On the Olympic Torch and the Masters

Being a sports fan, I'm naturally excited for the Olympics. Coming around every four years, they have that special feel for me that I otherwise only seem to get with the Super Bowl, the NCAA tournament, and the World Cup. There's something about seeing people just give their all in the name of their country that's pretty cool. You don't see such passion and pride anywhere but the Olympics (maybe at the World Cup and NCAA tourney, but too a much smaller degree). For the most part, Olympic athletes aren't super famous and ridiculously rich. They haven't been spoiled, so to speak, by fame.
The running of the torch is one of the Olympics' time-honored tradition. Not only does it get people all psyched-up for the Olympics, but it helps us to remember the beauty of sport (god that sounds cliche). But in all honesty, that's what the torch is meant to represent, and I think most people see it as transcending the simple flame that it is. The Olympic torch is usually met with gala and celebration, but that is obviously not the case this year. The numerous demonstrations and protests that have met the torch on its journey thus far are well documented. My feelings on these protests are kind of split.
It's always a good thing when people are standing up for the suffering of others. China's humanitarian record is widely known to be a disgrace and it's about time attention was brought to this. Knowing China's humanitarian stances, I'm surprised the International Olympic Committee allowed Beijing to have the games in the first place. Did they expect people to be so apathetic as to not care at all about the atrocities that the Chinese government permits? If so, I don't know whether that speaks to the ignorance of the IOC or to the sad state of social consciousness in the world today. Whichever the case, it seemed that the IOC expected politics not to come into play during these Olympics at all. That, for sure, IS ignorance. On a platform this prominent, politics are bound to come into play. And it's not as if the Olympics have never served as a stage for people to express their political agendas. You have Jesse Owens basically slapping Hitler in the face at the1936 Olympics, South Africa being banned from the 1964 Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raising their fists in support of the civil rights movement at the 1968 games, the Munich kidnappings and subsequent murders in 1972, and America boycotting the 1980 games in Moscow. If the rest of the world is watching, politics will ALWAYS come into play. You'll never have a better chance to reach a large audience.
Jacque Rogge, president of the IOC, did not help matters by reacting to the mass protests by saying only that he is in "silent diplomacy" with China. What the fuck kind of euphemism is that?? Just say that you don't wanna ruffle China's feathers cause their government is as sensitive to criticism as a pregnant woman. Seriously, that is a ridiculous answer. Rogge should lose his job for that. The thing is, no one's happy with China's government. Human rights violations are just one of many worrisome factors relating to the country. Once again, though, economics rule all. America wouldn't dare to say anything. The US economy relies heavily on China's large and deep labor pool (and China, in return, relies on us to purchase a large chunk of their goods). Though condemning China publicly would be the right thing to do, it would make no financial sense to do such a thing. The American government, and one could argue rightfully so, will not jeopardize their mutually-beneficial relationship over a country as insignificant (to them) as Tibet. Rogge has said that he thinks the games will be a "catalyst for change and will open a country which used to be mysterious to much of the world". Well you better hope so Jacque, cause so far it's not going too well.
On the other side of the equation, it's a shame that these protests didn't emerge before the Olympics. Sure this is a great way to put attention on the issue, but you have to feel bad for the people running the torch and for the spectators that just wanted a glimpse of it going through their city. I think it's a sign of the times that even something as seemingly insignificant as the running of a lit torch cannot occur without upsetting people across the globe. It's a shame both that the innocence of the Olympics are gone and that people will never let it return. When most people think of the Olympic flame, it brings forth the sense of friendly competition and unity; well it seems unity maybe gone and the competition might not be so friendly anymore.

On a related tangent, China has blamed Tibetan separatists for causing the riots. Oh shut the fuck up you Commie bastards. Give us a break. If you didn't have a billion people in your country no one would give you any respect at all. You're pretty much the Paris Hilton of the world. No one really likes you, but you're tolerated cause you're a billionaire heiress and there's the prospect of getting a blow job.

Okay, when I get home from work I like to sit down and watch PTI. It's one of my daily traditions. Kornheiser and Wilbon's back-and-forth banter always makes for good entertainment. When I got home on Thursday and Friday though, what did I find when I turned on ESPN to watch PTI?... the motherfucking Masters. The Masters! I mean, I understand canceling PTI for the playoffs, opening day, or the NCAA tourney, but not for the damned Masters. As is clearly apparent, I am NOT a golf fan. I just don't care about the Masters and ESPN's blanket coverage of it the last 4 days has been annoying as hell. All I get is golf, golf, and more golf. I understand if people want to play golf, but how can people watch it? Swing, walk, repeat. How is that entertaining in the least? ESPN disappoints me sometimes. We never see any European soccer (even though they have many of the television contracts) or hockey, and instead we get fishing, bowling, racing and golf. Is golf even a sport? My definition of a sport is something you can't do while smoking a cigarette. I'm fairly positive you can play golf while smoking. Now I am greatly impressed by pro golfers. Their ability to hit a small ball into a small hole is impressive, but I don't want to watch it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. All you ever hear come Masters time is ESPN's sycophantic sportscasters gushing on and on about the beauty and majesty of Augusta. It's a pretty lawn. With holes and tiny deserts. Give me a break. Can we take a national poll on how many people actually want to watch this thing on TV? If more people want to watch it than don't, then I concede and it stays on air; otherwise, move it to ESPN 5 or some shit. Golf is golf, and I will never care. Give me back PTI.