Comments on: I’m Reminded of the British Police by Valentine’s Day in the USA http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm Kansas City Irish Festivals, Music, Pubs, & Events by an Artist in Ireland Thu, 24 May 2012 10:29:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: emeraldbile [TweetBack] http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-322217 emeraldbile [TweetBack] Mon, 09 May 2011 10:40:13 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-322217 [via Twitter] that's fab Eolai and I totally agree.I can't bear all this "good choices" nonsense either and discussing children's options with them [via Twitter]

that’s fab Eolai and I totally agree.I can’t bear all this “good choices” nonsense either and discussing children’s options with them

]]> By: Catherine http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-313672 Catherine Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:51:02 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-313672 I think that maybe where our opinions diverge is in the idea of "dilut[ing] the impact of the day." To me, any mass holiday is necessarily extremely diluted because the very idea of it is generalized. Romantic love, respect for our mothers, thanksgiving, appropriate boundaries with the macabre (Halloween), collective bargaining (Labor Day), racial equality (MLK Jr. Day)--all of these things should be part of our regular lives. Having days that memorialize them can be fun, but I don't think there's anything particularly meaningful about the holidays themselves. Pretty much all U.S. holidays are childish (even or perhaps especially the religious ones). Partly it's because our culture does place a strong emphasis on childhood, and partly because it's a defined time to indoctrinate children into some of these values before they have the developed reasoning and, in some cases, opportunity to exercise them. (We indoctrinate our children by making them cut shapes out of construction paper. We spend so much time worrying about our oil supply, but not nearly enough worrying about our construction paper supply.) I think that maybe where our opinions diverge is in the idea of “dilut[ing] the impact of the day.” To me, any mass holiday is necessarily extremely diluted because the very idea of it is generalized.

Romantic love, respect for our mothers, thanksgiving, appropriate boundaries with the macabre (Halloween), collective bargaining (Labor Day), racial equality (MLK Jr. Day)–all of these things should be part of our regular lives. Having days that memorialize them can be fun, but I don’t think there’s anything particularly meaningful about the holidays themselves.

Pretty much all U.S. holidays are childish (even or perhaps especially the religious ones). Partly it’s because our culture does place a strong emphasis on childhood, and partly because it’s a defined time to indoctrinate children into some of these values before they have the developed reasoning and, in some cases, opportunity to exercise them. (We indoctrinate our children by making them cut shapes out of construction paper. We spend so much time worrying about our oil supply, but not nearly enough worrying about our construction paper supply.)

]]> By: Eolaí http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-313571 Eolaí Tue, 15 Feb 2011 20:34:06 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-313571 Catherine - thanks very much for your comment. I suppose the difference is that some people - including myself - believe the day to be a celebration of romantic love only, whereas you believe the holiday to be a celebration of love in general including friendship and familial love? While the narrower definition might seem curmudgeonly, to those who follow the narrower definition the extension of the celebration to all kinds of love dilutes the impact of the day and, well, it's probably kindest to say it causes confusing feelings. As far as I can tell, the practice of extending the celebration to kinds of love other than romantic, hasn't yet spread much - if at all - to other parts of th eworld. <a href="http://irishkc.com/today-is-mothers-day-in-ireland.htm" rel="nofollow">Mother's Day has a different origin in Ireland</a> (& Britain) to that of the similarly named day in the US. While there were attempts by anti-war feminists to establish a Mothers Day, they were unsuccessful and when Anna Jarvis persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to create "Mother's Day" she "was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, <em>for each family to honour their mother</em>, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world. Of course, it didn't take long for it to become the highly inappropriate commercial monster that most people now celebrate - just like Valentine's Day. Catherine - thanks very much for your comment.

I suppose the difference is that some people - including myself - believe the day to be a celebration of romantic love only, whereas you believe the holiday to be a celebration of love in general including friendship and familial love?

While the narrower definition might seem curmudgeonly, to those who follow the narrower definition the extension of the celebration to all kinds of love dilutes the impact of the day and, well, it’s probably kindest to say it causes confusing feelings.

As far as I can tell, the practice of extending the celebration to kinds of love other than romantic, hasn’t yet spread much - if at all - to other parts of th eworld.

Mother’s Day has a different origin in Ireland (& Britain) to that of the similarly named day in the US. While there were attempts by anti-war feminists to establish a Mothers Day, they were unsuccessful and when Anna Jarvis persuaded President Woodrow Wilson to create “Mother’s Day” she “was specific about the location of the apostrophe; it was to be a singular possessive, for each family to honour their mother, not a plural possessive commemorating all mothers in the world.

Of course, it didn’t take long for it to become the highly inappropriate commercial monster that most people now celebrate - just like Valentine’s Day.

]]> By: Catherine http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-313483 Catherine Mon, 14 Feb 2011 22:29:03 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-313483 I'm from the U.S. and have always lived here. So I totally agree that Valentine's Day is a children's holiday--for the very reason that it is "for everybody." Because when you are old enough to have actual romantic relationships (of the kind that last more than a week and involve more than giggling and passing notes), you have <em>specific</em> special days to celebrate. Why would you need Valentine's Day to celebrate a specific relationship? I know many people don't see it that way. But for me, I just fondly remember valentine gifts my mom gave us when we were children. Mother's Day, by the way, <em>began</em> not as a way to celebrate one's own specific mother, but as a feminist anti-war effort. It was about mothers leveraging their position en masse. I’m from the U.S. and have always lived here. So I totally agree that Valentine’s Day is a children’s holiday–for the very reason that it is “for everybody.” Because when you are old enough to have actual romantic relationships (of the kind that last more than a week and involve more than giggling and passing notes), you have specific special days to celebrate. Why would you need Valentine’s Day to celebrate a specific relationship? I know many people don’t see it that way. But for me, I just fondly remember valentine gifts my mom gave us when we were children.

Mother’s Day, by the way, began not as a way to celebrate one’s own specific mother, but as a feminist anti-war effort. It was about mothers leveraging their position en masse.

]]> By: eddiej [TweetBack] http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-312292 eddiej [TweetBack] Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:15:31 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-312292 [via Twitter] enjoyed reading that, cheers :-) [via Twitter]

enjoyed reading that, cheers :-)

]]> By: EE [TweetBack] http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-295816 EE [TweetBack] Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:07:57 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-295816 [via Twitter] I hadn't read that one before. Another good read. I always get picked out at airports. Think it's because I'm naturally, eh, nervy. [via Twitter]

I hadn’t read that one before. Another good read. I always get picked out at airports. Think it’s because I’m naturally, eh, nervy.

]]> By: [ Irish KC ] Using Cannabilism Instead of Hallmark for a Special St Valentine’s Day http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-91458 [ Irish KC ] Using Cannabilism Instead of Hallmark for a Special St Valentine’s Day Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:04:44 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-91458 [...] Read More Cheery Stuff About V-Day:   • Valentine’s Day in the USA Reminds Me of the British Police [...] […] Read More Cheery Stuff About V-Day:   • Valentine’s Day in the USA Reminds Me of the British Police […]

]]> By: eolai http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-33463 eolai Thu, 01 Mar 2007 03:51:05 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-33463 Cynde, are you using God instead of search engines to explore the web? Cynde, are you using God instead of search engines to explore the web?

]]> By: Cynde http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-33434 Cynde Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:25:08 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-33434 I thank you and God that I found this outstanding blog/website. This post was "lovely". Keep it up, loser? I thank you and God that I found this outstanding blog/website. This post was “lovely”. Keep it up, loser?

]]> By: eolai http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32281 eolai Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:52:32 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32281 Thanks people. And Kevin you're right. The reason I failed my degree, and then went on to fail professional accounting exams, was to give meaning to the degrees and professional qualifications of my peers. Though I guess it does mean I'm not their peer any more. Thanks people.

And Kevin you’re right. The reason I failed my degree, and then went on to fail professional accounting exams, was to give meaning to the degrees and professional qualifications of my peers. Though I guess it does mean I’m not their peer any more.

]]> By: Kevin Kiley http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32272 Kevin Kiley Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:23:03 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32272 Really great one, Eolai!... thanks for that! Looks like a tent in the living room and 3 dodgy electric heaters can lead to inspiration! Reminds me an old, famous Ozark "Wisecrack". One of the "Stranger asks local fella a question" variety. Imagine "Arkansas Traveller" being vamped in the background ( Dum-de-do-da dum-dee, dum, dum, dee... ) Stranger ridin' in his horse towards town stops to talk to an old feller who lives on the side of the road just outside the town limits. "Say old feller... how come you lives right here and you don't just move on up the road into town?" Old feller says... "Well sakes amighty, that's easy... I'm doin' them po folk a favor... Imagine how miserable they'd all be if I wasn't out here for them to look down on." ( Snare drum rim shot - Ba-dum... TISH! ) “When you highlight everything, you highlight nothing” You betcha. RANT: That's what wrong the American education system at this point as well. A College degree used to mean something. Heck... a High School Diploma actually used to mean something. That's because it was always assumed that somehow, someway, the process of obtaining the piece of paper meant someone had survived a natural process were there were, in fact, winners and losers, suvivors and bailouts. Now... it's actually ILLEGAL to "Hold someone back" in the American school system. Doesn't matter what you do... or what you learn ( or not )... or what you achieve... you can glide right along to the piece of paper right along with everyone because God forbid someone might get to pass judgement on you and/or label you "a loser" and drop you out of the process. Hence... the final end-game doesn't mean anything anymore. It's just a generic stamp for time spent and doesn't assure that anyone knows one darn thing about anything. The townies are all miserable because there's no one living across the railroad tracks they can look down on anymore. ROFL. Everybody's a "winner". Brilliant. Keep 'em comin'... Eolai! Yours Kevin Kiley Really great one, Eolai!… thanks for that!
Looks like a tent in the living room and 3 dodgy
electric heaters can lead to inspiration!
Reminds me an old, famous Ozark “Wisecrack”.
One of the “Stranger asks local fella a question”
variety.
Imagine “Arkansas Traveller” being vamped
in the background ( Dum-de-do-da dum-dee,
dum, dum, dee… )
Stranger ridin’ in his horse towards town stops
to talk to an old feller who lives on the side of
the road just outside the town limits.
“Say old feller… how come you lives right here
and you don’t just move on up the road into town?”
Old feller says…
“Well sakes amighty, that’s easy… I’m doin’ them
po folk a favor… Imagine how miserable they’d
all be if I wasn’t out here for them to look down on.”
( Snare drum rim shot - Ba-dum… TISH! )
“When you highlight everything, you highlight nothing”
You betcha.
RANT: That’s what wrong the American education
system at this point as well. A College degree used
to mean something. Heck… a High School Diploma
actually used to mean something. That’s because it
was always assumed that somehow, someway, the
process of obtaining the piece of paper meant someone
had survived a natural process were there were, in
fact, winners and losers, suvivors and bailouts.
Now… it’s actually ILLEGAL to “Hold someone back”
in the American school system. Doesn’t matter what
you do… or what you learn ( or not )… or what you
achieve… you can glide right along to the piece of
paper right along with everyone because God forbid
someone might get to pass judgement on you
and/or label you “a loser” and drop you out of the
process.

Hence… the final end-game doesn’t mean anything
anymore. It’s just a generic stamp for time spent and
doesn’t assure that anyone knows one darn thing about
anything.

The townies are all miserable because there’s
no one living across the railroad tracks they can look
down on anymore.

ROFL.

Everybody’s a “winner”.
Brilliant.
Keep ‘em comin’… Eolai!
Yours
Kevin Kiley

]]> By: kav http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32253 kav Thu, 15 Feb 2007 15:31:49 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32253 Only echoing Sweary, but that was a really well-written one Eolaí. Beautifully put together. Only echoing Sweary, but that was a really well-written one Eolaí. Beautifully put together.

]]> By: Bock the Robber http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32246 Bock the Robber Thu, 15 Feb 2007 14:14:50 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32246 How very true. And what a day of terror it is for so many men in case they got part of it wrong. Happy Landmine Day. How very true. And what a day of terror it is for so many men in case they got part of it wrong.

Happy Landmine Day.

]]> By: Primal Sneeze http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32245 Primal Sneeze Thu, 15 Feb 2007 13:48:36 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32245 A magical marathon, my man! (I'm in an M humour today). One of your best posts yet. A magical marathon, my man! (I’m in an M humour today). One of your best posts yet.

]]> By: The Swearing Lady http://irishkc.com/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32242 The Swearing Lady Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:13:43 +0000 http://irishkc.com/index.php/im-reminded-of-the-british-police-by-valentines-day-in-the-usa.htm#comment-32242 Ah, I love a pint of bitter with my lunchtime blog reads. That was a brilliant, brilliant post. Ah, I love a pint of bitter with my lunchtime blog reads.

That was a brilliant, brilliant post.

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