BRENDAN BARBER TUC SPEECH

[Marmora Man]

Did anyone else find this

"As our American colleagues reminded us on the first anniversary of September 11th, over 500 of those who died that day were trade unionists. They included 12 members of the Flight Attendants Association, killed when their planes, their workplaces, were turned into weapons of mass destruction; 43 members of the Hotel Employees Local working in the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center; and 343 fire fighters who gave their lives in their heroic attempt to save others.

in his opening remarks to the TUC somewhat lacking in taste?

[DJKillaQueen]

Depends on what followed and whether there was any relevance. I'm guessing/ hoping he was simply making the point that the TUC had a connection to some of those who died (in the spirit of remembrance) and don't see an issue with that.

[Undisputedtruth]

Absolutely not, MM. What a ridiculous thing to say!

[DaveR]

Not so much tasteless as pointless

[Chippy Minton]

He was addressing fellow trade unionists so I don't think it's lacking in taste. As DJKQ points out, the TUC had a connection with those he was talking about.

[Senor Chevalier]

Yeah, but was there an undertone of: "people, let's not forget it's not just banker to55ers, but people that actually matter got hurt too..."

I guess you'd have had to be there.

[Ridgley]

I agree with DJKQ on this point also, the Trade Unions are always vilified by the media and especially by the Tory government make no mistake it is the Tories that are ruling the roost.

Don?t get me wrong I don?t agree with having strikes at a drop of a hat but I understand where they are coming from.

[Huguenot]

How bizarre! A sort of 'basking in reflected glory' from the tragedy - as if 9/11 brings status and credibity to Unions. I hardly think the deaths were a statement about organised labour, or that the 500 union members who died were somehow more worty victims than the other 2,500.

I know what you're saying MM.

[DJKillaQueen]

I don't think the intent was to bask in glory. It was a period of rememberance for the tenth anniversary. I think the intent was simply to make a connection to that rememberance. I really don't think anything more inciped was behind it.

[Otta]

Depends whether he finished with a punch line.

Assuming he didn't, I don't see anything wrong with it, even if it is a bit odd.