Sir Rols

The way I see it, perhaps it is impractical. But then again, so was having a cauldron rise out of a flowing water feature sloshing down the middle of the spectator stands and then hovering up to the edge of the stadium (and that almost didn't work on the night), or a giant joint bending down to be lit. Or the Vancouver "Ring of Fire" proposal that seems to light up so many people's fantasies. When it comes to Olympic ceremony one-upmanship, I'm sure the Chinese are determined to come up with something that'll blow all previous cauldrons and lightings out of the water. Check out the cauldron on this link: mms://wms1.streamhoster.com/mzhu/wm9_400_national%20stadium.wmv

Sure, of course our Zodiac poster might be a cock-tease. Or they just might be on to something. It seems to me a legitimate and viable theory, and the additional info he posted so far seems to have panned out. I'm open minded, but I'd certainly like to see some evidence from another source before I'll start to be confident in it.

That doesn't faze me _ pillow talk is pillow talk, corporate secrecy doesn't extend to the family bedroom in most cases IMO (I wouldn't hesitate blabbing just about anything to my partner). As to the rest. It sounds plausible, but who knows? It could be the basis for a bit of sleuthing by someone here, though. Thanks for digging up those links and the pic, Olympian 2004 _ you're right, the lack of an "s" through my search out.

Well, it's certainly an intriguing leak, and if true could well be up there with the Beijing logo discovery as a GamesBid coup. I haven't checked the links he posted, though, to see if they pan out. I suppose, though, we'll only find out if it's true when the actual ceremony happens, or BOCOG or the IOC asks you to delete the post!

They've been practicing how to rush them through for years:

Just found this news item. Looks like Singapore is serious about their bid (for once).

Yeah, GM did knock back that person's application, apparently, after asking us first about it. Surely he'd have the sense to do the same for JJ if he ever applied (though I'd imagine JJ would be too cheap to do so).

Actually, I'd rate them above the Snowlets and Neve and Glitz.

About as appealing as the Ebola Virus.

Baron _ surely even YOU can't like Izzy!!!

I don't think seems us premium members can close any thread that we started at our whim. It's not a power I would feel I'd use ever.

Fair enough mate, sorry to lay into you so much. But it's debates like that that so many of us enjoy _ and for poofs like me it's a chance to answer back the usual God-bothering objections to being gay. And I still don't think it's up to any of us to close a topic. If we really object to something offensive, we can report it to the GM _ I've done so often enough.

Thanks for that. Yes, we have high hopes in softball.

Neither did I, till Alexjc decided to unilaterally close the gay survey thread. Then I checked and realised I could do the same on any thread I'd started. If you call up a thread that you've started, at the bottom is a button labelled "moderating options" that scrolls down to give you a "close thread" option. The problem I have with that is what gives anyone the right to decide when a thread should be closed? Basically it means if you start a thread, but don't like any of the answers you get, you can just decide to close all discussion to censor anything you don't like. Maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I believe if you start a topic, then it's out of control where and how it progresses. If it moves off topic, so be it, these discussions are organic things that develop a life of their own. The only reason to close a thread would be if it gets offensive or personally abusive _ and in that case it's up to the mod to do that on the basis of complaints received or his own judgement. I know the gay thread sailed pretty close to the wind, but nevertheless it was getting a high participation. I may not have liked some of the views expressed in it from james in particular, but I was enjoying debating him. Frankly, I don't think it was Alexjc's call to make.

Hey, I always thought that it was only the mod who could close a thread, but I just noticed that the person who starts a thread also has the power to close it. I'm not sure if I like that. I don't think that just because someone starts a topic, they should be able to close debate when they feel like it (yes, alexjc, that's you _ why on earth close the gay thread? Yes, it was heated, but there's been a lot worse and a lot of the arguments were constructive). It was certainly generating more participation than most, and was a hot topic. Personally, i think GM should be the only one to close topics, as a result of complaints and/or judgement.

Well, it sounds like bad news for at least one BC export:

Just got sent a press release with details of the game: Hmmm. I'm actually thinking of getting myself a Wii soon.

What is it with your conspiracy theories? First Gorgu, who you insist was an alter-ego, even though there was nothing in his posts to suggest he was anything other than he seemed _ a Scot who was pissed of like the rest of us with JJ, and now james, who is annoying, but again doesn't seem to be anything but some young Nigerian with a chip on his shoulder who thinks everyone is insulting his country (and c'mon, most of us can get riled up when we feel our nationalities are under attack). Chill out!

The thing is Mr earseyeswideshut, ultimately whatever ends up with this incident, it won't stop the games going ahead in 2010, it won't stop Vancouver 2010 being popular and a success and it won't stop anybody around the world from being inspired by the Olympics. Oh well, just keep going if it makes you feel better to let off some steam over whatever it is that bothers you about th Olympics.

LOL _ I only just came across this "debate". Who knew such goings on were happening in the Vancouver forums! I've rarely visited here since the Ilanaaq uproars. Seems to me another NIMBY with an axe to grind.

I'm not talking immediately, of course. But long (long, long) term this does mean that Torino is positioning itself as a viable summer games host.

Hmmm. That's interesting, Torino going for a SUMMER youth games. Maybe long-term they also might have musings of becoming the first dual summer/winter host (if Munich don't beat them to it).

Well, that was a good source. I glad Athens is going for it, and hope they win now.

What about Hamburg _ I thought they'd announced a bid as well?