[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

My feeling too. I don’t think the Chinese thought about what other people wanted. They used the opening ceremony to put on a show to show the rest of the world what they were about.

Also there’s some stuff Danny might have stayed away from deliberately. For some of our history we have been battling other people or ruling them. Probably not the best to dwell on before a world sporting event regardless of the reasons. Germany could have been offended at showing the Churchill statue and dambusters music. Some offended at our armed forces marching with the flag. Someone somewhere will be upset over something or have something they want to pass judgement on.

If other nations didn’t get it then they have the web courtesy of us, to find out what it was all about anyway.

And when all is said and done the opening ceremony is to kick the games off. It could have been anything. We could have just had a load of fireworks, a brass band and some dancers and that would have done.

Exactly, why some people think that we have to be different to everyone else I do not know. Surely it's a good thing for folk to learn more about us and then they may start to views us in a different way to the tired old stereotypes. We should broadcast to the world what we are really about and what makes us so damn great.

We need to be proud of who we are and we need to shout it loud, just as the French, Germans, Americans, Chinese, Australians etc. do. The USA doesn't even really have any history to mention (compared to Britain anyway) yet they shout about themselves etc. far more than we do.

How many countries can say that they have pretty much been the starting place of the last two technological revolutions? The industrial revolution started in the midlands of Britain and we gave the world the Internet. I think it's great that Danny focused on such amazing parts of our history and if the rest of the world failed to understand then it's perhaps them who should seek to correct their ignorance.

[Iccz]

Originally Posted by Philly112

As expected, a complete load of tosh from Pooch. You really are, well, I can't say it here.

Phil, it'd be appreciated if you didn't wind Pooch up - you're not doing any of us any favours.

[Philly112]

Originally Posted by Iccz

Phil, it'd be appreciated if you didn't wind Pooch up - you're not doing any of us any favours.

Probably not - but, don't say you're not awaiting his considered reply with bated breath.

Phil

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Hi,


An Opening Ceremony should be a celebration of the host nation, not a 2-hour history lesson. The Industrial Revolution may have made the UK a great nation, but it also caused many deaths amongst the young and middle-aged.

Not sure why people have this idea that you don’t cover the nations history.

The Beijing opening ceremony and they pointed out they invented paper, and porcelain etc.

If you read this there’s a lot about China using history, dance, telling a story etc:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Su...ening_ceremony

And that was held up as being something special. If we aren’t celebrating the NHS or our armed forces or the industrial revolution which bit of our history can we cover which hasn’t got a negative aspect? Pretty sure a few people in China were watching their ceremony and saying what about our human rights etc?

Originally Posted by PoochJD

A nice idea, with the right sentiment, but bearing in mind the UK is currently in an illegal war which in its own right, is shameful,

??? We have troops in Afghanistan at UN, Nato and the Afghan Governments request. I’ve not seen anyone describe a UN mandated deployment as being “illegal”. A few have said that about Iraq but our current numbers in Iraq is down to a handful involved in helping with training. Which “illegal war” are you on about?

Originally Posted by PoochJD

JK Rowling reading Peter Pan? What a farce! She may be one of the best-selling children's authors in the world, and British too, but I wouldn't exactly celebrate "Harry Potter" as one of our greatest cultural achievements. I'm surprised E.L.James wasn't also up there too, seeing as her work has sold so well in recent weeks.

I would have preferred Tolkien, Dickens, Milton or a lot more but a lot of it was “for kids y’know”.

Right now JK Rowling is big, is well known worldwide, and given she is often media shy I thought it was quite a coup getting her. A lot of our famous authors are also dead.

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Oh, and then we had Paul McCartney. Yes, a legend in his own time, but these days, even older British singers like Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey can outdo him (as they both demonstrated at the Jubilee events in June)!

I think Paul McCartney got included as everyone on the planet is aware of The Beatles even in North Korea if they saw any of it they have at least heard of the Beatles.

Overall there was probably a lot of stuff people worldwide got straight away. English countryside, cricket, Queen, Bond etc. Some stuff they will have got after a few seconds, JK Rowling – she’s probably not that recognisable but once you know who it is you get it, and stuff you probably never knew but get later. Most of the world probably didn’t know about us having someone who invented the web but where would the world be without it?

Some stuff we could have thrown in, Bean could have been ditched and Monty Python thrown in but this country has a bit of an embarrassment of riches as to what we could have included. I noticed a few moaning about the CND symbol but when I watched it again it was only there for a few seconds and also because it was part of a 60’s montage and it was one of the things of the 60’s and the cold war.

Overall I think he got the balance right and there was something for everyone. Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to have enjoyed some stuff and disliked other bits. A lot of it was blink and you miss it stuff. Early on there’s a brief bit of Wind In The Willows country.

The young probably got off on the texting, Facebook and Dizzee Rascall. The old probably got the stuff like the pig flying over Battersea Power station.

[Philly112]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

Not sure why people have this idea that you don’t cover the nations history.

The Beijing opening ceremony and they pointed out they invented paper, and porcelain etc.

If you read this there’s a lot about China using history, dance, telling a story etc:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Su...ning_ceremony]

And that was held up as being something special. If we aren’t celebrating the NHS or our armed forces or the industrial revolution which bit of our history can we cover which hasn’t got a negative aspect? Pretty sure a few people in China were watching their ceremony and saying what about our human rights etc?



??? We have troops in Afghanistan at UN, Nato and the Afghan Governments request. I’ve not seen anyone describe a UN mandated deployment as being “illegal”. A few have said that about Iraq but our current numbers in Iraq is down to a handful involved in helping with training. Which “illegal war” are you on about?

I would have preferred Tolkien, Dickens, Milton or a lot more but a lot of it was “for kids y’know”.

Right now JK Rowling is big, is well known worldwide, and given she is often media shy I thought it was quite a coup getting her. A lot of our famous authors are also dead.



I think Paul McCartney got included as everyone on the planet is aware of The Beatles even in North Korea if they saw any of it they have at least heard of the Beatles.

Overall there was probably a lot of stuff people worldwide got straight away. English countryside, cricket, Queen, Bond etc. Some stuff they will have got after a few seconds, JK Rowling – she’s probably not that recognisable but once you know who it is you get it, and stuff you probably never knew but get later. Most of the world probably didn’t know about us having someone who invented the web but where would the world be without it?

Some stuff we could have thrown in, Bean could have been ditched and Monty Python thrown in but this country has a bit of an embarrassment of riches as to what we could have included. I noticed a few moaning about the CND symbol but when I watched it again it was only there for a few seconds and also because it was part of a 60’s montage and it was one of the things of the 60’s and the cold war.

Overall I think he got the balance right and there was something for everyone. Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to have enjoyed some stuff and disliked other bits. A lot of it was blink and you miss it stuff. Early on there’s a brief bit of Wind In The Willows country.

The young probably got off on the texting, Facebook and Dizzee Rascall. The old probably got the stuff like the pig flying over Battersea Power station.

A better reply than mine was. I guess I just couldn't breach the gap between what I thought was excellent, and what someone else thought was awful. Boyle covered most bases, was controversial in some ways, but produced something that no other country has ever attempted to do. Inform people, move people, and make them laugh. It was, IMO, a superb piece of work, entertaining but with plenty to make you think.

Phil

[sniffer66]

Thats a pretty fair response Sonic and probably sums up how myself and a lot of people I know saw it

[Sonic67]

There's a lot I didn't pick up on until a second viewing. I didn't see a black cab or London bus but second time round I saw the pearly kings and queens so London was in there. Our soaps like Eastenders and Corrie was in briefly. So was our weather. I didn’t see anything about our love of tea and fish and chips or curry but then I didn’t see a lot of other stuff we could have had either. On the night I sat and had a curry, a bottle of wine and was entertained by it all. There was a few genuine surprises, a lot of post war Britain and I think everyone enjoyed at least something.

Transforming our countryside into the country having dark satanic mills, to those mills then being used to forge an Olympic ring was really clever stuff. One minute, green fields the next massive smoke stacks.

Then from that while I was watching the Bond sequence I expected the Queen to be either a look-a-like or to be shot so you never actually saw her face. When she did appear I looked twice to check it genuinely was her.

Simon Rattle I like as he was the conductor on the Henry V soundtrack and when I heard his name I thought oh, good stuff, but then did another double take at Bean being there. It could have been a straight sequence of music but instead it became another surprise and yet more family entertainment.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who didn’t have at least one favourite bit.

[SimonH]

Originally Posted by Sonic67

Overall I think he got the balance right and there was something for everyone. Everyone I’ve spoken to seems to have enjoyed some stuff and disliked other bits.

For the record I liked most of it, apart from the girl who lost her phone bit which bored me even though I could see it was smartly put together.

I know I would have liked to have been there.

[Philly112]

Some rather funny comments from Boris here.

London Olympics 2012: here’s 20 jolly good reasons to feel cheerful about the Games - Telegraph

Phil

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by Philly112

Some rather funny comments from Boris here.

London Olympics 2012: here’s 20 jolly good reasons to feel cheerful about the Games - Telegraph

Phil

pernoctates - I'm having that.

[neilios]

On reflection boyle pretty much summed up britain to a tee,most was excellent some of it made me cringe,but thats was just my own personal feelings on british culture,,,,but all of it was done with style,even if the show wasn't precision choreography like the chinese gave the world at the bejing olympics....

[enigma1701]

Originally Posted by Gary D

Yeah but football isn't really "Olympics" is it?

Here here! That'll be why no one bought the tickets in Glasgow or Cardiff! :-)

[davepuma]

Imagine this was true.....

BBC to launch Trevor Nelson button

[Greg]

Originally Posted by enigma1701

Here here! That'll be why no one bought the tickets in Glasgow or Cardiff! :-)

It's probably for another thread, but personally sports have no place in the Olympics where winning gold is not the absolute pinnacle of that athletes career. Tennis and Football being two that quickly come to mind.

[Chox1988]

Originally Posted by Greg

It's probably for another thread, but personally sports have no place in the Olympics where winning gold is not the absolute pinnacle of that athletes career. Tennis and Football being two that quickly come to mind.

Totally agree, not sure if theyre there to make up the numbers or for nations where those sports arent a big deal nationally but it doesnt feel right

[kav]

Originally Posted by Chox1988

Totally agree, not sure if theyre there to make up the numbers or for nations where those sports arent a big deal nationally but it doesnt feel right

I think they're partly there to subsidise the sports that don't generate big money. IMBW though.

[Greg]

I seriously doubt the football is subsidising anything at the Olympics. Especially when you get only 5000 turn up to watch a match.

[PoochJD]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Philly112

As expected, a complete load of tosh from Pooch. You really are, well, I can't say it here.

Phil

Edit - however, long may you continue with your mindless rants. I truly do love reading them. I just showed this drivel to my wife. She would type her own reply but she's still laughing too much.

Oh, sorry, I thought people were allowed to express opinions in General Chat, but because I post something that is contradictory to everyone else, I am branded as an idiot! And how nice to see the same people "Thanking" you, for what is nothing but borderline harrassement!

That's it! I have seriously had it!

Do you all want me to leave the Forums?! Is that your purpose, for the constant bitching, and sniping, and attacking of almost every single thing I write, because if it is, then you know what, the Forums is no longer the warm, welcoming place it once was. After ten years, it's come down to certain members who seem to be making an active effort to oust me.

Well, you're doing a damn good job! I trust you're all very proud of yourselves.


Pooch

[logiciel]

Not contradictory to me - you made a welcome change from the hysteria some of the others have demonstrated.

[Philly112]

To Pooch.

Well, firstly, apologies from me. I know we have crossed swords a couple of times; I guess we don't agree on many things. I would not like to see you leave the forums. I HONESTLY do enjoy reading your posts; many are very informative, particularly re TV and movies. Yes, I will admit that I do find you a little overbearing at times. And yes, I am a very sarcastic guy who has too much time on his hands...
I realise that forums are very impersonal, in that none of us really know each other. We're all just using these forums to air opinions, and of course sometimes it gets a bit out of hand.
But really, don't leave. Sometimes it's just people tying stuff on a keyboard hoping for a few laughs. Believe me, I've overstepped the mark sometimes and have been rollocked by mods. Rightly so. A couple of things a few years ago that I wrote after a night on the beer which were terrible.
So, a handshake from me.
Cheers
Phil

[DIYlady]

Now that apologies have been offered and accepted in the manner of true gentlemen .....what do people think about these badminton players being disqualified?

[PoochJD]

Hi Phil,

Thank You for apologising. It is 100% appreciated.

I have no problem with people disagreeing with me.

I don't expect anyone to like everything I write.

I don't expect anyone to like anything I write.

That's fine. Honest.

I know I'm no paragon of virtue, and I would never claim to be one, either. I have faults and failings, and I accept that. I also know I've been harsh with some people on the Forums, too, and have been reprimanded for it - sometimes justified, other times not, but such is life.

The problem comes when anything I write, is just used to fling mud in my general direction. That's when I have a problem. In recent weeks, it seems some members are happy to keep flinging mud in my direction just for me opening my mouth, and it's getting both extremely frustrating, very annoying, and rather hurtful too.

Hurtful, to the point that yes, I have considered leaving the Forums. It's getting too clique-y, and the same sets of people are attacking anything, everything I write, for the sole reason that they can do so, and because they think it's cool, clever and manly. I've also considered leaving, because it has felt that if you don't follow the status quo, then you are automatically wrong. Well, that's wrong. Just because someone does go along with what everyone else is saying, doesn't make their opinion less valid.

If I had come into this thread, and posted "I thought the Olympic Opening Ceremony was crap", I'd be understandably castigated. Why? Because I've not given anyone any reason as to why I reached that conclusion. Thus, my opinion is dumb, as there's no reason for it.

The fact that I DID post why I felt the way I did, did not warrant the castigation from you and others. That was unnecessary and uncalled for. It came across as if "Your opinion is wrong, and the only valid opinion is if you liked or loved the Ceremony" or "You opinion is wrong, because it's you who is saying what you are saying."

Anyway, I accept your apology, and I hope that the people who have been doing the mud-flinging will now cease doing so.

Don't mud-sling, just because you think it's fun.

Don't mud-sling, just because you can.

Don't "thank" those who do mud-sling, as it makes you just as guilty of the one's flinging it in the first place. It's tantamount to ganging-up on someone, and bullying them because they are different to you (irrespective of what that difference might actually be).


Pooch

[Singh400]

Originally Posted by DIYlady

Now that apologies have been offered and accepted in the manner of true gentlemen .....what do people think about these badminton players being disqualified?

BBC News - Olympic female badminton players charged

Poor show IMO.

[Philly112]

Originally Posted by Singh400

BBC News - Olympic female badminton players charged

Poor show IMO.

There's a separate thread on this.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/gener...-cheating.html

Phil

[Philly112]

Originally Posted by PoochJD

Hi Phil,

Thank You for apologising. It is 100% appreciated.

I have no problem with people disagreeing with me.

I don't expect anyone to like everything I write.

I don't expect anyone to like anything I write.

That's fine. Honest.

I know I'm no paragon of virtue, and I would never claim to be one, either. I have faults and failings, and I accept that. I also know I've been harsh with some people on the Forums, too, and have been reprimanded for it - sometimes justified, other times not, but such is life.

The problem comes when anything I write, is just used to fling mud in my general direction. That's when I have a problem. In recent weeks, it seems some members are happy to keep flinging mud in my direction just for me opening my mouth, and it's getting both extremely frustrating, very annoying, and rather hurtful too.

Hurtful, to the point that yes, I have considered leaving the Forums. It's getting too clique-y, and the same sets of people are attacking anything, everything I write, for the sole reason that they can do so, and because they think it's cool, clever and manly. I've also considered leaving, because it has felt that if you don't follow the status quo, then you are automatically wrong. Well, that's wrong. Just because someone does go along with what everyone else is saying, doesn't make their opinion less valid.

If I had come into this thread, and posted "I thought the Olympic Opening Ceremony was crap", I'd be understandably castigated. Why? Because I've not given anyone any reason as to why I reached that conclusion. Thus, my opinion is dumb, as there's no reason for it.

The fact that I DID post why I felt the way I did, did not warrant the castigation from you and others. That was unnecessary and uncalled for. It came across as if "Your opinion is wrong, and the only valid opinion is if you liked or loved the Ceremony" or "You opinion is wrong, because it's you who is saying what you are saying."

Anyway, I accept your apology, and I hope that the people who have been doing the mud-flinging will now cease doing so.

Don't mud-sling, just because you think it's fun.

Don't mud-sling, just because you can.

Don't "thank" those who do mud-sling, as it makes you just as guilty of the one's flinging it in the first place. It's tantamount to ganging-up on someone, and bullying them because they are different to you (irrespective of what that difference might actually be).


Pooch

Pooch. My apology was for the way I posted. It was sarcastic, and meant to make you look silly. I stand by my apology.
Your opinions are as valid as anyones. But you really need to look at the way in which you express those opinions. The thanks I got for my 'apologised for' post were from decent forum members. They don't need to be criticised by you in any way.
Just think before you post. I will try to.

Phil

[Sonic67]

Originally Posted by PoochJD

The fact that I DID post why I felt the way I did, did not warrant the castigation from you and others. That was unnecessary and uncalled for. It came across as if "Your opinion is wrong, and the only valid opinion is if you liked or loved the Ceremony" or "You opinion is wrong, because it's you who is saying what you are saying."

Anyway, I accept your apology, and I hope that the people who have been doing the mud-flinging will now cease doing so.

Don't mud-sling, just because you think it's fun.

Don't mud-sling, just because you can.

Don't "thank" those who do mud-sling, as it makes you just as guilty of the one's flinging it in the first place. It's tantamount to ganging-up on someone, and bullying them because they are different to you (irrespective of what that difference might actually be).


Pooch

Man up. Sometimes people won't like what you say. It's a public forum. It happens. Myself and quite a few others like the Olympics and enjoyed the opening ceremony. If someone says they enjoyed it and give good reasons as to why I will thank who I like and so presumably will they.

[golden phoenix]

I love pooch, whether you agree with him or not... the guy takes alot of effort and time to post and man are they comprehensive...

like I say...forums are about posting opinions...I can agree or disagree, but I love the banter...

pooch has certainly educated me a few times especially about arrow video releases..which are the best and worse releases of all time..

just because you disagree with someone..you don't have to attack them..some people just dont get it and dont play nice...

we are all here posting opinions... there is no right and wrong! just an ongoing debate..people take it too personally and can get nasty...

ive been here 7 years, hell... Pooch has been here from the beginning! so i know what im talking about..its nice to see people reflect, adn be man enough to say ..you know what..ive reflected, and realised I was harsh..good for you..id like to see more of that...

so Pooch..don't leave me, as i cant live without you

anyway..my post reminds me of a status I seen on Facebook recently...

it you want to start an arguement..post an opinion..and wait...

LONG LIVE POOCH AND HIS POSTS!