The talk of an olympic boycott by the US president in the opening ceremony in China is ridiculous. It would surely have zero effect on Chinese policy toward Tibet. It is naive beyond description to think that those sitting in power will reverse policy in such matters. To reverse a policy regarding sovereignty that has been defended with violence is to admit a shocking error in judgement and to accept responsibility for a wrong that is possibly criminal. Autocratic governments never do this. Ever.
China has supported considerable US debt and continues to do so. We’re going to publically humiliate our bankers? We’re going to poke a finger in the eyes of those who have been supporting America’s deficit spending and military adventurism in the sandy spots of the world? I don’t think so.
Buying fewer goods made in China is one good response. Put the money in the bank. Feed the pig.
Lamentations on Chemistry 
1) We’ve sold ourselves to China – it’s a little inconsistent then to complain that our boss is an a**hole (50?M Chinese could have told us that a long time ago).
2) Spending less money (on goods from China) is a sensible response, but that would mean giving up on buying cheap things we want – why would we protest in a way that actually makes us feel pain?
3) I think more people would be likely to “feed the pig” if it didn’t involve losing money. As a potential response to economic problems, it’s a good idea, but as patriotic duty it sounds too much like “W’s political benefactors in the banking industry aren’t making enough money jacking up your credit card interest rates – we want your banking fees and principal as well”.
I’m surprised at those who think that the olympic flame protests will accomplish anything. The USSR failed because the timbers propping the thing up eventually rotted out and collapsed. Not because of western browbeatings. China will only change its policy when it can find a vested interest in supporting an independent Tibet.
“The USSR failed because the timbers propping the thing up eventually rotted out and collapsed.”
Sounds just like the USA today.