a dirty word

Watching today's Olympic Marathon when Lima the Brazilian leader up to that point suddenly fell under attack by a deranged and defrocked Irish priest, undoubtedly drawing attention to his cause that the world is about to end. No doubt his antics are another sign of the impending apocolyse, but wasn't it more curious to hear the NBC announcer immediately label the man a "protestor?" What brings him to say this word, then later repeat it, with so much confidence? Protesting what? The contibrutions that these marathoners are making to Bush's war effort? Or did his kilt-wearing anti-Brazilian display register as a form of protest--no Brazilian will win this race! he determined... damn protestors.
Interesting race, though. I don't think Lima would have won had the protestor not impeded his course. He was starting to fade a bit and the Italian guy was solid. He does, of course, have a right to protest, but that's such a dirty word. We'll call it appeal, the outcome of the race. Nice work, NBC. Thanks for raising the lunatic's actions up to the level of protest while at the same time lowering the common viewer's regard for real protestors. Looks like you're doing good work for that company that brings good things to life.