IOC ending Olympic torch run

The IOC and China would be much relieved if the matter would just go away.

Tibet would be much more relieved if China would end the oppression and grant them full rights to autonomy. Tibet is a non important “land”. That is obvious to the rest of the world. Very little trade potential, where-as China is a huge trading market that is growing bigger every day; we can't afford to step on their toes.

The world, including Canada, recognized Kosovo back in February, but refuses to recognize Tibet as an independent state despite recognizing the Dali Llama as the head of the state of Tibet. US Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi denounced “China's oppression of people in Tibet.” She stated, “If freedom loving people don't speak out against China's oppression of people in Tibet, we have lost all moral authority to speak out against any oppressed people.”

The absolute best opportunity to convey a message to China is to boycott the Beijing Olympic Games. Yes it is hard on the athletes who have put so much of their lives toward the 2008 games. The line needs to be drawn. It is not only the Tibet issue, it is about China's continuing violation of international human rights.

But alas, we must keep an economic prospective on reality;
Olympic Medals and trade are worth more than people.

If we think that the Olympic Games are not political, we're only fooling ourselves. As much as thinking they are non-professional sport.