Watching Soccer in a War Zone

[Kellanved]

Security is a major concern during the World Cup soccer tournament. But are the Germans going overboard? Thousands of police will be on duty, but now, soldiers have been added to the mix as well.

At what point does enough security become too much security? That is the question many in Germany are asking themselves as the World Cup -- to be held in stadiums throughout the country from June 8 to July 8 -- quickly approaches.

On Thursday, revelations that some 2,000 soldiers from Germany's Bund army will be assisting local authorities in providing medical care, transportation, logistical assistance and protection against biological and chemical weapons is likely to add fuel to the fire. Indeed, instead of preparing for a friendly soccer tournament, it looks more like the country is getting ready for a minor war. A central emergency medical facility in Kaiserslautern, helicopters designated to transport the injured, 150,000 ready-to-eat meals, quarters for some 5,900 troops are hardly the list of preparations one expects for a sporting event.

But the World Cup, of course, isn't just any sporting event and -- like the Olympics -- there are a number of opportunities for Germany to receive the public relations equivalent of a black eye. Government officials have nightmares about the possibility of a terrorist attack and, perhaps more realistically, police officials toss and turn at night because of the threat of hooligans. Indeed, tens of thousands of police across Germany have been told they may not go on vacation during the month-long tournament and training has begun in earnest. At the same time, the police are updating their lists of known hooligans and are coordinating with police from other countries doing the same.
...
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,399987,00.html

:banghead: Armed amateur policemen - exactly what the world cup needs. Argh.
This was a major conservative position during the election last year. They demand to change the constitution in several places for a frigging sport event.

Of course they want to keep the changes for all future, despite them being "just for the world cup".

[T_i_B]

1. I must warn you...

...that the British tabloids are being overun with stories about this, complete with cheap Basil Faulty "Don't mention the war!" gags.

[Kellanved]

2. So are the German newspapers

, not the tabloid, though. The whole "Army as duputy policemen" thing has been part of the conservative party program for decades.

The interior minister is totally insane about the issue; the coalition might even fail about it.

As to "Don't mention the war" - that gag is widely seen as the best thing from England. :shrug:

[T_i_B]

3. Well the British press are covering it in a lighthearted way

That may change if our supporters start acting up but hopefully that doesn't happen.

[Kellanved]

4. That seems more reasonable

Lighthearted seems far more reasonable than the current mix of overkill and fear we have over here. Hooligans are a problem, but sometimes it seems like the overboard security measures and the sponsor-controlled ticket sale are more likely to ruin the event.
It was practically impossible to get tickets, especially families were locked out due to the quirky lottery system used for the few tickets in the open market.

Contrary of what the British press may believe, the idiocy is not about hooligans; even the measures which are about hooligans, are not about British hooligans. With the Dutch, German and Polish hools out in force, the well controlled British are not really the thing politicians use to justify the BS.