Taken from an article in the Guardian John Yates, the former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan police who is employed by the Bahrain government to advise on police reform, told the Guardian: "People say can we guarantee security. Of course we can't guarantee security. I'd be a fool to sit here and say that. "Is it possible there might be an incursion on the track? Of course there is. It's an open event. Can you stop some idiot running onto the track? There have been other incidents of track incursions." Yates also said police would retaliate with live rounds if necessary: "The police will have all the options you would expect. If the opposition started firing live ammunition, the police would respond with live," he said, adding: "But I don't think that's likely." The British policeman, known universally as "Yates of the Yard", went to Bahrain on a six-month contract four months ago. He led the cash-for-honours investigation, but resigned last year following criticism of the police investigation into the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. "There will be protests over the weekend. But we want to make this a sporting event not a security event. The man who is heading the security said he wanted security to be felt but not seen. And I applaud that. Yates seems like a thoroughly trustworthy individual don't you think, "live round's" at a GP, what a prize prick
Genji, I despair, what the hell are these people thinking about, the bloody country is in a repressed state of virtual civil war and they want to hold a 'world stage motor race' FFS !!
nothing held them back so far !! I hope they know what marshalls are - or they might shoot them on the track.
Yet again I read the protesters described as "idiots". There's no acknowledgement that their protest may have any legitimacy so it's not surprising that the problems they have make no progress. The more radical end of the protesters, the February 14 Youth Coalition are promising 'Two Days of Rage' this weekend, after the original Day of Rage last year. Meanwhile, the authorities are rounding up as many 'suspects' as they can before the weekend. Is this on the order of 'Yates of the Yard'? Anyway, surely this will only radicalise their opponents more Moreover, how can Formula One persist with the fallacy that their presence is not political? The Bahraini and F1 authorities may be "UniF1ed" but I'm stupeF1ed as to how they can maintain this pretence.
For the next four days, Formula 1 is not a sport or a form of entertainment. It is a propaganda extravaganza and the marketing tool for a political objective. The people running the sport and the teams know what they are being used for and are happy to be used in that way.
Quite! I'm not sure that the teams are "happy" about it, even though the F1 authorities clearly are. I just don't see how they will be able to maintain this pretence of "quiet and peaceful" 'unity' over the race weekend. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/18/f1-bernie-ecclestone-bahrain-peaceful
I believe that if they weren't happy to be used for political ends then they wouldn't be in Bahrain. Whether it's the fat pay cheque, the sense of honour they feel in satisfying their contracts or the opportunity to go racing that satisfies them, not one team member in Bahrain has publicly complained. Of course I understand what you mean, Max, but I choose to believe that their complete compliance shows how happy they are to be there and no amount of backtracking after the event will alter that opinion.
Er yeah, this is just semantics I suppose, but I think their "complete compliance" comes more from a mixture of legal threats which could bankrupt them, a misplaced willingness to turn a blind eye and the all-burning competitive spirit than happiness. They are certainly willing and, as you say, not a single one has complained publicly.
It is - that's true but, without wanting to invoke Godwin's Law, 'Ve vere unly following orders' won't wash the stain away. Not comfortable. Not complaining, though. Point taken about potentially bankrupting some of the teams and putting their employees out of work but whatever the suspected reasons behind their collective decision-avoidance, the only one given is that the FIA hasn't cancelled the race so that's the only one that counts. EDIT: Someone has complained, it seems: Confusing: Andy Slaughter calls for an end to it:
Genji, I'm not trying to defend the teams. Aside from the moral and political issues, they are putting their employees at risk and sacking those who refuse to go. I'm deeply disappointed with them just as I am with the FIA/FOM, although I expected no better from Bernie and co. Also, it's certainly confusing to read that Jasim Husain "seems very relaxed about everything and happy to have F1 here" as he was reported in the Guardian on Tuesday as fearing "casualties" this weekend.
Looks like 1 Force India guy was shaken up today... http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98957
But The Guardian now has a Syria - Bahrain Unrest Live Updates Blog: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/19/syria-crisis-bahrain-unrest-live Fasten your seat belts, it's gonna be a bumpy weekend.
And take a look at 9:31am. Yates should be sacked on the grounds that he's a bellend if for no other reason. To paraphrase: "We know the police are not abusing protestors because there are no videos on YouTube of them doing so."
Yes, I read an interview last night where he said it and I thought, you're going to regret saying that... Or maybe he just doesn't give a f***
The Force India mechanics incident was a bit more dangerous than described at first: I just hope this doesn't give Ecclestone any ideas for future race innovations. The BBC are also toeing the party line:
so...all this violence displayed from the protesters on innocent people who mean no harm is all because.... The rulers of the country follow a slightly different view of the muslim religion???? Also the protesters call them self 'Pro-Democracy'?
