I wonder why John McCain doesn't come right out and say he sold his soul.  We miss the straight talk.  He should run with the explicit admission that he plans to pardon Jack Abramoff, and make the former lobbyist Secretary of the Treasury.  Ralph Reed, McCain's newest best buddy, it should be admitted, will get a big role in McCain's administration.  McCain should tell us that Exxon will replace our current EPA.  He should regale us with tales of how his administration will be one big, happy oil company and lobbyist family, like his campaign.  That would be straight talk.

More, yo.

There is an allure to the Olympics games, and allure that transcends sport. It is the ultimate gathering of the world - because of the athletes who participate, amateurs from all different walks of life competing peacefully and representing their countries with valor that makes us all proud.

But the Olympics are far more than who wins the gold. From the Olympic charter.

Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

Mimicking an idea from another Olympic games (see more below), China is organizing a worldwide tour of the torch as part of their grand public relations bonanza surrounding the games, and has invited 50 world leaders, including President George W. Bush to attend the opening ceremonies.

Majora Carter is a hero. She is part of the growing movement that is integrating social and environmental justice and sustainability. Read this great diary about her work around green jobs and Sustainable South Bronx.

Yesterday, in San Francisco, Majora Carter was one of the Olympic Torch Bearers. She pulled out a hidden Tibetan flag and held both the torch and the flag as she ran. How was she rewarded? The flag was ripped from her hand by other runners. The torch pulled from her hand. Then police took her from the procession and shoved her into the crowd.

Majora Carter is a hero.

jump-

I have a soft spot for protesters who are engaged in truly noble causes. Often times the motive for demonstrations can be murky or controversial but other times they are almost a moral imperative.

The civil rights demonstrations in the mid 20th century, women's suffrage movement or in today's case the promotion of freedom against China's tyrannous human rights violations in Tibet.

When the banner unfolded I have to admit that I got a bit choked up. This is well worth the risk for those involved and I applaud them for their bravery:

Protestors using climbing gear have scaled the Golden Gate bridge and posted two large signs on the suspension cables.  One sign says "Free Tibet"  
 Check the local NBC station website http://www.nbc11.com/...

The group identified themselves to NBC11 as Students for a Free Tibet from New York. At 11:20 a.m. the three climbers unveiled two mesh banners that read "One Dream, Free Tibet 08." The sign cast a shadow on the lanes of the bridge, causing drivers to slow down and read the text.

Chopper11 showed a woman at the base of the bridge being arrested. She was wearing a T-shirt that had the words "Team Tibet" on it.

Sorry for the brevity of this diary and lack of video, but I'm on dialup.

One of WayneNight's comments jogged college-days memory of the Students For a Free Tibet campaign to keep the Olympics out of China. The local chapter of SFT had been very successful in earlier actions and had shown solidarity for a great many other social justice causes. "One good turn..."

Below is an email I sent July 5th 2001, eight days before the IOC selected China as host of the 2008 Olympics. The recipient of the email was Mrs. Charmaine Crooks, Canada's representative on the International Olympic Committee, who (IIRC) hailed from British Columbia.

I hate being right.