The Poppy

[caz]

For the record, this was the first year I did not wear a poppy. I observed the two minutes silence on the Sunday and the Monday and spent the time reflecting on the service men and women from all over the world (remember those who served who were not resident in this country??) have paid to this country, with their lives or their health.

It is easy to pin a poppy on your chest and show the world, for a few days, how much you respect the war dead and injured. But it doesn't mean that everyone who wears one actually cares two hoots and it doesn't mean that those who do not wear one are disrespectful.

I have just read this thread and am frankly astonished. It doesn't seem to have dawned that one buys a poppy (to wear or not to wear) from hard-working Royal British Legion volunteers, so the proceeds can help members of the armed services and their families who find themselves in need because of what they have sacrificed to keep us all safe over the years. Observing and reflecting does sod all in practical terms.

So anyone who buys a poppy (whether they pin it on their chest or their arse, or chuck it in the nearest bin), or otherwise supports the RBL, obviously does care two hoots, while anyone who can afford to do so but doesn't should ask themselves why not.

Love,

Caz
X

[Limehouse]

I have just read this thread and am frankly astonished. It doesn't seem to have dawned that one buys a poppy (to wear or not to wear) from hard-working Royal British Legion volunteers, so the proceeds can help members of the armed services and their families who find themselves in need because of what they have sacrificed to keep us all safe over the years. Observing and reflecting does sod all in practical terms.

So anyone who buys a poppy (whether they pin it on their chest or their arse, or chuck it in the nearest bin), or otherwise supports the RBL, obviously does care two hoots, while anyone who can afford to do so but doesn't should ask themselves why not.

Love,

Caz
X

But I never wrote that I didn't buy one. I wrote that I didn't wear one. There is a difference.

Likewise, being forced to wear one by your employer, does not mean you respect the sacrifice made. All BBC employees were required to wear a poppy. The Strictly team even wore them on their costumes when dancing.

What I am trying to get across is that a poppy is not the be all and end all of showing respect for the war dead. Many people, for good reasons, choose not to wear them, including the 91 year old war veteran in the news story I posted.

To suggest that declining to wear one is the equivalent of urinating on a war memorial (as one poster suggested) is an outrage.

To be frank, I have not been on this site for months and I came back briefly last weekend in an attempt to bring balance to a sensitive issue. It is clear to me that the stress and frustration involved is not worth it.

[caz]

But I never wrote that I didn't buy one. I wrote that I didn't wear one. There is a difference.

Yes, there is. But I didn't accuse you of not buying one, did I? If you bought one, good for you. But you chose for some reason not to make that clear, and you didn't mention that aspect at all, as if you had not considered it - only the freedom of choice issue.

Likewise, being forced to wear one by your employer, does not mean you respect the sacrifice made. All BBC employees were required to wear a poppy. The Strictly team even wore them on their costumes when dancing.

Yes, but as I keep having to point out, poppies don't come free of charge, so that means for every poppy worn, money was made for a bloody good cause. It matters not who paid for the poppies, but anyone who chooses to be on tv and in the public eye who feels 'forced' to wear one against their will should grow a pair and grow up. It's not about them as individuals respecting the sacrifice made; it's about team BBC. It doesn't hurt - unless you stick the pin in yourself. And they can always get another job out of the limelight if they feel that strongly about it.

To be frank, I have not been on this site for months and I came back briefly last weekend in an attempt to bring balance to a sensitive issue. It is clear to me that the stress and frustration involved is not worth it.

Blimey, it's all about you, isn't it?

Love,

Caz
X

[Limehouse]

Blimey, it's all about you, isn't it?

Love,

Caz
X

No, it's about trying present an alternative view.

[Cogidubnus]

I'd be the first to agree I've strong (perhaps unreasonably strong) feelings here - mostly I suppose from growing up with a grandad who was quietly coughing up bits of his lungs from 1917 until his death in the early 70s.

Setting that aside, I agree that the football club is a commercial organisation...but as such, in order to display the remembrance poppy preprinted on their shirts they probably (like my firm did to display remembrance poppies in any form) made a substantial payment to the Royal British Legion...now some of that is genuine respect and some doubtless political correctness, but in this case it's not entirely relevant...

Professional footballers are to some extent whores...when they sign on the dotted line to receive all that money, they need to read what's entailed...most of them are too blinded by the £ signs (and often their own nuts) to do that...most player contracts contain clauses governing the wearing of the club's shirts...after all, if your team habitually plays in blue, but an away match dictates you play in green instead, how valid is it to tell your manager, the ref, and the FA that you don't like green and you're playing in blue as usual, just like the home team?

I'd guess this prick happily signed on the dotted line and took the money...and if he subsequently reneged on his contract then great - sack him...I can't imagine he'll receive much support from the average soccer fanbase...who he's paid to entertain by the way...

end of...

All the best

Dave

[caz]

No, it's about trying present an alternative view.

Only trying? You did present one, as you are entitled to do. And I presented a view from the RBL fund-raising effort, which appeared to be forgotten in all the sympathy for the poppyphobic.

Why should that cause you stress or frustration?

Love,

Caz
X

[Limehouse]

I'd be the first to agree I've strong (perhaps unreasonably strong) feelings here - mostly I suppose from growing up with a grandad who was quietly coughing up bits of his lungs from 1917 until his death in the early 70s.

Setting that aside, I agree that the football club is a commercial organisation...but as such, in order to display the remembrance poppy preprinted on their shirts they probably (like my firm did to display remembrance poppies in any form) made a substantial payment to the Royal British Legion...now some of that is genuine respect and some doubtless political correctness, but in this case it's not entirely relevant...

Professional footballers are to some extent whores...when they sign on the dotted line to receive all that money, they need to read what's entailed...most of them are too blinded by the £ signs (and often their own nuts) to do that...most player contracts contain clauses governing the wearing of the club's shirts...after all, if your team habitually plays in blue, but an away match dictates you play in green instead, how valid is it to tell your manager, the ref, and the FA that you don't like green and you're playing in blue as usual, just like the home team?

I'd guess this prick happily signed on the dotted line and took the money...and if he subsequently reneged on his contract then great - sack him...I can't imagine he'll receive much support from the average soccer fanbase...who he's paid to entertain by the way...

end of...

All the best

Dave

Thanks for that thoughtful and well crafted post Dave. You make a good case. It would be interesting to hear form him why he declines to wear a poppy.

[Limehouse]

Only trying? You did present one, as you are entitled to do. And I presented a view from the RBL fund-raising effort, which appeared to be forgotten in all the sympathy for the poppyphobic.

Why should that cause you stress or frustration?

Love,

Caz
X

It's frustrating because people twist and/or misunderstand what is written.

I don't have poppyphobia and I certainly do not want to stave the RBL of funds.

For reasons mentioned in the veteran's piece in The Guardian, for reasons I have already listed - and for other reasons I do not want to go into on this thread (or this site) I chose not to wear a poppy this year. I also upheld other people's rights not to wear a poppy.

That's my last word on the subject. End of.