SUGGESTATION

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7339380.stm

In a last minute switcharoo, the San Francisco leg of the Olympic torch relay was rerouted, leaving behind both supporters and protestors.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom told Reuters news agency: “We assessed the situation and felt that we could not secure the torch and protect the protesters and supporters to the degree that we wished.”

Instead, a muted closing event took place on a motorway fly-over well away from the planned location, says the BBC’s David Willis in San Francisco.

After being loaded onto a bus and driven to a new starting point a mile away from the original start, the relay took place under heavy guard, away from inconvenient obstacles (ie. the public).

Time to end this farce now. Any point in continuing this relay?

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0642976020080407?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews

I’m not Clinton’s biggest fan, being an Obama man myself (much to my dear girlfriend’s chagrin!), but I’ll have to give her props for this.

Taking a firm stance against China’s human rights abuses, a stance that Gordon Brown seems lately incapable of, does nothing but improve Clinton’s credibility as a strong leader. It is obviously easier to make throwaway remarks about what political leaders should do, but increased pressure can only be a good thing.

I find it a great shame two of the three main political parties, and the majority of the mainstream media in the UK, have found themselves unwilling to take a stronger stance.

The Olympic torch is due to arrive in San Fransisco on wednesday - I hope that US citizens give it at least as good a welcome as it has had here and in France!

Update: (via Liberal Conspiracy) Apparently Obama has now done the same. Took you long enough!