I find it sad that some people feel the need to comment on the fact that Brown did not bow his head today, or worse still, criticise him for it.
Aside from being trivial in comparison to the day's events and those they remember, it was obviously an accidental omission. Making such an error at a ceremony that requires the mind to focus on a tricky combination of decorum and timing (with a few million eyes on you) is understandable.
Some members of the Royal Family have been doing it longer than I've been alive, and even they fumble occasionally. The Duke of York didn't get his steps entirely right today, and the Earl of Wessex had to alter the position of the wreath.
I find it sad that some people feel the need to comment on the fact that Brown did not bow his head today, or worse still, criticise him for it.
Aside from being trivial in comparison to the day's events and those they remember, it was obviously an accidental omission. Making such an error at a ceremony that requires the mind to focus on a tricky combination of decorum and timing (with a few million eyes on you) is understandable.
Some members of the Royal Family have been doing it longer than I've been alive, and even they fumble occasionally. The Duke of York didn't get his steps entirely right today, and the Earl of Wessex had to alter the position of the wreath.
But the Queen or her sons are hardly responsible for the war.
Brown is.
The least he could do is bow his head, or did he fear that the weight of all the bodies on his neck would stop him ever raising his head again?
Even more appalling was David Cameron fidgeting during the 2 minutes silence, Nick Clegg looking far too young to be let out alone and Sinn Fein, the BNP & UKIP not turning up at all :rolleyes:
If you want to start a thread about something significant have a look at number of teenagers who died in service
I'd be more appauled at Sinn Fein turning up on the aniversary that its political wing murdered 11 people waiting to take part in another remembrance service.
Just watching the remembrance day commemmoration - and I don't think Gordon Brown bowed after laying his wreath. Will check it on the replay. I hope he did, it would be tremendously disrespectful not to acknowledge the sacrifice.
If you watch this video I think you will find that he did bow his head.
I suggest you watch the full coverage on BBC iPlayer - link should start automatically at 42:57 as Brown steps up.
You appear to be confusing Brown bending down to lay the wreath/checking his footing as he walks back and actually bowing. You'll see that all other wreath layers step back, bow their head/salute in a distinct movement and then turn. Gordon Brown steps back and simply turns.
I suggest you watch the full coverage on BBC iPlayer - link should start automatically at 42:57 as Brown steps up.
You appear to be confusing Brown bending down to lay the wreath/checking his footing as he walks back and actually bowing. You'll see that all other wreath layers step back, bow their head/salute in a distinct movement and then turn. Gordon Brown steps back and simply turns.
Sorry but I don't believe I am confusing anything, Brown did bow his head, maybe not in quite the distinctive manner as the others but nevertheless he did bow his head.
IMO if he had done anything which could in anyway be construed as being disrepectful it would have been picked up by the media.
Remembrance Sunday is sadly fast becoming a thing for some people to try and perform some kind of witch hunt - surley that is not what it is about.
For example, Celtic FC matches are now looked on through a microscope, ran over with a fine tooth comb.
If some of the people doing this genuinely cared about the day, they would not spend their time turning over every stone unturned, looking for something to try and persecute others with.
I'm a Republican but I'm glad we have a monarchy at times like these. Remembrance Day is above party politics and should remain so. Personal comments about the party leaders are for another day.
Incidentally, I was in Newcastle on Friday and saw the Queen and Prince Philip's visit. Philip is an irascible old cove but he works as hard as any nonagenarian I know.
Remembrance Sunday is sadly fast becoming a thing for some people to try and perform some kind of witch hunt - surley that is not what it is about.
For example, Celtic FC matches are now looked on through a microscope, ran over with a fine tooth comb.
If some of the people doing this genuinely cared about the day, they would not spend their time turning over every stone unturned, looking for something to try and persecute others with.
Perhaps you should consider the reactions of those who really have a direct involvement with the importance of rememberance.
Take a look at the reaction over at ARRSE - if they think its important and appropriate to comment on Brown's latest gaff then so be it.
A valid viewpoint of course but the fact is Remembrance Day belongs to all of us not just the armed forces.
My Grandfather fought at the first Battle of the Somme where two of his brothers were killed. He was never the same again. My father was in the Royal Navy and saw action in the Second World War. I honour their memory and millions of other ordinary men who volunteered when this nation was in peril.
GORDON Brown was accused of disrespecting our war dead yesterday with TWO shameful blunders.
He got a dead soldier's name WRONG in a letter to the hero's mum - and FAILED to bow at the Cenotaph.
Comments
LOL Is that what the guy behind her is doing?
Because then wars were taken seriously. This government doesn't even have a war cabinet.
Aside from being trivial in comparison to the day's events and those they remember, it was obviously an accidental omission. Making such an error at a ceremony that requires the mind to focus on a tricky combination of decorum and timing (with a few million eyes on you) is understandable.
Some members of the Royal Family have been doing it longer than I've been alive, and even they fumble occasionally. The Duke of York didn't get his steps entirely right today, and the Earl of Wessex had to alter the position of the wreath.
But the Queen or her sons are hardly responsible for the war.
Brown is.
The least he could do is bow his head, or did he fear that the weight of all the bodies on his neck would stop him ever raising his head again?
His position is irrelevant.
I'd be more appauled at Sinn Fein turning up on the aniversary that its political wing murdered 11 people waiting to take part in another remembrance service.
Maybe the photo was taken in her sons bedroom and it is the next country he is planning a coup in?
If you watch this video I think you will find that he did bow his head.
http://www.channel4.com/news/
You appear to be confusing Brown bending down to lay the wreath/checking his footing as he walks back and actually bowing. You'll see that all other wreath layers step back, bow their head/salute in a distinct movement and then turn. Gordon Brown steps back and simply turns.
It is quite clear that some people will stoop to any dephs.
I thought the point of this thread was that Brown didn't stoop" at all
Actually, I don't think it's that much of an issue. Despite all of the things I dislike Brown for, I'm failing to get worked up about this one.
Sorry but I don't believe I am confusing anything, Brown did bow his head, maybe not in quite the distinctive manner as the others but nevertheless he did bow his head.
IMO if he had done anything which could in anyway be construed as being disrepectful it would have been picked up by the media.
For example, Celtic FC matches are now looked on through a microscope, ran over with a fine tooth comb.
If some of the people doing this genuinely cared about the day, they would not spend their time turning over every stone unturned, looking for something to try and persecute others with.
Guess Who
And no there isn't any evidence that he kidnapped Maddie or was responsible for the death of Diana :rolleyes:
Incidentally, I was in Newcastle on Friday and saw the Queen and Prince Philip's visit. Philip is an irascible old cove but he works as hard as any nonagenarian I know.
Perhaps you should consider the reactions of those who really have a direct involvement with the importance of rememberance.
Take a look at the reaction over at ARRSE - if they think its important and appropriate to comment on Brown's latest gaff then so be it.
http://www.arrse.co.uk/Forums/viewtopic/t=137423/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html
A valid viewpoint of course but the fact is Remembrance Day belongs to all of us not just the armed forces.
My Grandfather fought at the first Battle of the Somme where two of his brothers were killed. He was never the same again. My father was in the Royal Navy and saw action in the Second World War. I honour their memory and millions of other ordinary men who volunteered when this nation was in peril.
Whoops, gummy!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/2720233/Bloody-shameful-Gordon-Brown.html
GORDON Brown was accused of disrespecting our war dead yesterday with TWO shameful blunders.
He got a dead soldier's name WRONG in a letter to the hero's mum - and FAILED to bow at the Cenotaph.
But utterly and completely unsurprising. Its the right for you! :rolleyes::rolleyes:
Lemme fix that...
There, all fixed.
Now I have heard the Fawklands called many things, but illegal aint one of them. How was it illegal?
It was neither legal nor illegal. It was never declared a war and thus became The Falklands Conflict.
I could be wrong!