Obama's OLYMPIC BOYCOTT. Perhaps the BRILLIANT solution...

[quantass]

Earlier i had the view that both Obama and Clinton were both correct on the Olympic boycott -- Talk with China to come to some agreement but then boycott the entire games if nothing changes. But now Im thinking Obama is onto something.

Lets face it boycotting the whole games does nothing. China will still do its same old thing. Sure the world press will discuss this boycott throughout the games but like so many issues its impact will wear out very quickly and no one will remember or care. Thats just the way the world works. The ideal: take Obama's approach but extend it to include the other Olympic competing countries and if China doesnt comply with some initial steps then Clinton boycott the enitre games with the other countries. This ideal approach wont happen because basically most countries/people dont care.

The next best, perhaps very realistic approach, is to take Obama's approach, extend it to include the other Olympic competing countries and boycott the opening ceremonies, as he suggested. I'm confident a large % of countries will agree to this and make the opening ceremonies look rather empty. This will get lots of world press and give the whole Darfur / Tibet situation more exposure.

I know i know it isnt perfect but from the way the world works i think its the most realistic option. Hillary's all out boycott for the US alone without discussions seems like an "auto-pilot" default answer hurting american athletes, certianly not china or even the rest of the world. I very much doubt China will change its ways just for a sporting event and so the best you can do is gather more exposure for the situtation -- the ideal approach wont happen so the next best approach, Obama's approach, seems to be interesting.

Obama, i salute you. From my perspective the man is "thinking".

[papau]

1. Say what - Hillary says Gov officials do not go to opening ceremonies - Obama says our team can't

march in those ceremonies?? - I had not heard that stupid idea - punish the team does not make for any extra PR and is hurtful.


Hillary Clinton is calling on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing this summer. On Monday Clinton said that the recent violence in Tibet as well as the Chinese government’s support for Sudan, whose leaders she said are committing genocide in Darfur, demonstrate that China is not fit to host the Summer Games.

“I believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government,” Clinton said in a written statement.

[grantcart]

2. No US president has ever attended an opening ceremony in another country

so how is calling on Bush to do what we always do anyway a demonstration of anything.

I am not a big fan of olympic boycotts even the ceremonies and wish they would both leave it alone - just don't think that it is particularly good material for a primary fight.

[papau]

4. Because Bush said he planned to attend? - Or that Gov Officials planned to attend?

[quakerboy]

5. Um... Hillary

made a safe bet that no matter what she said, GW wouldn't take the time of day for her opinion. woo. I call on George Bush to stop eating at Burger King because they underpay employees and have tomato issues. YAY, aren't I brave.

[Infinite Hope]

3. You keep referring to Obama's approach and are otherwise vague.

Tell us what you actually think in concrete terms.