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You know, I don't think I agree with a boycott. I disaprove of China's policies, but I do not believe using the Olympics - which is supposed to be a forum for various countries to put aside their differences and have sportsmanlike competition - is the forum to use.
If we want to send a message to China that we disagree with their policies - we should be boycotting goods made in China, not the Olympics. What good will it do to punish the athletes that have trained so hard to now taint their Olympic experience with controversy? Sure, countries act all outraged at the political, social, and economic conditions in China, but as long as we keep getting cheap imports, there's not much anyone is actually going to do. So, they'll use the Olympics as a platform - because they'll still get cheap crap made from practically slave labor - except we can punish the handful of athletes that have waited their whole life for this experience.
Furthermore, has anyone considered how much work has been done by the Chinese people to prepare for the Olympics? Suddenly having people say they are not coming would probably be a huge insult to the people whom we claim we are fighting for.
If we want to send a REAL message to China that we disagree with their policies - the Olympics is not the appropriate place to do it. what does the goverment care if some athletes don't show? They will care if we start placing heavier restrictions on trade.
I'm sick of all this "ooh China is such a horrible place" hype. It's easy for a bunch of idiots to scream and yeall and make signs and put out the Olympic flame in protest of their cause. But, surely if the really cared they could find a more effective way of supporting their cause and actually making a difference. I don't buy some lazy 1/2 assed attempt at protest that really accomplishes nothing.
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