John Lydon speaks out on the Sex Pistols' refusal to play the Olympics

[StevieB]

When Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon recently declined the opportunity for his band to perform at the closing ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics, we all assumed it was simple economics - that the band wouldn't be paid for it. And while that may be part of the equation, Lydon's recent comments to NME show much more punk cred than I have given the guy as of late.

And while it he did bring up economics, it wasn't the personal economics I had anticipated. He instead cited the recent state of the economy and that, in the wake of rising unemployment and a government that is hurting for cash, the UK really "cannot afford" the Olympics.

The man, who recently made a bunch of cash making a butter commercial, also noted that the he felt that the Olympics were looking to co-opt the band's image, stating that "They tried to involve us but without any respect - they just wanted to use my ideas, our artwork, our lifestyle, but take it away from us and reconstitute it in this happy-go-lucky world of Olympic nonsense."

Lydon also was severely critical of the way the government handled the recent riots, stating that he is "very deeply ashamed of a government that doesn't have a clue what's going on," and that the riots would be the start of something "far, far worse."

Telling quotes from a man seems to be reassuming his role as a punk rock figurehead at a time when the UK most needs one, including some final statements distancing his band from recent announcements that a campaign was in place to take "God Save The Queen" to the top of the charts:

It is certainly not my personal plan or aim. This campaign totally undermines what The Sex Pistols stood for. This is not my campaign.

It still remains to see who will be the punk representative at A Symphony of British Music during the closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, and Lydon's recent comments should serve as a further deterrent for bands that may have considered assuming that spot. The Olympic Committee has also reportedly approached surviving members of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and The Who to perform, none of whom have officially responded.

Lydon's comments have perhaps derailed the committee's plans to get any punk band of any stature to perform, and in a way, this may be the punkest thing the Pistols have done in their entire career.

[The SpiNes]

While I agree that the idea of the Sex Pistols playing the Olympics is dumb, I disagree with the statement: "the UK really cannot afford the Olympics."

I do not fall in line with the stupidity of "austerity" in the face of an economic crisis. I think it's well recognized by now that this only deepens the crisis. The old Keynsian Economics rule "you have to spend money to make money" is still true...and the Olympics, perhaps more than any other sporting event ever...is a global moneymaker.

[Adam Rebelius]

Originally Posted by The SpiNes

While I agree that the idea of the Sex Pistols playing the Olympics is dumb, I disagree with the statement: "the UK really cannot afford the Olympics."

I do not fall in line with the stupidity of "austerity" in the face of an economic crisis. I think it's well recognized by now that this only deepens the crisis. The old Keynsian Economics rule "you have to spend money to make money" is still true...and the Olympics, perhaps more than any other sporting event ever...is a global moneymaker.

Been to England Lately? (Or more specifically, London?) The money being spent on the Olympics could be MUCH BETTER spent on taking care of the poor and disenfranchised which England is full of.

[screaming anarchy]

Originally Posted by Adam Rebelius

Been to England Lately? (Or more specifically, London?) The money being spent on the Olympics could be MUCH BETTER spent on taking care of the poor and disenfranchised which England is full of.

You said it, England is a state at the moment, and un-employment is sky high once again, nobody is cares about the olympics anymore and people are to focused on been able to afford the crazy supermarked food prices.

[THE KINGCROWS]

Originally Posted by The SpiNes

While I agree that the idea of the Sex Pistols playing the Olympics is dumb, I disagree with the statement: "the UK really cannot afford the Olympics."

I do not fall in line with the stupidity of "austerity" in the face of an economic crisis. I think it's well recognized by now that this only deepens the crisis. The old Keynsian Economics rule "you have to spend money to make money" is still true...and the Olympics, perhaps more than any other sporting event ever...is a global moneymaker.

I agree that stimulus rather than austerity is a better way to achieve growth, but I disagree that the Olympics is the best way to achieve it. EVERYTHING else is being cut to the bone by our far-too-keen-on-austerity Govt, but the cost of the Olympics is spiralling out of control. It's a financial black hole. Most of the country will get no benefit whatsoever from the event, but the whole country is paying for it.

[The SpiNes]

Originally Posted by THE KINGCROWS

I agree that stimulus rather than austerity is a better way to achieve growth, but I disagree that the Olympics is the best way to achieve it. EVERYTHING else is being cut to the bone by our far-too-keen-on-austerity Govt, but the cost of the Olympics is spiralling out of control. It's a financial black hole. Most of the country will get no benefit whatsoever from the event, but the whole country is paying for it.

Isn't the plan to take the money that will be coming in from the Olympics to fully fund everything that was wrongly cut by those foolish "austerity" measures?

I am opposed in every way to austerity. It's a mistake.

[Adam Rebelius]

Originally Posted by The SpiNes

Isn't the plan to take the money that will be coming in from the Olympics to fully fund everything that was wrongly cut by those foolish "austerity" measures?

I am opposed in every way to austerity. It's a mistake.

I think one needs to take into account the financial costs involving putting on such an event such as The International Olympic Games, up to and including the costs of equipment and facilities for the athletes competing. along with food. and lodging for the athletes, litter control detail, and most importantly, security not only at each venue that the Olympic events are held in, but also in the city of London, and the whole United Kingdom but around the world. The local cops and the international intelligence community don't work for free you know. THIS AINT GONNA BE CHEAP!

[Monolithia]

Originally Posted by The SpiNes

Isn't the plan to take the money that will be coming in from the Olympics to fully fund everything that was wrongly cut by those foolish "austerity" measures?

Nah, the money will just go to the people who put the most money into the conservative party. A lot of the cuts really had nothing to do with austerity and more to do with helping their friends. We'll probably see a bunch of new golf courses and more money put into private schools, private clinics and other organisations that aren't supposed to be publicly funded whilst still facing cuts to public transport, the NHS, comprehensive schools etc. The pasty tax will be lifted, but that was never really going to happen anyway, its completely unworkable.

[THE KINGCROWS]

Originally Posted by The SpiNes

Isn't the plan to take the money that will be coming in from the Olympics to fully fund everything that was wrongly cut by those foolish "austerity" measures?

No. We're getting vague promises that the Olympics will be Good For The Economy, ie good for businesses in general, but there's no intent whatsoever for anything that comes in to be funnelled into what's been cut. The things that have been cut were cut because it suits the ideological imperatives of the Conservative Party, to whom public services (the ones from which no private company makes a profit) are absolute anathema.

Austerity, as a concept, plays well to those who like to blame "spongers and wasters" for our economic problems, but a moment's logical thought would demonstrate that making people unable or unwilling to spend money (either because they've become unemployed or because they're in danger of becoming unemployed) can never be good for an economy that relies on consumption. In short, it's fiscal idiocy.

[The SpiNes]

Originally Posted by THE KINGCROWS

No. there's no intent whatsoever for anything that comes in to be funnelled into what's been cut.

Oh. Well, then that's different. I still believe that governments "have to spend money to make money" but if money to be made from the Oylmpics ISN'T going to be used to offset "austerity cuts," then what's the point? It's up to the people to stage a lot of protests at and around the Olympics to demand that's exactly where the profits should go to. Your tax money is going towards bringing the Olympics there, it's only fair for the people to profit from what they invested in. Johnny Rotten should know there's no preventing the Olympics from coming at this late stage. so you might as well make the best of it by transforming it into an opportunity to protest austerity. Austerity is worse than fiscal idiocy in my opinion. For many people austerity can be the difference between life and death.