Hitchens is right to decry China's backing of human rights abusers. The seduction of the Olympic boycott, however, is one that I hoped might escape him. Taking too much tea with Mia Farrow, no doubt.

After those pesky Russkies invaded Afghanistan, Jimmy Carter gave them an ultimatum: Leave or we'll prevent our athletes from achieving their lives' ambitions and let you win all the medals in your capital city. Great call. Hitchens, however, has the benefit of hindsight and must therefore be considered bereft of excuses for this utterly unimaginative proposition.

Do put that brain of yours to work, Christopher, and come up with something more likely to work (Boycott their products? Bush decline his invitation? Task journalists attending the Games with writing preview pieces on dissidents?). Can't help but get the impression you phoned this one in.