I think Obama and Hillary are both wrong on the Olympics boycott issue.

[JVS]

I've heard talk about boycotting the opening ceremony of the olympics because of the whole Tibet issue. I think boycotting only the opening ceremony is a real dick move. I would be fine with a total boycott and I would be fine with no boycott at all, but to say "Well, we think your policies suck and we're not going to join your international celebration (of whatever the fuck kind of goodwill the olympics is supposed to represent), but we're still coming, so get ready to hand over the fucking medals" is not cool at all. They should follow the lead of Carter in 1980 and the Warsaw Pact in 1984 and either participate or not.

[tekisui]

1. I see it as a step.

First the world leaders refuse to participate. With more pressure and press, there is still time to push for a full boycott.

[JVS]

4. But they aren't refusing to participate, they're refusing to join in the festivities.

[tekisui]

7. Oh, I know. They are still going for the big money of it.

But, next month, with more pressure, and more Chinese Oppression in Tibet, FULL BOYCOTTS could come. I hope these Totalitarian Games don't happen. THey would be a disgrace and a disaster.

[Cosmocat]

6. It is grandstanding ...

I wasn't surprised when Hill came out with it, just an effort to take SOME of the focus off the never ending string of bad news she has had the last couple of weeks ... A little disappointed Obama then went with it ...

The time to do something about it was during the negotiations of where the games would be ... Sorry, the ship has left the dock ...

Anything else is just grandstanding ...

China is brutal no doubt, but we aren't so bothered by what they do so as to not have them take on hundreds of billions of dollars of our debt, are we ????

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

2. Agreed.

The current situation is stupid political posturing. It's something where the Democrats can safely be liberal-as-hell and pander to their base without upsetting the Republicans, who already hate China because they're furrin commies.

[Vinca]

3. My problem with the boycott/don't boycott thing is "us."

Who are we to decide what is moral and what is not? The U.S. murders, maims, tortures and imprisons people. We should be boycotting ourselves.

[JVS]

5. Maybe when we host something, they'll let us know.

[dkf]

9. Yeah maybe the rest of the world will boycott us for the Iraq war.

God knows we deserve it.

[Maribelle]

8. Don't blame Obama. Obama only waited to see the reaction to Hillary's stance before he made a move.

And, that seems to be the pattern Obama has been using all along.

[durrrty libby]

16. That's his MO.See what Hillary thinks, then copy. What a Fucking Fraud

[nebula]

10. The US has its own Tibet to deal with

its called Iraq.

[MADem]

11. Carter's boycott didn't help his popularity. A lot of people were PISSED OFF.

We were pariahs. Exceptions. The athletes were particularly enraged.

It wasn't a "good" feeling. I was abroad at the time, and most people thought the US were morons for skipping the event.

I think the US should send the lowest-ranking dignitary possible to the opening ceremony, if they want to "insult" the host country. Damn them with faint praise.

The host doesn't "own" the Olympics. That's what some people aren't understanding. It's an international event/competition.

[JVS]

12. No, that's weak. Either participate in the spirit of goodwill or stay home

I don't give a shit if people didn't like Carter's choice. If he felt that it was necessary to protest the invasion of Afghanistan, then so be it.

[MADem]

17. Well, I disagree with your analysis. Obviously.

IMO, you can participate in the contests and let your hosts know you don't like their attitude.

As I said, the Olympics is NOT about "the host" alone. It's an international event. If anyone pissed at China sent, say, their Commerce Secretary as the national representative, it lets them know they're dissatisfied, but it doesn't totally crap on their parade. They still get to do their opening ceremonies, and they're still broadcast all round the world. The snub is clear, but the event isn't ruined.

All or Nothing diplomacy is stupid, because when you're on the Nothing side of things, there's no communication.

I think there's something to be said for NUANCE.

[JVS]

21. Snubbing is rude and petty in this circumstance.

[MADem]

23. Well, MMV. If there's to be a rebuke, and apparently there is, I think

that there are "degrees of rebuke" to be considered during an event that takes place only once every four years. Obviously, you're a more concrete all-or-nothing type.

[ozone_man]

13. Keep the Olympics in Greece.

That's the first thing that needs to be done. It's become a commercial enterprise much more than an athletic contest.

Secondly, if you want to punish China for human rights violations, end it's favored trading status with the U.S.. If more pressure is desired, make U.S. companies withdraw from China manufacturing facilities. To punish athletes is silly.

[JI7]

14. what people around the world are already doing is bigger

than whether or what part of it any politician attends.

the pictures and video i have seen of the protests are amazing and inspiring.

[atal]

15. Boycotting the Olympics is too drastic a move

It would hurt the candidates General Election chances. And we'd loss out on beating the Chinese in their own country!

Nothing will change in Tibet regardless of what we do, short of an invasion.

[walldude]

20. I'm sure the Tibetans don't think so

This is a brutal communist regime slaughtering peaceful demonstrators in Tibet. They can kiss my ass.

[atal]

24. The same is being said about us in Iraq

Let's solve our problems first. We'd be much too hypocritical at this stage.

Tibet has been in it's current state for a very long time. A boycott will change nothing! We need a proper strategy if, the independence of Tibet is truly our intention.

[Upton]

18. Boycotting the Olympics is not a good idea

Carter made a mistake in 1980, hurting his popularity, for either of the two Democrats to call for it now would be extremely unwise.

[JVS]

19. Then don't call for a boycott of any part.

[Upton]

22. Actually I agree