CNN reports that China's threats to crackdown on Tibetan protests have not been well received in parts of Europe and Britain. There is talk of boycotting the Beijing games. Talk.
How the hell did China get the Olympics to begin with? They are well known for human rights violations, intoleranance of disidents, and famous for their restriction of the press. Isn't anyone scratching their heads over this one?
How does this mesh with the Olympic ideals?
The West talks, but there are people being arrested everyday in Tibet...while the Red Giant calls the freedom movement a 'conspiracy.' Where are Richard Gere and Steven Seagal when you need them?
Wal-Mart does huge business with China, knowing full well how bad the factory conditions are and how oppressive the regime is...but Americans can't engage in commerce with Cuba? Where is the consistency?
Are our governments so desperate to do business with this emerging economy that they'll let them get away with anything? Is appeasing them in the hopes that they soften their policies really a prudent approach? Why didn't they give the Olympics to Iran? North Korea?
The general consensus is that China is worried about its' reputation in the world, so threats of a boycott carry some weight. Perhaps.
Even so, what is to stop them from going right back to their old ways after throwing a pretty Olympic party for the world to see?
Anyone, anyone...Bueller?
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