Britain’s sports stars at the service of war propaganda
Cem Ertür | 11.11.2011 23:17 | Anti-militarism | Culture | Other Press | South Coast | World
2011 Poppy Appeal poster features Andy Murray
Andy Murray marks the Armed Forces Day (The Scotsman, 24 June 2011)
David Beckham visits Camp Bastion in Afghanistan (Daily Mail, 22 May 2010)
Fabio Capello and Rio Ferdinand, Sun Military Awards ceremony, 15 December 2009
Britain’s sports stars at the service of war propaganda
[propaganda alert]
compiled by Cem Ertür
11 November 2011
"I have nothing but admiration for these young men and women and it makes me very proud to be British. I've wanted to visit Afghanistan for a long time and I hope that in some small way it helps remind everyone at home what an amazing job they are doing out here in very difficult conditions. I feel very humble."
[British football star David Beckham’s remarks prior to his departure to Afghanistan, May 2010] (*)
(*) David Beckham flies to Afghanistan
by Richard Edwards, Daily Telegraph, 22 May 2010
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/7750604/David-Beckham-flies-to-Afghanistan.html _________________________________________
The [British] Army is urging the public to show its support for soldiers through a TV campaign and website that showcase the contribution they make to society and the positive effect of military intervention globally. [...] The [army recruitment] campaign coincides with the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq [in 2003] [1]
“To the Best” campaign [is] supported by such celebrities as Jonny Wilkinson, the England rugby player. It is the [British] army's first interactive recruitment campaign, with the public encouraged to show their support for British troops on a website. It includes short videos of civilians in Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, and the UK, who praise British soldiers for their help and, in some cases, for saving lives. [2]
[1] Army campaign drives public to web to show soldiers support
by Gemma Charles, Marketing, 18 March 2008
http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/rss/793805/Army-campaign-drives-public-web-show-soldiers-support/ [2] Army launches recruitment drive as polls highlight soldiers' popularity
by Richard Norton-Taylor, The Guardian, 18 March 2008
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/mar/18/military _________________________________________
related news:
David Cameron blasts 'outrageous' FIFA for 'absurd' poppy ban on England team
London Evening Standard, 9 November 2011
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24007761-david-cameron-blasts-outrageous-fifa-for-absurd-poppy-ban-on-england-team.do Premier stiker in 9/11 probe
by Jerry Lawton, Daily Star, 15 September 2011
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/211048 _________________________________________
Cem Ertür
Homepage:
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Comments
Hide the following 3 comments
Those who don't return
12.11.2011 11:05
Paul
re: Those who don't return
13.11.2011 22:19
I hate the military machine and the government as much as anyone, but I don't think attacking soliders who get injured in wars is a good idea, either morally or tactically. In the world wars, most cannon fodder were conscripts who didn't really have a choice. A large percentage of them would deliberately aim high because they couldn't bring themselves to kill people. It was a bitter irony that the last surviving WW1 veteran who died recently turned out to be a pacifist who did exactly this!
In recent wars, are people who sign up idiots for believing the jingoistic propaganda of politicians who are quite happy to send off other people to die? Well, maybe, but when they get back with limbs blown off and disillusioned they are just the kind of anti-state people we want on our side.
I agree though, celebs and journalists who take part it the sickening military jingoism are scum. Quite happy that other people risk their lives for no good reason. I'm sure Beckham won't be risking his pretty little head any day soon. Nor those if his kids.
anon
'anon' deliberately misses the point
15.11.2011 20:04
‘anon’ wrote:
"I don't think attacking soliders who get injured in wars is a good idea, either morally or tactically"
Only a troll (*) could write such a devious comment! In fact, the aim is to distract the reader away from the main point; which is clearly stated in the summary section of the propaganda alert:
“Sadly, world-famous sportsmen like Andy Murray, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Wilkinson are deeply complicit in genocidal wars.”
Its about time that Indymedia UK contributors started to recognise that a lot of 'trolling' here is undertaken by professional public relations companies who are paid to do this on behalf of the very people who are committing serious human rights abuses and trying to excuse war crimes.
(*) An "Internet troll" is a person who posts outrageous message to bait people to answer. Trolls delight in sowing discord on the forums. A troll is someone who inspires flaming rhetoric, someone who is purposely provoking and pulling people into flaming discussion. Flaming discussions usually end with name calling and a flame war.
anti-troll