Topic: Olympic Air

Ticket sales for the London 2012 Olympics have reportedly stalled, with nearly 300,000 tickets remaining unsold. Security measures for the games include the deployment of surface-to-air missiles on residential rooftops and naval presence in the Thames. These extreme measures, combined with a 2010 Rockefeller Foundation report predicting a mass casualty event at the 2012 Olympics, are cited as reasons for public hesitation.

London prepares for the Olympic Games with a massive security exercise titled "Olympic Guardian," featuring the HMS Ocean berthed at Greenwich. Security measures include fighter jet training, snipers in helicopters authorized to shoot pilots of rogue planes, and the controversial deployment of surface-to-air missiles on residential rooftops. Officials cite the need to protect against "9-11 style" threats and "lower, slower" targets like drones.

A personal anecdote describes a deceptive "award-winning" wine list at an Athens restaurant where rare bottles were listed but unavailable for purchase. The story also compares the poor service and smoking on Olympic Air flights to the modern fleet of Turkish Airways.

President Obama's brief trip to Copenhagen for the Chicago Olympic bid is characterized as a diversionary tactic. The hosts theorize that Obama may have made a secret stop in Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin, citing unusual flight timelines and the presence of two Air Force One aircraft. They suggest the one-hour stay in Denmark was insufficient to justify the $1.5 million travel cost unless another diplomatic mission was involved.

As the Beijing Olympics approach, the hosts discuss the severe air pollution in China despite government efforts to clear the air. Dvorak explains the technology of electrostatic precipitators used in industrial smokestacks to remove particulates. They also mention the bankruptcy of The Sharper Image and the impact of the Olympics on China's political climate.

Media coverage of the upcoming Beijing Olympics is criticized for failing to address the visible, heavy smog present in live reports. While some outlets like the BBC have made tongue-in-cheek references to the poor air quality during official visits, most mainstream anchors ignore the environmental conditions.

The upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing face scrutiny due to severe air pollution and corruption. Dvorak compares Chinese and Vietnamese art, noting that Chinese paintings often feature white, cloudless skies reflecting the smog-filled reality of the region.