Should the US Boycott the Russian Olympics?

[X Factor]

With all the controversy around a new Russian law against homosexual "propaganda", some are calling for the US to boycott the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia. I don't think we should because it just punishes the athletes that have been training and preparing their whole lives.

What do you think?

 

[Spriggs05]

With all the controversy around a new Russian law against homosexual "propaganda", some are calling for the US to boycott the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia. I don't think we should because it just punishes the athletes that have been training and preparing their whole lives.

What do you think?

The Olympics is a sporting competition. Politics should not be involved. It was hosted fine in China wasn't it?

 

[X Factor]

The Olympics is a sporting competition. Politics should not be involved. It was hosted fine in China wasn't it?

I agree that I don't think the Olympics should be used as political tool but it wouldn't be the first time politics played a roll.

 

[digsbe]

I'm a little conflicted. The Olympics is largely about setting aside politics and international differences to compete in sports. We went to China where they have an oppressive government that hinders free speech without any problems. I don't think anything different should happen just because the issue is "homosexual propaganda."

Of course I think the law is stupid and wrong, but if China was fine then Russia should be fine.

 

[specklebang]

My first reaction was to boycott but I've changed my opinion.

Considering some of the things we've learned about our own government, we are in no position to criticize anybody else's.

Let the games begin.

 

[Threegoofs]

Of course their should be no boycott.

Russia does lots of things we dont like. So do most of the host countries. Its much better to highlight the issue and the intolerance by going to the games and having stories on the issue broadcast worldwide, than to just walk out in protest. The best way to do this is to have the gay athletes get highlighted on TV winning medals and exposing the fact that they need to be quiet about the fuzzbumping/fudgepacking activity that is going on in the Olympic village.

And digsbe.... I fully am on board with your avatar. Its one of my favorite chemicals!

 

[Surtr]

With all the controversy around a new Russian law against homosexual "propaganda", some are calling for the US to boycott the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia. I don't think we should because it just punishes the athletes that have been training and preparing their whole lives.

What do you think?

Absolutely not.

 

[MaggieD]

With all the controversy around a new Russian law against homosexual "propaganda", some are calling for the US to boycott the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia. I don't think we should because it just punishes the athletes that have been training and preparing their whole lives.

What do you think?

I think we ought to stop trying to change the cultures of other countries and let them fight their own battles -- just as we've fought ours. Outside of genocide, we ought to keep our noses out of other people's struggles.

 

[MMC]

Heya X.....I don't think we or anybody should be looking to Boycott over another countries laws or social standards. The Olympics were for meant for Sports and that Competition Alone.

To be the Best in the World at something. Although.....they do need to question what some of those games are and if they should be classified actually as a sport.

If they give into one issue then they have to give into all the rest. Anytime it was done so before. Shouldn't have. Leave the floodgate open a little and soon comes the flood.

Course if a country should do so. Don't ever invite them back again.

 

[TiredOfLife]

The games should either be moved, the best choice, or we should stay home, which is unfair and will suck for the athletes but countries have to take a stand at times and this is one of them.

Although the games have been held in counties we have deep conflicts with, they didn't threaten our athletes like Russia has. If the games aren't moved, we hold our own and let the world come here.

 

[Dooble]

Of course their should be no boycott.

Russia does lots of things we dont like. So do most of the host countries. Its much better to highlight the issue and the intolerance by going to the games and having stories on the issue broadcast worldwide, than to just walk out in protest. The best way to do this is to have the gay athletes get highlighted on TV winning medals and exposing the fact that they need to be quiet about the fuzzbumping/fudgepacking activity that is going on in the Olympic village.

And digsbe.... I fully am on board with your avatar. Its one of my favorite chemicals!

I think all the gay athletes should wear pink. That way we can see clearly who the antagonists are.

 

[Grand Mal]

Winter Olympics, male figure skaters, we might be opening a can of worms here...
It should be up to the individuals but we're sending people into a situation where they could be arrested, convicted and jailed. It was bad enough at Nagano when Ross Rebagliatti was interrogated for 8 hours after testing positive for pot but this could be much worse.

 

[pbrauer]

With all the controversy around a new Russian law against homosexual "propaganda", some are calling for the US to boycott the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia. I don't think we should because it just punishes the athletes that have been training and preparing their whole lives.

What do you think?

No, I don't think so. If people who have trained all their lives don't get a chance to compete, that may make them resentful of gays.

 

[Gardener]

Jesse Owens certainly showed up Hitler at the '36 games.

I say send the athletes, and make a political statement.

 

[MMC]

Jesse Owens certainly showed up Hitler at the '36 games.

I say send the athletes, and make a political statement.

Heya Gardener. :2wave: I agree with send in the athletes. For what reason is there to make a political statement at non political event?

 

[haymarket]

the previous boycott was terrible and a betrayal of American athletes. That error should never ever be repeated.

 

[Gardener]

For what reason is there to make a political statement at non political event?

Because the Russians have already made it so.

 

[MMC]

Because the Russians have already made it so.

How have the Russians made it so.....they bided for the games how far out? They didn't know Gay Rights would be an issue at this time.

 

[windowdressing]

We have a major political party that is thoroughly homophobic, so let's not be hypocritical ... as long as our athletes who are gay can compete, no boycott .... if they say they can't, then boycott ...

 

[Redress]

With all the controversy around a new Russian law against homosexual "propaganda", some are calling for the US to boycott the 2014 winter Olympics in Russia. I don't think we should because it just punishes the athletes that have been training and preparing their whole lives.

What do you think?

For the anti-homosexual law, no. Combined with asylum for Snowden, I would at least have to consider it.

 

[Gipper]

Don't make the same mistake that idiotic Georgia hick did.

 

[MMC]

Don't make the same mistake that idiotic Georgia hick did.

Yeah.....never drink a 6-pack of Billy Carter Beer either. :lol:

 

[Smeagol]

The Olympics is a sporting competition. Politics should not be involved. It was hosted fine in China wasn't it?

In fact, I thought the Olympics was supposed to be about temporarily laying aside political and other differences and the world uniting over athletic competition.

I'm watching the Olympics myself.

 

[Gipper]

Yeah.....never drink a 6-pack of Billy Carter Beer either. :lol:

No worries. I hate beer.

 

[DiAnna]

I wouldn't want all those athletes who have trained for years at this shot to be so bitterly disappointed. However, we are not the only nation offended and concerned about Russia's homosexuality law, which also covers tourists and foreigners. If other European nations feel strongly enough to boycott the games, I'd support the USA boycotting them too.