My CONTENTIONS colleague Gordon G. Change is engaged in a heated on-line debate over at the Economist. The proposition: “It was a mistake to award the Olympics to Beijing.” Gordon is arguing the pro side (that is was a mistake) against Charles W. Freeman III. As Gordon notes in his opening statement:

In order to put on the Olympics, the Party has resorted to old-time dictatorial tactics. It is, in addition to shutting down factories, relocating about 1.48 million people, many of them forcibly, to make way for Olympic venues and Olympics-related infrastructure; dividing the city into five districts and, without getting the permission of owners, painting each one a uniform colour; and decreeing dress codes for female cab-drivers (for example no big earrings). They have been systematically jailing citizens who question the hosting of the Games, severely restricting visas to foreigners, and withdrawing permission for academic conferences and other long-planned events to ensure complete control over society. In short, Chinese officials are employing mass mobilisation campaigns and reimposing strict social controls. As The Washington Post editorialised, the Olympics are becoming “a showcase for violent repression”.

Get over there and vote for the side of reason and justice.