Meaningless Symbolism

The backseat presidents are making themselves look better by climbing on the boycott bandwagon. How...typical.

Barack Obama joined rival Hillary Clinton in calling for the president to boycott the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Clinton had commended British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for announcing that he will skip the August ceremonies in China's capital, and called on Obama and likely Republican presidential nominee John McCain to join her in urging Bush to do the same.

Let's get one thing straight, I could care less if the current cabinet's plane crashed on takeoff on their way there, but this Olympic protest / boycott noise is starting to get irritating.

Activists are urging world leaders to stay away from the ceremonies to underscore concerns about China's human rights record, its handling of recent unrest in Tibet and its relationship with Sudan. Because...that absence from a parade and a couple of song and dance routines in elaborate costumes is going to make a statement? Or will it make those countries look like elitist, bitter assholes?

"If the Chinese do not take steps to help stop the genocide in Darfur and to respect the dignity, security and human rights of the Tibetan people, then the president should boycott the opening ceremonies," Obama said. "As I have communicated in public and to the president, it is past time for China to respect the human rights of the Tibetan people, to allow foreign journalists and diplomats access to the region, and to engage the Dalai Lama in meaningful talks about the future of Tibet."

Clinton said the president should use the threat of a boycott to exert leverage on the Chinese government. "I believe that the president should not attend the opening ceremonies because that is giving a seal of approval by our United States government".

Does anybody think China gives two shits who shows up to watch their opening ceremonies? Or that a few extra empty seats in the bleachers is going to make them change their ways? Showing up isn't a seal of approval of anything. The Olympics are supposed to be a place where countries put aside their differences and ideologies to compete in sports of skill, strength, and endurance - not some campaign boost or feeble political statement.

If there was any real opposition to China, they'd be calling for a games boycott, not the cheesy opening ceremony. But that would piss everybody off, because truly, Americans care more about pint sized Midwestern gymnasts and 'roid juiced track stars getting glory and gold than the rights of Chinese students and Tibetan monks. And to think of all the stupid, corrupt, and questionable actions by the U.S. during the current administration, you'd think anything we do on the world stage would draw protests, condemnation, and boycotts. What, you think the world agrees with our little Iraq vacation? And you know we'd all freak the fuck out if our Olympic torch was getting hassled if there was an American city hosting instead of China.