Hey, Phillips - "celebrate" this

[MamaJunebug]

Photo of human remains at Titanic site.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/tita ... 05169.html

Shoot, I'm tearing up.

[Loveday]

I'm tearing up, too. And am at a total loss for words.

[Clementine]

It's just offensive beyond words to "celebrate" a tragedy.

I really hope that none of the descendants of the people who died will find out about the VF "party".

[DarkAnts]

Those photos should remind everyone that people died on that ship. The biggest reminder at the site are all of the shoes. They are one thing that the sea creatures will not eat.

If VF wanted to do something, why not have a memorial service?

Oh wait, that would show respect for all those who died. I doubt that VF can actually do that.

[Glass Cowcatcher]

How sad.

His party is just as tacky as if he were celebrating the death of 9/11 victims. More so because Titanic was purely accidental.

[Guest Anonymous]

How sad.

His party is just as tacky as if he were celebrating the death of 9/11 victims. More so because Titanic was purely accidental.

Give him time. He'll find a way to cash in on it, somehow.

DOUG PHILLIPS IS A TOOL.

[gustava]

Just to be clear: That photo is of clothing, which may or may not contain human remains. Regardless, celebration is not just tacky; it indicates complete insensitivity to those who died. For a very different way of remembering, look at the way Virginia Tech acknowledged the anniversary of those dreadful shootings. http://www.remembrance.vt.edu/2007/

[samurai_sarah]

It's just offensive beyond words to "celebrate" a tragedy.

I really hope that none of the descendants of the people who died will find out about the VF "party".

It makes me sick that Doug Phillips who is a tool "celebrates" such a tragedy. The city of Southampton, where lots of crew members hailed from, had a few commemorative events, because it touched so many lives there. One resident said:

"It's very sad, we should remember it with quiet reflection - it still hits a nerve with people in Southampton.

"We never want to to lose sight of the fact that it was a disaster when all these people died."

Full article about the impact the Titanic disaster had on Southampton: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17535757

[formergothardite]

Give him time. He'll find a way to cash in on it, somehow.

DOUG PHILLIPS IS A TOOL.

If he can figure out a way to do it so he can play dress up, then I know he will celebrate 9/11.

[chilsa]

A fancy local restaurant "celebrated" the anniversary of the Titanic sinking with a re-enactment of the last dinner served on the ship. For some outrageous amount, like $200, you could be served the same multi-course meal that the upper class passengers dined on before the ship went down. Attendees were also encouraged to dress in period-appropriate clothing. I found the event extremely distasteful and patronizing. What if some enterprising individual decided to re-enact the last breakfast rush of the Windows Over the World restaurant in the World Trade Center? Same difference, if you ask me.

[Sola]

Photo of human remains at Titanic site.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/tita ... 05169.html

Shoot, I'm tearing up.

I saw that yesterday and considered going to Dougie's facebook and linking to it. It is so sad to think there is nothing but that poor man's shoes and coat left.

DOUG PHILLIPS IS A TOOL!!

[Sola]

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories200 ... -2004b.jpg

Another one that looks like it could be remains from the way the boots are positioned. Dougie ought to be ashamed of himself.

[ladypuglover]

I was fine until the video of the cruise playing the violins at the pool. The boots made my heart strings tug thinking of some soul who died in such horrific way but seeing real living musicians play the same song... it made that last soul no longer an essence around mouldering boots but a living breathing person who lived his last moments in pain and terror. I am crying like a baby for him.

eta Doug Phillips is a heartless tool.

[MamaJunebug]

http://www.jcontheline.com/v2/dailydose/

At 4:40 (to 9:41) this aging radio shock jock comments on the Titanic reenactment (up-to-the-point-of-sinking) craze. In the last 3 minutes or so, he devolves into a commentary on baesball player Jose Canseco's theory on how why global warming would've saved the Titanic. That part is kind of pointless to me, but I have new respect for the jock for calling the reenactments like they are.

He actually had lots more to say about the gaiety on yesterday's broadcast. As luck would have it, I was unable to listen, but I would've loved to have called in to put him wise to Dougie & The Third Class Boys :evil:

Maybe he'd find their website intereseting, I dunno.

[Buzzard]

Dougie fancies himself a poet!

http://www.titanicsociety.com/readables ... t_poem.asp

I

The North Atlantic icefields are perilous and rough,

And only should be tested by those of sterner stuff;

They’re filled with fearful hazards for nautical machines —

Icebergs that look like mountains, with jagged peaks and mean.

But on this eve in 1912 a monarch of the sea

Traversed her waves with brazen strides amid a night of glee.

“Unsinkable!†they called her, yes unsinkable, their claim;

But pride, not strength, would give this ship a destiny of fame.

Near half a hundred thousand tons — the largest ship at sea!

A mighty maiden of the waves, in length: eight eighty-three.

A monument to science? No, a legacy of pride.

A testimonial to those who needlessly would die.

II

While children’s heads lay nestled warm and snug through midnight hours,

And husbands huddled next to wives asleep in love’s sweet powers,

In upper decks men smoked and sang and toasted with a drink,

Not knowing that the virgin ship would soon begin to sink.

First rang the bells, then came the cries, and last the dreaded panic,

And now all knew t’would be the end of R.M.S. Titanic.

But in that hour of foul despair and fear unmitigated

A manly Christian cry to all was quickly circulated:

“Women and children first,†they cried,

“Women and children first!

To save your souls you must give your lives,

Women and children first!â€

III

Amidst the tumult and the toil of lives then gripped with fear,

A holy calm prevailed on those whose hearts and minds were clear;

The cause was right, the mission pure, the path uncompromised;

The men must die that others live — the men must give their lives.

No greater love hath any man than that he lay down life

For family: for little ones, for dearest bride and wife.

What manly breast would shirk the call, or fail with any breath

To give his life for womankind, a sacrifice of death.

“Women and children first,†the cry,

“Women and children first!â€

Some must live while others die;

“Women and children first!â€

IV.

As water surged upon the decks and chaos reigned supreme,

The band played on sweet hymns to God, which quieted the screams.

Some raised their hands, or cried aloud, while others genuflected,

In fleeting hopes that dreams and lives might still be resurrected.

Across the deck a thousand scenes of lives held in the balance,

With prayers delivered unto God in heavenly reliance.

While stokers, stewards, officers and gentlemen en masse

All lifted women into boats without regard to class.

Women and children first — the law!

Women and children first.

The men would act — No fight. No flaw.

Women and children first.

V.

One faithful father searched the deck to find his family,

And rushing forward grabbed a girl near tossing into the sea.

But though this little golden hair was to the man a stranger,

He strapped to her his own life vest to save the babe from danger.

At last he saw the face he loved and pulled her from the throng,

Along with tender tiny ones who thought him bold and strong.

A little boy, a little girl — the world he held so dear,

Were waiting ignorant that time would bring their darkest fear.

Women and children first-praise God!

Women and children first.

This principle we ever laud!

Women and children first.

VI.

Five minutes he had to say goodbye, five minutes then all was lost,

But giving his life for the woman he loved was hardly a weighty cost.

“To the boats! To the boats, my darlings,†said he, “to the boats!†and his words did race,

Then low’ring them into those cradles of life, he paused ... just one more embrace.

And now he kissed those tender lips, and now he squeezed the hands,

And now he hugged and spoke the last of love and wedding bands.

“Be brave my love. Be brave my son. Be brave my little dears.

God’s ways are just, Christ rules above, and faith must hush our fears.

“Women and children first,†said he,

“Women and children first;

to be a man I must set you free.

Women and children first!â€

VII.

At last he said goodbye to eyes which longed for him and home,

At last he watched them pull away to safety through the foam,

In moments he would be submerged and ’neath the icy brine,

Content to know his sacrifice had given them more time.

Just yards away a mother gazed back at the sinking boat,

Her children bundled in her arms, warmed by their mother’s coat.

A prayer of hope upon her lips, a Bible in her hand,

A testament of love, of faith, and of her husband’s stand.

“Women and children first,†she wept.

“Women and children first,â€

Stroking the curls of the infant she’d kept,

“Women and children first.â€

VIII.

Into the liquid tomb he fell, moments from paradise,

With one last grasp he clawed the waves and caught his dear one’s eyes.

His frozen face, his numb-ed hands, his body stiff and cold —

An ocean legacy of heroism told.

Down through the depths Titanic sank, and into her watery grave,

Bound by such forces that God had decreed would render the hulk its slave.

Downward she plunged though the darkness so cold, taking no inventory

Of perishing hundreds who crowded her decks, bound for Hell or Glory.

For women and children first they died,

For women and children first;

They put their faith before their pride,

For women and children first.

Douglas W. Phillips

April 15, 1997

Titanic Men’s Memorial

Washington, D.C.

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION

FROM THE SECOND PRINTING OF

THE SINKING OF THE TITANIC

AND GREAT SEA DISASTERS

PUBLISHED BY THE VISION FORUM, INC.

Rhyme? Really? HOLY FUCK!

[formergothardite]

Oh God that was bad.

[FJismyheadship]

Doug Phillips is a tool.

Do we have a shirt in the store that says this?

[Buzzard]

Its seriously awful. The meter is wrong and inconsistent... the word choice is strained... IT FUCKING RHYMES...

[formergothardite]

I'm embarrassed for him it is so bad.

[Guest Anonymous]

Dougie fancies himself a poet!

http://www.titanicsociety.com/readables ... t_poem.asp

Rhyme? Really? HOLY FUCK!

Let me guess: He thought he was channeling Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and that he was writing a sequel to "The Wreck Of The Hesperus".

Before I forget, Dougie: You're a TOOL

[FJismyheadship]

My favorite is the first two lines... sterner stuff! LMAO!

What happened to the golden haired girl? All I saw was he strapped her to his life vest... and then what? Left her standing there? Ran through the crowd with a little girl strapped to his chest? (thats how I pictured it the first time)

And does he really think the band just stood there playing hymns while the ship sank, and that everyone stopped screaming and raised their hands in worship? REALLY!? I really hope heaven has a screen for Dougie to sit in front of and watch the titantic sink for real before he is judged...

[Buzzard]

AAAaand, if she was going in a boat she didnt need the life vest so he could have ensured the safety of the child (by putting in her in a boat) while saving another life...

[PennySycamore]

The Titanic was said to "unsinkable" until she sank. She was said to be almost unsinkable.

The band also did not play hymns. Harold Bride, an assistant radio operator, testified that he heard the band play "Autumn" which may have meant Autumn Dream. Colonel Gracie testifed that the band played cheerful music which corresponded with what the bandmaster of the Carpathia had said about how bands were to play music that would not panic people. Colonel Gracie also said that the "Nearer My God To Me" would have only reminded the passengers of their imminent deaths and would have been tactless. Btw, there is an English setting of "Nearer My God to Thee" and an American setting. The English setting resembles the song "Autumn Dream."

Oh, and that poem of Dougie's SUCKS!!

[formergothardite]

A manly Christian cry to all was quickly circulated:

“Women and children first,†they cried,

“Women and children first!

To save your souls you must give your lives,

Women and children first!â€

What Bible is Dougie reading?

[desertvixen]

The band also did not play hymns. Harold Bride, an assistant radio operator, testified that he heard the band play "Autumn" which may have meant Autumn Dream. Colonel Gracie testifed that the band played cheerful music which corresponded with what the bandmaster of the Carpathia had said about how bands were to play music that would not panic people. Colonel Gracie also said that the "Nearer My God To Me" would have only reminded the passengers of their imminent deaths and would have been tactless. Btw, there is an English setting of "Nearer My God to Thee" and an American setting. The English setting resembles the song "Autumn Dream."

Snopes has a section on this one : www.snopes.com/history/titanic/lastsong.asp

I think the summation they quote is probably the thing to take away from it:

Whatever the truth of the Titanic's "last song" legend, Eaton and Haas neatly sum up its significance:

One irrefutable fact, however, remains: the musicians stayed until all hope of rescue was gone. Who can say how many lives their efforts saved?

The final moments of how many were cheered or ennobled by their music?

'Songe d'Automne' or 'Autumn.' 'Horbury' or 'Bethany'. What difference?

The memory of the bandsmen and their courageous music will never die.

Those band members had more courage, dignity, and dedication in their little finger than Dougie could find in his whole body.