I read Brian Tideswell's throw-away comment on Yorkshire becoming a state of the Republic of China, following the magnificent Games opening ceremony. I say never! Better to become a state of Lancashire.

When I was young, I foolishly thought politics and sport were separate and never the twain shall meet. How naive I was.

These 2008 Games are everything to do with politics, especially to China, who have received enormous kudos by being awarded them in the first place.

Incidentally, the Games were awarded to them in 2001 on the proviso that human rights would dramatically improve in the ensuing seven years – especially in Tibet.

Anyone with an ounce of intelligence knew there was more chance of Gordon Brown becoming the Chinese Premier.

I no longer hold with a philosophy that what happens thousands of miles away has nothing to do with us.

I hold to the Bette Midler From a Distance ballad school of thought and the line that says: "We are instruments marching in a common band!"

Didn't someone once say it takes a few good people to do nothing for evil to succeed.

In 2008, it is as true as it ever was.

Ms B Taylor