No fireworks for our New Years - out of respect

[flygal]

Our neighbors decided to not light them (Sylvester in Germany - big fireworks night) out of respect for the Tsunami victims. I know life goes on, but it's a little nod of respect for so many people suffering. We'll still have champaign and toast the new year - but the housing area I'm in has asked everyone to pass on the fireworks.

[THUNDER HANDS]

1. we had fireworks after 911, right?

and that was an explosion-based disaster.

I don't get the connection between fireworks and the tsunami. I mean, if you're going to celebrate, celebrate, its not like the people in Asia can see you.

I mean, I respect the thought and the feeling behind it, I just think its kinda moot.

[theboss]

2. Um....why?

I don't see the connection.

[mstrsplinter326]

3. I imagine loud boisterous celebrations involving expensive explosives

seems like a gesture worth passing on for respecting the victims. Especially because it's new year's; it's not like it's the 4th or anything, so fireworks really aren't the worlds biggest deal either way.

[seriousstan]

4. Expensive explosions?? But it is OK to drink champagne

when people are dying for drinkable water. PC BS!

[bryant69]

5. Champagne and Firworks aren't the same

One is an inflammable combustible, the other an alcoholic beverage. If you had compared fireworks to grenades, or champagn to rum . . .

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[seriousstan]

6. Try to follow the thread before making comments that have no

bearing whatsoever to what is being discussed.

[mstrsplinter326]

8. no, i agree with him

in a way, anyway.

It's just symbolic. I never said it wasn't. I wasn't saying that we shouldn't, instead, donate money to charities helping with disaster relief.

Does flying flags at half staff make the loss of an important leader any more bearable, especially for her or his family? Of course not. Does it put money in a charty in their name? Of course not. It's just a symbol.

[Javaman]

9. If that's the case, then we should stop fireworks until the war is over...

Explosions and bright flares remind me of the battle field were innocents and our soldiers are dying daily.

[mstrsplinter326]

10. Agreed. n/t

[aneerkoinos]

7. It's an idea

becoming quite popular in Europe. Donate the money you would have used in fireworks. E.g. here in Finland also several towns have decided to do so.

The connection is that fireworks are most recongizably extravagant spending (blowing money up in the sky), and easiest to spot as something we could give up and use the money to help those in great need. The connection is that people in the West can psychologically cough up more money to help by making a symbolic sacrifice, by giving up something themselves, by making things more concrete.

[Kellanved]

11. the connection is simple

Instead of "burning" the money, send it to the needy. It is a good idea, I did so.

The importance is not the connection, helping is the important thing.

[Jean Louise Finch]

12. Bangkok has cancelled fireworks

and the money is being sent to the relief effort. I think it's a good thing. It's not a very celebratory time, but it doesn't mean you can't ring in the new year in some way.