Where in the world have our manners and sense of decorum gone?!
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
January 13, 2011 8:14am CST
This is about the memorial service last night for the victims of that loonie in Arizona.
The president did a wonderful job of eulogizing the victims, in my opinion. He did throw in a few political references but they were pertinent to the subject and he didn't make it partisan. Mrs. Obama and others were understandably moved by his words and he did NOT use a teleprompter--that was very respectful of him and I appreciated it.
What disturbed me is the behavior of the audience. There were cheers, applause, whistling and standing ovations. When I was growing up we sat quietly at a memorial out of respect for the dead and the survivors. We were respectful and dignified, as befits someone who was loved and has left us.
What is wrong with these people?! Do you see anything wrong with this? It was more like a rally than a memorial. The audience was very disrespectful and it was disturbing for me to watch. Their behavior robbed the president's tribute of the dignity and decorum that he and the deceased deserved.
Did you watch it? If so, what are your thoughts?
4 people like this
7 responses
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
13 Jan 11
hi dragon while I understand where you are coming form perhaps the reaction of the crowd was in appreciation of President Obamas speech but I agree that that they should show respect so cheers and whistling would not be appropiate but a silent standing ovations should not be thought of as unmannerly at all. The people were not ina chruch were they?I guess I am a bit at odds over what seems un mannerly. I mean this was the president of t he US and many had probably not ever seen him in person. I think the cheering and whistling were in poor taste but my /God a s standing ovation sure ly thats acceptable. this is 2010 not 1900 after all. and we a re Americans and we are proud of our country.I fail to see what is wrong with applause as maybe they were telling our President we are behind you,. sorry to be antsy this morning as am a bit under the weather.We must remember what we were taught as youngsters a lot of people do not teach now days.So I would not have liked the whistling and cheers but think a silent standing ovation is most respectful.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
I like your idea of a silent standing ovation.
Manners and respect never go out of style and I think that the ones we were raised with should be observed. The deceased were treated with disrespect, as was the president. He tried at first to shush them then gave up, he did not like their behavior. At least he showed that he had manners even though the "mourners" did not. I think if he ever does anything like this again, he will probably ask for a closed ceremony with no casual attendees and speak to the rude, hysterical public beforehand. He really earned my respect last night, although I still don't agree with 99% of his ideas and actions.
I hope you feel better soon! Maybe all the rain brought some nasty germs or viruses to your little corner of California.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
13 Jan 11
OMG...I'm glad I'm NOT the ONLY one disturbed by the behavior of the crowd!!! When I first heard that our President was going to be there, my first thoughts were "BIG mistake!!!" I can understand WHY he felt the need to be there, but I also knew it would be an unnecessary distraction!!! There were 27,000 people there which would create enough noise to overshadow the event (even if they were trying to be quiet). Then when NOBODY tried to be quiet, it really created an EXTREMELY disrespectful atmosphere!!! I wept as I watched mainly because of the distraction & disrespect of the crowd. 
The other place that I have seen similar disrespect is in our churches. When I was growing up, we ALL sat quietly & respectfully. Anyone who chose to enhance the service with song, did so out of respect. Now days if somebody sings, the congregation feels the need to applaud. I don't think we should be acknowledging the performer in such a way. I feel that a simple handshake & acknowledgment after the service should be sufficient!!! It also bothers me that the churches feel the need to pay performers to come in & charm the crowd rather than use the local talent they have who can touch the congregation!!!!
Sorry, I got off topic there. Now back to last night. I found by the end of the "Memorial" Service that I was wishing that the Angels had shown up to protect the family from the crowd!!! 
The other place that I have seen similar disrespect is in our churches. When I was growing up, we ALL sat quietly & respectfully. Anyone who chose to enhance the service with song, did so out of respect. Now days if somebody sings, the congregation feels the need to applaud. I don't think we should be acknowledging the performer in such a way. I feel that a simple handshake & acknowledgment after the service should be sufficient!!! It also bothers me that the churches feel the need to pay performers to come in & charm the crowd rather than use the local talent they have who can touch the congregation!!!!
Sorry, I got off topic there. Now back to last night. I found by the end of the "Memorial" Service that I was wishing that the Angels had shown up to protect the family from the crowd!!! @dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
I agree with you about performing in church. It is a performance to glorify the Lord, not the performer, and applause is inappropriate. Most performers do NOT expect such accolades.
I tuned in just to watch the president and didn't watch any more of the service. I would not have watched it after the speech anyway, I was so disgusted by the animalistic behavior of the crowd. Total disrespect to those who have passed and they should be ashamed of themselves.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
13 Jan 11
To add insult to injury, after the President spoke, the station I was on switched back to regular programming totally ignoring the memorial service they were supposedly memorializing!!! 
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Then they should have accorded him the same respect that they should have given the deceased. I'm ashamed that the people of our country have so little respect for themselves or anyone else in their hero worship.
@koalatbs (2229)
• United States
13 Jan 11
I didn't watch it but I am going to try to find it on the internet so I can watch it. I did hear that his speech was very good. I agree with you though. Cheering and whistling, etc. are not appropriate for that sort of venue. Very disrespectful, I agree. I just don't understand some people anymore.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
I usually skip Obama's speeches because of the darned teleprompter that makes him look like a wind up doll and because they are so insincere. I guess that's because they are political speeches. But he really shone with this one and he made it very personal and heartfelt. He moved a lot of people, Michele was wiping tears from her eyes in the front row, and I believe he meant every elegant word and phrase in the speech. It was truly a wonderful eulogy!
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Jan 11
his care made me feel a bit better about him. i even thought he got a bit embarrassed about it all himself. yes, i dont know what the heck was with those rude a$$ people.
that didnt even show any courtesy for the president the way he had to keep stopping with what he was saying. 1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Maybe his staff will think twice about holding solemn occasions in stadiums--it wasn't his fault, his staff makes these decisions. Yes, I feel a bit better about him now, too. I still don't agree with him or like what he is doing but I think that speech was a high point in his presidency and I gained some respect for him last night.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
13 Jan 11
Hiya dragon,
I did not see the Memorial Service even on the News here. But after having read all that I think that is in very bad taste to behave in such a way at that kind of Service that´s meant to be to respect the departed.
I have seen this kind of behaviour here too but it is not general it´s just the odd ones that go out to make trouble wherever they can and whenever.
Sorry to see that it turned out so badly then.
At least for me they will be respected even though I did not attend it or watch it.
The departed always should be shown a very deep respect no matter what.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Although the audience destroyed any sense of reverence in the service, the president was respectful and solemn and it was the most heartfelt speech I've ever seen him make. I was proud of him. I don't agree with 99% of his ideas or actions but I was proud of him last night.
1 person likes this
@concept001 (430)
• India
13 Jan 11
I always thought about this when I am free. The world is becoming manner less. We are lacking all the primary behaviors and manners. Now a days most of the people want to find pleasure even in some very crucial situations. I ahve often faced this and wondered how the people they behave like this.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Jan 11
I think we really need to concentrate on raising our children with manners. The last two generations have been raised with no manners or sense of good behavior and we need to correct this.
