Joe Mickey's letter about China's potential to host the 2008 games in Beijing provoked me to respond to his narrow-mindedness of Chinese culture. When is the last time China invaded another country? Anyone remember? Sure, China has had problems with certain human right issues, but the United States has its own share too and probably more! It's mindboggling to think how many guns have been bought and sold in this country over the last few decades and the crimes that are the indirect or direct result because of them.

Thousands of people die each year as the result of being shot intentionally or accidentally. Yet the United States keeps manufacturing and selling guns. Second, does anyone realize how many Americans have died as the result of alcohol-related accidents?

China has improved dramatically in every aspect as a developing nation. Let's not forget all the outstanding students that have enriched our universities and also our workforce with intelligence and innovation. I have actually been to China on two occasions, once to Shanghai and also to Beijing. My travels to China showed me just how different and unique other cultures are compared to the U.S. It also showed me how kind, natural and warm Chinese people are to complete strangers. I certainly do not get this feeling from the typical American in a large U.S. city. Finally, Mickey needs some serious traveling abroad to lessen his quick ethnocentric judgments of other countries.