by Digger

Touted as "Journey of Harmony", this years Olympic torch relay has been quite the contrary. Protests have followed torchbearers from country to country. Citizens from around the world are demonstrating against host country China and their human rights issues including recent violence against Tibet. The path of the torch, originally scheduled for a record 85,100 mile (137,000 km) journey, has often been changed to avoid massive protesting crowds.

Chaotic protests nearing riot potential followed the torch as it passed through Paris and London. This public displays, numbering in the thousands, created serious security concerning for bearers and citizens in general. The torch was subsequently rerouted to avoid further chaos.

Extremely heavy security was added in San Francisco (USA's only city represented). As with in Paris and London, security concerns led to the torch being detoured and promptly flown out of the country. Thousands of bonified fans who had been anxiously awaiting their moment in Olympic history weren't informed until hours later. San Francisco hosted protesting groups for pro-China, pro-Tibet and pro-Civil Rights. Bus loads ranging from small groups to large masses arrived during pre-dawn hours and often had to be separated by authorities when possible. The City of San Francisco had awarded side-by-side permits and it's a wonder a full scale out of control riot didn't take hold. Luckily for everyone, aside from shouting and a few isolated incidents, calmness from violence prevailed.

The International Olympic Committee has recently huddled to field a plan on how to handle this emerging crisis as more world wide protests will certainly follow in scheduled torchbearing cities. Heads of State have been pressured by various groups and state representatives to boycott the official opening ceremony in China. Here in the U.S., it is expected to become a political hot potato. Wanna-be candidates will stand before microphones while our current Commander in Chief walks a fine line to keep international relations with China strong amist an ever growing world wide protests.

China's human rights atrocities are too numerous to list in detail here. For a brief overview, click on this link "Human rights in the People's Republic of China" (from Wikipedia.com... may contain factual errors/ommissions). With this in mind, it is amazing how the International Olympic Committee found it fit to award China as host of the worlds greatest games. It is a true shame and disservice to what the Olympic tradition is intended to represent. Demonstrations will undoubtably steal the spotlight from thousands of athletes who have trained a lifetime to honor their home countries by competing in this grand competition.