Should Irish Olympic Team Boycott Next Years Games?

[Conuil]

Given China's support for the oppressive military regime in Burma....

Should our athletes set an international example by boycotting next years games in China?

[Ard-Taoiseach]

Perhaps we should, but we could also end our boycott of apostrophes here. The possessive case is being used in that title, which requires lots of these: '''' and there's a p in Olympic too.

We'd have to be careful about boycotting, we would probably have to do it with a number of other nations.

[Conuil]

Perhaps we should, but we could also end our boycott of apostrophes here. The possessive case is being used in that title, which requires lots of these: ''''

Glad U agree wth the question...

Unfortunately like most Irish people, I too only speak and write a dialect of the English language

[CJH]

If you start getting up on moral high horses about these sort of things, it's hard to know when to stop.

And if we were going to boycott Beijing, China's own less than perfect human rights record would be as good a reason as any.

The IOC shouldn't have given the games to Beijing. But they did, so there's little point posturing about it now

[Conuil]

If you start getting up on moral high horses about these sort of things, it's hard to know when to stop.

And if we were going to boycott Beijing, China's own less than perfect human rights record would be as good a reason as any.

The IOC shouldn't have given the games to Beijing. But they did, so there's little point posturing about it now

Fair enough points however, I strongly believe an Irish boycott could hasten other Nations to join with us. Which would see democracy being implemented in Burma....

After all, our Nation could set the moral precedent.

Ireland could

[CJH]

If you start getting up on moral high horses about these sort of things, it's hard to know when to stop.

And if we were going to boycott Beijing, China's own less than perfect human rights record would be as good a reason as any.

The IOC shouldn't have given the games to Beijing. But they did, so there's little point posturing about it now

Fair enough points however, I strongly believe an Irish boycott could hasten other Nations to join with us. Which would see democracy being implemented in Burma....

After all, our Nation could set the moral precedent.

Ireland could

Nice optimism. I suppose that if every major nation threatened to pull out, it could shame the Chinese into acting. Though they are a fiercely proud nation, so they might tough it out. Sanctions against them would have more effect, but who's going to promise that?

[L'Chaim]

This is something the government needs to work on. Expecting athletes to be the ones to set a moral precedent or set an example is a bit much. If you're going to boycott something it should be something that you can do yourself. Expecting athletes to do your boycotting for you is just the same as doing f**k all yourself

[Conuil]

If you start getting up on moral high horses about these sort of things, it's hard to know when to stop.

And if we were going to boycott Beijing, China's own less than perfect human rights record would be as good a reason as any.

The IOC shouldn't have given the games to Beijing. But they did, so there's little point posturing about it now

Fair enough points however, I strongly believe an Irish boycott could hasten other Nations to join with us. Which would see democracy being implemented in Burma....

After all, our Nation could set the moral precedent.

Ireland could

Nice optimism. I suppose that if every major nation threatened to pull out, it could shame the Chinese into acting. Though they are a fiercely proud nation, so they might tough it out. Sanctions against them would have more effect, but who's going to promise that?

It's not too optimistic to wish part of our nation's future (Olympians) should take the lead in pressurising the Chinese to force Burmise Leaders to democratise their country....

Irish people have always helped struggling peoples throughout the world, the anti-apartheid boycotts in the past - is just one example.....

[Conuil]

This is something the government needs to work on. Expecting athletes to be the ones to set a moral precedent or set an example is a bit much. If you're going to boycott something it should be something that you can do yourself. Expecting athletes to do your boycotting for you is just the same as doing f**k all yourself

In response to UR above post....

All Governments including the Irish need pressurising to jump... Thus, in my opinion if our young athletes set an example others will follow..

Regards expecting to do my boycotting...No, as if my suggetion occurred - I would most certainly also propose a widespread citizen-led boycott campaign

[L'Chaim]

But why do you want athletes to set an example for you? If you feel a boycott of China is called for then you should be lobbying the government. Expecting athletes to be the nation's conscience is ridiculous