Not that I think it would have helped anyone anyway.

Where in Heeley do you live cheeky chops?

Forgettings better than the guy in my office that saw it merely as an excuse for a cigarette break, and was very vocal about it... :mad:

Originally posted by nick2
Not that I think it would have helped anyone anyway.

It's ok just so long as you didn't forget by aswering a phone Dom Jolly style in the middle of the peace gardens, or did you?

First had claimed that all their buses would pull over for the 2 minutes.
Good for them ...... but they obviously hadn't told the driver of the yellow 82 that I saw cruising past as normal!

I missed it too :(
Erm.......it wasn't that I forgot, it was 'cos I took myself off to bed about 11 this morning and I've only just got up, but I've got Sky News on, so I "sat" in silence when they showed the Queen standing in silence.

Originally posted by sugarnspice
Where in Heeley do you live cheeky chops?

Just behind the Olive Grove pub.

Originally posted by LellyBee
I missed it too :(
Erm.......it wasn't that I forgot, it was 'cos I took myself off to bed about 11 this morning and I've only just got up, but I've got Sky News on, so I "sat" in silence when they showed the Queen standing in silence.

At least you showed the respect due. :)

I observed the silence, but I was very suprised and I have to say angry at the amount of people that didn't, even though they were reminded.

I know I have no right to be cross, but I was.

As for first buses - outside my offices they had stopped - good on em.

I was in Decathlon and for the most part the silence was observed very well, apart from a thirty something chav and his biatch who insisted on wandering around yapping away like rabid dogs :rant:

Was driving through Broomhill at that time. Bus pulled in, people stood still outside shops, banks and the Methodist Church.

Solemn stuff and rightly so. A two minute silence exercised with dignified respect. I too almost forgot, fortunately had Radio 2 on which prompted my silence.

Originally posted by Apollo_C
At least you showed the respect due. :)

I would agree with that if we were talking about Remembrance Day, but why in this situation ?

Originally posted by owdlad
I was in Decathlon and for the most part the silence was observed very well, apart from a thirty something chav and his biatch who insisted on wandering around yapping away like rabid dogs :rant:

A Chav... Now why is that no suprise... :suspect:

I stood outside my office, along with a few work mates. We tried to hear the town hall bells and the siren but were out of reach so had to guess the two minutes - we had watches but they were all out of sync.

I thought about how I'd have felt if I'd have witnessed or been involved in the tragedy. It was a moving couple of minutes.

A bus sailed past us during this time, slammed on his brakes and stopped (must've seen as and remembered!) on a bend! He hovvered there, engine running for about 30 seconds then took off. Other buses didn't stop.

Don't worry, I did as well. I was co-ordinating the move of the last of our office equipment from Sheffield to Huddersfield.

Steely glares were issued when I told the removal chaps to "Stick it in that office there" rather loudly ........ and then say "What are you lot so quiet for?"

Had I remembered I would've observed it.

I was just going in to Heeley Baths for the luchtime swim and we all stood for 2mins then got in the pool. Quite surreal in a way all standing in cossies. Hopefully all too occupied with the gravity of the situation to notice my lardy form.

Originally posted by nick2
I would agree with that if we were talking about Remembrance Day, but why in this situation ?

Because these are OUR people!!! Ok, so you didn't know any of the victims... is it not enough thast these innocent people were killed on our soil? Should we not commemorate them?!?

Originally posted by nick2
I would agree with that if we were talking about Remembrance Day, but why in this situation ?
It was a chance for us to respect the dead, but also send a message out to the terrorists that we all stand shoulder to shoulder in the street regardless of thier actions. A very sombre moment...

I've had a very busy day. Sorry
:(
Only just realised when someone telled me an hour after:surprised

Swan Vesta!
That's the sort of thing I'd do! I'd have probably turned round and said 'what's up with you lot? someone died?'

I didn't actually do it as I have to confess I did forget but I was alone so I don't think I said anything (don't think that counts) but at least I didn't not do it on purpose!

I forgot and I would have observed it, but I do think these 2 minute silences are two a penny these days and that detracts from their significance and meaning.

Whatever happened to one-minute silences?

Like Serapis, I don't think most 2-minute silences are worth it but I had every intention of observing this one. But, like Nick2, I forgot.

I was sitting downstairs in my office typing away. Later, I went upstairs and my wife, who was watching TV, said "who was that disrespectful bugger who phoned you on the dot of 12 O'Clock". I don't know, all I heard was a recorded voice saying "Congratulations, you have..." before I slammed the phone down, but according to her it went off right at the instant that Big Ben chimed on TV.

I was in the Peace Gardens.

It's a shame someone didn't tell the builder working on the new hotel who started whistling "Is this the way to Amarillo".

Originally posted by DanSumption
Like Serapis, I don't think most 2-minute silences are worth it but I had every intention of observing this one. But, like Nick2, I forgot.

I was sitting downstairs in my office typing away. Later, I went upstairs and my wife, who was watching TV, said "who was that disrespectful bugger who phoned you on the dot of 12 O'Clock". I don't know, all I heard was a recorded voice saying "Congratulations, you have..." before I slammed the phone down, but according to her it went off right at the instant that Big Ben chimed on TV.

Oh yeah! I got that call! the next two word were 'been selected'

I didn't speak though!

And Serapis, I think that's a bit harsh! There's a lot of people on here who make spelling errors, you don't need to be so rash! lol

Originally posted by Dug
I was in the Peace Gardens.

It's a shame someone didn't tell the builder working on the new hotel who started whistling "Is this the way to Amarillo".

haha! I bet that would have made the people who were being commemorated laugh though!

Originally posted by Dug
I was in the Peace Gardens.

It's a shame someone didn't tell the builder working on the new hotel who started whistling "Is this the way to Amarillo".

Sometimes, you've just got to laugh.

And thank God for that!

Originally posted by Lotti
haha! I bet that would have made the people who were being commemorated laugh though!

It did have a sense of comedy timing.

Originally posted by Apollo_C
Because these are OUR people!!! Ok, so you didn't know any of the victims... is it not enough thast these innocent people were killed on our soil? Should we not commemorate them?!?

Commemorate them? Most of them haven't even been buried yet.

Missed this, didn't know it was happening.


Baaaa.

Originally posted by Greenback
Whatever happened to one-minute silences?

exactly! i mean yeah....if you want to do it then do it...but why 2mins instead of 1? does this mean its worse then all the other disasters and such that have happened in the past and only got 1minute?

When it comes down to it this is personal choice - there is the oportunity to observe a silence if you feel the event merits it but no compulsion on anyone to do it. Personally I did observe it (as I'm working on my own today I'm not sure it counts!) but that was my choice and I wouldn't try and enforce it on anyone else - after all isn't freedom of choice one of the things we want to preserve?

I missed it too.

I don't see why the government should dictate an exact time to force us all to 'pay respect'.

It's just another case of the establishment establishing their power ...

Grief and any form of 'paying respect' should be left up to the individual to do in their own way and in their own time.

As for the comment about 'OUR PEOPLE' ...

I believe the whole human race is 'our people' ... there is no 'US' and 'THEM' ... and to perpetuate such ideas will never solve anything.

Agreed. I dont believe in silences. While I will respect them and will stay silent, I still dont agree with them. IMO they dont do anything, and wether we have silences or not isnt gonna stop the terrorists from doing these things, so saying 'It shows the terrorists that they will not be tolerated' doesnt mean a thing. I doubt the terrorists are gonna think "oooh theyre having a 2 minute silence, we best rethink our actions now"

Originally posted by MTheo
exactly! i mean yeah....if you want to do it then do it...but why 2mins instead of 1? does this mean its worse then all the other disasters and such that have happened in the past and only got 1minute?

I believe the etiquette is 1 min slilence for the death of a prominent figure (ie, Princess Di, Queen Mother), and 2 Min silence for a disaster/tragedy.

Originally posted by spyro2000
Agreed. I dont believe in silences. While I will respect them and will stay silent, I still dont agree with them. IMO they dont do anything, and wether we have silences or not isnt gonna stop the terrorists from doing these things, so saying 'It shows the terrorists that they will not be tolerated' doesnt mean a thing. I doubt the terrorists are gonna think "oooh theyre having a 2 minute silence, we best rethink our actions now"

The way I understood it was that minute (or now 2 minute) silences were a way of remembering the dead and paying respect.

Who said that it would stop the terrorists?

Originally posted by Dug

Who said that it would stop the terrorists?

Im not saying that people say it would stop terrorists, but theres comments like this...

Originally posted by honeyplanet
It was a chance for us to respect the dead, but also send a message out to the terrorists that we all stand shoulder to shoulder in the street regardless of thier actions. A very sombre moment...

...I understand the respect part (kind of), but I dont see that it sends out any kind of message to terrorists. In fact if it sends out any message to them its a message that they CAN cause disruptions to our life.

Originally posted by spyro2000
IMO they dont do anything,

I disagree, firstly so many people openly gathering in a public space is a potential target, the fact so many did this today across the country shows that people will not let terror control their lives.

Also the event I attended was an act of unity between all faith groups and a message that terrorists will not win in their attempts to divide our communities.

Originally posted by spyro2000
Im not saying that people say it would stop terrorists, but theres comments like this...



...I understand the respect part (kind of), but I dont see that it sends out any kind of message to terrorists. In fact if it sends out any message to them its a message that they CAN cause disruptions to our life.

I would hardly consider a 2 minute silence a disruption to my life. If anything I think the message was one of solidarity.

Originally posted by Dug
I would hardly consider a 2 minute silence a disruption to my life. If anything I think the message was one of solidarity.

I do understand, but do you really and truly think that a message is getting across to the terrorists. For a message to be sent doesnt it have to be recieved? And I doubt the terrorists care wether we are having silences or not.

Originally posted by Dug
I would hardly consider a 2 minute silence a disruption to my life. If anything I think the message was one of solidarity.
Exactly the point I was trying to make.. I think the shoulder to shoulder thing was aimed more at london, but little gestures can help people effected come to terms with what happend that day, It may mean nothing to one person but to the person who spent thursday morning trying to locate her best friend who was on the london underground it could mean a great deal.. the solidarity of standing in the street shows people they are not alone..
(incidently best friend was eventually accounted for)

Originally posted by spyro2000
For a message to be sent doesnt it have to be recieved? And I doubt the terrorists care wether we are having silences or not.

er what?

As Disco cat has said:

"Also the event I attended was an act of unity between all faith groups and a message that terrorists will not win in their attempts to divide our communities."

It's not about physically stoping terrorists.

Originally posted by Dug
er what?

As Disco cat has said:

"Also the event I attended was an act of unity between all faith groups and a message that terrorists will not win in their attempts to divide our communities."

It's not about physically stoping terrorists.

Yep, totally agreed, dont get me wrong. Im just trying to understand more about it. Isnt these silences more of a way of us as a nation being 'one' rather than a message to terrorists as they dont listen to the message anyway?

Originally posted by spyro2000
I do understand, but do you really and truly think that a message is getting across to the terrorists. For a message to be sent doesnt it have to be recieved? And I doubt the terrorists care wether we are having silences or not.

these ******** will be watching our media very closely to see what effect their act has had, I just hope they got this message from Ken:

Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life.
I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail.
In the days that follow look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential.
They choose to come to London, as so many have come before because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail.

Originally posted by spyro2000
Yep, totally agreed, dont get me wrong. Im just trying to understand more about it. Isnt these silences more of a way of us as a nation being 'one' rather than a message to terrorists as they dont listen to the message anyway?
Can it not be both?

Originally posted by honeyplanet
Can it not be both?

Yeah im sure it can be both, but is it? And if so, do the terrorists actually care and take note, as Im sure they are aware that we have silences for these sorts of things before they committed this dastardly deed,

Oh and I liked that quote that Disco_cat put, now thats a message, and such a strong one too.

Originally posted by spyro2000
Yep, totally agreed, dont get me wrong. Im just trying to understand more about it. Isnt these silences more of a way of us as a nation being 'one' rather than a message to terrorists as they dont listen to the message anyway?

Its about both of those things, and more.

Its about paying the respect due to our fellow countrymen/women who suffered in these attacks, its about letting the families and friends of these poor victims know that they have our thoughts and our prayers, and most importantly, its a matter of respect. If someone on this forums, Brother, Sister, Father, Mother or closest friend was one of the victims, how would they feel about people (in general, not neccasarily on this post) disrespecting them, carrying on and breaking the respectful silence?

My view on this is clear. Whilst the attacks were 200 miles away, the victims deserve the respect that the vast majority of this forum, and hopefully this nation has given them. They are in my thoughts, prayers, and heart.

Oh I would never break the silence as I have got respect, I just dont think it in reality actually makes a difference, but thats just my opinion.

Originally posted by Disco_Cat
these ******** will be watching our media very closely to see what effect their act has had, I just hope they got this message from Ken:

Finally, I wish to speak directly to those who came to London today to take life.
I know that you personally do not fear giving up your own life in order to take others - that is why you are so dangerous. But I know you fear that you may fail in your long-term objective to destroy our free society and I can show you why you will fail.
In the days that follow look at our airports, look at our sea ports and look at our railway stations and, even after your cowardly attack, you will see that people from the rest of Britain, people from around the world will arrive in London to become Londoners and to fulfil their dreams and achieve their potential.
They choose to come to London, as so many have come before because they come to be free, they come to live the life they choose, they come to be able to be themselves. They flee you because you tell them how they should live. They don't want that and nothing you do, however many of us you kill, will stop that flight to our city where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another. Whatever you do, however many you kill, you will fail.

'Ken's' message would have carried much greater moral force had he not been so equivocal about the terrorism of the IRA and had he not cosied up to the likes of Adams, even at the height of the IRA bombing campaigns in the UK.

My feeling is that todays silence speaks volumes.

Originally posted by spyro2000
Yeah im sure it can be both, but is it? And if so, do the terrorists actually care and take note, as Im sure they are aware that we have silences for these sorts of things before they committed this dastardly deed
Whether or not they are watching to see what the reaction is, remember that their main aim is to cause terror. If people showing respect and solidarity (by this or other methods) improves morale and resolve, that in itself is diminishing the effects of terrorism.

The two minute silence was not about combating terrorism but was a message to all would be terrorists that London is not running scared and they have changed nothing. The People of Great Britain are standing shoulder to shoulder, faith to faith in defiance of people who would take innocent lives in an attempt to force their twisted ideals upon us.

No matter how many bombs, no matter how many people blow themselves up, the people of Great Britain, probably the most advanced democracy in the world will never bow to such actions. For every bomb that detonates, for every life that is taken, the terrorists of this world will not be driving us apart, but bringing us together and together we will defeat the cancer of this planet called terrorism.

Originally posted by serapis
The two minute silence was not about combating terrorism but was a message to all would be terrorists that London is not running scared and they have changed nothing. The People of Great Britain are standing shoulder to shoulder, faith to faith in defiance of people who would take innocent lives in an attempt to force their twisted ideals upon us.

No matter how many bombs, no matter how many people blow themselves up, the people of Great Britain, probably the most advanced democracy in the world will never bow to such actions. For every bomb that detonates, for every life that is taken, the terrorists of this world will not be driving us apart, but bringing us together and together we will defeat the cancer of this planet called terrorism.

Hear, Hear :clap:

Why not, Nick2, would it really have hurt to stand still and quiet for two minutes? What was the hurry?

Originally posted by buck
Why not, Nick2, would it really have hurt to stand still and quiet for two minutes? What was the hurry?

It wouldn't have hurt, but it wouldn't have meant anything to me, so why do it ?

I observe the silence on Rememberance Day, that means something to me, I can see how it effects my life, and how it needs to be remebered.

I get your point, Nick. Of course you have a right to think and do what you want. We're very lucky that we are able to do that.
I was only concerned that someone was in too much of a hurry to stop and be respectful. Some posts were much worse than yours, concerning whether they should stand one minute or two. I find it hard to understand why it should matter which unless being still for a whole two minutes taxed their will and strength so much that no more work was possible that day. At least you stated quite clearly that you don't believe it does any good and is a meaningless gesture. Its a valid argument.

If only humanity was so common Ruby. I agree with your sentiments................The bombing was pure evil...........

i didnt do it, i didnt know it was on, but to be honest i was sitting alone at home anyway so it wouldnt have made a difference, and if i was with my mates i probably would have completely forgot about it since we never have the tv on, and would just miss it.

then again i dont feel like i have to be silent to remember or show respect for something, so i might not have done it anyway, but i wouldnt be ignorant and blaitantly shout away on my phone or something in the middle of the street, but if i was with someone at home i probably wouldnt have bothered.

Originally posted by nick2
Not that I think it would have helped anyone anyway.

ill doubt youll burn in hell for the crime nick :)

i had to tell a couple of lads at work who were talking as we went to dinner .......they said "oohp **** forgot" and clamped hands over mouths"

I caught the 51 bus into town to be at the Peace Gardens, where the Deputy Lord Major laid a wreath of white lillies at the end of the 2 minute silence.

The city centre was strangely quiet (apart from that hotel workman who was whistling - but he soon shut up). It was a dignified occasion. Must have been about a thousand people crammed into the Peace Gardens, with representatives of different faiths and cultures in attendance.

I observed the 2 minute silence as a mark of respect for my fellow human beings, who were killed in an appalling act of premeditated violence. I observed the silence as a show of support for the survivors, and the families and friends of the victims, whose lives have been irreparably changed. I observed the 2 minute silence as a way of expressing disgust that this atrocity occurred in my country, on British soil. Lastly,
I stood in solidarity with so many Sheffielders, and others across our land and in Europe beyond, who collectively gave out the message that we will not be cowed by terrorists.

I observed the minutes silence in my usual sopt- on the toilet....

Mod. Note

Pruned out some of the English lessons.

Keep this thread on topic and keep it respectful please.

Thanks,

Joe

I missed it as I was answering the question of a customer and didn't realise the time.
Certainly would have observed otherwise. :sad: