Worlds Collide

Reuters ~ Kazakhstan's President receives Olympic torch from China's ambassador to Kaz

Almaty, Kazakhstan was the first stop for the Olympic torch after it left Beijing, China. There are a lot of very important political discussions to be had when it comes to China and its human rights issues, and Stan and I take these issues very seriously. Stan loves the Dalai Lama as if he were the first cousin of Santa Claus, so the recent events in Tibet have been closely followed here at our house. And across China, citizens who have the courage to speak out against a corrupt and morally questionable government are promptly arrested -- even more so as we get closer to the Olympics.

A large part of me knows that the Olympics are and always have been a platform for political statement, and I will not find fault with countries who decide to protest or boycott in any fashion. There are certainly plenty of reasons when it comes to China!

But, all of that aside, there is a small (very small) part of me that still believes that the Olympics can transcend beyond politics and celebrate the common passions of humanity. I would hope that the Olympics are not about government but rather about the athletes, fans, and worldwide competition. Whatever happens with these games this year, I hope that we all get to have that "moment" when it at least appears as if the world has come together for something good.