Europe/EU - Latest Lunacy

[Mr T.]

Just announced on Radio 4 News:

"The EU has decreed that all member-states of the EU are to carry the EU flag alongside their respective national flags at all Olympic Games' opening and closing ceremonies from 2008"


The more they, the EU, come out with bollocks like this, the easier it becomes to treat them as the Franco-German Farce they are.

[NeilB]

This lunacy is not as bad as holding French people hostage until Muslim girls can wear the Hijab in schools again.

Have to go now.....I have to hold some Arabs hostage until I can drink a G&T in a Saudi park.

[chrisch]

Bren's comment this is bollox is so true. It is just that. Made-up bollox.

The EU has no juristiction over the Olympics - the IOC would be the body to make such a decision. In order for a law to be passed it must be agreed by the European Parliament then ratified by each of the 25 member states.

This sort of crap is what one might expect to see in dickhead papers like The Daily Mail, but I am dissapointed that the beeb is now another source of invented twaddle about the EU.

Chris

[Adrian Kelland]

I have noticed that our team is "Great Britain", which is made up of 3 countries. Do athletes from Northern Ireland get to go?

The country a competitor comes from does not matter in the Olympics. If you can meet the qualifying times/distces etc., you can go.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

I have noticed that our team is "Great Britain", which is made up of 3 countries. Do athletes from Northern Ireland get to go?

I am far from an expert on sport. However, missus' old chap is from NI and a rugby fan. The "Irish" team covers both Eire and NI. Maybe that is true of the Olympics?

Chris

[Conor]

Originally Posted by Adrian Kelland

I have noticed that our team is "Great Britain", which is made up of 3 countries. Do athletes from Northern Ireland get to go?

The country a competitor comes from does not matter in the Olympics. If you can meet the qualifying times/distces etc., you can go.

People from NI have the choice I believe, They can compete for Ireland or GB, we are UK citizens, but also, I believe, British Nationals, hence GB is technically valid. Not sure how things will progress now that Eire has changed its stance on NI.

I believe the GB designation is that of the relevant athletic body, not the government

[alunharford]

Originally Posted by Bren Tierney

Just announced on Radio 4 News:

"The EU has decreed that all member-states of the EU are to carry the EU flag alongside their respective national flags at all Olympic Games' opening and closing ceremonies from 2008"


The more they ... come out with bollocks like this

Yep. The more the beeb come out with bollocks like this... ... ...

It would need to be put the the european parliament, and then ratified by every state.
It's possible that it could have been a "wouldn't it be nice" proposal by one person, or even a committee, but unless I missed something *BIG*, the beeb are talking rubbish. Again.

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by alunharford

Yep. The more the beeb come out with bollocks like this... ... ...

It would need to be put the the european parliament, and then ratified by every state.
It's possible that it could have been a "wouldn't it be nice" proposal by one person, or even a committee, but unless I missed something *BIG*, the beeb are talking rubbish. Again.

I think Alun, you have hit the nail on the head. One idiot commissioner (and lets be honest there are plenty {Mandy..}) says something stupid and the UK media report it as if it were the latest dictat.

I am at a loss to understand why the beeb would join in this nonsense.

I do understand that rich scum like Rothermere are worried that tax harmonisation will take away some of their ill gotten gains and give it to scrounging causes like the NHS or that VAT harmonisation will reduce the circulation of their comics. But why the BBC?

Chris

[Adrian Kelland]

Originally Posted by camdiver

People from NI have the choice I believe, They can compete for Ireland or GB, we are UK citizens, but also, I believe, British Nationals, hence GB is technically valid. Not sure how things will progress now that Eire has changed its stance on NI.

I believe the GB designation is that of the relevant athletic body, not the government

Cheers Conor

[Dinger]

Yeah the NI gang would have a choice as to who they represent although more would, no doubt go with the GB teams for the better funding and support etc or go with the Irish ones as it is easier to get in I would imagine. We have a choice - the rugby teams are divided into the old provinces of Ireland of Ulster(9 counties and not the 6 of Northern Ireland) Connaght, Munster and Leinster and the team is an all Ireland team. Certain irony there as in the north many assume that rugby is a prodestant sport but it is the only sport that will takes the ulster men as men of 9 counties!! go figure. But we can have dual nationallity type thing - I have 2 passports - can come in very handy at times that.
Dinger