Most people of the world have some idea of the issues surrounding Tibet and China, and the religious arguments which are at the centre of the conflict. However you choose to support or oppose this subject most of us take the ignore approach. The politicians do this because China has such a huge population, military and economic base to call upon and the governments don't like to upset the apple cart.
America and Australia with all their rhetoric for free speech, freedom of information, freedom of religion, etc, etc are the first to admit they have delicate trade agreements with China. This brings about the problem of conflict of interest. All China has to say and put forward is:'they will not allow trade and take their business elsewhere' and America and Australia back off. It is all well and good to shake your finger and say what a naughty country you are and you should not do this that and the other, but if you don't back it up with real action then what does it mean, "not much."
This latest press release from Yahoo News gives us one idea, boycott the Olympics, well yes that will work, but this brings about another issue should Politics and sport be intermingled. There needs to a clear and defining line between Politics, sport, religion, and yes Hollywood.
Public Figures I feel should and even have duty to play an active part in social issues around the world, after all with fame can come great power, however do you feel sporting events such as the Olympics should be used as a Political stick to beat over the heads of any country which does things we do not approve off or should they not gain the privilege of hosting the games in the first place?
America and Australia with all their rhetoric for free speech, freedom of information, freedom of religion, etc, etc are the first to admit they have delicate trade agreements with China. This brings about the problem of conflict of interest. All China has to say and put forward is:'they will not allow trade and take their business elsewhere' and America and Australia back off. It is all well and good to shake your finger and say what a naughty country you are and you should not do this that and the other, but if you don't back it up with real action then what does it mean, "not much."
This latest press release from Yahoo News gives us one idea, boycott the Olympics, well yes that will work, but this brings about another issue should Politics and sport be intermingled. There needs to a clear and defining line between Politics, sport, religion, and yes Hollywood.
Public Figures I feel should and even have duty to play an active part in social issues around the world, after all with fame can come great power, however do you feel sporting events such as the Olympics should be used as a Political stick to beat over the heads of any country which does things we do not approve off or should they not gain the privilege of hosting the games in the first place?
Richard Gere urges Olympics boycott
Actor Richard Gere chases a fugitive Bosnian war criminal in his latest movie role, but in real life the devout Buddhist is pursuing China on human rights abuses and says a boycott of the Beijing Olympics could help.
Gere, chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet, told Reuters the 2008 Beijing Olympics were a good opportunity to encourage China to end human rights abuses in Tibet and allow the Himalayan region to decide its future.
Last month, thousands of Tibetans marched in New Delhi and New York calling for a boycott of the Beijing games.
"A general boycott to me certainly has value; it's probably impractical, but emotionally absolutely makes sense," Gere, 58, said. "Why should the world reward people who are obviously so bad to their own people, so bad to other people."
"In the same sense, encouragement is really important," he said in an interview to promote The Hunting Party opening in US theatres on Friday. "Not one country on this planet has got it all together, including the United States."
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3 comments:
It is very rare and very difficult for me to side with an Olympic Games boycott. However, in this case, I believe it wise to do so. China's treatment of Tibet is not the only reason for this boycott. China's violence toward dissenters should not be given a blind eye by an administration (Bushies) that claims to support democracy throughout the world. China would never cease exporting to the US, because we are its largest market. And the US will never boycott China, because they are our biggest money lender. So much for truth and decency.
I think there are times whe a boycott is appropriate, but I don't think this is one of them. For me, the solution to most of China's human rights abuses is to bring a significant portion of the population out of poverty and into a 'middle class'.
I said a lot more on my blog (trackbacked to here) at It’s NEVER government that suffers….
Boycotting ExxonMobil for their environmental problems is fine. Their shareholders can afford the economic hit. The cab drivers, hotel maids, waiters and waitresses of Beijing cannot.
Great post! Would you consider joining our blogging campaign to bring awareness to the Human Rights issues this Olympic year? Thanks!
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