Olympic Torch Relay in San Francisco

On a sunny San Francisco day I took off from work and walked the few blocks to the Embarcadero to check out the torch relay.

There had been protests earlier along the relay in London and Paris, and the same was expected in San Francisco.

Unfortunately, the organizers decided to deny the supporters and protesters their ability to voice their opinions and instead bussed the torch into an unspecified area of the city (Van Ness Ave) and parade the torch down streets devoid of any crowds - neither supporters not detractors.

Everyone along the Embarcadero felt ripped off and it left me feeling disheartened about our political leadership (here in San Francisco) where a successful running - ANY successful running - was deemed more important than allowing the onlookers the opportunity to express their viewpoints in a meaningful fashion.