I just hope the torch relay in SF will be peaceful!  I had thought of driving to SF to watch it, but business meetings got into the way. Are you planing to take some pictures?

The Tibetan cause has really caught the popular imagination, hasn't it?  Though, when you ask "I always wonder why there are more white people than Chinese people yelling "Free Tibet?"", don't you mean, more white people than Tibetans?

I agree that the Olympics probably isn't the place or time for the protests, but do think that the Chinese government is actively trying to undermine the culture of the Tibetans as part of an effort to reinforce borders and keep other non-Chinese areas under control. 

As for the protesters, they probably were out protesting the way and Gitmo... but that isn't the cause de jour.

Is the torch there yet? heard it got put out 3 times in Paris, hope all goes well...Someone gotta do something to the banners up at the bridge..

The "Economist" had a good article about two weeks (?) ago describing the situation in Tibet. It makes the case that China is not handling the current situation well and its politics vis-à-vis Tibet may have provoked it. Maybe the Olympics aren't the most appropriate place for the Tibetan cause but apparently there is no other forum where this problem can be raised and where China has to listen.

 The war in Iraq is indeed unjustified but 9/11 happened before and had a profound influence on the American psyche . If you think back to anti-Vietnam protests ... these were severe. People stood up against the war. The media is certainly jumping on any cause de jour and inflating it immensly, but sometimes this is the only way to put the public's thumb on a wound - even if it's only for a brief moment in time.

Entirely agree upon your statements.

The media only portrait what Americans want to see and what Americans want to read. It's all just racisim and hypocrisy, just because Chinese governments are limiting the rights of the Tibetan, it doesn't mean the Olympic game couldn't move on. I don't know when and how did people got sidetracked from the fact that yes, China is hosting the game but the Olympics isn't just about one person or one nation, it's about everyone around the world.

someones gotta do it lol =P honestly I think China, even though its getting better,  does need to rethink how they "own" other countries I am not racist by any means ( all my bfs have been asian lol) but I think if not now then when ? Im not a treehugger who causes a big scene and I do agree that the media is really jumping on this story but honestly I dont live there and for some reason we never hear the average chinese citizens opinion I dont know if this is out of fear or what but something is happening in China and I dont support anything they do as far as human rights violations. I hear about people being put in Jail and not hearing from them after that once again Im not sure if its true or not but I just think that they are trying to sweep this under the rug in China . Sorry if I sound like a tyical american but those are my thoughts . If I can ask you something do u have any information from their end? I cant read chinese so its hard for me to keep up on news in China but any education is welcomed ^^

YNOTSwimg,

Totally agree with what you said. Westerners were brain washed by biased media. The media is doing what they supposed to do, satisfying the popular racist feeling of white and inspire anti-chinese movement. The weaker of China, the happier of white. That said, I am not blaming media. However, I feel sorry for these brain washede white no-brainers.

roy.

@osukaa - You do sounds like you care Chinese. However, you ARE a typical brain washed no brainer. If you want to know if what you said is true, talk with a regular Chinese. These protest torch are mostly white. Chinese are mostly pro torch. Does that tell you something. You think Chinese on SF street are fear of being put into jail? which jail? American jail? If you can not sort that out, I am wasting my time.

Sounds weid? story weird always have something hiding. That's what media not want to tell you. Sorry you don't understand Chinese. So you only heard one voice. If you can read or listen in Chinese, you will have different opinion. That's how you are brain washed. We read both English and Chinese. We know much more than you do in Tibet. Believe me, I am an American.

@christao408 - You are also a typical brain washed no brainer.

You think "Chinese government is actively trying to undermine the culture of the Tibetans as part of an effort to reinforce borders and keep other non-Chinese areas under control?"

Do you know Tibet was part of China (then Qing Dynasty) before Columbus came to this land? For a period longer than US history, Tibet was there, and was part of China. How come you say: "non-Chinese areas?" Stupid. If you can only read biased English media, sorry for you. You are half blinded. You only see a biased world.

Do you know who is #1 to keep military outside of their own country? You tell me.

Did Chinese government ever kept military outside of China since Ming Dynasty? given me an example? give me an example.

@beowulf222 - You are another typical brain washed no brainer, hope you are not white.

The "Economist" is also a western media, no exception and no wonder it bash Chinese government. If the riot happened anywhere in US. Police will immediately arrest all riot in a hasher way. Remember waco? Tank was sent there to smash the village. Tibetan riot was killing and set fire everywhere. That have to be stopped. Any other government would do more than Chinese government to stop the riot. All I complain is they did not stop riot more forcelly.

Tobet is aggressor in 3/14. They killed peoples, set fires, hurt hundreds regular peoples, smash schools, smash stores, destroy banks? Now western media portrait Tibetan as victim? There used to be double standard in western media. However, I have never imaged media and reporters could be so biased and so nasty.

"The war in Iraq is indeed unjustified but 9/11 happened before and had a profound influence on the American psyche." If you think a few tens terrorists hurt NYC, then US has the right to bomb Iraq, then it would be the end of the world. Nazy could easily find example where germany was hurt by poland, france, etc. and the use that as excuse to attack other European country. Do you think Adolf Hitler's war is justified? tell me!

Media serve only their own country. Currently western media serve only westerner. So, whatever you heard is biased towards westerner's interest. That's simple enough, I understand that. However, I feel sorry you did not understand that simple point, poor no brainers!

@chan38kim - Well, I'm sure you will win your critics over with charm like that!  I'll freely admit that I don't have 2,000 years and 20 languages of history at my fingertips.  Certainly, I'm using only a few dozen sources for news in only two languages, and not the many more you use.  I'm but a humble student eager to hear from your deep well of knowledge.  Perhaps you would grace me with some answers to these questions:

While Tibet was historically part of China in different ways, shapes and forms, historically China has allowed Tibet to retain its distinct culture, religion, and a high degree of autonomy on internal matters.  Looking in modern times, say since 1950:

Would you say that the Chinese government has allowed (in accordance with the 1951 Seventeen Point Agreement) Tibetans to exercise national regional autonomy? 

Has the Chinese government allowed the Tibetan Buddhist religion to maintain its status, functions and powers? 

Has the "reform" and development that has taken place in Tibet since that time been free of compulsion from the central Chinese government?

I don't have any bone to pick about Tibet being a part of China.  My concern is whether China will respect the rights of the Tibetan people as it agreed to in 1951.

As for your question about US overseas military presence, nice attempt at diversion, but that really doesn't have anything to do with this discussion on Tibet, now does it? 

@christao408 - Thank You Christao as far as Chan kim said about him or her being an American his Grammar would lead me to believe otherwise ( not that im being mean or anything but I can tell ) I feel for him saying we are brainwashed he or she seems to be "suffering " from the brainwashing symptom that we all have been "supposedly "infected with . with people like him or her who have no respect for the other point or wont even bother examining the other side they are worse than "us" who seem to be totally against China. I wont hide my dislike for China's government I think the people should rally and take back whats theirs . I know that talk is cheap but its once again just my opinion . Anyone who backs N Korea is just as bad as them. Chan kim you have proven that you are as unforgiving as the people who you seem to be against . Oh and why would China ever need to send its army anywhere else ? It doesnt defend anyone other than itself which is so sad considering how great the country ( not the Government) is . I know America isnt perfect but at least we have an outlet we can be free . No worries about gay hating , internet watching ,free speech, Communist government Looking at every breath we take. Read up on the horror stories of citizens in China who dont give full names in fear of govt. retaliation. I rest my case . I pray one day that China can be free of its oppressing government  and live the freedom that we have been blessed with . Chan kim i hope one day you can fully see the truth and please if you respond please dont make this a blame game and call us all ignorant .Its hypocrism on your end I. end this with an educated respect for the protesters.

P.S sorry for making this a big soap opera Tony LoL .

Thanks all for the passionated debate. I put together a new post, that might further elaborate some of my points and answer some questions.