London 2012 Olympics - love it or hate it?

[Anon Mouse]

My problem with the Olympics is that flights away from the UK seem to have rocketed, not good when we are needing to plan a trip to China.

That aside, I'm all for it. Its good for the UK, it will bring plenty of coin in and is one of the most prestigious events in the World. Here's hoping we can pick up a fair few medals!

 

[Schnellzug]

My problem with the Olympics is that flights away from the UK seem to have rocketed, not good when we are needing to plan a trip to China.

That aside, I'm all for it. Its good for the UK, it will bring plenty of coin in and is one of the most prestigious events in the World. Here's hoping we can pick up a fair few medals!

that (without wanting, once again, to sound Curmudgeonly) would, to be quite honest, not be too difficult, since (and this is a point alluded to earlier), there are so many niche activities; there are about a dozen different categories of Sailing, for instance. It's not like the World Cup, where there's one winner, and they can claim fairly to be the best in the World at a sport that really is worldwide, if you win a Gold that just means you're the best in the world at one of a dozen different categories of Sailing, not even that you're the best at Sailing full stop. And is it really fair that these niche activities should be subsidised to such an extent when there are, for instance, football clubs struggling for survival up and down the land, a sport that very many more people are interested in?

 

[Nym]

The problem I have is that the chances are I'm moving to London in September, that's going to be fun...!

 

[LE Greys]

Currently neutral, but I will say it's made a few changes that would not have happened without Olympic money. Assuming the poll's still open, I'll vote after the closing ceremony. The number of medals we win might influence the result.

 

[aspierail]

Hate it all the way as there is too much media hype and most of the sports are minority which i don't really follow anyway.

 

[LE Greys]

Hate it all the way as there is too much media hype and most of the sports are minority which i don't really follow anyway.

Well I guess that's one good thing. Where else do you get to see sailing, hockey and archery on telly? Makes a nice change.

Or beach volleyball?

 

[Clip]

that (without wanting, once again, to sound Curmudgeonly) would, to be quite honest, not be too difficult, since (and this is a point alluded to earlier), there are so many niche activities; there are about a dozen different categories of Sailing, for instance. It's not like the World Cup, where there's one winner, and they can claim fairly to be the best in the World at a sport that really is worldwide, if you win a Gold that just means you're the best in the world at one of a dozen different categories of Sailing, not even that you're the best at Sailing full stop. And is it really fair that these niche activities should be subsidised to such an extent when there are, for instance, football clubs struggling for survival up and down the land, a sport that very many more people are interested in?

Good god you're a bore.

Do you want to know why there will never be a 'sailing winner' ? Because of the different types of class of boat - just the same as different types of train.

You cant have a laser class going up against a round the world yacht can you to find out a winner? Its obvious.

Thats like putting a sprinter up against a javelin in a race between St pancras and STI..


Yes, we get it, you dont like the Olympics(and sailing for some reason) you made your point ages ago. And follow posts just make you sound like a moaning old crow down the bus stop who's fares have risen 5pee since 1965

 

[Anon Mouse]

Maybe the Olympics would be the best time for a national strike by ASLEF, RMT & TSSA staff? Then our voice may be heard!

 

[jon0844]

Yes, I was in high school at the time, we were convinced it was the French bombing us in revenge

While I, unfortunately, was on a diverted 63 going up to Russell Square two buses ahead of the one that was blown up. To this day, I still recall looking back and being convinced the bomb had gone off back at Euston station and it wasn't until I walked to work and turned on the TV that I realised how close I'd been.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Maybe the Olympics would be the best time for a national strike by ASLEF, RMT & TSSA staff? Then our voice may be heard!

Or your support from the public would plummet...

 

[Mike395]

For me, the Olympics are a great thing for our country - primarily for the exact reason others on this thread dislike it. The fact is, there is more than one sport on this planet, and the focus shifting away from football for a few weeks can only be a good thing, so much more variety of sport to watch, in great, purpose-built (for the most part) venues, not to mention the associated infrastructure improvements around the capital to ensure disruption will be kept to a minimum.

Re: the unions, I can't see a strike happening at all, it's not in their interests for a large amount of not just the UK, but the world's media to be reporting that they are disrupting the biggest sporting event to be held in this country for decades .

 

[Clip]

Maybe the Olympics would be the best time for a national strike by ASLEF, RMT & TSSA staff? Then our voice may be heard!

They wouldnt have the balls. And neither would their members I should imagine. And if they did I dread to think of the changes to union rules in this country that would happen.

But go on, try it if you're going to shout your mouth off about it.

 

[jon0844]

Haven't the unions done pretty well for their members regarding the Olympics?

 

[Anon Mouse]

They wouldnt have the balls. And neither would their members I should imagine. And if they did I dread to think of the changes to union rules in this country that would happen.

But go on, try it if you're going to shout your mouth off about it.

Well its our democratic right, and we have a lot to fight for against this disgusting Goverment. So we are too scared about laws being changed to eridicate our democratic right to Industrial action to actually get our voice heard? :roll:

I am sure if we balloted for strike action during The Olympics there won't be many of the opinion - "Oh I'm going to be a scab coz I'm scared that I may not have a right to strike in the future"

You may have forgotten something, but thousands of rail staff's jobs are on the line here and we are not being listened to. The recomendations from McNulty will also result in an unsafe and expensive rail network. The only way the Goverment will listen would be if we caused maximum disruption when the worlds press have their cameras in London

Power to The People, Brother

 

[ainsworth74]

If the unions strike during the Olympics then they will lose everything. Sure the government might (and I stress might) cave in for the short term. But that's not the real issue here. If the unions strike over the Olympics they will have, outside of their membership and the family of the membership, almost no public support, which means when the government decides to enact legislation that finally removes what few teeth they have left (and they will) the people won't raise a finger in protest. Hell they'll probably cheer.

To my mind attempting a strike over the Olympics to win concessions relating to things that have nothing to do with the Olympics would be the biggest mistake they could make. But if you think it's necessary and for the best, then by all means exercise your democratic right to strike. Just don't be surprised when the Government pushes back and nobody cares.

 

[Clip]

Well its our democratic right, and we have a lot to fight for against this disgusting Goverment. So we are too scared about laws being changed to eridicate our democratic right to Industrial action to actually get our voice heard? :roll:

I am sure if we balloted for strike action during The Olympics there won't be many of the opinion - "Oh I'm going to be a scab coz I'm scared that I may not have a right to strike in the future"

You may have forgotten something, but thousands of rail staff's jobs are on the line here and we are not being listened to. The recomendations from McNulty will also result in an unsafe and expensive rail network. The only way the Goverment will listen would be if we caused maximum disruption when the worlds press have their cameras in London

Power to The People, Brother

It may be your right but you know as well as I do that the Tories would jump at a chance to force through even tighter union laws as soon as one presented itself. And I think the biggest sports showcase this country has ever had gets disrupted then it wouldnt be long to be pushed through. And then you would lose lots of rights.

And in my opinion any other party that did not support it due to the shame it would heap upon Britain(and put us out of the running for staging any world sporting event for decades) they would not get into power for a long time.

Yes there may be jobs on the line - but nothing is firm in that aspect yet and could take years for that to happen.

And you're forgetting that in the eyes of joe public the railways are already expensive - far too expensive - so they wont see that as any sort of arguement. Especially as that comes accross as you are trying to keep fares down yet you think you are doing them a favour by going on strike and embarrasing the country in the eyes of the world?

Thats a logical arguement and very well thought out.

Im not sure some of you understand how your average joe sees striking and preventing them from getting to work i really dont. Its relayed to me by my passengers that every time there is a strike on the tube they always want to see and end to it and have no strike contracts written up because they are being inconvenienced more and more frequently and quite frankly, they say, they have had enough.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Haven't the unions done pretty well for their members regarding the Olympics?

Indeed they have - especially on the DLR and fair play to them for getting such a good deal too. I think everyone on the underground has just been offered £850 too..

Good negotiations are where its at - not the threat of strikes.

 

[Schnellzug]

Good god you're a bore.

Do you want to know why there will never be a 'sailing winner' ? Because of the different types of class of boat - just the same as different types of train.

You cant have a laser class going up against a round the world yacht can you to find out a winner? Its obvious.

Thats like putting a sprinter up against a javelin in a race between St pancras and STI..


Yes, we get it, you dont like the Olympics(and sailing for some reason) you made your point ages ago. And follow posts just make you sound like a moaning old crow down the bus stop who's fares have risen 5pee since 1965

Why, thank you. And please, have a nice day as well.

i know there are about 2332 different classes of boat; that's the point. it's not much of a blinkin' achievement to be better than all 132 other people in the world who also specialise in the Broad-Beamed fourteens or whatever, is it. it's a bit more of an achievement to be better than anyone else inthe world at Football, is it.



--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


If you want to know, by the way, the reason i hate the olympic 2012 Sailing Events it's beause the morons at new labour forced it on us round here, and the idiots at the Council (who are also morons, it is only fair to add) decided that that means that they need to do nothing at all, and the "legacy" they expect from the Olympic 2012 Sailing events will mean milk and honey and wine and roses for ever more, in some indefinable and so far indiscernible way. I would have nothing against the Olympic 2012 Sailing Events per se if it were not for the fact that it is the only thing that local Authorities have shown any interest in at all for the last seven years.

 

[Clip]

Thats between you and your pathetic council then isnt it. You cant base your hatred of the Olympics just because your council does nothing for the rest of the time

 

[SS4]

Well its our democratic right, and we have a lot to fight for against this disgusting Goverment. So we are too scared about laws being changed to eridicate our democratic right to Industrial action to actually get our voice heard? :roll:

I am sure if we balloted for strike action during The Olympics there won't be many of the opinion - "Oh I'm going to be a scab coz I'm scared that I may not have a right to strike in the future"

You may have forgotten something, but thousands of rail staff's jobs are on the line here and we are not being listened to. The recomendations from McNulty will also result in an unsafe and expensive rail network. The only way the Goverment will listen would be if we caused maximum disruption when the worlds press have their cameras in London

Power to The People, Brother

It doesn't matter if you're right, indeed there is a saying (iirc a German proverb) that he who wins is correct. Murdoch and Cameron will collude to make you appear in a negative light. What the unions could do with is sorting out Labour (after the next election, put socialists in the cabinet) and then getting a decent paper out.

 

[Drsatan]

I was at first quite supportive of the Olympics until I looked at the list of sponsors:

This is a list of the sponsors. As you can see Coca-Cola (fine purveyors of a drink that's hardly healthy) are one of the sponsors, despite their human rights record which can be found here. I also object to McDonald's sponsoring the Olympics given that it doesn't seem worthwhile selling burgers at a venue focused entirely on sport. Finally, I also object to Dow Chemicals sponsoring the event because they still haven't admitted responsibility for the Bhopal Disaster of 1984, which happened at a Union Carbide plant (later bought out by Dow) in India.

 

[Heinz57]

Personaly I'm not a fan of Athletics and the Olympics. So I'm certainly not looking forward to the summer when its going to be nothing but Olympics or Olympic related programing on the telli.

I was at first quite supportive of the Olympics until I looked at the list of sponsors:

This is a list of the sponsors. As you can see Coca-Cola (fine purveyors of a drink that's hardly healthy) are one of the sponsors, despite their human rights record which can be found here. I also object to McDonald's sponsoring the Olympics given that it doesn't seem worthwhile selling burgers at a venue focused entirely on sport. Finally, I also object to Dow Chemicals sponsoring the event because they still haven't admitted responsibility for the Bhopal Disaster of 1984, which happened at a Union Carbide plant (later bought out by Dow) in India.

Looks like they've missed Hornby PLC off the list, they're providing the merchandise.

UPS for the logistics? Eddie Stobart, thats who they need!

 

[jon0844]

I wouldn't worry about there being nothing but Olympics on the telly.. even a Freeview user has almost 100 channels - and anyone with Virgin or Sky has hundreds.

I am sure you could avoid the Olympics if you really wanted to, although you'll have to accept that the news may be dominated by it!

 

[Schnellzug]

Thats between you and your pathetic council then isnt it. You cant base your hatred of the Olympics just because your council does nothing for the rest of the time

If the only thing that the pathetic Council does is just try to profiteer off of the Olympic Event, you find it strange and irrational that the people will consequently not embrace the Olympics with open arms and a glad heart?

--> Here's today's example of blatant profiteering: http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/lo...ng_prices_are_set_to_triple_for_the_Olympics/

 

[LE Greys]

I wouldn't worry about there being nothing but Olympics on the telly.. even a Freeview user has almost 100 channels - and anyone with Virgin or Sky has hundreds.

I am sure you could avoid the Olympics if you really wanted to, although you'll have to accept that the news may be dominated by it!

How is it that there's never anything worth watching on any of them? I'll be quite glad of the Olympics in that respect, whenever I turn the telly on, there will be something that I haven't seen hundreds of times and is at least vaguely interesting.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If the only thing that the pathetic Council does is just try to profiteer off of the Olympic Event, you find it strange and irrational that the people will consequently not embrace the Olympics with open arms and a glad heart?

--> Here's today's example of blatant profiteering: http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/lo...ng_prices_are_set_to_triple_for_the_Olympics/

No different from charging £1:60 for a cup of tea on East Coast. Captive market.

 

[43021HST]

How is it that there's never anything worth watching on any of them? I'll be quite glad of the Olympics in that respect, whenever I turn the telly on, there will be something that I haven't seen hundreds of times and is at least vaguely interesting.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


No different from charging £1:60 for a cup of tea on East Coast. Captive market.

£1.60 for a cup of tea is that it? there's places in the South east and London that'll charge you £2 and above, and from the queues to these places at lunchtime you wouldnt believe that we're not in a spending boom.

 

[SS4]

I wouldn't worry about there being nothing but Olympics on the telly.. even a Freeview user has almost 100 channels - and anyone with Virgin or Sky has hundreds.

I am sure you could avoid the Olympics if you really wanted to, although you'll have to accept that the news may be dominated by it!

And they all manage to have adverts on at the same time, that cannot be coincidence surely (bbc excluded of course)

I agree that you could avoid the Olympics though, we go through much worse annually throughout October, November and December

 

[ainsworth74]

And they all manage to have adverts on at the same time, that cannot be coincidence surely (bbc excluded of course)

Erm no they don't. I go channel hopping while adverts are on and find loads of other channels without any adverts.

 

[Anon Mouse]

Erm no they don't. I go channel hopping while adverts are on and find loads of other channels without any adverts.

The DVD's under the bed and in the sock drawer don't have adverts of course!

 

[ainsworth74]

The DVD's under the bed and in the sock drawer don't have adverts of course!

What DVDs would these be then that need to be hidden so skilfully?

 

[Nym]

What DVDs would these be then that need to be hidden so skilfully?

The kind that when you live on your own are just left out on the shelf?

Unless railway DVDs are somehow seedy and need to be hidden away, displacing the R18 DVDs to just be out on display?