The politics of china and the international celebration that is the olympic Games cannot be seperated. The construction of the olympic venues have seen human rights abuses, China hosting the olympics almost condones its abuses against humanity - including Tibetans.

Learn a bit more about what exactly is going on in Tibet and in China - you might actually be a little less excited by that torch passing your house. The torch, at this olympics, represents China. The torch is designed by the Chinese Government and accompanied by the Chinese military (in tracksuits).

Once you have learnt a little more about Tibet and China and the Chinese Governments human rights record then maybe you will be out there with a banner or a flag - rather than watching the news waiting to see what happens.

— Londoner | Unregistered, Non-Swarthmore

Western media like to portray China in a negative light whenever they can. It is because of their bitterness about the Chinese government not allowing them to have as much control in China as they have in Western countries. They like to focus on the news of protests against China and blow them out of proportion but rarely focus on how other people enjoy and welcome the torch.

— Lee | Unregistered, Non-Swarthmore

It's really ironic that the west is supposed to be champion of free speech and media while all I have read in the western media greatly distorts the truth about China and the torch. I was at the San Francisco relay from 8am to 3pm and I saw massive supports for the torch and the Olympics. But afterwards all the newspapers simply focused on the protesters and the clashes, showing very few pictures of the supporters and the positive moments of the torch relay, even calling pictures of supporters protesters.

By the way Londoner, if I were you, I would learn a little about England's history and your nation's record with the rest of the world before I turn my snotty nose at China. The torch represents the Olympics and if you think it represents China, then it's your own politicization of the Games so don't blame any one else.

— sarah | Unregistered, Non-Swarthmore

Londoner, let me use the same argument against you:

The politics of the United States agenda of world domination and the international celebration that is the olympic Games cannot be seperated. The very existence and foundation of this "great country" to this day is based on human rights abuses, and its continuing hostile and deadly military presence in other countries condones its abuses against humanity - including Iraqis.

Learn a bit more about what exactly is going on in Tibet and in China - you might actually be a little less excited about supporting CIA-funded panhandlers: the professional protesters and their clueless masses. The campaign against the torch, at this olympics, represents the old world interests. This campaign is designed by the Western governments and the interests they represent to prevent the world from uniting against their design.

Once you have learnt a little more about the history AND the CURRENT situation (AND the future plans) of your own country, and the United States's Governments own human rights record then maybe you will be out there with a banner or a flag denouncing them --- with self introspection --- rather than watching the news waiting to propagate lies and seeds of conflicts planted in your brain.

You have been blessed with education, but education does not equal enlightenment. Do not go to CIA-leashed Dalai Lama for enlightenment: in that robe he is just as much a puppet as Afghanistan's Karzai is in his boutique-designed garment. May I suggest Martin Luther King's insightful speech on Vietnam War that sees clearly through the fog created by the false supporter of "Freedom" (to loot the world): "Beyond Vietnam -- A Time to Break Silence" by Martin Luther King, Jr. But then again, if you are a supporter of neo-colonialist agendas (perhaps by virtue of where you life), these words mean nothing.

Stephanie: the torch will not face much problem in the black-haired world because the populace knows what it means for them to have a united world. They are waiting for their rightful and just place after 500 years of injustice. It will only face problems in former colonialist countries, and countries suffering with colonial mindset (and by this, I mean all the European countries, even basket case countries like Poland, Australia, Japan). Let's hope India is not happy playing the same role it played in the British East Indies Company.

— James | Unregistered, Non-Swarthmore

Wow, I am saddened that I share a name with you. The Dalai Lama is far from a puppet, he is an important leader to the Tibetan people, and your belittling of protesters is just arrogant. That you think that the US is seeking world domination is terrifying, and deeply misled. Look, it's true that coverage of the torch has been one sided and unfair, and true the media does tend to have an anti-China bias, but here's the thing: China oppresses Tibet, and most Chinese are okay with this. That's what the "clueless masses" are protesting. By all means, we should critique and change the actions of the west, but supporting human rights violations on a massive scale just because you dislike our violations of human rights and citing past injustice as an excuse for allowing further injustice is insanity, and I thoroughly hope you were writing an exercise in argumentation, not your beliefs.

— James | Unregistered, Swarthmore

Past injustice? Have you been reading the newspaper recently? Have you heard of Iraq? Or did you just wake up from a coma? I guess injustice commited by the US can only be either (1) in the past, or (2) against terrorists. The current generation cannot do no wrong. You have far more influence reducing injustice in the world if you tackle your own government first -- which by the way is the worst human rights abuser both internationally and domestically (inmates and executions per capita, gun related murder) --- not other countries and regions toward which your governments have sinister agenda (read: oil). But I don't expect much from a brainwashed, arrogant population who as Obama said clings to their guns and religions --- and robs the world on a daily basis. You should get in touch with that lone western woman in Thailand (reported by AP) who are supporting Tibetan terrorism.

— James | Unregistered, Non-Swarthmore