Confused about Chinese Summer Olympics boycott

[jasong]

If I want to protest human rights abuses by boycotting the Summer Olympics, is it hypocritical to watch them on TV?

The reason I ask is because it´s not the athletes´ fault that China does what it does. I´m thinking as long as I don´t buy any products that endorse this year´s Summer Olympics, and therefore don´t put money into the Chinese government´s pockets, that sends a pretty clear message.

Does anyone disagree? I´ve never boycotted anything before, so I´m a little confused.

[paleseptember]

I agree that it's a difficult situation. On the one hand is the hope that international exposure and the responsibility of hosting such an event should be a catalyst for change. That, from what I've read, is the opinion of the IOC. On the other hand, the track record of the Chinese government in it's dealing with dissent, and the general disregard for international opinion, and the censorship of news, etc, is appalling.

Viewed purely as a sporting event, watching the Olympics, cheering on the performances of the individuals, staying up to 3am for the ice dancing, all well and good. Unfortunately, it's not -just- a sporting event, politics is heavily bound up in the Olympic movement.

There are more effective methods of protesting human rights abuses than not watching the coverage, most of which mean that you don't get to miss the ice dancing.

Oh, and don't forget that the actions of a government are not the actions of the people. Chinese people in the community should not bear your displeasure at the actions of their government. Imagine what'd happen if we all started doing that.

[Paratima]

I intend to only watch with one eye.

Haven't figured out which one, yet. I may alternate. ;)

[melter65]

Why don't large businesses boycott China by stopping trade during the Olympics? Or is it all left to athletes, some of whom have been training since the last games just for this event?

American and European big business could bring China to its knees, just by introducing trade embargoes, but it won't as this means less profits!

It stinks that protesting is left to the general public and the athletes :bang:

[Helix_Von_Smelix]

Countries, and big corps need to be very careful about embargos. Was tried by US of A against Japan in the'30s

So, it needs to be a gradual process over a few decades beleive it or not. But what with share holders, and pension plans...............

It's a mess of our (the west) own making:jabber:

[melter65]

It's a mess of our (the west) own making:jabber:

Very, very true! We're too 'intertwined' with Chinese business!