Poppy Fascism?

[grumpyhack]

20-ish years ago I always sought out a white poppy as an alternative to the red one, and every year I was abused for it. But never once by an 'old soldier' - some of whom commented that they respected my choice. Only ever by unthinking jingoistic morons who believed that it was wrong to recognise that there were just-as-much victims on the other side of any conflict.

[pink_triangle]

Im all for people choosing to wear a poppy if they want and not if they dont. The situation where we are now is england footballers are effectively forced to wear one because of the abuse they would have if they dont. If wearing a poppy on a shirt is so important, I wonder why nobody has made a fuss about it in the last 50 years. I have a feeling the fuss is more because its the first rememberance day since fifa rejected england than people suddenly becoming patriotic on 11/11/11.

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

I haven't followed the whole thread but can say that I do donate to the people who do the poppy collection appeal but never take a poppy from them. The reason is that I don't do adornment of any kind (apart from clothes I guess). I give for the ex service men of the second world war (and in the past WW1) because they proffered up the only life they are going to get on this planet (in my opinion) for our liberty. Part of me feels like to not acknowledge that via a donation and / or wearing of the poppy is like pissing on the graves of those who died defending liberty. But that's not the correct way of thinking. True liberty means that you should be able to choose whether you want to donate/ wear a poppy. And that's what these people went to war for - true liberty (in as much as you can get it in any form).

[Kowalski]

should the EDL have been allowed to attack the 'Occupy LSX' protestors?

[Ed209]

No, but don't let that get in the way of a pop at the police.

This is a terrible thread BTW, showing a lot of disrespect to those who died in the two world wars in order for us to be here today to have freedom of speech. I personally don't wear a poppy but I don't see what the fuss is about. Let people wear them if they want, if they don't then fair enough. Christ knows why there's so many pages on the subject.

Edited November 12, 2011 by Ed209

[brighteyes]

Pers0nally i think a more important issue in today's society, is going to a stripclub when you have a girlfriend - shpuld you feel guilty for havng a £20 private dance? ON the one hand, it feels innocent, but then I suppose she is rubbing her gash in your face. Does anyone know what the etiquete is here? Also I saw our office babe out, and resolved to hit on her next time I had a chance in real life. So ima gonna have a w*nk in work bye x

[russycarps]

I have no problem with the british legion and I'm sure they do fine work, but there's probably upwards of 1,000 charities I would give my money to before them.

You cant possibly donate to every charity and I dont see why the poppy appeal should rank any higher than any other. People dont get verbally abused for not donating to cancer research or the rspca or whatever. Why is the poppy appeal any different?

Donating to charity is a personal thing, noone should have to justify their choices.

Edited November 14, 2011 by russycarps