Protesters who want the China Olympics boycotted may be out in force during the only scheduled stop of the Olympic Torch in North America, in San Francisco on April 9.
China needs to know the free world disapproves not only of its recent assaults on the Tibetan people but also of the countless abuses of human rights that occur daily inside the communist nation with capitalist appetites.
The Olympics never should have been awarded to Beijing. A boycott by only some countries, though, wouldn't hurt China as much as it would the athletes who have diligently prepared for this once-every-four-years opportunity.
That doesn't mean Americans shouldn't express displeasure with China. Orderly protests should be allowed. China needs to know U.S. participation in the Games doesn't mean this nation's people approve of its brutal attacks on Tibetans.
The Tibetans are using the attention being placed on China as the Olympics approaches to press their case for greater freedom for their Himalayan territory. Buddhist monks have led protests, and China has responded militarily. At least 140 people have been killed.
President Bush recently asked Chinese leader Hu Jintao to meet with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. Effective diplomatic tools, rather than an Olympic boycott, are more likely to motivate China to negotiate.