Olympic Flame Protection Unit: The Blue Boys are THUGS!
April 12th 2008 13:55
Talking about getting physical, the torch bearers are now also being protected by special "flame attendants", dressed in pretty blue and white track suits. They are actually highly trained paramilitary soldiers and complaints by the actual torch bearers are beginning to be voiced, some of whom have labelled the guards as "thugs" because of their rough, rude and dictatorial behaviour!
Photo Credit: A.P.(Associated Press)
One British torch bearer said,
extract: AP[Wednesday, April 09, 2008 03:01] By Anita Chang LINK: ARTICLE LINK HERE
"They were barking orders at me, like 'Run! Stop! This! That!' and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, who are these people?"' former television host Konnie Huq told British Broadcasting Corp. radio about her encounter with the men in blue during London's leg of the relay Sunday."
These Chinese paramilitary are in addition to the enormous phalanx of motor cycle cops, undercover dudes, and ordinary police sprawled all over the streets surrounding the Olympic Torch procession. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) gave the Chinese Government the go ahead to add these men to the procession, but did they know the boys in nice blue outfits were paramilitary?
"The chairman of the London 2012 Games, Sebastian Coe, was even more blunt.
"They tried to push me out of the way three times. They are horrible. They did not speak English. They were thugs," Coe, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was quoted as saying in British media. A spokeswoman for the London 2012 Olympics committee confirmed that Coe was quoted accurately, but added that he thought he was making private comments."
Officially, Beijing has said only that the unit's mission was to guard the flame, in keeping with practices of past Olympic games."
How were these people selected for this task, which is surely a huge PR position, and particularly important for China to show it is a civilised nation. I must admit, as far as aesthetics go, I liked their initial 'requirements, see following;
"Members were picked from special police units of the People's Armed Police, China's internal security force. The requirements for the job: to be "tall, handsome, mighty, in exceptional physical condition similar to that of professional athletes," the state-run China News Service said.
Special police units are the top tier of the paramilitary corps, chosen for skills in martial arts, marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat, according to sinodefense.com, a British-based website specializing in Chinese military affairs."
Did you see that bizarre photograph of the two Chinese paramilitary on parade, showing a playing card inserted into the top of both their collars? One has a two of diamonds, one a two of hearts. Why a deuce? Why not an ace? It is done to improve their posture apparently. A the end of the parade, I expect they must show their cards in pristine condition, or they get introduced to that old and venerable card game, "DROP 52!!"
This is where you ask your opponent, "Do you want to play a new game of cards?" You then take the deck in one hand and squeeze it together, fluttering all the cards into the air and calling out at the same time, "DROP 52!! HAHA! NO PICK UPS!!"
Which means, basically, you are a prick and just humiliated your friend, who now has to pick up all the cards scattered across the floor. One note though, ALWAYS make sure that your friend is non-violent, smaller and MUCH weaker than you, just case he/she returns the favour in a far more physical way!
And one last warning, do not do this with a Chinese paramilitary soldier, because he is probably going to be a bit testy after a long day standing with a two of hearts rammed into his collar!
Living the Olympic Dream, Chinese style!
One British torch bearer said,
extract: AP[Wednesday, April 09, 2008 03:01] By Anita Chang LINK: ARTICLE LINK HERE
"They were barking orders at me, like 'Run! Stop! This! That!' and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, who are these people?"' former television host Konnie Huq told British Broadcasting Corp. radio about her encounter with the men in blue during London's leg of the relay Sunday."
These Chinese paramilitary are in addition to the enormous phalanx of motor cycle cops, undercover dudes, and ordinary police sprawled all over the streets surrounding the Olympic Torch procession. The IOC (International Olympic Committee) gave the Chinese Government the go ahead to add these men to the procession, but did they know the boys in nice blue outfits were paramilitary?
"The chairman of the London 2012 Games, Sebastian Coe, was even more blunt.
"They tried to push me out of the way three times. They are horrible. They did not speak English. They were thugs," Coe, a two-time Olympic gold medallist, was quoted as saying in British media. A spokeswoman for the London 2012 Olympics committee confirmed that Coe was quoted accurately, but added that he thought he was making private comments."
Officially, Beijing has said only that the unit's mission was to guard the flame, in keeping with practices of past Olympic games."
How were these people selected for this task, which is surely a huge PR position, and particularly important for China to show it is a civilised nation. I must admit, as far as aesthetics go, I liked their initial 'requirements, see following;
"Members were picked from special police units of the People's Armed Police, China's internal security force. The requirements for the job: to be "tall, handsome, mighty, in exceptional physical condition similar to that of professional athletes," the state-run China News Service said.
Special police units are the top tier of the paramilitary corps, chosen for skills in martial arts, marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat, according to sinodefense.com, a British-based website specializing in Chinese military affairs."
Did you see that bizarre photograph of the two Chinese paramilitary on parade, showing a playing card inserted into the top of both their collars? One has a two of diamonds, one a two of hearts. Why a deuce? Why not an ace? It is done to improve their posture apparently. A the end of the parade, I expect they must show their cards in pristine condition, or they get introduced to that old and venerable card game, "DROP 52!!"
This is where you ask your opponent, "Do you want to play a new game of cards?" You then take the deck in one hand and squeeze it together, fluttering all the cards into the air and calling out at the same time, "DROP 52!! HAHA! NO PICK UPS!!"
Which means, basically, you are a prick and just humiliated your friend, who now has to pick up all the cards scattered across the floor. One note though, ALWAYS make sure that your friend is non-violent, smaller and MUCH weaker than you, just case he/she returns the favour in a far more physical way!
And one last warning, do not do this with a Chinese paramilitary soldier, because he is probably going to be a bit testy after a long day standing with a two of hearts rammed into his collar!
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Comment by tlcorbin
Raven
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
(clears throat...cough cough...),
isn't it wonderful how so many want to protect the non-political nature of the Games, (fair enough), yet the agenda is set by the most political, and secretly so, organization in sporting history, that being the I.O.C.!
China promised to clean up its act, to get the Games, and was rewarded with them...why wasn't it demanded they clean up their act first, then get the Games?
Maybe something to do with trade agreements and cheap labour for big Western corporations, do you think? Or is that me being far too churlish!!
It's all an act, and a tawdry one at that!
cheers
fog