Olympic Torch...Paris. Eternal flame snuffed out, amid cries of fascism!

City of Love erupts...


Activists protest in Paris streets against Human Rights Violations in Tibet...


As expected, a handful of well-organized activists upset the Paris stretch of the Olympic Torch relay yesterday, to protest rights abuses in Tibet.

In contrast to the London protestors, a focused band of rebel-rousers in the eternal "City of Love" - what else can you call 'em? - managed to upset China's stab at a "moment in the sun" from the get-go.

In fact, the torch bearer was hardly down the Eiffel Tower stairs, before activists lunged forward, and angrily shouted,

"Freedom for the Chinese."

They expressed their angst with visual aids, as well. For instance, the spirited interlopers allegedly hung banners from the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame Cathedral, depicting the Olympic rings as handcuffs (novel idea!) as they ceremoniously chained themselves to the railings.

And, it appears that the bold-faced efforts garnered results; Chinese Officials were forced to abandon the final stretch of the procession, languishing over the fact that what was supposed to be a joyous tour around the Louvre, the Place de Concorde, and the picturesque Seine River - turned out to be a rocky road to hell and back.

There was some violence, too.

At one point, French activists were thrown into a free-for-all - a fist-fight broke out, for instance - at which point, the activists proceeded to spit on the Pro-Chinese presence as they shouted, "Fascists!"

The Minister of the Interior released a press notice that confirmed there were many arrests - 18 at last count - and that to disperse the raucous crowd tear gas had been used by the French Police.

Lesser crimes of trespassing were levied, as well.

The French are such a dramatic lot, aren't they?

One arrestee wrote "liber" on the right palm - and "te" on the left - so that she was able to flash the meaning of the phrase - Freedom - from a prominent window at the brig where she was being held.

Lawmakers lurched into the fray, too. When the torch passed parliament, about thirty-five government officials responded by angrily shouting, "Freedom for Tibet".

And, Oh my God, the torch was snuffed out on a number of occasions during the course of the melee!

But - apparently - the Olympic flame continued to burn in a Lantern, untouched; subsequently, the original wick was used to re-light the torch every time it returned to a secure area after being extinguished by the angry throngs.

Some were thoroughly disgusted by the day's events,

"A symbol like that, carried by young people who want to deliver a message of peace, should be allowed to pass," scowled Henri Serandour, the French Olympic Committee.

However, the French President - Nicolas Sarkozy - has apparently recognized the potential need to "boycott" the games as well, in the wake of the ongoing heinous crimes against humanity in Tibet.

Sarkozy has issued a press release noting that he'll "watch and see" what transpires in coming weeks; depending on how the drama unfolds in Tibet, he may not attend the opening ceremonies to protest.

The torch relay - which journeys around the globe each occasion the World Games are started up - was meant to highlight China's rising economic and political power.

Over the bloodied bodies of the activists, I expect, at this juncture.

Jean-Paul Sartre once said,

"Fascism is not defined by the number of its victims, but by the way it kills them."

Chinese Blogger...stupid, self-serving remarks. Free Tibet, now!

In the morning TIMES, a journalist noted that in response to the Tibetan crisis, one Chinese blogger lamented that the very idea of freeing Tibet - giving them their independence back - would be like letting California or Vermont secede.

Baloney!

Unlike California and Vermont, Tibet was once a proud Nation.

In addition - the odd-ball observer, clearly out of his element here - made the self-serving remark that because Tibet represents fourteen percent of the "Chinese Territory", a return of Tibet to its people, would represent a great loss to China.

Tough ti**y!*

China never owned the territory in the first place.

In unison all,

"Free Tibet, now!"

*A novel American expression - the meaning of which - I trust is not lost in the translation.

Tibet...let her people go! Dalai Lama errs, gets kicked-back spiritually!

Prayers of misguided, unanswered...


For the past couple of weeks there has been an outcry over the turmoil that has erupted in Tibet over the continued oppression that has plagued the occupied nation for decades.

As Tibetan Monks struggled to rise up against the Chinese tyrants, they were knocked back down by violent military forces bent on crushing their cries for independence, religious freedom, and the return of their native land.

More disturbing perhaps, has been the reaction from some of the key players in the ongoing battle of wits in the evil scenario.

Although the Chinese have stepped up military patrols - and there has been violence against Monks - President Bush noted to the media that there was no good reason to forgo on plans to attend the Olympics later this year.

Chinese officials pointed a finger at the Dalai Lama, meanwhile, and lamented that the Spiritual leader of Tibet (in exile) was the disruptive force behind protests that sought to throw a monkey-wrench into China's plans for a peaceful Olympic celebration in Beijing in August.

More astounding, has been the response of His Holiness.

After denying there was any substance to the allegations, the Monk proceeded to lament to anyone within earshot that he might "quit"!

Say what?

As some have astutely noted, the idea is patently absurd.

If one accepts the notion that His Holiness was chosen at birth by virtue of reincarnation - most definitely - there wouldn't be any "escape hatch" for the Spiritual leader.

As various factions mulled over the meaning of the threats - to save face - the Dalai Lama shifted his stance a tad this past week; after all, there was a lot of wiggle room in view of his vague remarks.

What exactly did he mean, anyway?

On the heels of the verbal blunder - the Tibetan Monk has backtracked and stated his intention to remain "Spiritual leader" of the Tibetan people - in spite of the fact he has lost a desire to be politically involved with the issues at hand.

Again, the man appears to have lost his faculties - spiritually and otherwise - in respect to these musings as well.

After all - the roles of Spiritual Master and Political leader are so inextricably intertwined in respect to Tibetan tradition - that the practicality of such a move on his part is too mind-boggling to even fathom.

Frankly, I am appalled at the conduct of the Dalai Lama.

When times get tough, the tough get going, Sir!

At a time when the wisdom of "His Holiness" is needed most to meet the challenges of a troubled people head on, he appears to be backing off and faltering somewhat.

Are you just a fair weather Guru, your - um - Holiness?

In a nutshell, the events of the past few weeks have revealed an underbelly to the Dalai Lama which is unsettling. In sum - he has not only touched a nerve - but exposed a thorny human side which signals his lack of spiritual enlightenment.

In my mind's eye, he has walked out-of-step. And, as a result, he'll be kicked-back spiritually in the next "incarnation".

Notwithstanding, the Chinese have noted their intention to surge forward.

Although a lad singled out as next-in-line to the title of "His Holiness" has allegedly disappeared, another hopeful is being detained by the Government for possible grooming.

In sum, Chinese officials are toying with the idea of bestowing the "honor" of Dalai Lama on a candidate of their own choosing. But, the whole idea - in view of the particulars - is a preposterous notion.

Because the Chinese are atheists, the reality of the issue is beyond them.

The whole purpose of reincarnation is to perfect the "soul" on this earthly plane of existence through daily spiritual development and by virtue of the Laws of Karma.

Likewise, the appearance of a Spiritual leader on this mortal coil is not by chance.

For the Godless, the event is a Divine miracle beyond their comprehension.

Notwithstanding, it should be noted that reincarnation takes place when there is a spark of life at the exact moment of conception

Hence, the argument against abortion.

The notion that the Chinese can simply pluck a child from the throngs and deign the innocent - "His Holiness" - is downright ridiculous.

After all, such an individual - no matter their age - would already have their own soul and karma to fulfill in this earthly existence.

A human body can not be inhabited by more than one soul, for heaven's sake!

Obviously, this is a case of the blind leading the blind.

At this juncture, it is evident that Tibet has been plunged into a quagmire.

But, there is hope.

As the old saying goes...

When an individual, people or Nation are ready,

"The Master will appear"

What is important now?

That China return the occupied lands to the Tibetan Nation.

For good reason.

In recent days, China has stated that they recognize that Tibet is a "quaint" and culturally unique region.

If that is the case, surely officials are capable of recognizing the urgent need to free the Tibetans now, so they can preserve their customs, nurture their faith, and hold fast to cultural traditions in years to come.

I say, let their people go...

If China is inclined to continue with the oppression and heinous wrongful acts, all the peoples and Nations of the world should boycott China - on a myriad of economic, social, and political levels - to ensure there is a logical spiritual outcome in the future.

Peace in Tibet, at long last.

As Martin Luther King once said,

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”


Soldiers of oppression...


Occupied lands to be released...