Protesting the Olympics

[Whatssnew]

The Olympics are made for nations to peaceably come together to compete on a friendly field of sports. So why are people tainting the image of the Olympics with issues totally unrelated to the Olympics? As we will be guests in there country should we not show more respect for our host and find other ways to protest?

Athletes who display Tibetan flags at Olympic venues — including in their own rooms — could be expelled from this summer’s Games in Beijing under anti-propaganda rules. Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, said that competitors were free to express their political views but faced sanctions if they indulged in propaganda.

BEIJING — China expressed indignation Friday over a U.S. congressional resolution calling on Beijing to stop cracking down on Tibetan dissent and talk to the Dalai Lama. State media, meanwhile, labeled a group linked to the Dalai Lama's India-based government-in-exile a "terrorist organization" — building on claims that recent anti-Chinese protests were part of a violent campaign to overthrow Chinese rule and sabotage the Beijing Olympics in August.

On Friday, Bush repeated his position that the Olympics are for sports, not politics.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States will "press the Chinese on human rights issues before, during and after these upcoming Olympic Games."

"The problem with a boycott is you end up taking 1.3 billion Chinese _ who have different views of democracy, of the U.S., of human rights, but all want the Olympics to be successful _ and you turn them all against the U.S.," said Green, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. "It's a crude and blunt instrument to just boycott."

Bush has been outspoken in his support of the Dalai Lama and presented the monk with a Congressional Gold Medal last year over strong Chinese protests.

Foxnews.com

P.S. This thread is only about the use of the Olympics as a political pulpit, not the reasons for the protest. Thanks for you imput.

[Matt W]

Given that practically EVERY Olympics has been used for political protests, I don't see why this one is any different. China is using the procession of the torch to promote themselves, but it's turning into the biggest PR screwup they could imagine...

[Anmon]

They should just free Tibet, have a peaceful Olympics, then go invade Tibet again

[Gods_Mercenary]

The Olympics are a non-political event provided you aren't beating up clerics in the streets (though as Matt notes, they aren't). China deserves what it gets, if it wants to be a nation on the world stage, it has to face the world's opinion.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Gods_Mercenary The Olympics are a non-political event provided you aren't beating up clerics in the streets (though as Matt notes, they aren't). China deserves what it gets, if it wants to be a nation on the world stage, it has to face the world's opinion.

The world's oinion is lenient enough for China to continue its stupidity.
Though no reasonable person would describe China as a symbol of human rights in the
world, Clinton did give it "most favored nation" trade status. We're supposed to find relief at its status as the world's fourth-largest economy, and its rise as a global power.

Grandpa h.

[Gods_Mercenary]

There's the rub, isn't it, they're rich and getting richer.

[grandpa]

Quote by: Gods_Mercenary There's the rub, isn't it, they're rich and getting richer.

Well, some are rich and getting richer in the system. That's why companies want to get more involved in it.

Grandpa h.

[WearetheWorld]

gotta love corporate sponsorship