Posted on 04/07/2008 10:47:20 AM PDT by rdl6989
PARIS (AP) Security officials canceled the final run of the Olympic relay through Paris after chaotic protests Monday, sending a snuffed-out torch to its destination on a bus in a humiliating concession to protesters decrying China's human rights record.
The bus stopped right outside the final stop, a stadium, so a runner could finish the last 15 feet of the relay.
At least two activists got within almost an arm's length of the flame earlier in the day before they were grabbed by police.
Another protester threw water at the torch but failed to put it out before being taken away. Worried officials extinguished the torch and carried aboard the bus five times before the final cancellation.
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.google.com ...
This is not the Chicom’s fault. Not in the least.
The Olympic Committee had DECADES to decide who would host this year Olympics. They knew what China was when they decided to give the Olympics to China. China hasn’t changed dramatically in their stance in politics, human rights or trade in the past couple of years. China has been quite consistent.
Look for corruption in the Olympic Commitee; historically speaking, one doesn’t have to go back in time very far to see evidence of this.
> The Olympic Committee had DECADES to decide who would host this year Olympics. They knew what China was when they decided to give the Olympics to China. China hasnt changed dramatically in their stance in politics, human rights or trade in the past couple of years. China has been quite consistent.
>
> Look for corruption in the Olympic Commitee; historically speaking, one doesnt have to go back in time very far to see evidence of this.
You are, of course, right — this is an outcome that was entirely predictable and blame lies with the throughly-corrupt-and-discredited IOC.
That said, ChiCom was as dumb as a box of rocks not to foresee this reaction and deal to it long ago — Crikey, how much time do they need? They did OK with Hong Kong, why not replicate the model and, while they are at it, cease hostilities with Taiwan and relinquish Tibet?
Nothing could be simpler: they don’t even have major ideological barriers anymore.
They saw how the West reacted to Tienanmen Square — we didn’t like it, but we did nothing about it at the time. Did they somehow think we’d forget? ‘Strewth, they must still breathe thru gills if they think that!
Did they think they could bash up Tibetan-bloody-Monks as much as they liked, and somehow people wouldn’t notice, just before their Olympic games? They must think we in the West has our eyes painted on!
No, they are not at fault. But they are gullible, and in this case they did a superb job of fooling themselves.
Serves them right: they have behaved like fools, and with any luck their Olympics will come to a fool’s end.
Hell-funny!
It is amazing that it takes the French to stand up to this. If the French can do this, everyone else in this world should be able to that and much more.
Viva!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.