Should Bush Attend The Olympics In China?
Everyone seems to be weighing in on whether President Bush should attend the Olympics in China. Just about every major politician in America and Europe and, of course, most political pundits, are giving President Bush unsolicited advice on how he should deal with the Chinese regarding Tibet.
It’s easy to give advice: Bush should not attend the opening ceremonies or he should not go at all because of the Chinese repression of the Tibetans. We, that is, the United States, should stand in solidarity with the Tibetans, and the President should teach China a lesson, show them that the world disapproves of their brutal policy of repressing dissent. But, does anyone really believe the Chinese would be influenced by this, other than being angered?
Given the fact that “saving face” is such an integral part of the Chinese culture, chances are they would be highly offended. National leaders invariably react to perceived insults, and being slighted or lectured is not easily forgotten or forgiven, especially by those in other cultures where they often have long memories.
Paul Jacob notes, “…the Olympics has long been about politics: but almost always the errant politics of puffed-up nationalism, from a deviant French judge to despots seeking to mask their sinister statecraft in the spirit of athletics.” (Don’t go, President Bush, don’t go, Townhall.com, April 13, 2008).
However, would the President’s boycotting the opening ceremonies or the Olympic events really accomplish anything, except perhaps to induce some sort of reprisal? Thinking back to the 1980 Olympics, a total of 16 countries, led by the United States, either did not attend the games or were not represented by their national flags, in protest for the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Soviets later retaliated by leading a boycott of the 1984 summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which resulted in 14 nations not attending (Wikipedia). The athletes paid the price for the political posturing of their respective nations.
What sort of blowback might we experience this time if the President cancels his plans to attend the opening ceremonies and/or the games in China?
Expressing disapproval is always tempting. However, what may be suitable for individuals does not necessarily also apply to nations. China and the United States are inextricably tied to one another in commerce, and the Chinese are heavily invested in the U.S. through the purchase of our bonds, which puts them in a position to seriously impact both our currency and our economy.
We often hear about “quiet diplomacy,” and attending the Olympics in China can provide an opportunity for President Bush to talk directly with Chinese leaders about human rights and Tibet. U.S. National Security Advisor, Stephen Hadley, “…called the boycott issue a ‘bit of a red herring,’ arguing that the international community would be better served using its leverage with China to pressure it to hold talks with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama…We think it is very important to deal with the Tibet issue, but we think the best way to do that is through the kind of diplomacy we have been undertaking, not by the kind of frontal confrontation that is being suggested by some.” (Yahoo news, April 13, 2008).
As offended as I may personally be by China’s brutal repression, and as difficult as it is to refrain from speaking out, I believe that both we and the Tibetans will be better served by “quiet diplomacy” on the ground than ineffectual political posturing from afar.
© 2008 Harris R. Sherline, All Rights Reserved
Who Said It?
The following quotations don’t really need any explanation (Source: brainyquote.com). In my opinion, they are all self-evident truths, obvious in their implications and portent. Who authored them?
I’ll give you a clue: None of them are contemporary. (My comments are in parenthesis.)
“A democratic government is the only one in which those who vote for a tax can escape the obligation to pay for it.” (Almost 50% of American workers do not pay any income tax at all.)
“America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” (An article of faith that I believe is true.)
“Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.” (Considering the political landscape today, we seem to be rapidly falling into this trap.)
“As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?” (Money still talks and controls the levers of power in America.)
”Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” (A thought-provoking truth illustrated by the difference between America and Socialist or Communist societies.)
“I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America.” (Think “political correctness” and the never-ending hostility of our political discourse today.)
“In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them.” (Graphically illustrated by the overwhelming presence of “political correctness” in America today.)
“In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.” (How you ever noticed how political alliances are often like sharks circling prey in the water?)
“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” (Seems self-evident to me.)
“The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.” (Just look at the extent of “pork barrel” politics today.)
“The genius of democracies is seen not only in the great number of new words introduced but even more in the new ideas they express.” (The evolution of American English since I was in high school during the 1940s has been a constant source of amazement to me.)
“There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult – to begin a war and to end it.” (Examples: WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.)
“There is hardly a political question in the United States which does not sooner or later turn into a judicial one.” (Consider the role the courts play in modern America, including “legislating from the bench.”)
“The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.” (Another definition of Capitalism vs Socialism and Communism.)
“The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.” (American society is still largely based on a combination of wealth and lineage dating back to the Mayflower.)
“All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.” (An interesting observation, in light of the current war being waged against America by Islamofascists, which is causing us to voluntarily limit many of our freedoms.)
“Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him preoccupied with fresh plans to increase his comfort.” (Just human nature, right?)
“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.” (No comment needed.)
The foregoing observations were all made by Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman who visited America in 1831 at the age of 25 and wrote a two-volume study, “Democracy in America,” first published in 1834. His prescient observations are as valid today as they were over 170 years ago and, from the vantage point of having visited here so early in our history, it’s truly remarkable how accurate his conclusions about the contemporary American character and system of government were.
de Tocqueville’s writings are considered one of the most insightful works ever written about America. For my money, they should be required reading for everyone in politics.
© 2008 Harris R. Sherline, All Rights Reserved