The Olympic Flame

[poliphilo]

First thing that happened was a man came from the crowd and tried to grab the torch out of the hands of its bearer.  There was a tussle and the man ended up on the floor with policemen all over him. A little further down the road someone tried to dowse the torch with a fire extinguisher.

After that the authorities weren't taking any chances. The police guard grew and grew. Every time the torch was handed from runner to runner it happened within a triple wall of bodies- Chinese heavies on the inside, then two rings of British police. There continued to be attempts to reach the torch or to wave a Tibetan flag at it, but they were easily swatted aside or squashed. 

I felt proud of my countrymen and women who wouldn't let this thing happen without a shout and a little ashamed of those who collaborated. It's a pity the torch didn't end up in the Thames, but never mind;  the images have been beamed all round the world and the point made- the only way you get to celebrate your filthy regime in our free city is if you surround its travelling advertisement with orcs.

Comments

[strange-complex.livejournal.com]

the only way you get to celebrate your filthy regime in our free city is if you surround its travelling advertisement with orcs

Trouble is, I don't think the Chinese regime would see this as in any way shameful or problematic. Rather, I suspect their view would be, 'The only way we can celebrate our glorious regime in your corrupt city is by surrounding its travelling advertisement with necessary protection.'

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You're probably right. *Sigh*

[freesprouts.livejournal.com]

This is the first I've heard of this. Thanks for sharing!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The torch is travelling the world before it lands up in Beijing. It's in france today. The French know a thing or two about doing politics on the street....

[freesprouts.livejournal.com]

My grandmother's French, believe me--I've been trained in the proper way to take to the streets.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The French are doing a good job. The torch has been forced back onto its bus- twice.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'm proud of everyone who is at least making his or her opinion known. My personal opinion is that everyone should withdraw from the Olympics and leave the Chinese to their 'Olympic' regalia. But then, I'm not an athlete who has worked for years perfecting my skill so I could compete in the olympics...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The debacle in London is being repeated in Paris. Bravo!

[glitzfrau.livejournal.com]

I'm so proud of the English and French and Tibetans. This really is a great week for democracy. The athletes who claim that politics and sport have nothing to do with each other should be ashamed of themselves.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we done good.

There's a reason people become athletes- and in many (most?) cases it's because they're not very bright.

[msjann65.livejournal.com]

I cannot help wondering why our Prez has not decided to boycott the Beijing Olympics. Jimmy Carter boycotted the Moscow Olympics when Russia invaded Afghanistan......
This, in my opinion is so much more serious.
Go Britain! Go France! Go Tibet! Hoorah for all countries that protest the Chinese regime!
(I am embarrassed for my own country's inaction.)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You'll get your chance. The torch is coming to the USA...

[senordildo.livejournal.com]

Given that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan indirectly led to 9/11, I'm not sure if the Tibet frenzy will measure up in the long term. The Chinese can crush Tubet without any real fear of reprisal from America any other country--The US economic debt belongs to China, and if they called it in our economy would crash.

[veronica-milvus.livejournal.com]

San Francisco is the next stop. Potentially rather foolish as the San Frannies are known to like a bit of a protest, with or without the flowers in their hair.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think they're going to have to call this world tour off. Or maybe trim it a bit. I expect the torch will still get a pretty rousing reception in North Korea.