Paula d'Olivera, Cartaxo, Portugal

What is freedom and what is democracy? They have no meaning if you have double standards.

Is it not an act of freedom that Britain allowed Chinese minders to escort the torch bearer and runners? Is that not democratic? If protesters were well behaved as should be when you termed them "peaceful protest", then the need for minders and so many police escorts would not be needed.

Just look at yourself. You would blame anyone if he or she did not act to your expectations. Britain is Britain and not Portugal OK.

090408

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

It would be nice if those who organised and participated in the Nazi bred idea of carrying the "torch" through the City were made to pay out of their own pockets for the huge Police bill. I would expect Gordon Brown to be included in those who participated.
The whole idea was a disgrace and had proper research been carried out amongst the ordinary British citizen this event would never have been sanctioned. But the faceless organisers/advisers are never held to account for a blatant waste of British taxpayers money.

The Black uniformed Police tactics are straight out of the Third Reich textbook.

H Brading, Bideford, UK

Yes Cromwell, we do get dragged into others' problems, and I hope it will always be so. Can you really ignore the fact that in Tibet, schoolgirls were tortured because they had the courage to paint graffiti to protest against human rights crimes? How would you feel if that happened to your children? Nothing is black and white I know, but the day we stop protesting is the day we might as well pack up and go and live in China, fearful every day that we might displease our government.

Sharon Goodchile, Grimsby, UK

If as most politicians claim the olympics are about sport not politics, then why yesterday did the torch go to Downing Street.
The Queen is the soverign leader of this nation and therfore perhaps Buckingham Palace would have been a better point of reference.
If politicians truly want us to believe it is all about sport they should not climb so shamefully on the bandwagon

james, leicester

james, leicester, uk

Isn't anyone else worried that the Met is rapidly acquiring the tactics and sensitivities of a totalitarian state?

Andrew , London, UK

Taking the torch into Downing Street is simply a further demonstration of British democracy. In Britain everyone is allowed to have their say. The demonstrators demonstrated. The Prime Minister greeted the torch, but somewhat reluctantly. The Prime Minister was very well aware of the strength of feeling outside his own gate. The torch staggered on it's way and reached the O2.
It all sounds fair enough to me. That is what Brtain is about.

Colin, Carmarthen, UK

Thank you so much to the brave people in London (my adopted home for 3 yrs) for having the balls to speak up and say what so many of us wish we could.

If you really want to make a difference, don't watch the opening of the games. This will cost the sponsors (GE, Coke and McDonalds) millions in lost revenue. Enough of us boycott them and any other sponsor involved it will also help to send a clear message.

"No I dont want blood with my fries!"

Shame on you Helen Clarke, PM of NZ.

Greg Taylor, New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Poor Tibetan! You are just used by Dalai Lama, who is a governing-power lover.

Johnson Hill, London, Greater London

How sad to see "Chinese minders in pale blue Beijing Olympics tracksuits" in force at Downing Street!

I have always looked at Britain as the home of freedom and democracy - and these Chinese minders in pale blue Beijing Olympics tracksuits do not augur well for democracy nor for freedom!

And to see British Premier accepting these minders at his own door is mind boggling...

For once I am glad Portugal is off the beaten track!

Paula d'Olivera, Cartaxo, Portugal

"Cromwell" apparently has no understanding on what would happen if a propestor tried anything in China. He would be wrestled to the ground in seconds, and badly beaten up.

That is why it is so important that protests do occur in free countries, as they are stifled in China itself.

Peter Wong, Singapore,

We can expect little in the way of effective policy against China's human rights record from the British government whose main concern is their own Olympic bash four years from now and possible worldwide protests at our own record of war in Iraq and Afghanistan and complicity in torture at Guantanamo and kidnapping through "extraordinary rendition". I would also like to know the cost of the policing operation in London.

R Watson, truro, UK

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

Your police were there to ensure safety and that all went well. They definitely did a great job. It was rough and tumble all right. Luckily the protestors did not come out with stones and bricks and charged at the police with knives and weapons.

Now even the IOC is not spared. Just how far do you want to go Mr. Oliver. Mr. Cromwell, Leeds, England is right. You should not drag yoursef into someone else business.

070408

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

"I just love the way we get dragged into everbody elses problems."

Hasn't it been the glory of London, to host dissidents, to give refuge to freedom?

Robert Roger, Delaware, USA

The police presence on these occasions is totally excessive. How many ordinary people suffered crimes that wouldn't otherwise have happened, or won't now see the crime they suffered solved because the politicians used hundreds of police to protect them from their self-inflected problems, rather than to protect the people?

There is nothing "noble" about sport, that is just IOC propaganda.

Cromwell of Leeds, people are protesting in China, and being shot dead? I care, even if you don't.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

The Dalai Lama has said he wishes the Olympic to go ahead. If anything, they are likely to draw the Tibetan cause to the foreground. These people would do well to read widely and think less narrowly. The tone of this article is not well judged.

David Marusza, Islington, UK

Why dont these people go to China to protest? I just love the way we get dragged into everbody elses problems.

Cromwell, Leeds, England