[S4B]

This is beyond belief! When are we allowed to display pride in our country and our heritage.? I'm not a huge fan of the Red Arrows I can take or leave them but the principle is what has annoyed me.

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, so if you disagree with this decision, please sign the petition on the link.


http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/RedArrows201 ... Arrows2012

[Zoot]

http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page13392.asp

[S4B]

So why haven't they deleted the petition?

[MK Chris]

Probably because stupid people will accuse them of infringing their rights to freedom of speech.

The Red Arrows are amazing.. out of interest, S4B, have you seen them perform? As in seen them perform acrobatics, not just fly over your house? I tend to say to most people that I defy anyone to see an acrobatics display by them and not be in awe of them.

I was on a course last year at an airfield in Northamptonshire and it happened that on one of the days of the course, the Red Arrows practised their routine there. There was no other word to describe it than "amazing". We were extremely lucky, as this was a three day course and people who have worked their for over 10 years had never seen the Red Arrows practising there before.. other aerobatics teams, but not the Red Arrows.

[S4B]

Yeah I have seen them perform, I agree it's really clever but it's not my thing.

[Ballbag]

You're doing a terrible job of staying away Miss Books. Or have you calmed down a bit now.

[dime]

Is it me or is this old news? I thought this came out some time last year and has been sorted out and the Red Arrows WILL be performing at the Olympics - at least that's what the former Prime Minister Tony Blair said last year.

A short while ago I was taking a wander around Brixworth Country Park (aka Pitsford Reservoir) and out of the blue the Red Arrows appeared practising an amazing routine over the water! Everyone around was standing still fixated by the acrobatics in the air!

[markool89]

There is no such thing as "Too British"
I better not get started! You lot will shout at me again!

[Ballbag]

You're learning juggler.

[Boboff]

Plymouth Hoe is a fantastic spot to watch the Red arrows, they come in over the sound and perform in the bay, and you can almost look down on it from the Hoe. Brilliant memories.

[MK Chris]

There is no such thing as "Too British"
I better not get started! You lot will shout at me again!

I thought of you the other day when I saw this programme. It was called "BNP Wives". It made me angry.

[TIAL]

I thought of you the other day when I saw this programme. It was called "BNP Wives". It made me angry.

I saw that too. Anger-inducing TV, but strangely compelling. I loved the way that one of the ladies didn't want to explain her views when questioned because they didn't need 'people like her'. It's a political party FFS, she should be welcoming opportunities like that!

Grrr.

[Bonanzoid]

I saw some program tonight about how Englanders perceive Scotchlanders. The overall outcome was (very briefly and based on questionable evidence) that you barely think of us, but when you do you quite like us.

How true is this, you Morris dancing tea addicts?

[MK Chris]

I thought of you the other day when I saw this programme. It was called "BNP Wives". It made me angry.

I saw that too. Anger-inducing TV, but strangely compelling. I loved the way that one of the ladies didn't want to explain her views when questioned because they didn't need 'people like her'. It's a political party FFS, she should be welcoming opportunities like that!

Grrr.

Yeah, that woman was extremely annoying.. the woman who was questioning her had some good points. The woman who was the wife of the party secretary blatantly didn't have any of her own views.. she just said what her husband thinks. The bit that had me shouting at the telly the most was the bit where she said she had requested a white midwife, but they gave her a caribbean lady.. so she had to "politely" ask that they send a white person instead; and when questioned whose idea that was she said "Mark" (or whatever the name of her husband was.)

[Yudster]

I saw some program tonight about how Englanders perceive Scotchlanders. The overall outcome was (very briefly and based on questionable evidence) that you barely think of us, but when you do you quite like us.

How true is this, you Morris dancing tea addicts?

It is true that when we don't think about you much we quite like you. It's only when we really think hard about you that we can't stand you, you bagpipe screeching haggis eaters.

..................... she said "Mark" (or whatever the name of her husband was.)

Kerry Katona?