Boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympics

[Rook_PL]

Peoples Republic of China shouldn't be given an opportunity to organize Olympic games, it was clear as well back then as it is now that they e.g. break human rights. I'm not going to watch the Olympics. I know even poster "solidarity with Tibet" on my car or singing a letter to various governments probably won't change anything, but I wouldn't feel right if I'd do nothing. I can't do anything else. I think I understand Tibetan people, 21 years ago Poland was in similar situation under the rule of USSR. 

Freedom is the ultimate value.

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[Mangled*]

What's with the people trying to put out the fire of the Olympic torch? It's a symbol of honour, sportsmanship etc, whatever, and putting it out is a terrible thing to do. By putting it out, the person is basically disgracing the entire world and ruining the entire Olympics because you have destroyed the morale etc of the athletes, who have trained so hard, only to find their efforts go to waste.

I think Tibetans are more important than a bunch of athletes who come from wealthy backgrounds. I hope protesters get hold of the torch and hide it. It may be a symbol of honour to some people but in reality it's just a stick. It's not important. If putting out the Olympic torch ruins the Olympics then it just shows how stupidly traditionalistic and petty people can be.

[O.R.I.O.N.]

And yet, that's how the majority is, and there's no changing that. Even if the whole thing seems silly and rediculous to people like you 'n me, those other people see the torch as an important symbol, and the least people can do is respect that. I understand where you're coming from, but jeez, give the idiots a break for once.

[frogboy]

I hope protesters get hold of the torch and hide it. It may be a symbol of honour to some people but in reality it's just a stick. It's not important. If putting out the Olympic torch ruins the Olympics then it just shows how stupidly traditionalistic and petty people can be.

F*CK TRADITION, i want childish pranks under the guise of a couple of million people a few thousand kilometres away.

[{LAW} Gamer_2k4]

When I first heard about the boycott, I remembered this. Similiar thing happened with the Soviet Union. They invaded Afghanistan and some countries weren't very pleased with it. So, US along with several other nations decided to boycott the Moscow Olympics in 1980. What happened? Nothing.

Nothing happened? What about us sending Rambo to Afghanistan? Doesn't that count for something?

[The Geologist]

I think Tibetans are more important than a bunch of athletes who come from wealthy backgrounds. I hope protesters get hold of the torch and hide it. It may be a symbol of honour to some people but in reality it's just a stick. It's not important. If putting out the Olympic torch ruins the Olympics then it just shows how stupidly traditionalistic and petty people can be.

Way to be a rebel.   

[Demonic]

With the olympics being held in Beijing, all attention is focused on China. They use this well, as they put everything they have to prove that they are indeed very badass. The moon landing programme, the bridge through the Himalaya, the massive olympic infrastructure, etc. Naturally, if they screw up with something, people will roar everywhere. The people of Tibet also knew this, hence they did their best to raise their voice for the cause - and now look what happened.

The new wave of protests is a wee bit ironic and hilarious. It's safe to say that almost every item we own was made in China or has parts that originate from there. China is huge. Their economy is humongous. They know this very well, and despite millions of people outside their borders saying fuck you for Tibet, they can just shove it away because they are still winning. They can afford it.

Boycotting the olympics would only mean something if the games get moved out of Beijing as a whole because of the Tibet-issue: it could be organised in some other country ( at the price of it getting postponed by a few months probably ). For one instance China would be left with a whole bunch of empty olympic buildings, and for the other, the people that live there could draw another straw on the table of 'What has the Party fucked up'. As long as only some countries or politicians boycott it, it will remain as a gesture, and as that, since we're talking about the most ancient totalitarian state of the world, a weak one. They just don't give a flying fuck.

Obviously, this wouldn't really help Tibet. Freeing them would require cooperation on a much greater scale for a much greater price, a sacrifice that the leading nations of the world will not make. China is just too cheap for a full fledged economical boycott, dealing questions like this with military force would be global suicide, and everything else is like a spit in the ocean.

[LtKillroy]

Mangled, do you really think that boycotting will do anything? I mean come on, if they are willing to deny basic human rights to an entire nation, then do you really think a boycott will make them change anything. Instead of dishonoring the athletes, we could do something useful like have economic boycotts or something. Something that actually matters and will affect them in any way. Basically what I am saying is that boycotting the Olympics won't help free the Tibetans any more than boycotting their leader's birthday party, they don't care.

[8th_account]

I for one think it's great that 1.3 billion Chinese finally get to have the Olympics hosted in their own country.

Boycotting it to raise awareness? No. Everyone already knows that communist China disrespect their citizens. Boycotting it to send a message to China's leaders? No. They're already aware of the fact that pretty much every other nation is against their communistic ways. Boycotting the ceremony or protesting against the Olympic torch would only be picked up by the nationalistic tides in China as the western world wanting to sabotage the country's Olympic festival. That would strenghten the regime and isolate them and the people even more. Perhaps a better way would be to bruteforce globalization into China, slowly loosening the communist grip and making way for democracy, instead of acting rashly and hope for instant results.

[Fluffy]

Who was that time traveler *cough* HOAX *cough* who said that the 2008 olympics won't be held because of unrest? Seriously, if these bandwagon protesters somehow manage to stop the olympics and create a self-fulfilling prophecy, I will kill myself.

[a-4-year-old]

I don't think we should put the olympics in such a polluted shithole like Beijing

[El_Spec]

Fu[size=0pt][/size][/size]ck you.

[tehsnipah]

$50 says that an athlete will get seriously illed because of the smog in Beijing
but no, they shouldn't boycott the Beijing Olympics, because as far as i know, it's their first official time having an Olympic there. i mean come on, people will get pissed off if their country's official Olympic place had been canceled

[BondJamesBond]

one of the conditions of the dalai llama staying in india is that he cannot say anything that's strongly antichina. wow.

or hey prove me wrong find me some proof

Of course he can't say anything strongly antichina ... he, after all, is supposed to be peaceful and nonviolent.

But he has made comments about China's cruel treatment of Tibetans, and 'cultural genocide'.

-- On to India:
Let's remember that the Dalai Lama does not support the Olympic boycott, does not condone the violent protests, and does not support Tibetan independence. Regardless....
"India seems to have gone on the back-foot. While stating the Dalai Lama is a spiritual leader and an honoured guest, he has been advised not to respond to the most vitriolic and abusive attacks heaped on him by Chinese officials."

Yes, China is pressuring India to dump the Dalai Lama or face consequences, and India is concerned about their ties with China. But, China is only contradicting and demeaning themselves. Especially when you consider how the Olympics are supposed to reflect culture and history. World hates 'em, their own people hate 'em.
"there is something called people’s power, as the French have demonstrated. Democracy moves slowly, but eventually it wins. "

India is not just going to bend over for China. Ideological compatibility, or sovereignty and territorial integrity of India?

[Mangled*]

I don't think we should put the olympics in such a polluted bollockshole like Beijing

What he said.

Unless all the athletes are going to spend all their free time breathing through Nebulizers, you can pretty much guarantee that many of them are going to come down with pneumonia.

[Captain Ben]

theres a difference between criticising a government and being antichina
and AS I SAID he cannot say anything antichina

nice attempt at trying to divert my attention because that whole wall of text you posted has nothing to do with the point you were trying to argue

[BondJamesBond]

theres a difference between criticising a government and being antichina
and AS I SAID he cannot say anything antichina

nice attempt at trying to divert my attention because that whole wall of text you posted has nothing to do with the point you were trying to argue

Nothing to do? Did you forget that India is the host nation for Dalai Lama? What I did was give you reasons why India would not/should not kick the Dalai Lama out. So if the Dalai Lama wanted to strongly advocate 'antichina' he would be able to.

Here's a quick summary. The only reason India would want to kick the Dalai Lama out is because of tensions and ties with China. Well... China is quickly losing face to the world, India won't be taking their shit much longer, and the communism isn't going to last.
"there is something called people’s power, as the French have demonstrated. Democracy moves slowly, but eventually it wins. "

[Captain Ben]

fgs ONE OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE DALAI LLAMA MAINTAINING SANCTUARY FOR HIMSELF IN INDIA IS TO NOT SAY ANYTHING THAT IS ANTI-CHINA.
is it that hard to understand?

if not then find me some supposedly ANTI-CHINA QUOTES FROM THE DALAI LLAMA

you keep disregarding what i say [which yes is the same thing since i started posting in this thread] and then try to drown me in a bunch of irrelevant stuff... if india really doesn't give a shit about china THEN HOW COME THE DALAI LLAMA HAS NOT SAID ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY ANTICHINA?

[BondJamesBond]

ok.
He has made antichina comments - regarding unfair treatment and cultural genocide.

why doesn't he say more?

Because he does not condone protests, Olympic boycott, or independence. What more is he supposed to say?

FYI
"dalai llama can't say anything remotely antichina or else he gets booted out of the country he lives in now"
"dalai llama can't say anything remotely antichina or else he gets booted out of the country he lives in now"

dalai llama can't say anything remotely antichina or else he gets booted out of the country he lives in now [i don't know which one]

[Captain Ben]

he's commenting on unfair treatment and genocide NOT saying antichina stuff

THERES A DIFFERENCE