# They Gave Their Lives... Why Can't You Spare a Few Minutes? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 9, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331 "2008-12-09T00:40:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/41 "2008-12-09T16:53:06Z")
I think it’s a good thing that our soldiers who have given their lives should be driven along a main artery at a time when people will see them, and perhaps give their lives and deaths a thought or more. When Ontario renamed highway 401 between Toronto and Trenton “The Highway of Heroes”, I thought that was a good and honourable thing. Let’s hope that those inconsiderate, disrespectful mentioned in the OP are few and far between. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/42 "2008-12-09T16:56:14Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > Not wanting to do the same doesn’t make someone less of a patriot, and it certainly doesn’t mean they don’t respect the troops, particularly the ones who have died. Exactly. And being forced to wait and observe the motorcade does not make one **more** patriotic. You can’t compel someone to feel something. As for calling someone names for not being as patriotic as you, didn’t we have enough of that crap back in 2003? Have we learned nothing from it? ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/43 "2008-12-09T17:14:36Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > These reactions to **CCL** are really overblown. Just some recreational outrage going on in this thread? > [@tdn](#): > > Agreed. The vibe I’m picking up is not so much respect for the dead as a chance to be self-righteous. “Fuck you, you’re going to hell you asshat!” is hardly respect for the dead. > > And while it’s a great thing to pay respects, the reality that some people simply can’t spare those ten minutes. Does a government have a right to force people to pay their respects? For me it’s not RO, it is her complete and total lack of respect for the fallen soldiers. > [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > …once you’re dead and have made it back from another continent, what’s another hour > > …It’s not like the soldiers are in any rush. They’re dead–another couple hours won’t make them any deader, I know you Americans don’t allow pictures of the coffins, you guys sneak your dead in under cover of darkness, your President has never shown up for a funeral, and it seems that you all have your head up your asses when it comes to the war dead. I guess us Canadians just see things different. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/44 "2008-12-09T17:21:58Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > For me it’s not RO, it is her complete and total lack of respect for the fallen soldiers. > > I know you Americans don’t allow pictures of the coffins, you guys sneak your dead in under cover of darkness, your President has never shown up for a funeral, and it seems that you all have your head up your asses when it comes to the war dead. > > I guess us Canadians just see things different. Has Canada always done this? Keep in mind, in the US, we’ve lost **thousands**. So, a hearty fuck you to the sentiment that we care less 'cause we don’t have a universal moment. I recall during the first months of the Iraq war, the national news would list the name, show the picture of each soldier and fairly often have some story about who they were. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/45 "2008-12-09T17:26:34Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > For me it’s not RO, it is her complete and total lack of respect for the fallen soldiers. > > I know you Americans don’t allow pictures of the coffins, you guys sneak your dead in under cover of darkness, your President has never shown up for a funeral, and it seems that you all have your head up your asses when it comes to the war dead. > > I guess us Canadians just see things different. I was trying to keep this civil, but I can’t. Go fuck yourself. How dare you paint CCL with the same broad brush that you used on our government. The American government may be acting shamefully with respect to the servicemembers they put in harm’s way, but virtually every American I know is nothing less than respectful toward our military, and especially to our war dead. When Master Sergeant Scott Ball was buried in my hometown, people left work for the day to pay their respects. Reminders of him are all over town. If you want to play the outrage card, fine. But if you think you can tar every American as disrespectful, you can fuck yourself sideways with a rusted grill brush. Bitch. Robin ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/46 "2008-12-09T17:36:39Z")
> [@wring](#): > > Has Canada always done this? Keep in mind, in the US, we’ve lost **thousands**. So, a hearty fuck you to the sentiment that we care less 'cause we don’t have a universal moment. I recall during the first months of the Iraq war, the national news would list the name, show the picture of each soldier and fairly often have some story about who they were. Yes we have always done this. Actually the U.S. has lost [628 military personnel](http://icasualties.org/oef/)in Afghanistan, we Canadians have lost 100. We are not involved in the Iraq war. I’m not saying those deaths don’t count obviously, but politically that war is the reason your government is trying it’s best to downplay the military deaths in your country. Our Government has always had the support of the people, and when one of ours dies, it continues to be news and they are honored in a respectful way. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/47 "2008-12-09T17:37:00Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > For me it’s not RO, it is her complete and total lack of respect for the fallen soldiers. And so you show respect by calling her a moron? People show respect in different ways. [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > I know you Americans don’t allow pictures of the coffins, you guys sneak your dead in under cover of darkness, your President has never shown up for a funeral, and it seems that you all have your head up your asses when it comes to the war dead. Wow. For one thing, we are not a hive mind in lockstep with Bush. His approval rating dropped to below 100% weeks ago, at least. For another, to pretend that we don’t respect our dead is just insulting. And wrong. > [@](#): > > I guess us Canadians just see things different. Because you guys are morally superior, I guess. It really sucks being an American, because we are taught fron an early age to piss on our dead. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/48 "2008-12-09T17:40:53Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > Yes we have always done this. Actually the U.S. has lost [628 military personnel](http://icasualties.org/oef/)in Afghanistan, we Canadians have lost 100. We are not involved in the Iraq war. I’m not saying those deaths don’t count obviously, but politically that war is the reason your government is trying it’s best to downplay the military deaths in your country. > > Our Government has always had the support of the people, and when one of ours dies, it continues to be news and they are honored in a respectful way. And it continues to be news in the US and they are also honored in a respectful way here. and again, fuck you, for your insinuation that because we don’t demonstrate things the exact same way as you, that somehow we’re less caring. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/49 "2008-12-09T17:41:51Z")
From _Girly Edition_, the episode where Bart is ruining Lisa’s kid’s news show with meaningless sappy “human interest” stories: Lisa: Hmm, thank you Bart, for yet another touching “Bart’s People”. Now, turning to… Bart: I just think our veterans deserve a little recognition. Lisa: That’s what Veteran’s Day is for, Bart. Bart: But is that really enough to honor our brave soldiers? Lisa: Eh, heh, heh…they also have Memorial Day. Bart: Oh, Lisa, maybe you’re right, maybe you’re wrong! The important thing is, veterans deserve a day to honor them! Lisa: [through clenched teeth] They have two! Bart: Well maybe they should have three. I’m Bart Simpson. Seriously I’m with **Cat Lady**. How does tying up rush hour traffic help fallen soldiers, their families, or anyone else? How is crossing the street disrespectful? ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/50 "2008-12-09T17:51:34Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I was trying to keep this civil, but I can’t. > > Go fuck yourself. How dare you paint CCL with the same broad brush that you used on our government. The American government may be acting shamefully with respect to the servicemembers they put in harm’s way, but virtually every American I know is nothing less than respectful toward our military, and especially to our war dead. When Master Sergeant Scott Ball was buried in my hometown, people left work for the day to pay their respects. Reminders of him are all over town. > > If you want to play the outrage card, fine. **But if you think you can tar every American as disrespectful, you can fuck yourself sideways with a rusted grill brush**. > > Bitch. > > Robin I will paint CCL as a sorry ignorant moron if her posts seem to back that up. My statement > [@](#): > > I know you Americans don’t allow pictures of the coffins, you guys sneak your dead in under cover of darkness, your President has never shown up for a funeral, and it seems that you **all** have your head up your asses when it comes to the war dead. obviously does not mean every damn American, I have a ton of American friends, I support the American troops 100%, and I will detract the **“all”** in my above statement and replace it with some. Is that better? Now go take a perspective pill and chill the fuck out. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/51 "2008-12-09T17:53:16Z")
> [@wring](#): > > And it continues to be news in the US and they are also honored in a respectful way here. > > and again, fuck you, for your insinuation that because we don’t demonstrate things the exact same way as you, that somehow we’re less caring. And a fuck you right back for saying the way we honor our dead is stupid. That’s kind of my point. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/52 "2008-12-09T17:58:35Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > Is that better? Now go take a perspective pill and chill the fuck out. Are you **sure** that this isn’t recreational outrage? Because it sure reads that way. Maybe my kids are stranded and need to be picked up right away. Maybe my wife just went into labor. Maybe I’m sick and need to get to an ER ASAP. Maybe I’ll get fired if I get to the office late. Hell, maybe I think that public displays of sorrow are vulgar and I’d rather pay my respects in my own way. The thing is, everyone has a story, and you don’t know what they are. To call someone’s patriotism into question over something you don’t know anything about is not patriotism – it’s blind jingoism. And by doing that, you’re not exalting yourself as a great patriot – you’re being a judgemental ass for the sake of it. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/53 "2008-12-09T17:59:23Z")
Where, pray tell, did I say it was stupid? You should be more careful in your judgements. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/54 "2008-12-09T17:59:38Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > And a fuck you right back for saying the way we honor our dead is stupid. Who said that? ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_A\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Kid\_A\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_A_1)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/55 "2008-12-09T17:59:44Z")
Meh…here’s one Torontonian who’s irritated by the whole procession but I’m also irritated by the concept of funeral processions in general. I was in a procession just two weeks ago and the only people who should be in the procession are immediate family. Everyone else can find their own way to the cemetary…don’t worry…we won’t start without you. It’s an outdated and dangerous tradition for cities that are as large as Toronto. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/56 "2008-12-09T18:03:01Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Who said that? certainly wasn’t the person she quoted. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/57 "2008-12-09T18:10:48Z")
> [@wring](#): > > certainly wasn’t the person she quoted. Unless she quoted herself. ---
**Author:** ![FarmerChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@FarmerChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FarmerChick)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/58 "2008-12-09T18:38:28Z")
> [@wring](#): > > Where, pray tell, did I say it was stupid? You should be more careful in your judgements. Jesus H. I realize you and wring are late to this thread and seem to be hoping for a pile-on, so I will let you nitpick all you like OK? ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/59 "2008-12-09T18:44:12Z")
> [@FarmerChick](#): > > Jesus H. I realize you and wring are late to this thread and seem to be hoping for a pile-on, so I will let you nitpick all you like OK? 'cuse me? You made an assertion about me. T’aint a ‘nitpick’ to demand that you show me where your assertion is true. You can add “coward” to the “fuck you”. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331/60 "2008-12-09T18:44:56Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Exactly. And being forced to wait and observe the motorcade does not make one **more** patriotic. You can’t compel someone to feel something. Nobody was _forced_ to wait. They had the option to walk a few blocks west to take the subway at another station or turn their cars around if those 10 minutes were so incredibly precious that they couldn’t possibly wait for the motorcade to go by. It’s not like the cops drew their weapons and threatened to fire on anyone who dared to move from their corner… the only instructions were to keep the street clear until the motorcade passed through. FWIW, I wasn’t on the corner last night to pay my respects… in fact, I was just making my way home like everyone else and just happened to get there just as the cops closed down the intersection. I just don’t think that there was anyone there who absolutely needed to cross _that_ specific intersection immediately rather than 10 mins later, beyond their own needs. I’m not talking about shutting down a road for hours while crowds of mourners clothed in sackcloth and ashes gathered to wave Canadian flags, for crying out loud. They happily shut down major downtown streets for hours (and even days) to make way for protest marches, Santa Clause and even freakin’ souvlaki fests… so really, is asking for 10 minutes of people’s time such a big deal when it’s something important? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-gave-their-lives-why-cant-you-spare-a-few-minutes/476331.md?page=4)