Should the U.S. withdraw from the Athens games?

[Sapphocrat]

Poll question: Should the U.S. withdraw from the Athens games?

Biggest pro: Only sure way to avoid another '72 Munich tragedy.

Biggest con: All those young athletes, all that hard work...

[Supormom]

1. No

They should participate with increased security forces in place.

[Snoggera]

6. No

But the athletes should be prepared for the star of the show to come from somewhere else.

Where is the new Jesse Owens? Perhaps a futboller from Iran?

[Renew Deal]

2. Hell no

I will be there. You can click on my little blue Athens link to find out more. It would be a bad idea. I don't think anything is going to happen, but it would probably be worse if we weren't there.

[Baltimoreboy]

3. Hell no

We can't live our entire lives in terror.

[boobooday]

4. The only reason I said yes

Is because if our citizens are targets, we could be creating targets out of everyone there. If the games would be safer for everyone else if we stayed home, then I think we should.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[comradebillyboy]

5. the olympics are for the athletes

and fans. maybe the greeks should ask the turks to provide security, since they are pretty good at dealing with terrorists.

[trof]

17. Greeks and Turks are "not speaking".

[NewYorkerfromMass]

7. No. among many reasons it is devestating for the athletes

Moscow and L.A. boycotts made for a lot of unhappy people.
Carter made a huge mistake in 1980.

[DenverDem]

8. Yes, out of shame.

We don't deserve to compete with moral nations.

[Spoon]

9. UK, Italy, Japan, Israel and a few others would have to stay away

as well. Even then, there could be a strike against the "West" in general. So no, we should go.

[Eye and Monkey]

10. In 1980, 'cause USSR invaded Afghanistan, the US boycotted the Games.

It would be fitting if the US was uninvited to the Athens Games.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. USSR and East bloc didn't come to LA '84

so they got us back.

[Spoon]

13. It would be more likely if some nations did

boycott this year's games. Any talk of this?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

11. WTF?

Biggest pro: Only sure way to avoid another '72 Munich tragedy.

The only sure way to avoid traffic accidents is to not drive. Does that mean no one should drive?


Could you actually come up with one actual reason to withdraw from the Athens games? Blind, unreasoning, and irrational fear just doesn't cut it.

[Sapphocrat]

18. It's just a question...

...not a statement -- and it's being asked outside of DU as well.

Why do you assume that I think we should withdraw? Did I so much as imply that? It seems rather pointless and awkward to word the question, "Should the U.S. compete in the Athens games?"

The pro and con I list are simply the most common arguments I've heard -- although I'm sure any of us could debate the question masterfully from either side.

On edit:

Here are a few links you might find interesting -- the issue is (literally) all over the map, depending on the day:

Warning USA could withdraw from Athens
Tracy McGrady Plans To Withdraw From U.S. Olympic Basketball Team
Gosper rejects Spitz's claim US may withdraw
Terror gives (Australian) athletes option to withdraw

[Feanorcurufinwe]

19. I don't assume

you think we should withdraw. However, since you posed the question, I thought maybe you could think of an actual reason for us to do so, one that makes more sense than, "bad things might happen if we don't"

If you can't think of a reason for the US to withdraw, fine, I have no problem with that.

[Sapphocrat]

20. Nope, I really can't...

...think of a reason, especially since (I assume) the security couldn't be any tighter than if we were talking about the entire Bush* administration attending the Super Bowl. On the Fourth of July. In Florida. After a mass escape from Gitmo, with all the prisoners swimming to Miami.

[qwertyMike]

14. YES

Because it's gonna be as embarassing as hell.

I don't see how the atheletes can perform in that atmosphere

[DarkPhenyx]

15. Goddess Bless why would we...

...do something so stupid as to pull out? It makes no logical sense.

[Karenina]

21. I dunno.

Just for a new experience? :shrug: ;-)

[DarkPhenyx]

23. I can think of better ones.

but sex threads are verbotten on DU these days. :)

[supernova]

16. No, it penalizes the athletes

who are in no way responsible for the geopolitical situation. People train their whole lives for the Olympics; canceling our participation would be grossly unfair to them.

I see no reason we shouldn't participate.

[amandabeech]

22. No, I don't think that the U.S. should withdraw, but

if individual athletes are concerned about terrorism, those individuals should be able to withdraw without penalty from his or her federation or the U.S.O.C. I believe that this is what Australia is doing.

Each athlete should be allowed to make his or her own housing or training arrangements to avoid terrorism, if concerned.

Most importantly, each athlete should feel free to voice disagreement with Bush administration policies whenever or wherever such athlete should desire.

[troublemaker]

24. If our athletes are booed it will finish the Republican party for a decade

The "rally 'round the flag" phenomenon is primarily a self-serving myth. Americans are thin-skinned and insecure and will shy away from any discomfort. If we get booed in Athens it will be about as helpful to Bush as the LA riots were to his dad.

But I don't expect us to be booed, unless...

The USOC call for restraint in flag waving had NOTHING to do with security. (few terrorist attacks are spur of the moment deals) It's just that they know that flag-waving will prompt vigorous boos.

[Baltimoreboy]

25. The boos will help the GOP, not hurt it

Americans don't much like the rest of the world telling them what to do. This will just make them defensive.