Congratulations China!

Congratulations to China for hosting an historic and exciting Olympics. This event should be understood in the context of the last 150 years of Chinese history, when China was attacked by Western powers repeatedly, was semi-colonized, had its treasures looted and burned, and suffered division, warlordism, the Japanese invasion, World War II, Mao's Communism, and more. Deng Xiaoping's Reform and Opening Policy has brought about amazing change in the lives of 1.3 billion people. Although much work remains to be done, today is a day to celebrate the enduring spirit of the Chinese people -- warm, welcoming, and even courageous. The Chinese people should be recognized for welcoming the world into Cultural China. Go Beijing 2008!