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."

Olympic Torch...San Franciscans, to protest!

A bridge to oppression?

Next Wednesday, the Olympic Torch touches down in San Francisco for a quick sojourn around the Bay area.

But, crowds lining the streets may be less than welcoming.

Thousands of activists critical of the Olympic host are expected to protest in the wake of the recent outbreak of violence in Tibet, for instance.

The Chinese Government has shrugged off the implications, asserting that the demonstrations are merely the actions of a few who are trying to hijack a historical event, to meet their own agendas.

Mayor Gavin Newsom was initially inclined to conceal the route the Eternal Torch would traverse to thwart the protesters' efforts - and ultimately - avoid embarrassment to San Francisco residents.

But, amid an outcry, he finally relented.

The second-term Mayor has called the opportunity to host the relay an extraordinary honor, adding with emphasis that,

"The flame is about sports, not politics."

However, Mr. Newsom is missing the point.

If China hankers to participate in the Global Community, she must observe the rules of polite society.

Until the Human Rights Violations stop in Tibet, protesters should rise up and take every available opportunity to throw a spotlight on the atrocities, until they cease.

Desiderius Erasmus once opined,

"He who allows oppression shares the crime."

Beijing Olympics...Toronto blames Otis!

A couple of years back, I was up in Toronto visiting relatives, when the Olympic Committee was in town considering "Hog Town" for the site of the 2008 Olympics.

The Natives were restless, alright. After all, the competition was tough. In spite of that, T.O. made it to the short list.

At a time when one of Canada's largest metropolitan areas was seeking status as a "World Class City", fate dealt Mayor Mel Lastman a nasty blow.

While touring a facility in the downtown core, all the Officials got trapped in an elevator for thirty to forty-five minutes before a rescue crew saved 'em from the sweltering heat.

Although the Committee assured his honor that the mishap would not affect their vote, many swear to this day that the incident cost Toronto "the good" their bid for a shot at the gold ring.

To the elevator company, it was just about life's ups and downs.

To the residents of Toronto, it was Otis' fault for failing to provide the much-needed lift beneath their wings.

With all the brouhaha brewing over a boycott of the Olympics in Beijing - and likewise, the ensuing headaches - in retrospect, maybe the Committee wishes they took the stairs instead.