treated people there so why not in China?
Jack, in the first place, it's Communist China. CNN seems to forget that fact. If we're going to boycott Communist China, it should be for their horrendous violations, of human rights, consistantly selling us poisoned food and medications and products contaminated, with Lead. We must attend the Olympics. Athlete's have trained their entire life, for this event and shouldn't be deprived, of that opportunity. We can make our point, by competing, in the Olympics.
If I was an athlete going to the Olympics I would have announced my withdrawal long before this Tibet even started, because of having to breathe there polluted air, which is considered to be among the worst in the world. Having this Tibet crackdown by the Chinese would only add to my decision not to participate in the Olympics.
The USA has gone down this road before and all it did was to hurt the people who had given their best to play a sport and to represent the USA in a great way. You must keep poliics and sports sparate at all cost. Let the games begin.
As if we could, we owe them too much money. How would that play out, the biggest superpower who needs their help not showing up to help them make more money? And what if we did boycott? It's not as if they care what we or the rest of the world think of them. They haven't so far. No reason to expect they ever will. They have an unshakeable sense of absolute certainty about their actions. It lets you get away with a lot.
1) We should REALLY be wary of pointing fingers at Anybody these days.
2) As much as I love Tibet, I really do, but if we're going to boycott based on a country's policies, then I have to say that no one's given a damn that China could quite possibly be the most environmentally unsound country on the Planet. Olympians are training by running behind diesel trucks so that they will be able to cope with the air pollution in Beijing when they get there. It is completely ridiculous.
Instead of boycotting China for Tibet why don't we boycott China's products and the American companies that sell this cheap crap. We cannot police the world and how the treat people when we allow torture ourselves. Let's stay in our own playground and fix things before we throw stones towards the glass windows.
Been there...done that. The Olympics are a great way to bring the world together. It's just plain stupid to use the games as a political tool. Right now we don't talk to our adversaries. So is this the new plan? We don't talk to them, and we don't swim with them, run with them, or even shot put with them. Stupid idea.
Don't boycott the Olympics, Boycott Chinese products..
A civil war in China sounds good to me.
Lets not send our athletes. Instead send the Bush Administration and if we are lucky they will keep them. After all they sold the US to them. Bern ,WV
Jack, what is the purpose of boycotting Olympics when Bush and company is selling this country in a massive scale to China every single day. We should not hurt U.S. atheletes who have dedicated years of their life to be in Olympics, with true passion. If we really want to boycott China, we should use our trade policies for that. Why the hell, our athletes have to pay the price for the fault of our politicians ?
Nuwan from Houston, Texas
Jack,
Countries that live in this glass houses should not throw stones. Ever heard of Iraq? A case can be made that we are doing the same thing.
Mark
Naperville, Illinois
Ask President Carter...he did it 28 years ago.....Afghanistan.
Most certainly yes. One of the agreements China made to the international olympic committee was to allow free and open journalism with in the country and its regions. By China kicking out the journalist during this uprising they have violated that agreement. Therefore, the Olympics should be held in another location. That may be impossible at this late date, however, there are plenty of other cities with venues in place.
What is happening there is a human tragedy.
Sounds like a good idea, this would be one way the people in the United States can express their displeasure at how they treat people in their country.
Boycotting the Olympics will have no effect on Chinese actions within their own country. A boycott is only effective if it causes more trouble to the Chinese than Tibet is causing. I'd rather see Americans stop buying Chinese imports (which would certainly get their attention) than deny our athletes the opportunity to compete.
Olympics? Who cares!? We have bigger fish to fry domestically. I could care less what's going on with Tibet, Iraq, China, or anywhere else right now because we've got some serious issues in the USA. We really need to focus on improvements internally before worrying about external factors. We're spreading ourselves too thin and lacking serious focus for the people that should matter most to us: Americans!!!
Certainly Yes. China had no business to go & occupy Tibet. Tibetians way of life is being destroyed. It is their business to find Peace & happiness in their own way. Where any super powers step in, the place is destroyed. China should get out of Tibet & leave Tibet to their own people.
For the boycotting to work, the USA must take the lead and be followed by every other countries. The Athletes won't be penalized since the olympic organizers would be forced to move the games to another country. And there's a lot of countries willing to take China's place. It would probably delay the games for a couple of months but it will monetary punish China a great deal. But for this to work, every countries must unite. And It would be a good chance for the USA to regain a leading role as a symbol of Democracy.
Just another reason why China should not have been given the games in the first place. It's not like we didn't learn 20 years ago that China has a wee problem with dissenting voices. China has a laundry list of human rights, environmental and quality of life violations – facts that the International Olympic Committee conveniently chose to ignore.
Should we boycott the Olympics? Absolutely! There is no sane reason why we should send our athletes and our money to benefit a country that continues to slaughter its own citizens under the guise of national security. It's just a sporting contest – nothing we are required to attend.
Jack what do you want you started out as a non-partisan commentor now that you have received a little bit of success you become Bill Oreilly pushing your own agenda.
That would solve one of our many problems with china...
The athletes and fans of the Olympics should stay home and we should send, Bush, Chenney, and all of the CEO's of every major corporation from the US that have moved business over there and see if they can breathe if they make it back. While they're over in China they could apply for a job just in case someone replaces them before they get home since their position was out sourced.
No, we should not. The only people we would be hurting would be those incredible people who have worked, trained, and sacrificed for the last four years to get ready for the chance of their lifetimes. Reagan keeping us home from Moscow did not get the Rusians out of Afganistan. We must, please, not make the same mistake again. The Olympics should NOT be political.
Boycotting the Olympics at a minimum, but I would prefer a general boycot of Chinese goods, services and all imports. Start by staying out of WalMart and reading labels. I have been doing this for years, and it is hard. The US has forgotten how to produce consumer goods and food, it would rather transfer all it's wealth to the hostile giant, China. If the brutality of the rape of Tibet goes without a challenge, can Taiwan be far behind? I fear for the world we leave our children.
Yes. This issue actually does not change the decision I'd made earlier to ignore the olympics in China. The Olympics were created out of political concerns and simply remain one component of managing global political issues. Granting China the games was, in my opinion, an error, but fair "political games" allows me the freedom to boycott the games now as my statement, as opposed to bombing something back when I was disappointed they were given the games in the first place. For those who think the Olympics is about sports and competing in the true friendly sense... c'mon now... let's grow up here and join reality.
Jack
Absolutely. Any country who is even remotely concerned about human rights should boycott. China illegally annexed Tibet and continues to squash any activity related to its citizens in exercising basic human rights. Not only are they one of the world's most frequent abuser of human rights they are consuming tremendous petroleum products, ignoring the consequences of its consumption, and own a large portion of the US debt. Enough is enough if we have any dignity left.
Matt
Boycotting is not necessary. Sport is sport. So let it go on.
Jack, it would be interesting to know what our White House "Decider" thinks. I hope he doesn't start shooting from the hip again.
Hey, Bush has sold the US to China, can he bite the hand that feeds him? Joan NC
yes!and for more reasons than the tibet crises.communist china has a long record of human rights abuses,support for regimes who support terrorism,and a high rate of people in prison,[second only to the usa.]we should hold the olypics in iraq,with all the money countries pour into security for the games,the place could be secure,and we could leave,keeping all the money to give to our own overcrowded prison system.maybe china should ban allowing the usa to participate,until we start releasing non-violent criminals from our own jails.maybe we should call off the olympics altogether,and just watch tiger woods play golf.
That is a great idea!!!! let's boycott any country that is trying to quash their terrorist.Let them know we disapprove of anyone that try to reassert order in their society, or stop "hooligans " from terrorizing their fellow citizens.
How about boycotting the cheap and unsafe toys they flood the us market
Jack, I strongly believe that the United States and it's allies should boycott the Summer Olympics. China's horrendous human rights record continues to get worse with each passing day as the people of China and Tibet are oppressed. We need to send a message to their oppressors telling them that enough is enough, it's time to let freedom and liberty reign free in China and Tibet.
The super delegates role may be more crucial than we expected...as the racist anti-American rhetoric that spews out of OBama's pastor advisor, Rev. Wright, continues to be examined, a frightening pattern is emerging. Did Barrack know the extent of this hatred? Americans voted early for a candidate they may not have known. Let's cool our jets and wait for the media to uncover the truth.
YES! It won't be the first time the Olympics has been boycotted. If China wants respect from the world, they're gonna have to earn it...and not by force or dumping cheap products in the markets.
The Chinese say "Those in glass houses should not throw stones". The Bible also says "Remove the log in your eye before pointing to the speck in someone else's"
Jack, we really need to put our house in order first. Surely, you do have a gutt feeling like I do, that the Eliot Spitzer scandal was uncovered because of unlawfull wire tap don't you? 'nough said.
If we did, would it force them to call in their loans immediately. It should be done, but it's too risky. Just goes to show what type of people they are, killing Tibetan monks. And just goes to show how low the U.S. has gone, being in bed with them. Thanks again, G.W.
China never should have been awarded the Olympics in the first place. As the world's largest abuser of human rights, winning the Olympic bid just showed the country it can do whatever it wants and still make money for its wealthy.
There were (2) two long time dem. leaders on the T.V. screen over the weekend, talking about the mess of the economy. nobody wants to hear them they have been apart of the problem. They need to be replaced . I am an Independant, The 2 two gave the imperssion they had their heads in a toilet bowl and were having a bowel movement. their expert comments were nothing but crap. We independants are not stupid. So downward we go untill everyone that has been in more than twice needs to be replaced.
I am a poor man sign the book and send it to me.
FREE TIBET put pressure on the Chinese and FREE TIBET case close
Absolutely, Jack. In today's world symbolic, economic stands seem to be the only actions it's possible to get even a few nations to agree upon. The "non-political" Olympics have been political at least since 1968 (before that if you consider East German skating judges) so there's plenty of precedent for a boycott. If the boycott works, we could award the 2012 Olympics to Darfur, the 2016 to Iraq, the 2020 to Kenya, the 2024 to Sri Lanka, etc. In fact, it might be a good idea to make the Olympic Boycotts an annual event.
Jack, why boycott now we buy everything from them, they are the same as before.., I guess it would help, maybe we should get "Rev. Jeremiah Wright" to damn them too!,.The truth is that China does what it wants!and we can't do anything cause we owe them $$$$$!
We ABSOLUTELY should boycott China hosting the Olympics. You want change? How about the U.S. should taking a leadership position for peace?
Can you think of a more peaceful society than Tibet! While we are at it we should boycott China altogether. The U.S. and "civilized world" had better wake up real soon or we'll have more than Egg Fu Young on our face! (made in China of course)
Chris – Alpharetta, GA
Yes we should boycott. We as Americans need to start setting the example again.What China has done to Tibet is disgraceful.Their human rights ideas are criminal.Unfortunaly we cant balk about anything China does because they own a good portion of America,Thanks to George W Bush.
I know one country who wouldn't dare defy China. A country so indebted to them it can only pay the interest on the loans. A country that has always stood up to governments that were bad. A country that, during the industrial revolution, learned to manufacture in so assuring us that we didn't NEED anybody. We're that country and we NEED China so bad it makes me sick. I can only wonder how other countries see it?Maybe they can afford to boycott.
Countries should not, but tourists should. It would be such a shame to deny the athletes the opportunity to compete in the olympics, especially since they may not choose to boycott. However, spectators from other countries should boycott so China does not generate the revenue they are counting on from the tourism. Watch it on TV and save the airfare/overpriced food/inflated hotel costs. And send a message to China – Leave Tibet Alone.
We tried that in Moscow in 1980. the only ones who suffered were the athletes who, in some cases, lost their one and only chance at the Olympics. . Better to have the world there (and the world press) to report first hand on what goes on every day.
I know one country who wouldn't dare defy China. Us. The U.S.A
America SHOULD – but of course, we won't.
The GOP has kissed China's collective posterior ever since that huge student massacre at Tiananmen Square – our Bush didn't do anything then, our current Bush won't do anything now.
We expanded trade instead.
Money trumps everything.
Besides, WalMart might be offended since China is their manufacturing facility.
I can't believe anyone is even talking about this! If memory serves, folks about lost their minds when Jimmy Carter did it in the 70s. While we all hate to see what's going on in Tibet, I'm not sure the Olympics is where we should make our stand. Instead, why don't we pay them all the money we owe them so they won't have us by the tail-feathers anymore?
So, we ruin the dreams of thousands of athletes who have worked so hard for so many years just so the US makes a point and confirms to the world that the administation is a jack-ass in more ways than war mongering!
Jack, NO. Politics and the Olympics are two different animals.
It is a shame that the world will not come to the aid of those in Tibet, everyone has the right to choose their own destiny. Tibet has spoken, they want their freedom, and they should have it granted. China is a big enough country they really do not need that realestate. The problem for the Chineese Government is they are way too proud and stubborn, and can not accept any one or any area wanting to be free and democratic.
Yes – unless China begins a dialogue with the Tibetan government in exile to bring true autonomy to Tibet, the 2008 Olympics should be boycotted globally. Every freedom-loving nation should join in.
Viewer from Youngstown, Ohio says: "If nobody from the western hemisphere shows up, wouldn't that make a statement against violence against ones own people?"
Nobody in this country will have the guts to boycott China because of the huge business implications. However, I applaud you for bringing this up. It would be a great wake-up call for a country that could use it. I'd like to chastise China for what they're doing to Tibet, but then again, we invaded Iraq, so it's hard for us to judge another country's sins when we've committed such huge sins ourselves.
Ha! Countries should boycott the olympics because of Tiananmen Square. If you just noticed China's treatment of Tibet then you're not paying attention.
It's not the Olympics we should boycott, rather companies who outsource their manufacturing to the country.
It is wrong to use an athletic event for political reasons. I attended UCLA back when we boycotted the 1980 Olympics, and knew several world class swimmers and track stars who lost their one and only chance for Olympic competition and medals.
Are our international relations so poor that we can't come up with a better way to address this issue?
People, read the news report again. It says peaceful monks turning into violent clashes where CHINESE people and businesses were damaged.
China has every right to this crackdown given that its own property is at risk.
A boycott is only going to be effective if we get a worldwide consensus. If the US is the Only one boycotting then it will be 1980 all over again. We would end up looking bad.
That being said, I am generally of the opinion that the Olympics should be above this type of politics. Of course if all of the US athletes wore t-shirts that said FREE TIBET then that could be interesting
when there is no fair ground to compete, sport or polictical, then what is the reason to be there for ?
I think we should do what we are good at doing...Let's attack China!!! Woooooo!!! War party!!! Wheeeeee!!!! Send in the rockets...and the clowns!!! Let's get this war party started right...
Does it matter what we do? It probably doesn't matter, but I am really hoping for some podium protests by athletes, because it will just be really funny. While the situation in Tibet is not funny, making fun of China and their constant violation of civil rights is a total riot.
No matter what the U.S. does, our people and companies...Americans...support China by sending them our business, our money, and our technology. By doing this we support whatever China decides to do.
greetings to you,Jack.
this potential boycott should be left to individual athletes that wish to make a statement. When they win,up on the stand, there lies the chance to make sucj a statement. But boycotting as we did back in Carter`s days was a mute thing.That China has the Olympics was a poor decision all way around. Never should`ve happened. The place seems out of control. Insurgents in the outer territories are plotting terrorist activities, pharmaceutical shenanigans, killer toys and dog food, what next?Dare we ask?
p.s.- they need us more than we need them.
Yes, boycott the olympics, including the media. Let's see how they react to the loss of U.S. prestige (however much is left after Bush) and revenue.
Yes. Doesn't the Olympics bring money into a country? If you hurt them economically, it will send a message. The U.S. should definitely boycott the Olympics. We are already the best in many of the competitions, so what is two years off (2010 Winter Olympics)? You also have to consider, would we boycott the Olympics if they were held in Cuba, Venezuala, or Iran?
Human rights should be a priority for all countries today. Problem is, most countries violate their own people and the world has become immune to it.
No way should we boy or girlcott. In no case should we stop the Chinese from 'water boarding" the people in Tibet.
Jack,
I try and boycott China every day I go shopping and would certainly not partake in any of the Olympic events including watching them on my television (which wasn't made there). The past few days of the events in Tibet only add to my convictions. If it was the old USSR, you damn well bet that Georgie Bush would calling for a boycott instead of sucking up to China the way he is at the present. It is funny how being in billions and billions in debt to them causes myopic vision.
I will be boycotting ALL corporate sponsors, and will not watch ONE SECOND of the games. China must not be allowed to violate human rights & indigenous peoples. I hope the Tibetians rise up, and pull a "Red Dawn" on the Chinese Army!
I urge all compassionate humans to join the boycott!
Let us Bycott China-
Champa Phuntsok, an ethnic Tibetan installed as governor by the Communist government in Beijing, described 13 of the dead as "innocent civilians," and said another three people died jumping out of buildings to avoid arrest. He said dozens of people were injured.
A week of protests against Chinese rule in Lhasa culminated in violence on Friday when Tibetans attacked ethnic Chinese and torched their shops. Unconfirmed reports from Tibetan exile groups say the violence on Friday and ensuing government crackdown may have left as many as 80 people dead.
The government has said the violence was engineered by the government in exile of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhis
President, you must not go to Chinca
The International Olympic Committe made a mistake when the awarded the summer Olympics to China in the first place. I doubt that such a boycott would happen, but it would the first of many signals I would send China if I had any say in the matter.
Jack,
Stop with all of the talk, this country does not have what it takes to pull off a boycott of a sporting event. If you want to make a statement why not turn off our TV's while the Olympics are on and keep all of the advertising money here.
Jack, there should not be a boycott of the Olympics. It's is not what the Olympic ideal is about. This would as wrong as the US not sending a team to Moscow in 1980 or the Soviet Bloc countries not sending teams in 1984 to LA.
A boycott does nothing.
No boycott. Instead go enjoy the Games and report on everything you see. If an area is off limits because of demonstrations, take your friends and go. Do not let the police, etc., turn you away.
It is way beyond time to do something about China and their disregard for human rights. Time for the people to have a say and no more failed Bush polatics. Boycot! Oh Yeah!
Yes, what a novel idea to get our image further down. Can you think of a more pathetic humanitarian crisis which we have imposed on Iraq on wrong pretext? Maybe China should boycott the dollar and that will bring some sense to the collective cognitive dissonance you seem to be supporting.
It would be effective if we could form a coalition of countries that would boycott together. A massive boycott would injure China's expected windfall from hosting the games. Considering the fact that China has committed atrocities in trying to beautify Beijing for its Olympic bid, resulting in additional human rights violations, the government does not deserve to profit from it. Will the air quality even meet the olympic standards by the summer?
what message would that send that China doesn't already know? The Olympics used to be a uniting force for countries...but anymore it's all just a bunch of professional athletes competing in what was designed to be amateur competition. I don't think boycotting the Olympics does anything significant
No. The IOC condemned the Chinese this morning. The Republicans created this Chinese Monster and I am afraid we are going to have to live with it. The Goddess of Liberty is taking another hit and George W. is nowhere to be found. Rick, Yakima, Wa.
Whether or not the US boycotts the Olympics, we should certainly leave the option open. That alone might force the Chinese government to reconsider their actions. By declaring that we will not boycott, we are giving up the power to force change.
If the United States or Great Britian engaged in actions that killed between 16-80 innocent and peaceful protesters in advance of the 1996 Atlanta or 2012 olympics I am certain the public coverage and outrage would be fierce – and boycotts would be seriously discussed. The problem with China is one of lowered expectations. The western public expects this behaviour and as a result, it is tolerated.
I WILL BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS!
Absolutely. As a leading nation, the United States should do something positive and lead by example. China has gotten away with so many atrocities and we should no longer look the other way. We should use our influence in a positive, non-violent manner and ask other leading nations to follow, such as Great Britain. We need to make China realize that this is NOT OK. If we are willing to place sanctions and boycotts on tiny Cuba when they aren't oppressing its people or other foreign people then we sure as hell should be doing it to China when they are blatantly violating the natural rights of its own citizens and the citizens of other nations. Period.
Boycott a sporting event to solve political disagreements? Not the smartest move on the chess board. The athletes are the only ones who will suffer, and we will still have the same problems in China/Tibet
No, it is not a good idea. It only hurts our athletes
Americans should definitely protest the Chinese Olympics. The Chinese culture is all about pride and honor, and the point would surely be made if the US sat out of the Beijing games.
The Olympics is a show case for world harmony and equality, or it's supposed to be. Anyone who believes peace, human rights, fair play, and not rewarding countries that practice the opposite should boycott. After all, if no one does, what kind of message does that send to China?
Jack,
I'm supprised you would ask such a question. History has proven that boycotting Olympics has not produced successful results. And worse, the 1000s of athletes who have trained hard for several years do not get the opportunity to compete. Dreams are crushed!
The Olympics is not the proper nor most effective stage to hold China accountable for human rights. The most effective strategy would be an embargo on goods manufactured in China (Hey, it's what we've been doing to Cuba for over 45 years.) Now that would get the Chinese government's attention.
Remember the last time the US and Russia boycotted each other, it completely ruin the spirit of the games for everyone else caught in the middle, especially the athletes. Both presidents at the time have since regret boycotting each other. NO BOYCOTTING THE OLYMPICS!!
Take the Olympics away from China and boycott their products... They don't deserve the world's greatest athletes or our consumer dollars.
No, why should we punish our athletes who have dedicated their lives to getting to this point just so we can make a political statement. The US Government can continue to condemn China's actions without boycotting the Olympics.
We have no individuals who will stand up, not without a "movement." All you athletes who think China's actions in Tibet and its human rights violations within China are wrong, stand up and walk away. One by one. Before you know it, you'll find yourself in a crowd. Then go and stage your own games some place else. It's that simple.
Absolutely. As a leading nation, the United States should do something positive and lead by example. China has gotten away with so many atrocities and we should no longer look the other way. We should use our influence in a positive, non-violent manner and ask other leading nations to follow, such as Great Britain. We need to make China realize that this is NOT OK. If we are willing to place sanctions and boycotts on tiny Cuba when they aren’t oppressing its people or other foreign people then we sure as hell should be doing it to China when they are blatantly violating the natural rights of its own citizens and the citizens of other nations. Period.
Karoline from Brooklyn, NY
A boycott of the Olympics is a tough decision. Do you penalize the athletes who have trained for four years for political reasons? I don't think there's an easy answer but I do think there are other options such as being firmer in their recognition of the protests and saying more than just "Hey China, show some restraint."
I think that while it will punish the athletes, we should consider boycotting the games. China is not safe for us enviormently as well as human rights violations, lead in the water,steriods in the food, pollution in the air. I'm surprised that the olympic commitee chose China before they cleaned up all the problems. We claim to be for human rights and the downtroden. Get a backbone and stand up for these people.So back it up and say we aren't coming because of your treatment of the people of Tibet.
Tibet is just another reason to throw egg on the face of China. I would hope between them poisoning childrens toys, spying on our nations defense secrets and their polluting the planet. We could walk away from them once and for all, Nixon's experiment and the continued business community that entrenched itself in China is a giant of a failure.
China should never have won the 2008 Olympics in the first place. This idea that they are trying to put forth about peace and a harmonious society is bull. It's insulting to the rest of the world that a country like China, with its human rights abuses, should win the right to host such an important event when other cities are looked over. However, though China should never have gotten the Olympics in the first place, boycotting is not the solution. This would only hurt the athletes. We should use these Olympics, rather, to put a spotlight on the issues in China and work towards the elimination of human rights abuses throughout the country.
Olympic boycotts don't work. The Soviet Union proved nothing with the 84 boycott and the US boycott in 80 just confused people. Do something with teeth and not something symbolic.
If the U.S. was hosting the games, would you be in favor of the rest of the world deciding to boycott the games because of the U.S. occupation of Iraq ?
You are right!! Setting an example of what? bad or good? Why punish the athletes? if you wan to do something, punish the govt of China.
Jack,
I actually think that the government is doing a pretty good job handling this. They are sensitive to world opinion and they won't go overboard over this situation. You will see a controlled response by China to the chaos in Tibet, this response will speak volumes about the new China. As someone who recently was in Shanghai, I can testify to the continual opening of Chinese society.
Matt
Chicago
arn't the games about building bridges? if countries dont go that isn't going to help anybody in tibet. the best thing to do would be goto the games, talk to china about it and get some people on the ground to really see whats going on.
Jack,
This is just the tip of the iceberg on why the Chinese Olympic games should by boycotted. Jintao and his government's relentless assault on human rights and expression need not be awarded an international platform to show the world that they are "the good guys."
That said, a boycott should only be the first step. I think an embargo would be better suited.
They make all of our clothes for goodness sake. We could boycott, but we'd be strutting around in the King's new clothes for the foreseeable future!
jack
Boycotting the olympics will achieve nothing. If america really wants China to improve its Human rights record then it should use trade as a leverage – perhaps a boycott of things made in China by the US consumer would be a better way – but we do not have the guts to do that and god forbid we have to actually have a manufacturing base again here at home and bring in new jobs.
Bhaskar
Herndon, VA
I urge everyone to do their best to not buy Chinese made products. To say we aren't going to buy any Chinese products is unrealistic. There is the human rights issue which is the largest. However, Chinese factories also have sub-standard environmental and labor policies. I'm glad I live in a country where I can write this, breath clean air, and there are rights for workers. ...it is ironic that 50+ years after the communists took over in China that American workers are far better off than their communist counterparts.
Patty
Cleveland, Ohio
Of course they should boycott! Has everyone forgotten about Tiananmen Square? It's patheitc tha the Olympics were even awarded to Beijing – shameful.
I say yes. Their known human rights violations are enough reason to initiate a boycott. And I'm still mad about the poisoned food they sent over for Toto, too.
But I'm afraid then they will call for their debt to be paid, and we would be even in worse trouble. I think they have us over the proverbial barrel, and we can no longer say or do anything to China about anything. We can complain about the poisons in toys and food, but I don't think anything comes of it, do you?
I'm still mad about the poisoned food they sent over for Toto, too.
China has demonstrated that they care nothing for the idle threats and frowns of disapproval from the west. The volume of business they do with the US has made them impervious to any threats we can make, but to make their moment of glory meaningless because the biggest player wouldnt come to play would do at least something to remind them that the world is watching, and that no amount of censorship can hide their crimes from the rest of the world. I feel for the athletes – I know personally a gymnast who lost her chance to compete at the 1980 olympics – but genocide is something bigger, and more important. Lets not lose sight of that.
Without question or hesitation The Olympics should be boycotted. And each and every individual should take the time to research the history of Tibet, the invasion, suppression, and treatment of the monks and nuns. If you are not aware, before you open your Guiness and sit down for corned beef and cabbage, become educated and involved in this human rights' disaster. And say a prayer for peace on earth.
Absolutely not. I have a daughter who is an Olympic hopeful in swimming. She placed 5th at the last Olympic Trials and is hoping to do better this summer. She has sacraficed so much to be in this position. What will she feel if we boycot the games? Betrayed and crushed. What will it accomplish? Simply the crushing of the dreams of the US athletes. Nothing more.
Let the games go on . . . pressure should be put on US-based companies to keep them from sponsoring the games in support of the oppressed peoples of Tibet.
YES!!! Finally a news outlet that is willing to ask the tough questions!!! It is an outrage that the US has such a double standard. We have a trade embargo on little cuba to our south but have free tade with our current and future nemesis. A boycott of olympic games due to not only the events in TIbet but also due to the overall human rights abuses and environmental degradation and the ILLEGAL CHINESSE in the USA (little to draw attention) Keep in mind more chinesse restaurants than MCDonalds, Burger king, Taco Bell, KFC COMBINED here in the US alone. Britain already teaches their kindergarteneres Chinesse should we follow suit or remain forever behind the rest of the industrialized world....DOWN WITH ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT and the draining of our life blood, optiism..
We should not pull out, but I think our players wearing the Tibet colors in the opening would send a message.
No!!! Dumb Idea!!!
There are a lot of reasons to boycott the China olympics..let me name a few
1. Poisonous toys, food and other products sent to the US and other countries around the world, should be unacceptable.
2. The support the rebels in Darfur and cause the genocide to continue
3.Human rights violations (I am not going to list them separately)
4. Communisum
5.Nuclear weapons
...do I really need to continue ?
A boycott does nothing. Olympic games are here to bring people together not spread them apart. We didn't boycott the German Olympic games before WWII and we can all agree that Germany wasn't the nicest of places. A boycott will do nothing but have negative consequences for our economy if we boycott the games. China's cheap products allow for us to continue living through our economic crisis. The Olympics and politics don't go together for a reason. If we boycott these games, what next boycotting international basketball with country's that we don't think do things correctly.
Boycotts don't work, never have. The spotlight of the Olympics will do more for human rights violations, than a handful of big name countries skipping the Summer Games.
Tim from Chicago, IL
In theory, this is a noble sentiment, Jack.
In reality, a boycott of a simple thing like the Olympics won't do enough.
In order to really show China what we mean by this, the same sort of sanctions that are in place around rogue states need to be implemented. Only when the Chinese government realizes how much it really needs that trade imbalance with the rest of the world will it begin to take serious measures towards human rights reform.
This is a joke,right jack?How about all those countries that are involved in war being banned from the Olympics?Isn't that a more pressing global moral issue than China's crackdown?
Jack –
A boycott would only be effective if every other country that is supposed to go to China would support it. Given the current world opinion of the United States, most others would snub their noses towards any type of boycott that the U.S. tried to organize. It's unfortunate that many other countries in the world don't feel the way that we do about basic human rights, and this is just another example of the Chinese government doing everything in its power to subordinate it's own people.
A sad state of affairs to be sure.
Who cares? Let them solve their own problems. We have plenty to worry about here. End the war in Iraq, Afganistan etc... Let our Athletes compete for their dream. Sports and politics?
In my opinion, the Olympic Games shouldn't have even been considered to be hosted by China. China has a very oppressive communist government whose actions borderline Soviet Russia (USSR) governments and Germany under Nazi control.
We are holding a war suppositively against 'oppressive governments' in the Middle East while the largest perpetrator against western-style 'freedom' is the one we most depend on and subsequently support.
We shouldn't boycott the Olympics. That hurts too many innocent people. We should buying Chinese made CRAP though. Let's build it here or somewhere else. China is nothing but trouble getting worse.
Yes, we should boycott the Olympic games to protest the Human Rights violation of the govement of China and to support the People of Tibet.
The Olympics in Beijing, the most opressive regime on Earth...should be banned. The Olympics should be held permanently in Athens, Greece.
This is a bit of yellow journalism. There's no real threat of the US boycotting the Olympics but the author is trying to create controversy.
Take their money and then boycott their Games?.....I don't think so!
Dave
Seattle, Washington
Yes, all the leading democracies should take the lead in boycotting Beijing Olympics. It's a shame that Olympics which represent the spirit of freedom, has been awarded to a repressive communist regime of China. And now they are making a total mockery out of it, by killing and repressing the freedom-loving Tibetans. Leading political figures and athletes should join in raising voice against these olympics. These Olympics will become an insult to humanity and a joke to the cause of democracy!
The 1980 Olympics did nothing but hurt atheletes, but this is a far more important stance than "we are against communism". China time and time again continues with cultural genocide against Tibetans, Taiwanese and even their own people. I dont feel that this is what the olympic spirit is about. Not to mention the athletes health are at great risk due to suppressive stagnant air quality.
It will depend on how much money China has loaned to the country considering a boycott.
Jack, this sounds a lot like Florida and Michigan being up in arms about being disenfranchised. Didn't they know what was going to happen before they moved the date? Now everyone wants a revote. What did the IOC expect when they awarded China the Olympic Games in the first place? Human rights have been a problem there for a while and awarding them the games was like saying: we don't care about your abuses. Now everyone wants to boycott. Too little too late my friend.
Of course countries should boycott the Olympics, but let's not kid ourselves and think this administration has the brass to do it.
Invade a country with an easy-to-beat conventional army , but not have a plan for follow-on nation-building?
Absolutely.
Anger a government that owns enough of our economy that it could make the Great Depression look like Happy Days?
Not so much.
Let's attend the games, and have all our athletes wear "Free Tibet" patches on their uniforms; that ought to send a message.
Ed
Wheat Ridge, CO
Boycott or not the out come will be the same. The chinese will walk away with the majority of the medals.
Boycott the Olympics?!?.....that doesn't make a whole lot of sense when we continue to import all the cheap crap they send us and borrow heavily from them. The only ones that will suffer from an Olympic boycott will be the athletes.
Rather than boycott Olympics, how about all of US citizens stopping buying anything labeled "Made in China"? That will send a stronger message than boycotting Olympics. Except you guys can't resist cheap products, can you? Yeah I know, it's easier to ask someone else do it. Like our athletes.
Politics and game are different. So, I must say, boycotting the olympic is unjustice for atheletes!
Boycotting the China Olympics would be helpful in sending the totalitarian government in China a message on human rights, but western democracies could do so much more! What about closing down all business dealings with Communist China? Thirty years ago, western businesses withdrew from South Africa because of that government's human rights violations tied to apartheid. How is the current situation in Communist China any better? It's not, and in fact may be much worst! The only difference is the huge potential profits to be made by western businesses in China. Shame on western corporations and governments for their hypocrisy and greed!
On one hand, the Olympics is a world wide event. But on the other, China is being overly harsh and violent, yet again. I think that if enough people are concerned, a boycott is not only feasible, but justifiable.
L de Serres NC
I could care less about an official boycott, but I plan on a personal boycott by not watching. Besides, NFL preseason will be in full swing - better TV viewing anyway.
Jack,
It would be my opinion that the US could exert more influence from within the Olympic community going to China than from the outside. Just as disengagement from Cuba has failed, so too will attempts to isolate China. As Barack Obama purports, it may well be better to talk to our friends AND our enemies. If we boycott, the Chinese will do as they wish. If we attend, perhaps we can exert some leverage from within. Would anyone remember Jesse Owens, if he had boycotted the Berlin olympics?
There should be a boycott, but not necessarily because of Tibet. I believe a boycott is in order simply because the air in Beijing is not fit for humans to breath safely.
I'd hate to see this happen, but I could see this having the same effect on Beijing as the Afghanistan invasion had on Moscow. Certainly if I were to choose a reason to boycott, it would be a much more direct excuse than boycotting them over Darfur. I saw this coming years ago, incidentally. That was the IOC thinking when they awarded the games to a country that was almost guaranteed to attract a boycott?
Yes. A boycott should occur. Tibet was invaded and illegally annexed by China in 1950. Back then, due to the technological and political limitations of the time, we could do nothing about it. Now we can. China may fancy itself a superpower-in-the-making. The Chinese government will find out the hard way as the Soviet Union did that real enduring power comes from the consent of its citizens to act on their behalf. As China's continued subjugation of Tibet and ambitions toward Taiwan shows, they are a very long way from attaining that power.
Hypocrites, you want cheap manufactured goods and a 10 – 20% return on your stocks. That is why China is a super power our needs over those of a people (Tibetans) no one wants to address this at all. News flash if it says made in China “DO NOT BUY IT” if 50% of American consumers adhere within 12 months they will be giving us Tibet as a trade. The American public needs to understand that we have the ability to control our foreign policy via the $$$.
Carlos F. Quinones
If all of the bad press continues and the Chinese government does not make any efforts to change their ways a boycott will not be needed, China will hang themselves. With the limelight shining on them during this massively televised event, the world will get a glimpse of everyday life in an oppresive regime. It is up to China to get on board with the rest of the civilized world and start providing its' citizens with some basic human rights. They can't hide with all of this attention.
I think the entire free world should boycott the Olympics in communist China. The communist dictatorship in China is ruthless, corrupt, and violates every human right ever imagined on a daily basis. They illegally seized the sovereign kingdom of tibet and they continue to wage a cold war against the free republic of china in taiwan. Sports and games is all well and good but they should not be used as an excuse to recognize an illigitimate and outlaw regime persecuting billions of human beings. When a nation state sends its athletes to participate in Olympic games held in a country it is tacitly acknowledging the legitimacy of that government and state. The communist regime in China must go.
FREE TIBET!
BOYCOTT THE OLYMPICS!!
Hadrian
New York City
The only reason China is hosting the Olympics is to promote itself and to feel proud. Therefore the countries that feel strongly about China's actions in Tibet, and deem them to be genocidal and shameful, should definitely consider boycotting the games.
However I doubt if it will happen; no country will want to "anger" China and risk their economic interests.
If such violent activities happened in NYC, it’ll be labeled terrorist attack and be dealt accordingly. In Tibet, it is called “peaceful”…The magic of democracy and freedom of speech.
Boycott? Of course not! If the U.S. were to boycott the China Olympics merely because the Chinese are slaughtering citizens of a nation they are occupying by military force, just think of the economic damage done to the poor corporations that cough up so much advertising money to sponsor the Olympics. And while you're at it, just think of the hipocrisy!