Bush to attend Olympic opening ceremony

Friday 04th July, 07:02 AM JST

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smithinjapan at 06:22 PM JST - 4th July

The idea that he, or any leader for that matter, is going for 'the sake of sports' is laughable; it's pure politics, and that's what's going to be watched in this Olympics more than anything else. Him going is just as much a political statement as any leader who is not. Bottom line.
RedMeatKoolAid at 07:06 PM JST - 4th July

When you look at how big a part sports plays in US culture, how much gold the US brings home every 4 years, and how hard American athletes train, for the president not to go would look pretty strange. Indeed, since summer Olympic medals so often go to the African American athletes who dominate our amazing track, basketball and boxing teams if Bush were to boycott the Games the MSM would invariably find a way to say it was a deliberate slight to Obama or some such BS.
SuperLib at 07:19 PM JST - 4th July

Well Super Lib many leaders believe China should show respect for getting the Olympics and many see China should show respect to human rights and stop suppressing people.

And just when did I give China a free pass on all of that?

The Olympics are supposed to be a time when countries come together and promote peace. It's not a time when countries are supposed to rag on the host country. You can criticize China a hundred times a day in a hundred different ways so asking for some restraint when the conversation deals with the Olympics isn't unreasonable.
reddragonguy at 07:46 PM JST - 4th July

America needs China. You know Bush's wars in Iraq and afghanistan needs money and it was China funding those war debts! Like Nixon, Bush bowed again and he bowed even lower and londer than Nixon because his wars will dragging on until next president maybe McCain's two terms! Bush's neocons team doesnt like PRC that was for sure but like Winston Churchill said: There was no forever friends or forever nenmies just only the interets of state! If Churchill could side with Stalin why Bush or maybe Mccain cannot side with Hu...
reddragonguy at 08:14 PM JST - 4th July

If this world believes a boycott of China's Olympics in order to let Tibet get free was naive. The world leaders'calculations their own interests and they know the Chinese stance it was definately predictable those calls to treat Tibetans better was totally ignorable! China took the MFN, sure China wont gives a care about anything regardless of darfur. It was those G8s countries seeking their own MFN from China. Trdae is trade politics is politcs do not confuse......
OssanULTRA at 10:09 PM JST - 4th July

"America needs China. You know Bush's wars in Iraq and afghanistan needs money and it was China funding those war debts!"

No, China needs America. It also needs Japan the EU, all the countries whose import orders has fueled the Chinese economic growth over the last decade or so. To this date China has yet to to show any economic growth based on it's domestic economy. China holds most US debt today because they don't know what to do with the US Dollars that they receive for their exports. Don't think for a moment that is has anything to do with a desire to fund US activities. As the global economy is now on a path to slowed growth if not outright recession or worse, China's economic growth is going to come to a screaching halt.
kmwee at 10:58 PM JST - 4th July

**This I think the second time an Asian nation will be hosting the Olympics (after 30 years). Don't let the world see Asian is still sleeping and let another round of Western Colonisation.
TonyUS at 02:03 AM JST - 5th July

Some wishes to talk boycott the games. No one is boycotting the games as for athletes competing and even some of them are willing to make a statement on the issues that China is seen as neglect on.. Or maybe I missed an article where we are having an international boycott of the games by the athletes that someone here is trying to propagandanize…

This is political totally by China, or was set out to be until the world put a stop to it as the shame on human rights surfaced and I must say the uprising in Tibet made a hell of a statement to the Chinese leaders because of the reaction of the world. This was a very good move and to call it Naive is looking past the real facts that came from the move. The people of the world took great concern and interest in what the forces "from" China did within Tibet. If people want to be free , then they have the right to be!!! Same with Taiwan! Those that back this China grip upon others are the ones that are responsible for those that die trying to cement their freedom, culture and individuality that all have the right to have. China and the Olympics is nothing but political and that is definitely the case for China in its trying to show the world its progress which I for one do not see!!!!! Politically speaking!!

Bush caused the debt for the US as there was a surplus before him and his friends took over. Bush may need CHina but the US does not and should not, and we would survive with out them!!!!! The world would survive with out them as we have in the past!!! The main heads of state should be pushing China from all angles and the boycotting of the """OPENNING CERIMONIES"""" is just another way that China needs pushed. Didn't it bring about talks with the Dali lama already??? hahah And such actions do not work or have any affects. Who is fooling who here? World leaders of the free world need to make a statement and China for sure needs further pushed to be of a nation of human rights, even the most basic at the least!

And again we are not talking about athletes not competing and no one has from what I have read especially here on this thread…
hellyhansen at 06:14 AM JST - 5th July

Well, I guess the opening ceremony will get screwed up now.
Terrikus at 06:40 AM JST - 5th July

TonyUS, Do you even bother talking to the Chinese people that you claim to support? Ever been to China? Something tells me you haven't.

Anyhow, I sincerely doubt Bush would have boycotted the Opening ceremonies. Boycotting backfired on us in the past, and doubtless it would backfire again. Learn from your mistakes.
JoeBigs at 09:23 AM JST - 5th July

Bush at the game...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz where am I zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, oh the Chinese games zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........China got the endorsement of the Bush all they need is Vice President Dick to go over and they hit the big times
SezWho2 at 10:14 AM JST - 5th July

Hmmm.... I think Bush's attendance at the opening ceremony shows more respect for China than it does for the games.
TonyUS at 02:15 PM JST - 5th July

haha Terrikus, I did have some long drawn out response to your remark, but what is the point... All one has to do is look at the articles throughout time about China and what China is about and what the leaders actions are and guide lines they set, no need to explain over and over agian, because most people that has any interests knows the facts on China and its government.

Any actions from outside of China towards China has only made progress for the people of CHina and to want to focus on face value of China by your remark of asking if I ever been to China... well there is much more to it than just what is seen, because there is much more that is not seen and that comes from the facts in print that is their for me to study as well as for you to take the time to read and understand. All I am stating is my opinion of how to push China further to change its stance on all the negatives that are in plain site for those that have interest. All of this together in the past has helped to open up China, even though it is like twisting the leader's arms, but it has done wonders so far.
reddragonguy at 07:45 PM JST - 7th July

Bushie was bowing deeper and deeper than Nixon! That made all the CCP leaders laughing loudly inside tianmen square. The US military has no cutting edge and they are troubled by Iraq and afghanistan. China is leading bthe world to ignore US demands and it works pretty well! The neo Cons has lost all their mojos
TonyUS at 02:04 PM JST - 8th July

Bush has bowed deeply to China and also has let China put the Taiwan issue as a trade off with N. Korea like an idiot as I thought from the start as I saw China doing. Bush and his buddies , corporate business need China to further fill their pockets and why Bush bows to the dirty Communist leaders which makes Bush just as dirty as these politicians have sold out the US. Bush going to the Olympics is just another slap in the face for democracy and human rights. This guy is and has been a sellout to the people but a sucker for corporations and wealth for a few including himself. At the same time we can not leave Clinton out of the deal as for he also pushed for the China most favorable trading partner. These politicians have been very outstanding to China's well being and we are very lucky Hilery got the BIG boot as was published where her money come from for the campaign.. Again, big corporations.

Reddragonguy, be careful of what you believe and what is speculation as for cutting edge, as in the past China in fact has been 30 years behind in technology when it comes to military weaponry.. I myself believe this is still the case such as the shooting down of a satellite??? Hahaha been there done that many years ago. Maybe an accomplishment for PLA but a relic of the past for the US and even Russia....

Just because Bush has kneeled before the Communists does not mean the US will always follow such a course, remember we have elections not only local but for those that lead the country of the highest posts. I only hope the thought process and catering to the large corporations will take a U turn and politicians will be voted upon based on what is best for the people and country and not large corporations taking jobs overseas and shipping the cheap products back making large profits at the same time the politicians are down grading our stability and power. That goes especially for such a country as China that keeps its 1.3 billion people suppressed and keeps the threat against Taiwan and Tibetans and at the same time continually trying to tighten its grip on the autonomy of Hong kong.

Bush has been a disgrace to the US from the start as we have seen his approval rating here in the US. I have a feeling this will change when new blood comes in. What is great about democracy is that new blood does come in even at the highest level, nothing like what China and its people must abide by, single party and leaders that lead for years and years with out opposition, but only hand picked by the few. If that is not a disgrace I and a pity then, we might as well through out the voice of a society out the window as done within China.

Maybe Bush’s move here on the Olympics will bring to notice by the public the down falls he has created and people will finally condemn his actions, or should I say non-actions when standing on issues involving human rights and the lack of that China supports around the world which Bush is openly supporting by attending the opening ceremonies. Hell. Even France and Germany, that was so angry with the US over Iraq has come around and supported action against China for its human rights abuses. Then we have puppy Bush with a chain and collar around his neck being lead around by a bunch of communist leaders? What is that about?