Clinton Calls on Bush to Boycott Olympic Opening Ceremony

[KoKo]

This goes along with SC Rep Lindsey Graham calling for BOYCOTT of RUSSIAN Olympics for HARBORING...Edward Snowden in his request for Asylum.

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ABC News’ Eloise Harper Reports: Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is calling on President George W. Bush to boycott the opening ceremony at the Olympics this summer.

First reported on the Drudge Report, Clinton’s call for a boycott specifically cites China’s reaction to recent violence in Tibet and inaction in Darfur.

"The violent clashes in Tibet and the failure of the Chinese government to use its full leverage with Sudan to stop the genocide in Darfur are opportunities for Presidential leadership," Clinton said in a written statement.

"These events underscore why I 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."

Set to begin on August 8, 2008, the Beijing Olympics have been surrounded by controversy ever since the International Olympic Committee awarded China the Games.

The harsh crackdown by the communist nation against recent protests in Tibet have only intensified calls for boycott.

Clinton did not call for an outright boycott of the Olympics in general, targeting only the Opening Ceremony.

"Americans will stand strong in support of freedom of religious and political expression and human rights. Americans will also stand strong and root for the success of American athletes who have worked hard and earned the right to compete in the Olympic Games of 2008," she said.

-snip-
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced she will not attend the Olympic Games. Pelosi, meanwhile, has been outspoken in support of Tibet, the site of recent crackdowns on human rights demonstrators by the Chinese government.



http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2008/04/clinton-calls-o-2/

[RedCappedBandit]

1. Who cares about Snowden?

Why not boycott the '14 games because of Russia's stance on LGBT rights.

[allin99]

2. agree, very good reason to boycott the opening.

[burnodo]

6. What will a boycott accomplish?

Destroying the dreams of the athletes who worked their whole life to get there?

[RedCappedBandit]

7. What does supporting blatantly homophobic policies accomplish?

[burnodo]

9. What's the alternative?

If the IOC had to skip countries that have abysmal human rights records there wouldn't be any Olympics

[RedCappedBandit]

11. The IOC can do what it likes.

And, as consumers, so can we.

[allin99]

15. just the opening ceremony. It puts the spotlight on what they are doing.

that does not hurt the athletes in any way.

actually nothing we can do would hurt the athletes.

[burnodo]

16. OK

I didn't realize the discussion was about the opening ceremonies

[zbdent]

3. They were sobering him up long enough to travel???

[IggleDoer]

4. Isn't the 2014 Olympics in Russia the WINTER Olympics?

Sounds like another Drudge eff-up.

[MiniMe]

13. Yes, I wondered about that too

[delrem]

5. Hillary Rodham Clinton can certainly call it!

Imagine George W. Bush boycotting China's opening ceremony in protest of China's deplorable human rights record, as a means to highlight George W. Bush's glorious record.

Yes! The US human rights (and anti-war!) record in the 21st century is something to be marveled at, and hopefully every country that can manage takes the US lead and copies it line by line. They can buy $billions$ of crack US armaments, drones, military infrastructure to help them do it. To get the fullest benefit they ought also spend more $billions$ to hire expert CIA instructors on the ground to direct operations, train troops, conduct propoganda efforts, and otherwise "lead from behind" (HRC tm phrase). But even that won't be enough, they ought also to hire fully equipped Acadami mercenaries (vouched for by the Pentagon itself!) to help plan and lead operations, and pass on bundles of $$US$$ to "rebel" (hehe) recruits.

Yes, the US that HRC exemplifies, that light unto the world, that city upon a hill.

[Catherina]

8. Well said. It boggles the mind n/t

[Catherina]

10. She thinks Bush's absence would be a punishment? Help me out here lol n/t

[Brickbat]

12. Do people not realize that this is a story from five years ago, used to reference the OP's point?

[Art_from_Ark]

14. Since when did Hillary resume being Senator, D-NY?

I must have missed that particular news item