Down with the Olympics!!

"Steven Spielberg has decided not to participate in the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing as an artistic adviser, citing the lack of progress in ending the genocide in Darfur." That's the news on Variety's website today (http://www.variety.com/VR1117980808.html).

Speilberg said: "I have made repeated efforts to encourage the Chinese government to use its unique influence to bring safety and stability to the Darfur region of Sudan," Spielberg wrote. "Although some progress has been made ...the situation continues to worsen and the violence continues to accelerate."
"With this in mind, I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual," he added. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that will continue to be committed in Darfur."

Bout frickin time. I too, Mr. Spielberg, am boycotting these olympics.

China is saying that we shouldn't "politicize the olympics." BS. The olympics have always been political (Berlin anyone????) . Anyway, China needs to clean up it's human rights, it's foreign policy and its air quality. I wouldn't want to be competing outside in Beijing!

Hooray for Steven, now maybe this issue will get some press. For those that don't know, "China is Sudan's largest trading partner and the main foreign investor in Sudan's oil industry. Although most Western oil companies have withdrawn from Sudan under pressure from human rights organizations, Chinese companies have turned a blind eye to the brutal way in which Sudan forced 200,000 to 300,000 of its citizens from oil-rich lands without compensation. Nor have these companies shown concern that Sudan uses oil revenue to purchase arms for its wars against its black African population."

Source: http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2004/0805africa_cohen.aspx

In addition, check out this website http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=174 which talks about how Chinese oppression in media/internet. "Around 30 journalists and 50 Internet users are currently detained in China. Some of them since the 1980s."

And finally, China backs the military junta in Burma. They protect the regime from the UN and, although they do great things in Burma...build roads etc., they allow the military regime to run amok oppressing basic rights and killing monks. Okay that last part is simplifying a very complex issue, but it's pretty ugly all the same.

Thomas thinks i'm being unfair to the athletes...maybe i am, but i'm not watching. And the athletes would be real champions/heroes if they refused to play.