In 6 days the 2008 Olympics will begin. Like other Olympic events in the past this one has started with controversy. The biggest being the Tibetan riots which has reminded the world about Chinese human rights abuse against the Tibetans and other Chinese. Another controversy is the Chinese restrictions on journalist. The government of China promised to allow journalist more freedom to cover the Olympics as one of the conditions for being granted the right to hold the games. But now that China has secured the games, their government has forgotten it's promise and is doing everything it can to monitor and control the foreign journalist. Hardly the actions of an open society.

So if you agree that China should be held accountable for their actions then maybe you can do your small part. Turn off your TV on August 8th and go outside. Let this opening ceremony be the least watched of any. By doing this we can remind the Chinese government that if they want to participate in an open world of free markets, then you must also allow the flow of free ideas, Anything else will leave you isolated.

 - Thomas Paine 2

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