The modern tourch relay and Nazi Germany.

[JBA]

It may be time to put this sham to rest. In light of the riots maybe we can get back to the Lorel-headed runners of olympic's past, and do a way with the racist origins of the tourch relay.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Flame

The modern convention of moving the Olympic Flame via a relay system from Olympia to the Olympic venue began with the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. The relay, captured in Leni Riefenstahl's film, "Olympia", was part of the Nazi propaganda machine’s attempt to add myth and mystique to Adolf Hitler’s regime. Hitler saw the link with the ancient Games as the perfect way to illustrate his belief that classical Greece was an Aryan forerunner of the modern German Reich.[2]

[Xargos]

Didn't know that.  Thank you for posting it.

P.S.  I also agree we should do away with the relay.

[ROX]

In past years there was no problem.  It was a peaceful display by sportsmen to hearld the worlds greatest athletic competitions.  It has become a tradition.  The whole olympic torch ceremonies are pretty cool for both participants and tv viewers.

This time, people are going bat gwano over China...and use the torch relay to protest.  If they are doing so in a country that allows peaceful protests, knock themselves out.  If they really want to show some 'nads, why not do it in Bejing's main city square tomorrow and protest.

I do not believe that throwing a snowcone at some French torch relay runner, or giving some American torch runner the finger in San Francisco while you wave the Tibetian flag really accomplishes anything.

If you really want to send China a message, don't buy their stuff.


ROX

[Angus]

Their "stuff" actually is not all labelled "Made in China" as well as people forget mighty quick when it's about the temporary....money...

[Mustaine]

Am I the only one who thinks of the summer games in Atlanta 1996, and wonders about the safety of the participants while in China?

With no warning and no apparent reason Eric Robert Rudolph did a lot of damage, just think what "motivated" and vocal groups may attempt.

Me I don't like China, but I have never been in a protest, I even declined to be part of a 1/2 school wide sit in during 11 inches of snow for fear of getting in trouble. The worst I have ever done is vent on a forum about liberals. <ducks from Pyro>

That said, lets hope I am the not the only one thinking they should be planning ahead to avoid any violence.

[Jackal1]

Now would be a great time to "opt out".

[JBA]

IF the IOC had nuts they would never have given the chiacomms the games.