Was all this type of drama staged for any other Olympic Games?
Yeah... didn't the Canadians relieve themselves of the best part of $1 billion for their security operation during the 2010 Winter Olympics ?
Although me thinks it might be partly because their big brother neighbour leant heavily on them to put some extra secuwwwity in.
Is this just more pointless willy-waving by a morally and financially bankrupt 'government'?
I would say so yes. A lot of time, effort and money has been expended on civil aviation security since 2001.
Spending more money on it now is a questionable course of action when there are many easier targets available in a sprawling conurbation like London. There's no way you'll find me taking the Tube anywhere during the Olympics.... assuming I'm even going to be in London at all !