Olympic torch inflames protesters

BY PAUL MUELLER
STAFF WRITER 

The Olympic torch continues its arduous path to Beijing this week. It is in Malaysia today and will arrive in Japan on Saturday.

Protesters disrupted the torch lighting ceremony last month in Olympia, Greece, foreshadowing a relay swarmed by political demonstrations against China for their poor human rights record. In light of the worldwide protests, President Bush is under pressure to boycott the Summer Games’ opening ceremonies.

In what is becoming an annoying trend, the separation between sport and state in America has again become foggy.

There is little to gain by boycotting the opening ceremonies. It sends no powerful message; it conveys no significant disapproval. If President Bush decides to sit out the opening ceremonies, nobody is going to blow out the torch and send the athletes home.