Will Bush Boycott Beijing Ceremonies?

White House Elusive On President's Plans As Calls Increase For Him To Skip Olympic Opener

(CBS/AP)  The White House has been eager to separate politics from sports in discussing the Beijing Olympics, but it has not ruled out the possibility that President Bush will skip the opening ceremonies this August.

Critics of China say that Mr. Bush avoiding the event would be a powerful sign of international anger over China's violent response to demonstrating Buddhist monks in Tibet. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's spokeswoman said Wednesday that Brown will not attend the opening ceremony.

Over two days, White House press secretary Dana Perino has faced questions about Mr. Bush's attendance at the opening gala for games that China hopes to use as a showcase of its rising economic and political power. She says Mr. Bush will go to the Olympics. But, pressed by reporters on whether she could say whether he will attend the opening ceremony, Perino said Wednesday, "I cannot."

She says the reason is not uncommon: "I'm not trying to signal anything by saying that; I don't have the president's schedule. It is way too far in advance for us to announce the president's schedule."

Perino said Mr. Bush "has been very clear that he believes that the right thing for him to do is to continue to press the Chinese on a range of issues, from human rights and democracy, political speech freedoms and religious tolerance, and to do that publicly and privately, before, during and after the Olympics."

Democratic U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Robert Byrd and Robert Menendez sent Mr. Bush a letter Wednesday saying that the crackdown in Tibet "should be unacceptable to anyone who believes in basic human freedoms."

"We believe that your attendance at the opening ceremonies, rightly or not, would send the implicit message to the world that the United State condones the intolerance that has been demonstrated by these actions of the Chinese government," the letter said.

Barack Obama, Clinton's rival for the Democratic nomination, joined the chorus later Wednesday, calling for the president to boycott the opening ceremonies.

His campaign issued a statement in which, for the first time, he urged Mr. Bush to boycott the festivities.

Meanwhile, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution criticizing China for its crackdown on protesters in Tibet and urging Beijing to hold direct talks with the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan religious leader, on the future of the region.

The resolution also demanded that China release Tibetans imprisoned for participating in peaceful demonstrations and allow international monitors and journalists unfettered access to the Tibet Autonomous Region and other Tibetan areas of China. It passed 413 to 1.

A similar resolution has been introduced in the Senate. Both say the opening of further Chinese diplomatic missions in the United States should be contingent on Beijing allowing the United States to establish an office in Lhasa, Tibet's capital.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told lawmakers Wednesday that the United States is looking at the possibility of a U.S. consulate in Tibet. She said the United States has urged China to allow more U.S. diplomats into the region, saying access granted by China so far was not good enough.

"The United States," she added, "has been very active in making the case to the Chinese that they are going to be better off to deal with moderate forces on Tibet like the Dalai Lama; that they should open dialogue with him."

Protesters around the world are trying to link China's poor human rights record to the staging of the Olympics. Demonstrations about Tibet have been held along the path of the Olympic torch in Paris, London and, on Wednesday, San Francisco.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu condemned the House resolution, saying it "chooses to remain silent on the violence involved in beating, smashing up properties, looting and arson in Lhasa and the Dalai clique who premeditated and organized the criminal act of violence."

The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet after a failed uprising in 1959 but remains the religious and cultural leader of many Tibetans, has said that he wants greater autonomy for the remote mountain region but is not seeking independence.

Speaking in Japan Thursday, the exiled spiritual leader said, he supports China's hosting of the Summer Olympics, but insisted nobody had the right to tell protesters demanding freedom for Tibet "to shut up."

"We are not anti-Chinese. Right from the beginning, we supported the Olympic Games," he told reporters on a stopover on a trip to Seattle, where he was to attend a conference. "I really feel very sad the government demonizes me. I am just a human, I am not a demon."

He said the demonstrators had the right to their opinions, though he called for nonviolence.

"The expression of their feelings is up to them," he said. "Nobody has the right to tell them to shut up. One of the problems in Tibet is that there is no freedom of speech."

[hung_hin_chu]

14 March 2008 was a riot/war from Zang tribe (Tibet original people) against Han tribe (immigrant from mainland). Tens of Han people were hurted, killed, burned to death. Han''''s shop was burned and robberies.

During Dala Lama in Tibet, Tibet were owned by rich people and religious lama, all other majority were slaves under them. Most Tibet Zan tribe people were slaves. Communist party (1) broke the slavery system, all slaves in Tibet was freed. (2) Most rich people and religious lama lost their properties and privileges after Communist party enterred Tibet. (3) Han tribe ruled Tibet instead of Zang tribe ruled Tibet.

No doubt that China still violate human right and has some level of democracy only, both not accepted by Western people now. But I see that Dala Lama was elected by a crazy system! Imagine American won''''t support a child who will be the president of United States until he dead! His government was a regime because most people in Tibet were slaves. Tibet were ruled by fewer lamas and no democracy in Tibet, and may be wosrse than now. Which one is more dirty?

Olympic game is a commercial business deal now, it focuses on broadcasting, profit and tickets, game in China will have big profit. China had already made the success Olympic game because the OLYMPIC GAME BUBBLE raised the stock market and property market in mainland to gain billion of dollars. Olympic torch relay is just an advertisement, torch fire is secular and nothing holy.

[hung_hin_chu]

China not only has human right problem and democracy problem, China has many other problems such as (1) still have many poor people, (2) wealth distribution extremely unbalance between poor and rich people, (3) people don%u2019t care others, (4) social welfare, education and health system are still need to improve, (5) %u201Cmoney first%u201D concept found in everywhere in China, (6) corruption found in government, private company and everywhere, %u2026 etc %u2026

Problems can easily be seen in China, for example, (1) When you enter the hospital in China, hospital may give you many unnecessary services so that they can earn more from your service fees, (2) News told us that a Chinese girl raped in public area but no one help her, (3) Another news told us that a child fell in the river, people requested money to save the child.

In order to solve problems in China, you need to be more focus on change the mind of Chinese people instead of change the Chinese government.

[hung_hin_chu]

On religion aspect, current local religions in China are running %u201Cgods follow human will%u201D, Chinese pray to gods for what they want, Chinese enter the temple to pray for more money. This will raise their greedy and other bad things. I hope there will have more events in China to inform Chinese what should be right (such as gospel).

But if I have a vote, I still vote for current Chinese government. Because current Chinese government is improving all problems gradually and is a workable solution on China now (still not accepted by Western people now). It seems Chinese government know how to improve the China without make big harm to other aspects, these experience were gained from many painful experience and many lives in the past.

When China fixed all its problem in the future, Western people should be aware that China will be more competitive and productive, many Western firms will be defeated by Chinese firm and more Western people will be unemployed. Guangdong is more competitive than Hong Kong now. So Western people should think are you ready for a Western liked China.

[termtex01]

"But if I have a vote, I still vote for current Chinese government.

Posted by hung_hin_chu at 05:27 AM : Apr 10, 2008"

Problem is, you have no vote.

[andrew_693]

if Bush would have been invited to the berlin olympics during hitler''s reign he would have shown up. After all, he tortures, he deprives people of rights and freedom, he invades other nations, wages war for profit and he runs concentration camps all over the world. He stands for a lt of things the chinese government stands for.

[cyberus-2009]

**Will Bush Boycott Beijing Ceremonies?**

WHAT?!?! And risk irritating the chinese gov''t?

What would Wall-Borg and all the other mega-corps do without the toxic toys and pet food made by prison camp labor?

[whatisit21]

Don''t Americans have domestic problems that they need to worry about? Why do Americans always try to play superior when they have hurt more people than any other nation to reach their goals? People who cry "free Tibet" should also cry "Give the Indians back all of their land!" Doesn''t America have the class system in which the working class is denied health care, housing, and education?

[hung_hin_chu]

"Problem is, you have no vote."
Posted by TheGateway1 at 05:48 AM : Apr 10, 2008

When Chinese can vote, we need to beware the "Black Money" issue : teach Chinese don''t sell their ticket to the candidate.

Also beware elected candidate focus on hisher interest instead of people interest, because some Chinese believe "When your have power, then you have money".

No matter what, improvement of China will be a long journey.

[brianbwb-2009]

**Will Bush Boycott Beijing Ceremonies?**

What, and risk condemning the same oppression he is visiting upon Iraqis?

[samrensho]

Bush wouldn''t miss it for the world. He gets to rub shoulders with another country that shafts their people as much as he does Americans. Besides, tax payers foot the bill for his swan song.

[excoachken]

Boycott, are you crazy? The Cowardly Cowboy is planning upon being China''s best paid lobbyist after January 20th next year.

[mbcsmith]

Bush was the first president to give a 21 gun salute to a Chinese dignitary and China is funding his Empire misadventure, so he is going to be there. In fact, they may have him run the torch up and light the final brazier.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by curse914 at 08:47 AM : Apr 10, 2008

He was also the first President to welcome the Dalai Lama to the white house and pin a medal on him, which the LIBS roundly criticized him for, by the way.

[rbburnerjr]

The one sure thing about Bush is that he will suck up to whomever will put the most money in his pocket. China is way ahead.

[xlib]

Lrt''s see, back in 1996 the then democratic administration headed by bubba sold weapons technology to the Chinese. I do believe Chinese were in Tibet at that time. Since then, the clinton''s have benefited nicely from the chi coms.
So, now the madame thinks it''s just terrible that Bush would attend the Olympic games. Sounds like the typical double standard of the left.

[xlib]

brianbwb-Let me repeat part of my post that you may not read. In 1996 the first black president sold weapons techn9ology to the Chinese who were in Tibet at that time.
Guess that''s ok with you since it was the first black president.

[jack3213]

IF OBAMA WERE NOT BLACK WOULD HE STILL BE SO POPULAR? IF CLINTON WERE NOT A WOMAN WOULD SHE HAVE HALF AS MANY VOTES? ANSWERS: NO. WHY? NEITHER IS QUALIFIED AND IF THEY WEREN''T WHO THEY ARE THEY WOULD BE SERIOUSLLY MOCKED FOR BEING SO INEXPERIANCED.

[mudrose-2009]

Why should Bush listen to an Old Socialist Hag and a Racist Oreo who haven''t a clue what detante is all about.

[swwils]

A boycott of the summer games is not going to change China.This would only hurt the athlete''s that spend all their time training for these games.Situation''s such as this with China,and Tibet needs special attention from the United Nations,and the Diplomats that communicate with the Emperor and foreign affair''s councils.Also the Dali Lama is the key in this on going struggle.

[mbcsmith]

And the list of fence sitting goes on and on. It would seem that he says one thing and does another...poorly.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by curse914 at 09:01 AM : Apr 10, 2008


Your HATRED blinds you. let it go.

[mbcsmith]

Bush was the first president to give a 21 gun salute to a Chinese dignitary and China is funding his Empire misadventure, so he is going to be there. In fact, they may have him run the torch up and light the final brazier.

Posted by curse914 at 08:47 AM : Apr 10, 2008

He was also the first President to welcome the Dalai Lama to the white house and pin a medal on him, which the LIBS roundly criticized him for, by the way.

[bgwinnett]

Will Bush Boycott Beijing Ceremonies?

Not if the Chinese threaten to dump all their Dollar reserves on the market in retaliation and send the USD Index crashing to about 40 from its current 72.

[leftyintexas]

Doofus will more than likely attend because he ALWAYS DOES THE MOST ILLOGICAL WHEN CONFRONTED WITH MAKING A DECISION. He IS the worst President in the history of this country and that does not say much for his supporters EITHER!

[joyous88]

Bush will only boycott if it is financially helpfull

or politically helpful to his immoral republicon

agenda

[taylor2124]

If they weren''t so pathetically stupid, liberals would be considered funny. It''s amazing to see how worked up they get up about an issue(Tibet) that has absolutely no impact whatsoever on 99.999% of Americans, while issues such as the fact that tens of millions of Islamic Jihadists want to kill us all(and already killed thousands of us) doesn''t seem to concern them in the least. Liberals are like that crazy neighbor that all of us have that constantly worries about flesh-eating bacteria, plane crashes and meteorites, the whole time while he refuses to wear a seatbelt or lose that extra 150 lbs.

[papabc]

No Boycott of Beijing Ceremonies.

The President should attend as planned to show support for the USA athletes at the games. If the majority of the USA team decides to boycott then OK, the President could stay away.

[leftyintexas]

If they weren''''t so pathetically stupid, liberals would be considered funny. It''''s amazing to see how worked up they get up about an issue(Tibet) that has absolutely no impact whatsoever on 99.999% of Americans, while issues such as the fact that tens of millions of Islamic Jihadists want to kill us all(and already killed thousands of us) doesn''''t seem to concern them in the least. Liberals are like that crazy neighbor that all of us have that constantly worries about flesh-eating bacteria, plane crashes and meteorites, the whole time while he refuses to wear a seatbelt or lose that extra 150 lbs.

Posted by taylor2124 at 10:32 AM : Apr 10, 2008

Funny...I was just thinking the SAME about YOU and the other Doofus followers. Starting wars that HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO MEANING WHATSOEVER. Where there were NO TERRORISTS he has managed to create them. Can you name 3 GOOD things Doofus has accomplished in his seven years as President? If not, why don''t YOU go enlist fight for what YOU believe in? Or are you another coward like your leader?

[stn_sage]

I think it''s too late to have much of an effect!

For the most part, the Bush administration hasn''t raised much in the form of objections to China''s ''crackdown''. Consequently,---

Even if he boycotted the opening ceremony, it would have little impact, as he is so hated worldwide. Few would be impressed anyway.

And if he doesn''t---as most people might expect---people won''t exactly be surprised, will they?! Typical Bush, they''ll think.

[barbaraf4]

The Olympic Games have outlasted their importance as a Cold War battering ram. They are a target audience sporting event, and nothing else. Of the under-educated youngsters who have trained a lifetime to compete, one in each event will win the gold and go on to a Wheaties box. The rest will go home with no marketable skills. Michelle Qwan is one of the few whose parents successfully stressed education.


I somehow think our invasion of Iraq is on par with China''s invasion of Tibet.

[taddles-2009]

"It''''s amazing to see how worked up they get up about an issue(Tibet) that has absolutely no impact whatsoever on 99.999% of Americans, while issues such as the fact that tens of millions of Islamic Jihadists want to kill us all(and already killed thousands of us) doesn''''t seem to concern them in the least.

Posted by taylor2124 at 10:32 AM : Apr 10, 2008"


Human rights everywhere is of concern. I can see that that means little to you though, since it doesn''t affect you directly. Nothing like neo-con selfishness and narrow minded ignorance to brighten up the day.

Tens of Millions of jihadists???? you''re one of those loons who thinks that all Muslims are terrorists aren''t you.

You forget that your president is the one who let Bin Laden go and has done nothing to bring the murderer of 911 to justice. "I don''t know where bin Laden is. I have no idea and really don''t care. It''s not that important. It''s not our priority."
- G.W. Bush, 3/13/02. Yea, you neo-cons are really all about justice...what a crock of $hit.

[moonface6]

Let have some fun time:

"Free Tibet, wait, where is Tibet?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9kzNWi5h8Hs&eurl=http://www.wforum.com
/wmf/posts/1115808395.html

Here''''s one comment from a viewer:

"Wow,California is indeed powerful .
Are these people paid to speak for "free Tibet" ? well, I will pay them twice the money if they immediately go back home."

I wish Bush is smarter than these stupid protesters.

[bigsk8fan]

george w bush should not boycott the opening ceremonies. he should sneak in our soldiers wearing olympic uniforms, then we can attack from beijing all the way to north korea. bush is the greatest attackerer ever.

[irliberal]

"Will Bush Boycott Beijing Ceremonies?"

How utterly meaningless.


The headline might as well have read "Pope picks nose" or "SinginRick finds image of Jesus in morning pancake".

WHERE IS BIN LADEN? That has really been the only relevant question that needs asking since the invasion of Afghanistan.

Seven years of war. Civil rights breached by our commander in chief. Internationally recognized torture sanctioned by the White House. Two invaded and currently occupied countries. Hundreds of thousands dead, including 4000 American soldiers. Billions of our tax dollars spent, and yes, are still being spent to this very moment.

Iraq, which had NOTHING to do with 9/11, is now an occupied country which will implode when we get out of it, whether that happens one, two, ten or five hundred years from now. A society that CHOOSES to be ruled by religion cannot become a democracy; it can only be a theocracy with voting cards.

Bin Laden still lives. The mastermind of 9/11 still walks free.

The one, simple word for this is: failure. No amount of deception, indignation or wailing by republicons can change these facts.

Failure of Bush. Failure of Cheney. Failure of the republicans.

Time for a change.

[demslie]

Failure of Bush. Failure of Cheney. Failure of the republicans. Time for a change.

Posted by IRLiberal

I somehow think our invasion of Iraq is on par with China''''s invasion of Tibet.

Posted by barbaraf4

I wish Bush is smarter than these stupid protesters.

Posted by MoonFace6

I thought this story was about Human Right Abuses in China but the Democrat Posts here must think CBS asked, "Tell us What you Hate about America". The reason China can get away with massive human rights abuses is the fact that all evil governments are supported by Democrats. As the posts here show, Democrats are angry at Bush or the United States but very respectful to their partners the Chinese Communist Murders. This is no different than the War in Iraq. IRAN, Al Qaeda and Democrats denounce the United States but when terrorists slaughter women and children, Democrats blame it on anyone but the terrorists. Hugo Chavez has established a Socialist Dictatorship and is violating a nations human rights. He is also a partner and supporter of FARC, the South American Terrorist group that tortures, rapes and be-heads children to keep their Drug Cartels in power. And yet Democrats regularly go to Venezuela or Communist Cuba to tell Chavez and Castro what great and wonderful leaders they are. Hate and Anger toward America is a standard Platform of the DNC. This is the new %u201CChange for America%u201D that the Democrats have promised us.

[papabc]

It''''''''s amazing to see how worked up they get up about an issue(Tibet) that has absolutely no impact whatsoever on 99.999% of Americans, while issues such as the fact that tens of millions of Islamic Jihadists want to kill us all(and already killed thousands of us) doesn''''''''t seem to concern them in the least.
\\\\\\\\ ///////////////////////

Most see Tibet as a peaceful haven the everyone loves one another. They have this star fill mind the Shangri-La is there.

The thought that tens of millions of Islamic Jihadists want to kill us all is foreign to their thinking so the mind can not get a grip on it.

[mbcsmith]

Posted by SHURCH4TRUTH at 01:06 PM : Apr 10, 2008

What a moron. Reads moron.org all day and thinks he knows the truth.

[demslie]

These "sleep" workers are not bad people but they are not respected by the the conservative talk show host they listen to. In fact, if a government program is proposed that would best help people who do sleep work, the conservative talk show host scream "Socilism", yet they do nothing when billions of tax dollars are used to save vipers live Bear Sterns.

Posted by SHURCH4TRUTH

Cindy Sheehan insisted that the American Troops were too stupid to understand how they were being manipulated by the Government. Liberal Atheists tell us that Christians are too stupid to understand how they are being manipulated by the Church. The DNC tells us that Republicans are too stupid to understand how they are being manipulated by their party. A central theme of Liberal Elitist Democrats seems to be that everyone who does not think in lockstep with them is stupid. Maybe that%u2019s the reason that even liberal CBS polls show McCain in ahead of Obama and Hillary. It must be all those stupid American voters that are too stupid to understand how much better off they would be with the Self Indulgent Self Anointed Self Absorbed Pompous Arrogant Angry Elitist Atheist Anything Sexxxuall Democrats.

[yankeerebel7]

Well here come all the Bush Haters and their same old predictable talking points...always the same non-sensical diatribes, never even reading the story at hand.

*yawn*

[joyous88]

Will the little criminal miss an opportunity to be

treated like little King George?

Sure he will!

[joyous88]

republicon are the new american fascists,

greed driven fascists

WAR PROFITEERS AND

WAR MONGERS

[joyous88]

WHAT ABOUT THE 18% THAT STILL SUPPORT THIS CRIMINAL

ADMINISTRATION

WHAT KIND OF SOUL LESS GOD LESS BUBBA''s MUST THEY

BE

WAR MONGERS = REPUBLICONS

[byeneocons]

How can Bush boycott China? He owes them millions of dollars he borrowed since the beginning of his failed administration. It would be rude to ignore your own banker.

[lumberjack65]

with all the unrest in the world, let him go, we might get lucky.

[yankeerebel7]

"republicon are the new american fascists,

greed driven fascists

WAR PROFITEERS AND

WAR MONGERS"


LOL You should probably learn the definition of fascism before posting it all over online message boards. Also, using cute little made up words like "republicon" doesn''t make you sound very clever or original. It does nothing to help get your point across because at it''s heart, it''s on par with grade school name calling.

What junior college did you attend?

[wrj001]

How does a President who has, by his own actions, been directly involved with butchering tens of thousands of innocent people, many being under 18 years of age, condemn another leader of human right violations and yet not be exposed in his own country for the crimes against humanity that He and his Administration have committed? Answer: With a compliant media i.e. A propaganda machine tacitly controlled by the respective Government in power.

[xlib]

Another question to pose-"Why did the clinton administration sell weapons technology to China in 1996?" Or,how about, just HOW much money have the Chinese donated to the clinton''s over the years?
I see tons of inane answers to the question posed in this non story and it''s been running for a few days. How about some of you dems answer mine.
mascarponi-where are the thousands of FBI files on average Americans held by the clintons. Some of us haven''t forgotten that little bit of skulduggery (neat word)

[xlib]

Another question to pose-"Why did the clinton administration sell weapons technology to China in 1996?" Or,how about, just HOW much money have the Chinese donated to the clinton''s over the years?
I see tons of inane answers to the question posed in this non story and it''s been running for a few days. How about some of you dems answer mine.
mascarponi-where are the thousands of FBI files on average Americans held by the clintons. Some of us haven''t forgotten that little bit of skulduggery (neat word)

[xlib]

Uh, curse-as for the illegals getting licenses, don''t think it was Bush. See, here in the nanny state of NY we had a hooker loving, crusader, I''m cleaning up NY state governor who tried to jam that down our throat.
And, by the way, madame clinton got caught when russert (dem shill) had the nerve to ask her her stand on illegals getting licenses.

[xlib]

joyous88-look up diane feinstien and her war profiteering hubby, go ahead, look it up.
You are so hateful.Just what are you joyous about??

[antoniof123]

Will Bush Boycott Beijing Ceremonies?

neo cons say something your king is in trouble again.

what a joke you are.

[yongamerica]

Considering that Bush has taken so much from the Chinese governments play book with his lies and deceit, a complete turn away from the human rights guaranteed by the Constitution; it is most likely that GW will schmooze with his Chinese pals at the Olympic opening ceremonies. Birds of a feather flock together.