Olympic Protests

Olympic Torch
I have resisted the urge to write about the protests surrounding the Olympic torch relay around the world, but figured I would briefly weigh in on it. I am excited about the Olympics, as can be seen here, here, and here, where the greatest athletic spectacle held, pits each nations greatest against one another.

This years torch relay has been mired in controversy and protests, which have began, though not entirely, with the way that China handled a Tibetan protest last month which coincided with the beginning of the torches relay. The protests have gotten louder and more pronounced, more issues have come to forefront that each protesting group is trying to raise awareness to; Tibetan autonomy, human and civil rights issues, freedom of speech, the Taiwan issue, and China's response to various African conflicts. There is even talk of boycotting the games...what is all of this?

The Olympics embrace the principles of bringing people, cultures, and countries together to showcase each of their best athletes abilities. It is supposed to promote peace and unity. I support the protests of this years Olympic games in so much as it peacefully raises awareness of the wrongs that have been done by China. If the Chinese people feel that these protests are against them, the possibility of a backlash against the west is plausible, though remote. This would be expected of any country who feels that they are being personally attacked by another

The Chinese are immensely proud of these Olympic games and are truly trying to put their best face forward to show the world how much they have come into modernization. Of course there will be skeletons in the closet, but what country does not? Lets make progress and stop hashing the past, it is gone, done, forget and move on, its what we're supposed to do. Now, only 120 days to go! Wahoo!