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04/09/2008: "Way To Sack Up, Frisco ..."

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the Olympics will come to Beijing, China this summer, and that it's not a very popular decision. As part of the run-up to the games, the Olympic flame has been making it's usual tour around the world, giving folks the chance to run with it and support the Olympic movement. However, with the controversy regarding China and some of their policies of late, there's been a lot of protesters at the flame run. With the only US appearance of the flame scheduled for today in San Francisco, and knowing the Bay Area's open-minded attitude and all-inclusive nature, you'd think they'd find room for all points of view when the torch made it's appearance.

As if.

Apparently leery after several pro-Tibet protesters climbed up the Golden Gate Bridge to display their banners earlier in the week, San Francisco organizers suddenly changed the route of the run today, cutting the distance in half and insuring that the protesters - and those who simply wanted to support the Olympics - didn't get near it. After a short opening ceremony at AT&T Park, the flame runners were supposed to follow a 6-mile path along the shoreline that was lined by spectators - and, admittedly, protestors. But after completing the opening remarks, the flame was taken into a nearby warehouse where it was whisked away via motorcade to a distant neighborhood where the relay continued. After only 3 miles, the flame was moved again to an undisclosed site - away from the public - for a "closing ceremony", after which it was taken to the airport to catch a flight to it's next stop, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Now, I understand that no one likes controversy, but you'd think a town that encourages gay marriage would understand protests. If they were that worried, they could have simply cancelled the event, rather than their cowardly attempt to squeeze out the publicity without any of the controversy. Pretty pathetic. I suspect the publicity they'll get for their lack of civic courage will be much larger - and much less flattering - than any they might have gotten by simply following the original plan.