Why isn't there a bigger in the U.S. push to boycott the Olympics in Beijing?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

given China's abysmal human rights record - and thier championing in the UN of the cause of the Myanmar thugs.

If the U.S. won't officially make the move, then progressives in the U.S. have a duty to boycott anything Olympic-related and to spread the word.

More info here:
www.freeburma.org

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Because of the abysmal U.S. human rights record?

But seriously, I think the whole point of the modern Olympics is to foster peace and a spirit of good will, and I don't think boycotting the Olympics would foster anything but ill will and nationalism, and would do nothing for human rights.

Boycotting oil companies that do business with the Myanmar government, on the other hand...

[Sequoia]

2. I remember when Jimmy Carter was president and the Olympics were boycotted.

The American-led boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow was a part of a package of actions to protest against the December 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American-led_boycott_of_the_1980_Summer_Olympics

And years later we invaded Afghanistan.

[Systematic Chaos]

3. Because nobody who values their lungs is going to attend?

The whole event is going to be the clusterfuck which will be marked by future historians as the downfall of our civilization. Or maybe not, but you still couldn't pay me to go over there. :eyes:

[Rhythm and Blue]

4. We have more influence over them if we don't.

What China wants out of '08 more than anything is to be a respected international player of the first rate: to have a presence on par with America's. We have more leverage with them if we appear as if we're going to embarrass them. Pulling out entirely would send a message, but would be quickly forgotten.

Think of it as having a bandaid on China's arm. Zipping it off all at once would sting, but they'd get over it. Slowly, slowly pulling, tearing out one hair at a time? That'll give a lot more pain.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. If we boycott, we can't bring home lots o' gold

to prove once again that WE'RE NUMBER ONE!



USA! USA! USA! :headbang:



:eyes:

[Catshrink]

6. Because maybe the Chinese would stop stocking Wal-Mart

and where would Americans get their consumer goods? No computers, Tonka toys, combs & brushes, coffee makers, MP3 players, TVs, clothes, shoes, tools, DVD players, pens, pencils, lawn chairs, fans, lamps, socks, shoes, rugs, dishes, figurines, baskets, linens, or anything else. What do we make in this country anymore?