Olympic torch extinguished in Paris

Kev_ps3

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhojgbojidau/

I think this is a joke. These radical anti-china scum need to be locked up, why dont they protest at something worthwhile. Leave politics out of sport. I wouldnt be surprised if alot of these people were getting paid by anti-china western groups.

biko

Are you Chinese?

Edit

Officials were forced to extinguish the Olympic torch

Damn officials scum and their politics :rolleyes:

Collie D

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhojgbojidau/

I think this is a joke. These radical anti-china scum need to be locked up, why dont they protest at something worthwhile. Leave politics out of sport. I wouldnt be surprised if alot of these people were getting paid by anti-china western groups.

The Chinese are using the Olympics for their own propaganda. Why can't the other crowd do the same?

Beerlao

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/mhojgbojidau/

I think this is a joke. These radical anti-china scum need to be locked up, why dont they protest at something worthwhile.

yeah who cares about Darfur anyway???

:rolleyes:

prendy

i agree that China are not upholding the olympic spirit but the i feel for the torch bearers, ita a once in a lifetime opportunity and its turned into a political mess.

peacefull protests FTW.

Steve

From
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0407/breaking1.htm

Torch extinguished in Paris protest



Hundreds of pro-Tibet demonstrators gathered near the Eiffel Tower today as the Olympic torch began its journey through Paris.

Officials were forced to extinguish the torch's flame at one stage amid the protests at China’s human rights record leading up to the Beijing Olympics in August. At least four protesters have also been arrested.
When the procession passed through London yesterday, police repeatedly scuffled with activists angry about One protester tried to grab the torch, while another tried to snuff out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher. At least 37 people were arrested.



Around 3,000 French police on motorcycles, in jogging gear and on skates will protect the Olympic torch relay today.

French torchbearers will be encircled by several hundred officers, some in riot police vehicles and on motorcycles during the procession. Three boats will also patrol the Seine River and a helicopter will fly over Paris.

About 80 athletes will carry the torch over a 17.4-mile route that starts at the Eiffel Tower, heads down the Champs-Elysees avenue towards City Hall, then crosses over the Seine before ending at the Charlety athletics stadium.

Meanwhile China today denounced the London protests that disrupted and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge said he was very concerned at the protests, but added there was no momentum for a Games boycott.

Protesters opposing a security drive in Tibet and demanding the mountain region's independence turned yesterday's London leg of the torch's journey into an obstacle course of angry disruptions - not what China wanted for its "journey of harmony".

Chinese state television focused on the larger crowds of well-wishers who lined the route and British sports celebrities holding the torch, showing nothing of the protests.

But an official quoted by the state-run Xinhua news agency said: "A tiny number of Tibet independence elements sought to disrupt the relay of the Olympic Games sacred flame through London."

"We strongly condemn this vile behaviour," he said.

Tibet's capital, Lhasa, was hit last month by Buddhist monks' protests against Chinese rule that gave way to deadly rioting on March 14th, and since then security forces have poured in to reimpose control there and in other restive Tibetan areas.

The first group of suspects accused of rioting will soon go on trial in Lhasa, the China News Service reported, citing officials.

Mr Rogge said he was very concerned "with the international situation and what's happened in Tibet".

"The torch relay has been targeted. The IOC has expressed serious concerns and calls for rapid, peaceful resolution in Tibet," he said in a speech to the Association of National Olympic Committees in Beijing.

"Violence for whatever reason is not compatible with the values of the torch relay and the Olympic Games. Some people have played with the idea of boycotts. As I speak today, there is no momentum for a general boycott."

The Olympic flame is expected to remain a magnet for anti-Chinese protests ahead of the Games in Beijing, with campaigns aimed at Tibet and also at Sudan, where critics say Beijing has not done enough to help stop deadly strife in Darfur.

Chinese officials have accused the Tibet's exiled Buddhist leader, the Dalai Lama, of organising the unrest to press for independence ahead of the Beijing Games in August and have vowed to come down hard on rioters and protesters.

The Dalai Lama has repeatedly denied the accusations and said he wants true autonomy, but not outright independence, for Tibet.

Chinese prosecutors have sent 17 people for trial on charges of "arson homicide". An official cited said the accused would "receive the harsh sanction of the law".

Police said last week they had caught more than 800 people involved in the Lhasa violence and 280 others had turned themselves in.

China says 19 people died in the Lhasa riot, but representatives of the Dalai Lama say about 140 people died in the broader unrest across Tibet and nearby areas.

Agencies

© 2008 ireland.com

ioctl

Did the rain put it out or something? I don't see why they were forced to put it out.

Orion

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Leave politics out of sport.

I generally agree with this statement however the IOC gave the Olympics to China to highlight and persuade them to improve human rights. So if the IOC can bring politics into sport then they have lost the high ground. China never had the high ground to lose anyway.

This is probably the most publicity that the Olympics has ever had.

Ever.

panda100

prendy wrote: »

the olympic spirit

Oh yes that great olympic spirit :rolleyes:


The olympic 'spirit' is one that constantly convienantly forgets about human rights when it suits,not much of a spirit if you ask me

The Hill Billy

panda100 wrote: »

Oh yes that great olympic spirit :rolleyes:


The olympic 'spirit' is one that constantly convienantly forgets about human rights when it suits,not much of a spirit if you ask me

Much like the 'olympic spirit' back in ancient Greece. Those lads weren't averse to annexeing neighbouring states & imposing brutal & punishing regimes on their subjects either. Pretty much the only difference between the chinese & the ancient grecians is that the former aren't as accepting of casual kidney-punching as the latter.

Dragan

panda100 wrote: »

Oh yes that great olympic spirit :rolleyes:


The olympic 'spirit' is one that constantly convienantly forgets about human rights when it suits,not much of a spirit if you ask me

So out of interest, is it okay to do one salute on the podium but not another?

http://www.rathaunique.com/design%20details2/Fist/68olympics21bc.jpg

Kintarō Hattori

I thought part of the point of the Olympic flame was to keep it alight. It's hardly the same flame from ******* if it's extinguished?

bonkey

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Leave politics out of sport.

If politics was left out of sport, its unlikely that China would be hosting the Olympics.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

fantastic news

bonkey

ioctl wrote: »

Did the rain put it out or something? I don't see why they were forced to put it out.

You'll see in the article mention about how at some previous part of the relay, an attempt to extinguish the torch using a fire extinguisher had been carried out.

My guess is that the authorities decided it was the safer course of action to have the torch extinguished than to risk harm or injury to the torch-bearers from demonstraters taking unknown actions to extinguish the torch.

Kev_ps3

Mordeth wrote: »

fantastic news

why exactly?

rovers_runner

Does this mean they have to bring it back to the beginning and start over ?

MOH

I though it was something to do with the fact that they transferred it to a bus? Possibly figured for safety reasons it was better to extinguish it than have it involved in an accident and blow the bus up. Although I don't see why they felt the need to tell anyone.

Kev_ps3

No counrty is perfect, and I find it ironic that its the west that is protesting about human rights when its the worst offender of any. Secret torture facilities, invading countrys for oil, arming Isreal to carry out genocide, the list is endless.

humanji

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

No counrty is perfect, and I find it ironic that its the west that is protesting about human rights when its the worst offender of any. Secret torture facilities, invading countrys for oil, arming Isreal to carry out genocide, the list is endless.

Does that make it ok then?

Anyway, this is what I want to see:

Around 3,000 French police on motorcycles, in jogging gear and on skates will protect the Olympic torch relay today.

Dudess

"Radical anti China scum", "no country is perfect" - why do you have to use such lame phrases?

When you say "the west" is the worst offender of all when it comes to human rights abuses (which isn't true) can you narrow it down a bit? "The west" is very ambiguous and very... large.

Those protesting are not "anti" China - that implies they have a hatred for the Chinese people. Note how many of these protestors are Chinese. They are "anti" human rights abuses.

As for "no country is perfect", that's pretty lazy. Ireland may be imperfect (although how does a country be "perfect") but does that mean it's on a par so with Zimbabwe?

Sherifu

ioctl wrote: »

Did the rain put it out or something? I don't see why they were forced to put it out.

Says they put it out to catch a bus to get away from protestors. Should have gotten a double decker...

Hail 2 Da Chimp

About 3,000 police riding motorcycles, jogging or travelling on skates were deployed to protect the Olympic torch

Skate cops!

whiskeyman

My mum told me never to run with scissors, so why anyone would run with fire is beyond me...

jhegarty

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

No counrty is perfect, and I find it ironic that its the west that is protesting about human rights when its the worst offender of any. Secret torture facilities, invading countrys for oil, arming Isreal to carry out genocide, the list is endless.

Count yourself lucky you live in a country where you are free to post that without fear of being put in prison....

Wertz

Mordeth wrote: »

fantastic news

+1

I'm sorry sports fans but human rights and freedom of expression in Tibet > petty f*cking atlethics event promotional tour...

Scum OP? You should look that up in the dictionary...someone who's willing to risk injury, arrest and personal freedom to highlight the wrongdoings of a world superpower that's quite happy to do whatever the hell it likes with impunity, are far removed from scum...

Kev_ps3

Dudess wrote: »

"Radical anti China scum", "no country is perfect" - why do you have to use such lame phrases?

When you say "the west" is the worst offender of all when it comes to human rights abuses (which isn't true) can you narrow it down a bit? "The west" is very ambiguous and very... large.

Those protesting are not "anti" China - that implies they have a hatred for the Chinese people. Note how many of these protestors are Chinese. They are "anti" human rights abuses.

As for "no country is perfect", that's pretty lazy. Ireland may be imperfect (although how does a country be "perfect") but does that mean it's on a par so with Zimbabwe?

Lame phrases?! Ive never heard an Irish person saying the word lame before, maby in some teenage american sitcom. Im not too bother you think they are 'lame' tbh.

I just think its a case of when the liberal media say jump, the liberal sheep say how high. There is alot of stuff going on in the world much worse than this, yet people wont shut up about it. For example, where were the protestors when the Brittish thugs were beating up Catholics in the north? The Brits have a far worse record than China. Maby we shoudl ban the axis of evil (America, US and Isreal) from the Olympics - would be fair if we are going to deal with everyone equally.

Dragan

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Lame phrases?! Ive never heard an Irish person saying the word lame before, maby in some teenage american sitcom. Im not too bother you think they are 'lame' tbh.

I just think its a case of when the liberal media say jump, the liberal sheep say how high. There is alot of stuff going on in the world much worse than this, yet people wont shut up about it. For example, where were the protestors when the Brittish thugs were beating up Catholics in the north? The Brits have a far worse record than China. Maby we shoudl ban the axis of evil (America, US and Isreal) from the Olympics - would be fair if we are going to deal with everyone equally.

I can see that all your points are going to be well thought out and structured and look forward to seeing more from you.

Lame.

Kev_ps3

Wertz wrote: »

+1

I'm sorry sports fans but human rights and freedom of expression in Tibet > petty f*cking atlethics event promotional tour...

Scum OP? You should look that up in the dictionary...someone who's willing to risk injury, arrest and personal freedom to highlight the wrongdoings of a world superpower that's quite happy to do whatever the hell it likes with impunity, are far removed from scum...

China is far off yet from being a "world superpower".
And whats this about china doing "whatever the hell it likes with impunity". How many countrys has china invaded compared to the US for example? Your bias towards the west is sickining.

Kev_ps3

Dragan wrote: »

I can see that all your points are going to be well thought out and structured and look forward to seeing more from you.

Lame.

Ok dude, sorry to freak you out man, like, whatever. That is soo lame like.

Post some intelligent response yourself before passing comment first.

humanji

You don't really understand what's going on, do you? Read up on what is happening over there and you'll realise why people are upset about it. But instead of doing nothing about it, people are protesting against it. Why is that so bad? Is a bit of shiny metal around your neck more important than someones life?

robinph

The flame didn't go out at all really as they have about ten of them that they carry around all lit from the same initial flame in Greece. Putting it on a bus wouldn't have been cause to turn it off either seeing as the torches are designed so that they can take them on board planes, they just switched the one they were carrying off to disperse the crowd a bit seeing as they then have less of a target.

Kev_ps3

Deleting posts doesnt really add you your case imo

Stark

Wertz wrote: »

+1

I'm sorry sports fans but human rights and freedom of expression in Tibet > petty f*cking atlethics event promotional tour...

Scum OP? You should look that up in the dictionary...someone who's willing to risk injury, arrest and personal freedom to highlight the wrongdoings of a world superpower that's quite happy to do whatever the hell it likes with impunity, are far removed from scum...

+1

humanji

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Deleting posts doesnt really add you your case imo

Dragan

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Ok dude, sorry to freak you out man, like, whatever. That is soo lame like.

Post some intelligent response yourself before passing comment first.

Oh i'm still waiting for you to expand upon your point about the North in relation to all this and also to come back with some valid reason as to why people should not be allowed protest?

The whole "they are scum" thing isn't really covering it for me.

I guess i'm one of those people who will reply to an argument at it's level and until the points against become a little bit more well argued i'm just gonna hand around and chuckle to be honest.

Moojuice

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

liberal media........ the liberal sheep

Well thats that then. Case closed. Its the liberal media. What liberal media? The media in this country pander to political parties and business interests. What are you on about at all? Go read a book or a decent paper and inform your childish opinions. For the record, there are plenty of protests against 'Western' countries. There were worldwide protests against the Iraq war and there continues to to be protests. There continues to be protests against the arms trade and extraordinary rendition. Just because the 'liberal' media doesn't report it, doesn't mean it is not happening.

Beerlao

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

I just think its a case of when the liberal media say jump, the liberal sheep say how high. There is alot of stuff going on in the world much worse than this, yet people wont shut up about it. For example, where were the protestors when the Brittish thugs were beating up Catholics in the north?

they were on the streets, protesting actually

Dudess

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

Lame phrases?! Ive never heard an Irish person saying the word lame before

I have. It's just a word.

I just think its a case of when the liberal media say jump, the liberal sheep say how high.

Oh groan... The "liberal" this, the "liberal" that... I'm getting sick sh1t of the way the term "liberal" is trotted out as if it's a negative. What exactly is wrong with being liberal? In fact, could you define "liberal"?
Anyway, why are you bringing the liberal media into it? It's happening - and it's being covered by media all over the world - liberal or non-liberal.

There is alot of stuff going on in the world much worse than this

"This" - as in human rights abuses en masse? That's a pretty big "this".

yet people wont shut up about it.

So you'd prefer if people just ignored what's going on? Why do you have a problem with people highlighting the oppression in China anyway? What makes that less of a concern than the other stuff that's going on? Other stuff that you don't mention - well here's some of the other stuff: horror in Darfur (linked to China), horror in North Korea (there are links with China). It's fair enough to get concerned really.

For example, where were the protestors when the Brittish thugs were beating up Catholics in the north?

"For example"? I thought you were talking about stuff that's going on now! There were protests in the North itself, down here, over in Britain, and in America. Look, are you saying an injustice has been done because there's louder shouting about China's human rights records than there was about the atrocities committed by British soldiers in the North? Seriously get over yourself! So people must be careful about what they protest about in case anyone feels left out...?

The Brits have a far worse record than China.

Right, so let's protest against the British occupation of India which, horrendous as some of the stuff was, happened a long time ago. Let's not protest about something that's relevant now. Can you not see the silliness of what you're saying?
If a person is opposed to the human rights abuses in China and that somehow makes them "biased in favour of the west"... well that's just tripe really.

Maby we shoudl ban the axis of evil (America, US and Isreal) from the Olympics - would be fair if we are going to deal with everyone equally.

To be fair to you, at least you're not one of the usual pro America, pro Israel anti liberals.

The D.C Swan

Peoples right to protest! Simple as that.

Wertz

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

China is far off yet from being a "world superpower".

Just lol

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

And whats this about china doing "whatever the hell it likes with impunity". How many countrys has china invaded compared to the US for example? Your bias towards the west is sickining.

My bias toward the west? I live in the west, but I certainly wouldn't have bias for the US, especially WRT Iraq and Afghanistan.
But that's not at issue here...China and the Olympics is....you obviously haven't a clue what you're blathering on about anyhow, if your opening sentence to this post is anything to go by...

Kev_ps3

humanji wrote: »

You don't really understand what's going on, do you? Read up on what is happening over there and you'll realise why people are upset about it. But instead of doing nothing about it, people are protesting against it. Why is that so bad? Is a bit of shiny metal around your neck more important than someones life?

I really do as a matter of fact, I saw a Dispatchers programme on it last week. However, I think there are a million worse things going on the world today and this issue is being treated as if its the worst. Why arnt people protesting about Isreal, America or Britain? I tell you why, because the media has told them China is a bad guy.

humanji

Jesus christ, you don't get it at all. You're complaining about people not protesting and then complaining when they do. Which would you prefer?

Dragan

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

I tell you why, because the media has told them China is a bad guy.

You haven't any examples of issues you feel deserve the media space currently being allotted to China's history of human rights violations.

That would help us to see where you are coming from a bit more. It should be pretty easy to pull some from that list of millions you have?

The D.C Swan

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

I really do as a matter of fact, I saw a Dispatchers programme on it last week. However, I think there are a million worse things going on the world today and this issue is being treated as if its the worst. Why arnt people protesting about Isreal, America or Britain? I tell you why, because the media has told them China is a bad guy.

Media = Dispatches?????

Kev_ps3

The D.C Swan wrote: »

Peoples right to protest! Simple as that.

Ive no problem with protest, but these are rioters and criminals. Over 30 got arrested in London yesterday.

Thirdfox

I don't really think this is the right place to get measured and reasoned insights into this topic - there is a politics forum if you want to get proper responses...

OP - incendiary remarks don't go down well when it's going against the grain of public consciousness. You might be more successful if you were more diplomatic in trying to get both sides of the story across.

I haven't had much success yet but anyone I've talked to face to face certainly finished with a new view (while they may still not agree with me at least they acknowledge there are very valid points from Beijing and the people of China).

On the internet...especially in AH - let people sprout nonsense if they want. Don't feed the trolls and don't become one yourself in the process.

edit: The internet isn't a great place to try and change people's opinions through debate by the way - you come here for arguments where neither party is willing to shift from their positions. Rational discussion is very rare and people feel like they can completely disregard the rules of debate (i.e. back up facts, remain civil in addressing others).

Dave!

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

For example, where were the protestors when the Brittish thugs were beating up Catholics in the north?

ehh.....there were plenty

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

The Brits have a far worse record than China.

About a million people turned up to a protest in London opposing the war in Iraq

click

Kev_ps3 wrote: »

How many countrys has china invaded compared to the US for example?

And they were often protested too

This is also worth a look

So basically people are protesting against injustices perpetrated by China, just as they did and do against injustices perpetrated by Western and Western-sympathetic governments (Israel), and you think they're scum.

Fantastic Dan!

citytillidie

eo980 wrote: »

I thought part of the point of the Olympic flame was to keep it alight. It's hardly the same flame from ******* if it's extinguished?

They have a spare light from the same flame.

leninbenjamin

Thirdfox wrote: »

OP - incendiary remarks don't go down well when it's going against the grain of public consciousness. You might be more successful if you were more diplomatic in trying to get both sides of the story across.

try adding in some 'well constructed arguments expressed in a coherent manner'. aimless rants based on generalisations and ignorance will never get you anywhere son.