Activist Olympics
There are a few heats left for the latest addition to the Olympic games: the flame putter-outing, though a handful of nations have already emerged as top contenders. England is the European favorite with thirty-seven arrests and a fire extinguisher attack. France finished not far behind, with twenty arrests and scenes of utter chaos.
But Asia is putting on a strong showing as well, with Japan in on the act with Buddhist monks refusing to allow the thing in their temple, with some protesters taking bodily aim, and others using eggs to try to put the torch out. In India, at least one hundred and seventy Tibetan activists were arrested, though when the torch appears in early May, Hong Kong, itself a kind of Chinese protectorate, may yet surpass the others.
Judges award points, of course, not just for efficacy and arrests, but style. Peter Tatchell, on the scene in Britain, always brings his A game. He talked not just about human rights in Tibet, but queer ones in China where a crackdown on homos is well underway.
Despite days of anti-Occidental protests in China, and boycotts against French products, there are reports that China may be willing to talk with the Dalai Lama, or at least some intermediaries about improving the situation in Tibet.
Which just goes to show that the potential for continuing humiliation on a grand scale almost always pays off for activists. Especially when there's such a convenient target, a readymade stage, and a simply scripted production. Like a game almost. With rules. Like flame putter-outing.
A couple dozen pro-Tibet demonstrations held outside Chinese embassies wouldn't have gotten any response at all. Unless it was a couple of thick-headed security guards with rubber truncheons.
I envy them the ease of the sport. Queers haven't had such an easy target in years, not since Get Big Pharma used to be a favorite sport.
But Asia is putting on a strong showing as well, with Japan in on the act with Buddhist monks refusing to allow the thing in their temple, with some protesters taking bodily aim, and others using eggs to try to put the torch out. In India, at least one hundred and seventy Tibetan activists were arrested, though when the torch appears in early May, Hong Kong, itself a kind of Chinese protectorate, may yet surpass the others.
Judges award points, of course, not just for efficacy and arrests, but style. Peter Tatchell, on the scene in Britain, always brings his A game. He talked not just about human rights in Tibet, but queer ones in China where a crackdown on homos is well underway.
Despite days of anti-Occidental protests in China, and boycotts against French products, there are reports that China may be willing to talk with the Dalai Lama, or at least some intermediaries about improving the situation in Tibet.
Which just goes to show that the potential for continuing humiliation on a grand scale almost always pays off for activists. Especially when there's such a convenient target, a readymade stage, and a simply scripted production. Like a game almost. With rules. Like flame putter-outing.
A couple dozen pro-Tibet demonstrations held outside Chinese embassies wouldn't have gotten any response at all. Unless it was a couple of thick-headed security guards with rubber truncheons.
I envy them the ease of the sport. Queers haven't had such an easy target in years, not since Get Big Pharma used to be a favorite sport.



