China will always have Paris

Third time was a charm as protesters helped put out the Olympic torch in Paris on its way to China. Protesters also scaled the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as well. This follows a tumultuous day previously in London. The athletes themselves are coming under greater pressure to take a stand against China's human rights record and its (admittedly abusive) relationship to Tibet. The torch's route through the world has become a gathering storm for all of the dragon's enemies, uniting a diverse group of bedfellows. Sadly, China, not being a democracy, is not going to bend to world public opinion. Until the mandate of heaven is withdrawn from the Communist party, the red hot spotlight probably will not bring freedom or justice to Tibet and its people. But one could hope.