(Ir)religiosity

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Why Bush SHOULD go to Bejing

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Let me be very clear: I support the human rights activists who are protesting and boycotting. If I lived in a city where the torch was coming through, I’d be right there with them. I support the plight of the Tibetans and I believe they should be free from oppression. I get that.

But I don’t think Bush should boycott the opening ceremonies.

And no, I don’t hold that position because I’m pro-Bush or because I think it would be politically or diplomatically advantageous. That’s not really what I’m about. Ever.

I just think he should be consistent. And if we’ve learned anything over the last seven years it is that George W. Bush has little to no interest in sincerely promoting human rights. Surely no one has forgotten Abu-Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay. Or how about our occupation of Iraq and the countless innocents that have been killed and displaced in the process?

So, in that respect I think it would be pretty superficial if not hypocritical for our president to boycott the opening ceremonies under the guise of condemning China’s human rights record when the US as undoubtedly been doing the same sort of thing for a very long time albeit secretive (most of it anyway). It would be much better to passively remain complicit, because really, if he (and we) truly cared, then protesting would be an afterthought, as there would be some solid action happening instead of flash in the pan bandwagoning.

That is all.

Written by Blake Huggins

April 10th, 2008 at 1:16 am

Posted in Uncategorized

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  • http://themattscott.com matt scott

    I’ve actually thought about how hypocritical it is to hear some voices condemning China, while not saying a word about American actions, but doesn’t detract from the fact that the more boycotting that happens the more pressure is placed on the communist regime.

    That being said, I think it’s actually pretty pointless in the end. China isn’t going to bow to the worlds demands if boycotts are the only form of action. Being that China is a preferred trading partner with the US, I sincerely doubt that we’ll ever see any sort of trade embargoes, which would be the only way China would ever listen up.

    It’s quite easy to become very apathetic to the whole situation, but we’ll see.

  • http://www.blakehuggins.com blake

    @matt. thanks for stopping by. i agree. i’ve participated in several war protests, etc. and i often question a) what the true motive is and b) if it is the most effective course of action. and honestly i don’t know. as citizens, exercising the power of speech sometimes seems to be the only think we can do. i just wonder if we end up limiting ourselves in the end. but yeah, the US is so deeply in bed with china to the point that we won’t do what we could do to bring about some results.

  • http://www.iamjoshbrown.com/blog josh

    well i guess i don’t need to write my post on this then.

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  • http://www.blakehuggins.com blake

    @josh. i pride myself on stealing thunder. :) great minds my friend, great minds.

  • http://themattscott.com matt scott

    @Blake
    I guess I don’t see the point in protesting. It may feel like your doing something, but in the end I don’t think it ever really accomplishes anything. The real mover is money, when money is withheld the object of protest is forced to react. I wonder if everyone who protested the war refused to pay the portion of tax that funds the war, would the government take more notice. Obviously they could care less about the actual protests.

    All of these social issues are starting to look like a large looming brick wall to me, and I can’t see to focus on taking things apart brick by brick, instead I find myself overwhelmed and turning apathetic about it all.

    @Josh-
    Good, instead of writing about China you should finish up with the Indian Taxi Fund. :)

  • http://www.blakehuggins.com blake

    @matt. exactly. i’m glad you mentioned the bit about taxes. i thought about bringing that up. i don’t mind protesting, like i said i’ve done my share and i think there is something to be said about the symbolism and the solidarity; however as you show, that’s nothing unless you’re also participating in some resistance action (i.e. refusing to pay a portion of your taxes). and obviously, that is more likely to do anything that carrying around some signs and yelling a chant.

    imagine what would happen if all the people who protest the war actually did refuse to pay the portion of their taxes that are funding it. again, i’m not going to bash anyone that protests b/c that may be helpful in raising awareness and i also think there is a spiritual aspect to it as well. but i would feel compelled to push those person a little further. if they refuse to participate in tangible resistance then i would have question their motives.

    it is tough. i’m constantly being swayed back and forth between cynicism, apathy, and perhaps a twinge of hope and optimism now and then. but when i see people like josh dreaming about alternative ways to participate in the process of restoration….well, then that makes me all the more hopeful.

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