April 9, 2008
Olympic SF Torch Updates Via Twitter

Show is over, everyone. The torch is on its way to South America now. To check out images of today's flame switcheroo acrion--including "No MSG" man and more--go here. Whew.
brochtrup: "no ceremonies. at all. pft." (3:52)
njudah: "flight of the valkryies: the helis covering the torch are swarming my house!" (3:50)
brochtrup: "'torch relay over;' presidio park area to hold closing ceremonies now. what?" (3:30)
brochtrup: "coming out of a federal police radio on market street: 'be advised, there could be a backlash once word gets out [that the ceremonies are now canceled.]'" (3:28)
ronjon: "Embarcadero shut down by protesters." (3:20)
brochtrup: "closing ceremony has been canceled at the waterfront. will be held in undisclosed location." (3:19)
brittneyg: "Worst pickup line ever: 'woo, free tibet. Strut your stuff!'" (3:11)
laughingsquid: "here's the most powerful image I saw today, as a shot it a pro-China supporter was told me not to believe the lies." (3:10)
rockbandit: "awww, little kid asks his dad if this means olympics are canceled." (3:08)
brochtrup: " press being driven around, following torch in a bay area quackers bus shaped like a duck. this cannot get any funnier or i am going to DIE." (2:59)
brittney: "Still at Embarcadero as trying to catch the torch is a pretty fruitless effort. Very chill atmosphere here with music and lounging." (2:58)
brochtrup: "[re torch being in the Marina] 'gavin newsom's tour of san francisco. will the torch go see beach blanket babylon and shoot pool at tosca's next? -- SFist Rita" (2:58)
brochtrup: "'crying in my office reading the coverage of this, this is the funniest shit that has happened in this city EVER.' -- SFist Rita." (2:53)
brochtrup: "protesters catch up with torch! people are running like mad. eeps!" (2:50)
ronjon: "spectators running on sidelines along with the runners." (2:48)
laughingsquid: "I'm working my way through the photos and video, which I'm posting here: http://twurl.nl/gpwxcz" (2:44)
njudah: "watching KGO and others...the inane filler chatter by some of these reporters is a bit much." (2:37)
ronjon: "Report of people being peppersprayed." (2:35)
ronjon: "CNN's Blitzer asking whether China will retaliate financially against the U.S." (2:33)
ronjon: "Runners averaging a little over a minute apiece before lighting next torch." (2:31)
brittneyg: "Headed to North Beach via Broadway in hopes of a glimpse. Check http://cbs5.com/eyeonblogs for my photos and video!" (2:29)
ronjon: "Person in wheelchair with torch." (2:25)
brochtrup: "Amphibious vehicles reportedly flanking the torch. So 007!" (2:24)
brochtrup: "Loads of cars and angry people going up Third Street." (2:16)
brittneyg: "'It ain't coming here.' --Guy behind me 'It's going up and down Van Ness, and nobody is there to see it.' --Girl beside me." (2:16)
Rain: "Helicopters above. I can't believe I'm still in Saigon." (2:15)
brittneyg: 'I can't believe they might actually put the Olympic torch on a boat. BOOOO. Are they going to run in place?" ["'BOOOO' is right. Torch is currently in a warehouse at Pier 38. Or so we're told. Pretty sneaky, sis!" -- SFist] (1:48)
laughingsquid: "dead at 3rd & King, current reports are the torch will travel via boat." ["Yes, rumor is, via the Chron, the torch will travel by boat. Zzzzz. Lame." -- SFist] (1:38)
brittneyg: "(retweeting) News reports: torch will NOT going to pier 39, fishermans wharf. will end at sansome and embarc. EVERYONE go Ferry and South ." (1:35)
rockbandit: "lots of security: my opinion, unless hundreds bumrush at once, no one is touching the torch." (1:28)
laughingsquid: "hundreds of cops now being deployed on 3rd." (1:02) ["Do not screw with Happy Donut or its employees, people. We're serious." -- SFist]
brittneyg: "I smell surprisingly little pot smoke down here. Just body odor." (12:58)
CurbedSF: Anyone notice the red jacked journo trying to stir up shit at JHP? Pitting elderly Chinese folks against others-Chinese screaming 'you ... ...'" (12:32)
rockbandit: "another Tibet supporter arrested. Pro china erupting in cheers. Yet to see pro china arrested yet." ["Which is interesting since both sides seem pretty aggressive from what we're hearing." -- SFist] (12:20)
rockbandit: "shouting match: Chinese dude 'what's wrong with communists?' Tibet dude: 'you murdered my family!'" (11:59)
brittneyg: "Guy at chinese place gave away free rice because he is 'celebrating the torch' today." (11:57)
laughingsquid: "relocated to the oasis that is Philz, then off to upload media, things are downright ugly out there." (11:55)
rockbandit: "anyone seen frank chu yet? wonder what side he'll take." (11:38)
laughingsquid: "cops are being good, they are letting both sides express their emotions."
laughingsquid: "holy shit its getting ugly, Chinese are shouting "Lier" at Tibet crowd." (11:35)
laughingsquid: "super emotional battle of bullhorns going down." (11:23)
rockbandit "cops beings dicks to photographers. understandable though..." (11:22)
rockbandit: "plane overhead with message: Tibet will always be a part of China." (11:05)
brittneyg: Antsy to get to the protest. Thousands of people at Justin Herman Plaza mere blocks away.
laughingsquid: 4th bridge locked down (11:02)
rockbandit: "Lots of shouting matches, police actively separating protesters." (10:22)
(Hey, Twitter-ers: send us your info if you're covering the Olympic torch relay today via your phone or laptop. We'll post 'em for you. And, as always, be careful out there.)


me on twitter, twitting about china vs. tibet. whats your info sfist?
we have/will have loads of it.
Hey Brock, check out this photo: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/09/olympicgames2008.usa1
CNN aired some video of this incident about 30-45 minutes ago.
Hell on earth is coming...
Brock/SFist,
Would be great to twitter with ya on this, but what's your twitter info so we can follow?
skooter
i don't have twitter but KRON4 is reporting they've moved it to Van Ness. Traffic has been blocked on VanNess. This is whack!
the torch is on van ness and buch street right now - 1:57PM!!
it is now on van ness and sutter.... they switch the route completely
Another first for twitter, Olympic Torch Updates. It would be nice if there was a twitter torch site like http://www.commuterfeed.com and http://twitter.com/commuter
I'm @waynesutton on twitter and I'm holding a twitter torch.
Pine and VanNess and on the move. The offical Olympic Smurfs have arrived.
eta: On the move Northbound.
wow! this really is the City that knows how...!
two by two, hands of blue.
Did no protesters think to cover the Chinese consulate? Run over the hill folks! You're so close!
The media has not pointed out that they are using amphibious vehicles in front of the torch runners. I sense they might use it.
Phil Matier of course said they moved it because there was a "Critical Mass" at JHP. Leave it to Phil to blame it on the cyclists.
There is some pretty good local television coverage -- and there are no commercials, although I am expecting to see an ad for Rice a Roni or Burger King flame broiled any minute now.
This is the single funniest thing I've read all day:
"[re torch being in the Marina] 'gavin newsom's tour of san francisco. will the torch go see beach blanket babylon and shoot pool at tosca's next? -- SFist Rita"
I think the torch should also stop at PlumpJack and sleep with one of the runners' wives.
Twitter was useful. http://twitter.com/sftorch saved me easily an hour sitting at JH Plaza.