Captain Ott?

[Theblip]

Captain Tom was undoubtedly a lovely brave old man who raised a record-breaking amount of money for the cash-strapped NHS, and was an inspiration and lifted the nation’s spirits during this pandemic. Last year he got a knighthood, Pride Of Britain Award, a hit record, a Piers Morgan Life Stories, etc. Since he died there’s been a special clap, Parliament stopped to honour him, GMB dedicated a whole show to him, there are calls for a hospital to be named after him, a statue to be erected, etc etc. But I am now going to put my head above the parapet fully expecting to be shot down in flames when I ask: isn’t it all a bit OTT? My arguments would be: He didn’t intend to raise more than £100 - the extraordinary donations were from other people. Plenty of people will have done tougher things to fundraise for the NHS, though may be not at such a grand age. Yes he fought for our country - so did countless others. He was adorable with an endearing turn of phrase, but so are many. The likes of Sean Connery, Des O’Connor, Bobby Ball and Maradonna who also died recently had far greater impacts on my life, yet their deaths didn’t get anything like this reaction. Okay, I’ve put my tin hat on. Fire away!

[Sqad]

danny......I haven't asked her.......didn't see its relevance.

Theland......that is fine.

[teacake44]

Out of sight, out of mind seems to be the present option that many wish to adopt for whatever reason. Apart from the money raised, the charity will continue for many years to come, who started it, Tom, who helped him raise far more than he set out to? the media and the people who contributed, without the media coverage it may well not have gone as far as it did, this is one time the media did some good.

Did he do well to plod back and forth at 100 years old, he sure did, I fear some 15/20yr old's may struggle to do it, especially when full of Mc Donald's. :0)

[Sqad]

Folks, admiration and impact are two completely different entities,the latter implying " life changing " and my attitude is exactly the same, in that why a 99 year old man walks 100 lengths at the back of his house, should affect or change my life.
I just don't understand.

[maggiebee]

Be a bit like Grenfell - tomorrow's chip paper.

[Sqad]

Have just asked Mrs sqad and she gave the same answer in that the feat of Capt Sir Tom has not affected or impacted on her life.

[Bobbisox1]

of cours it wont affect your life sqad or change it but the fact he did what did and why he did it, deserves admiration
(nice big back garden and house by the way ,0)

[teacake44]

And just to add to my above post, sadly there could also be a element of envy in his achievement.

[Sqad]

bobbi.....posters use the term "impact" which to me impies something more powerful and permanent.
Perhaps I am over emphasising the word "impact".

Yes it is a big house..-;)

[Sqad]

teacake....true ^^^

[Mamyalynne]

Late to this thread and to a point it's all been said.

Captain Tom was in no way the only person to embody the British spirit of helping others during this pandemic, there have been and still are others doing so tirelessly day after day.

What he became was a beacon, a representative of hope and light that he and all those others have brought during the dark times.


Where do you place a beacon? On high ground.

[Theland]

Like you all, he impressed me with his many understated qualities.
Impacted? No.
Others have done so.

[teacake44]

Yes Sqad, and some embarrassment too, I'm sure I heard he was on the battle field at the tender age of 18, 18 year olds have a job getting out of bed now, so any wealth he may have had or left, he surly earned it,

[Bobbisox1]

yes sqad, impact doesn't apply, I think more admiration

[Khandro]

sqad //Certainly Capt Sir Tom, whom I do admire, hasn't made any detectable impact on my life.//

Do you not see that statement is something of an oxymoron? Someone admired has surely impacted on your life.

[Sqad]

Admiration has never been questioned.

[Sqad]

Khandro.
I defined MY definition of impact in my post of 13.43.
But your point is well received.

[Theland]

Khandro - No. If we were impacted by everybody we admired we would be buffeted about like a pinball, being impacted, knocked and punched into a change of direction many times a day!!!
I'm feeling punch drunk just writing this :-)

[Theland]

''Good heavens what was that flew by?''

''It was Squad. Hes just been impacted again!''

[pastafreak]

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, impact means...

// a powerful effect that something, especially something new, has on a situation or person: //

That certainly seems to say that it can cause a change in behaviour, belief, career, etc. Admiring someone doesn't usually have such a strong effect.

[eve1974]

I agree with theland...
It seems OTT to me....

He was indeed an amazing man who did amazing things (during the war not just nhs recently)

and yes must be remembered ....

but a lot of this posthumous gesturing is just so joe public and / or politicians can be seen to be doing something headlineworthy