The Olympic Torch

Astro · 7th-April-2008, 07:53 PM

Demonstrators managed to cause the French in Paris to snuff out the Olympic Torch and take it by bus.

Did anyone go to watch the Torch in London yesterday?

I didn't, but I did go to the one in 1992, and it was a very good atmosphere.

Who agrees with the demonstrators?

RedFox · 7th-April-2008, 08:15 PM

The torch has provided a good focus in the West to raise the profile of Tibet and human rights in China. I guess it may increase sensitivities a little within the Chinese Government but suspect that the majority of the Chinese people won't know about the protests.

On a more general point, what is the point of such a long a convoluted route for the torch? Who's making money out of it?

**Dreadful Scathe** · 7th-April-2008, 10:23 PM

to be honest - its the Olympic torch not the Chinese torch - i think the protesters are missing the irony of trying to snuff out the Olympic Spirit

they should be supporting the route and the torch WITH their banners about Free Tibet.

**Beowulf** · 7th-April-2008, 10:24 PM

It's just a lot of hot air if you ask me...

..

...

.... I'l get my coat

**DavidB** · 8th-April-2008, 12:38 AM

I went out to see it. I thought it isn't every day the Olympic Torch goes past the end of your road. There were lots of people waiting to see it, but the security was very tight.

And I have no idea who was carrying the torch.

Astro · 8th-April-2008, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidB

I went out to see it. I thought it isn't every day the Olympic Torch goes past the end of your road. There were lots of people waiting to see it, but the security was very tight.

And I have no idea who was carrying the torch.

Nor me.

But the guys in blue are Chinese. They have been getting a lot of flack in the news - being accused of being thugs, and having no offical powers to arrest demonstrators, like the police. Coe was heard saying they should be gotton rid of. I think they are fueling the hostilty towards the Chinese occupation of Tibet.

There was hardly any security at Birdcage Walk in 1992 when I watched.

Stuart · 8th-April-2008, 08:02 PM

Interesting piece in the Independent about the history of the torch relay.

Torch relay

**Dreadful Scathe** · 8th-April-2008, 10:09 PM

interesting propoganda piece - the flame ceremony does come from ancient greece - its only the running through the streets bit that the Nazis thought of, an extension of an idea really. They did much the same with the swastika, which was a fairly global peace symbol. I think what ever the Nazi party did can be pretty much ignored - its what it means NOW that is more important. I think the swastika is going to be a hard one to take back though

7th-April-2008, 07:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Astro Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: mostly planet Earth Posts: 2,444 Rep Power: 1 Reputation Total: 240	The Olympic Torch Demonstrators managed to cause the French in Paris to snuff out the Olympic Torch and take it by bus. Did anyone go to watch the Torch in London yesterday? I didn't, but I did go to the one in 1992, and it was a very good atmosphere. Who agrees with the demonstrators?

7th-April-2008, 08:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
RedFox Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 93 Rep Power: 1 Reputation Total: 36	Re: The Olympic Torch The torch has provided a good focus in the West to raise the profile of Tibet and human rights in China. I guess it may increase sensitivities a little within the Chinese Government but suspect that the majority of the Chinese people won't know about the protests. On a more general point, what is the point of such a long a convoluted route for the torch? Who's making money out of it?

7th-April-2008, 10:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dreadful Scathe Papa Smurf Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Scathe Posts: 9,789 Rep Power: 7 Reputation Total: 2273	Re: The Olympic Torch to be honest - its the Olympic torch not the Chinese torch - i think the protesters are missing the irony of trying to snuff out the Olympic Spirit they should be supporting the route and the torch WITH their banners about Free Tibet. __________________ "defiantly a pork soared" -fletch "This is a discussion forum, not some sort of hippy poetry-reading commune" - TAFKADJ

7th-April-2008, 10:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Beowulf Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London Posts: 7,027 Rep Power: 5 Reputation Total: 1742	Re: The Olympic Torch It's just a lot of hot air if you ask me... .. ... .... I'l get my coat __________________ "Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth"

8th-April-2008, 08:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Stuart Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Reading Posts: 983 Rep Power: 3 Reputation Total: 180	Re: The Olympic Torch Interesting piece in the Independent about the history of the torch relay. Torch relay

8th-April-2008, 10:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dreadful Scathe Papa Smurf Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Scathe Posts: 9,789 Rep Power: 7 Reputation Total: 2273	Re: The Olympic Torch interesting propoganda piece - the flame ceremony does come from ancient greece - its only the running through the streets bit that the Nazis thought of, an extension of an idea really. They did much the same with the swastika, which was a fairly global peace symbol. I think what ever the Nazi party did can be pretty much ignored - its what it means NOW that is more important. I think the swastika is going to be a hard one to take back though __________________ "defiantly a pork soared" -fletch "This is a discussion forum, not some sort of hippy poetry-reading commune" - TAFKADJ

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