One of the biggest reasons I'm boycotting the Olympics again this year: London's Brand Gestapo.

[backscatter712]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-flooded-with-brand-police-to-protect-sponsors-7945436.html

Britain flooded with 'brand police' to protect sponsors
Olympic security is in disarray, but organisers are taking no chances with corporate deals...

Wearing purple caps and tops, the experts in trading and advertising working for the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) are heading the biggest brand protection operation staged in the UK. Under legislation specially introduced for the London Games, they have the right to enter shops and offices and bring court action with fines of up to £20,000.

Olympics organisers have warned businesses that during London 2012 their advertising should not include a list of banned words, including "gold", "silver" and "bronze", "summer", "sponsors" and "London".

Publicans have been advised that blackboards advertising live TV coverage must not refer to beer brands or brewers without an Olympics deal, while caterers and restaurateurs have been told not to advertise dishes that could be construed as having an association with the event.

At the 40 Olympics venues, 800 retailers have been banned from serving chips to avoid infringing fast-food rights secured by McDonald's.

Seriously. Restaurants not allowed to serve chips (French fries in the U.S.) because McDonalds bought the rights to serve them for the Olympics?

I'd recommend another riot, but that would violate the TOS, wouldn't it?

[jberryhill]

1. Athletes are giving blood samples to test for banned Pepsi products

[KamaAina]

2. ROFLMAO!

[fishwax]

17. lol -- n/t

[KamaAina]

3. A sampling of bowdlerised Olympic ads

Olympics organisers have warned businesses that during London 2012 their advertising should not include a list of banned words, including "gold", "silver" and "bronze", "summer", "sponsors" and "London".

"Jewellery Made From Various Shiny Metals"

"The Perfect Refreshment for the Hot Season That Comes After Spring"

"25 Locations Throughout the Capital of the UK"

and so on.

[Mnemosyne]

4. FFS, K&R nt.

[cali]

5. sigh. your use of the word "gestapo" in this instance is as clueless

as Governor LePage's use of it.

[jberryhill]

6. In association with the Olympics, it is quite apt

The entire torch ceremony was an addition by Hitler.



Longtime IOC chair Juan Antonio Samaranch was a Franco supporter and longtime fascist.

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/guy-walters/2011/06/bit-fascist-olympic-emin-race

Essentially, both Olympism and fascism are secular religions that venerate the human body and seek the triumph of the will. The Olympic motto of "citius, altius, fortius" ("faster, higher, stronger&quot is something that could have been dreamed up by Hitler or Mussolini. Indeed, throughout the 1920s and 1930s, celebrations of the Olympiads and fascist rallies grew increasingly indistinct. Both were quasi-religious experiences, complete with increasingly sophisticated rites and rituals, and adorned with striking iconography. Even their salutes looked the same.

[randome]

7. Doesn't matter. It's still inappropriate.

[jberryhill]

14. It's not a "comparison"

Read this.

http://www.transparencyinsport.org/The_IOCs_Favourite_Fascist/the_iocs_favourite_fascist.html

The last known picture of Samaranch saluting with his fascist comrades was taken in Barcelona in July 1974. Franco died the following year. At the time Samaranch was a vice-president of the IOC. Six years later they made him their President.

Samaranch deserted from the Army of the Spanish Republic in 1937 and joined the fascist rebels, led by General Franco. After they won the civil war, backed by Hitler and Mussolini, he ingratiated himself with Franco’s daughter Carmen.

[stevenleser]

10. Reductio ad Hitlerum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reductio_ad_Hitlerum

[jberryhill]

11. Once in a while, fascists are actually fascists

The people who run the IOC are old school fascists.

Like, real honest-to-goodness ones:

http://unaikistan.blogspot.com/2010/06/samaranchun-falangista-olimpico.html



Do you know who Juan Antonio Samaranch was? Do you know what he is doing in that picture? Taken in 1974?

Jiminy Christmas, I realize that Hitler is worn out, but that doesn't change the fact that the folks who have run the Olympics for quite some time are actual Hitler supporters.

They aren't "like" fascists, or "sort of" fascists. They are actual fascists. That's the actual longstanding IOC president there. It's not a freaking "comparison".

[FSogol]

34. Didn't Samaranch retire in 2001? n/t

[jberryhill]

39. He is not sui generis in Olympic leadership

He is revered in Lausanne. The IOC has been run by a long line of far RW types interested in developing physically superior humans.

Oh, and speaking of dead Jews, the 2012 games will be the 40th anniversary of the massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich games. The IOC has expressly rejected any sort of moment of silence or remembrance of that event in the 2012 Opening Ceremony. Hitler's torch lighting will, of course, remain.

So, what do we have... Folks engaged in developing a master race under authoritarian control conducting a vast symbolic pageant including elements developed by the Third Reich in which murdered Jews is something we'd rather forget. But... Don't call them Nazis! That's offensive.

[KurtNYC]

8. C'mon! You wouldn't want people thinking that athletes train on GENERIC french fries

would you?

As everyone knows, if you are going to set the world record at 500m you better be eating strictly McDonald's french fries and classic Coca-cola.

Think of the children!

[randome]

9. Seriously? French fries?

That's what has your knickers in a knot? Jesus.

[jberryhill]

12. Fish & "Whatevers" are the UK national dish

It would be like someone saying you couldn't sell "hot dogs" on Coney Island.

[Lizzie Poppet]

13. "At the 40 Olympics venues..."

It's at the venues themselves that the "chip ban" for non-Mickey-D restaurants is in effect. It's hardly unusual for there to be restrictions and exclusive rights deals at sports arenas. It doesn't apply to anyone outside those venues.

Much ado, etc...

[jberryhill]

15. The "venue" for the marathon, the cycling road race, etc. is the whole route

Many of these are outdoor sports, which are not conducted in an arena.

The term "venue" is very broadly applied during the Olympics, which is why the IOC requires the government in the host country to enact specific laws which, I assure, apply well outside of anything you would think is an arena.

Private property doesn't need laws for enforcing the kind of crazy shit the IOC gets from host governments.

[Lizzie Poppet]

20. And do we know if the "chip ban" is being applied in those cases?

If so, then I'd certainly object to the restriction, at least on restaurants that have already been selling chips in those locations. that seems a bit overboard.

Still, the hand-wringing over this seems a bit much. *shrug*

[jberryhill]

23. Do "we" know? Obviously you don't

Yes, the "venues" for road events are the entire route. The "venue" for rowing events is the Thames river.

Check out the interactive "venue maps".

http://m.london2012.com/venue/marathon

Tickets are not required for vast stretches of the Marathon route, so spectators will be able to watch for free. This event is expected to see the streets of London packed with millions of passionate fans.

The Marathon route has many excellent vantage points close to some stunning and unique attractions. As it's an outdoor event, spectators are advised to come prepared for all types of weather conditions.

[Lizzie Poppet]

30. That wasn't my question. Obviously.

I was asking for clarification: do we know for sure that the restriction applies to existing food vendors along these routes, or only to actual arenas? That question has, in any case, been rendered moot, as the "dictatorchip" has apparently been rescinded (according to a post downthread).

[jberryhill]

44. It's not just the chips.

If a bar, anywhere in London, has a sign out front saying they have "Olympics" on TV inside, they will be fined.

I've run across the IOC types in my practice, and have been consistently amazed at how they operate. Again, if this was a simple matter of controlling what food is sold in closed areas, they wouldn't have required the various laws and regulations giving Olympic brand enforcers what amounts to general police powers OUTSIDE of the venues.

They do constitute a special police force of their own.

They would also like extraordinary control of the Internet http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100324/0235158688.shtml

[muriel_volestrangler]

46. No; the article explicitly says you're wrong about that

PUBS:

ALLOWED: A blackboard sign outside the Red Lion saying: ‘Watch the Olympic Games here with a cold beer… Live coverage all day.’

BANNED: Brewer’s posters displayed outside the Red Lion with the message: Grogglington’s Bitter: Watch the Olympics here’

What they're banning is associating a brand name (other than sponsors) with the Olympics. Which is petty, but it's business on both sides.

[Lizzie Poppet]

50. Well, this little subthread was...but I don't disagree with that point.

This issue, and the even broader one of copyright, is basically a huge mess in which our technology (that is, the internet) has outpaced our legal structure, especially in the area of how we do business. Believe me, as a musician, I know this well!

[muriel_volestrangler]

37. The venue for rowing is Eton College's rowing lake

http://www.london2012.com/venue/eton-dorney/maps

And nothing you've shown indicates normal stores will be unable to serve chips - it's the 800 at the specific venues, not 26 miles of marathon route, or even more of cycling route.

[jberryhill]

40. Eton on the...

Oooh, I'm sure I saw a river there.

[muriel_volestrangler]

45. And the rowing is not on the river

It's in a purpose-built rowing lake, surrounded by Eton-owned land. The rowing is no more 'on the Thames' than the track and field sports are 'on the Thames'.

[jberryhill]

47. This is the sailing "venue"

[muriel_volestrangler]

49. Well done - do you want a treat?

Are you claiming that chips have been banned in Weymouth or Portland?

[jberryhill]

55. Yes. Chips with mayonnaise please

[Occulus]

16. There's always one goddamned apologist.

Shame on you.

[Lizzie Poppet]

19. Apologist?

Sure, I'll apologize: I'm ever so sorry for failing to get my panties in a wad over an utterly trivial matter that is in no particular way different from what happens at pretty much every sporting event you have to pay to get into.

/facepalm

[backscatter712]

22. Yes, we know, freedom of speech is such a trivial matter.

[Lizzie Poppet]

29. You can't be serious.

If the "right" to sell french fries at any given location is freedom of speech, I guess so are corporate campaign contributions, eh?

[JHB]

18. And who's doing the brand policing?

Aren't they drafting cops from all over because the security contractor has a 15-40% no-show rate of its alleged employees? Seems like they'll be too busy to pinch a place for unauthorized potato deep-frying.

[backscatter712]

21. According to the article, the brand-policing people are actually on the job.

They don't care as much if there are brawls in the streets or a terrorist blows up a bus station, but if a local pub dares to cash in on the Olympics by putting "Have a cold pint during the London Games," they'll start breaking balls!

[AnnieBW]

24. I Guess Pubs Are Going to Serve "Broil"

Instead of "London Broil".

[HiPointDem]

25. gag. freedom of speech in britain -- except whole sections of the language have been "branded"

and trademarked by corporations.

soon we'll be paying them to be able to talk.

"English" (tm), brought to you by Microsoft...

[VenusRising]

26. McDonald's loses London Olympics chips monopoly

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/companies/mcdonalds-loses-london-olympics-chips-monopoly/story-fndgp8b1-1226425149229

MCDONALD'S monopoly on chips at the London Olympics has been crunched by hungry Games workers.

Under strict sponsorship rights, the fast food giant issued a ring of steel around deep fried potato, claiming they could be the only ones to serve chips at any Olympic venue.

The exclusive deal meant the other 800 Olympic eateries could serve chips only if they were accompanied by fish, and never on their own.

But LOCOG has buckled under the cries from caterers who have been on the receiving end of abuse from outraged staff working at the Opening and Closing ceremonies rehearsals and who demanded an end to the chip ban.

A LOCOG spokesman has confirmed the "dictatorchip" had been toppled and chips can now be served alongside chicken, pies or even on their own.

[Drunken Irishman]

27. Are you not sending your athletes?

[FSogol]

33. It is always funny when someone who hates sports finds a reason to boycott sports.

Don't want McD's fries? Walk to a venue outside of the Olympic area and buy some freaking chips.

[Lint Head]

28. Corporate Fascism at it's best.

[Atman]

31. In the U.S., the Olympic Committee has even gone after pizza joints.

Many "Olympic Pizza" joints, a pretty traditional Greek name, have been told that they cannot use the name. Olympia is okay, but not Olympic.

[CBGLuthier]

32. Good thing Dairy Queen is not a sponsor

What would the old cow do with herself?

[T_i_B]

35. The UK forum on here is full of anti-Olympic sentiment

Be it cock-ups from security providers, endless disruption for everyone else or the many corporate stitch ups.

And I have to admit that I have never wanted the Olympic Games in the UK. It's the ultimate public sector white elephant project, and I have memories of the disasterous 1991 World Student Games in my home town of Sheffield.

The Olympics haven't replicated Sheffield Councils endless debt refinancing yet (thankfully!) but they've replicated most other mistakes, with the addition of allowing the public sector to be stitched up over many contracts related to the games.

[-..__...]

36. "The Gestapo" wearing "purple caps and tops"?!?

Heinrich Himmler would be weeping at the thought of that fashion faux pas.

[FSogol]

38. They were all out of Brown shirts.

[rocktivity]

41. DUzy candidate!

rocktivity

[Marrah_G]

42. It's just a big corpfest

[Skidmore]

43. I boycott the Olympics all the time.

I think they are overblown events and inherently corrupt.

[randome]

48. Call Occupy Wall Street.

We have a mission for them.

[dipsydoodle]

51. Caterers and restaurateurs have been told

not to advertise dishes that could be construed as having an association with the event.

Since when did restaurants have shit on the menu.

[dballance]

52. My apologies to the athletes who work so hard but the games are way past their prime

I think it's time to take a break. I haven't watched them in years. If I lived in London I'd damn sure be on holiday during the games.

They are a HUGE waste of time and money. The US gov. gave Romey d$340+ million to save the Salt Lake games. Money they can't seem to find for teachers, first responders or infrastructure.

Frankly it pisses me off.

We should have taken your advice for the auto industry Mitt and let them go bankrupt.

[backscatter712]

53. The Olympics have really jumped the shark.

They're a corporate-sponsored monstrosity, relying on totalitarian tactics to protect the money-making monopolies of the sponsors. And the athletes themselves used to be genuinely amateur, but now are amateur in name only, working full-time under multi-million-dollar corporate sponsorships - the only thing they don't do is collect a salary, but as it turns out, they don't need one.

[jberryhill]

54. I don't have a problem with the athletes

I wish the Olympics would go back to emphasizing athletic competition.

But, really, the athletic competition has long been secondary to the curious predilections of the global corporatists and, yes, actual fascists, who've been organizing the modern games since its inception.

[raouldukelives]

56. Just like everything else. It has been corrupted to absurdity. nt