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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think that Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree is the perfect tree for this year?

11 replies

thecranberries · 03/12/2021 16:41

Read the following story and was utterly dismayed by the negative comments used by the newspaper. apple.news/Azz8t6GNHSi6SJ7Ab4jRv_w

To my mind it is the perfect Christmas Tree for this year. COP 26 was a failure and we are definitely doomed to horrific experiences because of climate change - mainly affecting people in parts of the world who will suffer more because of the 'developed' world's grotesque selfish focus on consumerism. (And yes, I could add so much more here....)

The tree, an actual present from Norway, is patchy and slightly weak looking, but this is the result of the awful damage we as humans have forced upon the environment. Trees are healthy when they do not have to battle the pollution we are soaking them with - soil, air and water. We should all take a moment to ponder, understand context and use this as motivation to spur on our active reduction of Co2 emissions.

Yet, there are comments from stupid people such as it isn't 'Christmassy...' WTF!

AIBU to think that anyone who doesn't understand climate change is the result of humans abusing the planet, should really not be allowed to voice their ignorant opinions in public? (Half joking....)

OP posts:
CoffeeWithCheese · 03/12/2021 16:47

The way this year has been - a giant tinsel clad dog turd would be appropriate.

Soubriquet · 03/12/2021 16:48

My local town tree is better than this!

I think it’s a very disappointing tree

HunterGatherer · 03/12/2021 17:16

It's a free present from a country that gives it in the spirit of friendship. We should accept it with grace.
How embarrassing to complain.

NigellaSeed · 03/12/2021 17:26

This tree was 50 years old and cut down in its prime for people to moan about. Humans are the worst

RunRunGingerbreadMan · 03/12/2021 17:28

I think it's lovely, I wish people would stop being mean about it, I feel as though it could hurt its feelings. I love trees.

RoseAndRose · 03/12/2021 17:29

The lights were really disappointing

Forion · 03/12/2021 17:33

I think it's a shame that a 50 year old tree is cut down and used like this for a few weeks then discarded, turned into mulch or whatever. Makes me sad to think of it.

limitedperiodonly · 03/12/2021 20:42

Thanks for that link @thecranberries. I'm going to send it to a miserable bastard on facebook who said this year's tree was deliberately sabotaged by anti-Brexiteers. I asked him to explain but didn't get anywhere. To be honest I didn't expect to.

It is a bit raggedy but as the tree expert in the piece says, Norway does well every year to choose one for us and people should stop bloody whingeing and remember that it is a beautiful gesture of lasting friendship between our two nations to mark struggle and sacrifice.

I'm going to see it tomorrow. It's very special to me because my dad was one of the first British soldiers sent in 1940 to help the Norwegians fight the Nazi invaders. He and the other soldiers in the first wave were remembered and awarded a beautiful certificate at the end of the war in 1945 from the Norwegian Crown Prince Olaf to thank them. My brother has it now.

P.S. @Forion don't be too sad. Norway cuts a lot of trees down. They've got billions of them because forestry is one of their biggest industries and a sustainable and green one too. At least this one will be covered in twinkly lights so we can all remember what it represents. Then it will be composted or whatever else it is they do with trees.

limitedperiodonly · 03/12/2021 20:44

Also tomorrow is the 31st anniversary of my dad's death so it would be nice to see his tree.

SilverGlassHare · 03/12/2021 20:52

@limitedperiodonly that’s a lovely story, and you’re right - it’s a wonderful gesture of friendship from Norway. Now we’ve left the EU we need all the friends we’ve got.

Original poster
thecranberries · 03/12/2021 20:52

@limitedperiodonly

Thanks for that link *@thecranberries*. I'm going to send it to a miserable bastard on facebook who said this year's tree was deliberately sabotaged by anti-Brexiteers. I asked him to explain but didn't get anywhere. To be honest I didn't expect to.

It is a bit raggedy but as the tree expert in the piece says, Norway does well every year to choose one for us and people should stop bloody whingeing and remember that it is a beautiful gesture of lasting friendship between our two nations to mark struggle and sacrifice.

I'm going to see it tomorrow. It's very special to me because my dad was one of the first British soldiers sent in 1940 to help the Norwegians fight the Nazi invaders. He and the other soldiers in the first wave were remembered and awarded a beautiful certificate at the end of the war in 1945 from the Norwegian Crown Prince Olaf to thank them. My brother has it now.

P.S. @Forion don't be too sad. Norway cuts a lot of trees down. They've got billions of them because forestry is one of their biggest industries and a sustainable and green one too. At least this one will be covered in twinkly lights so we can all remember what it represents. Then it will be composted or whatever else it is they do with trees.

Thank you for sharing such a poignant memory and family history.

Context and history are so important when thinking and especially speaking out loud about any issue. And for people to be so snide, selfish and ignorant when commenting on, what is a lovely present, so evocative of its time, as the earth is sadly dying, is unfortunately a reflection of the 'deplorables' we have to exist with.

Enjoy your day out.

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