It seems like the Olympic torch, usually a symbol for the harmony of the Games, has become the victim of protesters around the world. Yesterday, Parisians so vehemently protested, they forced to torch to be extinguished and rushed to a bus for protection (let me get this straight; the French will surrender to Germany in WWII in less than ten seconds, but they have the fortitude to put out a helpless flame? Go figure). Today, there are worries that there could be trouble when the torch arrives at San Francisco.

In the midst of all that, you've got to wonder "Why target the flame"? I know why these people say they're doing it. They are protesting China's appalling displays against Tibet. They are protesting China's repeated human rights abuses. Those are noble causes. But did the flame cause the problems in Tibet? Has it been in charge of China during the Communist regime there? Hell no!

So, instead of targeting the flame, these protesters should target the real culprit; the International Olympic Committee! It was the IOC, after all, who selected Beijing for the Summer Games coming this year. They made the decision in spite of opposition from other people about China's dubious record. So they didn't do their homework, and now the Games, which are as big a political stage (despite the belief it shouldn't) as you can get, are being put head-first into a major firestorn.

And deep down inside, many of these people may be hungry for media exposure. After all, it would actually take work to put their 'energy' into the real cause of the problem. But causing trouble with the torch is much easier and accomplishes the goal they really had. I call it the Sharpton-Jackson theory: these people want the mike/camera because they (think) they need it!

In summation, the problems with Beijing hosting the Olympics are well known. And bringing them to the media's attention is good (although the possibility of change is slim). But people need to go about getting that attention focused on the root, not a victim of circumstance. If you want change, let the IOC get you venom. And leave the torch alone!