Anzac Day thoughts
So, I hear that some people are offended by this ad, running on Australian TV at the moment.
I'm kinda torn. On the one hand, I agree, somewhat, with the argument that it's a tasteless/tacky cash in on the spirit of the day. Certainly it's a mis-step, PR wise for the brand of beer that has it's logo appear at the end of the ad, small as it is. (I suspect it wasn't their idea though.) On the other hand, it's a small transgression, certainly compared to the pubs and clubs that will be open for business for dawn tomorrow morning. *That* really offends me.
On the gripping hand, having watched the full length version of the ad, and not having seen the no doubt shorter, TV edit of it, this does a really good job of capturing the spirit of Anzac Day for me. It's a day for remembering, honouring and, yes, mourning, all those who have lost their lives in all the conflicts, wars, 'police actions' and peacekeeping efforts that have cost Australians lives in the 100+ years we've had as a nation, formally or otherwise. And by extension, those fighting on the other sides of said conflicts, who gave their lives for a cause they truly believed in.
For me, at least, Anzac Day is about remembering and honouring those who believed so strongly in a cause that they lay down their lives for it. You don't have to agree with their, or any other side of, the conflict to respect their dedication and sacrifice. And truly, if you don't remember and examine, the past, then it will be repeated. Which would be a disrespectful waste of those sacrifices.
What I certainly don't agree with is the idea that the ad suggest that we should pity the people reminiscing in this clip. They should instead be respected for sharing their obviously painful memories.
If you've made it this far, you might want to check out this video for the Current Music in this post, and both the lyrics and the Wikipedia article on it.
I'm kinda torn. On the one hand, I agree, somewhat, with the argument that it's a tasteless/tacky cash in on the spirit of the day. Certainly it's a mis-step, PR wise for the brand of beer that has it's logo appear at the end of the ad, small as it is. (I suspect it wasn't their idea though.) On the other hand, it's a small transgression, certainly compared to the pubs and clubs that will be open for business for dawn tomorrow morning. *That* really offends me.
On the gripping hand, having watched the full length version of the ad, and not having seen the no doubt shorter, TV edit of it, this does a really good job of capturing the spirit of Anzac Day for me. It's a day for remembering, honouring and, yes, mourning, all those who have lost their lives in all the conflicts, wars, 'police actions' and peacekeeping efforts that have cost Australians lives in the 100+ years we've had as a nation, formally or otherwise. And by extension, those fighting on the other sides of said conflicts, who gave their lives for a cause they truly believed in.
For me, at least, Anzac Day is about remembering and honouring those who believed so strongly in a cause that they lay down their lives for it. You don't have to agree with their, or any other side of, the conflict to respect their dedication and sacrifice. And truly, if you don't remember and examine, the past, then it will be repeated. Which would be a disrespectful waste of those sacrifices.
What I certainly don't agree with is the idea that the ad suggest that we should pity the people reminiscing in this clip. They should instead be respected for sharing their obviously painful memories.
If you've made it this far, you might want to check out this video for the Current Music in this post, and both the lyrics and the Wikipedia article on it.