Silence at work - rememberance

Well, our factory with hundreds of employees observed it well earlier.

Can't comment for all departments but my office is located above one section of the factory and everything stopped. Auto systems paused, machines stopped, staffs stood still and our office went dead - not a single mouse click or twitch. No one rang us for 2 minutes, which is frankly quite amazing during peak office hours.
 
This thread in large part sums up my discomfort with Remembrance Day in its current form. This to me should be a day where you personally pay your respects to those that have died. Shoving it down people's throats and looking down on those that choose not to observe diminishes the whole thing. How many people felt the need to be silent today for no reason other than obligation (in general, not this thread) and fail to understand the significance?

Furthermore, I feel it has become a pro-military day in many respects when honouring the work they do should not be on the agenda. Instead, it should be a day for politicians and people to reflect on the astonishing waste of life that war is rather than presenting it as some sort of noble necessity.
 
Some people's responses towards those who did not observe the silence demonstrates Elmarko's point. It is an expectation of people to do it, and if they don't look down on them whislt disregarding the fact that you have no idea how they choose to participate or even that they have to. This is the sort of thing you do for yourself and not try to force it on others simply because you think it's "what you do".
 
Oh look, all my posts have been deleted. It's like Nazi Germany after all. Fall in line! Follow the rules! We will crush your voice!

Why on earth should I show any respect just because a lot of people died. Rubbish.
 
spoffle said:
Some people's responses towards those who did not observe the silence demonstrates Elmarko's point. It is an expectation of people to do it, and if they don't look down on them whislt disregarding the fact that you have no idea how they choose to participate or even that they have to. This is the sort of thing you do for yourself and not try to force it on others simply because you think it's "what you do".
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What's wrong with a little respect to the people who want to observe the silence and share a moment of solidarity with the majority of people who want to observe the silence?

It's called respect. Fine, don't think about the fallen or those that been afflicted by life altering wars, deaths, etc... but at least respect those that want to by shutting up for a couple of minutes.
 
spoffle said:
For holding and expressing a viewpoint that you don't like?
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It's one thing sharing an opinion, it's one thing expressing in an antagonising way, and it's another thing doing it at a time where people are obviously in a more emotionally charged state. If it's such a big deal to be "anti" remembrance, create your own thread tomorrow when it's a more suitable time to discuss it. Bashing the remembrance on a day where a little solidarity is expected to be expressed is in my opinion crass and wrong.
 
Freefaller said:
What's wrong with a little respect to the people who want to observe the silence and share a moment of solidarity with the majority of people who want to observe the silence?

It's called respect. Fine, don't think about the fallen or those that been afflicted by life altering wars, deaths, etc... but at least respect those that want to by shutting up for a couple of minutes.
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Because it's wrong to force that expectation on people, as if it's the only way people can show respect in such a situation, as well as trying to force them to show respect.

What I said has nothing to do with what you've said really, as it seems like you think I'm saying it's okay to disrupt those observing it, which I didn't say. I'm talking about the expectation from others to observe the silence, and then the insults they dish out to those who aren't observing it.
 
Freefaller said:
It's one thing sharing an opinion, it's one thing expressing in an antagonising way, and it's another thing doing it at a time where people are obviously in a more emotionally charged state.
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This still nothing more than "I would have banned you because I don't like your opinion". Some people need to have their beliefs challenged in an antagonistic way because a lot of people have opinions and beliefs that they don't understand or know why they even think that way.
 
Others don't have to keep the silence, if they don't want to - but at least show respect to others by not making any noise. For the sake of 2 minutes - think about others rather than yourself.

I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't share a moment of solidarity, even if to reflect on things that are happening in the world. Is it such a big deal just to be a decent human being for 2 minutes?
 
spoffle said:
This still nothing more than "I would have banned you because I don't like your opinion". Some people need to have their beliefs challenged in an antagonistic way because a lot of people have opinions and beliefs that they don't understand or know why they even think that way.
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The thing is 99% of people wouldn't ever dare say it to your face, so why act like a **** on the forum? It's called good behaviour or having a sensible rational and decent conversation with a fellow human being, otherwise known as showing a little compassion.
 
Freefaller said:
It's one thing sharing an opinion, it's one thing expressing in an antagonising way, and it's another thing doing it at a time where people are obviously in a more emotionally charged state. If it's such a big deal to be "anti" remembrance, create your own thread tomorrow when it's a more suitable time to discuss it. Bashing the remembrance on a day where a little solidarity is expected to be expressed is in my opinion crass and wrong.
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Did you even look at the OP? This IS that thread. :p

I don't think there's any harm in discussing whether remembrance is actually achieving it's intended goals, or the perverse reverse. Respect uniforms, glorification of dying for one's country.

"If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori."
 
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I think it does achieve it - as we're talking about it now, and also most people take time to remember, and it's a big deal to most people in most countries that suffered, not just back in 1914-1917 but more recent conflicts and everything in between.

However calling the moderating team Nazis is beyond disrespectful and rude.
 
I know what your saying & I do agree that people should respects other peoples right to silence (not speak to them, leave them alone while they are partaking in the event) - but that's as much as I think society has a right to ask of others - I mean, I won't speak to anybody who is observing the silence (as they have the right to do it if they so wish).

But on the other hand, the strong negative judgements against those who simply wish to not join in are equally unjust - as mentioned earlier, simply not engaging in a public ritual doesn't mean the person doesn't care about the sacrifices made.

I'm sure all the people in the EDL/BNP were all being good & 'respectful' (they are pretty serious about this kind of thing) - while actually holding beliefs which the people in question died to fight against. (just to give an example of a group which observes the traditional, but holds none of the values).
 
Few hatred comments on facebook today by small minded people in regards to them not contributing. Which to be fair, I don't mind anyone who doesn't contribute each to their own and all.

But forwardly being hatred towards men and women who have died for our country, a lot of had no choice to do so either. Either rightly or wrongly is just a bad state of affairs.

Some people live in their own deluded world where we don't need to go to war.
 
I don't mind (though don't understand) those that don't want to observe it, but at least stop what you are doing and allow people to reflect and share a moment of solidarity in peace.

As for the BNP/EDL whilst I find their policies and views abhorrent, sharing a moment of solidarity no matter what your beliefs/creed/religion is at least one thing that ties us together. IF anything it undermines their argument, as I know many non-whites/non-Christians that also suffered at the hand of the numerous conflicts over the last century, that also want to hold some time of remembrance - that moment of togetherness probably completely winds them up - that they should be sharing a moment that is precious to them as well.

Look at the twin towers, NY changed. The community pulled together, crime fell, ghettos enriched themselves and became better neighbourhoods. That moment of "bringing people together" is important. IT gives faith to humanity for me, that at least people can still share a moment which transcends all beliefs and outlooks and opinions.

IT's just a shame that people are quick to shun it because it's a "cool" thing to be antiestablishment or whatever other flavour of the month it happens to be.
 
Freefaller said:
I guess I don't understand why you wouldn't share a moment of solidarity, even if to reflect on things that are happening in the world. Is it such a big deal just to be a decent human being for 2 minutes?
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I believe that most people will come to a point when they realise about remembering the fallen.
Up to the age of 25 I couldn't give a toss and wondered why they kept going on & on about it but something happened that completely changed my outlook (I can't remember what it was).
My eldest also had the same thoughts until she visited Auschwitz and now she says she will never miss going to the Cenotaph with me.
Don't be too harsh on people because I'm sure it will hit them at some point.
 
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