For those criticizing Obama's stance on the boycott of the opening ceremonies. . .

[wndycty]

. . .understand that he is very conscious of the fact that the USOC is vying to hold 2016 Summer Olympics in the United States in his and my hometown of Chicago. Obama is most likely proceeding cautiously because he does not want to jeopardize things. Of course you can criticize him all you want, but its April and the Olympics are not until August and I wonder what types of diplomatic efforts are happening behind the scenes.

[cooolandrew]

1. Let alone do we want to upset China an then not be able to work with them on eco issues...

Obama is wise in his ways and seems to thinking this through thoroughly.

[JuniperLea]

8. Right... let them kill or displace all the people they want...

It will be well worth it...


:sarcasm: ... Just in case.

[tokenlib]

2. Barack is right to refrain from the superficial, symbolic distain...

The trade and financial ties with China are a much better way to express displeasure over the Tibetan situation.. But the Olympics--Hillary and all who agree with her on this are trying to express displeasure in a wink-wink, nod-nod fashion. China knows these Americans are just paying lip service to "human rights"--but haven't the nerve to do anything that really has teeth.

[JuniperLea]

6. "superficial, symbolic distain"

Displacing the poor in China... and the deaths in Tibet are now "superficial, symbolic distain"?


Ugh...

[Barack_America]

3. I heard Susan Rice, Richard Danzig, Denis McDonough and Paul Buca speak about China...

And Barack's position towards that nation. I was very encouraged by what I heard.

They spoke at length of China's need to develop politically, rather than purely economically. That China cannot push off its political obligations due to its economic might.

So if anyone is concerned that Obama might not be tough on China...don't be.

[4themind]

4. I think it fits in the overall theme of his campaign

Talking even with those who are seen as our adversaries.

[JuniperLea]

5. "because he does not want to jeopardize things"

Doing the right thing should never be contingent upon anything else. This is something Hillary does all the time too, and I think it reeks.

[TexasObserver]

7. While I don't endorse China's terrible policies, they pale with Gitmo, etc.

It needs to be said:

Our human rights violations dwarf those of China. We invaded another country for no reason, seized citizens of other countries, and of our own country, systematically tortured them, denied them a right to trial or lawyers, and instituted a massive secret spying campaign against our own citizens. We spied on peace groups in the US, and persecuted and prosecuted many of them.

We're different from China how?!!