So…does this seem ridiculous as all getout to anybody else, or am I a man on a dangerously unsecured island here?
LONDON — Surface-to-air missiles could be stationed on the rooftops of an apartment block in east London as part of Britain’s air defences for the Olympics, the country’s military confirmed Sunday.
Around 700 people living at the building in Bow — about 3.2 kilometres from London’s Olympic Stadium — have been contacted and warned that the weapons and about 10 troops are likely to be based at the site for around two months.
Britain has previously confirmed that up to 13,500 troops are being deployed on land, at sea and in the air to help protect the Olympics alongside police and security guards. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond has said Typhoon fighter jets, helicopters, two warships and bomb disposal experts will also be on duty as part of the security operation.
“As announced before Christmas, ground-based air defence systems could be deployed as part of a multilayered air security plan for the Olympics, including fast jets and helicopters, which will protect the skies over London during the games,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
Listen. I like the Olympics as much as anybody. Yes, even though they’re awarded based on legalized bribery and are a gargantuan money pit for any country that dares host them. What can I say, I like sports. But if this is where we’re at in 2012, do we really need the Olympics? For Christ’s sake, we’re giving serious consideration to rigging manned missile stations to apartment buildings! In England! Because the hammer throw is in town! When you’re at that point things have gotten way out of hand, and we all know that once you take this step, there’s no going back. What’s next? Unmanned drones with nuclear boms on them, just in case? The moment missiles at sporting events is a thing that doesn’t get laughed out of the meeting in less than about 12 seconds, we’re in some serious more trouble than it’s worth territory.
Perhaps we should all do something else this summer. Something a lot safer than watching a couple weeks worth of cycling and footraces.