March 27, 2008

I'll not be watching

I completely agree with this woman. I have long said that I will be holding my own personal boycott of the China Olympics, and I believe James is with me (he can correct me in the comments if I'm wrong). We were horrified when China was awarded the Games, and more than skeptical of all the promises they made to get them. Not surprisingly, those promises haven't been fulfilled. (And that article was written before the recent Tibetan protests.) I am not under any illusion that whether or not I watch will make a difference. Nonetheless, I will register my disgust and by turning off the TV. (Or, more likely, by watching Marx Brothers movies instead.)

Kimberly - 5:57 AM
Comments

Kimberly's right. Besides, just how much synchronized swimming and javelin tosses can you watch? Most of the events and the silly pageantry that opens and closes the games leave me cold, even in summer.

Mom - Mar 27, 2008 - 7:26 AM

The Marx Brothers rule... so far superior to the Three Stooges.

Big Pinz - Mar 27, 2008 - 9:05 AM

I'm with you, but it is kind of a passive protest. I still think it would be more meaningful if we set ourselves on fire in Tiananmen Square.

Andrew F - Mar 27, 2008 - 10:15 AM

There are going to be protests up the whazoo (sp?) at the Olympics. There are going to be NPO's protesting China's policies in Tibet, Darfur, and their environmental policies (to name a few). The more you watch the more coverage these protestors are likely to get. Activists are exploiting these Olympics to spread awareness of the issues they care about. Protesting in and of itself will be a spectacle. I don't know why corporate sponsors are rebuffing activists; they're only likely to draw more attention (and viewers) to the Olympics.

julia - Mar 27, 2008 - 3:42 PM