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#371991 - 29/11/11 05:25 PM Discussion/Debate time!
Stu. Offline
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Registered: 15/03/09
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Good evening! I am going to start something controversial(ish) and I think it's a great topic for a good debate or discussion.

Having seen the debacle surrounding the death of Gary Speed, I find it extremely sad that the whole of the UK has paid more attention/respect to a multi-millionaire footballer (who took his own life) than a soldier who has this week died for his country? I don't know the circumstances surrounding his death, suicide is always "the easy way out" in some people's minds, but nobody knows what was going on in his head and I have every sympathy with his family. However, I can't believe the thoughts of our country that a footballer gets more press coverage after his death than a soldier of the British Army.


Discuss....
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#371992 - 29/11/11 05:32 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Stu.]
Adam08 Offline
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Its because everyone knows who it is so effects more people, although saying that I did say who is that when someone told me
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#371993 - 29/11/11 05:38 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Adam08]
Stu. Offline
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Good point, but on the news the lad who died for his country didn't even get a proper mention, "Another soldier has died today meaning the total number of deaths has now risen to..." it was outrageous and I think the whole perspective is wrong. All the hype over Garry Speed was justified I'm sure, but surely we should go to the same length for one of our own soldiers? Today when I was watching the news he was nothing more than a statistic!


Edited by Stu. (29/11/11 05:39 PM)
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#371994 - 29/11/11 05:42 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Stu.]
Duncan_P Offline
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Morally I completely agree Stu, but unfortunately soldiers are put in the firing line and some do get killed, it's how wars have always worked which makes another death (wrongly) less important than the surprise passing of someone famous.

But I agree with you, more effort should be put into publicising those who unfortunately dont return home.
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#371995 - 29/11/11 06:01 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Duncan_P]
STash Offline


Registered: 14/07/11
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When a soldier enlists with the army, he/she knows that at some point, their life will be on the line. So, as Duncan said, sadly, when a soldier dies, it's just another death (Not in my view).
When a footballer or someone famous passes away, alot of people around the world know of this person and they all like to pay their tributes.

The news should of course put more effort though into mentioning these brave soldiers that are passing away in the war.
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#371996 - 29/11/11 06:21 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: STash]
STASON Offline


Registered: 05/01/11
Posts: 5720
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Stu this is dangerous considering my last post regarding Mr Speed.

but if my opinion is welcome hear to be voiced openly without offending members i'll say it.

The guy is at the peak of his career in terms of public success.

He just takes his life for no apparent reason what so ever that has not been concluded yet, leaving behind two kids and a distraught wife, who now has to peice the puzzle of this unusual event probably going to effect her for the rest of her life.

The guy was to put it bluntly selfish.

Life is not all success stories and happy happy fairy tales.

if he was so troubled why didn't he seek help.

On the other hand considering what i said in a contraddictive way.

Why would a man with so much going for him top him self, i think the death should be treated suspiciously considering these events.


Edited by STASON (29/11/11 06:22 PM)

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#371997 - 29/11/11 06:36 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: STASON]
Stephlar Offline
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Quote:


Why would a man with so much going for him top him self, i think the death should be treated suspiciously considering these events.




That's only the public perception though. Suicide is rarely suspicious. No one knew what was going on behind closed doors in Gary's personal life. It's easy to hide behind a mask. There may be details that the family do not wish to be publicised. Saying that, I come from a footballing-mad family, and my dad and I feel that it's wrong that he has pages dedicated in his memory whereas a soldier may receive just a couple of short paragraphs. That's the nature of the British media sadly. I can understand both sides of the argument. For many people, Gary was an idol and role model, as was the soldier who passed away, but on a smaller scale, as Gary was better known. Any loss of life too early is a waste, but if I were a member of the soldier's family, I'd be immensely proud. Our Forces do not always receive the recognition that they deserve.
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#371998 - 29/11/11 06:38 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: STASON]
ROB IS THE STIG Offline
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Im afraid its got so out of control in Afghan, we are all guilty of "oh its another soldier thats dies" it happens so often now its not a shock. Terrible but true. Im not saying it doesnt matter, of course it does but we dont lose a top name in football every other week.

Such a waste in both cases here

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#371999 - 29/11/11 06:57 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: STASON]
Stu. Offline
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Registered: 15/03/09
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Loc: Manchester
Quote:

Stu this is dangerous considering my last post regarding Mr Speed.

but if my opinion is welcome hear to be voiced openly without offending members i'll say it.

The guy is at the peak of his career in terms of public success.

He just takes his life for no apparent reason what so ever that has not been concluded yet, leaving behind two kids and a distraught wife, who now has to peice the puzzle of this unusual event probably going to effect her for the rest of her life.

The guy was to put it bluntly selfish.

Life is not all success stories and happy happy fairy tales.

if he was so troubled why didn't he seek help.

On the other hand considering what i said in a contraddictive way.

Why would a man with so much going for him top him self, i think the death should be treated suspiciously considering these events.




Absolutely mate, in this thread I purposely mentioned debate/discussion so people could air their personal views. As adults we should be able to stage a debate without fear of aggression

To answer your thoughts I think I agree 100%

I also agree with Steph we don't know what was going on and therefore don't understand his reasoning, but the fact still remains as Rob suggested that the press are guilty or the "another has died" scenario and that is something we should certainly look to change as a nation because that is totally wrong!

All great points so far guys,
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#372000 - 29/11/11 07:15 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Stu.]
Burn4 Offline
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As mentioned really... it's another statistic with a soldier as it's not really an unusual occurrence (in war people die- imagine how many die on the other side, both soldiers and civilians, and get no mention whatsoever) and whilst being as sad (god knows how the family must feel in both cases), it's obviously going to receive less publicity as it is not as "interesting" to the average viewer and at the end of the day the TV shows want as many viewers as possible so will be heading for the "most interesting" stories
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#372001 - 29/11/11 07:17 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Burn4]
Stu. Offline
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Yep agree with that as well mate, it seems to me it's a media thing and they are more interested in "finding a story" all the press outside the Speed household was utterly shocking, vultures!
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#372002 - 29/11/11 07:25 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Burn4]
H47PER Offline


Registered: 23/11/09
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The whole media attention pisses alot of people off but were not the ones running round printing the press. They will print what sells and as stated earlier in the thread, the soldier was 'just another statistic' in the war (which is wrong). We all know what lengths papers will go to to get a story and make a few quid out of us, for example printing a full front page story about a celeb being caught with drugs and having lesbian flings, then a week later printing a 3 line sub article on page 36 saying sorry we made It up, and news channels do the same as they need the viewers for advertisement money.
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#372003 - 29/11/11 07:31 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: H47PER]
Stu. Offline
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Agreed!
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#372004 - 29/11/11 07:37 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: Stu.]
Stu. Offline
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I rate we should have a daily/weekly debate thread????????? Get peoples angers and frustrations out through a good chat?? Could be a good idea?
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#372005 - 29/11/11 07:42 PM Re: Discussion/Debate time! [Re: H47PER]
Scotty Offline
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My uncle commited suicide about 10 years ago. Drove his new range rover from his luxury detached sea view home to the edge of the cliffs and got his shot gun out an shot himself. Why? No one will ever know. Just like Gary Speed. For the initial question... The "news" is not set out to be politically correct. It simply reports the "hottest" topics at the time. This unfortunatley dwarfs the more moral things in this world. In all honesty... Do you want to hear about 'another soldier' or a football hero who's done something we cannot understand... People want to know why? What was going on? What about his family? All this covers over... John Smith who gave his life for our freedom. It'd just the way things are... Papers are like any other commercial product... They will sell to the highest Market to be the most popular.
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