Hi Sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I am speechless!!! The world-famous Red Arrows have been banned from appearing at the 2012 London Olympics because they are deemed "too British". Organisers of the event say that the Arrows military background might be "offensive" to other countries taking part in the Games. The display team have performed at more than 4000 events worldwide, but the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have deemed the display team "too militaristically British". Red Arrows pilots were said to be "outraged", as they had hoped to put on a truly world class display for the Games, something which had never been seen before. Being axed from a British-based event for being "too British" is an insult - the Arrows are a symbol of Britain . The Red Arrows have been excellent ambassadors for British overseas trade, as they display their British-built Hawk aircraft all over the world. The Arrows performed a short flypast in 2005 when the winning bid was announced, but their flypast at the Games was to have been truly spectacular. It is to be hoped that common sense prevails If you disagree with this decision, sign the petition on the link http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows2012/?ref=redArrows2012 Forward this on to everyone you can. Please give it your support. I shall even cross to the other side to muster some!!! Regards CTNana
So I wonder how British London is then?! London should therefore be banned from the Olympics. Oh wait, hang on...
The Red Arrows appear all over the world as thier role is as ambassodors for Britan. Therefore to deny them a flypast at the Olympics would be crimminal! I for one, will be glad to sign the petition!
Hmmm, is anyone surprised considering who the Ministers are? Purnell, Hodge and Sutcliffe. And militaristic? That's probably the most ridiculas and hypocritical reason possible for banning the Red Arrows - in that case why not ban the Changing of the Guard during the period, and I hope nobody sees the armed police that will probably be patrolling London then. :frusty:
So is that an official petition as launched by the PM? Btw, my Dad is English, therefore I have a British passport, therefore I am a British citizen so... My wife was born in Sheffield so there's another vote!
What happened to people being proud of their country and its history. These days people seem to be looking for things to ban so they can be seen to be more PC than everyone else.
Consider this signed, have done this now and if they do end up being banned i think the whole country will be up in arms over it. Then again when you consider that our signposts are also now in Polish, and the Brits have less rights than those coming to this country what can you expect? Mike
I don't think this is really about foreigners and Brits really - it smacks of Blairite petulance, and their pretence at huggy-feelyness. The Red Arrows have been seen around the world, and I never heard any host countrys' spectators say that they were a bad thing because it smacked of militarism. Though I've always disagreed with London hosting the Olympics (the costs outweigh the benefits as far as I am concerned), now that it is happening, the tourists that will drawn to London will expect such extravagences (probably more than the Londoners themselves).
Apparently this is no such, thing, The Red Arrows have not yet been contact about this and they are only thinking as far ahead as next season. And they insist none of their pilots or people have talked to the papers. The government knows nothing about this (apparently) and have not even considered what to put in the opening ceremony yet. Time to wait and see i think.
and when it says British it means every nationality in this country, except the 'British'. Will there be Morris dancers? WILL THERE?!
Why doesn't this surprise me? Olympics good for having a party but not much else, secret report warned ministers - Times Online
Mmmmmm .... this must be the squeaky clean government that Mr Blair fooled most of the people with for most of the time!!!!
