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Post by fusilier23 on May 15, 2008 4:25:59 GMT
People like Hayley and the entertainers who joined the USO and ENSA, the UK equivalent, risk their lives entertaining those who serve their countries because they believe they do some good by bringing something special into their lives of fear, danger, and other stresses. Hayley's put in a lot of hard work, but also had some good fortune, and maybe she feels she should share it. I applaud her for doing this service for those who serve as her relatives served, and, as we know from Passachedaele, at least one died fighting for King and Country.
I have to say I'm not comfortable hearing the sentiments that someone has no sympathy for troops in the field. Actually it isn't accurate to say they all chose to be there. Although the US and UK armies are all-volunteer, a lot of the continental NATO nations do still practice conscription, so there's a good chance some of the soldiers in Afghanistan aren't there by choice. As such, so much the better that Hayley should go there and try to give them a few hours to forget what is going on.
And the statement that the troops shouldn't be there, it's not their country, is both simplistic and ignorant of history. I could give at least five examples since WWII where an occupying force was there for the greater good, but we risk thread drift then.
The main point is that Hayley is to be applauded for this action, but a prayer or two for her parents and siblings, who will no doubt be worried sick while she does it, would not be amiss.
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Post by Jeff on May 15, 2008 9:16:38 GMT
"Although I'm usually very level-headed and not prone to panic I did find the thought of this terrifying...........It was a shocking experience for me." Hayley's words about her stalker. Fortunately on that occasion in Berlin the individual was apprehended before any physical harm could be done. Unfortunately in Afghanistan stalkers come with bombs strapped to their waists. Like Grant, Steve and Dori I am deeply troubled by this turn of events.
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Post by stevemacdonald on May 15, 2008 12:55:16 GMT
... Unfortunately in Afghanistan stalkers come with bombs strapped to their waists. ... ... Or hidden under their burqa's! |
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Post by Richard on May 15, 2008 13:39:03 GMT
Hello Jeff, Steve and everybody.
As has already been mentioned, Hayley knows the risks involved with this trip and it is her own decision to visit the troops. This forum is not the place to discuss graphic details of the war.
Many thanks,
Richard
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Post by stevemacdonald on May 15, 2008 13:59:22 GMT
Richard, sorry bout that thread drift. Won't happen again. You must understand, though, it's a very disturbing thing to read about the daily horrors in Afghanistan and then imagine Hayley bravely putting herself in possible harm's way. As a fan of her music, I feel rightly worried. Even if, as you say, she truly knows the risks involved, those risks include the element of unpredictability, as the latest graphic details attest.
My other worry is more trivial, but I'm sure some may share it as well: What on earth will she sing to the troops? They are not exactly her demographic. They prefer rock and rap music hands down, as all their videos from the scene indicate. Will they embrace a popera act when they really want Kid Rock and 50 Cent?
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Post by petertong on May 15, 2008 15:58:41 GMT
Hi Steve, It could be that Hayley just wants to just spend time in the company of those troops to encourage them and that singing is "secondary" (although very important for a short period of time). This is really admirable. All the fearing/worrying in this thread for Hayley is going to accomplish nothing anyways... almost reminds me of the mother on Pride and Prejudice... Even if the troops don't necessarily absolutely love her style of music I'm sure they would appreciate her visit as nearly anyone that is sane can appreciate a voice such as hers  And what sane young man cannot appreciate just the sight of a woman as beautiful as Hayley? And I'm sure the woman in uniform will appreciate her coming as well. We don't even know where in Afghanistan Hayley will be performing for the troops... but I hardly doubt she is going to be taking a sunday morning stroll on the front lines - she is most likely to be in the middle of a base where there is very very good force protection... |
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Post by I-H-F on May 15, 2008 17:35:08 GMT
People like Hayley and the entertainers who joined the USO and ENSA, the UK equivalent, risk their lives entertaining those who serve their countries because they believe they do some good by bringing something special into their lives of fear, danger, and other stresses. Hayley's put in a lot of hard work, but also had some good fortune, and maybe she feels she should share it. I applaud her for doing this service for those who serve as her relatives served, and, as we know from Passachedaele, at least one died fighting for King and Country. I have to say I'm not comfortable hearing the sentiments that someone has no sympathy for troops in the field. Actually it isn't accurate to say they all chose to be there. Although the US and UK armies are all-volunteer, a lot of the continental NATO nations do still practice conscription, so there's a good chance some of the soldiers in Afghanistan aren't there by choice. As such, so much the better that Hayley should go there and try to give them a few hours to forget what is going on. And the statement that the troops shouldn't be there, it's not their country, is both simplistic and ignorant of history. I could give at least five examples since WWII where an occupying force was there for the greater good, but we risk thread drift then. The main point is that Hayley is to be applauded for this action, but a prayer or two for her parents and siblings, who will no doubt be worried sick while she does it, would not be amiss. I respect your opinion, although I don't agree with everything you said. As you say, we risk thread drift here, so I'll leave it at that. However, if Hayley does go there, I wish for her to return home safely. |
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Post by fusilier23 on May 16, 2008 0:53:27 GMT
I may not like what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. I think we can agree on the part about hoping Hayley returns home safely.
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Post by graemek on May 16, 2008 6:37:19 GMT
Hi All, As I've been aware for the last few days of the should she or shouldn't she go to Afghanistan discussion, I noticed this morning in our local district newspaper "The Lake Times" the following item:  which talks about Ami Williamson, daughter of Australian John Williamson, who also has made a similar decision & returned safely. Flickr has quite a few pics posted by Ami during her time there. Graeme |
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,699 
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Post by Joe on May 17, 2008 5:22:15 GMT
Well done Hayley. I applaud your decision to entertain the troops.
-~-~-~-
I hope Hayley's voice can bring even the most hardened opponents to see the light of peace.
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Post by martindn on May 17, 2008 16:55:09 GMT
A few comments on some of the posts above.
Yes, of course we are concerned about Hayley and her family will be worried and need our prayers too. But whatever we say here, it is going to happen, she is going to Afghanistan so there is no point in our saying she shouldn't. Hayley has made her decision, and we her fans should respect that, and give her our prayers and moral support.
As for what she should sing, I would suggest she avoids Sonny. And we should not blindly assume that all our servicemen out there only like rock music. I'm sure there will be classical music fans among them, some may even be fans of Hayley's music. We should not just blindly assume that all soldiers have the same musical tastes. I expect she will have a few new fans out there too after she has performed for them. Good singing is universal, irrespective of the type of music.
Martin
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Post by Colin on May 18, 2008 13:27:51 GMT
Hi everyone
When I first saw this I was concerned like many others here. But ultimately I thought how else can we define our lives but through our actions? So I salute Hayley for feeling the necessity to do this, and I salute her for having the courage of her convictions.
I too will pray for her and her family and wish her a safe return once she has shown her support to the brave troops out there.
Bravo, Hayley!
Kind regards
Colin
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Post by stevemacdonald on May 18, 2008 17:55:44 GMT
What's so ironic about this is that women are not encouraged to sing in Afghanistan. Hayley's entertaining the troops who are protecting a country that denies many basic rights to its own people. If she attempted to perform for the general population there she would be severely punished. |
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Martin
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team
Posts: 3,334
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Post by Martin on Jun 9, 2008 14:52:02 GMT
According to WIKIPEDIA, Hayley has already performed for New Zealand servicemen in this war zone. Looking at Hayley's activites in chronological order it would appear that she went there at some stage during May after the Brit awards. Here is the link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hayley_westenra#cite_note-autobio-0Martin |
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Post by Tin on Jun 9, 2008 15:10:49 GMT
Hi Martin,
I've noticed this quite sometime ago and was intriguied too. However, if you look at the line below which tells Hayley's concerts in Japan, past tense is also used. Apparently Hayley is still in Japan and her concerts shouldn't be considered as history. Probably the one who wrote this page got some wrong intelligence.
Cheers,
Tin
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And what sane young man cannot appreciate just the sight of a woman as beautiful as Hayley? And I'm sure the woman in uniform will appreciate her coming as well.
