12 years later...

I was listening to the radio last night on my drive home and heard a story about a family who had driven more than 10 hours to get to San Fransisco for the Olympic Torch Ceremony that was supposed to be held there. It was canceled because of protesters, and the kids were robbed of a great experience they never would have forgotten.

When the Olympics were hosted in Atlanta back in '96, we got to have a big Torch Ceremony right there in Hiawassee where I grew up. The flame was carried in and put into a special lantern where it stayed the night. Thousands showed up at the event, which was huge for our small area. My dad got to sing the National Anthem. I was 16 years old and it was a pretty amazing feeling, it felt like something really big and important. I bought a t-shirt that night and after wearing it throughout the Olympic games, I folded it neatly and put it away as a keepsake. I still have it, along with my lifeguard shirt. It just made me feel sad for all the kids who lost out on that.

And for what? Because China is holding Tibet. Funny because the same people who are protesting for Tibet's liberation are also protesting against the Iraq war, which liberated an oppressed people. Perhaps President Bush should announce that we're going to invade China in order to free Tibet. That would leave the protesters so confused because they wouldn't know which side of the picket line to jump on, then the Torch Ceremonies could go on and little children could have their memories.