Fence Riding

Now normally I have no problem sharing my opinions with people on any given issue you'd care to raise.  I try my best to look at every issue objectively, do a little research on both sides of the argument and then determine what I think is the right side to be on.  Having researched the arguments against my opinion is always handy in a debate because then you have a good idea of what arguments you'll have to counter.  However, every once in awhile, try as I might, I can't come to a decision on a particular issue.  I end up riding the fence and that always hurts my bum.  I hate riding the fence.  I like having a strong opinion one way or another.  The problem is some issues just don't lend themselves to that.  Some big issues that I don't ride the fence on include the death penalty and a woman's right to an abortion.  Those are biggies that a lot of people have trouble with.  But the one issue right now that has me stumped is the protests over the Beijing Olympics.  Earlier this week the lighting of the Olympic torch and since then, the torch relay, have been hampered by protesters who want to see China free Tibet.  For 60 years this problem has managed to hang around and the protesters see China hosting the Olympics as the Holy Grail of opportunities to shout their displeasure to anyone who'll listen.  So when forming a good fence riding argument we have to start with the basic facts.  First and foremost, I'm against China occupying Tibet.  Just as I'm against any nation occupying another against the will of the people.  The problem is, I'm also in favor of athletes being able to compete on the world stage at the Olympics unencumbered by politics.  The Olympics is this really cool thing that the world manages to pull together every four years.  No matter what wars are going on or what disputes are happening or what the world economy is doing.  Every four years for three weeks the whole world gathers around a TV to watch their country's athletes compete against the best in the world.  The Olympics are a good thing.  Now back to the fence.  Part of the problem is I was completely against China getting the Olympic games in the first place.  I think that is the moment the International Olympic Committee set us up for all of these problems.  China is not playing nice as a nation of the Earth.  There human rights record alone should have kept them from getting the games.  Never mind the Tibet issue.  However, once the decision was rendered to give the games to China, well at that point I think we all have to step back and allow the games to go off without a hitch.  Too many young people around the world have committed years to preparing themselves for this moment.  Many Olympic athletes only get one shot at their dream and we can't dash that in the hopes of making a statement on Tibet.  The fact is the protests by individuals and governments alike have done nothing to move China out of Tibet.  It's been 60 years.  I'm sorry, but laying down in the road in front of the Olympic torch or boycotting the opening ceremonies will change nothing.  Plus, they don't have to "get the message out".  We all know about the problem, it's just that there isn't a lot we can do about it.  In fact if the protesters really wanted to make their statement they should have been there at the beginning and stopped China from ever getting the Olympics.  Now that the games are about to begin, it's time to hand the spectacle over to the athletes.  It's almost been four years since the world stopped to admire the tenacity of our summer athletes and the clock is quickly ticking to that moment again.  So I'm torn.  I admire the protests and the strong stand against China.  I also believe in the Olympics being an apolitical event because the world needs that.  I'm on the fence.  It's too bad that's not what they mean by Fencing at the Olympics or I might be a gold medallist. Until We Type Again, Take It Ease !