So much for the hope that China would clean up its human rights record in exchange for winning the opportunity to host 2008 Summer Olympics.

Instead, Chinese authorities have been busy harassing and arresting critics. They violently countered protests in Tibet, then reacted to the global scrutiny after the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan province by cracking down on critics and journalists. One teacher earned a one-year sentence for photographing collapsed schools.

Just this week, the Chinese also went back on their long-standing promise to allow foreign journalists covering the Olympics uncensored Internet access. Instead, media Web access will exclude sites that refer to Tibet, Taiwan's independence, Amnesty International, the Falun Gong spiritual movement and other touchy subjects.

Rather than push back, the International Olympic Committee inexplicably agreed to the censorship because such sites are not "Games-related." Never mind that just two weeks ago, IOC president Jacques Rogge said "there will be no censorship on the Internet."

It also remains to be seen whether China will allow protests during the Games, though it has said that peaceful demonstrations could occur in zones far from the venues.

To his credit, Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., lashed out at the Chinese this week for threatening retaliation if foreign-owned hotels refuse to install government software allowing guests' Internet use to be monitored. He and Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., introduced a resolution calling on China to suspend its plans to spy on and censor visitors including journalists, as the U.S. House passed a resolution calling on China to respect human rights and press freedom during the Games.

Brownback rightly called the planned spying on journalists "just one more way that the Chinese government systematically violates even the most basic human rights and freedoms. The Chinese government consistently suppresses its own citizens' rights and, from North Korea to Darfur, has enabled brutal, oppressive regimes."

Though President Bush met privately Tuesday with five Chinese dissidents, he has been cautious about criticizing China's multiplying offenses as the country prepares to host the Olympics. White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said the president will talk about freedom when he visits China to attend the Games' opening ceremony next week.

He should -- at every opportunity and in the strongest possible terms. As it is, China is brazenly violating not only human rights but the very spirit of the Olympics.

Editorial by the Wichita Eagle