There are many good reasons to respect a war memorial.
For example, to pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the service of a high ideal. Or to mark the tragedy of war, and the failure of civilised discussion and compromise as a way to resolve differences.
Similarly, there are occasionally reasons not to respect war memorials. When, for example they appear to celebrate rather than abhor conflict. Or when they stand more as monuments to the vanity of leaders than to the suffering of citizens.
But in the case of the capital's latest addition, perhaps any lack of respect owes more to its complete misunderstanding by the majority of passers-by.
Meanwhile, many visitors to the capital are also struggling to understand the current weather for what it is: a fairly average summer's day in Scotland.
We saw no signs this morning of East Lothian's famous sunshine and surf pulling in the punters ...
nor of a mad scramble to enjoy George Street's other al fresco delights.
Forecasts predict more of the same tomorrow and Wednesday, with a brief let-up on Thursday before normal service resumes at the weekend and on into the start of next week.
July, incidentally, is one of the hottest months of the year in Edinburgh, and the really rainy period doesn't start until August. Enjoy.
-------------
Patrick Hadfield "Haste ye back"? You refer presumably to the three days of sunshine we had one week in June... Personally, I wish February would just realise it's overstayed its welcome by four months and go!
New Town Flâneur @NewTownFlaneur
@theSpurtle Memorial to the Battle of Waterlogged?