Boycott the Games? Why not boycott the country?

China is a lot like the United States. They are both large, powerful countries who couldn’t care less about human rights. With the recent turmoil in Tibet, it seems that China is winning the ‘how authoritarian and secretive can we be?’ war.

Scant protesters, upset over the Olympic Torch relay to China, have managed to make themselves seen in snippets of news clips. France has taken the lead in contemplating a boycott of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, but what, other than hurting the athletes who have been training their entire life, will this actually accomplish? Will this send a message to China?

I have an idea that will send an even greater message without hurting people who just want to perform. Boycott the entire country. Boycott the imports, boycott the exports. Cut off all trade completely. Hell, maybe even try some diplomacy first. Diplomacy is when two nations talk to each other to try and reach an agreement; I know, the last 8 years have made me forget, as well.

Boycotting the Olympics is as stupid idea as boycotting Exxon for getting some gasoline from that crazy South American socialist Chavez. It’s as pointless as changing the name of ‘German toast’ to ‘French toast’ in World War 1 and later to ‘Freedom Toast’ during the Iraq war. The only message this sends is that the global community is too stupid and childish to resolve world affairs.