This is a difficult subject for me to write about but the time has come. My blog family has begun to write about it. There are even slight murmurs in the corporate media about it. So here goes.My favorite sport is without a doubt track and field. I have been a track fan since seventh grade when I joined my school track team. I tried to run the 100 meters but it just wasn’t my race. I always seemed to come in third. So for some crazy reason I tried the 400 meters. I still hate myself for that. I can't imagine that there is a more grueling race than the 400. It's basically an all out sprint and the last 200 meters is pure torture. If you don't believe it just watch the professionals, check them out in the last 200 meters as their body's lock up on them. So imagine how bad it was when I was 13!
2007 Track and Field World ChampionshipsThe point is I love track and field. I am happy at the moment because the 2008 track season has begun. This year however is not a usual year for track and field. It's an Olympic year. Normally that would be cause for celebration but there is a big problem. That problem is China.
The 2008 Olympics are being held in Beijing, China. The reason that is a problem is because of China's support for the Sudanese Government. The same government that is responsible for the genocide in Darfur. A genocide that so far has taken between 200,000 and 400,000 lives and counting. The United Nations says 400,000 murdered with over 2.5 million people displaced.
DarfurChina according to many sources has been trading weapons for oil with Sudan. Those weapons have been used against the people of Dafur in the continuing genocide. China has also blocked United Nations resolutions aimed at the Sudanese Government which were meant to hinder their ability to continue the genocide in Darfur.
It is amazing to me that so far no major nation has decided to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games. After all the U.S. boycotted the 1980 games in Moscow because of the then Soviet Union's on going war in Afghanistan.
So why isn't the U.S. boycotting the Beijing games?
There are actually 9.2 trillion reasons. The U.S. national debt is what I suspect is keeping the U.S from standing against genocide. The Chinese central bank (People's Bank of China) holds a huge amount of U.S. debt. My research turned up the figure of about 47% of the U.S national debt being held between the Central Banks of China and Japan.
The People's Bank of ChinaIf the Chinese began to sell that debt or stopped buying new American debt that could cause serious economic problems for the U.S., maybe even a collapse of the American economy.
So the U.S. is in no position to play hardball with its major lender. And that means that the U.S will not be calling for a boycott of the Beijing games nor speaking out too much on the issue other than lip service.
And the rest of the world?
So far there has been no call for a boycott by any government that I am aware of. Most governments are too busy trying to trade with China to be concerned about their part in the genocide in Darfur.
And as astounding as it may seem even the government of Rwanda, which suffered its own genocide in the 90's has plans to send its athletes to China.
You can read about Rwanda's Olympic Trials here.
So if Rwanda, a nation that has suffered its own genocide is not boycotting then who will?
The only hope for any real disruption of the games is a boycott by participating athletes. I'm not sure if there is any real chance of that. Many athletes only have one chance in their lifetime to compete at the Olympics. And many more have huge amounts of money on the line.
Imagine an athlete going to Nike and telling them they are protesting the Olympic Games. I don't imagine that would go over too well and it may even be career suicide.
So it seems the world will just ignore China's part in the first genocide of the new century. And considering how the world seems content to sit and watch genocide occur in Darfur, I'm sure the genocide there won't be the last that occurs in this century.
Apparently never again didn't really mean never again.
Do you plan on boycotting the Olympics by not watching them on T.V.?
Do you think any athletes will boycott the Olympics?
Other Blog posts about the Beijing Olympic Games and Darfur
Nickhereandnow - Uneasy Traveller
30 comments:
MDC,
Denmark is calling for a Boycott - it is a small country but it may get others to think about it. I wish we would boycott - and I don't have a TV so I guess I won't be seeing them.
Good morning,
You are absolutely correct about China, and our economic slavery... or at least indetured status to them.
The Chinese happen to be our only real military threat, as well, yet we still run in circles, whipping ourselves into a frenzy ove middle eastern bomb throwers.
Doesnt surprise me none, but for some reason I thought your fav sport was basketball, i can always get the scores on your page, or used to
uknow, mdc, i spoke on this in another comment that you posted.
i'll replay my thoughts here.
we need to pull out--we as in the USA!
we need to keep our butts right here in america!
i willnot watch the events on tv. as much as i love the olympics...i will not watch.
china is wrong-wrong-wrong!
no doubts, if's ands or buts about it! we have no business there for any reason! between their support to the sudanese gov. and trying to kill us off and our animals through food products, and trying to kill our kids off with lead in the toys, and other items we use!
we have no business supporting anything in china or from china!
see, the greed for and the love of money will produce death!
I've always thought the United States "feared" China. That's why we don't fuk with them; never really have.
Secondly, the U.S. (corporations and such) are desperately trying to establish a business and economic foothold in China.
These things are true and are undoubtedly governing the U.S. response to the things you describe.
I must be an idiot. I knew the Olympics were gonna be in Beijing; and I knew the 2008 Olympics would be there but it wasn't until this post that I realized this is now. LOL.
Honestly, I've not given the matter any thought. I didn't know about the stuff you describe.
As much as I agree with you, MDC, the US will never pull out of Darfur because China has the US by the balls, and I do mean that figuratively. I mean, when I started hearing reports of Donald Trump just being a puppet on China's string, and he's supposed to be the icon of American wealth, then I knew the animal we were dealing with. In a few years, we'll really start to see the effects of the Chinese dominance. 2008 Olympics might even be their coronation.
All this to say that I really do hope at least some countries consider boycotting the games. If the US doesn't do it, then other countries should consider it, because it's only right.
When the US boycotted the Moscow games, the USSR did not hold as much, if any, instruments of american debt as China does. The West did do as much trade with Russia as it does now with China. And when the boycott occured, did the Russians leave Afghanistan? No, because boycotts don't generally work. Look at Cuba.
In fact, the only international boycott that has ever worked, has been the one against S. Africa and that's only because that was done over a number of years, and some people even now will say the boycott had no affect on apartheid.
Boycotts don't work, they only hurt the smaller players involved, the networks, the investors and the athletes.
I agree with you that something needs to be done, but something more effective.
This is why Steven Spielberg pulled out as artistic adviser. I was really proud of him for stating specifically that he was pulling out because of this deal with Darfur.
He's getting trashed in the Chinese media now.
We are pretty much owned by China. We're borrowing the money for these tax rebates from them and we'll turn right around and spend it all on Chinese goods at Wal-Mart. I don't think we should be going to the games but we will.
China is buying U.S. Treasury Notes, in a round about way of lending money. However, these notes are built on the "trust" that the U.S. gov't will pay back. These bonds are't secured. But, as far as China having the U.S. by the balls, it may not be the case. Two things to consider, (1) U.S. business has gone to China for cheap labor and products that could change in an instant, leaving China wanting. China's financial rise came by virtue of U.S. business, as they say they're "in bed together." (2) The U.K. has bought more Treasury Notes than China, Germany & France combined, up from 58.8 billion to a huge 201.4 billion. I think Mama Britain has her own son the U.S. by the balls!
Oh yes and I will not be watching the Olympics. It has not been about sport and athletes anymore but about U.S. on U.S. broadcasting, so nope not watching this time around
I've been wondering the same thing about the Olympics and even how China was allowed to host them in the first place. Never mind all the problems with products that have been made in China, but just based on the government's repression of their own people. Add on to that Darfur and the defective products, everyone should be boycotting the Olympics. I guess it all comes down to money though...
I hardly watch the Olympic games anymore since I've gotten older, but from reading your post, I can understand why there would be a need for people to boycott these games.
Sadly, and due to your reasoning, I can't see the USA or even the athletes taking that needed stand.
Mes, these are one of those drawbacks in life where a person is hit in the face with the fact that money rules the world.
Sidebar: I know what you mean about the 400 meters...lol
MDC, I am a former Olymic-quality runner (many years ago, and I ran the 400!) but I will not be watching the Olympics either.
I was going to mention that our tax rebates are really loans from China, but somebody beat me to it already -- but frankly that's why I am against the rebates.
Bush has run our country into a ditch with incredible amounts of borrowing + tax cuts. I honestly don't know how we can get out of it, and I have a degree in economics.
All I know is that the only REAL way out of this mess is going to include financial triage decisions made for many deserving groups of people,getting the heck out of the war and leaving a bloody mess, and massive belt-tightening of all Americans for several generations to come. All of those solutions are either immoral or repugnant.
That is a horrible place to be.
As for Darfur, I haven't been able to write about it because frankly if I start, I will probably end up blogging about it exclusively. I remember the Rwanda travesty like it was yesterday -- and how our country stood by and watched all of these people die without lifting a finger.
I believe that even if China DIDN'T have us by the balls, our country still wouldn't have done anything, because the people who are dying are black and poor.
MDC,
See now, I was thinking about this as I listened to John McCain, Hillary Clinton and others talking about keeping embargoes on Cuba. Oh, they gave all these lofty democracy-related reasons for it, but those reasons don't amount to much when we are more than willing to cozy up to communist China.
its times like these when I only wish I had a tv -so I can turn it off and not watch the Olympics in protest.
great topic. great post. great comments. Your blog rocks!
This is deep!
@ Miriam
I know. Don't you just love this blog??!! I totally do.
I wrote some letters to Olympics sponsors to get them to understand there could be repercussions if they don't call on China to improve the situation in Darfur. I had responses from some ... but, I didn't follow-up on it with consistency.
I appreciate you sharing this information. I will likely boycott the sponsors of the event if nothing changes between now and then...
peace, Villager
XJ,
That would be great if Denmark decided to boycott. That might get the ball rolling elsewhere.
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Gunfighter,
That's true; I think the government talks about the Middle East to scare us. But don't forget about Russia, they are still a threat.
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Torrance,
My second favorite sport is Women's Basketball!
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WTM,
Your comment was one of the things that prompted me to post about this! :)
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Baby Please,
Lol, yep the Olympics are just a few months away!
I'm not sure if we fear them anymore, except for their defective products. Lol
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Jose,
Wow, I hadn't heard about heard about the Trump thing. I'll have to research that. It doesn't surprise me though, Trump is greedy.
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Curious,
What other options do we have?
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Liz,
Spielberg did indeed do a good thing. I hope a few top athletes will follow suit.
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Enasyn,
That's very interesting about the U.K. I wonder if Blair and Bush didn't cook that up for some nefarious reason.
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Anali,
I totally agree about China's civil rights repression. That should have precluded them from getting the games.
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Don,
Yep money does rule the world. And we just play along.
I'm still hurting from the last 200m from high school! Lol
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SheCodes,
I just find it so hard to believe that people don't remember that Clinton could have stopped the Rwandan genocide.
Is that the kind of government we want to go back to with Billary!?
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Tami,
The Cuba thing is really stupid. They have been trying the same thing for 50 years and it has not worked.
I know neither McCain nor Clinton would do anything to stop the genocide, but maybe Obama would.
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B More BAP Life,
Very deep.
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Miriam,
Thanks! :)
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Villager,
Wow that's great about the letters. I may try that, it's a long shot but it might work.
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MDC,
If I knew what the other options were, I would be somebody's running mate lol. All I know is that international boycotts haven't worked in the past and sanctions seem to hurt the small people most.
I'm stumped, unless the UN made the sale of arms internationally illegal. But it wont because the US sells the most arms worldwide and both the US and China are on the security council and would veto any such legislation.
I really don't know what would work except that the people of China will have to make their government change its actions.
Curious,
Maybe athletes will start to back out of going. Hopefully they won't want to end up on the wrong side, as history will record those who participate.
TBA,
Thanks!!! ;)
MDC, We have to look at a lot of angles here. The British gov't is pro Hillary. They buy most of the U.S. debt, more than China, Germany and France combined. The U.S. is in Iraq (see I make sure I don't say "we are in Iraq" cause if it were up to me the U.S. military would not be there) in part because England, was importing 35% of their oil from Iraq. Do you hear "shot calling" coming from England? If I own your debt then, in essence I own you! Since England is pro Hillary, own more U.S. debt than any other country, would you be surprised if she wins the nomination and the presidency?
Just something to make you say "hummm?"
Please do not just rest with China aiding Darfur and Sudan to stop its Genocide. The Genocides in China itself must stop first. Tibetans, Falun Gong and Uygur Muslims, Human rights activists and Human rights defenders .Otherwise we settle for less and still the Chinese communist regime will continue to commit genocides on Chinese people while we in the world say its okay. They are laughing and listening to our silence.
The Genocide of the peaceful Falun Gong inside China where they are having their organs forcibly removed resulting in obvious death after they have been tissue matched for the right recipient. Their organs are then sold to the rich international transplant industry. This inhumane and grisly horror show must stop. Humanities conscience is at risk.
Read the reports
http://organharvestinvestigation.net/
I tried to be all macho thinking I could claim this race in high school.
It destroyed me. lol.
I didn't know that you had to actually run the last 200 meters.
Ensayn,
Why do the Brits support Hillary? Does it have to do with Bill?
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Jena,
I agree that China has violated civil rights on many fronts. And it is for all of those wrongs that they should not have been awarded the Games.
Thanks for the link,
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Don,
Remember "rig" setting in over the last 50 meters? Lol Everyone would almost fall over the finish line.
I've always said the US boycott of Moscow was a mistake and contributed to Jimmy Carter's election defeat.
Lke the Russians then, the Chinese have spent a lot of money to try to use the Olympics to show that they are a legit world stage player. Our athletes are expected to win a ton of medals there, and they can use that platform to express their disappointment with the Chinese government in other ways.
They can wear T shirts expressing solidarity with the peeps in darfur or on the medal shand maybe hold flags from the region.
So no, boycotting the Olympics is not an option.
Monica,
I hope the athletes speak up.
MDC: Thanks to Don for directing me to your blog. As far as boycotting the Olympics goes, I am one of those Olympic athletes who will actually be going to Beijing to compete in the long jump. I am not an American. I am from the Bahamas and I am pretty certain that we will not be boycotting The Games. I think it's a very tempting and very easy idea to suggest that athletes and countries boycott in protest against whatever the world at large views politically as unfair, wrong and unjust. And when the injustice is like that which we see in Darfur, it makes the reasoning seem all the more compelling.
However, at the core of the Olympic Games is the sentiment, at least amongst those of us who have competed in the Games before and who intend to dare to dream to compete there this time around is the fact that there remains this one true and pure endeavour in sport. One where the entire world can put aside its differences, its discrepancies, the horrors that plague many nations - all for the glory of fair competition, self-sacrifice and achievement. In and of itself, it is a noble cause and the ability to represent one's country and have that pride truly is unparalleled, if I do say so myself. It would be such a shame to take what should just be sport plain and simple and contaminate it with all that ails the world.
The Olympics are not politics, at least they shouldn't be anyway and for those of us who have worked tirelessly our entire lives to fulfill our athletic dreams, it would be life-changing, heart-breaking, soul-wrecking, to have that opportunity taken away to compete with the rest and the best in the world based on the fact government policy so dictates it. For many, this chance only comes around once in a lifetime and we do not take it for granted or lightly that the we are a part of the world and so what matters to the world matters to us too. But some things should be kept separate, I think and the Olympics is one of those things.
In addition to the fact, unless a majority of nations chose to boycott, I am not sure the effect would be significant enought to China herself but would rather more so do damage to the individuals whose dreams were shattered. I know many people won't agree with me, but this comes from my heart.
Jackie,
I understand and agree that the Olympics are and should be a haven from the complexities of politics. I also understand that for so many athletes these Games might be their only chance.
When the outside world interjects itself into sport it is always problematic.
In my post I am really trying to come to terms with my feelings concerning the Olympics and China. I love track and field so it's been difficult to come to a conclusion about what I would want to happen.
So it's great to have your input about this. I can appreciate the dreams, hard work and difficulties many athletes have trying to reach their ultimate goal at the Olympics.
I just hope athletes are not put into the position of defending their respective country's positions on all of the issues that will be swirling around the Games in China.
Thanks for stopping by and giving your perspective.
Good Luck!
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