Think we're going off the OT here lads. but the quote about people acknowledging a minutes silence and not knowing who for, reminded of a minutes silence at Anfield a few years back. They played Leeds a few days after the Hillsborough anniversary and the death of Harry Secombe. 2 Liverpool fans in the Kop, obviously silent during the Hillsborough rembrance minute, afterwards when the applause had died down, 1 said to the other;
" What was the silence for?" His mate frowned and looked at him.
" Harry Secombe." He replied.
" Why? Was he a Leeds supporter?"

404 'British servicemen' lost in this conflict now. One for every game Sinfield has worn a Leeds 1st grade jersey over a sixteen year career.

While remembering the fallen it's the parents and grand-parents that will be uppermost in my thoughts. No-one expects to outlive their offspring - it's incredibly difficult to come to terms with, I'm not sure you ever do.

Bravo that man.

We can debate the conflict, but the job of the armed forces is to be on hand to put their lives on the line when people in government deem it to be in the national interest. That's their job, I expect them to do it in return for the money, and equally I think they should be able to expect our respect and gratitude that they are prepared to do it. I'll hold my hands up and say that I don't think I'd have the minerals.

The politics of the specific conflict are irrelevant IMO, and if this incident serves to act as a focal point for remembering the commitment that our armed forces make (and the silence is clearly stated to also be a moment to remember all those who have lost their lives) then I see no problem.

Support for our troops and support for the politics they fight for are too often confused. They are separate in my mind, and should remain so.

Much as I don't really agree with the sentiment he expressed, isn't BaldRick exercising the very freedom our soldiers are supposed to be risking their lives to defend?

Fair point.


Time to practice what you initially preached above then rather than finish off with YOUR political views.

Hypocrite.

Quite. I read that as, nobody soil this thread with their political views, but I'll get mine in regardless.

Billy might also want to familiarise himself with the nationality of the 9/11 terrorists. Most were from Saudi Arabia, two from the United Arab Emirates, one from Egypt and one from Lebanon. I don't think there were any from Iraq or Afghanistan. He could also do worse than read "A new Pearl Harbor" by David Griffin if he wants to widen his viewpoint about just why our boys and girls are dying over there.

I will honour the minutes silence. Soldiers are brave and their loss is saddening (as is the loss of civilian life in conflict). These facts don't alter however corrupt or illegal the conflict is and however naive and foolish the jingoistic supporters of that conflict are.

Agree 100%.

Well said G1, and thanks for the book recommendation.

I shall read that with interest.

Exactly. It's a dangerous train of thought that once troops are committed to conflict, then any dissent on the rights and wrongs of the conflict are unlawful.

The war in Afghanistan is not only opposed by peace loving lefties. Ex military, ex security services, ex diplomats from UK and the US have been vocal in expressing a degree of opposition ranging from the legitimacy of it to the strategic value/strategic advisability of the conflict.

The decision that the war is right was taken by politicians - namely Tony Blair and a few around him - if that decision is wrong then a lot of British servicemen have died unnecessarily, but the pro-war lobby have been able to control the terms of the debate with the argument that to question it is disrespectful to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice...

Hear hear

+1

Agree with you totally, he is able to express his opinion because of brave people like these 6 young lads, it's irellevent wether you know them or not.

I thought the point Baldrick was trying to make was why have a minutes silence for these soldiers and not the others who sadly seem to die every week? Why do we not have minutes silences after every soldier lost in conflict, and not just these ones? It's very sad, and I give my respects to all soldiers who risk their lives, but I'm not sure why these deaths have been made more significant than any others.

Quantity and location.

It's the very least we can do, no too difficult to shut up for a minute is it.

Working in a poorly paid job? Yes. Defending their country? No. Just hope they have one for the next bin man who gets run over.