Torch tensions split San Francisco

Posted: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 2:40 PM

By Chris Jansing, NBC News Correspondent

SAN FRANCISCO – There's an uncharacteristic tension today in this usually laid back city.

Before dawn, demonstrators started gathering at the end point of the city’s Olympic torch relay; so did a large number of supporters of Beijing’s Olympic Games.

For all the protesters, there are many here who are just as upset that politics is being mixed with sports and that the demonstrations are spoiling what they hoped would be a celebration of their Chinese ethnic roots and the Olympic spirit.

At first glance, the scene appears festive. There are lots of American and Chinese flags, Olympic banners, and families with young children vying for a prime spot to watch the historic event.

But once you talk to people you hear the intensity of emotion on both sides and even concern among spectators who wonder if there will be trouble along the way.

One woman told me she thought twice before bringing her two young kids here, but admitted that she doesn't fully understand the international politics driving the protests. And a businessman told me he was offended that protesters wanted to "spoil our moment in the sun."

VIDEO: San Francisco braces for Olympic torch relay

Torch following a tension filled path
As a personal aside, I was lucky enough to be a torch bearer for the Atlanta Games in 1996 and the difference in atmosphere between then and now is striking. Tensions are so high here that a 14-year-old dropped out of today's run because of security concerns.

By comparison, my turn as an Olympic torch bearer was all about cheering crowds and excitement along the route. The biggest worry among torch bearers was whether our arms would tire from holding the torch aloft.

Image: A Pro-Tibet demonstrator waves a Tibetan flag on the route of the Olympic torch parade

SLIDESHOW: Torch tensions

For an event that's been intensively planned for the past nine months, there's also a tremendous amount of uncertainty. The torch is scheduled to travel along the San Francisco Bay, but the route could be adjusted mid-run.

And depending on how things go today, future plans for the torch relay could be scotched.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the body’s executive board would discuss Friday whether to end the remaining international legs of the relay after San Francisco due to widespread protest. The torch is scheduled to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to a dozen other countries before arriving in China on May 4. The Olympics begin Aug. 8.

So, stay tuned. There's a lot riding on what happens here today.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Who is behind the Free Tibet Movement??? CIA!! That a good enough answer for all of you?

Wake up America!!! Why the hell we still in Iraq???? Why are we in a recession??? Why are there so much proverty still in America???

Before you point fingers, ask why... then decide.. dont act like illiterate people in 3rd world areas or what uncle Sam wants you to believe, unless you are the RICH and Super Wealthy...

John Doe (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:46 PM)

So many people was crying out about justice for Tibetans. Where where they when 2 million were killed in Rwanda only a few years ago. The spectacular PR of Tibet and Darfur is only because the western world and the CIA wants to slow down China from it's rise. Most of the protesters are pawns of the powers that.

Cal (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:50 PM)

To Chinese supporters, they have to read history outside written outside of CPC (Communist Party of China).
Before Chinese invasion, Tibet was a buffer state between India and China, Tibet signed independent treaties with British India. The communist govt. of attacked India in 1962 after having swallowed Tibet.
There was no history of India-China fight for thousands of years, why? answer: Tibet was buffer state.
Who massacred 7000 thousand people at Tiananmen Square? answer: Communist Party of China.
Who has harvested organs and killed hundreds of thousands of Falun gong members? answer: Communist Party of China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Falun_Gong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-Indian_War

Suren, Denver, CO (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:53 PM)

China - Their shining moment in the sun. Trillion dollar gleaming exteriors, totally rotten to the core inside and bankrupt. Their hypocrisy is now on view for the whole world to see. From Darfur to African dictators to Iran to Venezuela to North Korea, they never met a despot or abuser of human rights that they don't like - in the name of oil or raw materials for their gleaming exterior. Great Job Jacques Rogge! You really know how to pick em. Now, you tell us that politics has invited itself in to the olympics - you donkey. I think that China has invited us all in to see the true China. Threatened by Monks with a picture of the Dali Lama. Obviously if that cat got out of the bag all of China would want to be free. Oops, Sorry, I forgot that they aren't supposed to be free. As an athlete, how could you want to compete in this kind of environment? How can the spirit of the games be pulled off under the cloud of opression that exists there? The protests should have started when we learned that they were even being considered as a host site. What surprises me more, is the crowd of corporate sponsors who are also involved in this. How embarassing. As embarrassing as the Chinese Army thugs who are guarding the olympic flame. I read today, 4/9/08, that China wanted to prevent all protesters from protesting. Sorry China, most of the world doesn't operate the way that you do. They, no doubt, were incredulous.

Rocky, Yorba Linda Ca (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:54 PM)

As a Chinese American, I resent the violent protests and the protesters. The feelings of the Chinese people worldwide are hurt by their actions. The Beijing game is partly for the Chinese people, and nobody has the right to take that away from us. This will have a long lasting effect on the Chinese people worldwide. And believe me, it not only will not help, but it will hurt the causes advocated by those protesters.

Kevin, Seattle, Washington (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 5:57 PM)

Demonstrate all you want - pro or con, just leave the torch and the sacred Olympic flames alone. The majority of us just want the games to begin.

Oh by the way, if you are not Chinese or Tibetan, better reserve your judgement and keep your mouth shut. Unless you want to be judged on slavery, Iraq war, Guantanamo Bay, polygamous religious nuts, ... you get the point.

Jay, Portland OR (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:00 PM)

How about if California was taken over by Canada and ruled for 50 years? How about if the Government killed people who protested the foreign rule, and put away the rest in jail? How about if Canada was very important to us as a lending nation, and we were afraid to speak out?
Now substitute China for Canada, and Tibet for California....All nations of the world should boycott the Olympics, and not give a stage to the totalitarian regime of China. If the Chinese people support this, it is no different from the support which the Japanese provided their own military aggression, or the Germans to the Nazi regime in the name of National pride....

sekhar, laligam, Seattle, Washington (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:06 PM)

Do you know Chinese occupied VietNam for thousand of years. Were VietNam a part of China? No. Same with Tibet, never a part of China!!!

In the past Vietnam, Mongolia, Tibet etc... paid China ransom every year so to be left alone. If you read history wrote by Chinese then you've been brainwashed.

Nydna SD, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:08 PM)

This world is not my world. I'm just a passing by. Thank God.

Michel G. (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:12 PM)

I think China should respect the internationally recognized McMahon Line and the treaty of 1914. Claiming Tibet to be a part of China is almost similar to Iraq (Sadam Hussein) claiming Kuwait to be its 19th province.

R Shaffer, San Antonio, TX (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:29 PM)

I work in San Francisco and live near by in the east bay. Many of you who are not from here probably don't know the city of San Francisco is running a huge budget deficit. This Olympic protest has forced the city to use massive police OT and the added costs is going to hurt. In addition the incompetent city DA Kamela Harris is under fire for taking 5.4 million dollars of federal grant money to fight illegal immigration related crime, yet was not elligble under the federal guidelines and now the money has dissapeared. San Francisco has declared itself a sanctuary ctiy and openly welcomes illegals. The city board of Supervisors have been issuing proclimations about Tibet and Iraq, yet potholes are unfilled, homelessness is a huge problem and murders and other crime is out of control. We need a real mayor and new city government. Mayor Giuliani if your available please apply immediately.

Scott Rankin (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:32 PM)

I think it is funny that all these protesters come out for the torch run. Where are they the rest of the year? I think that this cause, like many others, just provides a reason for people to protest. I would like to ask every one of them how many MADE IN CHINA items they have at home. The timing of these protests is all too clear, which leaves me to believe that the protesters could care less what goes on in Tibet the rest of the year. Oh, excuse me, all except for the weak FREE TIBET bumper stickers. Spare me.

Andy Garza, Sacramento, CA. (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:35 PM)

Please stop using 'protesters' to describe the people who are there to celebrate the event.

Helen L, Seattle, WA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:36 PM)

It is amazing the diversity of opinions.The beauty of this is we as a nation can express how we feel and not be prosecuted, imprisoned or murdered. The Tibetans and Chineese cannot !! . I will not be watching the Olympics on TV as my protest nor will I buy any of the products of any of the advertisers !!

Lars. San Francisco Ca (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:36 PM)

The Scientologists say "never defend, always attack". When you see comments like "americans killed the indians, so they can't criticize china", what they are really saying is there is no excuse or defense for china's crimes, so let's change the subject. As long as we can point to some other crime, it means ours are fine, right? Wrong. Just like the ufo-worshippers, the chinese live in an alternate reality where they can do anything they want to as long as they pretend hard enough that they are right. Don't let them get away with it. They want to use the olympics to show they are a modern, free country "just like us". Point out the truth, call them to account, don't let the lies stand.

Real Deal, Hometown, USA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:37 PM)

When I talked to a guy, who had never been to Tibet and knew nothing about Tibetan and Chinese history but was brazen enough to call for Tibet independence.
What a joke! What he should know is that Dalai Lama was a slave owner and all those followed him to exile were slave owners. The majority of the Tibetans ruled by Dalai Lama before 1950s were slaves. So, talking about human rights, Tibetans are much better off now than before, of course, except those Tibetans in exile who don't have slaves to rule any more.

jeremy, Denver, co (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:39 PM)

I don't believe that Darfur has oil, because Darfur is a wasteland. The government of Sudan never gave aid to Darfur. There is no improvement in life what so ever and the people barely survive in their villages due to droughts and raids. If Darfur has oil, it could be devasting, because the money could be the motivation for the government of Sudan to finished off the people of Darfur as we speak.

dodo (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:40 PM)

I came to US several years ago from China with the hope of living in a place with more integrity. However I found I'm totally wrong. The mainstream media here is so biased when coming to the topic of any country other than US. People here talking about Tibet being invaded by China and Tibet people being abused by Chinese government can't even point out where Tibet is located on the map. A lot of people here are totally brain washed and lost the thinking power at all. People in China never believe in Chinese media because they know the media is lying most of the time. People in US always believe in US media because they don't use their brain power at all. Please ask yourself some questions before you pointing your finger. Have you ever been to China? Have you ever been to Tibet which had been part of China since centries ago? Do you know Tibet was a slavery society before? And are you in the position of commenting on China issue if you are ignorant of China?

James Y. (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:40 PM)

Over 600,000 innocent Iraqi poeple have been killed by a country's invation for a very straight reson of oil we all know and this country enjoy the "human rights" very much.

David,Seattle (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 6:57 PM)

There is more going on in China than Tibet. If a nation is violating human rights, they should not be given a reward for bad actions. Should China be given kudos for exporting toxic goods that will harm our children? Should they be given a pat on the back for exporting food that sickens our pets or even ourselves? Should China be given high praise for importing Saint Bernard dogs as livestock to be eaten? Should China be rewarded for employing political prisoners as slave labor?

I do wish my fellow citizens would pay attention to the news and current events (I get so tired of my fellow citizen’s arrogance and ignorance of the world, this is why we have such a bad reputation in the world). Please read the news and comprehend what you are reading.

Donna A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 7:02 PM)

1. America is acting like they have never done anything wrong to minorities.
2. China has changed dramatically in the past century, in the past decade, in the past year. The Chinese are often stereotyped as heavy- handed rulers. If you have never been to China, you will see the complete opposite. The people are friendly, sincere, and they truly mean well. China is about discipline and respect because the Chinese have been economically oppressed by europeans for ages. If they did not "strengthen" up, they would have been imperialized.
3. Tibetans are acting like the angels. They attacked the Han Chinese, burning them alive as well as their homes. Just because they are religious does not mean that they are not violent.
4. Thanks to China, the Tibetans are much wealthier today.
5. The Tibetans have always been under China's rule. That is why they have never been recognized as a separate country. If so much people want to "free the Tibetans" they should have done it a long time ago.
6. China is a superpower. We have to be honest. We depend on them too much. We owe them money, and we need their imports. The United States is using this controversy to try to gain the upper hand again.
7.This is about a world tradition. This is about our athletes who have trained so hard for this. Not politics.
8. I've been reading the paper and watching the years for a while now, and not once have I seen or heard the Pro Chinese side of the story. America does not censor media, they just show what they want people to see.
9. It all comes down to discrimination. If it was the the motherland UK doing this to Tibet, I bet there will be hushed reports.
10. If America wants to help out, keep out of everyone else's business!

Cheyenne (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 7:07 PM)

China has invaded and occupied Tibet, and tortured and killed its citizens. There are few ways to protest, thus the disruption today. I'd say the protesters got their point across.

Kris Stephens, San Anselmo, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 7:20 PM)

before you judge the people of tibet won't you first think :: : how would you like to live under the dictatorship of china????

mona ke awaz, San Francisco , CA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:05 PM)

China has killed around 1.2 million Tibetans. I think every caring people would agree that Chinese people have no right to attack peace loving Tibetans whom never mass murdered CHinese people like they have to TIbetans. I pray one day CHInese people become caring and reasonable people. Save Tibet! Justice to all people.

Ngawang (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:08 PM)

Ngawang (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:10 PM)

The people support the Tibetan riot are as much ignorant as like the people supporting the War in Iraq.

Sandy, San Diego (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:14 PM)

Free Navaho Nation! Free North Ireland!

Charles, San Jose, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:25 PM)

If whom love freedom of speech, freedom of religious, freedom of execerise their thought, freedom for media... Then they are an idiot if they support China in any way. In USA, you could can say before you think, but China is reverse.

Dan, (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:29 PM)

Do any body knows that Tibet became part of China on the 13th century? It is 800 years ago. It is ignorant of Americans who depend their opinions on their ignorance of world histroy.

Please go to find a fair histroy book of Tibet to read. I am also surprised that the media has been twisting the history in the past 58 years saying that China invaded Tibet in 1950. Who owned Tibet before 1950? It was Chinese dynasties and Chinese KMT who fled to Taiwan in 1949. And Tibet didn't declare independence from China before 1950. The communists took every part of China from KMT in the Civil War including Tibet which was part of China legally then.

UN didn't say China invaded Tibet in 1950,right?

MJ,Shandong,China (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 8:50 PM)

How many innocent people our troops have killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? For "democracy" in those countries? Sounds too funny to me.

The China-bashing effort, in the name of Tibetan, Darfur, or Burma, or XYZ, is doom to fail. The reason is that those bashing effort all have evil hidden self-interest behind.

Dennis, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:07 PM)

If people think they know what's going on based on what you see on TV, then you are making a big mistake.

This is the best statement yet Mike W. Those in power only tell us what they want us to believe.

Rix, USA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:24 PM)

Politics is not only dirty, it is VERY VERY DIRTY !!!
It mess up with anything it is in contact with including justice.

Albert , Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:28 PM)

"Let the Chinese take care of their own problems. They didnt ask you for any help.
Indian, Toronto"

Another hypocrite - living in a white country and then blaming them. What have YOU done about the natives in Canada who are suffering from Drug abuse. I bet nothing!! Because you don't care. What have you done about Darfur or India as you call yourself. get a life. Note I am not white

myname is joker (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:38 PM)

UN does not recognize Tibet as a country because the evil "Dragon" threaten to eat her alive. If we have killed this "Deagon" million of lives will be saved world wide, and certainly UN will recognize Tibet. Maybe the "Sun" need to be resurected to stop the "Dragon".

Smith, Toronto (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:53 PM)

Hosting Olympics is very symbolic of a strong and modern China. I don't understand why western media want to use every oppertunity to make sure the Chinese people will not enjoy this glory moment in history. I understand you don't want to see people suffer. But suffering of the Chinese people of Western Colonial powers for 100 years is not suffering worth considering. Why Chinese people have to continue suffering until this day? If you don't want to consider the feeling of Chinese people, why should China listen to you?

Yang Qing from PA (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:56 PM)

A good judgement is based on truth, if you don't know history of Tibet and have not gone there by yourself, just follow up with the biased media, you are wrong and misled. Everyone has its right to voice their thoughts,but you should interupt the rights that those who want to participate the torch relay event. It seems most poeple are jealous at the booming of an old country,just with emotion.

Jason, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:18 PM)

Tibet was never a part of China. It is a buddhist culture with it's roots in India. Tibet was invaded by China in the 1950's and then in typical communist fashion lies were fabricatd that Tibet was somehoe "historically" part of China.

China's problems are two fold.

1) Intolerance of diversity : The Chinese govt tries to over run places of ethnic diversity with han population.

2) Expansionsim: China fabricates historical things that can't be verified to justify territory . It claims Arunachal Pradesh in India , Aksai Chin in Kashmir and Tibet are examples of communist exapansionism.

Vikramjit Singh, New Delhi , India (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:30 PM)

One day the Chinese government will decay from within. The Tibetans aren't the only people the Maoists oppress. Other Chinese are also oppressed and "brainwashed" (this is the same general type of situation as was in Soviet Russia when even as one was executed, he or she would shout praises to Stalin.)

The Chinese government is so oppressive of others' views that eventually, people in the Chinese government will try to oppress each other and the Chinese government will be divided and will decay from within. So if the Chinese government stops oppressing Tibet and other Chinese, people within the Chinese government will not oppress each other and will not be divided. But the Chinese government is a tyrannical regime, so China will be divided and China will fall.

Vikram (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:32 PM)

For those who felt so strongly about Tibet, I urge all of you to read all you know about the history of Tibet. I am against communism but ever more against feudalism. Do you know before the communist abolish the unequal rights in Tibet, there are slavery there. Dalai Lama owe slaves...his people was his slaves! Women must accept polygamy as a custom behaviour..

For the supporters of Tibet, I urge that you have a prolong stay in that place, which is average 3000m above sea level, where the air is thin and high latitude..maybe then you would wonder why China even bother to develop that place? You mean for the scenaries?

John Tay, Singapore (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 11:26 PM)

My heart goes out for the Tibetans. Sympathy for others who had their memorable celebration spoiled. Our freedom of speech is often excercised by those who are most ignorant and know little of world politics. I will make this whole thing simple. For Tibet to have its independence would be like one of our states claiming its independence from the United States. Not going to happen.

ryan, cupertino, ca (Sent Wednesday, April 09, 2008 11:43 PM)

China, and its supporters and loyal fans must realize that being awarded the Olympic Games inherently thrusts it in opus of the world's public eye. To deny this is ignorant. To chastise the rest of the world to back off criticism is parallel to what the Chinese have perpetrated for centuries; which is doing what it wants to remain secure while shutting out world opinion & ideology, and condemning / punishing critics from within. It cannot sustain, nor does it deserve, a cake and eating it too.

Rick R. (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:02 AM)

Kudos to the protesters for their cause is a just one. History is rife with genocide and ethnic cleansings and I'm pleased to see the world community actually taking a progressive stance on the Tibet issue. It's about time the rest of the world stood up to China about the atrocities they are committing in Tibet.

Frank, Losa Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:06 AM)

For all of you saying that Tibetans are suffering more than they were before Dalai left - PLEASE - go to Tibet and look around. Find some evidence and see how people there live under Dalai's reign. How could it be better when the slaves' skulls were cut off and made into bowls, be it for holding lamp oil or whatnot.

Xi Xie, Painted Post, NY (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:08 AM)

Come on, guys. You published someone that puts their name as 'xxxx'. Forget i read or contributed to a farce that disavows accountability. Last time i checked, an invisible opinion was supposed to be mute, or at least inane enough for those with principles to not publicize.

Rick R. (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:09 AM)

Even if a few tibetans feel oppressed by Chinese government, does that mean they have the right to be as violent as they can be and attack innocent people(Chinese and Tibetan alike) in Lhasa? Does that mean they can create violent protests around the globe and even vigorously attacked a handicapped girl in olympics relay in Paris? If this is the case, then 911 attack should be ok since Bin ladens truly feel they are oppressed by US government.
Media are so obsessed with so called "human rights abuses in tibet" that they remain extremely silent about the violent protestors.
Shame on you.

jade, ny (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:18 AM)

It is my humble opinion from the boondocks of Wyoming that who gives a flying leep about Tibet? I mean lets take a step back and look at our own country, highschool students that read at subpar levels, ie grammar school, violence , and our own forms of oppression, look at whats going on in our own country. Lets start to fix it first before we go on to others. Every day I see television ads for programs to build better schools in other countries, why not focus on America? Is it because there is no A-list celebrity wanting to change our nation... stop and think... America first then the rest of the world when we are done sorting out our own problems...

Gary Linton T-town Wyoming (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:19 AM)

it's highway robbery by Dalai Lama if Tibet goes to his hand and rule. Wait a minute, is he not a religious leader. He never improved the Tibetan lives back then and now the above contributors said the cheapest if Tibetan life.

In the ancient days, Dalai Lama went to the Chinese emperor's court. Modern day Dalai came to the USofA and Europe, and acts as Guru to the Hollywood stars.

Now poor chinese peoples don't even have the human rights of enjoying the Olympics without these blatant harrassment from lobbyists --downright terrorism.

ned lin, los angeles, california (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:36 AM)

hey, did you hear, Hilary R. Clinton said right away that she would not want President Bush to go to Olympic ceremony.

ha, ha She's a loser !! gross betrayal, consider so many chinese newspaper wrote in her favor.

sooo over-reactive, real bossy

don't the democrats trash the president, now they even want to move the president around like little tin soldier?

sue que, , los angeles, california (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:41 AM)

For the most part up until the Red Army invasion of Lhasa, no Chinese government exacted anything more than tribute from Lhasa. It is more than a stretch to say that Tibet is historically part of China; and even if this were the case, a Tibetan state would be justified solely to allow freedom of religion, although I beleive the Dalai Lama does not think a state is necessary to attain that end (and it has also been reported that he beleives China should host the Olympics.
I agree however that revisiting U.S. policy towards China is part of revisiting our policies in general: promoting human rights through application of principle in trade and diplomancy; supporting our unions and domestic industry; fair trade not "free trade".

James, El Sobrante, CA (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:48 AM)

It is appropriate for this olympic games to be protested. If China feels that it belongs in the great nations of the world, they have to face these challenges. There is merit to these protest and it is the right of these citizens to express their opinions. The Olympics were and will always be platforms for politics. Look at Hitler in 36, Munich in 72, Moscow in 80, and now the country that practically made Chairman Mao a god. What a series of loops the Olympics represent. From someone who killed millions of Jews to someone who killed millions of his own people. In fact the Olympics do deserve China and China the Olympics. Both are cheap and hollow without much meaning. Money and commercialism is the main goal. "Celebration of the human spirit" and "celebration of human rights", please, neither care about anything but money! I would not care if the olympics go away.Then there is human rights. China can't afford to have human rights.Human rights for 1.5 billion people?You are talking about a country where a child is killed if it was born accidentally.Having a brother or a sister is reserve for the well to do or those who know the right people. Prisoners get worked then killed and the family have to pay for the bullet(s) that was used. The point is that they rather see less people in China than more, unless those people have money of course. Don't you get it? All those Chinese who are holding their flags protesting for the homeland are here because your homeland don't want you there. Don't you get it? The reason you are here because they either kick you out or you can't live there due to economic or political hardships.But hey, all is forgiven because you are chinese and everyone with yellow skin and black hair is chinese right, like Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Tibet, etc.Oh, by the way those countries were part of China at various times.Like I said China deserves the Olympics.All those made in China products the Olympics are pushing will kill someone.

Joe D. Maryland (Sent Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:07 AM)

<< Previous

Next >>

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

More Field Notes

Recent Posts:

Archives:

Categories:

Syndicate This Site

Add Field Notes to your news reader:

ABOUT THIS BLOG