I must confess I get a bit depressed when I hear of a minutes silence for this or that. We have a silence for the millions who died in both world wars. That is appropriate. So much loss on such a massive scale.
I am impressed with the parents of Rhys Jones, Melanie and Steve, and indeed his primary school classmates. Rhys's parents asked not for a minutes silence for his death, but for applause for his for his life. Very moving and very right. Rhys's normal seat at Goodison park remained empty. (See the Sunday Times here)
Meanwhile his classmates have set up their own tribute site, here. It is also very moving.
It is good though to see a bit of British grit, the Dunkirk spirit showing through though.
This must be such a sad time for them all.
May Rhys Jones rest in peace whilst his killers are brought to justice.
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3 comments:
Benedict, I don't know if you are aware but applauding has become something of a tradition at football grounds, intead of a minute's silence. I can't quite remember when it started, but it wasn't that long ago.
It works very well because when you have a stadium full of soccer supporters attempting a minute of silence, you usually get one buffon who thinks it funny to break it with some noisy piece of idiocy.
The applause overcomes that problem, whilst conveying the appropriate respect.
Benny, have you seen this piece of hand-ringing nonsense from the Absolutely Despicable Lump of Rodent Excrement Mad Maddy
Peter, that does rather beg the question, why don't those around the miscreant ask him to stop? (perhaps forcefully?)
Anonymous, I have now, and it may well be that society has failed his killer, but so what? That is no excuse.
If it is society though, I suspect it is the hand wringing any lifestyle is OK left that is to blame.
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