Spielberg, luminaries press Olympic China over Darfur

[Dale_M]

US filmmaker Steven Spielberg abandoned his role in the Beijing Olympics and a host of prominent figures accused China of not doing enough to press its ally Sudan to end devastating violence in Darfur.

“Sudan’s government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing human suffering,” Spielberg said in a statement Tuesday.

“I have decided to formally announce the end of my involvement as one of the overseas artistic advisors to the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games.”

Separately, Nobel Prize winners and Olympic athletes urged China’s President Hu Jintao to pressure Sudan to end atrocities in Darfur, as attention turns to this summer’s games.

afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jApfZXOIFLFJglTtB4gZVJr1fXKg

 

[Cat]

My daughters were competitive figure skaters, so I have a lot of interest in the Olympic games, both summer and winter.

For what it’s worth, I have been opposed from Day One to holding the Olympics in Biejing.

I personally don’t see how any athlete or coach could participate in the ceremonies and competitions knowing that somewhere hidden away in the interior of the vast country of China are the wretched political prisoners who are guilty only of holding views contrary to Communism.

I would be sick to my stomach the whole time I was there, imagining the tortures that these people are suffering while I am having a good time at the “games.”.

I realize that many politicians, including the representative from my district, Don Manzullo, believe that by opening up China to the world, we will hold them accountable for their crimes against humanity.

I say that China is an awfully big country. Beijing can be whitewashed and look as pure as a nunnery for something like the Olympic Games. But there are plenty of places in that big country to torture and kill prisoners and commit totalitarian crimes.

IMO, the best way to hold China accountable is for the world’s free nations to demand the end of Communism now, and to refuse to associate with this country until Communism is replaced with a government that recognizes the freedom of individuals.