give me a f***ing break....

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: K1052

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: Martin
Since when are airshows a staple of opening ceremonies?

It's not an air show, it's an acrobatic display. The Red Arrows kick arse and attend many major British and international events.

If you'd prefer, we could arrange something boring and/or ridiculously lame/shite for everyone to suffer through

How about having the Royal Army storm the opening ceremonies in full 1700s red coat regalia w/ horse drawn artillery and a bigass Union Jack flying?

I'd pay to see that.

if the red arrows are too british, then that almost certainly will be too british

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: mugs
The Olympics are about PEACE and unity and all that nonsense. Having a MILITARY display at the opening ceremonies seems strange to me...

good shout, the red arrows are not about military might anymore, theyre about a group of the most talented pilots in the world putting on a display that is beyond the thinking of the average man. they are a british institution and a source of national pride.....not military might.

it would seem national pride is something we are simply not entitled to anymore.

at least think before you speak mugs.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: ThePresence

Originally posted by: Martin

Originally posted by: MmmSkyscraper

Originally posted by: mugs
The Olympics are about PEACE and unity and all that nonsense. Having a MILITARY display at the opening ceremonies seems strange to me...

They fly BAE Hawk trainer jets which are far removed from Tornados or Harriers. Yes, they're RAF pilots but for fuck's sake, what's wrong with some planes doing some cool stunts and creating pretty smoke patterns in the sky? They could draw the bloody Olympic rings if you want.

Every country hosting the games puts a cultural spin on things. The Red Arrows are a national institution so I feel they should be there. I'm sure there'll be plenty of lame dull shit that you get with every other ceremony to keep the miserable brigade happy :thumbsdown:

every country has an acrobatic'\s team, but the Blue Angels didn't open the 2002 olympics, the Snowbirds won't open the 2010 Olympics and your Red Arrows won't open the 2012 ones. Big fucking deal, stop with your mock outrage and stupid whining.

I agree that it's unecessary to have them perform, but I think the reason given does indeed warrant an outraged response.

yeah that was more my point,

the reason given is because they are too british, which i find inexcusable.... its like im not allowed to be proud of any of the great things my country has incase some muslims get offended.

and what on earth are all these replies about shwcasing military might? WTF..... red arrows /= the army, how stupid are you people?

theyre one of the worlds best display teams, the planes they fly arent particularly cutting edge either, theres no fly by wire in those things, its all mechanical. all but the poorest countries in the world wouldnt be caught dead feilding those planes in their airforce.

so for the last time, the red arrows are in no way, shape or form about the military.

and just for reference these guys perform at alot of major british events....the olympics will be a major event held in britain, i see no logical reason why we cant put on a show for the visitors with the red arrows. thats the type of entertainment we do, why would anyone complain.

every countries got its traditions and institutions that it is proud of an would like to display. whats the point in going to another country to see something generic? the whole point of going somewhere else is that you see another cultures way of doing things.

i for one want the red arrows to perform because they are so awesome when they do.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Baloo
You guys aren't thinking straight. A global event like the olympicss and you going to put on a military display to show your might? No, that would not be appropriate.

Fine, then take back every olympic opening there ever was.

I, as a proud american, the inventor of the automobile was EXTREMELY OFFENDED by Italy's parading a ferrari on the opening ceremonies.

It was truly offensive for them to display that. I had to seek counseling just to get over it. To this day I shake to relive the day that Italy showed a ferrari at the olympics. SHAME! OH the humanity!!!!

NOT!

The automobile is not an American invention, it's a French invention whose first commercial production developed in Germany.

Now back on topic: while I don't find the idea of the red arrows performing at the Olympic games as something offensive, I don't really see why should you have any reference to the military during something like the Olympiads.

If you want acrobatic airplanes for the show, it's ok... get a non-military acrobatic group. Wouldn't change the substance and it would convey a message.

 

[imported_Tango]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer


so for the last time, the red arrows are in no way, shape or form about the military.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Arrows

 

[Mucho]

Why on earth would anyone want to see a military display at the Olympics? The Olympics should be about peace, love, comradeship and other left wing ideals.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer
there is not one single person in government today with even an ounce of backbone

Fixed.

 

[IEC]

The Greeks are ashamed of how pussified the Olympics have become. The Spartans are rolling over in their graves screaming that a competition for honor and glory has become a stomping ground for "boy-lovers and philosophers".

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Baloo
You guys aren't thinking straight. A global event like the olympicss and you going to put on a military display to show your might? No, that would not be appropriate.

planes flying over dispensing.. whatever the color stuff is. not exactly "military might" IMO

that's military might to the french.