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Post by junkdna on Apr 16, 2008 8:00:09 GMT 8
In a post to my tumblr blog just a few days ago, I mentioned my wife's belief that the Japanese police are in no condition to protect torch runners from protesters on par with those in San Francisco or London. However, Nagano says, no matter what, it WILL NOT stop the run, nor CAN it change the routelest there be confusion (which I thought was the POINT of changing the route). *roll eyes* However, what it CAN do is cancel a post-relay event with taiko drums and a showing of a video taping of the relay. Whew. Disaster averted! (heap on the negative karma pls)
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Post by Otaku on Apr 16, 2008 8:41:28 GMT 8
Why does the inability to change routes not surprise me? Anybody want to take bets the Olympic torch will be toast if anything half of what happens in San Francisco happens in Japan? And, they said they were thinking about blocking public access to the starting area of the torch, which is located at a temple that is popular during Golden Week and the relay is supposed to take place on Golden Week. Blocking a major tourist attraction can't be all that good for business. I'm glad every temple looks the same to me... I found another interesting article about Japan refusing 'torch security runners' from China. There are actually runners that surround the torch runner to escort it safely. Japan has refused these torch runners based upon they are a sovereign country, despite these runners running in other countries. I guess this will be a good test for Japan to see if their police force. "National Public Safety Commission Chairman Shinya Izumi indicated on Friday that Japan will not welcome "security runners" from China to accompany the Olympic torch when it arrives in Nagano if their role is to serve as guards." mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080411p2a00m0na016000c.html
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yopparaisaru
Englipedia Fana
I drink copious amounts of fire and piss excellence
Posts: 312
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Post by yopparaisaru on Apr 16, 2008 9:27:01 GMT 8
Japan definetly has the police force necessary to protect the torch. Maybe not the Nagano police force, but if they bring up the Tokyo Riot police or even offier some MP's from the JSDF they'll have more than enough to rpotect it. The Riot police alone will scare anyone away, have you ever seen those guys yeesh. Submachine guns and armor reminscient of the samurai this time just bullet proof kevlar body suits and helmets and massive shields.
But then again can you imagine a japanese protest: J protester: "Free Tibet!" torch runner: ::keeps running:: J protestor: "Free Tibet, or I'll ask politely once again then say bad things about you behind back when I think you don't understand me." J police: Hey, I'm sorry but you can't get near the torch. J protester: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. :::mumbles about dirty chinese and their tibet issues and stupid police and their stupid hats and red strobe light baton thingies...::
There you go, japanese protest. No lone man standing in front a tank here. Or mad angry crowd rioting in the streets...
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Post by grumpyoldbastard on Apr 16, 2008 9:35:03 GMT 8
YS OTM.
And I don't really find fault with Japan refusing China's security guards, from other accounts I've read they're thuggish Chinese police and there's even rumor that Australia refused an offer from China to guard the torch with PLA.
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Post by Otaku on Apr 16, 2008 11:30:10 GMT 8
What I thought was even more interesting than whether Nagano will be able to defend against passive defamations is the torch runner who actually carried the torch and when she handed it off, she pulled out a little Tibet flag: "At least one torchbearer decided to show her support for Tibetan independence during her moment in the spotlight. After being passed the Olympic flame, Majora Carter pulled out a small Tibetan flag that she had hidden in her shirt sleeve. 'They pulled me out of the race, and then San Francisco police officers pushed me back into the crowd on the side of the street,' Carter said." mdn.mainichi.jp/international/news/20080410p2g00m0in021000c.html
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Post by junkdna on Apr 17, 2008 7:41:42 GMT 8
It wouldn't be Japanese protestors that would be the problem. Not even I'm worried about them. It would be those from overseas.
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