Bravery Awards - is Fred right?

[i-need-a-martini]

Fred Nile is questioning whether the surviving hostages of the Lindt Cafe deserve bravery medals.

He is saying the boys in the cafe don't deserve awards because they didn't do anything to save the women which is ludicrous thiking to start off with.

But I do agree with the last line:

"They should get recognition for what they suffered as hostages but I don't think they should get bravery awards," Mr Nile told Fairfax Radio.

"Normally bravery awards are given for an act of bravery - that somebody actually does something. They haven't done anything."

We do seem to get confused about bravery and the media often calls bravery awards for people who have saved themselves instead of for people who have saved others.

What do you think?

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/lindt-cafe-hostages-who-fled-martin-place-siege-dont-deserve-bravery-award...

[grandmoon]

I am not sure whether they deserve bravery awards.

But IMO Fred Nile is just trying to get as much media exposure as there is a stat election coming up.

[aps1080]

You beat me to it !  I just read that and thought of starting a thread.

I agree re the ludicrous thinking re "saving the women", not to say you might not do that but that's not the primary consideration.

Bravery awards are for acts of bravery, not "surviving" so just because you "survived" doesn't mean you should get a bravery award.

Plenty of examples of bravery awards in these situations, from the George Cross down.

What recognition do you give them ? An award for just being in the wrong place at the wrong time ?

I would say most would just like to forget about it.

Just my HO.

[idlewhile]

I agree, bravery awards are for acting in the best interest of others to the detriment of your own safety.

The young manager was brave in that he tried to take on  Monis and Monis killed him so he, at least,  should be recognized for his heroic action but the rest? they survived a terrible ordeal, horrifying in all aspects, but they are survivors not hero's. 

[aps1080]

Agree re the manager.

The last one I can think of in a similar situation was the Police constable Trevor Locke who tackled the leader of the Iranian Embassy siege. He managed to tackle him and stop him getting to the hostages - they were rolling around on the floor before the SAS told him

leave him and they did the "necessary job on him". Trevor Locke got the George Medal.

[wilk1149]

No bravery awards. I for one would not accept one if I had been involved in this tragedy. I also believe that in a world of true equality it is not up to boys to save girls

[siggie-reported-by-alarmists]

Bravery award..... no.

Victim compensation.....yes.

[aps1080]

We don't have true equality.

Only when the women want it !

[azureline**]

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@aps1080 wrote:

We don't have true equality.

Only when the women want it !

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did a woman ask for it?

I think the same about bravery, it's not an award that should be given to anyone in this circumstance.

[aps1080]

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@azureline** wrote:

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@aps1080 wrote:

We don't have true equality.

Only when the women want it !

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did a woman ask for it?

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I was being a bit tongue in cheek but in many cases, YES.

Some women in the "sisterhood" have been pushing for it.