Farmer Jae

I understand why people are using the torch relay to voice their opinions over the events happening in Tibet. The relay is a current high profile event that is accessible to the general population and therefore people will use it to protest and show their anger with China, even-though this oppression has been happening for years (I remember the Free Tibet rallies during my uni years).

But all this talk of Olympic boycotts are starting to get on my nerves.

Having watched a family member toil and train for years to get to the level required to attend the Olympics, (which she did), the idea that all their  effort should be ignored and forgotten so that a bunch of other people/politicians can feel self righteous about their political views seems to miss the mark. China is just the location this year that all the athletes will meet at to compete and that decision was made a long time ago.

Maybe the French and the Germans have a point with their dignitaries stating that they wont be attending the opening ceremony (Can I have their ticket instead?) but if the world really wants to make a statement about the injustices happening in Tibet they should just stop buying China’s goods.

That’s right - Trade embargoes hit the point much more clearly than what a few no-attendees would.

Although I can’t see the world giving up it’s cheap t-shirts, TVs and DVD players.

Can you?