Beckham

[bobjugs12]

I've always liked him as a player, and despite his vain appearance I now like him as a person.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8697996.stm

What a decent bloke, this wasn't about publicity or money. This was him being a good bloke.
Also funny to see that he got more attention than any politican who's preceded him.

[joeluke]

Exactly, its a brief pick-me-up for the troops who were lucky enough to meet him but it ain't gonna do a jot to help end this pointless war

[jackthehat]

I don't really think DB, influential as he is, can single-handedly bring an end to this war, nor is he expected to................

[joeluke]

.....which brings us nicely back to my original point that it was just a publicity opportunity for Beckham

[rowanwitch]

I think schoolboy thrilled is pretty much how most people would feel, he is one of a handful of sportspeople who has icon staus, I don't think wayne Rooney will ever get asked to pose in his undies ..... but I guess the troops wouldn't mind if he visited either....

[jackthehat]

But it also served to bring a bit of light relief to the troops...........which, surely, can only be a good thing ?

[joeluke]

Hell, lets send the whole England squad over there huh?

We ain't gonna do jack in the World Cup so why not?

[joeluke]

Becks brought light relief to the troops?????

Didn't read about that in the papers! (or was it in the Daily Sport?)

[jackthehat]

Do you keep your diary 'free' just in case Jesus wants you to be a sunbeam, joeluke ?

[Sqad]

Whether or not you like David Beckham, he is a soccer icon and a great Ambassador for English football. Use him and his attributes to whatever cause with benefit England or football.

[bobjugs12]

Joe, you've missed out on some vital facts here.
Beck's heading out there was a massive boost to the guys on ops. The americans are always sending big celebs out to theatre to meet and greet the troops. Where as we usually end up with Page3 girls, crap comedians, S Club 7 or Geri Halliwell. Having someone as cool as Becks was a real moral boost to lads and lasses.
Also, if this was a real media opportunity then why was it not publicised and why did he not have a proper media team out there with him.

Maybe, just maybe, he did actually want to go and see the guys out there. Maybe he was genuine.

Cheer up Joeluke, the world isn't nearly as bad as you make out.

[joeluke]

But other than leave some soldiers with photos to show their friends, family and mates down the pub what did it achieve? Was he able to point out the locations of the landmines and where the insurgents were?

[ummmm]

Are you always this negative Joe?

[Sqad]

joe

http://en.wikipedia.o...l_Service_Association

Was this a waste of time?

[jackthehat]

You are joking, right ?
DB was not there as the MOD's secret weapon to win the war, he was there as a morale-booster to the girls and boys fighting thousands of miles away from home.

[bobjugs12]

Nope Joe, he improved moral. Which; unless you've been sat in a desert for months on end, sh1tting in a portaloo, avoiding the poisoness critters and generally trying not to die; is something most people don't appreciate.

[joeluke]

point taken bob, but thats their job, they knew what it entailed when they signed up, no-one forced them into that line of work

I sincerely hope my son never enlists

[ummmm]

I don't think you really know what to expect until you get there.

[jackthehat]

Well, joeluke, my son did and I am inordinately proud of him.

[Sqad]

joeluke....the poster was describing the action of one David Beckham.

The fact that these lads signed up to do a job has NOTHING to do with the post.

I had 3 sons in the forces...Marine, RAF pilot (fast jets) and SAS (Paras+RAMC) and I am proud of the as JTH is if hers.

[bobjugs12]

I would also be proud if any of my kids followed me into uniform.