WHAT? COMMUNIST CHINESE TROOPS ON AMERICAN SOIL TODAY IN SAN FRANCISCO?

[redacted]

Published: Tuesday, April 8, 2008 | 4:22 PM ET
Canadian Press: Anita Chang, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

BEIJING - They wear bright blue tracksuits and Beijing Olympic organizers call them "flame attendants." But a military bearing hints at their true pedigree: paramilitary police sent by Beijing to guard the Olympic flame during its journey around the world.

Torchbearers have criticized the security detail for aggressive behaviour, and a top London Olympics official simply called them "thugs."

"They were barking orders at me, like 'Run! Stop! This! That!' and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, who are these people?"' former television host Konnie Huq told British Broadcasting Corp. radio about her encounter with the men in blue during London's leg of the relay Sunday.

So far, the "29th Olympic Games Torch Relay Flame Protection Unit" - as the squad is officially known - has kept the flame from being seized during chaotic, protest-filled runs through Paris and London.

Its mettle is likely to be further tested Wednesday in San Francisco, where activists protesting China's crackdown in Tibet and its human rights record have promised widespread demonstrations.

MORE
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/080408/w040863A.html

[redacted]

1. ARTICLE CONTINUES:

Members were picked from special police units of the People's Armed Police, China's internal security force. The requirements for the job: to be "tall, handsome, mighty, in exceptional physical condition similar to that of professional athletes," the state-run China News Service said.

Special police units are the top tier of the paramilitary corps, chosen for skills in martial arts, marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat, according to sinodefense.com, a British-based website specializing in Chinese military affairs.

[Waya]

6. It has come to this.....................

.........great!:crazy:

[TomInTib]

2. San Francisco should prove interesting.

I know that there is a local contingent headed across the Bridge. There has been quite a bit of talk about this here on the Bay.

[redacted]

3. Right Tom. Things could get very ugly today in San Francisco.

It's completely illegal for these Chinese troops to be in California for any reason, and things could get very ugly today in San Francisco.

KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland plans live coverage.

[TomInTib]

22. That's why I am not going.

I don't want to be part of a really bad deal, I have enough of those already under my belt.

And we do the majority of our buying in China (and some in Tibet). Those bastards would probably lift our ticket if I was arrested.

[OKthatsIT]

194. That's why you should go..STAND YOUR GROUND

Did you vote for the NWO? NO!

This is an invasion...and you'd rather stay home and watch in on TV?

[TomInTib]

199. I don't watch TV.

And after today's newspapers are out of the rack, the whole thing will be out of sight and out of mind.

There really isn't much that can be done, unfortunately.

[Sonnenschein]

149. I am astonished that a democrat would be this ignorant.

When Bush goes to China, he has his secret service with him. These Chinese security people have visa, which means permission from our government to come here. Hello!!!!

[Quantess]

4. There is a huge Chinese-American population in San Francisco.

I wonder what they are saying about it.

[Sequoia]

7. Well, to be sure they were probably happy about the Olympics

being in China but this torch thing really rains on their parade of pride.

I think this torch thing is getting out of hand (no pun intended). Just run the torch all over China instead of the world.

[Mojorabbit]

9. I am of two minds

I am sure the Chinese and descendants are proud the oplymics are being held there and I hate that the torch run is turning into this mess. It is not the Chinese people's fault that their govt. is doing what they are doing. Just look at what our govt is doing against our will. So I am ambivalent.

[Quantess]

12. Don't we have any Chinese Americans at DU?

:shrug:
I don't feel comfortable putting words in anyone's mouths.

[Mojorabbit]

16. Probably

I am just one of those people who constantly try to put myself in other's places. I could be totally wrong. :shrug:

[Quantess]

25. I wasn't picking on you,

though it may have looked that way. :hi:
I was sort of hoping a Chinese American would speak up, though.

[Matariki]

70. What percentage of my ancestry needs to be Chinese to speak for Chinese Americans?

Can I speak for a quarter of them - or will only a quarter of what I say count?

:rofl:

[Quantess]

91. Sorry? Did I offend?

Good grief. :eyes:

[Matariki]

121. You don't need to do the eye roll thing

you didn't offend me anyway.

I'm sure you understand that no one person can speak for their entire race.

[EFerrari]

14. No one here is protesting the Chinese people.

We're protesting their government just like we protest our own criminals.

[Sequoia]

63. Oh, you just wait....!

You can bet there are people and spin doctors who just waiting for the chance to hate another race of people and dupe Bush supporters into thinking "They hate us for our freedoms".

[EFerrari]

142. Of course. That's what they're paid to do -- set us against each other. n/t

[Sequoia]

190. Like the "tower of Babel".

As a kid growing up under the shadow of fundlementalist upbringing and them telling us how God is Love and wants us to get along, I could never understand that Bible story. At first everyone was getting along and then God decides he doesn't want a tower reaching to heaven so he makes everyone speak other languages so they can't work together anymore. For one thing, the lack of oxegen in higher elevations would be the problem.

[EFerrari]

193. That story never made sense to me either but I was a lazier

thinker than you are and just figured God knew what he was doing. lol :)

[Sequoia]

197. Ha! I'm sure God had nothing to do with it...it was those Union busters!

[Sonnenschein]

151. Protesting their government for cracking down on the tibetian Talibans?

[Sonnenschein]

150. They turned out in thousands in support of China.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSQnK5FcKas

[natrat]

162. chinese embasy here bussed lots of chinese in

[sasquatch]

5. Shoot'em

On second thought we better not because they'll get back at us by calling in the debt that dubya left for us.

[Redstone]

11. Stone me, I agree with you.

Redstone

[sasquatch]

115. The world must of just spun off its axis

:wow:

[TomClash]

8. Fascism knows no borders

I always knew Bush was the Manchurian Candidate.

[Ian David]

10. If Clinton had allowed this, Sean Hannity would be in the street with a bullhorn.

Are they putting strange stickers on the back of street signs to guide the tanks of their invading armies?

That's what right-wing radio said Clinton was doing for the United Nations forces supposedly hiding in our national parks.

[redacted]

13. IF FOREIGN TROOPS BEAT UP AMERICANS ON AMERICAN SOIL TODAY you'll see it all over the Web:

KGO-TV live coverage starts at 1PM PT here:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/feature?section=news&id=6069106

[ronnykmarshall]

36. I can only get Ch 2 (KTVU) to work.

[readmoreoften]

125. I wouldn't exactly call China a communist country, just totalitarian.

Using slave labor to fill the Walmarts of the world is not a communist practice. The cultural revolution in China began as a communist one, but it hasn't been communist for quite awhile.

[Sonnenschein]

158. It's a lie. that's why you don't see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqOYL5BRas

[MADem]

15. Well, you'd be surprised at how many foreign military officers are on our soil here.

And there are a few places where we give foreign militaries "basing" rights--usually not much more than, say, a building with a flag in front of it and maybe a chunk of parking apron beside a runway...but it's true. And not just your cheery Brits (who often come to play the aggressors during their bad weather months), your mysterious Turks (who do a lot of logistics work in PA and elsewhere), your tacitern Germans (who are in NM and at Dulles airport, for starters)...we just don't "advertise it" much.

[lonestarnot]

17. Are there riots yet?

[EFerrari]

18. News is saying a peaceful demonstration. I can't go

but if anything shakes loose, I'll try to post.

[lonestarnot]

20. Chinese police in America. If that doesn't take the fucking cake!

[EFerrari]

24. There are a lot of people out on the street. The PD are trying to

stay on top of where the crowds seem to be gathering. (I mostly trust the SFPD to just try to keep things cool but the Homeland Sekurity F#ckers, not so much.)

Only under Bush could this even be possible. Hosting suppressive murderers. I don't even recognize this country any more.

My favorite supervisor used his email list to get people out on the street today. If I have to confront fascist @ssholes, it's good to be here, anyway, with people like Chris.

[ronnykmarshall]

29. Keep us posted.

One of my best friends is a SF Sheriff depute and she had to go out on patrol for this. I've been tex-ting her. I don't know where she's at right now. But she's afraid it's going to get real ugly. There are rumors that some people might try and set themselves on fire. Just a rumor she heard. But you never.

[EFerrari]

32. Thank God for TiVo. I have to go out for 15, but will pause it

and shot the images and post.

Hope your friend stays safe, ronny. I trust the demonstrators not to do what they abhor. :hug:

The weird thing, do a search. No images. :wtf:

:tinfoilhat:

[JDPriestly]

19. The United States cannot allow them to touch American citizens.

We have laws against assault and battery. If these thugs touch any American without good reason, the thugs should be arrested and charged just like any other civilian would be. If they violate American law, they must be deported. That is what happens to any visitor who violates American law. These thugs may be part of the Chinese military in China, but they have no police authority in the United States.

[Sonnenschein]

174. Did you see any of them attack anyone? Why do you call them thugs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9QNKB34cJo

[JDPriestly]

198. A woman in London alleged that they tore a symbol for free Tibet

off of her clothing. Only thugs would do that.

The Tibet issue is one of religious freedom. If the Chinese did not suppress the Tibetan religion and the Dalai Lama, there would be no problem. The Dalai Lama finds support in America because of his philosophy, not his political platform.

A personal aside: From my point of view as an American, I will say this: If Texas wants to secede, so be it. We've had three Texan presidents, and they have all been absolutely awful. We don't need any more Texans in the White House. I will temper my statement by apologizing to decent, law abiding, Democratic Texans.

By the way, the person who wrote the text for the video needs to review the infinitive forms of English verbs. to do, to go, to be, to say, to sing, to write, to free, to suppress, to enjoy, to worship.

[slackmaster]

21. We need to alert the Third Amendment Foundation at once

Before they force us to let them sleep in our homes.

[lonestarnot]

23. As navy seal Jessie Ventura told Colbert last night, they have to sleep sometime.

[EFerrari]

26. 5K people reported to be just at the intersection of Embarcadero and Folsom. nt

[EFerrari]

27. The SFPD are planning to surround the torch runners to keep them safe.

San Francisco is out on the street. :woohoo:

[Supersedeas]

28. Will Hannity and Coultergeist and Lou Dobbs salute Chinese soldiers that beat down American

protesters

[brentspeak]

128. Why are you lumping Dobbs in with those two clowns?

Lou Dobbs has spent much of the past few years blasting China for its abysmal human rights record.

[Sonnenschein]

175. You bet the secret service will beat down a Chinese in China on chinese soil

if someone tries to harm Bush. Don't you know anything?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9QNKB34cJo

[EFerrari]

30. I just did a search to post photos and nada on the net.

:shrug:

[redacted]

39. Thanks Expat. Good to hear from you. There are plenty of photos from London and Paris

from the last couple of days, and live coverage on most of our Bay Area stations is supposed to begin on broadcast and the Net in about 10 minutes. I hope we'll see some YouTube videos posted shortly, too, because the world's attention is clearly focused on San Francisco this afternoon.

[EFerrari]

48. City Hall is all tied up. Which is a good thing to my mind.

There are also thousands of people out on the streets here in support of China and the Chinese people.

I only hope the two groups, who really have no beef with each other, don't hurt anyone. :(

[ronnykmarshall]

41. KRON had some earlier.

So did KGO-7.

[EFerrari]

43. I'm taking some now of the Ch2 broadcast.

I'll post them later after my poor dog gets to pee. :P

[EFerrari]

31. There are thousands of people on the street.

WHY ARE THERE NO IMAGES ON THE NET?

[EFerrari]

33. My cousin does traffic on a local channel. They have him on now

which he never is.

GO, SAN FRANCISCO!

[ronnykmarshall]

44. He's your COUSIN??

Oh my god. I remember him when I lived in SF. He's a good reporter.

[EFerrari]

46. And, he's single!

lol

:hi:

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. Paramilitary, police folks first I am not surprised

second, they are probably getting diplomatic immunity

Third, when we have national leaders travel from our borders they take around a protection team that is technically paramilitary too

So that one doesn't shock me.

Now if they violate US Laws... they will be shipped out of the country as personna non-grata... just as a secret service person would as well

Same status...

And no, not defending the Chinese, just happen to have a clue about how this works

[EFerrari]

35. The rumor is that the relay will be turned around to avoid the protesters

and head back to Justin Herman Plaza.

[EFerrari]

37. Channel 2 reporting that SFPD, CHP, the County Sheriffs and HLS

is lining the route - and they are vastly outnumbered.

Ch 2 is only reporting this story right now.

/accuracy

[ronnykmarshall]

38. I'm streaming Ch 2.

My friend just texted me a bit ago. She's probably getting in place and can't text back right now.

[EFerrari]

42. I don't think anyone will get hurt. I hope not.

:(

[ronnykmarshall]

49. San Mateo too.

Just got a text.

[HEyHEY]

40. I hope these guys get their asses kicked

Mob style.

[Sonnenschein]

160. What guys?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqOYL5BRas

[file83]

178. You sir, are a TROLL. Every response you have includes YouTube propaganda

designed to create HATRED against the Tibetans and create the illusion that the Chinese government is innocent.

It's flamebait, and you should be ashamed of yourself.

[redacted]

45. Hey folks, without recommendations, nobody else on DU is seeing this thread.

If you want the DU folks in Houston (where I am temporarily right now) and Chicago and Boston and Atlanta to see this live video coverage, better rate this thread up NOW.

[EFerrari]

47. Error . . .

Thanks for posting, redacted!

[redacted]

50. KGO-7 live video ONLINE STARTING NOW at this address:

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/feature?section=news&id=6069106

Thanks again Expat YOU ROCK!

[EFerrari]

51. Sal is telling people to try to get their cars out of San Francisco

from his CH 2 venue.

That means, we are rocking, people!

:woohoo:

[ronnykmarshall]

54. Sounds like they ARE going to shorten it.

My friend is near the ballpark. She just text'd me a pic of her riot helmet. :scared: I wish she had a nice desk job instead!

[ronnykmarshall]

52. Damn Ch 2 said people were out at 6am.

Some of the pro-China peeps.

[redacted]

55. KPIX has chopper raw video of protesters SHUTTING DOWN THE EMBARCADERO

and forcing busses and other traffic to divert to sidestreets. See it here on demand:

http://cbs5.com/

[EFerrari]

57. Baby!

lol!

:woohoo::woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

68. K&R

[EFerrari]

53. Ch2: "There is a small area over here where the dignataries will be sitting."

Who the F dignataries will those be? We need to find out. :grr:

[ronnykmarshall]

62. Gavin, Willie and I don't know who else yet.

I know Willie was supposed to "run" with the torch.

[EFerrari]

102. He's being driven to wherever they wind up, far as I can tell.

It's a shame. Wille was an awesome Democrat, a dirty fighter in a dirty state legislature who figured out how to win for us. I'm sorry he didn't get to enjoy this honor in peace. I don't agree with him but, he really has already earned this. :(

[EFerrari]

56. CH2 is reporting that the the 3rd Street Bridge was closed down

early this morning to prevent protesters from setting up.

Thanks, Gavin!

[EFerrari]

58. Stir in the Coast Guard and the FBI according to CH2.

Because peaceniks are so f#cking dangerous.

[EFerrari]

59. There are are boats in the bay that have "Free Tibet" banners and signs. nt

[ronnykmarshall]

64. Text from my friend -

EMBARCADERO TAKEN OVER!!!

Scared!

[EFerrari]

60. The relay with be turned around at Sansome and Chestnut

-- at Pier 39 --so the supporters and the protesters are moving accordingly. The route has been considerably shortened.

[EFerrari]

61. Out for a few. But, the end point at Justin Herman Plaza

is PACKED. Taking pix off of the teevee screen. b.

[redacted]

65. Are they playing the music that loud to drown out all the protesters at McCovey Cove?

Incredibly loud, distorted audio after that last chorus of boos.

[slowry]

66. Putting aside politics...

... what a stupid ritual.

[Javaman]

67. They're here just to check out their future real estate. nt

[redacted]

69. UH-OH. The torch has been "disappeared." Nobody seems to know where it went.

[KansDem]

77. Just send them one of these and be done with it...

[EFerrari]

71. There seems to be a convoy exiting a building at Pier 39.

They're headed south away from the park.

(Just got back in.)

[lonestarnot]

74. LOL Torch Underground! LOL

[lonestarnot]

72. K & R! BASTARDS!

[EFerrari]

73. Watching local CH11 right now.

Willie Brown reporting a number of diversions.

(And in itself THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS because the protesters have been peaceful.)

"The run has been destroyed." -- Willie Brown.

The torch is being driven (to Justin Herman Plaza?).

[ronnykmarshall]

79. What's ch 11's website.

Ch 2 is dull right now.

[EFerrari]

82. Here and loading slowly:

http://www.nbc11.com/index.html

[PATRICK]

75. "Red Dawn"

is how another segment of the population sees it. They are in considerably more danger than from Tibet protesters. Are these Hong Kong police? That would seem to make some sense but isn't that style of law enforcement pretty brutal as well?

[EFerrari]

76. There will be a closing ceremony at Justin Herman Plaza. n/t

[EFerrari]

78. Our idiot local media is trying to frame this as a conflict

between the pro=Chinese people and the anti-Chinese government protesters. F#ckheads.

[NYC Liberal]

83. Leslie Blitzer on CNN was talking about "all the violence in Paris and London"

:rofl:

[EFerrari]

85. There are thousands of people along the route.

They vastly outnumber law enforcement.

If they wanted to make trouble, they could set fire to this town.

They didn't.

[NYC Liberal]

Some woman on CNN is talking about how "my heart goes out to the runners"

because those mean, mean protestors dared to show up!

Direct quote: "They prepare for days for this. My heart goes out to them, they have to deal with all of this at a moment which should be a happy time for them."


:puke: :puke:

[EFerrari]

90. It's bullshit. It has been peaceful. n/t

[NYC Liberal]

92. Do you know how many have showed up? I don't trust the MSM at all.

[EFerrari]

93. And you shouldn't! I don't know yet. But this town turned out big time.

I'll scout around and see if I can find out. It may be until tomorrow.

[NYC Liberal]

95. I remember them claiming the RNC protests only brought ~100,000

which was obviously bullshit - closer to a million.

[EFerrari]

97. My guesstimate from watching the teevee is at least half a million.

If not more. And, people are still gathering.

I have no doubt it will not be reported.

[NYC Liberal]

98. It sure looks that way from what I see too.

Hey China, it's called free speech. Welcome to the free world.

[NYC Liberal]

88. Some woman on CNN is talking about how "my heart goes out to the runners"

because those mean, mean protestors dared to show up!

Direct quote: "They prepare for days for this. My heart goes out to them, they have to deal with all of this at a moment which should be a happy time for them."


:puke: :puke:

[Lorien]

168. NPR yesterday said that the protests were over "concerns about human

rights abuses and an ALLEGED crackdown in Tibet".

[EFerrari]

80. THEY HAD TO PUT THE TORCH AND THE RUNNERS INTO CARS

AND DRIVE THEM TO THE CLOSING CERMONY!

And, NOT because of violence. This is just the RW spin -- a way to avoid what people are saying.

FREE TIBET!

[lonestarnot]

81. OMG.

:rofl: DRIVE THEM

[Better Believe It]

86. Chinese Troops Invade U.S. !!! Let's Go To War .....

against the evil empire in China!

Really folks. I thought everyone on DU was free from zenophobia and racism. Guess I was wrong.

Is everyone here familiar with the CIA's long role and history in Tibet? If not, check it out!

[redacted]

182. Excuse me? This situation, and this post, is NOT AT ALL what you assume it's about.

You're new around here, aren't you?

I'M VERY OFFENDED that you would say I'm a racist or a xenophobe. I like all individuals of Chinese ancestry; our family doctor is one and he is a great person. I don't give a damm about the Tibet situation and that's not what my OP is about. Go back and read it.

My OP is about the likely possibility that FOREIGN troops will be used on American soil and may injure or kill protesters. The British, who since 2005 have a national law prohibiting non-permitted demonstrations, had no difficulty allowing the Chinese elite unit to beat up their citizens at the London torch run.

This post and this thread is about how our beloved American sovereignty is now under attacks on multiple fronts--first by NAFTA and the Trans-Texas superhighway, to the Amero as a unit of currency replacing the Dollar, and now to attempts to condition the public that the use of FOREIGN TROOPS on American soil is acceptable under certain circumstances--when it NEVER is acceptable UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES under our Constitution.

[eppur_se_muova]

159. The Rosie Ruiz Olympic Torch Relay! nt

[EFerrari]

84. Our local media is playing up the potential violence

and there hasn't been any.

[EFerrari]

87. What I'm looking at looks like what your government will do

to avoid facing the people.

Excuse me while I

:woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo:

[EFerrari]

89. I'm seeing an image of two runners surrounded by bike cops.

And I'm not seeing anyone attempting to hurt those two runners.

eta: They are on Van Ness and there are few people there because they changed the route. So, those two runners have no audience.

[lonestarnot]

96. Running amokunderground?

[EFerrari]

94. I'm seeing a very heavily guarded group moving down Van Ness

with virtually no one along the route. "Traffic is at a stand still" -- CH 11.

(What if you gave an event and didn't let anyone come?)

[WolverineDG]

101. I'm streaming an SF station

they're blaming the protestors for creating an "environment of fear." :grr:

dg

[EFerrari]

103. Oh, yeah! Those peaceful demonstrators -- they are the problem.

Let's reflect for a moment on how much restraint my neighbors have to turn out in the tens of thousands PEACEFULLY.

:grr:

[WolverineDG]

104. No fake

The only ones who have to fear anything are the guilty parties.

dg

[EFerrari]

107. And they project their guilt back on us endlessly. n/t

[EFerrari]

99. What a bunch of youknowwhat.

Local media reinforcing the non-danger the runners were / are in.

It seems as though they are trying to get to the plaza to get through the closing ceremony. Meanwhile, us local viewers are being treated to bullshit about how the runners where in danger. :puke:

[EFerrari]

100. Our local media people are also scrambling to catch up with

the new route.

[EFerrari]

105. David Perry, SF Relay Spokesperson reiterating that protesters

are to blame for an atmosphere of fear.

F#CK YOU, David, the first Amendment is still in force and, FREE TIBET.

[elizfeelinggreat]

106. Thank you very much

for this thread.

I would have never known all this if I couldn't read it here.
I'm certainly not going to believe what they tell me on the corporate news.

[redacted]

181. PM (private message) me if you want to know how I got tipped off. It was NOT through DU or the MSM.

[EFerrari]

108. My local news: "Do you see any signs of protesters out here?" --

as if they're asking about monsters.

And, this is San Francisco.

[EFerrari]

109. SF CH11: "There's so many cops out here, it's unbelievable."

(The last runner is saying he will run about two blocks to the end. What a disgusting disgrace.)

[EFerrari]

110. CH11: Protesters are arriving at the plaza. n/t

[EFerrari]

111. Hand off to two new runners. n/t

[EFerrari]

112. Sal says they may not close at Justin Herman Plaza. (Watching CH2 now).

[WolverineDG]

113. Heading towards the marina perhaps

that's what was just said on the stream I've got

dg

[Hell Hath No Fury]

114. I got back a few minutes ago --

from the ballpark -- what a goddamn clusterfuck this whole thing was. :mad:

The only thing I want to know is if this was the plan from the start -- to bypass the published route as a way to avoid the majority of protesters. And was Newsom in on this. If he was, man, he is going to hear an earful from me. :mad :mad:

You are right, there was NO violence goling on, just lots of heated verbal back and forth. There is no reason the torch could have gone down the original route. This whole thing stinks to high heaven.

[EFerrari]

116. Listening to Sal on CH2. It looks like they're heading to the GG.

And, I'll have to chew him out for implying that protesters were any threat at ALL today.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

117. Is Sal your cousin??

He almost hit me in his car once, years ago. :D

I am really, really pissed off for all the people who showed up to see this event - it wasn't just the protestors and supporters who showed, but lots of regular folk who just wanted to see the torch come through.

I just can't believe they pulled this shit.

[EFerrari]

118. His dad was my surrogate Dad.

And a really, really good one. :)

This event has now descended into tragi-comedy.

Can you BELIEVE this is happening in San Francisco?

eta: Yes, Salvita is my mom's brother's first. lol

[XOKCowboy]

120. Sal the Traffic Guy??

Little geeky guy with glasses? I always see him when I'm in the BA.

[EFerrari]

127. If you call my cousin a little geek, I'll have to fuck you up.

:rofl:

[XOKCowboy]

154. Nah I love his traffic reports!!

He's funny and very endearing. In most major markets the anchors are either old veterans or models who can read barely read a teleprompter. It's nice seeing someone like Sal.

[EFerrari]

180. I remember when he used to drive his parents mad

asking them "why?" about everything.

That two year old "why, dad?" that impells you to resist homicide because you are a blood relation. lol

Sal's sister, Elena, just had her first, a girl. All 250 of us here in the Bay Area are still celebrating. :)

[ronnykmarshall]

122. It's a total joke.

The city is basically locked down.

Just got a text from my friend ... they are staged at JHP. It could get ugly when they tell the folks they cancelled the closing thingy.

[EFerrari]

126. It's gonna be a long night. n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

132. Hey Chris Daly was just on Ch 7.

He's cute!

[EFerrari]

134. I missed it!

Chris is great. And cute. :)

[ronnykmarshall]

146. Yes indeed!

What's the news saying? I just got home and I'm trying to stream any SF station. Just short reports on the LA news.

[EFerrari]

155. They weenied out and bailed to the airport.

The torch is on a plane and will be going on to Argentina.

I'm thinking, with all the Chinese and Asian Americans in SF, today was HUGE. HUGE. Because most of the spokespeople I saw on the teevee speaking for Tibet were of Asian extraction. :toast:

[ronnykmarshall]

148. Embarc looks like it's clearing out.

Saw a live report on our Ch 7 just now. My friend and I were texting back and forth the last hour. Sounds like it's clearing out. Don't know how long she has to stay on duty. I hope she took BART into the city. Traffic is gonna suck.

[EFerrari]

163. Aaron and the other progressive supes have called out Newsom.

This is going to be a three hanky drama. lol

[ronnykmarshall]

119. Oh no!

Cousin fight!

Now they are moving it to SFO.

[ronnykmarshall]

124. TEN Muni lines are affected!

I can bet people working downtown are PISSED!!

Commute from the financial dist is bad enough on a regular day.

[Orwellian_Ghost]

123. I'm certain

they are capitalist Chinese troops if anything.

[EFerrari]

129. So, it looks like the caravan is trying to sneak out to the airport.

What a disgrace.

[readmoreoften]

130. Wait, are these the "Chinese troops" we're talking about?

If so, I'm not afraid of escorts in baby blue track suits.

[pinniped]

157. Ya, where are their assault rifles and paramilitary uniforms?

They are wearing light blue. They must be the UN troops in disguise, here on our soil to take over the US and take your guns away.

[redacted]

186. Look at the photos of London demonstrators getting beaten up by Chinese security

before making stupid and distracting comments like this one. What does the color of their outfits have to do with anything?

Besides, from the photo and video coverage alone we don't know who those two particular guys in the blue running suits are; I thought they were a couple of the runners, ready to take the torch for the relay run.

Remarks like yours give the Freepers good reason to label us as "DUmmies." Stop embarassing us.

[EFerrari]

131. The caravan is going to the airport per CH 2. n/t

[muriel_volestrangler]

133. OMG! They finally finished the tunnel!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061387/plotsummary

[EFerrari]

135. Local CH2 is saying today was a success from the SFPD

and the mayor's viewpoint.

(Our board of supervisors will be weighing in on how Newsom worked to fool us about the route. Nobody is really stressing. That's just what Newsom does.)

They don't say that the protesters that outnumbered law enforcement were peaceful.

But, we routed them. They weren't allowed to run down our streets in part honoring a government as criminal as our own.

[Kaleko]

136. Awesome reporting, sfexpat!!

I don't know how to thank you enough. Without you, we would have never known...

:pals:

[EFerrari]

137. The closing ceremony will be held at the airport which isn't in SF.

GOOD WORK, SAN FRANCISCO. I'm so proud of you today. :yourock:

[EFerrari]

139. No more teevee news until 5pm -- in 30 minutes.

The word is, the caravan is at the airport and will fly to Argentina at 9pm.

Argentina, you're up!

[ronnykmarshall]

147. Don't cry for me ARRRRGENTINAAAAA!

[Kaleko]

140. Ceremony at the airport? Uhm, festive...

and fitting, alright. :eyes:

[EFerrari]

141. "Take this torch and stuff it --"

The point has been made.

I feel badly for many of my neighbors who looked forward to this but, imho, we did the right thing.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

138. Sometimes, Money trumps Peace.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/02/20070214-2.html

THE PRESIDENT: It's an interesting question. One of the problems -- not specifically on this issue, just in general -- let's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes. In other words, commercial interests are very powerful interests throughout the world. And part of the issue in convincing people to put sanctions on a specific country is to convince them that it's in the world's interest that they forgo their own financial interest.

And John, that's why sometimes it's tough to get tough economic sanctions on countries. And I'm not making any comment about any particular country, but you touched on a very interesting point.


~ * talking about Iran.

[EFerrari]

144. It didn't today.

:)

[ronnykmarshall]

152. Still waiting to hear from my homegirl.

I wanna get all the dirt. Text messages don't cut it.

[EFerrari]

171. Has she gotten clear yet?

:hi:

[ronnykmarshall]

189. FYI - I got a text from here around 5 she was going to city hall.

She was on her way to the press conference. I called her mom to tell her she was OK. She said everything when ok and things went very peaceful.

[EFerrari]

195. Good to hear that!

:hi:

[Sonnenschein]

143. Bunch of lies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSQnK5FcKas

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

145. Interesting. I recommend inquiring minds to view this.

[file83]

177. I watched it, and it's pure bullshit.

Don't fall for that Chinese propaganda man.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

183. gotcha.

[Kaleko]

153. Ah, Sonnenschein is back. Yay!

He's been debunked in a previous thread about Tibet.

Bezahlen sie dich gut für deine propaganda, Sonnenscheinchen? Oder sprichst du kein Deutsch?

[Sonnenschein]

156. what did you debunk?

Willst du dich mit mir im Deutsch messen, musst du noch 20 Jahre lernen.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=acHkXqik_Bo

[Kaleko]

161. Deflection, aka weasel words. Just answer the question:

do they pay you well for your propaganda, Sunshine?

Woher willst du wissen dass ich noch 20 Jahre lernen muss? Oder dass ich mich mit jemandem wie du messen will? Dein Deutsch ist übrigens sehr gespreizt und veraltet.

[Sonnenschein]

165. Blame Goethe and Schiller für mein veraltes Deutsch!

Wirst du bezahlt, um die Lügen zu verbreiten? http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1206658887.html

[Kaleko]

169. Why blame anyone else for what you are solely responsible? Just keep on bumping

this thread to the top, that's good enough, thank you! I want people to read this story, make up their own minds, and recognize who the disinformation agents are.

:P

[Sonnenschein]

170. A Dummkopf with no sense of humor!

http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1206658887.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZLzKBvvGMg

[Sonnenschein]

167. Woher willst du wissen dann, dass ich bezahlt wurde? Idiot!

http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1206658887.html

[EFerrari]

172. You must be joking.

Do you think you can bring this shit here and be believed?

Welcome to the little club of people I don't need to waste my time on.

[Sonnenschein]

173. Is Noam Chomsky shit to you? Is Michael Parenti shit to you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZLzKBvvGMg

[NickB79]

185. Because, of course, YouTube videos are credible sources of info nowadays

I made it through the first 5 minutes before I was :rofl: at it. Even the music it was set to was a joke.

[samsingh]

164. say it isn't so

[Sonnenschein]

166. Let Noam Chomsky talk some senses into you.

http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1206658887.html

[Warren Stupidity]

176. I'm fine with protesting China's treatment of Tibet and all

but - the headline reads like some idiocy from FR.

[EFerrari]

179. Don't be taken off task by little things.

But, you know that already.

lol

[redacted]

184. Hey, I wrote that headline and I think YOUR comment is idiocy.

Stop insulting me and the many others at DU who share my concern. Reread my OP and then read my remarks in post 182, this thread.

Your screen name sure as hell fits, Stupidity.

[Warren Stupidity]

188. There are foreign government 'forces' of all sorts over here

doing various stuff with the full approval of our government all the time. It is a perfectly normal condition. Your headline reads like some rightwingt idiocy from FR. Like I said, I support the protests against the policies of the Chinese government with respect to tTibet and Darfur. I am opposed to idiotic 1950's style red scare nonsense. I am not insulting your concern, I am insulting your stupid headline.

[entanglement]

187. It sure hurts when the shoe is on the other foot, doesn't it?

Maybe this will give the clueless "patriots" and supporters of imperialism an idea of how fundamentally wrong it is to have our troops on Iraqi soil? It's an easy intellectual exercise : if the
mere presence of para-military members of another (admittedly unfriendly) nation on our soil is so obnoxious to us, how galling should it be to, say, an average Afghan or Iraqi whose lands are overrun with hostile foreign forces?

Of course, given the fact that nationalist blinders are very thick, I wouldn't bet on it.

[Better Believe It]

191. The Evil Empire China Strikes In San Francisco!

Do people think the Bush government should invade China in response?

[Virginia Dare]

192. Oh well, our jackboots will be over there when Bush visits..

tit for tat I guess.

[krispos42]

196. Not surprising

I watched the Olympic torch as it came through Fairfield, CT, back in 1996. The Atlanta games. Georgia State Troopers were escorting the torch around the entire country.

In donated BMWs, for some reason.


As long as they aren't packing guns, I'm okay. But I think that armed escort should be done by the local or state police, not the host country.

[mdmc]

200. yikes!