The poppy

Frank the tank

Do you wear one?

I always do, despite the fact that it bears the name of a man who should have been charged with war crimes against his own army.

shouldbeinbed

Yes because, hopefully, the money goes to benevolent funds for people far braver than I am.

holmeboy

No

Anonymous

holmeboy wrote:

No

Why not ?

holmeboy

Never get the oppertunuty to buy, not because of any misplaced belief. honest. I've given to charity many times, but sometimes I do feel I've been ripped off.

disgruntledgoat

Always... You and I can speculate about hte rights and wrongs of any given conflict but those brave enough to put themselves in harms way professionally deserve our respect. They don't get to pick and choose their causes, they have to do what they are ordered.

That two minutes always makes me think of my relatives who perished, of some poor boy in a foxhole on the Falklands, of the horror of the Iran-Iraq war (bloodier than WWI), of Stalingrad and of any number of conflicts with nameless victims the workd over. And surely to goodness the act of laying a wreath for millions of young men must make even the hubristic, careerist idiots who govern us think twice.

Anonymous

holmeboy wrote:

Never get the oppertunuty to buy, not because of any misplaced belief. honest. I've given to charity many times, but sometimes I do feel I've been ripped off.

What, you never go to the shops, for, like, food ?

holmeboy

dmclite wrote:

holmeboy wrote:

Never get the oppertunuty to buy, not because of any misplaced belief. honest. I've given to charity many times, but sometimes I do feel I've been ripped off.

What, you never go to the shops, for, like, food ?

I'm at the shops all the time, can't remember seeing any poppies for sale. i'm sure my wife and kids have spent many pounds over the years on Poppies.

Satans Budgie

Yes, more than one.

But I don't need Remembrance Sunday or the 2 minutes silence to remember the members of my team who did not make the journey home from the first gulf war, I see them every night.

holmeboy

Satans Budgie wrote:

Yes, more than one.

But I don't need Remembrance Sunday or the 2 minutes silence to remember the members of my team who did not make the journey home from the first gulf war, I see them every night.

I take my hat off to you and next time I see a poppy for sale, I'll buy it!

White Line

dmclite wrote:

What, you never go to the shops, for, like, food ?

Commas ahoy! :P

I keep meaning to buy one to stick on my mess bag. Every time I'm in the Co-op I forget, despite the fact they are right at the checkout. :oops:

Frank the tank

Obviously there are people on here who have first hand experience of the horrors of war. I, fortunately do not. That doesn't stop me appreciating the valour of the many young men/women that have paid the ultimate price for my freedom post on forums like this.

Whenever I see poor souls being "re-patriated" on a journey through Wooton Bassett I have a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye, they've given it all. Forget your "Sir" Chris Hoys and your Vicky Pendletons, there are no honours for them other than the respect of the great British public.

IMHO, if you don't wear a poppy, shame on you.

Anonymous

I, love, Commas, man.

Hint taken.

finchy

I always buy one because I know that many of the veterans need charitable help, having seen at first hand how little the military/government do for those suffering the consequences of fighting a war.

I also remember the "enemy" soldiers who died, most of them had little choice but to fight, especially those who were conscripted under military dictatorships.

hells

Yes, I have done every year for as long as I can remember.

This year I have three, one for my normal clothes, one for my ambulance service uniform and one for my berret when I march tomorrow.

It has been difficult to find them this year in London, none of the local supermarkets have sold them and I have not seen any street sellers. I had to get mine from a friend who works for RBL.

thejesusandsedischain

lions led by donkeys, i always buy one and its not because of the jingoistic campaigns of the red tops.

Anonymous

Please wear a poppy. Forget politicians lies, the incompetence of government. Respect the squaddies on the ground, doing the job, it means a lot to soldiers that people wear a poppy.

A small symbol of massive respect and honour.

Frank the tank

dmclite wrote:

Please wear a poppy. Forget politicians lies, the incompetence of government. Respect the squaddies on the ground, doing the job, it means a lot to soldiers that people wear a poppy.

A small symbol of massive respect and honour.

Well said that man.

pedylan

Frank the tank wrote:

dmclite wrote:

Please wear a poppy. Forget politicians lies, the incompetence of government. Respect the squaddies on the ground, doing the job, it means a lot to soldiers that people wear a poppy.

A small symbol of massive respect and honour.

Well said that man.

I think he's got previous: directly relevant previous.

There really shouldn't be any debate about displaying respect for people who give their lives in conflicts and in arenas not of their choosing. Whether we should have a military presence in Iraq or Afghanistan might be debateable but that has no relevance in recognising the death and injuries sustained by the forces sent there.

And when we're on the subject the poppy and the Help for Heroes symbols shouldn't be appropriated to demonstrate patriotism by odious chancers.

pottssteve

pedylan wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

dmclite wrote:

Please wear a poppy. Forget politicians lies, the incompetence of government. Respect the squaddies on the ground, doing the job, it means a lot to soldiers that people wear a poppy.

A small symbol of massive respect and honour.

Well said that man.

I think he's got previous: directly relevant previous.

There really shouldn't be any debate about displaying respect for people who give their lives in conflicts and in arenas not of their choosing. Whether we should have a military presence in Iraq or Afghanistan might be debateable but that has no relevance in recognising the death and injuries sustained by the forces sent there.


And when we're on the subject the poppy and the Help for Heroes symbols shouldn't be appropriated to demonstrate patriotism by odious chancers.

Well said, that person. I have to go down to Central HK to get them - I make sure I do every year.

teagar

pottssteve wrote:

pedylan wrote:

Frank the tank wrote:

dmclite wrote:

Please wear a poppy. Forget politicians lies, the incompetence of government. Respect the squaddies on the ground, doing the job, it means a lot to soldiers that people wear a poppy.

A small symbol of massive respect and honour.

Well said that man.

I think he's got previous: directly relevant previous.

There really shouldn't be any debate about displaying respect for people who give their lives in conflicts and in arenas not of their choosing. Whether we should have a military presence in Iraq or Afghanistan might be debateable but that has no relevance in recognising the death and injuries sustained by the forces sent there.


And when we're on the subject the poppy and the Help for Heroes symbols shouldn't be appropriated to demonstrate patriotism by odious chancers.

Well said, that person. I have to go down to Central HK to get them - I make sure I do every year.

For me the disupute isn't showing respect to soldiers. Sure they get my respect.

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Since I'm not comfortable with that distinction, I choose not to wear one.

finchy

teagar wrote:

For me the disupute isn't showing respect to soldiers. Sure they get my respect.

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Since I'm not comfortable with that distinction, I choose not to wear one.

What about the white poppy?

teagar

johnfinch wrote:

teagar wrote:

For me the disupute isn't showing respect to soldiers. Sure they get my respect.

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Since I'm not comfortable with that distinction, I choose not to wear one.

What about the white poppy?

I thought that was something to do with the church?

softlad

teagar wrote:

For me the disupute isn't showing respect to soldiers. Sure they get my respect.

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Since I'm not comfortable with that distinction, I choose not to wear one.

two reasons to wear it:

1 - to show respect for those who have died in the service of their country. In another time, that could equally have been your or I.
2 - to raise money for the injured from those conflicts - many of whom are still suffering decades after.

Which of those two reasons are you not comfortable with..?

zippypablo

I resent having to buy a poppy to support these soldiers. Governments past and present have no problem sending them to war but have a problem looking after them when they return. That said, i still buy more than one every year (keep losing them)..

finchy

teagar wrote:

What about the white poppy?

I thought that was something to do with the church?[/quote]

No. The idea came from the peace movement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Poppy

gabriel959

I don't wear one but respect anyone that does.

I don't believe in war and its the decision of those poor kids to go to Afghanistan or Iraq for that matter. Long time ago, when WWI and WWII it was a different kettle of fish as those weren't volunteers (on the whole), they were picked.

The government should support the injured / families anyway.

iainment

softlad wrote:

teagar wrote:

For me the disupute isn't showing respect to soldiers. Sure they get my respect.

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Since I'm not comfortable with that distinction, I choose not to wear one.

two reasons to wear it:

1 - to show respect for those who have died in the service of their country. In another time, that could equally have been your or I.
2 - to raise money for the injured from those conflicts - many of whom are still suffering decades after.

Which of those two reasons are you not comfortable with..?

I don't buy or wear a poppy.
I give to other charities on a regular basis.
Like others on here I don't see why the public have to cough up , it should be the state paying any and all costs for soldiers injured in politicians wars. If there was a readily available white poppy I probably would buy that though.
That doesn't mean that I disrespect anyone.

Pip pip.

softlad

maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the second reason, as clearly there are some here with short arms and deep pockets. Surely remembrance is reason enough..?

brownleather

teagar wrote:

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Remembrance Day is about remembering everyone who died what ever their nationality. Of course the Royal British Legion all about supporting our veterans, other countries have their own systems.

gabriel959 wrote:

I don't believe in war and its the decision of those poor kids to go to Afghanistan or Iraq for that matter.

Rubbish.

Not everyone comes from backgrounds that mean they are able to pick and choose careers, and are often left with the choice of a sh!tty down and out job or even crime or joining the forces where they can make a respectable life for themselves. People join to defend their country not fight in these wars, they know they might have to go Iraq/Afghanistan, but that's not their decision.

iainment wrote:

I don't buy or wear a poppy.
I give to other charities on a regular basis.
Like others on here I don't see why the public have to cough up , it should be the state paying any and all costs for soldiers injured in politicians wars. If there was a readily available white poppy I probably would buy that though.
That doesn't mean that I disrespect anyone.

Pip pip.

You give to other charities? The government should cough up for those charities to. Sounds like disrespect to me. Veterans have earned their rights to have a charitable organisation in their name, as they fought, suffered and died for our rights. Most other charities are no where near as deserving in my opinion.

teagar

softlad wrote:

teagar wrote:

For me the disupute isn't showing respect to soldiers. Sure they get my respect.

The dispute is that it seems to me that the poppy symbolises respect for people who have died for a British cause, rather than, people who have died in war, period.

Since I'm not comfortable with that distinction, I choose not to wear one.

two reasons to wear it:

1 - to show respect for those who have died in the service of their country. In another time, that could equally have been your or I.
2 - to raise money for the injured from those conflicts - many of whom are still suffering decades after.

Which of those two reasons are you not comfortable with..?

I thought that was summed up in my previous post.

I don't like the idea that the money only goes to UK soldiers.

The poppy is a symbol of British sacrifices, because of the poppy fields that grew between UK and German trenches etc.

Given that I don't particularly identify myself as being British, I think that's reasonable!