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# The freedom to disagree
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-freedom-to-disagree-editor/
- Published: 2008-04-11T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T19:13:07.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Bruce Joffe Piedmont, Cali.*

I stood on the Embarcadero for four hours, immersed in a crowd of Chinese Americans waiving flags of China as we waited for the Olympic torch. My “Free and Independent Tibet” sign jostled with their flags as we tried to position ourselves for maximum media exposure when the torch would pass us by.

After half an hour of this low grade competition, we started to talk, and more importantly, to listen to each other. I learned they felt “Tibetan independence” was an insult to China’s national pride. Several people told me stories they believed about Tibetan slavery, ignorance and poverty. I told them the stories I’ve heard from my Tibetan friends, stories of Chinese oppression, repression, and brutality. We agreed that most news outlets were untrustworthy.

We didn’t change each other’s minds, but we did hear each other, respect each other, and we did deeply appreciate this country, in which people with opposing politics can stand peacefully alongside one another.

Was I disappointed that the torch was rerouted? Not really. It was four hours well spent. The way I see it, the torch ran away from the people who were all gathered at the appointed place. The Chinese government wants everyone to follow the Olympics, but today, the Olympics evaded the people.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 11, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041108.pdf?ref=smdp.com)