The Olympic Torch passed through London and Paris on Sunday and earlier today, and was only snuffed out a few times by protesters: Once with a fire extinguisher. There were near riots and close to a hundred arrests. You know, I'm starting to suspect that some people don't like the Olympic Torch.
In Paris, some 3,000 officers were deployed on motorcycles, in jogging gear and using inline roller skates. Still, police barely stopped the second rush at the torch, and the attempt to extinguish it with water. Other demonstrators scaled the Eiffel Tower and hung a banner depicting the Olympic rings as handcuffs.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.
Less than an hour later, the flame was being carried out of a Paris traffic tunnel by an athlete in a wheelchair when the procession was halted by activists who booed and chanted "Tibet."
If it weren't for the damned handicapped, today Tibet would be free!
Come on, admit it: The Olympic Torch Relay is becoming fun; like an enormous game of Capture the Flag. Note to protesters: You've got to create a diversion with the main group, and then have the little kid from the down the street sneak in from behind to grab the torch. Anyway it's all more interesting than women's volleyball.
Aren't you glad that Hitler invented it?
UPDATE: Here's some video.
Paris Protests Force Olympic Torch Delays [MSNBC]
Rings, Torch Have Ties To Hitler's Nazi Propaganda [Cincinnati Enquirer]
Ueberroth To Leave China Early For U.S. Torch Visit [USA Today]