I’ve never been a big fan of boycotts, mostly because they rarely accomplishing anything and because they are usually carried out for wrong or silly reasons.  I’m of two minds about all the talk of boycotting the opening cermonies, but I really think all the crap that’s been going on with the torch relay has been way out of hand.  I understand people’s need to stand up for and speak out about China’s horrible human rights record and lack of civil liberties, but some of the disruptive and even violents actions occuring during the torch relay are just out of hand.  It does a disservice to the cause these people are protesting.

What we need to remember is the Olympics are an event designed to highlight the best of the best in the sporting world.  The Olympics should transcend politics.  Personally, if I were a political leader I would not boycott the opening cermonies, but I would also use the trip to highlight some of the world’s cocnerns about China.