Hi Professor! I got to spend some time studying abroad in China earlier this year- in Beijing actually so I loved reading your article. I applaud you for applauding the Chinese people and their optimism and excitement about the Olympics, which was really inspiring and touching for me when I saw it. I think that the government definitely has some issues to work out as far as the way that it relates to its own people (dissemination of information, various freedoms, etc) and to the international community- but I certainly hope, as you said, that the Olympics will catalyze change in a positive direction! I also encountered viewpoints similar to those of your Chinese students when I was in Beijing and I think that it's rooted in respect for authority- elders, teachers, officials. In America many people openly criticize, and even ridicule their leaders and that's accepted here but I didn't see too much of that in China even when people did disagree with the government. Perhaps it's solidarity or national pride but as an outsider I'm proud of the Chinese people and what they have managed to pull off- quite well, as you said- and I wish them all the best of luck in moving into an exciting new future! -Marsha