For our politicians the Olympics is a wonderfully cynical coming together of the nations of the world in the spirit of competition and national jingoism. It is a hugely expensive propaganda vehicle for the host country, a vehicle the British government is happy to play host to today as the torch is paraded around London. Imagine my complete lack of surprise when I discovered this morning that the torch relay was brought in for the 1936 Olympics to glorify the Third Reich. How appropriate that it should be carried today to focus our thoughts on the forthcoming Olympics in China while protests about the ongoing abuses of human rights in Tibet continue. Will Britain still be at war in Iraq and Afghanistan when the Olympic torch is lit in London in 2012 as countries meet to, in the words of Adolf Hitler, "... knit the bonds of peace between nations". On a joyous note the Britsh Broadcasting Corporation reported:

"Despite bitter temperatures and sleet, impromptu carnivals are expected as the torch passes iconic landmarks such as Nelson's Column, St. Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge."

Elsewhere in the country spontaneous outpourings of thanks will be required later today to show our heartfelt gratitude to the Brown regime and our hopes for the continuing good health of our glorious leader.

2 original comments:

BBC poll last week reveals that you and I aren’t alone in our Olympic cynicism, even if not everyone shares our specific misgivings.
Comment by handolio — 7 April, 2008 @ 11:02 am

I was speaking with a teacher friend over the weekend whose school kids were going to stand on the route and attempt to blow out the flame. I suggested to her – too late – that they all took candles and (solemnly, silently) extinguished them as the torch passed by…
Comment by RobertCinnamon — 7 April, 2008 @ 9:35 pm