Olympic Opening

[daibhidc]

So, reasons to be proud of UK include protestors, the NHS, the BBC, more protestors, freaky kids' books, multiculturalism, Ken Loach films, angry songs, Tim Berners-Lee and James Bond (not in that order). All of which I would agree are absolutely fantastic.

...And then the world outside the stadium reminded us that reasons not to be proud of the UK include protestors being arrested and Tories whinging that multiculturism is leftist. So we've still got work to do, starting with electing a government that fits the Britain Danny Boyle showed us.

Comments

[aquarionical.livejournal.com]

I've got a post on this brewing, I think. The Critical Mass cycle ride is a beacon, it's been going for almost two decades, and it's a wonderful symbol of solidarity for bikers.

On the other hand, the police told them that taking a protest towards the olympic park would be taken as a sign they intended to disrupt it, and whoever was at the head of that ride - I understand the route is generally Follow My Leader, rather than preplaned - knew exactly what would happen if they did exactly what they did.

I respect that they wanted to raise the issue of freedom, I respect that they feel that cycle safety is being put aside for the All Powerful Olympics (And it is, some of the great "Cycle Superhighways!" set up last year have been redesignated Games Lanes for the duration, as have other cycle paths), but the "Oh no! We were on our normal bike ride and the police kettled us! This was the first protest for many!" tone of their public announcements over the time period is at the very least disingenuous, and bordering on mickey-taking; and it's the point where any _sympathy_ I have for what happened evaporated.