A minutes silence or two?

Question

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/1987517/China-earthquake-Three-days-of-mourning-start-as-death-toll-rises.html

We observe a minutes silence to remember all those who died fighting to preserve freedom, mainly in the two world wars, but also in other areas of combat. And I think that is right.

But should we observe a longer period of silence for other events? September the 11th, and the Tsunami were observed with a two minutes silence, and in China, the earthquake victims were remembered with a three minutes silence. While I think it is right to remember those that died with a minutes silence, is it not cheapening the memory of those brave enough to fight and die by having longer periods of silence for other occurences?

Answer 1

On Remembrance Day there is a two minute silence.

Answer 2

I agree with the minutes silence in 11 November.  It bloody well does matter that we remind ourselves and the rest of the ungrateful yobbos out there of the sacrifices made by our countrymen.  It is not their death we are celebrating.

When you go home, tell them, that for their tommorrow, we gave our today.

Answer 3

i think that perhaps it should be two minutes silence for the rememberance day (which is to remember both the armed forces who died in the world wars and since, but also to remember the innocent people who worked in dangerous munitions factories and as doctors etc. to protect the freedom that we all enjoy), and one minute for the one-off things like the 11/9 attacks, and the tsunami etc.

Answer 4

I personally do not observe two minutes slience. As much as I respect what the servicemen and women have done for this country, I think we should celebrate life more than we celebrate death! Let's make two minutes of noise and remember those who are clinging onto life in drought ridden countries; let's remember those who are stuggling with easily treatable disease such as malaria and measles; let's remember those facing political persecution for their religious/ethical/moralistic belief's; the list is endless, but the death toll is much higher than what we see in war torn countries!

EDIT!: I agree with David D, when I have given it more thought. Why does it really matter? If individuals want to give 1 minute, 2 minutes or even an hours silence, then go for it, just don't expect everyone to find whatever particular cause you (the individual) are being silent for the same emphasis as you.

Thoushands of people pray in silence, does that mean I should?

Answer 5

does it really bloody matter

Answer 6

I agree with you.

Answer 7

I think it's okay as it is a recent event, and is a one-off silence.

The one minute on remembrance day symbolises deaths 94 years ago, right up to the present day.

I agree it could stand to cheapen our soldiers silence if 9/11 and other recent events are given 2 minutes in additional years. I'm not sure if thats the case though?