London Olympics

[Limehouse]

Re the North Koreans, I think it was very wise of the footballers to feel insulted. I think that if they hadn't felt insulted, they'd have got a rather warm welcome when they returned to their socialist egalitarian democracy and its dear leader (son of previous leader and grandson of leader who preceded previous leader).

True Robert, but it would have been much, much better to have got it right in the first place.

[Robert]

I'm afraid that the competitors in these events are pretty colourless and quickly forgotten. One sprinter is much like another, etc, except that every four years one of them shades a tenth of a second off the time. Same goes for the other events. Every now and again there's a character like Wattle, but really it's all much of a muchness and the reason we in the UK remember our medallists is because we have so few of them.

[Abby Normal]

whats going on with the security fiasco?

[Robert]

Re the North Koreans, I think it was very wise of the footballers to feel insulted. I think that if they hadn't felt insulted, they'd have got a rather warm welcome when they returned to their socialist egalitarian democracy and its dear leader (son of previous leader and grandson of leader who preceded previous leader).

[Limehouse]

Fantastic Post Louisa. I agree with every word.

Off to a great a start though - insulting the North Koreans and showing a hopeless knowledge of geography and sensitive political issues.

On the issue of missiles positioned on residential properties - I don't see any on top of the elite penthouse blocks in exclustive parts of London.

Residential Londoners and those who work in London have been sidelined for, as you say Louisa, fat cats is posh cars WHO SHOULD BE USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT as a great deal of money has been spent on upgrading and improving services for the games.

[louisa]

We're constantly being told that the Olympics is 'good for us', yet the only people who will make money are the organizers and government ministers.

The special 'Games Lane' between Heathrow airport and the centre of London is a fiasco. There was a 32 MILE TAILBACK last week when an accident occurred on the M4 motorway. No one was allowed to use the Games Lane (unless they were willing to incur a £135 fine).

The Games Lane is completely unnecessary. The Olympic Village (where the athletes are staying) is just a short walk to the Olympic Park.

The Games Lane is, in reality, for use by the Big Wigs who don't want the peasants getting in the way of their limos when they commute from their top London hotels to the Olympics.

David Cameron has stated that it has cost the taxpayer £23 BILLION so far. He says it COULD make around 24 billion over four years. This last figure is grossly inflated and the Olympics will generate very little.

This is all at time when Britain is closing hospitals all over the country. Yes CLOSING hospitals and making huge cutbuts to the health service.

As somebody pointed out....the 3 hour opening ceremony is costing us £27 million. What a fiasco!

Nobody should EVER ask politicians to organise an event. It has been shown time and again that they just can't do it.

As for a ticket shortage - that's laughable! It's a ploy used by all organizers to make us think that there's been great demand - so we must hurry or be disappointed! Ticket sales for the Olympics have been abysmal.

And do the government honestly think that Londoners feel safer knowing that surface to air missiles are being sited on residential blocks of flats in London?

[Magpie]

So glad I started this thread.

Monty

Me too, monty!

I've been watching the Today Show's coverage the last couple of days--it's been pretty good.

[Monty]

So glad I started this thread.

Monty

[martin wilson]

The logos and mascots are all part of a Zionist conspiracy apparently, the logo can read Zion and those two sexual aids have one evil eye.
There is also going to be an explosion at the olympic stadium with tremendous loss of life.
I must stop watching these youtube videos!
All the best.

[Magpie]

Out of curiosity, is there any design connected to the London Olympics that isn't absolutely hideous?

The logo, the mascots, the medals everything looks execrable.

[Robert]

Transport for London have told me to avoid driving in central London next weekend. This is of paramount importance for me, since I don't drive, and an accident would be the inevitable result.

[Chris Scott]

Just out of curiosity, will any Casebookers be attending the Olympic Games? Or friends & family?

Is it difficult to get tickets?

Thanks,

Archaic

Hi Archaic
My younger sister has been involved as a volunteer and has really caught the bug. She was at the rehearsal of the opening ceremony on Monday but they are all sworn to secrecy. She and her husband have tickets to three of the events and are really looking forward to it.
Personally I cannot feel excited about the Games but that is not because I am anti Olympics but just that sport per se leaves me cold anyway.

[Limehouse]

Everyone keeps saying to my husband, who is a London cabbie, "It must be great for you, you must be making mint from all the tourists" However, firstly there are no tourists - it's the quietest summer in London he can remember and secondly, what with road closures and 'exclusive lanes' which reduce the amount of traffic that can actually use many of the roads, no one wants to get in a taxi because all the journeys take longer and cost more.

The organisers seem to have completely over-looked the fact that many thousands of people live and work in London and have to go about their daily lives as all of this Olympic fiasco goes on.

£27 million has been spent on the opening ceremony. £27 million!! Meanwhile, a mile from where I live, a playing field has just been turned into a housing estate - so what influence can the Olympics have on young people round here?

Many years ago, when there was not much entertainment other than a few Tv channels and the radio, the Olympics held some attraction for a high number of people. Back then, it seemed to be much more about human endurance and excellence. Now, it seems to me it's about who can win contracts and who can get their company name slapped next to the Olympic logo. McDonalds as a spnsor. McDonalds!

On a lighter note, does anyone here watch 2012??

[Robert]

Bunny, I will not be attending either as a spectator or as a competitor.

Furthermore, I gather that they won't let people wear Pepsi T shirts, so they certainly wouldn't want me in my old anorak.

[Archaic]

Just out of curiosity, will any Casebookers be attending the Olympic Games? Or friends & family?

Is it difficult to get tickets?

Thanks,

Archaic