Today, the Olympic torch was extinguished after protesters attempted to steal it during its relay through Paris. French policemen on rollerblades were guarding it from attack, and the confrontation became so tense that the torch had to travel the rest of today’s route by bus. By the way, gendarmes on rollerblades trying to keep a torch lit would make for an excellent Andrew Lloyd Weber musical.
Now, we’re all for speaking up against human rights violations in China, but why are they attacking the poor torch? That’s like attacking a soldier to protest the war. The torch never hurt anyone. Well, it could hurt you if you were like running with it and you tripped and it burned you, but that would be your fault.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!