Tuesday 22 April 2008

Boycott Beijing

Former JCU student president and candidate for Division 9 in the recent Cairns Regional Council elections, Janine Aitken, says it's time to hold China to account.


Comrades, we live in a time when elite athletes are paid millions of dollars for their swim in the pool or a run around the oval. These athletes want to be looked upon as role models, conscious of their image, while happy to contribute to the war on drugs or alcohol abuse.

However, issues of social justice or human rights abuses, such as what is happening in Tibet are seemingly swept aside - it's all about the gold medals - the lives of Tibetans taking second place.

I believe Tibetan lives should not be compromised - therefore there should be a boycott of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Champion Australian swimmer Tracy Wickham thought so too when she decided to boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics for similar reasons.


Janine Aitken tells Foreign Minister Stephen Smith how it is.

Many have said the war in Iraq is really all about blood for oil. Could it also be said that Australian participation in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing symbolizes our willingness to sacrifice Tibetan lives for Western Australian Iron ore and Queensland Coal?

My conscience is clear.

I won't be watching the games. I'll be praying the world wakes up to itself before it suffers the same fate as Judas Iscariot.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Attention Division 9 residents, here is a person of conscience and integrity, someone who would have represented your division fairly and honestly. Sadly you have saddled yourselves with the dodgy mediocrity of Bonneau for another four years.
Your loss.

macka said...

China has managed the biggest exodus from poverty in world history. Treating China like a leper would be short-sighted. A growing middle class is the best hope for improved human rights. We should engage China on all levels. I'm looking forward to a great Olympics.