I agree that China (and many other countries) needs to work on its human rights program--and the USA needs to get out of other countries' business--Iraq, for example. Many people feel the need to make statements..but not at the Olympics.
The Olympics are not about nationalism or politics or governments. They are about people--at their best: with achievement, friendship, and harmony. The ceremonies stressed so beautifully that this was an event about unity and friendship. I, for one, wish that politics and governments would stay out of the Olympics. This magnificent tradition has nothing to do with international conflicts and policies. More than one event has been ruined because of nationalism, prejudice, hatred, and politics. Interesting how those words appear in the same sentence. No country is perfect. And no country is evil--discounting the bad-ass leaders. I'm not speaking of China here, Pottel.
Countries are land, rivers, mountains, towns, cities, and above all, people, most of whom want to live decent lives and mean to harm to anyone else, irrespective of governments.
People respecting people and people putting their best in. That's what the Olympics are about.
