Olympics-boycott or not

I am interested in your opinion in regard to the call by some to boycott the Olympics.  It seems to become a heated issue.  Shall we vote, just opine?  What are your thoughts?

CM, if this can be added onto n existing thread, please do so.

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I got turned off on the Olympics after Munich.  The most televised events... gymnastics in the summer and figure skating in the winter are not sports, but athletic events that are subjectively judged.  The whole thing has become politicized.  I would be excited if I had a child or a friend participating, but all in all, I'd rather watch golf, bowling, or roller derby on TV.  (I don't golf, BTW.)

I don't care to be part of any boycott.  It's the athletes who have worked hard and peaked at the right time who suffer.  But they will compete next year in the world games or wherever and the Tibetans will be forgotten.  But if a boycott happens, it would serve the Olympic Committee right for selecting Beijing in the first place.  I rue the day when Texas hosts one of these things and we taxpayers are forced to pay for new stadiums and venues for the Olympic events.

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FFwd., In many ways I agree with you.  I wish they could just simplify the games again and not have to make such a spectacle out of them with each nation trying to outdo the other.  They are entertaining though, but way too costly. 

I can understand both sides of the "debate", but I can't see punishing the athletes to make a social or political statement.  Let the kids play!

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Hillary is urging Pres. Bush to boycott the opening exercises in Bejing.   I really, REALLY hate to agree with anything Hillary says, but I have to agree with her on this.  Bush continues to say he's going over there anyway, but if he did boycott the opening exercises, he would make a point and the athletes wouldn't be hurt by it.

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Isn't she a fine one to dictate what others should do.  Wasn't it her POS "husband" who sold our tech secrets to China?  Was their human rights record so outstanding then?  Now she wants to play high and mighty?  To hell with her.  I'd go now just to spite her dumb butt!

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FeedFwd,  I feel the same way you do about the events that are subject to judges' scores.  The USA takes a beating on these sometimes just because a judge from a certain country doesn't like us.  In events like track you either cross the line first or you don't.  We lost interest in the Olympics when all the cheating began coming to light.  They just aren't what they were intended to be anymore.  As for boycotting them, yes I think we should.  They never should have been awarded to China in the first place.  Having children who were in competative sports, one on the college level,  I know how hard these athletes have worked.  But sooner or later they need to realize what is going on in the real world.  And it isn't good.  Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and do what is right.  I think a boycott is right.  That's just my opinion.

Lol, you're right, Patsy....that's a fine suggestion to come out of her mouth, of all people.  I still think that the representative of the US should take some kind of a stand against the Chicoms though.

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Indeed they should, but I don't think the Olympics is the place to do it.  Those kids have worked their butts off for years trying to get to this point...keep politicis out of it.

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I would have to agree with both sides of the issues. As Patsy says, "Those kids have worked their butts off for years trying to get to this point".  I also agree with Billary (did I really say that?) and we should boycott the opening. However, my initial shock a few years ago when they announced ChiCom as the site has had me seething.  How much kow-towing are we supposed to do for a regime that has poisoned our food, toys, stolen our military secrets, and monopolized our trade policy? Not to mention Tibet and the suppression of their own people. Our politicians should be taken to task for "allowing" Bejing to be even considered for this Olympics.

I know, the horse is out of the barn now, but at what point do we say, enough!

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Jani said:

I would have to agree with both sides of the issues. As Patsy says, "Those kids have worked their butts off for years trying to get to this point".  I also agree with Billary (did I really say that?) and we should boycott the opening. However, my initial shock a few years ago when they announced ChiCom as the site has had me seething.  How much kow-towing are we supposed to do for a regime that has poisoned our food, toys, stolen our military secrets, and monopolized our trade policy? Not to mention Tibet and the suppression of their own people. Our politicians should be taken to task for "allowing" Bejing to be even considered for this Olympics.

I know, the horse is out of the barn now, but at what point do we say, enough!

Don't forget the infanticide they have indulged in over there either.  It would be great to keep politics out of it like Patsy says, but it's the ChiComs that are wanting to put lipstick on the pig of their failing communist policies.  The Olympics is already a political animal, the flame itself was the idea of Hitler to promote his agenda.

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Well, if the athletes suffer, they won't be the first.  Jim Thorpe, one of if not the greatest Olympian ever had his medals stripped.  Roger Maris had an asterisk by his record his whole life.  They probably won't be the last, either.

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That's true FF, but it's still not right.  I don't know....like I said, I see both sides of it.  I guess the "happy medium" is let the kids play as always, but just don't make a showing at the opening ceremonies...it's all just pomp and circumstance anyway and no points awarded for it.  Just grandstanding is all.

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Patsy said: That's true FF, but it's still not right.  I don't know....like I said, I see both sides of it.  I guess the "happy medium" is let the kids play as always, but just don't make a showing at the opening ceremonies...it's all just pomp and circumstance anyway and no points awarded for it.  Just grandstanding is all.

I agree, let the athletes participate because what they are involved in doing is a good thing and they have the chance to mingle with the kids from other countries which is good for everyone.

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Firewing,

The cynic in me says: "nothing like sharing techniques for masking drug use and learning how to beat the drug testing committee with others around the world..."

I'm a huge supporter of athletics, especially amateurs, but I'm afraid the Olympics now semi-pro and hugely politicized.

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I hear you FF, but the majority of the kids follow the rules and the benefits of mixing with the people from all over world outweigh the bad for everyone, imo.

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Some very interesting thoughts, thank you.  I wish we wouldn't have build up the Chinese Empire as much as we have.  Now that it is what it is. it  almost doesn't matter what we do.   Sad, isn't it.

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elaina said: Some very interesting thoughts, thank you.  I wish we wouldn't have build up the Chinese Empire as much as we have.  Now that it is what it is. it  almost doesn't matter what we do.   Sad, isn't it.

 

And who needs the Olympics?  The athletes?  This is a big country, and there are other ways to compete internationally.

Has anyone here ever known a Tibetan?  Maybe you need to get some context here, as that would surely change your opinions.

Also, since we are now in a recesson, except according to those that wish to see you part with you money, why not start saving for that rainy day when you can buy "Made in USA".

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elaina said:

I am interested in your opinion in regard to the call by some to boycott the Olympics.  It seems to become a heated issue.  Shall we vote, just opine?  What are your thoughts?

No - for several reasons.  Tibet has always been part of China.  The US should stay out of the this because we see if only from a Western viewpoint and have little understanding of Eastern thought or that China and Tibet both share a religion of peace (Buddhism).  As one of you said, let the contestants play - and keep politics out of it.

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I don't see any real point of boycotting the Olympics. Human Rights violations happen all over the world, yet we continue to travel to those places. So, it doesn't serve any real purpose to keep from enjoying something other than listening to the Presidential candidates act like they are the only ones that can single-handedly save the world. It will be a joy to see very little coverage of them. So, on with the Olympics.

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