politics + internets = ?

I am not old enough to know whether this is a first, but the traditional torch-bearing ceremony has been interrupted as a protest against China’s presence in Tibet. I have mixed feelings about this. I understand the sentiment of registering outrage regarding China’s activities in Tibet. But is it fair to interfere with an event that is meant to showcase human talent while encouraging global solidarity & common cause?

On the other hand, why pretend that sports should be given such a world stage when human rights everywhere are not being respected?

Tough call. Disruption of the status quo - aka civil disobedience - will occur when other venues of communication are unavailable. In that sense, a national government creates the disturbance by not allowing another forum for discussion. This is at its heart, anti-democratic. If there was no forum for openly debating civil rights in the USA before the 1960s, then the civil disobedience that occurred was justified. People have a right to seek redress for their grievances. That is one of the basic fundamental rights - self representation, or the right to state your case.

Despite the fact that I feel bad for the athletes that are going to be running the torch around the world and subject to harrassment and intimidation, I ultimately fault China for not allowing any debate about the claims emanating from Tibet. If their rule is indeed justified, then why censor discussion about it? If it is not justified, then they are forcefully occupying Tibet. But to claim Tibet as their territory, ostensibly legitimately, but then deny discussion about is not a tenable position. Open up, or get out.