You WILL show respect!

[Slytovhand]

Hey gang.

This is in the news here, and I thought it a bit interesting: Clubs to shut early on ANZAC Day

Now, for you non-Aussie or Kiwi's, ANZAC Day is our commemoration day of those Aussies and Kiwis who have fallen in battle. There are numerour services held throughout the day, though the most significant is the Dawn Service.

Given what appears to be a fairly liberal attitude on Fratching, I wonder what ppl here think of this idea (making clubs and pubs close early on this day).

Because, what I'm thinking is that it is forcing people to show respect. Is that something that governments are there to do??? Sure, keep revellers away from the ceremonies, but please - don't go telling people how they are supposed to feel...

ETA: just found this newspaper article... similar idea...

[fireheart17]

pubs and clubs closing early is a bit annoying IMHO...I can understand though, I mean I'm always fighting about having stores and such shut for a public holiday--the world will not end if we are shut for one day!
If anything, the idea was just poorly worded. If it was the idea of pubs and clubs doing it-since after all, they are private property (as we've all attested at some stage) then maybe OK, but government...mmm nup.

[Xanthina]

What about those who served, and wish to remember their fallen with a drink(or more)?


I don't support government closing pubs and clubs. It should be up to the owner/operator.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I'm assuming shops will still be open, right? This reminds me of recent pushes to get St George's Day recognised as a bank holiday. Wouldn't make a blind bit of difference to me and other retail workers; shops are still open on bank holidays, and I still have to work them unless I book them off as holiday.

So it seems a bit lopsided to close pubs and clubs, and leave shops open. People can still stop off at the supermarket, stock up on drink then go home and get plastered; do they think that's more respectful than allowing them to go down the pub?

[Rapscallion]

From what I understand, the UK has fewer national days off than anyone else in Europe (heard some time ago), so I wouldn't mind having another to try and redress the balance. However, we've got three in pretty quick succession at this time of year, so right now would be pretty bad.

Rapscallion

[fireheart17]

Re the shops being shut, it depends really on the state, but I think that on the federal level, the major stores were shut (supermarkets, department stores etc.) and that some of the smaller businesses were also shut for the whole day. Some opened for half a day and the essentials (i.e. service stations) were open as best as they could be. (I'm Australian) Some pubs and cafes were open all day, others were open half a day or shut completely.

But I tell you, going onto the websites for the newspapers, there was an absolute shit-storm about it. There were the retailers fighting for a reason why they need a Saturday off (ANZAC day falls on a Saturday this year), people saying that "because they have JOBS, they NEED to have shops open Saturday" along with all the "in this economy" stuff.

Me? I spent the morning off, nipped down to my local servo to get some lunch (not an easy feat in wet weather) and then stayed home playing the PS2. My sister did the Youth Vigil with her Scout Group (Australian scouts are mixed-gender), while my parents went out with family to a lovely little restaurant I've been to a few times. A lot of people I know went to Dawn Services. I remember doing them a few years back when I was young. I enjoyed them, but making a 2 1/2 hour commute to a coastal town was a pain.

[Tanasi]

I guess our equivelent is Memorial Day. I remember as a kid that all busnesses were closed, but not because it was a law but what the owners thought it was the correct thing to do. There were services of some sort that went on all day to remember our fallen veterans. Now most folks don't have a clue what it means, it's just another day off for some and just another day for others. My sister the ER nurse says it's just another redneck-suicide day.
Well I'm not going to tell others how or if they should remember such a day but I'll take my family and we'll turn out for local Memorial services and remember the fallen after all it's the fallen and those that served we have to thank for our freedom. I won't belittle their memory just for a little fun and time off.
One thing that really grinds my gears is that some citys, counties, states, school districts have officially crossed off Veterans Day in favor of MLK. I have nothing against MLK but I think millions of living and deceased should come before one man. I also think MLK would agree.

[AdminAssistant]

I've always thought 'Civil Rights Day' would be more appropriate - to honor all of those who struggled for equal rights. We never got MLK Day off growing up (in my neck of the woods, it's usually called...something else). But we always had Good Friday off. Here, it's the opposite.

[daleduke17]

"I don't think it's appropriate that you've got those business activities occurring at the same time as we've got people turning up at the shrine for the dawn service,'' Mr Brumby said.

That, along with:

"I think it would be the appropriate thing if we can properly honour what is a sacrosanct day and that's Anzac Day, and not have nightclubs and pubs open at five or 5.30 in the morning when we've got 40,000 people turning up at the shrine to pay their respects to fallen soldiers.''

makes it sound like they just don't want 40,000 people showing up for the morning vigils at the same time you have tired/drunk/hungover partiers from the night before trying to go home. From a standpoint of traffic mitigation and safety at least.

[Slytovhand]

DD, from the way it's being told, it's less about traffic and safety, and more about

appropriate thing if we can properly honour what is a sacrosanct day and that's Anzac Day

imposing views on other people (my emphasis for the point I'm making).

[powerboy]

I honestly think that business's should be closed for Veterans Day, Memorial Day or what have you. Or atleast have the Vets take it off.

What about those who served, and wish to remember their fallen with a drink(or more)?

Maybe they could get the beer the day before

[Nyoibo]

I think a few of the diggers would have a problem with the pubs closing early.

[PepperElf]

well for the US... hell people often get pissed off if you have the "audacity" to close early on any holiday... be it Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years...

I don't think legally forcing places to close is the answer, because everyone honors the military in their own way.

For example, I often drink a small amount of Mad Dog on 9/11. Not a lot because it's kinda gross, but just a little... because one of my friends died at the Pentagon that day and I remember him drinking Mad Dog, and I like to give him a toast and spiritual hug.

So, yeah it's not unusual to imagine toasting someone.

But regardless of that...
*extends a salute for Anzac Day*

[guywithashovel]

I've said things like this before, but I'll say it again.

It always amazes me how people who identify themselves as "conservatives" (usually Conservative Republicans) say they want less government in their lives, and then they turn right around and want the government to dictate our personal values, like telling us how we should commemorate a special day.

[Jester]

Guy, that is a reflection on where the Conservative Movement has gone.

A perfect example of this is that, shortly before he died, former Senator Barry Goldwater, often considered the father of the Conservative Movement, was being labeled by Arizona conservative Republicans as "liberal" and a "traitor" to the Republican Party.

But the fact was that Goldwater's beliefs and values had not changed really at all......merely that Arizona conservatives had shifted significantly in their views over the decades since Goldwater commanded so much power and respect.

When you are calling Barry Goldwater a liberal, you really need to check yourself.