Christmas tree jolly minor whinge

[DoctorStrangelove]

Someone was complaining about Israel bombing Gaza said it was as bad as the UK bombing Dresden. Pretty sure Adolf would have moved on to the Arabs as soon as he had eliminated the Jews. How are people so feckin stupid or blind?

Other than being best buddies with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem of course.

[NotAllThere]

We have had an extremely short period of time when most of the world has been at relative peace. It's 75 years for Europe out of numerous millenia. I think it's easy to fall into a false sense of complacency.

Deaths through war from 1400, per 100'000 population. https://www3.nd.edu/~dhoward1/Rates%...20in%20War.pdf

Peaks and troughs, but seems to fluctuate around the same centre.

[JustKeepSwimming]

Yeah I guess you're right. It probably is worth the expense. We have had a long period of time where the world has mostly been at peace - long may it continue

We have had an extremely short period of time when most of the world has been at relative peace. It's 75 years for Europe out of numerous millenia. I think it's easy to fall into a false sense of complacency.

There is always the argument that cutting a tradition will save money. Why do we spend so much money preserving old buildings? Cheaper to just knock them down and build something modern. Why do we spend money on the state opening of Parliament with all the pomp and ceremony, like slamming the door in the Black Rod's face (acting as emissary of the King). We do it because traditions are pretty crucial to people's sense of belonging to a community/society, and really human progress is built on that sense of belonging.

As an aside, I think it's fair to question financials involved if councillors are travelling over. AFAIK we don't pay Norway anything for their gift, it's a gift from them to us and they cover shipping expenses. Councillors do travel abroad to other cities on fact finding sort of missions, which is fair. If we are paying for a mayor to go over to take a single photo for her election leaflet and then come back then that's iffy. Whereas I wouldn't have an issue if we covered the cost of hosting Norwegian dignitaries to the turning on of the lights.

[GJABS]

We are all aware that exchanging of gifts is a well established part of international diplomacy?

Once a year a filthy rich country sends a tree to another country in gratitude for liberating them from the Nazis. Every year it sparks numerous news articles explaining the history of the tradition.

WW2 was the turning point for peace in Europe under democratic principles, any tradition between countries, such as dutch tulips to Canada, shouldnt just be thrown away.

Right bunch of miserable gits.

Yeah I guess you're right. It probably is worth the expense. We have had a long period of time where the world has mostly been at peace - long may it continue

[vetran]

Someone was complaining about Israel bombing Gaza said it was as bad as the UK bombing Dresden. Pretty sure Adolf would have moved on to the Arabs as soon as he had eliminated the Jews. How are people so feckin stupid or blind?

[JustKeepSwimming]

We are all aware that exchanging of gifts is a well established part of international diplomacy?

Once a year a filthy rich country sends a tree to another country in gratitude for liberating them from the Nazis. Every year it sparks numerous news articles explaining the history of the tradition.

WW2 was the turning point for peace in Europe under democratic principles, any tradition between countries, such as dutch tulips to Canada, shouldnt just be thrown away.

Right bunch of miserable gits.

[SueEllen]

Yh maybe the cost is not much. Well a biz class flight for the lady + nice hotel. Bah humbug and happy Christmas

A bit of advertising for Norway?

She probably has to sign a release saying she would take part in publicity in exchange for the trip.

[Zigenare]

You'd think they'd have gotten over it by know wouldn't you.

I said that about members of a certain religion - didn't go down well.

Back to the tree - I remember in the good old days the Xmas tree for Trafalgar Square always used to get a mention on Blue Peter.

[GJABS]

I wonder how long they'll keep sending a tree to the UK. It's a nice gesture, but does it need to go on forever? When it gets to 100 years after the war ended, maybe that will be the right time to bring the tradition to a close? On the other hand, the cost is minimal, and it might be worthwhile as a goodwill gesture.

Yh maybe the cost is not much. Well a biz class flight for the lady + nice hotel. Bah humbug and happy Christmas

[hobnob]

You'd think they'd have gotten over it by know wouldn't you.

I wonder how long they'll keep sending a tree to the UK. It's a nice gesture, but does it need to go on forever? When it gets to 100 years after the war ended, maybe that will be the right time to bring the tradition to a close? On the other hand, the cost is minimal, and it might be worthwhile as a goodwill gesture.

[northernladuk]

It's a gift from Norway, showing their gratitude for the defeat of the Nazis. They didn't enjoy being occupied, which is why they don't send one to Berlin

You'd think they'd have gotten over it by know wouldn't you.

[NickFitz]

Seems a bit inappropriate to send someone 700 miles to Norway just to symbolically cut down a tree. Is bad enough they have to cart it all the way back to London - but at least Trafalgar square gets a nice tree on it for a month or two.
Presumably it is the hard-working London council taxpayers who have to fund it..

It's a gift from Norway, showing their gratitude for the defeat of the Nazis. They didn't enjoy being occupied, which is why they don't send one to Berlin

[DoctorStrangelove]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67520722

At least the Norwegians like to say thank you for some of what we did in WWII.

[GJABS]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67520722



Seems a bit inappropriate to send someone 700 miles to Norway just to symbolically cut down a tree. Is bad enough they have to cart it all the way back to London - but at least Trafalgar square gets a nice tree on it for a month or two.
Presumably it is the hard-working London council taxpayers who have to fund it..