This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. My immediate reaction is to say definitely skip the opening ceremonies, but don't punish the athletes who have spent their lives dreaming about making it to the games by boycotting the Olympics all together.

While I think there needs to be a message sent to the Chinese government that it's positions on Tibet, freedom of press, Sudan, human rights in general, etc., I also can't help but think that all boycotting the entire games would do is make it easier for the Chinese government to cast us as the evil United States.

I think having President Bush boycott the opening ceremonies will allow us to send a message that we're serious about seeing China's human rights record improve, but also allow our athletes the recognition they deserve while also not making an enemy out of the average Chinese citizen.

I think I'll follow the advice of his Excellency.

... a lot about. As someone who's spiritual beliefs are partly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, I sincerely respect His Holiness and, in fact, actually attended a conference a few years back just to hear him speak in person. The energy that surrounds the Dalai Lama and his message of peace is truly inspiring.

At the same time, the Chinese government is under criticism for much more than just it's handling of Tibet. Boycotting the opening ceremonies would send a message to the chinese government but also wouldn't completely go against what the Dalai Lama said since Bush could still attend other events.

I think the Dalai Lama's point--by the way, Mumblings, you are dead on about the energy of the Tibetan spiritual leader; I saw him speak at Emory University in the mid 1990s . . . blew me away--but the point is that, IMHO, the DL understands more clearly than you or I that dialogue and presence are the surest ways to bring everyone into a commitment to live out the vision of universal human rights.

The Chinese government cannot censor world leaders who attend the ceremonies.  Bush is free, though he won't, to wear a lapel pin of the Tibetan flag or a tie designed with Tibet colors.  That would be the sort of protest I think the Dalai Lama would get a kick out of.

Again, IMHO, and contrary to the opinions of Senators Clinton and Obama who are in the midst of a campaign, of course, boycotting the opening ceremonies will bring the Tibetans no closer to the religious and spiritual autonomy they so desperately crave.

Namaste.
 

I don't see what impact boycotting the open ceremony would have other than upsetting China.  I don't think it will lead to some epiphany on the government of China's part that they have been totally misguided in their policies towards Tibet, the Uyghur, non-Han Chinese and their population in general.  And in fact, these kinds of slights might hinder our ability to have a constructive dialogue with their government.  

We have many issues that are important to our bilateral relationship with China.  It is best that we seek means and methods to address those issues and avoid actions that would hinder or cut-off dialogue on these topics.

This year, with the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, was supposed to be China's coming out party.  Their economy has been growing like gangbusters for several years.  Unburdened by Iraq or any global responsibilities, China's diplomats fanned out over the globe giving out handouts to anyone, including despotic regimes with access to energy.  Military expenditures and capabilities have been increasing.  Observers begin predicting the coming decline of America and the rise of China.  However, as Lee Corso says, not so fast my friend!

Things couldn't have gone more worse for the communist party in 2008.  First, the huge winter storm before the Chinese new year left many travelers stranded and showed that authorities were incapable of maintaining order and dealing with the natural disaster.  Second, the problems in Tibet have refocused attention on the human rights problems in China.  Third, human rights protesters have been wrecking the goodwill tour of the olympic flame, again brining more bad publicity.  Fourth, several high-profile long distance runners question whether they will run in the Olympics due to the extreme levels of air pollution in China, yet more bad publicity.  Fifth, China's prolonged inaction to end crises such as Darfur, have been widely denounced.  

That would give the Chinese government sufficient loss of face without giving them the excuse to throw an open hissy fit. It would also avoid insulting the Games themselves. (And yes, I know we're talking about Dick Cheney here. I'm not sure that makes much of a difference in this case.)