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Canada should lead a boycott of the Olympics in China in Summer 2008. If the persecution in Tibet doesn’t stop, we would do well in not going to the Olympic Games this summer in China. Canada should not stay silent before one of the greatest human tragedies of the twentieth century which is being played out by China in Tibet. What is happening there is “cultural genocide”. Do we as Canadians who represent a free world want to go to China and pretend that things are hunky dory while China continues to abuse human rights in Tibet and in China itself?

The argument that human rights situation would improve by holding the Olympic Games in China is not valid. The same arguments were made when the Western world started importing goods from China. The result is that we are totally dependent on cheap goods that have flooded the western market while China’s rule of terror continues.

   

I think it's too late to back out but I'd support not attending the opening and closing ceremonies in protest. The Harper government has recently come out and again, claified it's position that Tibet and Taiwan are a part of China and not occupied or potential independant countries and I'm not happy about that.
Although it would cause a political shit storm, I'd like Canada to be the first to recognise an independant Taiwan.

   

I've already written a letter to the US Olympic Committee asking for a boycott based on humanitarian grounds. Perhaps Canadians should do the same. FYI - actual paper letters sent in the mail have much more impact than do emails.

   

Countdown till some new "Canadian" member makes his first post supporting China...

   

I won't support China, but what about the athletes?

   

That will never happen (Canada recognizing Taiwan), because China would likely turn around and recognize Quebec as a sovereign nation. My guess is there is a backdoor quid pro quo on that issue.

It's too bad, because I think that if Taiwan wants independence, it should get it. Especially because Taiwan is very different from the mainland and is moving farther away everyday. Same goes for Quebec. As potentially disasterous as their separation could be, people should be free to make that decision.

Boycotting the opening ceremonies (or the entire Olympics) won't happen either, unless the US does it first. I simply don't think Harper has the balls to be the first to do something that big.

   

Maybe a thing each of us could do is to not watch the Olympics in protest. This would twice as easy for the CBC haters.

   

was'nt china already in tibet when they awarded the games to china . China should get out of tibet and i would support an olympic boycott if it would help. I think the increase in private companies is helping defeat communism. I talk to an internet friend in china and he dislikes the communist very much. The only way to defeat communism is inside china itself by the chinese people. Hopefully they choose democracy like russia did.

   

   

"Boycotting the opening ceremonies (or the entire Olympics) won't happen either, unless the US does it first. I simply don't think Harper has the balls to be the first to do something that big."


That is such a pity ... we should all take part in the protests being held by the Tibetans in Vancouver and elsewhere. To show our solidarity with them.

As for the athletes ... it's a pity that they don't have the sense to say "I won't participate here in China!" Politics is a part of sport, whether you like it or not. Even if the IOC pretends it isn't!

   

Sure Canada should do something!
As a representant of the free world, and a country promoting multiculturalism, Canada should condemn Chinas actions in Tibet that intend to silence Tibetans and destroy their culture.

But this wouldn't be an easy thing to do, as you guys already said:

- First thing is what is Canada and what is China. Both are big in size, but look at the population. Canada has 32 milion citizens located in 13 half independent provinces and territories. China has 1.3 bilion citizens, all governed by the government in Beijing.

- Can Canada afford hostile acts toward China? Canada has large economic ties with China, and Quebec's separatism doesn't facilitate the decision.

- How do Chinese-Canadians feel know?


I think Canada should start an initiative within the western world (NATO-EU) to do something (boycott the opening or the entire olimpics). I know Poland would be for.

   

Best way to hit them is in the pocket book of the corperations that are taking part:
Write a letter boycotting their products and I guarantee they'll take notice.
[web]http://en.beijing2008.cn/90/53/column211995390.shtml[/web]

   

I think a no show for the opening would be a good signal but I would not support a boycott. Athletes that spent their whole lives to be there will be robbed over political squabbling.

   

I was just thinking it's pretty ironic that the Beijing olympics go to huge lengths to get official sponsors, and to protect them and their products under coppyright laws.

It's also pretty funny that the plight of people with disabilities are pretty much shunned and outcast in most of Asia..and here their holding the special olympics.

   

Great idea, although I doubt some of those Chinese ones would do it. Some maybe, but doubtfully not all.

   

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