FFS if you want to commemorate something don't be a dick and release HELIUM flipping BALLOONS!

[flashbac]

No matter how sad the occasion is or how tragic the story. Releasing helium balloons into the atmosphere is a really dickish thing to do.

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@Outlyingtrout calm down, it’s ok to have different opinions. I’m not perfect but at least I recognise that and don’t try to humiliate grieving families[/quote]
I'm perfectly calm. Nice try though, if a little misogynistic.

Nobody is humiliating grieving families. These things are largely organised by communities anyway.

You have also expressed on this same thread that you think balloon releases should be banned. I'm not sure why you think you're so special that you can voice that opinion but nobody else can.

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@VikingOnTheFridge threads like this are intended to upset people. I’m sure there are many people who have done such a thing reading this thread.[/quote]
And if it stops one person from doing it in the future then it’s worthwhile.

People can’t change what they have done in the past but they can make better decisions in future.

Most of the people releasing the balloons for Arthur and Ava didn't even personally know those children. There are lots of better ways to mark a memorial.

The comparison with driving is just silly. No one needs to release a load of balloons ino the sky.

The other thing that pissses me off at the moment are those massive 'balloon arches' at parties, christenings, weddings etc. So unnecessary and wasteful.

YANBU

I agree they should be banned. There are much better things that could be done commemoratively - tree planting, for example.

I'll just add that I don't drive or have DC!

@secretllama

Agree... or those Chinese lanterns! The worst part is the person is grieving so you don't want to be seen as a dick telling them at that point. But I can't believe people still do this.

This. It is the same as throwing loads of plastic litter into the ground, just a bizarre thing to do.

@Sirzy I don’t think this thread will stop people from releasing balloons I think they do need to be banned to stop people doing that sadly.

@Shade17

It’s no different to chucking a McDonald’s bag of the car window. Completely unacceptable.

It really isn't. Whilst unsightly a paperbag will degrade and disappear in pool of mush. It won't block an animal's air way and it doesn't have a string that can wind round an animal's neck and possibly strangle it. Chinese lanterns may be made of paper but have a wire metal infrastructure which can perforate skin. They also are an open flame which can set all sorts of things on fire.

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@VikingOnTheFridge threads like this are intended to upset people. I’m sure there are many people who have done such a thing reading this thread.[/quote]
If you read the OPs second post, it's pretty clear that wasn't her intent at all. No need to ascribe negative motives to people.

Lol right @DoucheCanoe. Busted.

We are currently in mourning for a loved one who died horribly. It would no more occur to me to release balloons for him (something I know to be harmful) than to commit any other act of destruction. His death and our grief don't give us carte blanche to do more harm.

We may as well say grieving families have the right to kick a hedgehog or burn down woodland or punch Piers Morgan.

I could only sanction one of those acts.

[quote Fet2021duejuly2022]@VikingOnTheFridge threads like this are intended to upset people. I’m sure there are many people who have done such a thing reading this thread.[/quote]
You've invented the part about the threads being intended to upset them, and they don't have a right not to be told that their decision endangers animals.

And by having difficult conversations it’s the only way a ban is likely to be achieved.

Mrsjayy yes absolutely someone should

@ArsenicNLace I’ve heard of Chinese lanterns killing owls

@Sirzy yeah you’re right

Part of the grieving family in this case killed him or were in prison

it smacks of virtue signalling no-one (apart from his nan and uncle) noticed when he was alive now he isnt suddenly all these strangers care where were they? No-one reports child abuse anymore lessons are never learned and releasing a bunch of balloons means absolutely NOTHING unless people and procedures change

Yanbu. You can grieve without destroying the environment!

@Sirzy

And by having difficult conversations it’s the only way a ban is likely to be achieved.

Yes, the reality is that people need to be told why they shouldn't do it. We need to get past the idea that there's anything wrong in explaining to bereaved people that their loss doesn't mean they have carte blanche to painfully kill horses.

O don't think a ban would stop people either... because Councils and Police wouldn't want the negative press associated with trying to enforce it.

You would have o ban the sell of ALL balloons.

@TuftyMarmoset agreed. We can also take our children to school, get to work etc without driving a car.

i dont spose those who released the balloons knew about the dangers

YANBU. They should be outlawed. Them and those flame filled flying lanterns. (Pictured...)

One landed on my neighbour's dog last summer when he was lying in the garden. The flame had gone out, but it scared the living shit out of the poor thing. And THEY are bad for the environment too, and dangerous for wildlife/animals.

yabu for your insensitive post imo

@Fet2021duejuly2022 not sure what point you are making. I don’t have a car myself but some people do need them to get around eg living remotely. There are few things in the world more frivolous than a balloon, literally no one in the world needs them.

Not everyone is able bodied, not everyone has the time, not everyone has access to public transport so cars can be a necessity.

There is literally no benefit or point to a balloon release.

I've had to refuse several balloon releases that well meaning people wish to arrange in my children's memories over the years.

I don't want their short lives to be commemorated by killing animals and polluting. What kind of legacy would that be?

My children and I write messages to them in the sand and then they get swept to sea, or we pick the 2 brightest stars in the sky and talk to them.

I don't want their time on this earth to be marked with pain and suffering, I want it to be marked with nothing but love.