Should the Olympics in Beijing be boycotted?

[fela fan]

It's basically a big drugged-up clusterfuck at all levels.

the games or life?

 

[winterinmoscow]

I think a boycott is largely superficial tbh. China knows full well that other countries want to trade and are prepared to put human rights behind trade to get what they want. To this end, I can't see much changing.

However, I think it is apparent that China is concerned about the Olympics and the effects of negative publicity so even if boycotting them would essentially change very little, I do think it would be a powerful gesture. I'm sure someone else can enlighten me as to why there was a case for boycotting the Moscow olympics and seemingly not a case for boycotting Beijing. As far as I know, Moscow was boycotted over the Soviets' invasion of Afghanistan. How much did it acheive? possibly not much but a gesture remains.

I do hear the point that ordinary Chinese people would lose out in terms of jobs etc but so may Chinese have already lost out in slum clearances, forced homelessness etc and some of them do seeem to support a bo ycott(I heard that in a recnt Channel 4 documentary) as far as I recall. So, I can't see a boycott doing much harm.

 

[8ball]

the games or life?

You have a point.

Though in terms of life in general I'd shoehorn the word 'joyless' in there somewhere.

 

[Nigel]

As I said n the other post/thread, I have mixed feelings toward an event like the Olympics but feel that such events can be manipulated by the Chinese.

I also feel that the Tibetans, who are the true indigenous people of the land of Tibet, might be losing their last great chance at emancipation if the event is allowed to take place as if nothing happened.

A final concern on top of it all is the Eminent Domain abuses that took place in the construction of the Olympic facilities. Whole neighbourhoods bulldozed with no legal recourse, nor an equitable settlement.

Obviously as much as a lover of racial purity in South East Asia as you are in Occupied Palestine.

When has the Dalia Lamma or the Tibetan Independence Movement ever spoken out against abuses and exploitation of workers in China, or anywhere else for that matter. They would be too busy requisitioning land off small hold peasants & whipping beating and executing them as Serfs, if they managed to gain power.

 

[chilango]

Any briton or american calling for a boycott is being hypocritical. Their countries have invaded two sovereign nations since china were awarded the games. They have smashed up the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, and smashed up the infrastructures making life miserable for the millions who were not slaughtered by american and british weapons.

Tbh. I'd argue for boycotting every olympics...

 

[8ball]

Boycotting chinese goods has been mentioned but what does 'boycotting the Olympics' mean? Does it mean anything aside from the UK team not going, because that's hardly going to happen unless China nuke Tibet and start shipping cheap microwave ovens full of sewage.

 

[gloom monger]

When has the Dalia Lamma or the Tibetan Independence Movement ever spoken out against abuses and exploitation of workers in China, or anywhere else for that matter. They would be too busy requisitioning land off small hold peasants & whipping beating and executing them as Serfs, if they managed to gain power.

What a silly thing to say. Why should an independence movement in one country devote resources to problems in another country? As for your racist characterisation of Tibetans...

 

[toblerone3]

So with 50 votes in,

the Urban vote is

56% - No boycott
44% - Boycott.

Bit relieved because I was initially shocked that the votes for a boycott were ahead. But then noticed that (with a non multi-option vote setting) the no vote was effectively split in two.

 

[Nigel]

What a silly thing to say. Why should an independence movement in one country devote resources to problems in another country? As for your racist characterisation of Tibetans...

your obviously not Muslim or Han,
Go tell this to your friends in the CIA

 

[gloom monger]

your obviously not Muslim or Han,
Go tell this to your friends in the CIA

You want me to go tell my friends in the CIA that I'm obviously not Muslim or Han?

I am new to this site, so please enlighten me: is it commonplace to reply with poorly-punctuated nonsense when you realise no logic or evidence underpins remarks you made earlier?

If not, you might want to make your point a little clearer. If so, try to buck the trend.

 

[johey24]

Individuals should boycott Olympic sponsors, athletes should refuse medals when won (OK that would not really happen but one or two of them doing so would speak louder than bombs especialy if the South African team all agreed to do so) .....

Why hold up the South African team as the (moral) torch bearer?

It is a team chosen more and more on racial quotas. More and more. Lots to be said for and against, but fact: racial quotas play a major role in selecting who goes to the Games and who not, who are in national teams and who are not. So, role model?

I don't know.

If you are still not aware of this, start reading SA on-line newspapers.

Any case, that would only be possible should they win any medals ...