[Clip]

Originally Posted by NY Yankee

The Docklands Light Railway will receive upgrades for the Olympics. It's not like Londoners won't reap the benefits of the Olympics...

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/docklands/

Been open since August last year. Quire jolly it is too - though not as quick as the jubilee line to stratford but the tunnel to international has more twists and turns then a really good novel. Its nice too.


Id like to point out that it is the Olympic movement themselves who choose the sponsors not the host city IIRC.

[Schnellzug]

Originally Posted by jonmorris0844

I don't think any country has done as well post-Olympics as hoped. Can anyone give any examples of where things worked out better for sport?

I suppose there will be some legacy buildings and facilities, but the real benefits will be the infrastructure improvements around the village, plus the new housing.

Nevertheless, for the time the event is on - it will give many benefits to our economy and the feel good factor. I'm quite disappointed to be out of the country, especially given it's on my doorstep and I was in China for the 2008 games. Somewhat ironic really.

I honestly would give anything to be. Why should being told by the Government to wave flags and cheer make anyone feel good? it's all so futile. I suppose what it is is the classic attitide of governments; give the People some reason to wave flags and distract them from the pig's breakfast that the Government is making.
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Originally Posted by DavidBrown

If you hate it, there's plenty of places you can go and plenty of TV you can watch so that you wouldn't even know the Olympics took place. :

We will actually, because Lord Coe and LOCOG Take Control of the entire place during the duration of this Incredible experience.

[SS4]

Last night Central Tonight devoted at least one third of their 6pm bulletin to the Olympic torch arriving in the Midlands although slightly more because they have to have the weather and adverts (can't remember if there are any in local news) would push it down to 25mins total.
Needless to say everyone was happy and, naturally, virtually nobody cheering was over the age of 12.

On an unrelated matter children are easy to brainwash due the tendency to not question what an adult tells them.

This is what I mean by oppressive media saturation, I wouldn't mind as much if they at least acknowledged and interviewed people who thought it was a waste of time although given the frenzy it wouldn't have surprised me if said people were subsequently bullied
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Originally Posted by Schnellzug

I honestly would give anything to be. Why should being told by the Government to wave flags and cheer make anyone feel good? it's all so futile. I suppose what it is is the classic attitide of governments; give the People some reason to wave flags and distract them from the pig's breakfast that the Government is making.

Because the proles need to be told what to like and what to hate: the tabloids fully understand this.

Usually I find it's to distract from something less palatable so expect some bad news during the olympics

[Oswyntail]

Originally Posted by SS4

Last night Central Tonight devoted at least one third of their 6pm bulletin to the Olympic torch arriving in the Midlands although slightly more because they have to have the weather and adverts (can't remember if there are any in local news) would push it down to 25mins total.
Needless to say everyone was happy and, naturally, virtually nobody cheering was over the age of 12.

On an unrelated matter children are easy to brainwash due the tendency to not question what an adult tells them.

This is what I mean by oppressive media saturation, I wouldn't mind as much if they at least acknowledged and interviewed people who thought it was a waste of time although given the frenzy it wouldn't have surprised me if said people were subsequently bullied
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Because the proles need to be told what to like and what to hate: the tabloids fully understand this.

Usually I find it's to distract from something less palatable so expect some bad news during the olympics

I realise Blair (Eric, that is) is a hero of yours, but this is taking curmudgeonliness a bit far. It may well have been the biggest news in the area that day (very little usually happens anywhere); adults tend not to cheer much; would you have expected those who were not happy with the event to be there; children always like a tad of mob hysteria, and I very much doubt the teachers who would have organised their presence would have considered themselves the lackeys of the government. And there are other areas of "blanket" coverage where dissenters are not regularly given a spot - dare I mention the hysteria given over to coverage of football for ten months of most years, where, presumably, for every "look away now" moment, you would like to see an interview with someone who cannot stand the game. And surely the idea that the proles cannot really think for themselves is somewhat at odds with socialist thinking.

[jonmorris0844]

Perhaps the Government only allows football to keep the poor, uneducated, fans under control...

Surely the kids cheering were with their parents? Perhaps the parents put their children first, so they could get the best view (and being smaller than the adults).

I'll probably be out to see the torch carried through Hatfield, and will be with the wife and members of her gym (all upwards of 35-40 years old). We'll probably grab a beer after and make a day of it.

There was a time people used to see anything as an excuse to have some fun - but now I suppose it's better to just be depressed and think of 'doom and gloom' and stay indoors sulking. Always a good way to get the country back on its feet.

Sod the Government. Besides taxing me, I don't really think any Government has any real control over me or others. There's no big conspiracy. We have politicians with short term views, out to look after their own interests. Not one big secret organisation that wants to control our minds.

The Olympics is a pretty crap way to control the people, as no sooner has it begun it will be over and we'll carry on.

[chris89]

Yesturday in the West Midlands Surely got the Severn Valley Railway and the West Midlands Safari Park a lot more visitors.

Also Next week at least the Torch will go through (one of) the birth places of the Modern Games being Much Wenlock. Which is the second closest it will come to my area (Was Bewdley the closest)

Also don't believe many people know the origins of the torch?

For the games the only bits i will watch is the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Also all the cycling events as really the only sports bits im intrested into.

Chris

[Clip]

Originally Posted by SS4

Last night Central Tonight devoted at least one third of their 6pm bulletin to the Olympic torch arriving in the Midlands although slightly more because they have to have the weather and adverts (can't remember if there are any in local news) would push it down to 25mins total.
Needless to say everyone was happy and, naturally, virtually nobody cheering was over the age of 12.

On an unrelated matter children are easy to brainwash due the tendency to not question what an adult tells them.

This is what I mean by oppressive media saturation, I wouldn't mind as much if they at least acknowledged and interviewed people who thought it was a waste of time although given the frenzy it wouldn't have surprised me if said people were subsequently bullied

The news is full enough of bad things thanks very much. whats wrong with trying to promote something that should be seen as a positive for this country as a whole rather then get some miserable sods who just moan about anything and everything.

Where is your thread on the Olympics saying its a waste of money when we first won them?

[SS4]

Originally Posted by jonmorris0844

Perhaps the Government only allows football to keep the poor, uneducated, fans under control...

Surely the kids cheering were with their parents? Perhaps the parents put their children first, so they could get the best view (and being smaller than the adults).

I'll probably be out to see the torch carried through Hatfield, and will be with the wife and members of her gym (all upwards of 35-40 years old). We'll probably grab a beer after and make a day of it.

There was a time people used to see anything as an excuse to have some fun - but now I suppose it's better to just be depressed and think of 'doom and gloom' and stay indoors sulking. Always a good way to get the country back on its feet.

Sod the Government. Besides taxing me, I don't really think any Government has any real control over me or others. There's no big conspiracy. We have politicians with short term views, out to look after their own interests. Not one big secret organisation that wants to control our minds.

The Olympics is a pretty crap way to control the people, as no sooner has it begun it will be over and we'll carry on.

Can't fault what you've said but would it kill them to actually show the adults?

Originally Posted by Clip

The news is full enough of bad things thanks very much. whats wrong with trying to promote something that should be seen as a positive for this country as a whole rather then get some miserable sods who just moan about anything and everything.

Where is your thread on the Olympics saying its a waste of money when we first won them?

The news should never promote anything. I've no problem with them showing it but for one third of the show?
Also I joined in 2011 so didn't make a thread then Plus of course I don't have a crystal ball so couldn't have predicted the cost

[jonmorris0844]

The BBC has the rights to everything to do with the Olympics (so much so that anyone else featuring the Olympic rings without permission can be in serious trouble).

I'd imagine that, given how the IOC works (and there's plenty of controversy there) that the BBC is required to give a certain amount of coverage. But, we can ignore it if we want - there are plenty of other channels to turn to these days.

When EURO2012 starts, we'll get that in our face too. But, again, people can tune out - I am sure Sky1 will be showing Simpsons and Futurama back to back...

[Seacook]

Originally Posted by chris89

For the games the only bits i will watch is the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Also all the cycling events as really the only sports bits im intrested into.

Chris

I studiously avoid Opening and Closing ceremonies - they have nothing to do with sport and are not very much in the way of entertainment. Likewise the whole torch relay thing: it has nothing to do with the actual competitions and the hype is far more likely to put me off the whole thing than excite me. I'll watch some of the events on TV, but the non-sporting activities leave me cold.

From the point where the venue was announced, I have never quite understood why the 2012 Paris Olympics were being held in London.

[LE Greys]

Originally Posted by Seacook

I studiously avoid Opening and Closing ceremonies - they have nothing to do with sport and are not very much in the way of entertainment. Likewise the whole torch relay thing: it has nothing to do with the actual competitions and the hype is far more likely to put me off the whole thing than excite me. I'll watch some of the events on TV, but the non-sporting activities leave me cold.

From the point where the venue was announced, I have never quite understood why the 2012 Paris Olympics were being held in London.

Can't we just have a brief speech from Lord Coe (30 seconds max), followed by the Queen coming on, saying "I hereby declare these games open"? Cut a ribbon, light the flame, everyone walks off, first race starts in five minutes. Why bother trying to outdo Beijing, all that leads to is a continuous cycle of one-upmanship that will one day provide a whole opening week of ceremonials with no sport at all.

Still, they appear to be doing up the roads near by, so there's a chance the torch will go right past my front door.

[jonmorris0844]

We will NOT be trying to outdo Beijing. I was at the closing ceremony, and watched the opening ceremony before I flew out there, and it was like nothing I've ever seen or am likely to see again.

As I was told at the time, the only people that could outdo China would be north Korea, and even though I won't be attending any events at Stratford, I am certain it will be nothing like it was when I was in China.

[anthony263]

Saw the tourch this afternoon pass through Pyle a bit later than planned due to some parked cars delaying the convoy in Bryncethin.

Any good job on those who carryied the torch over the Bwlch from treorchy to Nantymoel and up Bryntirion hill from Bridgend to Laleston

[STEVIEBOY1]

Originally Posted by Clip

Been open since August last year. Quire jolly it is too - though not as quick as the jubilee line to stratford but the tunnel to international has more twists and turns then a really good novel. Its nice too.


Id like to point out that it is the Olympic movement themselves who choose the sponsors not the host city IIRC.

Will the platforms at Stratford Main Station be renumbered to be in a more logigal order before the Olympics?, I was there yesterday, not been there for a while. They seem to have moved the LOL/NLL to the westfield side of the station in Platforms 1 & 2, right near to platform 12, and the old low level seems to used for a new docklands service, next to platforms 13-15 for JLE.

I can see visitors may be confused by the way things are there at the moment? I Did also see that they already have signs pointing towards exits for the olympic park.

In spite of the possible confusing platforms at Stratford, I was impressed by the changes/alterations that have been made there along with the westfield shopping centre, normally I avoid such retail complexes, but this seemed very roomy, plenty of eating places and decent loos.

I hope that as we have the London Olympics they are a success and the transportation system does work OK.

[Schnellzug]

So, then, how many people, having had an Incredible Experience having the once-in-a-lifetime privilege of seeing The Torch, are now getting really excited about the Games?
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Originally Posted by chris89

Also don't believe many people know the origins of the torch?

I'm sure they don't. it's probably not something that LOCOG and the Government would want to publicise, is it?
Not, i expect, that the People would care in the slightest if they did know.