phart Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I don't 'get' the white poppy. I instinctively see it as a 'look at me, ask me why I'm wearing this' gesture. I realise that's probably off the mark and apologies to anyone who wears one, but there's no point in me denying that's how I feel about them. It certainly frustrates me that because of our politicians (of the last 30 years or so in particular) the genuine gesture of buying a poppy in remembrance of those who died in conflict has been twisted and diluted. It's a shame but there you go. All poppies are identity claims. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstevie007 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 It would appear that "France here we come" has been banned. I apologise to everyone for starting this thread and allowing the platform for him/her to post such a disgusting thing. You've done us a favour - it drew him out of his hovel. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boynze Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Isn't that true of any badge or totem that someone wears? I wore a "Yes" badge. I now wear a "45" badge. In the past I've worn a "CND" badge and a "Vote Labour" badge. Wearing badges means you're trying to say something. Whether it be a red or a white poppy. Nowadays, it appears, not wearing a poppy is making a statement too. Even if you're not. You apologise for starting the thread and then continue to post on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flure Posted October 24, 2014 Author Share Posted October 24, 2014 You apologise for starting the thread and then continue to post on it? Aye, I know. I apologised for allowing the platform for such a sick post, but now that he/she is gone........I still think it's an interesting subject that can be maturely debated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flumax Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I don't 'get' the white poppy. I instinctively see it as a 'look at me, ask me why I'm wearing this' gesture. I realise that's probably off the mark and apologies to anyone who wears one, but there's no point in me denying that's how I feel about them. It certainly frustrates me that because of our politicians (of the last 30 years or so in particular) the genuine gesture of buying a poppy in remembrance of those who died in conflict has been twisted and diluted. It's a shame but there you go. Aye that's it, we wear it for "look at me" reasons unlike the majority who do it for social norms, pop a ten pence in the tin at this time of year. The white poppy is a sign that we remember the service people have sacrificed for the name of peace. But do not glorify conflict ie accept it's part of a way of life. Btw raised this with Simon Weston over a think in the goat major last time we played Wales, he was great fun for pacifist acknowledging psst service, without accepting conflict ss a standard way of life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstevie007 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I genuinely don't wear a poppy to make any claim or statement. It's the traditional form of remembrance and it's important to me (no-one else) to go through the ritual each year of sticking a few quid in a tin and pinning on a poppy. I don't go to church, I don't solicit anyone else to wear a poppy and I don't make a song and dance about it. I just wear it. The white poppy, by it's very act of being different to the traditional red one, strikes me as being far more likely to be worn as a statement. Honestly though, I don't understand it (and I'm happy in my ignorance by the way Flure and Phart ) so I'm not going to condemn it. Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kumnio Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I don't wear a poppy, I view them as political statements, which may or may not be correct in others eyes. I really think we should forget about WW1 and WW2, ones a century old for goodness sake, it's time to let it go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wibble Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I wear mine - as does my family - please yersel'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auchinyell Sox Change Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I don't wear a poppy, I view them as political statements, which may or may not be correct in others eyes. I really think we should forget about WW1 and WW2, ones a century old for goodness sake, it's time to let it go. let the indyref go then ww1 and ww2 shaped our destiny other outcomes may not have been so pleasant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristolhibby Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I don't wear a poppy, I view them as political statements, which may or may not be correct in others eyes. I really think we should forget about WW1 and WW2, ones a century old for goodness sake, it's time to let it go. I do wear a poppy. Don't see it political, but agree it's been hijacked recently. (See Ibrox, and the whole military "help for heros" love in). Interesting point about the passing of time. The Battle of Waterloo is 200 years old and arguably shaped British history more than WW1. The Boer war was pretty terrible. I guess it was the sheer carnage and mechanisation of killing on a grand scale that sets WW1 apart from previous wars, and WW2 aside there has been nothing like it since (thank god). J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 It would appear that "France here we come" has been banned. I apologise to everyone for starting this thread and allowing the platform for him/her to post such a disgusting thing. You started it to get a reaction. It was obvious someone would say something negative or controversial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khana Lagur Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I've never worn a poppy. It's not about making a statement or not making a statement. When I was born I was lucky enough to be born with a memory, which is where I do my remembrance. I wasn't born with lapels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobydoo Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I wonder what his comeback name will be? Anyway, like many things I don't think selling poppies should be a charity and should be paid for by the taxpayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rasputin Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I don't 'get' the white poppy. I instinctively see it as a 'look at me, ask me why I'm wearing this' gesture. I realise that's probably off the mark and apologies to anyone who wears one, but there's no point in me denying that's how I feel about them. It certainly frustrates me that because of our politicians (of the last 30 years or so in particular) the genuine gesture of buying a poppy in remembrance of those who died in conflict has been twisted and diluted. It's a shame but there you go. WHITE POPPIES ARE FOR PEACE The idea of decoupling Armistice Day, the red poppy and later Remembrance Day from their military culture dates back to 1926, just a few years after the British Legion was persuaded to try using the red poppy as a fundraising tool in Britain. A member of the No More War Movement suggested that the British Legion should be asked to imprint 'No More War' in the centre of the red poppies instead of ‘Haig Fund’ and failing this pacifists should make their own flowers. The details of any discussion with the British Legion are unknown but as the centre of the red poppy displayed the ‘Haig Fund’ imprint until 1994 it was clearly not successful. A few years later the idea was again discussed by the Co-operative Women's Guild. In 1933 the first white poppies appeared on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day after World War Two). The white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War - a war in which many of the white poppy supporters lost husbands, brothers, sons and lovers - but a challenge to the continuing drive to war. The following year the newly founded Peace Pledge Union began widespread distribution of the poppies and their annual promotion. http://www.ppu.org.uk/whitepoppy/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottincarlisle Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 You started it to get a reaction. It was obvious someone would say something negative or controversial. There's nothing wrong with negative or controversial, downright offensive & disgusting comments are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kumnio Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 let the indyref go then I promise I wont be speaking about it in a century Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scunnered Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I'll wear a white poppy and get abused by ignorant morons as I do every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitre Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Who is this troll? I'll give you odds on he's based in Inverclyde Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASTA Mick Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 I've never wore one before and won't be starting now. There are a number of reasons, none of which are nothing that hasn't been mentioned before. I do enjoy the annual witch hunt of anyone that appears to the TV without wearing one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thplinth Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) I think about them quite a bit, especially the First World War. When you look at the papers now we (or at least some of us) can now see what they are, propaganda outlets for the rich and powerful. Back then, no TV, no internet...They had them lining up at the enlistment offices, children lying about their age to join up... like lambs led to slaughter. Put them all into the meat grinder and then come back to finish the job with second installment. It shaped our destiny all right, some even believe Britain 'won'. Edited October 26, 2014 by thplinth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ormond Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Isn't the wearing of the poppy to commemorate all lost in wars? Soldiers and civilians? British or German? American or Japanese? Canadian or Italian? Etc..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Isn't the wearing of the poppy to commemorate all lost in wars? Soldiers and civilians? British or German? American or Japanese? Canadian or Italian? Etc..... Exactly. It's a commemoration of all dead not a celebration of one over the other. My old German flatmate bought one as she wanted to support the same as I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thplinth Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 You started it to get a reaction... Eh no. He posted it together with a reasonably thoughtful article on it and not some inflammatory troll pish (like you regularly post). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpyauldgit Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 I wear my poppy, to honour the boys I served with, that did not make it back, i don't need a poppy to make me remember them, as some of us remember everyday, wether we want to or not. As for everybody else, the last time I checked, we still live in a democracy, so you can wear one if you want, or give it a miss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orraloon Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 This year, as every other year of my life, I will not be wearing a poppy. Here's a good read. http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/poppy-appeal-2014-this-is-why-i-wont-be-wearing-a-red-poppy-this-year-9814449.html Is it just coincidence that this article was written by a German? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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