Posted by Dinah on August 13, 2008, at 17:46:32
In reply to 'Lucy....'splain dis one.'...Sig..Dinah, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on August 13, 2008, at 16:53:56
I was not aware that Cuba had asked to open a relationship with the United States? I can't imagine we wouldn't like a cordial relationship with them, were they to also wish one. I would gladly argue for the same things for Cuba that I'd like for China. Empowerment of the people.
I don't know about Canadian history, but there was a time when children were forced labor in the factories of the U.S. and Great Britain. It didn't last forever. At least some of my ancestors were coal miners. Kids were used often in the mines and people were debilitated at what we would consider the prime of life. I do not in any way condone it. But again, it ended when our own people had the luxury of saying enough. We won't stand for this anymore. I don't imagine pressure from Britain or France to end it would have had the same effect.
I'm no more in favor of human rights violations than anyone. But I do believe that change has to come from inside, and is better brought about by anything that empowers the people of a country.
Now, if you were to explain to me how a boycott would work, how it would lead to change, how it would empower the people of China, then I would certainly be open to changing my mind.
Mind you, I do see how athletes boycotting the Olympics has brought to public attention certain involvement of the Chinese government in the Sudan, if I'm remembering correctly? That is certainly a worthwhile goal. I'd never heard of the matter before, so hats off to those self sacrificing Olympians.
In a related note, I don't think Olympics should ever be boycotted entirely. To heck with the national governments. It's about the people. Knowledge is the road to peace. Athletes getting to know one another, people from various countries meeting, it's a wonderful idea. It's always easier to have an enemy you don't know than an enemy you do know. Depersonalize the "other" and you have the seeds of something nasty. Give the other a name and a face and a life history, and it's not so easy to make them into "an enemy".
Good Gad, maybe I'm becoming an optimist after all. The St Andrews Agreement may have softened my heart. May God bless them one and all, who were part of ending the conflict in Ireland.
poster:Dinah
thread:845465
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20080728/msgs/845993.html