The Olympic Torch

[Astro]

Demonstrators managed to cause the French in Paris to snuff out the Olympic Torch and take it by bus.

Did anyone go to watch the Torch in London yesterday?

I didn't, but I did go to the one in 1992, and it was a very good atmosphere.

Who agrees with the demonstrators?

[RedFox]

The torch has provided a good focus in the West to raise the profile of Tibet and human rights in China. I guess it may increase sensitivities a little within the Chinese Government but suspect that the majority of the Chinese people won't know about the protests.


On a more general point, what is the point of such a long a convoluted route for the torch? Who's making money out of it?

[Dreadful Scathe]

to be honest - its the Olympic torch not the Chinese torch - i think the protesters are missing the irony of trying to snuff out the Olympic Spirit they should be supporting the route and the torch WITH their banners about Free Tibet.

[Beowulf]

It's just a lot of hot air if you ask me...

..


...


.... I'l get my coat

[DavidB]

I went out to see it. I thought it isn't every day the Olympic Torch goes past the end of your road. There were lots of people waiting to see it, but the security was very tight.

And I have no idea who was carrying the torch.

[Astro]

I went out to see it. I thought it isn't every day the Olympic Torch goes past the end of your road. There were lots of people waiting to see it, but the security was very tight.

And I have no idea who was carrying the torch.

Nor me.

But the guys in blue are Chinese. They have been getting a lot of flack in the news - being accused of being thugs, and having no offical powers to arrest demonstrators, like the police. Coe was heard saying they should be gotton rid of. I think they are fueling the hostilty towards the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

There was hardly any security at Birdcage Walk in 1992 when I watched.

[Stuart]

Interesting piece in the Independent about the history of the torch relay.

Torch relay

[Dreadful Scathe]

interesting propoganda piece - the flame ceremony does come from ancient greece - its only the running through the streets bit that the Nazis thought of, an extension of an idea really. They did much the same with the swastika, which was a fairly global peace symbol. I think what ever the Nazi party did can be pretty much ignored - its what it means NOW that is more important. I think the swastika is going to be a hard one to take back though