Dan Gainor
2008-03-27 07:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

BALTIMORE -

Forget my complaints about state government for a week. A glance at the news is all it takes to realize Americans have little to worry about by comparison. In some parts of the world, government is truly something to fear.

To some, government is evil or even monstrous. And, unfortunately, sometimes our businesses help them along their merry, murderous way. This column is about Corporate Social Responsibility — filled with criticisms of businesses because, just this once, some deserve it.

The news is filled with the slaughter of Tibetans who dare object to the continued subjugation of their nation by the communist Chinese. These are the very same Chinese playing host to the 2008 Olympics.

No one knows how many died during the rioting. Tens. Hundreds. Thousands. We don’t know because the Chinese don’t let reporters find out. No one knows how many others die each year in that communist nation that makes our goods and abuses people who want freedom of speech or freedom of religion.

And we all help them do it. Our companies buy goods from China because it’s cheaper. I’m sure I’m wearing, typing on or using some Chinese products right now. But we all have limits. China has passed them.

Numerous prominent companies have thrown their weight behind Beijing 2008. Pepsi, Volkswagen, McDonald’s, Panasonic and Adidas have made marketing decisions to support the Olympic spirit. And the Chinese government has made dictatorial decisions to undermine that same spirit.

Businesses are designed to maximize profit. Most days that is the moral responsibility of management — to look after the investors who buy the stock. China has a potential market of 1.3 billion people. Every sane businessman wants access to that market. But at what cost? Are a few lives worth it? How about a few million? Where do we draw the line?

I am drawing it right here. Right now. And I am asking you to do the same. I am boycotting the Beijing Olympics and as many companies that support it that I can manage. The Chinese government doesn’t understand the Olympic spirit or the spirit of freedom. It’s time to teach them.

Don’t let anyone try to confuse this with Iraq. We haven’t tried to annex Iraq. We have been trying to free it. And, yes, I know this boycott won’t change everything. We’ll still buy from China by the boatload. I’m not trying to change everything. I am trying to remind them they can’t murder people and score a propaganda victory at the same time.

I remember Olympic boycotts of the past. I was proud that America did something to protest the Soviet attack on Afghanistan. I intend to do something this time. I won’t be buying another McDonald’s cheeseburger (that’s no easy commitment). I won’t buy Kodak film or buy anything from Panasonic. No more Coca-Cola. As John Belushi used to say, “No Coke, Pepsi.”

Those sponsors and more are underwriting one of the monster regimes of planet Earth. I will not help them do so. It’s time we went back to the true Olympic spirit — back to Greece. Maybe we can learn something from a couple of hundred Spartans who opposed a similar conquering nation.

It’s time to stand up and be counted. Boycott Beijing.

So, I have a special request. Clip this column and share it with a friend. Call every company listed on the Olympics Web site and tell it to stop. Go to the Web site www.examiner.com and send the link to my story to 10 friends. Left wing, right wing, I don’t care. This isn’t left and right. It’s right and wrong. Please don’t let Tibet stand alone.