I've been watching it with plenty of amusement. So far the French have put on the best protests and I doubt they'll be topped by SF (come on, when was the last time SF protesters brought down a government?)
it would be hilarious if the torch decided to change route and skip over SF completely due to the threat of protests. Then the massive demonstrations and protests planned would have been wasted, since there was no torch proceeding through the city 
.
I'll be in Berkeley tomorrow. Man, I would love to see it come through here.
.I'll be in Berkeley tomorrow. Man, I would love to see it come through here.
ericlp:
"Maybe the cops here will test out some new cool tazers!!!"
The U.S. has not become another province of China, so it's highly unlikely something like that will happen. The joke's really on the moronic Chinese leaders who think that they're now in the big leagues simply because they've become the world's laborers. They'll wish they'd never bid for the Olympics before this whole thing is over.
"Maybe the cops here will test out some new cool tazers!!!"
The U.S. has not become another province of China, so it's highly unlikely something like that will happen. The joke's really on the moronic Chinese leaders who think that they're now in the big leagues simply because they've become the world's laborers. They'll wish they'd never bid for the Olympics before this whole thing is over.
Originally posted by: LongCoolMother
it would be hilarious if the torch decided to change route and skip over SF completely due to the threat of protests. Then the massive demonstrations and protests planned would have been wasted, since there was no torch proceeding through the city
I'll be in Berkeley tomorrow. Man, I would love to see it come through here.
fly in an fly out quickly. run run run...I think that would be more embarrassing to China than to the protesters sitting there twiddling their thumbs. And it would accomplish what the protesters wanted by impeding the progression of the torch race. China doesn't want to change course or bow to foreign pressure. They would rather get peed on by Japanese than submit to foreign pressure and have dialogue with the Dalai Lama. They will certainly not let a bunch of protesters alter the course of their torch race.
Hey, take the BART to SF! Go cheer or protest and come back and tell us about it.
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 62,842
- 11,253
- 136
I don't remember in my life a time when the Olympic torch runners were so attacked. Occasional protests along the route...yes, but I do not remember people along the way attempting to wrest the torch from the runner to extinguish it. I also don't remember ever seeing a torch carrier ringed by security like they have been this year.
Thye run in San Francisco tomorrow should be...interesting to say the least.
The husband of one of the campus bus drivers is a S.F. County Sheriff Deputy, and apparently, they're ALL on duty tomorrow, and are expecting serious trouble.
Boycott Bejing.
Thye run in San Francisco tomorrow should be...interesting to say the least.
The husband of one of the campus bus drivers is a S.F. County Sheriff Deputy, and apparently, they're ALL on duty tomorrow, and are expecting serious trouble.
Boycott Bejing.
Since running around the world with the torch was thought of by the Nazis in order to celebrate the Third Reich it surprising they keep doing that anyway.
I have seen this on the news and it is one of the most horrible and dispicible things I can think of. Clearly these people do not understand the purpose of the Olympics. It is supposed to be a sporting competion where the world can put aside politics for a couple of weeks every four years. Now I know China is trying to make a political message with it, but people attacking members of the relay are even worse. Attacking innocent people isn't exactly my view of a good way to protest violence. Usually I don't care too much about politics and the like, but seeing this just makes me want to fucking punch some of the protesters in the face. I mean if I were a cop and a bunch of protestors started attacking an innocent person just because they are carrying a symbol for a PEACEFULL sporting competition I would want to beat their faces in with my billy club. There, I said it I would condone police brutality in this case. I mean I know thats a horrible thing to say and I don't *really* like seeing people hurt, but this is NOT the way to go about making your political point heard. It is one of those cases where no matter how good you point might be your completely cheapen it with these idiotic protests.
I can't agree with you. I understand your point about the idealism of the games, but that horse has left the barn when the nations use them for such positive publicity.
When they're held in a nation that's so opposed, there's going to be protest, and that's a good thing. It's society having some standards and showing it does.
It's not neat and clean, but how can the public express its disapproval of China and Tibet? Letters to the editor go so far. The UN is a pretty indirect form of expression for the public.
You might say 'don't buy Chinese goods' but unfortunately, that's not a terribly effective way either, at least not instead of more direct protests.
It's a little like going to a party OJ Simpson is invited to. Do you stay and let him be treated like anyone else, or do you ostracize him by refusing to go or saying something?
If everyone did not protest, it would seem like it's a level of approval of China's behavior in Tibet - 'we don't like it, but we aren't serious enough to put off the games with you.'
And don't forget the precedent has been set for there being a political element, with the US and USSR each boycotting games in the past.
I don't see anything wrong with protesting, but in my opinion, from what I have seen, it's getting quite out of hand. The past few days in London and then Paris have escalated pretty severely and we'll see how things turn out in San Francisco tomorrow.
Mind you, I go to Berkeley, so I see a crapload of protests here. Including anti-marines, save the oaks, all the good stuff. Granted, they aren't as widespread, but the most that ever happens are some minor scuffles and heated verbal exchanges.
What I've seen from videos on these recent protests are people disrupting every Olympic ceremony they can possibly find in every way possible and pretty much making things descend into a state of chaos. if you don't believe me, flip on CNN and watch people get tackled by police every <1 min. Is this a good example of democracy?
I'm all in favor of China having egg all over its face re: Tibet, but harassing the torchbearers is out of line IMO.
These people aren't necessarily endorsing the politics of China. They're honoring the Olympic tradition. Leave 'em the fuck alone.
The best reason for boycotting the '08 Summer Olympics IMO is the fact that Beijing is a smog-ridden toxic waste pit unfit for the presence of any world-class athletes.
These people aren't necessarily endorsing the politics of China. They're honoring the Olympic tradition. Leave 'em the fuck alone.
The best reason for boycotting the '08 Summer Olympics IMO is the fact that Beijing is a smog-ridden toxic waste pit unfit for the presence of any world-class athletes.
ITs not that i am against protestors, its that I am against protestors attacking people. Also, I know that some people don't like China here, but the olympics are *supposed* to be allowed to transcend politics and all this bickering. And maybe I am pulling a MoonBeam here, but if you want to make an anti-China protest do it against something that is actually CHINEESE, like their products or buisnesses or something like that, don't attack an international sporting even just because you don't like the country its held in this time around.
There are so few things these days trying to stress world peace and the Olypics is one of them. Maybe its not perfect, we all know that people have used it for politics before (most notably Hitler), but I just don't see how attacking innocent people who are supporting a sporting event based around peacefull world competition is somehow a good way to protest Chinese involvement in Tibet.
There are so few things these days trying to stress world peace and the Olypics is one of them. Maybe its not perfect, we all know that people have used it for politics before (most notably Hitler), but I just don't see how attacking innocent people who are supporting a sporting event based around peacefull world competition is somehow a good way to protest Chinese involvement in Tibet.
BrownTown,
This is not about politics, it is about oppression. When a people are crowded out of their own land and even peaceful protest is met with brutality, they are forced to do whatever they can to publicize their terrible situation. So also with the Tibetans.
The protests in London and Paris have caused very little physical damage, a few minor injuries and no deaths. In many cases, it is the protestors who place themselves and not others in harms way to publicize their cause (e.g. those who scaled the Golden Gate Bridge to put up the banners).
The only injuries that the Chinese Communists have suffered in all of this is the one to their egos. Which is the whole point of the protests.
This is not about politics, it is about oppression. When a people are crowded out of their own land and even peaceful protest is met with brutality, they are forced to do whatever they can to publicize their terrible situation. So also with the Tibetans.
The protests in London and Paris have caused very little physical damage, a few minor injuries and no deaths. In many cases, it is the protestors who place themselves and not others in harms way to publicize their cause (e.g. those who scaled the Golden Gate Bridge to put up the banners).
The only injuries that the Chinese Communists have suffered in all of this is the one to their egos. Which is the whole point of the protests.
OK, we all know what its about, the question is why attack the freaking olympic torch, thats the part that doesn't make sense. I mean why not attack Chinese buisness, or people using Chinese products, or something like that? I mean personally thats how you protest a country in my view. I mean hell, the protestors are probably making signs using stuff made in China to protest China!
Also, it sure as heck isn't a bunch of liberals in California or Europe who are being opressed, they just love going out for a nice day of protesting and then not doing a damn thing real about the cause except for saying some bad words and making some signs.
NikolaeVarius
Lifer
- Oct 25, 2006
- 11,036
- 11
- 91
QFT.
I agree whole heardetly. While I do appreciate the protester cause, going after the torch doesn't seem like the beest way to do it. I was listening to the radio, and they interviewed a buch of protesters, and they all said that they would go after the flame if it got near them.
The only feeling I got was a bunch of douchebags. The flame represents unity and peace. The very people trying to "save" tibet are the same people who are using force to ram through police officers and putting the runners at a risk of injury
BrownTown,
It's the symbolism that's being protested. The Olympics is supposed to be the event to showcase China's entrance onto the developed world's stage. The protestors are proving that the slip is still showing.
BTW, this story shows how out of tune China is with the spirit of the Games. Reminds me of Hitler's storm troopers.
It's the symbolism that's being protested. The Olympics is supposed to be the event to showcase China's entrance onto the developed world's stage. The protestors are proving that the slip is still showing.
BTW, this story shows how out of tune China is with the spirit of the Games. Reminds me of Hitler's storm troopers.
ericlp
Diamond Member
- Dec 24, 2000
- 6,133
- 219
- 106
Maybe we ought to give the torch runner a gas mask, with a pack of oxygen tanks... And a crap load of gas grenades ....
I didn't see a lot of protesters. I think the majority have no problem with China hosting the Olympics. I don't have a problem with it.
I'm with BrownTown...
If your gonna protest do it with a (brain) and do it with some peaceful standing on the side line with a banner or t-shirt or whatever. But when you start attacking then you gonna get tazzed or thumped. Period... These people that think they can act violently in some sort of gang need to be dealt with. We don't tolerate those actions... Think about it... If you were running with the torch, say it was something you were looking forward too doing... Personally I could care less, but that person running with the torch I am sure is happy to do so. Anyway, lets say that person is you... and you getting beer cans, rocks, etc...etc.. thrown at you... then you got people running at you wanting to do bodily harm... I mean sheesh....
Do we really have to act this way?
I didn't see a lot of protesters. I think the majority have no problem with China hosting the Olympics. I don't have a problem with it.
I'm with BrownTown...
If your gonna protest do it with a (brain) and do it with some peaceful standing on the side line with a banner or t-shirt or whatever. But when you start attacking then you gonna get tazzed or thumped. Period... These people that think they can act violently in some sort of gang need to be dealt with. We don't tolerate those actions... Think about it... If you were running with the torch, say it was something you were looking forward too doing... Personally I could care less, but that person running with the torch I am sure is happy to do so. Anyway, lets say that person is you... and you getting beer cans, rocks, etc...etc.. thrown at you... then you got people running at you wanting to do bodily harm... I mean sheesh....
Do we really have to act this way?
If it's supposed to be a sporting event to put aside politics, shouldn't Taiwan be able to participate under its own name? China has politicized the Olympics.
kage69
Lifer
- Jul 17, 2003
- 27,201
- 36,144
- 136
Pretty much my standpoint as well, although I don't think the pollution (which is INSANE in China) is the overarching point of contention for me.
You think Olympics and what phrase do you immediately think of? 'A celebration of humanity'
Now no country operates with completely white gloves, there are always exceptions and selectively enforced laws for a myriad of reasons, but what other country does the shit that China does to it's own people? I have a lot of trouble equating a celebration of humanity with a host that imposes abortions and organ harvesting on it's citizens/criminals. Imprisonment and torture of Falun Gong members makes our water-boarding bullshit look completely tame in comparison.
I no longer have any interest in the Games now really... it's been taken over by image, money, and politics.
- Jun 11, 2004
- 4,359
- 1
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If they shouldn't do this form of non-violent protest then what would you recommend that could get anywhere close to this sort of publicity? I don't give a damn about Tibet yet here I am talking about it because their non-violent protest(which I do have great respect for) is being heard around the world.
- Jun 11, 2004
- 4,359
- 1
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- Jun 11, 2004
- 4,359
- 1
- 76
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