Should President Bush Boycott the Opening of the Olympic Games?

Protests have occurred around the world regarding the decision to hold the Olympic Games in Beijing. (This issue was brought to the blog earlier in the semester in an article about Steven Spielberg's opposition). China has been placed not only in a spotlight of prominence, but also under a microscope of international scrutiny, particularly regarding alleged human rights abuses. The argument is not only about China's human right's policies, but that like the title of the article in the link, the Olympics are "Worsening China Rights". How so? Well a perfect example would be the sentencing of activist of Hu Jia which this article suggests has occurred so that he will be silenced during the games.
With that context, I chose to post this article for the following section. The author writes, "US President George W Bush is facing calls to boycott the Games' opening. "It would be clearly inappropriate for you to attend the Olympic Games in China, given the increasingly repressive nature of that country's government," a group of 15 US politicians wrote in a letter to Mr Bush on Tuesday.Mr Bush has said he plans to attend the ceremony but Germany's Angela Merkel says she will not. French President Nicolas Sarkozy has not ruled out a boycott." This passage of the article stood out to me for several reasons. If the issue is China's human rights abuses, what substantive effect could a boycott of the Opening Ceremonies achieve? I don't personally believe there are any. The argument, I believe, would therefore be that heads of state should boycott for symbolic reasons, which leads me to several questions. How useful is a symbolic act? I don't think many would argue that President Bush boycotting the ceremonies would effect the human rights policies of a sovereign nation, but at the same time, what does it say to and about our nation if our President attends when other heads of state (perhaps more enlightened?) are not? Does it matter? Should it matter? Are we afraid to draw attention to our own human rights controversies? Is our president ignoring international protests? Do human rights controversies of the host country even have a role in the discussion of the Olympic Games at all?

Ex- ICE Agent Rapes Illegal Immigrant

On Thursday a former immigration agent Wilfredo Vazquez plead guilty to raping a Jamaican woman who was in his custody. Mr. Vazquez was suppose to be transporting his victim from a detention facility in Miami-Dade County to another detention center in Broward County, Florida. The ex-officer also plead guilty for "'placing the woman in fear' during the sexual encounter." By Mr. Vazquez pleading guilty it was recommended by the prosecutors office that he serve a sentence of seven years in prison.

Vazquez's victim was a Jamaican mother of two who had been living in the United States illegally for 12 years. Vazquez was responsible for transporting this women to a transitional detention facility as she waited to be deported back to Jamaica. Once the victim filed a complaint ICE authorities granted her parole. Right now Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC) is helping the victim obtain a visa which could lead to her obtaining legal residency.

The thing which disturbs me the most about this story is the ideal that an ICE official would take advantage of a women who had already been through a major ordeal. The victim already had to deal with deportation and being separated from her children, then for a ICE official to take advantage of her sexually is completely inhumane. Just because this women was not a legal citizen does not make it right for her to be abused while in the custody of ICE. When hearing about incidents such as this it reinforces the ideal that our immigration system is failing once again.

What can we do as citizens to change the mistreatment of detainees at the hands of ICE?

Immigration Optimist

I have always found immigration policy to be a something of a Catch-22. If we open up immigration policy it is argued, with fair reason, that we open the flood gates for individuals we do not want walking the streets of our country. In today's terms this is a matter of homeland security and an obstacle for potential terrorist threats. Another aspect of this perspective argues that immigrants will rob hard working Americans of their jobs, undercutting the working class. Pragmatically, the current obsequious immigration gauntlet unnecessary. This article, really a blog, identifies many of the compromises and changes that can and should be made to contemporary immigration policy.

The suggestions in this article focus on the H1-B visa program, which allows for skilled workers to come to the US and work. However, only 65,000 of these visa's are granted annually. Proposed legislation recommends that we increase the annual number of H1-B visa grants to 115,000. A statistic given in the article states that, "(A Duke University study has found that 25% of American technology start-ups were founded by foreign-born entrepreneurs from 1995 to 2005; in addition, 26% of technology start-ups founded by immigrants had CEO’s, presidents, founders or lead researchers from India.)" Through H1-B visa's we can achieve increased economic efficiency and prosperity for all Americans, a point few people would rationally dispute.

This argument can then be shaped in an economic frame. There has been economic growth in many sectors directly correlated and attributed to individuals who immigrated to this country. As these numbers increase, the number of laborers needed to supply the demand of increased wealth and population must also increase. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle of economic growth for all socioeconomic classes.

I understand the need for homeland security to protect our country from terrorist threats. However, this should not have a dramatic an effect on the immigration policy. Any immigrant, whether a factory worker or an executive, should be allowed a fair chance to come to this country. If they have proven to be a productive members of society in their home country, why not allow them a chance to contribute to ours.

Children in Detention Centers

This video made by the ACLU shows a detention center used for political asylum seekers and their children in Hutto, Texas. Perhaps just as interesting as the video are some of the viewer comments:

"Not only does the inhumane treatment of innocent families and children in Hutto break an American tradition of protecting individuals from political oppression, it breaks an internationally accepted human rights standard of providing children access to medical and education needs to. This issue is not about immigration. Its about protecting the qualities that make America unique - A belief in human rights." -RichardParker72

"Are these people legal or illegal immigrants? Knowing that they were illegally trying to obtain entry the parents subjected their children to the possibility of Hutto. We, as a nation, can not be parent to all, cannot be responsible for the worlds suffering, and cannot be expected to alleviate it through indiscriminate open borders." Ssing45

What do you think? Should we be detaining children who come to the U.S. with their family members? Is there an alternative?

Freedom of Religion or Neglect?

An 11-year-old girl dies of diabetes after parents prayed for healing instead of seeking medical care. She died of a common treatable form, but her parents refused to get medical care. Government officials are investigating the case, and family claims that if charges are filed they will claim freedom of religion under the first amendment. Is this pure parental neglect and abuse against this child? Or another case of cultural relativism, in which we should respect an individual’s beliefs?

US Ignoring the Needs of Displaced Iraqis

Its bad enough when people are forced to leave their homes in order for their survival.. it's even worse when those people are ignored by the other nations of the world. The situation in Iraq is devastating, and we started it. One would think that because we devastated the lives of so many civilians that we would be sure to take care of their needs and allow them to seek refuge here. well.. thats not the case. A CNN reporter said, "We believe the United States has a special responsibility to Iraqi refugees, if only to restore its credibility. The violence they flee is an unplanned-for byproduct of the American invasion of Iraq, and its chaotic aftermath." Unfortunately, the United States has ignored the crisis that it had started and is responsible for. The displacement of the Iraqis since the US invasion in 2003 is seen as one of the "most significant population displacement in the Middle East since Israel was established in 1948." Its difficult enough to leave your home, but to be ignored makes the situation worse. Luckily Syria and Jordan have been helpful for the displaced Iraqis, but that it not enough. For the US to have initiated the conflict that led to the displacement of 2 million people, we should be providing aid.. and that fact that we're not only contributes more to the already terrible reputation of the US in the Middle East.

Police Ask for African Refugees to be Put Out of the City

Police officials in Australia advised Immigration officials that it would be better to settle African Refugees outside of the city. In the past police officials have had crime-related problems because of grouping conflicts among Sudanese refugees which was further exacerbated by the living conditions in the city. Also, the police have noticed an escalation in gang violence among Sudanese refugees. Officials believe that it would be better to settle these refugees in rural settlements where it would be easier for refugees to find jobs, avoid drugs and alcohol, and street crimes. These settlements would help create comfortable communities for the refugees where they would not have to worry about the hustle and bustle of a major city such as Melbourne. Officials believe that they can entice refugees to move out of the cities by offering them better job opportunities and living conditions in rural settlements.

I think that this idea is interesting. I do not know however, how effect this plan will be in rural areas. I believe that if people want to be a member of a gang or involved in criminal activity they will be involved no matter where they live. I propose that officials provide refugees with education about the culture they are about to be submersed in and encourage safe communities and community involvement for refugee families no matter if they live in a city or rural area.


What do you think?

Olympic Torch journey begins w/ protests.

Today, in Greece the Olympic torch was lit to mark the beginning of the journey to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The journey to the Olympic games is a time-honored tradition viewed and respected by many throughout the world. The journey of the torch to its new home is always respected and treasured, however this year it is met with protest. Human rights demonstrators breached tight security and tried to hijack the torch lighting ceremony and relay. 

Just before the torch was lit inside the archaeological site that played host to the Olympics in Greece, three demonstrators managed to break a tight police barricade. One of them carried a black banned with five interlocked handcuffs in the pattern of the Olympic Rings. These individuals were protesting China's inability to improve its human rights conditions. As citizens believe that China is currently more concerned with preparing for the Olympic games than improving the country's conditions. Also, smaller protests took place during the first few kilometers of the relay, leading to nine total protesters being detained.

The Beijing Games Chief Liu Qi stated this morning that "the Olympic flame will radiate light and happiness, peace and friendship, and hope and dreams to the people of China and the whole world." It is the assumption of the Beijing Games chairs that these will in fact come true, however, it seems that the people of China feel differently. The International Olympic Committee (IOC), vice president Lambis Nikolaou, a Greek, was outraged by the disruptions. "I am furious with the fact that these people did not respect the site they were on...whatever differences they have with China, they should express them in their country and not ours. This is a disgrace."

To me, i was a bit shocked to hear that the lighting of the torch and beginning of the relay to China was disrupted by protesters. The Olympic games, has always been a miraculous occasion that I have come to thoroughly enjoy, and now it seems that most recent news on it is negative. However, in a country like China, where human rights conditions remain poor, are its people justifiable in protesting...even if in this case they were protesting in Greece? 

France to grant asylum to Iraqi Christians

France has announced that it will be granting asylum to 500 Iraqi Christians. The announcement has created controversy both in and outside of Iraq. Many Muslims have claimed that this move by France is blatant discrimination against Muslims. Both Muslims and Christians have been targets for abductions and murders on the basis of their religious beliefs but France feels as though Christians are having a particularly difficult time and that the situation continues to worsen. Pierre Henry, head of the France Terre d'Asile organization said, "It is risky showing preference to refugees on the strength of their religion." Is France making the right decision?

Franklin & Marshall College in South Africa

Hi Folks,
I just wanted to bring your attention to a blog that the F&M soccer team has on their Grassroots soccer trip to Cape Town, South Africa, particularly, the shanty town of Khayelitsha.
The student athletes are there to help educate and fight HIV/AIDS. Check out their blog!