Opening Ceremonies

Tonight ( or I suppose today with the time difference ) are the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics. In the past this would be met with excitement and joy in my house. I must say though the Olympics have lost some of their shine for me. This has been happening slowly. I think its a combo of getting older and mixing in professional athletes.

I will say this year there is a definite feeling of disappointment for me. I'm not claiming to be an expert and I'm sure some will say this is naive, but it just seems like the IOC could have found a host country with a better human rights track record.

I get that not all countries will have the same set up and work as my country does. I don't expect them to. I do, however, think that there are certain beliefs this country has that we should stand up for.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence)

I'm not promoting a boycott by our athletes. I get that they just want to compete and should not be pawns in a global statement. I am also not saying that war or forcing countries to comply to our standards is the correct or only way too.

I do think though that having our President, the highest representative of our beliefs and standards, sitting happily at the opening ceremonies pretending all is good in this host country, is definitely NOT the right thing. "We hold these truths to be self-evident". Its pretty clear and does not leave much room for interpretation. If they are so clear, then shouldn't we as a country do a little more to stand up for them and help all of our fellow humans find their own freedom?

There are ways to make statements and help the "tired, poor, and huddled masses yearning to be free" that don't involve bombs and physical force. I really do think our world leaders missed a prime opportunity today for such a statement.

It won't mean much and no one in China will ever know, but this girl will make her statement and hope that some day the poor, starving, and oppressed will understand the same freedoms we are so blessed with.