Some Thoughts On Why I Started "You Can Make A Difference For Tibet"

This type of issue is new to me. I just got tired at least in Canada of seeing our political leadership unwilling to take a stand when traditionally Canada has been viewed to have taken a strong stance on the universality of human rights.

The problem I'm faced with is how does one try and make a difference, and how to get other people interested and involved, so they can exert the most impact.

My thinking around boycotting company's came about because I think the Olympics have become very commercial in nature and a lot of money is spent to get people to buy products either Olympic branded ones or from other company's advertising their products.

Dalai Lama Does Not support a Boycott of The Beijing Olympic Games

The Dalai Lama, Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, said on Friday he did not support a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Asked on NBC "Nightly News" whether he wanted the world to boycott the Olympics this summer, the Dalai Lama replied, "No."

Asked if he wanted the United States and other world leaders to boycott the opening ceremony in support of Tibet, he replied, "That's up to them."

"It is very important to make clear, not only just the Tibet case. But in China proper, the report of human right is poor. And their freedom, also very poor," the Dalai Lama said.

Asked what his message to China was, he said: "My main point is: We are not against you. And I'm not seeking separation."'

China blames the Dalai Lama for orchestrating monk-led protests in Tibet last month that later turned violent as part of a campaign for independence.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after an abortive uprising against Chinese rule, denies involvement.

The European Parliament has urged European Union leaders to boycott the opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympic Games unless China starts talks with the Dalai Lama over the situation in Tibet.

In Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging China to open dialogue with the Dalai Lama, end a crackdown on nonviolent Tibetan protesters and halt repression in the region.

Demonstrations against China's suppression of Tibetan protests have followed the progress of the Olympic flame in Europe, the United States and Latin America, prompting a nationalist backlash from China's authorities and media.

The Dalai Lama is in Seattle for a five-day Seeds of Compassion conference.

(Reporting by Daisuke Wakabayashi; Editing by Sandra Maler)

Make a Difference for Tibet II

tahoejimbo420 said...
It will not do any good, the wealthiest communist capitalistic government in the world (and loans the US billions of dollars, who opened up trade relations in the 70's under Nixon) doesn't care.
Tibet, and Tienanmen Square and other atrocities should show that US quickly forgets, and had adopted torture as accepible.
Until there is a huge change in OUR government it will remain the status quo.


Thank You for your comment. I do think some things can work though.

We may be lacking leadership from the Democratic country's, but I'm talking about company's who advertise and sponsor the Olympic games. If a large number of people make it clear to those company's that they will make it a point to not buy their products, that affects those company's directly and hurts their reputation and bottom line. Company's respond to that and might with the right amount of pressure from the public pull their adds.

The last thing you want as a company is a Tainted product that will be associated with Human rights abuses.