Was Olympic security an issue in Beijing?

[scrummyyummy]

I know there were bad press issues with the Beijing Olympics, eg villagers being forced to move out of their homes so that the Bird's Nest could be built, the fake footprints fireworks, the lipsynching of the little girl singing, etc, but I don't remember anything mentioned about terrorist threats. Do you think the UK Olympics will have more bad press coverage than the last olympic games?

I have tickets for the hockey but all this talk of lack of security is giving me slight jitters.

[andy-hughes]

I do not claim to have the answer - and i do not possess 'rose coloured spectacles' either.

I do not know what the answer is - but I know what it is not - so anything else has to be worth a try.

Suggesting that previous attempts have failed is to accept defeat before beginning the process.

The world has moved on massively since the 1940's - people are more accepting of other cultures and ideals - that notion should be explored further because the present reaction of invasion and 'war on terror' is a palpable failure.

[EDDIE51]

The Chinese had major security threats but there was no way they would 'Lose Face' by admitting to them. Occupied Tibet and Human rights protests to name but 2 . Any one who was though to pose a threat was simply moved a thousand miles or so away , imprisoned or executed.

[excelsior-1]

i saw the news item about the eurofighters and helecopters being placed on stand-by, and the exclusion zone over the city for all aircraft other than legitimate passenger planes heading in annd out of the airports.

the RAF representative indicated that any aircraft violating the air space and refusing to turn about, acknowledge hails, or follow them out of the zone would be dealt with by force.

now. if terrorists do take a plane into the area - and the RAF shoot them down - then flaming wreckage would rain down upon residential areas full of innocent people, so, the terrorists would have nothing to lose - as the RAF would create the carnage for them.

[EDDIE51]

At the China Olympics you had to ask for permission to make a protest! only a few carefully chosen protesters were allowed a 'token protest'
http://en.wikipedia.o..._2008_Summer_Olympics
Over 10,000 residents and traders were just moved out by force and their homes / businesses bulldozed, I would like to see that happen in London !!!

[modeller]

Even in northern Ireland yesterday where there is supposed to be the #mutual understanding# as beloved by andy it is only skin deep as was shown on TV news when the Nationalists attacked the marchers and the police.

[jno]

you have to have police permission to protest here, don't you, Eddie? Any time, not just at the Olympics?

[DTCwordfan]

jake is right and so is eddie - plus they had more missile batteries around Beijing than needles on a hedgehog - anyone who visited could tell you that - they weren't exactly discreet about it.

And we are right to ensure that the Games are safe. It would be very naive to be cavalier in our attitude...

[modeller]

andy # that notion should be explored further #

OK andy but what ideas do you have for # explored further # ?
What do you think the UN has been doing for the past year ?


Every day your words are being trotted out but they are meaningless platitudes. You may be right #invasion and 'war on terror' is a palpable failure.# but we all know that, so what's the point in saying the obvious.

You say you don't have rose tinted spectacles but if you won't accept the facts of history and still believe that since 1940 # people are more accepting of other cultures and ideals # then it indicates your spectacles are heavily tinted.

[emmie]

modeller, agree with you, we are a more divided world, not just nation. faction fighting faction, Middle east in in turmoil, and not a place where the UN intervenes has it worked, to get the peoples to agree or stop harming each other.

[zebo]

I sincerely hope that the authorities are not giving details of security measures in place, as a friend used to say, There'll be no-one home in Hereford, out of date now but the idea's the same.

[pdq1]

If the terrorists had intent of bombing the olympics where there are many Muslim competitors why did they not attempt to interfere with the Queens jubilee where they would have a greater chance of success as it stretched over a much wider area?

[jno]

not so many people worldwide watching the jubilee.

[emmie]

News
Media
jno not a few. Not sure but think that was just in UK.

Queen's diamond jubilee: BBC takes TV ratings crown

Corporation's concert coverage attracts nearly 15 million viewers, making it the most-watched show of the year so far

[EDDIE51]

jno , In this country we have a democratic right to peaceful protest , we DO NOT have to ask permission .
It is sencible to inform the Police before hand so that they can provide protection to allow the protest to go ahead. As long as we do not advocate violence or unlawful action the police will protect us and allow the protest to go on. The police / government may disagree very strongly with the protest but they still have to give us protection to make the protest.
I could for example organise a protest saying that police have too much power and they should have their wages cut and be made to work longer hours . As long as it is peaceful the police still have to protect me and allow the protest to go on. That is not the situation in China .

[scrummyyummy]

'As long as it is peaceful the police still have to protect me and allow the protest to go on. That is not the situation in China '

As already demonstrated (excuse the pun!) in Tiananmen Square.

[anotheoldgit]

EDDIE51

/// In this country we have a democratic right to peaceful protest , we DO NOT have to ask permission . ///

http://www.guardian.c...-banned-tower-hamlets

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// The world has moved on massively since the 1940's - people are more accepting of other cultures and ideals ///

Try telling that to the Sunnie and Shia Muslims, and are you saying we were wrong not to accept the Nazi ideals in the 1940's?

[EDDIE51]

AOG the EDL marching through one of the areas with the highest density of Muslims is hardly likedly to be peacefull is it ? Their track record is against them.

[jno]

none the less, the EDL march was banned. As I understand it, you have to have permission to protest around Parliament for fear you might upset the sensitive souls inside while they put in their expenses claims. The police may also impose conditions about where, when and how many. I don't think any of that amounts to a "freedom" to protest; it's well controlled.

Em, yes, the jubilee was widely watched here but less so abroad; the Olympics will be seen worldwide, so a much better target for terrorists.

[andy-hughes]

Of course I'm saying we we were wrong to accept the Nazi ideals in the 1940's - all their ideas for world domination were spot on!

Am I being silly?

Yes - but you started it!!!!