As DeWang busies himself shooting lilies and other flowers around Shanghai, I think people ought to check out some of the pictures of heavy duty military gears around Olympic Venues in London as Olympics Near. Truly amazing stuffs! However it’s not just the serious gears, but also the many precautions that have been taken – including the deployment of of an army in London that is bigger than the one Britain has in Afghanistan, the use of orders used to pre-emptively ban protests, the “total policing” of all Olympics and surrounding areas, the training of aggressive goons that double as security guards, etc. I’m sure they are all necessary. The duty to defend humanity’s right to a Free, Happy, and Festive Olympics deserves nothing less…
Ray says
I guess security is more important than freedom. But those who made the poster should do better research those missiles are Russian S-125.
melektaus says
They are showing the world the degree of hospitality and freedom loving, good-natured people that the English are known to be.
Zack says
Truly, questions should be asked of Great Britain’s supposed commitment and record of human rights and freedom. If even a largely touted liberal western democracy like UK has to have military weapons on the street for its own olympic games then what the fuck was their mouthpiece, the BBC, going on about, when it was detailing China’s own security apparatuses?
Jay Riter says
Why is this surprising?
I would be more surprised if any country hosting the Olympics DIDN’T have defense against airplanes being used as flying bombs.
It just makes sense to put the air defense close to the venues.
And why would anyone let people take pictures of the defenses, so they can better defeat them?
Zack says
@Jay Riter
no, it goes to show that britain is a police state and that britain’s governmental policies are in question if they need such security measures for something that should be their nation’s proudeest moment to shine.
/sarcasm
Jay Riter says
London also has more cameras watching the populace than any other city in the world.
But I think you need more proof for your argument that Britain is a police state, since this level of security seems normal (to me) given just how crazy some people are.
Zack says
the fact that london has the most cameras trained on its own citizens defines itself as a police state. Given how much the British authorities frequently clamp down on dissidents when international events are around the corner (case in point, the illegal imprisoning of pro republicans in the leadup to the royal wedding), it’s a mystery why the BBC with its stated love for championing democracy and human rights, doesn’t talk extensively about this. The fact that it’s a state run media station is all the more damning to the fact that Britain today, despite its much puffed up ‘democraship’, is as authoritarian and insecure as any totalitarian government.
tc says
“London also has more cameras watching the populace than any other city in the world” to “prevent a crisis of legitimacy for their rule”.
melektaus says
@Jay Riter
I could be wrong but how many anti aircraft missiles did you see on top of buildings and on public streets during the 2008 Beijing Olympics? What about tanks rolling through the street? I didn’t see any. This is no way to welcome the world. I doubt any Olympic games have seen this much “security.”
Security is one thing. Living under a police state just for the Olympic games is another.
melektaus says
Here’s a good article on the politics of providing “security” for the Olympics especially focusing on the hypocrisy of the west.
http://takimag.com/article/yellow_perilhow_the_beijing_olympics_became_the_most_politicized_show_on_ea/print#axzz20j3gZJeq
The London Olympics with its rhetoric and the actions of the UK government in militarizing the Games can best be described as Orwellian.
Zack says
@melektaus
yet how is it that we don’t see articles pointing out these obviously orwellian characteristics? militarisation of London in every sense of the word. How exactly are AA batteries going to improve security? At least China had every reason in the world to have its security on high alert especially with western backed splittist groups in the country.
melektaus says
@Zack
The simple answer is that the western press simply don’t care about Orwellian society but merely want to spread an agenda. Their agenda is pro-military (at least their military, not the military of their enemies) and pro- corporations.
YinYang says
Given the terrorist attacks in London’s past, I think the extra security should be welcomed – perhaps too ridiculous with the missiles. I think the U.K. knows the world is concerned about terrorist attacks in London. It has to project an image that it can host an Olympics free from a possible attack. It’s rather sad it has to resort to such overt measures to foster that image.
What the British people should take note is that China’s media is not concocting any sort of British genocide propaganda (think Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, etc) unlike how the British media dished out trash against the Chinese in 2008. Remember them calling the uniformed security detail for the 2008 torch relay through London as goons or something?
Remember how the British press harangued about the protest park in Beijing?
Chinese media won’t do that, and that’s the difference.
The British media is a two faced ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ loving bastard.
melektaus says
@YinYang
I remember reading that the UK authorities wanted to make the 12 Olympics a notable distinction to the 08 Olympics’ pomp and ceremony by focusing on sustainability and global harmony. These actions by the Brits don’t seem to carry that message well.
Maybe Chinese athletes should wave the Saltire and declare Scottish independence. I wonder how the Brits would like that.
Charles Liu says
@melektaus
Sorry have to disagree – bringing up stuff like Falklands would make Chinese athletes poor guests.
Alao, anti-aircraft missiles were also present during Beijing Olympics. I remember cuz the media made a huge deal over that.
Zack says
the british are too busy begging the Chinese for more trade and economic yuan transactions in a bid to remain financially relevant and solvent in the 21st century, so really, Beijing doesn’t have to do squat. It’s like a strong silent type ignoring the loud idiot in the bar trying to start a fight. Until the idiot crosses a line, it can remain a loudmouthed idiot, but once that line is crossed, said loudmouth’s teeth are going to be flying across the bar, for sure.
melektaus says
@Charles Liu
I was being facetious. But if that did happen, it would be funny at least to me and I’d imagine many people around the world would be supportive.
Charles Liu says
@melektaus
I know, just messing with you 8-D
no-name says
The UK is obviously fearful of its own shadow(s) in part due to its very zealous overseas military aggression. London has mounted Rapier missiles on rooftops and dismissing the people’s legitimate concerns. Likewise the US has been deeply hounded by its own dark evil shadow and has become thoroughly obsessed with missiles. Read about it at http://www.scribd.com/doc/101265902 for details.
Zack says
why does no-name keep trying to promote his website?
yinyang, i think we’ve got a bot or a troll or both here.
no-name says
Zack, if you are a bit more bright-eyed you would have realised that articles that have been highlighted are just some of many articles blocked or censored by the highly revered western social media. This is to allow readers to access such articles and to point out that while western media routinely accuses China of censorship western media is the unchallenged expert or practitioner of the art of censorship. In China’s case in view of current non-stop onslaught of endless & vicious anti-China propaganda not employing censorship would amount to big irresponsibility. So shut up, Zack unless you merely wish to nitpick with no-name’s right to write or publish his views on HH.