Good for you Charles, stopping to assist. I do not find it strange that a fellow serviceman was the only other person to stop. As a retired police officer I have often found myself at scenes whereupon another fellow retiree is the only other person who helps out. It’s in our DNA I think, when we see someone who needs protection and help. The reasons for this poor mans injuries are complicated, as you point out, but having been at the bottom, so to speak, after 30 years of ‘events’ in NI, I get how this may have seemed the only answer to him.
A pertinent piece, well written, explaining our society and overlords succinctly.
Thanks for taking the time to write about it and share your experience.
Thanks very much, Bill. As you say, impossible to know what might have led up to this being seen as the only course of action. One can only hope that surviving this might bring about a change of fortune. Charles
I've known a few ex services guys and the majority are simply those that take action and detest BS. Not sure if it's the training or the personalities that sign-up. But hearts seem to be in the right place - I admire that.
It's a very good point you make, Ian, and one that I had meant to include in the piece. I do believe that it is the existing personality which provides the aptitude for the role, rather than people being trained into a particular frame of mind. Charles
It is with profound chagrin that I find myself thinking that I probably wouldn't have stopped.
Not for lack of compassion, or a desire to help, to do the right thing. Not for lack of training, either. Granted, I don't have any relevant skills, but this is feeble excuse. I could, in theory, have done something, even if it was just making sure there was an ambulance coming.
No. The real reason that I, and almost everyone else, doesn't stop to help in any given situation is that we're not supposed to. Unless it's our job, our fully documented obligation, we're actively discouraged from getting involved.
It strikes me as no small irony that the supposed rigid discipline and strict hierarchical structures of the military and emergency services are only callings which don't actively stifle our basic initiative.
Thank you, Steve, for tremendous candidness. I think you make an extremely perceptive point about the discouragement from taking any sort of action.
As you say, on one level, it does seem at odds with the discipline and hierarchy, though I think the mantra which is carried through the service of so many people is, come what may, "just get it done". This encourages the use of instinct and intuition, which is a much bigger battle these days, thanks to the absurd encroachment of health and safety, and the rest of it. Charles
thank you charles for raising awareness of why only some of us stop to help.
sadly there has always been the “bystander apathy” condition in society but it does seem more prevalent now …..
i dont think the help response is about being trained to though…. i think its a much deeper intuition kicking in from the right brain which connects with things that are sacred ….including life and human connection. sadly many people have had their left brains so well programmed now they are losing connection with their sense of what it truly is to be human - and the sanctity of life.
huge respect to you and we must never giveup hope….
God bless you Charles and Dan for doing what you could. May God have us all in the right place at the right time for people in such desperate need. Is there any news on the poor chap?
Thank you for sharing this experience. A tragic situation, fortunately given some hope by two good Samaritans. I am fairly sure I would have stopped to help in any way I could, I say that because my family, going back several generations on my father's side has a strong sense not just of morality, but compassion and duty (3 generations before my Grandfather having been ministers in the Swedenborg church). My "evidence" for saying that I would stop is this:
3 years ago, my son aged 17 was on the bus to school here in Australia when a gentleman fell down clutching his chest. The bus stopped and none of the adults went to the man's assistance, but my son stepped forward and said he had done first aid training (for my business) and gave CPR until the ambulance arrived. His school was inundated with calls of appreciation. There is hope in the future....
Charles thank you for putting this down on "paper". I resonate with many of the other reactions here. For me personally you have (re-)confirmed my innate sense of respect for servicemen, having grown up in a family well populated with such. I no longer have any contact at all to those circles, however, and am now mother to a sixteen year old son who currently harbours military ambitions - admittedly to my dismay in these times where I do tend to see the western military solely as trained killers doing the banksters dirty work. You have reminded me that the military, too, is more nuanced than that. Thank you.
Thank you for this, Mr. Malet. It reminds me that here in America, with the recent example of the many victims of Hurricane Helene, we're seeing a clear example of how our federal government is far from being the servant of the people. The powers-that-be in that government have other priorities.
Of course, as you describe, there are still people in the military and other government branches whose hearts are in the right place. That's not the case with the people at the top, though.
What a sobering piece of writing. I’m so glad that you and the other motorist had the heart and humanity to stop and assist. That young man was someone’s son. I do hope he pulls through and gets whatever help he needs, poor fella. As for those who choose to view-from-the-bridge or drive on past regardless, it beggars belief. God help them! Surely, surely we are better than this?
Despite the many negative inferences to be drawn from the overall nature of the way in which the incident played out, I think the main thing is that he was taken care of (not as promptly as he should have been). I do agree, though, we should be better than this. Do as you would be done by. Charles
Thank you for stopping to help, Charles. A heartbreaking reflection on humanity. How can this be happening across all countries and cultures? Naomi Wolf describes her similar observations in the USA in her book ‘Bodies of Others’. We see it here in NZ. Most importantly, what can we do to mend such a broken society?
Thank you, Ursula. It is heartbreaking. I think the best place to start is by making the simplest of connections. I acknowledge everyone I pass in the street, by looking them in the eye and offering a cheerful greeting. On the rare occasions I am in London, it provokes extraordinary responses! It works, though. Charles
Love it. Yes, that’s the way. That’s one good thing about travelling in rural NZ, some drivers still wave at each other through the windscreen in those couple of seconds when passing each other on a lonely road. A glimpse of humanity remains.
The top down, and apparently mirrored by many, disregard for the vulnerable can and must be built from the bottom up if we are to witness a change in societal response to similar situations. Once people have opportunity to reflect in the decency displayed in an unselfish act of caring for others by another, their conscience, at least the conscience of any decent soul, will hopefully provide the necessary motivation to be that good samaritan, as yourself and the Royal were on that day. We each can help bring this about by simply being there in whatever way we can for someone in need. Thanks for caring.
Charles, here in Canada, MAID (medical assistance in dying) what a horrible acronym!! Maid has been in place since 2018??
The death cult is real and I pray those who may consider it a viable option many take that route out of frustration for the medical Industrial complex and therefore via Attrition.
Our govts have made living almost unbearable. How criminal. It breaks my heart that this is even a route being offered instead of real SOLUTIONS!!!!
So many viable solutions to many ailments but there are silenced and squashed by another Complex, the pharmaceutical industrial complex putting profits over people. Disgusting.
Thanks for allowing me to vent here. Great work on your part Charles!!!
Thanks Sarah. We have watched the goings-on across the Atlantic in horror; a horror which is rearing its head in the UK now. The "assisted dying" narrative is being driven like a tank, though it does appear to be a subject that has, perhaps, made more people think critically about the implications. Charles
Good for you Charles, stopping to assist. I do not find it strange that a fellow serviceman was the only other person to stop. As a retired police officer I have often found myself at scenes whereupon another fellow retiree is the only other person who helps out. It’s in our DNA I think, when we see someone who needs protection and help. The reasons for this poor mans injuries are complicated, as you point out, but having been at the bottom, so to speak, after 30 years of ‘events’ in NI, I get how this may have seemed the only answer to him.
A pertinent piece, well written, explaining our society and overlords succinctly.
Thanks for taking the time to write about it and share your experience.
Thanks very much, Bill. As you say, impossible to know what might have led up to this being seen as the only course of action. One can only hope that surviving this might bring about a change of fortune. Charles
I've known a few ex services guys and the majority are simply those that take action and detest BS. Not sure if it's the training or the personalities that sign-up. But hearts seem to be in the right place - I admire that.
It's a very good point you make, Ian, and one that I had meant to include in the piece. I do believe that it is the existing personality which provides the aptitude for the role, rather than people being trained into a particular frame of mind. Charles
Poor, tormented lad.
An eloquent although harrowing and sobering account and I’m in awe of your courage. You make a completely valid point about today’s society.
Well done for offering compassion and comfort in his darkest hour 😔
It is with profound chagrin that I find myself thinking that I probably wouldn't have stopped.
Not for lack of compassion, or a desire to help, to do the right thing. Not for lack of training, either. Granted, I don't have any relevant skills, but this is feeble excuse. I could, in theory, have done something, even if it was just making sure there was an ambulance coming.
No. The real reason that I, and almost everyone else, doesn't stop to help in any given situation is that we're not supposed to. Unless it's our job, our fully documented obligation, we're actively discouraged from getting involved.
It strikes me as no small irony that the supposed rigid discipline and strict hierarchical structures of the military and emergency services are only callings which don't actively stifle our basic initiative.
Thank you, Steve, for tremendous candidness. I think you make an extremely perceptive point about the discouragement from taking any sort of action.
As you say, on one level, it does seem at odds with the discipline and hierarchy, though I think the mantra which is carried through the service of so many people is, come what may, "just get it done". This encourages the use of instinct and intuition, which is a much bigger battle these days, thanks to the absurd encroachment of health and safety, and the rest of it. Charles
thank you charles for raising awareness of why only some of us stop to help.
sadly there has always been the “bystander apathy” condition in society but it does seem more prevalent now …..
i dont think the help response is about being trained to though…. i think its a much deeper intuition kicking in from the right brain which connects with things that are sacred ….including life and human connection. sadly many people have had their left brains so well programmed now they are losing connection with their sense of what it truly is to be human - and the sanctity of life.
huge respect to you and we must never giveup hope….
God bless you Charles and Dan for doing what you could. May God have us all in the right place at the right time for people in such desperate need. Is there any news on the poor chap?
Thank you for sharing this experience. A tragic situation, fortunately given some hope by two good Samaritans. I am fairly sure I would have stopped to help in any way I could, I say that because my family, going back several generations on my father's side has a strong sense not just of morality, but compassion and duty (3 generations before my Grandfather having been ministers in the Swedenborg church). My "evidence" for saying that I would stop is this:
3 years ago, my son aged 17 was on the bus to school here in Australia when a gentleman fell down clutching his chest. The bus stopped and none of the adults went to the man's assistance, but my son stepped forward and said he had done first aid training (for my business) and gave CPR until the ambulance arrived. His school was inundated with calls of appreciation. There is hope in the future....
Charles thank you for putting this down on "paper". I resonate with many of the other reactions here. For me personally you have (re-)confirmed my innate sense of respect for servicemen, having grown up in a family well populated with such. I no longer have any contact at all to those circles, however, and am now mother to a sixteen year old son who currently harbours military ambitions - admittedly to my dismay in these times where I do tend to see the western military solely as trained killers doing the banksters dirty work. You have reminded me that the military, too, is more nuanced than that. Thank you.
Well done Charles. Hoping for a swift recovery for this poor man.
Thank you for this, Mr. Malet. It reminds me that here in America, with the recent example of the many victims of Hurricane Helene, we're seeing a clear example of how our federal government is far from being the servant of the people. The powers-that-be in that government have other priorities.
Of course, as you describe, there are still people in the military and other government branches whose hearts are in the right place. That's not the case with the people at the top, though.
Unfortunately, it is not the case with the people at the "top", but there are far fewer of them, which gives us the stronger hand, by far. Charles
What a powerful piece of writing. The world need much, much more of your kind of love-in-action. Thank you.
Kind words, Katherine, thank you very much. Charles
I am always the 'person to stop' and it often goes badly - no good deed left unpunished etc. I also know that most people will not stop for me.
I still stop because Jesus requires me to stop.
No good deed left unpunished. In the short term, at any rate. Keep stopping. Charles
Thank you for your excellent essay. I am pleased to have made your acquaintance (even if virtually).
Thank you, and likewise!
What a sobering piece of writing. I’m so glad that you and the other motorist had the heart and humanity to stop and assist. That young man was someone’s son. I do hope he pulls through and gets whatever help he needs, poor fella. As for those who choose to view-from-the-bridge or drive on past regardless, it beggars belief. God help them! Surely, surely we are better than this?
Despite the many negative inferences to be drawn from the overall nature of the way in which the incident played out, I think the main thing is that he was taken care of (not as promptly as he should have been). I do agree, though, we should be better than this. Do as you would be done by. Charles
Thank you for stopping to help, Charles. A heartbreaking reflection on humanity. How can this be happening across all countries and cultures? Naomi Wolf describes her similar observations in the USA in her book ‘Bodies of Others’. We see it here in NZ. Most importantly, what can we do to mend such a broken society?
Thank you, Ursula. It is heartbreaking. I think the best place to start is by making the simplest of connections. I acknowledge everyone I pass in the street, by looking them in the eye and offering a cheerful greeting. On the rare occasions I am in London, it provokes extraordinary responses! It works, though. Charles
Love it. Yes, that’s the way. That’s one good thing about travelling in rural NZ, some drivers still wave at each other through the windscreen in those couple of seconds when passing each other on a lonely road. A glimpse of humanity remains.
The top down, and apparently mirrored by many, disregard for the vulnerable can and must be built from the bottom up if we are to witness a change in societal response to similar situations. Once people have opportunity to reflect in the decency displayed in an unselfish act of caring for others by another, their conscience, at least the conscience of any decent soul, will hopefully provide the necessary motivation to be that good samaritan, as yourself and the Royal were on that day. We each can help bring this about by simply being there in whatever way we can for someone in need. Thanks for caring.
Quite right, Steve. It is up to all of us to set the example. All of the time. Charles
Charles, here in Canada, MAID (medical assistance in dying) what a horrible acronym!! Maid has been in place since 2018??
The death cult is real and I pray those who may consider it a viable option many take that route out of frustration for the medical Industrial complex and therefore via Attrition.
Our govts have made living almost unbearable. How criminal. It breaks my heart that this is even a route being offered instead of real SOLUTIONS!!!!
So many viable solutions to many ailments but there are silenced and squashed by another Complex, the pharmaceutical industrial complex putting profits over people. Disgusting.
Thanks for allowing me to vent here. Great work on your part Charles!!!
Thanks Sarah. We have watched the goings-on across the Atlantic in horror; a horror which is rearing its head in the UK now. The "assisted dying" narrative is being driven like a tank, though it does appear to be a subject that has, perhaps, made more people think critically about the implications. Charles