The Olympic Charter states that the goal of the Olympic Games should be to promote "a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity." The Chinese government has failed to live up to the commitments it made before being awarded the Olympic Games to improve its human rights situation. In fact, there is disturbing new evidence that it is conducting a broader crackdown on human rights in China and Tibet because of the Olympics.
For the next four months, the International Olympic Committee and Chinese officials will parade the Olympic torch through dozens of countries and even through Tibet. The torch will be met by politicians and heads-of-state from all over the world along a "journey of harmony." It is the Chinese government that is making the Olympic torch relay a political event.
Freedom-loving people around the world are vigorously protesting because of the crackdown in Tibet and Beijing's support for the regime in Sudan and the military junta in Burma. The people are making a significant statement that the Olympic ideals of peace and harmony should apply to all people, including those in Tibet and Darfur.
San Francisco is blessed by a large and vibrant Chinese-American community. As San Franciscans, we embrace the diversity of our community and we value the contributions made in every corner of our great city. We also value free expression, and this week, many will exercise this right by demonstrating against the Olympic torch. I urge all those who protest to do so peacefully and respectfully. I commend those who speak out for their commitment to shining a light on the causes that challenge the conscience of the world.
This post first appeared here.
Several years ago the Olympic Committee should have taken Tibit into consideration prior to rewarding China this prestigious event. Why didn't they do that.
PEOPLE PROTEST by trying to put out the Olympic floga-flame a symbol of light , wisdom and respect.During the 2004 cultural olympics in Athens ENLIGHTENED THOUGHTS,
WISE DECISIONS.
was the theme of my exhibition ,translated into 7 languages including chinese.Some insight into the future?
It seems that now we are making thoughts ,into the other side of light ,darknessssssssssss.
as an artist and as a citizen of earth i have my work posted and i would apreciate your comment.
artchess.info
And this Hillary's calls for boycotts are ridiculous as well, since she received hundreds of thousands of dollars of contributions from the Chinese as well the countless MILLIONS donated from the Chinese for Bill's Library.
Gimme a break!
Propose madantory healthcare insurance as Hilary does w/o reducing the cost ( a gift to the insurance companies), which can only be done by eliminating the middle man ( insurance companies) that treat no one , but eats up half the healthcare dollars, or lets continue to pay 5 times more for the same drug made in Ireland as the rest of the world , such that we subsidize our comptetitors healthcare. If you get those prices in line and get rid of the insurance companies... our healthcare cost drop 60% and not one dollar is taking out of pateint care or from those that actually deliver it!
I don't care a rat's ass. I want to know when you're going to impeach bush and restore freedom to THIS country.
I just wanted to drop in on ya to say thank you, and that I like your style in your leadership position. Please keep up the great work, you can represent me any time, ya have my support. Agape.
Bush is fiddling while the nation burns, but as far as Speaker Pelosi is concerned, things are still off the table in the kitchen.
Dear Speaker Pelosi,
Impeach Bush and Cheney... or STFU.
Stop funding the Iraqupation... or STFU.
Stop meddling with the SuperDelegates, unless it's to tell Christine to STFU,... or STFU.
By not impeaching Bush for "torching" the Constitution and fiddling while the nation burns ON YOUR WATCH, you are derelict in your "duty" to "cast off despotism" as defined in the Declaration of Independence.
Both documents are recommended reading, as clearly, you are not familiar with them.
If you think it personally unseemly to bring charges as you would be next in line for the Presidency, feel free to step down from your Speaker post when the Articles of Impeachment passed by the House are delivered to the Senate. It should be a heavy stack of documents, but there's always room for a resignation letter.
And to think, I had such high hopes for you and for Congress a mere 14 months ago.
P.S. Please note that as a blogger here on HuffPo, you may respond to my and other commenters directly. Arianna will even put your comments in a pretty little box so they stand out.
Sincerely,
- RIMR
*