The Olympic torch made its only U.S. stop today in San Francisco, and while it’s still early in the day, expect some protests and juicy news footage on the evening news.
In a poll released today, Zogby International found that fully 70 percent of likely voters surveyed think that the International Olympic Committee should not have let China host the 2008 summer Olympics, based on its longtime crappy human rights record and its current crackdown in Tibet.
The sentiment crosses party lines, with 70 percent of both Democrats and Republicans saying the IOC screwed up, and 68 percent of independents agreeing. But just a year ago, public opinion was less, um, anti-China:
A Zogby Interactive poll conducted in May 2007 found 44 percent had a favorable opinion of the IOC’s decision to award the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to China, while 39 percent viewed the decision unfavorably.
Of course, it’s not just the current crackdown in Tibet that has Americans down on the Chinese. Let’s review. In the past year:
- The Chinese tried to kill our dogs.
- The Chinese tried to kill our kids with lead-based paint.
- The Chinese keep trying to break our InterWeb and steal our online personal information.
- The Chinese are trying to kill us all with fake drugs.
OK, so there are lots of reasons to hate Chine besides its human rights violations in Tibet. Which reminds me — here’s a word from the Dalai Lama:
I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in the recent tragic events in Tibet. I am aware that some Chinese have also died. I feel for the victims and their families and pray for them. The recent unrest has clearly demonstrated the gravity of the situation in Tibet and the urgent need to seek a peaceful and mutually beneficial solution through dialogue. Even at this juncture I have expressed my willingness to the Chinese authorities to work together to bring about peace and stability.
Chinese brothers and sisters, I assure you I have no desire to seek Tibet’s separation. Nor do I have any wish to drive a wedge between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples. On the contrary my commitment has always been to find a genuine solution to the problem of Tibet that ensures the long-term interests of both Chinese and Tibetans. My primary concern, as I have repeated time and again, is to ensure the survival of the Tibetan people’s distinctive culture, language and identity. As a simple monk who strives to live his daily life according to Buddhist precepts, I assure you of the sincerity of my personal motivation.
But let’s get back to the Zogby survey and what Americans feel about the Olympics in China:
The online survey finds nearly half — 48 percent — think U.S. political officials should not attend the opening ceremony of the games because of China’s poor human rights record, while 33 percent believe U.S. officials should attend and 19 percent are unsure. Most Democrats (52 percent) and independents (51 percent) would support U.S. political officials boycotting the opening ceremony, while Republicans are more divided — 42 percent believe U.S. officials should not attend, while 41 percent believe they should be present at the opening ceremony. Support for a U.S. boycott of the opening ceremony is strongest among younger Americans — 56 percent of those age 18 to 29 would support skipping the opening ceremony, compared with 37 percent of those age 65 and older.
So, should the IOC have granted the 2008 summer Olympics to China? Probably not, based on the country’s human rights record. But then again, what other country was willing to spend money like a drunken Chinaman? They are building 12 sports stadiums. They’ve built a railroad. They’ve built new hotels. They’ve spent googobs of money on preparations for the Olympics, but they still are bad people.
OK, maybe not really bad people. After all, they are our second-biggest creditor (after Japan), and it’s not nice to say bad things about people to whom you owe googobs of money. They might just call in the debt, and then where would we be? The United States of China, that’s where.
- Topic: News & Comment
China’s not my favorite super power and I agree with the protests 100%. I can’t help but wonder, though, how the world – and we – can mobilize so fast and so well and take to the streets over the Olympics but we are so mute about Iraq.
Trish, it’s because the surge is working in Iraq and it’s keeping the terrorists in the Middle East. The Chinese, on the other hand, are as close as your pantry.
What a load of crap. I think you forgot your KKK banner display.
Think about one thing, when you put yourself in an environment with an overwhelming voice, what could be happening? – Brainwash is inevitable! REMEMBER, Not ONLY Communists know how to do it, most medias know how to do a even better job!
Talking about Tibet, few Americans knew that Tibet had been part of China for more than 700 years! Check out the history books, be sure, from all the different sources! They will tell you the truth.
Tibet, the first time brought to China by Mongols was in 13th Century. They built China, Mongolia, Manchuria and Tibet into a large country. This was called “Yuan” dynasty. When it was overthrown by Chineses, it came with 300 years of Chinese rule of “Ming” dynasty. In 17th century, Manchu became superpower and took over whole China included Tibet, Mongolia(Inner and outer). They ruled for more than 300 years before they were overthrown by Chinese revolution.
Your Human Right accusations are targeting China but first check your own conscience.
The British killed off the Red Indians to grab America. The Americans go to Iraq and blast off Saddam as well as their infrastructures. Now the Iraqis have no water, no electricity, no jobs. The American refuse to admit the millions of Iraqi refugees.The Iraqi Christians are unpopular and getting kill everyday, where is the American Conscience and their talk of human rights.
Right or Wrong, before you point fingers at the Chinese, at least the Chinese stay within their borders. In their 5000 years history, when the Mongolians took control of China, Mongolia, Korea & Tibet are part of China. When the Han Chinese took control, the Russians cut off Mongolia as a buffer. The European split up many parts of China.The British, who failed to capture Tibet three times when they ruled India, is siding the Indians to give troubles because Tibet control the water source of China & India.
Don’t judge China according to your selfish perspectives.
Tibet has a long history with China over the 5,000 years. You and your ancestors are butchers of the Red Indians & many natives of many other nations to rape their resources & occupied their land, now you butch the Iraqis & Afghanistan.
China has already owned Tibet long before America was ever heard of by the British.The Chinese explorers discovered America long before Columbus but they left America in their original shape.
Do examine your dead consciences before judging others.
Thank you.
I think IOC made the wrong choice because of chinas attitude towards most things. Though this RSS feed is questionable because I don’t think the Chinese people intended to kill us off. Its just arrogant to assume that. Coming from Whocares though we wouldn’t be able to have the Opylmics in to many places. America sucks right now with our current congress and admin that doesn’t listen to its people.
I also believe that both US and Chinese are probably brain washed.