govenor, you're right on once again. are you sure you're not really a democrat?
we'd love to have you on our side...

While it is true that boycotting the opening ceremonies would be a mostly symbolic rather than tangible form of protest, I think Gov. Huntsman's comments demonstrate why China will never loosen its grip on Tibet, Taiwan, and a host of other provinces that desire independence or greater autonomy: they suffer no tangible consequences from their oppressive actions. It is painful to say, but Nancy Pelosi was right to point out that if free nations do not stand up for oppressed people in Tibet they lose all credibility to speak out against oppression anywhere. Will China change its oppressive policies because a bunch of protestors in various cities make the torch relay difficult? To China that must feel like a gnat bite. Now, if the U.S. threatened to revoke most favored nation trade status unless Tibet is freed, then we might see a change in Chinese thinking. Or if the EU threatened to curtail its trade with China, or our allied oil-producing nations threatened to reduce oil supplies to China's burgeoning automobile addiction, we might see change. Protesting a torch will not light a fire of true change under Chinese leadership.

A Utah Republican governor coming out against, global warming and China's oppression of the Tibetan people? If he gets anymore reasonable we may have to claim him as a liberal!

What happened to my right to peacefully stand and cheer as the torch passes by?

You have the right to cheer the torch if you want to. Do you know that the torch isn't an ancient Olympic tradition, but was invented by the Nazis for the 1936 Olympics? There is a great article online (BBC) called "The Olympic torch's shadowy past", put that in a search engine to find it. Bravo to the Governor once again. This is as much about freeing China from the CCP - the Chinese on free Taiwan have been some of the Tibetans' strongest supporters. If we don't support the Dalai Lama's non-violent Middle Way approach to a successful resolution, by default violence and terror become the only alternative.

We are all liberal by nature. The governor is good example of this.

Too bad the lunatic, divisionaries (aka conservatives) can't break through the wall they've created for themselves and see we are put here to serve all sentient beings the best way we can.

But they're too locked into their "We are #1!" "We are more moral!""We are conservatives!" meaningless nonsense.

China holds $500 billion in US treasury securities. About all we can do is whine and complain but the fact is, they hold all of the cards and will do as they please. All we can do is stand by, watch and stomp our feet in mock outrage.

Go ahead and cheer. Consider though, that under a communist regime like China's, you wouldn't have that right. Don't you think the protest holds at least a little merit? Especially since China callously murdered somewhere between twenty and a hundred Tibetan protesters last month, who were trying to petition for rights like the one you are advocating. You have to consider that the securing of rights has always meant conflict. I think that it is arrogant of China to treat Tibet and its own citizens the way it does, and then expect to parade around the globe with a torch expecting that everything is going to be hunky dory. Kudo's to London and Paris and San Francisco for requiring some accountability on the part of China.

Isn't the figure over one trillion dollars? Still, your point is right.

Yes, Craig, that will be all we can do until we are at war with them...and then we can all ask ourselves were all the cheap plastic collectibles and holiday decorations and electronic gadgets worth the ultimate cost?

A policy of engagement is the right way to go if we want to bring about change in a foreign country.

Why don't we use a policy of engagement to bring about change in a country like Cuba? Engagement changes things much faster than isolation.

Way to go, Governor Huntsman! I can't for the life of me understand how the Olympic committee chose China to host the games anyway. With the lack of true freedom there is in that country, it seems unreasonable.

Every country has its chance at being #1.
All prosper for a while
All are replaced by another country.
It appears that China is the new emerging power in the world.
Why not just accept this fact?

Why tarnish the Olympics? Why didn't anyone seem to care about Tibet until the Olympics were given to China? Now that there's a forum, NOW people will come out of the woodwork who were too lazy before to create their own forum. Sure, protest China all you want; I agree with you. But leave the Olympics out of it.

I can't wait for Doug Wright to explain why Jon Huntsman, Jr.'s protest against China's atrocities while running the U.S. Commerce Department's Asian Affairs Bureau is laudable, while former SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson's participation in anti-war protests during visits by George W. Bush is deplorable.

No, Governor, the GAMES focus on the athletes, the opening ceremony is the chance for the host country to show off. A protest of the opening ceremony may be the best way to engage the Chinese; you have to get their attention before you can engage them, and they've ignored everything else.

The Governor has analyzed the hard facts regarding the Communist Chinese Government's brutal force in Tibet, from which he has made this statement. Thank you. I urge the rest of the people of the world to research and analyze Tibet's situation for YOURSELVES. The Chinese Government cannot be allowed to continue to kill multitudes of innocent Tibetans and forcefully abuse ANY human dignity they possess. The Tibetan people led by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama are merely asking for what BELONGED to the people of Tibet, A distinct and unique culture embedded in the religion of the country, Tibetan Buddhism. United States, Europe along with other countries of the world, together we will stop the cultural genocide, brutality, communist regime of China not only in Tibet but Everywhere! Yes, China is continuously gaining economic power in the world but it's like a fish in the ocean. Without WATER (rest of the world) the FISH (China) WILL NOT SURVIVE. My deepest condolences to families of over hundreds killed in Tibet over the recent weeks, and Kudos to those risking lives protesting, helping spread the truth about China's wrong doings! Tibet, May You Be Redeemed Someday Soon! I love You!

It's laughable to see liberals wallowing in their self-aggrandized view of themselves as the only true champions of freedom.

Conservatives care just as much, if not more so, than liberals, about the people of Tibet.

That concern, unfortunately, for most liberals and conservatives alike amounts to little more than sympathy, which is why boycotts and government-declared sanctions won't accomplish anything with the Chinese.

If the American public was truly as concerned with conditions in Tibet as the media would like us to believe, then we would all stop buying any Chinese-made goods. That will never happen. The vast majority of Americans are far more concerned with the price they have to pay for something, than they are with where it was made.

Engaging the Chinese in open dialog is much more likely to produce real change.

Boycotting Chinese goods would be ideal but yes the reality of that is slim, especially since almost everything in the US is made in China. But Boycotting the Olympics opening ceremony is a definite possibility. We all agree the olympics is for the good of the game, players, etc.etc. but the fact that its taking place under the bloodwork of the Chinese government where Tibetans or even Chinese don't have any Human Rights! Boycott the opening ceremony!! Allow free access to all MEDIA in Beijing and Tibet!!! Open dialogue with Tibetan Government!! No Olympic torch through Tibet/ Everest!!

It's a hoot to see conservatives claiming "right is right" on everything under the sun.

These fools really DO believe everything Rush O'Hannity is telling them.

Thank God for the inevitable and the natural.

Thank God for change.

I guess Governor Huntsman has decided that he does not ever want to be the Ambassador to China, unless China decides that free speech and dissent are inalieable human rights that belong to all citizens of the world.

Free Tibet (tovd). China is last resort of Communism. (hopefully Cuba will free after Castro). I prefer boycott the game but it will be unfair to thousands athletes who waited 4 years. God bless free country.

I am trying to think what U.S.president in the late 90's pushed wholeheartly for the olympics to be held in communist china.could it have been bubba??nooooooooooo!!!!!!!chairman mao is in the guinness book of records as being the most brutal of mass murderer in the entire history of the world!!!!!!!!!!he elimated over fifty million of his own countrymen.hitler,take a back seat,nowhere close.don't believe me????check guinness.

I get the biggest kick out of the conservatives always whining about the communists.

How quickly they forget about the Vietnam War that was supposed to stop the spread of communism. After 10 bitterly and bloody divisive years we pulled out.

Today the U.S. and Vietnam are trading partners.
And guess what? Vietnam STILL has a communist government.

When are the neocons going to figure things out?

I don't agree with China's politics, but I don't support those who Protest the Olympic Flame and Torch, that is UNAMERICAN and AND WORLD PEACE AND UNITY! Protest China if you want, but don't do it at sporting events "ie: China's Soccer Team or Olympic Torch" Grow UP! The problem with Tibet has been there since the 70's and NOW you want to PROTEST? Why not before? GET A LIFE!

I applaud the protestors. Now is the window of opportunity to get noticed and for the Chinese government to count their losses. The Chinese government will want to portray themselves as peaceful to the rest of the world and might give the Tibetans freedom. I strongly think that Taiwan should take a similar stand and push for their freedom too. It only makes sense. Taiwan and Tibet should be separate from China. Go Huntsman!