off topic

[cbd]

Hello all. this is off topic but would it be disrespectful to have clowns in a veterans day parade.Thanks

 

[John T]

If their purpose is low key to entertain the crowd, especially the kids (toss candy, make ballons etc) I personally wouldnt consider it disrespect, but if they make fun of or belittle veterans or detract from the parades main purpose and function (steal the show) in anyway then YESSSSSSSSS Id consider it disrespectful.

John T

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 04:24:39 05/04/12) Hello all. this is off topic but would it be disrespectful to have clowns in a veterans day parade.Thanks

Bring on the clowns.... Vets need a laugh too.... Just keep it respectful...
Of course, there will be folks (maybe even a vet or two) that will find offense if for no other purpose than ruin someone else's fun.....

 

[Anonymous-0]

Don"t think it would be appropriate.
The ambience would not be one of frivolity.

 

[Anonymous-0]

(quoted from post at 04:48:22 05/04/12) Don"t think it would be appropriate.
The ambience would not be one of frivolity.

That's just the Brit comin' out in ya..... :shock: A little laughing does a lot of healing........

 

[cbd]

no it would be low key one maybe two tossing candyto kids.my dad is a ww2 vet and I would not make
fun of or belittle these American Heros.Just for the kids.

 

[SweetFeet]

Just my opinion, as everyone is entitled to their own. I agree with Bendee - no clowns. Especially if you are referring to the upcoming Memorial Day (which to me is like a funeral renactment to honor those who served our country and gave their lives).

I guess if one absolutely could not resist having a clown present - then I would have it be a clown dressed in patriotic clothing and handing out small flags and candy...in a quiet and respectful manner.

Have family who served in military - grandfather (a deceased war veteran), great-uncles and uncles, a brother, three nephews (all of whom have served in Iraq or Afghanistan - some numerous times), and my son wants to go in the Marines. They all took/take it as a serious day of honor and remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice - though over time it has somehow come to include all deceased persons, military or not.

And it does not hurt kids to learn that sometimes it is appropriate to just be quiet and respectful even if they feel bored. Life is not all fun and games.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I think the days of the frivolity and innocence of clowns is kind of over. Too many criminals have used the mask and too many movies have depicted clowns as having sinister motives for their disguise.
Perhaps I'm just jaded but
I would not want to see clowns in a Vets Day parade.

 

[oldtanker]

Veterans Day parades are not the place for clowns IMO. It's a day ment to honor living veterans many who would feel insulted. I ran this past the members of both my VFW and Liegion post and only one guy said that clowns would be OK.

Rick (US Army ret)

 

[Goose]

I think it's a can of worms that would be better off avoided. Might be tried once, to see what the crowd's reaction is.

I recall a few years ago on my hometown's annual 4th of July parade, volunteer firemen on firetrucks from surrounding small towns thought it was hilarious to get half snockered and spray the crown along the parade route with water. Many complaints. Most in the crowd didn't want to be sprayed, some claimed digital cameras were ruined, etc.

Next year, the crowd was ready for the parade units with high pressure water guns. The firemen who thought it was great sport to spray the crowd soon found themselves being sprayed back with liquids that weren't exactly pure water. In fact, a lot of it smelled like cow and horse urine.

Since then, the parades have proceeded peacefully with no more spraying.

 

[rrlund]

No more so than letting politicians march and pass out their junk.

 

[Todd Hovick]

I don't agree with clowns, but as far as polititions, our local Assemblyman is the Master of Ceremonies this year, the State Senator is speaking the Words of Rememberance, and our US Congressman, a 24 year Army Veteran has been invited. No political information is handed out, the Senator personaly hands out candy and American flags, not throwing them. Town of Burlington, NY.

 

[rrlund]

That's fine if elected oficials are there for a ceremony. They should be. I just don't like it when in an election year,half the Memorial Day Parade in town is taken up by candidates running for everything from senator to moth inspector walking along with a dozen of their aids passing out flyers and candy. Then the two county party committees come along just pushing party politics. Very tacky and in my never to be humble opinion,disrespectful to those who gave their lives defending us. Not to get personal,but we had a one term representative who not only drove his campaign car in the parade,but he turned around and came back down along the side of the parade coming back the other way before it was over. Sleezy b@stard!!
If they want to do it in some generic parade like Old Fashioned Days,some,h#ll I don't know,potato parade or what have you,fine and dandy,but keep the politics out of it when we're honoring veterans or those who gave their lives.

 

[Tim Barnes]

I've nothing against clowns and feel it's kinda sad that Hollyweird has turned a character that's suppose to emulate everything fun in life, into a horror character. That said, as a veteran with time in a combat zone, Viet Nam. I don't think clowns belong in any function that's suppose to be in rememberance of those that gave that last full measure in service of our country. If you want clowns, then let them hand out small American flags to the kids that they can wave.

 

[Tony in Mass.]

Now I have a question. If you don't want clowns to march, but you invite politicians, how are you going to tell the difference? Color of the nose? nope. Size of shoes? nope. Fabric print on trousers? Possibly... but not always....

 

[Anonymous-0]

So does a Dog but you don't put it in the operating theatre.

 

[Todd Hovick]

One mistake we made was handing out American Flags which said "Made in China"...Lesson learned, now all say "Made in the USA"