New Hotness: Olympic boycott

This summer's olympics in China is sure to be ripe with political messages and agendas. After all, the country is a still totalitarian communist regime (or socialist paradise) when not exporting bajillions of knick-knacks and do-dads.

Some of the stories coming out about how the Chinese are preparing for the event are ridiculous. Weather machines? Or how bout this quote:

"The problems that exist in Beijing, such as traffic jams and environmental pollution, are things we have to solve, whether we are hosting the Olympics or not. Preparing for the Games should allow us to bring solutions to these problems ahead of schedule."

It's almost like they are seeking some sort of "final solution" to their problems.

Genocide aside, most of the opposition to China's policies centers around human rights abuses and their treatment of Tibet. I'm sure you've all heard the ubiquitous "Free Tibet" chants of many a hippy, possibly while in a tree. The conflict between Tibetan monks and the Chinese government is a long and complicated one, and it has recently flared up with violence once again.

Whether this has anything to do with Chinese soldiers dressed as monks is questionable. As is where exactly the root of the conflict lies. Some say communism. Others, buddhism. Here's a compelling piece about the monks resisting the commercialization (and rape) of their culture.

And now the option of an olympic boycott is on the table (thanks Pelosi!). Last week I came across this Slate article, which makes a compelling case for the politicization of the Olympics. I support it. As does Steven Spielberg and some random Indian soccer player. Clearly it is gaining momentum -- just ask this monk.