Tie a Yellow Ribbon for Madeline....

[skay]

Would you tie a yellow ribbon round a tree/bush in your front garden. Somewhere were it's noticed. (Maybe the door knocker of your front door.)

I do hope that Madeline is found safe and sound, and soon.

and the appeal to voters is a purely accidental by-product of course.....

No way.

Why do we need a symbol which draws attention to US and our empathic feelings?

am too scinical to believe that. equally I think the greece contestants wouldn't have had a choice. It would have to be all or nothing - there's no way only some would have been able to wear ribbons..

I don't know, as for the Grease programme, it was the 4 contestants in the bottom two couples that wore the ribbons on their costumes for their sing-off performances. As for Gordon Brown, I would hope that his choice to wear one had nothing to do with his political agenda. Somehow I think it hadn't. I also think it isn't about drawing attention to individual's feelings about the case. The yellow ribbons are a symbol of hope, and to wear one (or attatch one to your house etc) just says that you are thinking about Madeleine and her family at this time, and are hoping for her safe return. Nothing more, nothing less.

do u honestly think gordon brown or his spin doctor had the idea "oh i know what will impress the public and endear us to them - you can wear a yellow ribbon to pretend you actually give a shit about some kid and get a few votes"

nobody would have said that gordon brown is a right unfeeling prick if he didnt wear a ribbon so didnt support the mc canns????

whatever the sun, gordon brown, david beckham are doing - they are doing something and i hope the mc canns can take a little strength from that.

"
do u honestly think gordon brown or his spin doctor had the idea "oh i know what will impress the public and endear us to them - you can wear a yellow ribbon to pretend you actually give a shit about some kid and get a few votes" "

YES! Exactly that! They would probably not have phrased it as 'pretend you actually give a shit about some kid' but I have absolutely no doubt someone will have slipped him one before a public appearance, muttering 'I think you need one of these'.

That's how New Labour spin doctors work!

FWIW I am sure he is empathising too - like I said below (it was me that pointed that out actually, not someone else) he does know what it's like to lose a child. But of course he is ultra, ultra conscious of everything he does, wears and says in public and how it will play with the voters. More now than ever.