Earlier this year, when she was running for president of the United States, Senator Hillary Clinton implored President Bush not to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in China.
Others who were Congressmen, Senators, and human rights activists totally agreed with Mrs. Clinton. The President responded by saying that to not attend would be a "slap in the face" to China, and that he could do much more good by dealing with Chinese leaders behind the scenes.
I know that it is not in vogue to agree with President Bush on anything, but on this, I think he is absolutely right. How hypocritical would it appear or be if the president didn’t go, but our athletes did? What kind of protest is that? Add to that the fact that we deal with China economically, and in every other way today, and it just seems like hollow symbolism. Should we stop fighting for better human rights where they are abused? Absolutely not, but this is not a human rights, or governmental event. At least, it’s not supposed to be.
In ancient times, these athletic contests in Greece were so important that the various city-states, even if they were fighting, stopped to compete peacefully in the Olympics. That is what the Olympics are, athletic games, where people are competing hard, but peacefully, and shutting out government, at least for two weeks. We should celebrate these games, and the president should be there in that moment.
To do otherwise is a hypocritical insult, not just to the Chinese, but to that spirit that shows us that in at least one place, athletics, we can all get along -- even if just for a moment. I’m Gary Sutton.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
To go or not to go (to China)? That is the question.
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5 comments:
gary - word on the street is that you're running for office? what's the word for those of us who can't listen to your show at work?
What if the Olympics were being held in Tehran? Would it be a "slap in the face" and a hypocritical insult for the President not to attend? And if the Olympics are really about peaceful athletics and "shutting out the government" why are you arguing for the leader of our government to attend. That being said, I don't think it's a big deal either way.
Maybe the Olympians should show some patriotism for their country and boycott it based on there own assessment of China's human rights abuses and stop just thinking of their own success. Why should our government have to tell them not to go?
At least when President George W. Bush goes, we can all be sure he'll be rooting for Americans.
Unlike Obama who instead of rooting for normal Americans, today said he was embarrassed by us.
What a total and complete loser. Libs should SO be embarrassed.
Gary running for office? Did the Neville Chamberlain seat just become available?
Attaboy, Trenton, get the ole Lib dig in there.
As far as the President attending the Olympics, I think that's his business, and let's keep politics out of it. There ought to be at least one thing in this world that isn't polluted with political or religious beliefs.
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