"I don't think they believe that China's conflict with Tibet is serious enough that we should boycott" or get involved in disrupting the torch relay, Jones said. "People get tired of international demonstrations."

This is shameful. Monks protesting for the freedom of their country from the Communist regime were brutally murdered by the state as recently as a couple of months ago. What sporting event is more important than their lives? Than their freedom to think, speak and worship as they please. Shame on that 68 percent that oppose the protests.

I recently returned from a short trip to New York City, where I saw protesters demonstrating outside the Chinese consulate. These people, who are fortunate enough to live in a free country are desperately trying to fight for freedom in their homeland, for their families. I think at the heart of the opposition in Utah to their cause is selfishness and racism. For all the talk about freedom and equality LDS church members (of which I am one) spout, none of that matters when it comes to people in a distant, misunderstood land. It's more important that Bush gets to wave at the crowd at the opening ceremonies.

Not all Utah people oppose these protests. Some don't think they went far enough. Stop the torch, let the Chinese know we don't like them or their policies. Get the US to boycott everything the Chinese Communists have, own or make... just like we do CUBA. Hypocricy is the US dealing with China while boycotting Cuba. But hypocracy is just another name for politician.

I totally detest a nation that treats others the way China does. Why shouldn't I? They have no business getting the bid to hold them in the first place. Who cares about China? It's just another form of terrorism, so I believe we need to worry about relations with honorable countries and tune out terrorism.

One thing many people don't realize are that the main reason protests are directed at the torch relay is that it is being run through Tibet, where the people have been resisting brutal repression by largely non-violent means for decades. Another thing many people don't realize is that the torch isn't an ancient tradition - it was created for the 1936 Nazi Olympics for propaganda then too. The BBC had an excellent article you can search for called the `Olympic Torch's Shadowy Past.'

WWW: Wow, Walker is a Wimp...

You cannot compare the two Olympics and the world events. On one hand, you had Utah blowing it until Mitt came along and everyone got on board, so to speak. You had 911, which united good people everywhere.

No one was watching Tibet get mugged, raped, and pillaged. No one was looking at the films of the Chinese army murdering North Koreans they had caught fleeing North Korea. No one had seen the film yet of Christians being hounded. No one had heard the argument by the Chinese govt. that the Catholic rep. in China was to pay homage to Peiping and not to Rome. And everyone heard and saw Peiping's answer to it all: ignore them, it will go away.

Walker must be good, very good, at his job. He can spin coal into fine garments.

I wonder how he sleeps at night?

Shadow has seen the films, and talked to Tibetans.

China host the Olympic so even though I may disagree with civil rights issue in that country, why not let the Olympic Torch go on its merry way undisturbed? Also for the sake of the athletes who have worked so hard to compete, allow the Olympic Games to proceed with no distractions. That's my opinion...

The reason that Utahns don't like the protests is that anything adventurous and independent has been bred out of them. Respect the boss-man is the credo here.

They weren't talking to. I vehemently oppose China. Sorry if that offends.

It is appalling that my fellow Utahans would disagree in having Olympic torch protest in support of oppressed people of Tibet and within China. If Utahans just reasearched the facts concerning how the Tibetians were brutually slaughered during the Chinaese Communist 1959 invasion in Tibet, the continous China government denial of basic human rights of all Chinaese and Tibetian citizens, they would and should be supporttive of the oppressed people mentioned. Using the torch relay is an excellent venue to give a strong message to China to follow through on their commitments in improving human rights polcies which they declared as a pretext in having the Oylmpics. But yet they are doing the opposite being more brutually oppressive of their people. Let it be known the torch protest is working now that the China government will meet with Dalai Lama representatives. To my Utah friends , do your home work such reading reports of Amnesty International and US State Department concerning China government brutality of its citizens. As a member of the LDS Church I have a moral obligation to be in solidarity of poeple who are denied basic freedoms through out the world.

Mormons for Equality and Social Justice

I think that using the Olympic torch route as a way to protest Tibetan independence or any other issues in China is effective and smart. If you look at the history of China, has there been a more ideal time than now where government officials are trying to put forth their best face for the international community? The Chinese government is paying extreme attention to each leg of the Olympic torch route. It is the perfect time for protestors to voice their disapproval towards government policies. China will want to show that they are modern, open and transparent, and not the bad guy that everyone makes them out to be. They might just change some policies because of the protests. I support the protestors along the route and say,"Bravo, great strategy."

An Energy Solutions talking head parroting about unity at all costs and against dissent? What a surprise.

Utah, you should be ashamed of your arrogant aquiescence to communist domination and human rights abuses...but I guess as long as the flashy Christmas goodies and cheap electronics keep coming from mainland China you're willing to sacrifice a few heathens here and there.

I don't want any protests about the Olympics. Separate protests about China should not tie to the Olympics.

The news needs to show both sides of the rock throwing Tibet protests. That said, I think China should have democratic elections, have freedom of religion (more than they have) and let Taiwan and Tibet go. Of course, there are a billion people over there and it they all decide for that to happen, the government will not be able to stay in power. China, in my opinion, will not exist as it is in 5 years.

Does this really surprise anyone? Just look at Utah. A state where all little boys and girls do what they're told to do, and think what they're told to think. Oh, they deny it of course, but everyone who's lived in Utah know how things are. Do people in Utah even think? Do they realize that China has a terrible record on human rights. That they invaded and occupied Tibet without justification? Maybe people from Utah would be better off with a government like China has.....a communist government by the way for those Utah people who actually read the news and take time to inform themselves. Then the good Utah people could keep doing what they're told, thinking what they're told to think, and they wouldn't have to worry about the bad things in life like dissent, human rights, protest, or being free.

Political Protests Have NO PLACE in the Olympic Games, PERIOD! It is not what the games were designed to be about. They were designed to bring the world together, not separate each other. I strongly disagree with any protests at "SPORTING" events or other Non-Political Events!

Not THIS Utahn! I absolutely support the protests and oppose what the Communist Chinese government is doing in Tibet!

Glad you finally brought in the LDS church. What would life be like in Utah if someone wasn't taking a shot at the "dominant religion?" We, those who respect our church leader, are grateful to be sheep of our Sheperd, Jesus Christ. Calling us sheep is a compliment. That has nothing to do with civil disobedience or demonstrating. China should not be allowed a free ride in the world arena as long as they are a repressive regime with no religious or ethnic tolerance. We should make our voices heard.

I very much agree with Utahns and authority. The Sheeple of Utah always support the actions of authority no matter how egregious. They are the most proud and spineless citizenry in all the nation.

The Sheeple of Utah want so much to be loved by a world that hates them anyway. They are much too hypersensitive about their own image than to be concerned with such trivial matters as the basic civil rights of lowly Tibetans.

So you place more importance on games than on human rights, and the basic American rights of free speech, protest, and dissent. Ever hear the term "bread and circus"? It applies to your post.

Why "Utahns" oppose torch protest? Why not "many" or even "most" of those surveyed?

I fully support the protests and the boycotts---though I'd rather the Olympics never have been awarded to China in the first place. I'm ASHAMED that China is a favored trading partner of the US.

I'm a Utahn and I support the torch protests and I will personally boycott this Olympics.

Population sampling is a joke and is cheap journalism.

I'd be interested to see the exact questions that the poll asked the survey respondents. The lack of their reprinting here makes me suspicious of the poll itself. Most of the people here in Utah I have spoken with are very in favor of the protests. Killing Tibetan monks? What governmental action could be more heinous? I fully support a complete Olympic ban. I personally will not buy any products made by companies supporting the Olympics.

Interesting survey. I wonder what percentage of Utahns know where Tibet is, and what percentage of Utahns know about what China has done to the indigenous Tibetan people. Now if there was an Ensign article about Tibet or a general conference talk condemning China's actions then I'm guessing more Utahns would support the Olympic torch demonstrations.

This is hardly surprising. Most Utahans are taught to only follow and never question.

Utahans made a deal with evil. They were wiling to risk being known as being moral people by joining in on Olympic corruption to get the Winter Games. This is done with the goal of looking more mainstream.

How, Utahans must abide by their contract with evil.

This is a old story. Read Goethe's Faust.

Who commissioned this study?

Where did the 404 survey participant come from? China?

No way 60% of real Utahns approved China's actions in Tibet!

I think this survey has a 100% margin for error.

So much for Dan Jones' surveys!

"Utahns oppose Olympic torch protests"

Pretty broad statement isn't it? I applaud anybody who protests the Olympics as long as they are in places like China.

And to those who say "Leave sports and politics separate"...has there been a better time to show the world the horrific regime that controls China and places like Tibet? Anything this global is inherently political in and of itself.

Fire whoever thought China was a suitable location. Maybe in four years we can have them in Iran or North Korea.

I would be much more proud of our state if your headline stated "Utahns lead Olympic torch protests". Now that would say something about our integrity as a state.

Human Rights > A sporting event (independent of size or grandeur).

I was not polled but I would have voted FOR these demonstrations. I just wish they could be free of harm to anyone except the Chinese Government--then I wish it was a tidal wave of damage. There is no other way to register with this oppressive government. They turn deaf ears to complaints or concerns voiced from counties outside China (except Tibe-- where they use their usual 'effective silencing treatments' ie: Imprisonment, torture or death. If the Chinese are so almighty concerned about their dear Olympics, then they should GET OUT OF TIBET TODAY. It would be the best PR movement ever made!!! The Torch would be cheered all the way to Olympic Stadium.

I disagree entirely with "the majority" interviewed for this poll. In fact, using the Olympics as a stage to protest China's human rights violations is an EXCELLENT idea.

Ultimately, the games are about the athletes, and we honor those athletes who compete in this game. But there's nothing that says the games must be EXCLUSIVELY about the athletes. That's never been the case. For many years the games have also been about the sponsors. Think of how Visa has used the games to expand it's international presence.

Due to the USAs unfortunate economic reliance on China, we are pretty weak when it comese to calling China out for its civil rights violations. The abuse that China heaps upon its citizens (not to mention those of Tibe) is cause for serious international concern. The games provide a way for the world to get some leverage with China in a way that is otherwise impossible. To miss this opportunity to chastise China for its egregious human rights abuses would be a sin.

As earth evolves in to the Chinese Century, I hope the Chinese learn to be kinder masters.

I am LDS, I refuse party affiliation and my actions don't follow parties either. I vote on those who have the true moral principals of old.

I am not a tricked person by greed, business, doctors, lawyers, etc. I am in an elite class of intelligence and I don't need to disguise it with tact and social kindness.

With that said I would give one simple statement to end all others.

Does a game allow room for ignoring your opponents actions outside the game?

Would you play pool with Hitler? I would not.

Does God think that the Olympic Games is worth more than the lives of those whom China has crushed and will continue? No!

There are those who think only of other people and fairness and good things. Others are lazy. Others attack which is good.

What China is doing is not good, I do not seek good things. I will seek to take down which is bad and China deserves no Olympics and Tibet deserves freedom.

I wouldn't blow the torch out, but I wouldn't support China.

Peaceful protesting comes from a Utah here. I am Utahans and MANY of us give Tibet our moral support.

As A member of the LDS Church I support peaceful solutions to all conflicts, because I am LDS the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, which means Jesus Christ is the head of our Church although we do also have a prophet in this temporal world> Christ was a passionate man , the son of God and the son of man , he protested in the temple by throwing the moneychangers out of His House on their ears He was violent about it they made a mockery of Gods House. I am not a Tibetan Buddhist however I do not think That Jesus would agree with their persecution, I think the olympic games are not as important as following the teachings of Christ therefore we should boycott the Olympics and not support China because of their human rights abuses, we should support peace and right things follow a right path, follow Christ Jesus , our lord and redeemer.

I think the Chinese government needs to know that we as a people oppose their policies which cause our bretthren in Tibet to suffer. They all need to love one another! The great message brought by Christ!

Who really cares about the olympics anyway. All it is is professional athletes, NBA, World Cup Soccer, etc. We rob the true raw talent of those that have worked hard with no compensation whatsoever. It is not the athletes we can blame, but rather the Olympic Committee. Shame on them. Shame on the President for going, but then again Bush has brought this country down anyway, he might as well go to bed with the Devil. I think the article is wrong to say Utahans or even refer to those LDS and call us spinless. I vehemetly oppose this. China is the primary violator for animal and human rights all across Asia, Tibet, North Korea, Malasia, etc. They will put out the welcome mat with limited areas to travel, then when it is all over shred the mat and continue to perform its abusive practices.

ok- so the war in Iraq that freed the Iraqi people from a horrible oppressor (S Hussein) was wrong but we should go to war to with China to free Tibet? That makes sense.
I have no interest in summer or winter olympics- I think they're both incredibly boring and way overhyped
... but if we're going to have them anyway why do they have to be politicized?
All you "free Tibet" types need to find another "hip"cause to get behind- that's a done deal and you're not going to change it

"Bread & Circus", Just ignore the games if it's an issue for you. Leave the athletes and the rest of the world to enjoy them for what they are, we will all work through Reasonable Diplomacy to work through the "Tibet Thing" which makes light now, where was it the past 60 years?

This is a misleading article. There are surveys and then there are real facts.

Surveys only get those who reply to them. There are scientific ways to survey which pull MUCH more accurate results and more so they usually include a MUCH larger audience from every aspect of Utah life; even these surveys can be very inaccurate.

Almost everyone I know is against the torch relays.

Many of the people I work with are LDS and have opinions but come out to vote only; they usually don't get much more involved in this and hate taking surveys. Most of these people I work with don't support the torch relays.

I personally wouldn't be the violent type protester but I certainly won't support a Communist countries actions just because I believe that some games are more important. This is how the Utahans I know feel who care about treating other humans with respect, not taking away their agency.

If Saddam Hussein was alive and hosting the games, how many Utahans would support it then? People are usually hypocrites who give opinions on things they don't read into enough.

Don't give Utah a bad rep because a few don't care about Tibetans.

I have to ask WHY ??????? KSL and Desnews feel the need to mold public opinion with their "survey".

I'm sure glad that nobody protested when Hitler held the 1936 Olympic Games. Boy, we are all sure proud of what Nazi Germany was able to accomplish because of all the international support of the Games.

We don't need to boycott the Olympics and disappoint the athletes and fans. Just MOVE them to a better (i.e. non-Chinese) location. It CAN be done.

Then, let's get our business leaders and politicians out of bed with the Chinese.

I think 70% of Utahns don't understand what China has done to Tibet and what a huge show of cultural and political authority over Tibet it is to run the torch through that region. We didn't force the torch through Bagdad or Kabul with a squad of elite mercenary LDS missionaries, which is basically what China is now doing.

Is the one that compplains so much about everything they have to deal with in Utah and for some reason thinks Utah is so boring and spineless, yet doens't have the sense to do something about it.

Let's see: toxic toys, toxic food, toxic pet foods. The worst human rights record on the face of the planet. Are the Chinese better than those that had to suffer from apartheid?