Everyone uses the Olympics as a showcase. Why should China be different, but now you want to call it political. Why shouldn't China be proud of what she has achieved in the last twenty years in many areas?

Buddhists in violent protest against unconnected people carrying a symbol of unity and hope is in very poor taste and judgement IMO.

Human Rights in China. The truth is that Human Rights have improved considerably in China. This is not the way to help that process. It may be a slow process, but that is the conservative Chinese way. There are many mmany more countries where change will never happen under current regimes that no one is campaigning against, whilst in our own countries our rights are actually being eroded.

Yes the Chinese are showcasing themselves to the world and their own people, but in my opinion this will actually help development and freedom.