I respectfully disagree, simply because I don’t see the torch run as a political event. However, I must grudgingly admit, I was PO’d about the huge Chinese flags. They are now parading down Market Street with these flags, and you should SEE the looks of disgust on many people’s faces. Sorry, dude, when you left the platform and created your own one-man parade down S.F.’s main thoroughfare, it wasn’t about the relay anymore and I’ll be happy to tell you where to stick that ugly flag of yours.
China has been politicizing the hell out of everything Olympic related the moment they got Beijing named the site 7 years ago.
In an ideal world it’s not a political event, but since China already made it one, the only viable option is to respond accordingly. Because without the protests, China will claim it as a total political victory.