So sad

[norseman]

I took an elderly ex-service lady to a rural war memorial yesterday as both of us to wanted observe the two minutes silence away from the crowds. The memorial is situated on a grass island at the junction of two fairly busy B roads & during this period of silence & reflection a good few road users, in both cars & on bicycles, drove past apparently totally disinterested in showing any respect.
Why is it that so many people cannot spare two minutes out of a whole year? I am undecided whether to feel anger or sorrow for them.

Watching the footage of the Cenotaph parade on the evening news partially restored my faith in human nature.

 

[sodthisforfun]

We are in a privileged position to have freedom, a hard earned freedom. On one hand it doesn't hurt to respect and remember but on the other, we are free to do as we choose. That includes not paying respects at the exact time.

It's sad, of course, but I think it's not realistic to expect traffic or people around you to stop everything they are doing.

 

[ellal]

Why is it that so many people cannot spare two minutes out of a whole year? I am undecided whether to feel anger or sorrow for them.

Why do you feel that people should have to 'observe' those particular two minutes in a specific way at a specific time?

Do you wish that the entire country grinds to a halt?

 

[Brigadier]

My missus told me about a woman on complaining on FaceAche yesterday, about the fact that (the council?) hadn't closed the road outside the memorial.
Given that pretty much every other road is currently closed around here due to ongoing roadworks, building, etc, I would have thought the closing of yet another one would have been nigh - on impossible......

 

[norseman]

Why do you feel that people should have to 'observe' those particular two minutes in a specific way at a specific time?

Do you wish that the entire country grinds to a halt?

Because that is the historical way of showing respect for the fallen, I didn't instigate it.
Grind to a halt? many of my generation remember when it did just that. Even much later in the 'seventies, buses (I was a driver myself) used to hold at a stop & shut down the engine for two minutes … I cannot remember any passenger complaints.

I suspect we are of different generations, neither of us will change our stance on this so lets just leave it there

nb. You might like to review the BBC's coverage of the day's events to illustrate the views of a great many.

 

[tony1851]

On our local news, in Eccles, near Manchester, a yob let off a firework during the silence.
Magistrates gave him a 16-week jail sentence (Public Order offence).

 

[tony1851]

Why do you feel that people should have to 'observe' those particular two minutes in a specific way at a specific time?

Do you wish that the entire country grinds to a halt?

Life ground to a halt permanently for those who never came back; two minutes every year is a tiny price for recognizing their sacrifice for our freedom.

 

[big-all]

its wrong for anyone to get annoyed at others doing what is legal
others will not be aware off what is happening or understand why its happening
this is not disrespect just others with different points off importance
years ago when i was a train driver i stopped my train due to leave deepdene station at 11.10 till 11.13 stood on the platform with head bowed and arms folded now how many would actually realise what the point was i dont know but suspect the 1 min late at redhill would be a price worth paying to show respect but to others would be something to moan about ??

 

[ellal]

Life ground to a halt permanently for those who never came back; two minutes every year is a tiny price for recognizing their sacrifice for our freedom.

Oh well, I guess you'd expect ICU nurses to stand to attention and ignore their life saving duties?

Or firemen to say, 'hang on a moment a couple of minutes burn won't matter'?

You have no idea what the people who decided not to 'obey' your poppy facist's demands were on their way to do!

 

[noseall]

I suspect we are of different generations

My 22yo oppo set his phone to buzz him prior to the two minute silence yesterday. He didn't want to be using any noisy tools etc during the silence.

 

[tony1851]

Oh well, I guess you'd expect ICU nurses to stand to attention and ignore their life saving duties?

Or firemen to say, 'hang on a moment a couple of minutes burn won't matter'?

You have no idea what the people who decided not to 'obey' your poppy facist's demands were on their way to do!

Obviously an emergency situation is different, but that would only apply to a very, very tiny number of people.

 

[Notch7]

Grind to a halt? many of my generation remember when it did just that. Even much later in the 'seventies, buses (I was a driver myself) used to hold at a stop & shut down the engine for two minutes … I cannot remember any passenger complaints

Supermarkets support the 2 minutes silence - everybody just stops, it goes quiet -it is a powerful message.

 

[norseman]

You have no idea what the people who decided not to 'obey' your poppy facist's demands were on their way to do!

I'm so glad you posted that, now we all know what your views are & I for one haven't the slightest intention of indulging you

 

[sodthisforfun]

I really don't think it's realistic to expect all traffic to grind to a halt!

We have freedom to do what we choose, we are lucky and that includes driving around for those 2 mins, like it or not.

Edited to add:
https://metro.co.uk/2014/11/13/woma...-two-minute-silence-on-armistice-day-4946844/
Bloomin traffic wardens are real scum!!

 

[Brigadier]

You have no idea what the people who decided not to 'obey' your poppy facist's demands were on their way to do!

I'm so glad you posted that, now we all know what your views are & I for one haven't the slightest intention of indulging you

If it's paying respect only in the prescribed fashion, that is not genuinely paying respect, imho. Make a big show for two minutes a year, and be seen doing so.

Similar to the Jay Leno quote about "Americans like everyone to know about the charity work they're doing anonymously!"


I stood silently to the radio (in my own kitchen, wife beside me, first-born in lounge), and at the football, but don't go to a memorial service. Does that make me less respectful, in your eyes, @norseman?