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Olympic torch tour poor political stunt
There are few things I can think of more ridiculous than the tour the “official” Olympic torch covers each time the events come around.
Recent torch stops have proved that the only thing this PR stunt is good for is causing tension.
And let’s not kid ourselves - that torch is not inspiring anyone to feel better about humanity or accomplish great feats of speed and strength. But maybe I’m too cynical.
A “specially-designed” torch reached Mount Everest’s summit Thursday in the pinnacle of the tour’s overblown tradition. Reports of Tibetan and Chinese climbers harmoniously conquering Everest only to light up some lame torch seems like a strong example of overkill.
If it’s not even the real torch, which the AP reported was on the opposite side of China in the Guangdong province, then why go to the trouble of climbing a 29,035-foot mountain just to light some fake torch? And even it is was the real Olympic flame, what’s the point in doing this. Just to say they could? It’s pointless.
I don’t get into the politics of all the protests that have gone on during this torch tour, but I have to admit, the absolute pointlessness of this endeavor has had me pulling for the people throwing water at the torch.
If there are real political problems going on, why waste time, money, and man power to escort some stick with fire around the world in treacherous locations such as the Himalayan Mountains? Major overkill.
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