Olympic Union Flag raising - RAF out of step

[Shack37]

If, as it's been said, it was planned seven years ago, in the Blair/Brown years, that might confirm my suspicion that it was a very Left-leaning poltical statement.

I thought it was out of place for such an occasion, and I suspect 90% of the foreign audience were bemused (and mystified) by at it - to put it mildly.

OK, you thought it was out of place and a Left leaning political statement.
This after explaining about the excellent treatment your FO (eventually)received and how the staff had no interest in charging you for it. BTW, did they ask you who you voted for before treating him?

For me the NHS is, and always has been, a fantastic institution which has helped millions of people who otherwise could not have afforded the medical treatment they needed. It was included in the ceremony, and deservedly so, as one ot the great developments in British history.

That some posters continue to insist it was included for purely politically motivated reasons and not on it's merits just confirms the small mindedness that abounds here sometimes.

Personally, I don't give a flying fc*k which party was responsible for the formation of the NHS, I'm just glad it's there.

If, as it's been said, it was planned seven years ago, in the Blair/Brown years, that might confirm my suspicion that it was a very Left-leaning poltical statement.

Of course, as posted earlier, it was all part of a great plan to get Obama elected for a second term. You couldn't make it up.

[SRENNAPS]

Tankertrashnav & Shack37

Thank you both and my thoughts entirely. It never ceases to amaze me how the brains of some people who post (utter rubbish) here actually work. Quite frightening really. How, in Gods name do you mange to turn the discussion upside down and slag off something that has actually gone the extra mile to help you out.

In the last few years I have had more than my fair share of experience with the NHS and I can say that without doubt they are equal in dedication, hard work, and professionalism as to members of the Armed Forces. It is a shame that a lot of people take both the Armed Forces and the NHS for granted and not appreciate how much good to society they actually provide; not just in terms of what work they do but their nature, culture and moral values that keep this nation together.

[Shack37]

Srennaps.

I think the problem is that some are so politically constipated they can't separate a great achievement from who created it.

[TomJoad]

I thought it was out of place for such an occasion, and I suspect 90% of the foreign audience were bemused (and mystified) by at it - to put it mildly.

Could not give a rat's arse if johnny foreigner was bemused and mystified. It was our ceremony and it was absabloodylutely right and proper that the NHS was praised. Well done to all involved.

[Chicken Leg]

I guess we must also remember the RAF is largely not a military organisation

There'll be a few cringing at the honesty oozing from that post!!

[racedo]

It was our ceremony and it was absabloodylutely right and proper that the NHS was praised.

Nope it was an OLYMPIC ceremony where UK Govt have had to change numerous laws and effectively do as they are told by IOC in London during the games.

Opening ceremony was crass and full of political correctness.

Never vote Tory but Tory MP called it right.

[SRENNAPS]

racedo

For god’s sake, get a life and stop worrying about politics and political correctness.

Ask all of the athletes what they think. Ask them how proud they are to be a part of what you undermine. Ask them how hard they have worked to get there. They are what it is all about. Sadly, somebody of your mentality cannot see that.

And yes it was OUR ceremony and it was one that was totally accepted and thoroughly enjoyed by the majority of the world.

Just my perception but why is it that a significant number of people here who have a large number of posts over a relatively short time seem to be the most negative. Do they have a real life.

[TheWizard]

For some reason a minority of people are homing in on the 'NHS section' of the ceremony, which was just part of this fantastic event.
One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the way it highlighted the amazing work of one of the world's leading children's hospitals, Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and it's pioneering work. A lot of the ceremony participants were off duty staff and some previous patients of GOSH also took part. That alone makes it worthwhile for me.
Oh and before anyone starts to ask what that has to do with an international audience read the following and perhaps learn something:
Home - International and Private Patients
God knows what criticism will come from the Closing Ceremony

[cynicalint]

I thought the whole event portrayed the UK in a superbly beneficial light and the efforts by the military to raise the flag were superb; however, the minor observations that irked me were the chaviness of the UK's team sports wear, the shower caps worn by the US team but most of all, the apparent Nazi salute rendered repeatedly by the German minister welcoming the German team. I did replay to check I had not been mistaken and, even though it was left handed, it was unmistakeable.

PS someone really ought to tell Sir Paul that, though he commands respect and an ability to carry a crowd, his ability to hold a tune was not evident on Friday.

[TomJoad]

racedo

Nope it was an OLYMPIC ceremony where UK Govt have had to change numerous laws and effectively do as they are told by IOC in London during the games.

Opening ceremony was crass and full of political correctness.

Err Nope it was our ceremony - President of IOC even said so - so there

If it was "crass and full of political correctness" then it was so only in your mind. What's that say about you!


It was bold, different, risky and above all marvelously entertaining. Made me proud of this Great Britain we live in.

[Willard Whyte]

Really enjoyed the ceremony, if only from the comfort of my holiday home.

A vibrant, humourous take on British culture and history - without the bombastic nationalism we suffered in Peking.

Who gives a stuff if johnny foreigner didn't 'get' it. That's their problem, not ours.

[Easy Street]

Whilst the vast majority of Brits (myself included) are in favour of the NHS, I think many of us are slightly uneasy with the way that it has practically become a religion. Its priesthood [doctors] are not always on-message with its sacred texts; however, the high priestesses [nurses] speak with an authority that carries the entire congregation. It is very difficult to have a sensible debate about the NHS without offending some deeply and passionately-held beliefs - and that is not a helpful position to be in. Blasphemers - and even worse, apostates - are treated harshly by the court of public opinion, which stymies any attempts to make sometimes-necessary changes.

I'm no Christian. However our country used to define itself by its Christianity (and officially still does). The prominence given to the NHS in that ceremony simply reflects the fact that the vast majority of our country believes in it, despite any of its failings, unquestioningly. In that sense, it has supplanted Christianity as the religion of the people.

My view: it's a government service just like any other. No more or less important than education, homeland security, defence, foreign affairs, trade. To put it on a pedestal ahead of any of these is self-indulgent - we can only afford to indulge ourselves because of the work done in all these other areas.

[TomJoad]

Whilst the vast majority of Brits (myself included) are in favour of the NHS, I think many of us are slightly uneasy with the way that it has practically become a religion. Its priesthood [doctors] are not always on-message with its sacred texts; however, the high priestesses [nurses] speak with an authority that carries the entire congregation.

Errrrr, right,,,,,,,,,,ok. Now step away from the whisky Easy Street.

[Andu]

Glad you locals all luurrrrved the NHS sequence, chaps, for it would seem that "johnny foreigner" clearly did not.

OPERATING THEATRE | Daily Telegraph Tim Blair Blog

Talk about a rip-off. It turns out that the celebration of Britain’s National Health Service, clearly the absolute highlight of the Olympics opening ceremony, was trimmed from 11 minutes to just nine for Saturday morning’s megashow.

For fans of state-funded healthcare-themed performance art – and I think I speak for millions of Australians here – this is shattering news. Perhaps we will never get a chance to see those missing two minutes.

Unless, of course, the NHS Dancers take their complete and uncut show on the road. It could be an all-dancing, all-singing, all-nursing spectacular, with massive queues for tickets providing a entertaining reminder of how long you’ll usually wait to be treated by the NHS itself.

[Andu]

...and yes, before someone points it out. One of the wingeing Aussies got his East and West Germanys mixed up.

[Shack37]

Just had a brief look at some of Tim Blair's other examples of literary genius. I feel a bit sorry for the bloke, he doesn't seem to have found much in life to write about that he either liked or enjoyed.

[Union Jack]

I guess we must also remember the RAF is largely not a military organisation, and so accept they cannot do the very basic stuff that the other services can do without even thinking about

Thank you so much, Barnstormer - whilst that really made me chuckle, I'll also remember and accept what they can do so well.

Jack

[Alber Ratman]

Yeah Barnstormer, thanks for your inject about the RAF being unable to carry out basic military routines that the other services can do in their sleep.. Like the last time I ever fired a rifle on a range.. Range happened to be out at the COB Barsah and it was a zero shoot for my IW.. Just been given the order to fire a five round zero group and I've just taken the safety off and aiming to fire my first round when a rapid burst of automatic fire happens from the firing point next to me.. The Range office (RAF Regiment Sgt) shouts "STOP" and then goes to the idiot pongo next to me, who couldn't be bothered to carry out the ready drills properly, giving him a right dressing down on weapons handling and ejecting him from the range!

BTW, I was out in Basrah with the tocking Sgt... The gym did see a lot of him.. But seeing his place of work was opposite it and his working hours were quite relaxed, unlike his boys.. However he was certainly has a better image that one of the Sgt Movers that worked with us out there.. He like to smoke... and smuggle a bit more than his duty free allowance home from the sandpit.. In fact a considerable amount more that cost him his pension, job and his liberty!

[TheWizard]

Royal Navy out of step?

So, all those that were so quick to shout 'tick-tocking', explain the guys on the right of the flag. Are they all 'tick-tocking' as well? (same arm and leg forward)

Or perhaps that's how they were supposed to do it

[lj101]

Cynicalint

but most of all, the apparent Nazi salute rendered repeatedly by the German minister welcoming the German team. I did replay to check I had not been mistaken and, even though it was left handed, it was unmistakeable

The poor man ( now named as Mr. Troger) is reported as absolutely devastated at the interpretation of his wave.

In 1972, Mr Tröger offered to exchange himself for Israeli hostages while serving as mayor of the Olympic Village during the Munich Games.

Personally, I loved every bit of the opening. Let's hope for a safe Olympics for all.