On the San Francisco Olympic Torch Relay

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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.

Comments

[PatCroft]

I think Madame Speaker Pelosi is probably the most level headed leader this country has seen since Thomas Jefferson. She is doing a very reasonable job in some very adverse circumstances.

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.

[artchess]

Dear Madame Speaker Pelosi ,
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

[JamesinPG]

HuffPost's Pick

How many of the Torch protestors do you suppose have refused to buy Chinese made goods? It is so much easier to confront symbols than to make sacrifices for the things we believe in. Free Tibet, but please don't ask me to give up my cheap cell phone.

[Wilson33]

Great, this coming from a head of state that made a formal visit to Syria, one of the worst violators of human rights in the world. Way to go Nancy, your hypocrisy is on full display!

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!

[Viper]

Yes, lets worry about Tibet! Lets start at home!

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!

[darcy]

Ms. Pelosi,

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.

[Dap]

Dear Madam Speaker Pelosi,

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.

[Macready]

Pointing the finger at China for human rights violations . . . just doesn't work Nancy .. .think Iraq . . .the illegal invasion and occupation of; think Gitmo; think illegal wire taping . . . think violations of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution and well . . . you should practise what you preach . . .sorry for the cliche but somehow it seems appropriate here . . . put impeachment of the chimp and the big dick on the agenda now . . .before they start bombing Iran . . .there is more than enough evidence against this amoral, criminal cabal to bring impeachment . .. so forget China and concentrate on the House of Representatives . . .

[hoodrat]

Yes the right to protest - I'll reserve mine for you insipids who were elected to rid ourselves of these ignorant criminals who're running the country into the ground. First notable thing accomplished - taking impeachment off the table. Former POTUS Clinton got impeached over a soiled dress, a case can't be made for manufactured talking points leading to war? How about usurping Congressional oversight, in favor of executive priviledge? Could give three damns about a country who sponsored the upcoming Olympics - whose Human Rights record is atrocious, and holds the script to our record debts, because of YOUR inability to curb spending on an unwarranted war. What are YOU, and other Dems hiding from us - different party, but more of the same?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

It's time for NANCY to PASS THE TORCH.

Bush is fiddling while the nation burns, but as far as Speaker Pelosi is concerned, things are still off the table in the kitchen.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

*

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

*

[mellene]

You may well wish that the US stood for protecting human rights, but as Speaker you've taken impeachment off the table of the a president who is willing to torture. This is the ultimate hypocrisy from you. Get back to work in the house and start impeachment which is something you can control.

[texanna]

Madam Speaker, it would be really swell if you could develop just a scintilla of that indignation for the poor shlubs right here in this country suffering under the boot of the Bushie War Criminals. People you could per the powers of your office actually do something for should you just be moved to do so.

[stellanoir]

And you've failed to live up to your commitment to preserve and protect the Constitution by not setting the table.

[jdenham]

Yes China is a problem, but honestly Madame Speaker the United States has been violating the rights of the Iraqi people for about 5 years now. We have 300 plus violations of human rights in Guantanamo Bay going on right now. King George has been run amook in the Middle East and the United States. Aren't we the Pot calling the Kettle black. How hipocritical can we be? Maybe it is time for a little house cleaning ourselves.