Should Western countries boycott the Beijing Olympics? What are the pros and cons here?

Would boycotting the Olympics actually do more damage than good? After reading about the thousands, or tens of thousands of Chinese citizens who had their homes and land siezed in order tho build the Olympic complex, I was ready to boycott it. The residents were not paid for their homes or property because Chinese law pretty much says that all land and property belong to the 'state' and can be seized at any time without even a 'thank you'.

One aspect of the Olympics is the 24/7 television coverage we all have come to know (and dread) will be more worrisome than ever because of all the frustratrion and unrest among China's citizens. Instead of fearing that a gymnast will fail to launch, I'll be scrunching down in my seat fearing a blody protest or extreme violence of the worst kind. Many Chinese people were barely making it meal-t0-meal, and seeing all the excessive building and spending on a sporting event (let's face it, it's bulged ot of control, but that's what it is) must really be causing many of them to consider civil disobedience - and in China that can be a capital offense. I'm still haunted by that Olympics way back when with men in ski masks and weapons.

The athletes and participants should not be punished because the powers that be chose the most inhumane country going (except for maybe North Korea) as the site of the event. Neither should their family members, coaches, traners and the thousands of fans who support them. So, I really don't think boycotting would do much good at this point, It should have been done when the location was chosen,. But then again, follow the money.

My only consolation is the hope that independent journalists and ordinary citizens will report what they see, document the human rights violations they observe or experience and let the watchful eye of the millions of internet users see the truth and embarrass the Chinese governemnt into behaving like human beings. It would be better for us to boycott all the tainted and poisoned junk that China is dumpping on our country. Buy only merchandise made in civilized countries. This may be difficult and I may have to whittle myself a chair our of an old tree stump, but that's the price I'll pay. Then it will be worth not boycotting the Olympics.