Shut Up and Compete

“About the only justification for participating in the Beijing Games is that it offers an opportunity to encourage more awareness about human rights,” says Lord Alton.

The Games will go on. But to paraphrase Alton, the only justification for watching them will be for American viewers to raise the human-rights issue in letters-to-the-editor, speaking with lawmakers and Olympic sponsors, and shining a spotlight on Chinese repression.

Even if our athletes can not speak out—and I bet some will—we can. And we must.