To boycott, or not to boycott?

Regarding the various people proposing a boycott of the Beijing Olympics; my view is that any kind of boycott would be counter-productive. There is no point in punishing the athletes who have made the games their life's ambition and put everything they had in getting there. Allow them their moment in the sun.

Also, regarding the current protests around the torch relay, come on people... Look, protest all you like, but please don't get aggressive and try to extinguish the torch or disrupt its passage. Please also refrain from booing and what not as it goes past. Imagine how the athletes who you so revere feel carrying the torch that you are directing all your hatred towards. These are people you love, who view this as one of the great honours of their lives. Don't take that away from them. Sure it makes the news, but for all the wrong reasons.

Chant slogans for sure and wave your banners proudly, as I would do the same if I hadn't already booked my flight to Canberra for the day AFTER the relay *palm to head smack*. I understand the feeling that has built around this. But...for the majority of the people showing up to protest, where have you been for the last 50 or so years? These issues are not new, nor should your reaction to them be. Will your passion fade away with the media attention, like what has happened to the whole Burma campaign?

The picture: so many white faces...who are they, and will they be seen again?

It can be argued that peaceful protest has been tried all along, and it hasn't worked. The great thing about this though, is that it has been peaceful. Someone who had a way with words said once "fighting for peace is like f***ing for celibacy", and they're right. As an example, the Karen in Burma are a minority that have been fighting the Junta for years, and as a result, things have actually become worse for their people, and their cause fractured from within. Am I belittling their attempt? No, just saying that it may not be the best way to proceed.

It is very difficult for anyone in the western world to have any legitimacy in attacking China over her treatment of ethnic minorities, they have all been guilty of similar abuse in the last century.

Am I making excuses for China? No, definitely not. Don't just jump on the bandwagon now though, and jump off when the games are over.

There is only so much of an effect a boycott can have. If people boycott the games, then the athletes are punished. If heads of state boycott the opening ceremony and games (like England's Brown and Prince Charlie), then China will shrug, and say "so what?" It seems like a PR stunt for these leaders, as they will continue kissing China's arse politically and economically.

My hat goes off to good ol' Kevin Rudd, Australian PM, who has ruled out a boycott, and has actually gone to China and spoken in front of University students and Chinese dignitaries about the Tibet issue among others...in Mandarin! This shows guts and a true commitment to putting Australia and her values first, despite his friendship and affinity with China. It is this kind of thing that will make the real difference. He is going about this the right way, at least at the present, unlike any other heads of state. Good on ya Kev!

About the fools criticising him for his casual salute to Bush, watch the video yourself! How can you be an Ozzie and criticise that? Nutters...

On a side note, I agree with focusing a little less on our relations with Western nations, and a lot more on relations with Asian nations WHICH IS WHERE WE LIVE! We are a part of this area, and we need to act more like it, and less like a little outpost of Britain or America. Kev, I salute you. (^_^)\

New Leadership? Hell yeah! Loving it!

That's it!