Democratic leaders are calling on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing this summer. Hillary Clinton said Monday that she believe the Bush administration has been wrong to downplay human rights in its policy towards China. "At this time, and in light of recent events, I believe President Bush should not plan on attending the opening ceremonies in Beijing, absent major changes by the Chinese government,” Clinton said in a written statement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several other House lawmakers had previously urged Bush to skip the opening ceremonies. Her opponent for the Democratic presidential nomination, Barack Obama, said recently that he was conflicted about whether the U.S. should fully participate.
The threat of a presidential boycott could be a symbolic slight to China, which takes face and respect for itself very seriously. But it also could do damage to relations with a country that has huge investments in the U.S. and that generates massive exports here.
The threat of a presidential boycott could be a symbolic slight to China, which takes face and respect for itself very seriously. But it also could do damage to relations with a country that has huge investments in the U.S. and that generates massive exports here.
I say no. Why on earth would President Bush boycott these games? A boycott would be hypocrisy with a capital "H", and I do not mean Herbert. Let's look at the reasons why the nation, and the world are protesting the Chinese Olympic games...
The illegal invasion of Tibet in 1950?
By our standards and time lines, not only did China have the right to invade, they even have 100 years to get out (they have 42 years to get out).
A gluttonous demand on the world's natural resources of energy and building materials?
They are following in our footsteps since the 1930's.
The use and sanction of the use of torture?
That's too easy. The Bush administration has employed the techniques of torture since 9/11. And have either denied the use of torture, or simultaneously defended the need to torture, up to / and including the employment of secret torture camps around the world.
A pollutinous global footprint on the world?
The U.S. are the leaders in pollution for a century now, and have only just now seen the light of their ways (thank you Al).
An assault on personal and individual rights?
Three words: The Patriot act.
Should President Bush stay away in some sort of hypocritical slight on the only developing super power? I say NO. Not only should he go, while he is there, he should apply for residency and run for office. He is their kind of people.
And that is the "World According to Kimba."
Thanks for reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment