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.

I attended the game tonight . I observed the minute of silence , as did my brother and his two young sons , the youngest of which I had in my arms . His sons , and mine , although only young , have attended services at war memorials and cenotaphs with us , so they have quite a considerable understanding of why it is important to observe the silences and pay respect to the fallen soldiers .
I would have been severely disappointed with anyone who did not shut up for just one minute and reflect on the severity of what has happened . We were stood in the southernmost corner of the Canegie and it was silent . Even the group of a dozen or so rowdy young lads in front of us never made a noise . Respect to those young lads for their actions .

As regards the person who called me a on an earlier page . You really do not know me do you . I meant no disrespect . I thought I made that point clear . I am willing to observe such silences in respect of ANYONE as and when the occasion arrives when I am present . I have no problem at all paying respect to anyone , so please don't just dismiss me as a keyboard warrior . I just think it is going overboard that we have them at almost every large public gathering . The are becoming so regular that they are beginning to lose their true meaning . They should be saved for special occasions .

Also there is the poppy day thing the wearing of poppy's before rembrance sunday seem's to get earlier and earlier

I blame the BBC

That's not correct we are allowed to sell Poppys within a 2 week period prior toand just after Remembrance Sunday.
However some people when they've purchased them wear them for much longer.

These poor men didn't choose their enemy.

If a war kicked off closer to home, they would have been there and no one would be disputing what they were doing, they followed orders and were tragically killed.

The minutes silence was observed brilliantly and when the south stand played the national anthem just after the silence I welled up. A massive pat on the back from me.