[Closed] Does anyone not wear a poppy, and why?

Is there not a difference between jobs that have a risk of death and injury (Health and Safety apply), and the "job" of deliberately putting yourself in harms way (hostiles out to kill you)?

Do you not see that?

I agree with you Ben Cooper. I was trying to point out to Dan1980 that I do think a large element join because they want to see action

MrSmith. Macho-bullshit flag-waving society says they're not heroes

To elaborate what I meant with my post re. reasons for joining up

To emulate forefathers in world wars (misguided?)

To wear a uniform and feel part of something powerful (deluded?)

Purely economic reasons (a sad situation to find yourself in I think)

To see some action (psychos)

who says they aren't?

Where do I buy an anchovy to pin on my lapel to show my support for fishermen?

Do you not see that?

No. Dead is dead, they're both risky jobs. If they were putting themselves in harm's way to really protect this country, I might see the point, but they aren't. They're political playthings, and calling them heroes removes the need to ask why they're fighting on the other side of the world in a war they're going to lose.

Where do I buy an anchovy to pin on my lapel to show my support for fishermen?

[url= http://www.fishermensmission.org.uk ]http://www.fishermensmission.org.uk[/url]

MrSmith. Macho-bullshit flag-waving society says they're not heroes

have you got a pie-chart to show that demographic?

I wear my poppy as a show of support to the victims of Tony Blair.
I hope that every time he sees a poppy he feels just that bit more guilty and gets a sleepless night.

No MrSmith - just my eyes

zippykona - Member
I wear my poppy as a show of support to the victims of Tony Blair.
I hope that every time he sees a poppy he feels just that bit more guilty and gets a sleepless night.

If they were putting themselves in harm's way to really protect this country, I might see the point, but they aren't. They're political playthings

I share your distress at the way politicians have abused the purpose of our armed forces, as do many soldiers it seems*. But soldiers do see themselves as protectors, and do fight for that reason. And while deep sea divers and fisherman also get my respect, they have not died in vast numbers to protect my nation or principles. So for that reason I honour soldiers.

* I had a fascinating 2 hours chat in the pub with half a dozen Nepali Gurkas recently; they were not long back from Afghanistan and doing R-and-R/outdoor pursuits. They were very disappointed that the UK Parliament had rejected military intervention in Syria, regarding it as cowardly and a loss-of-face for not going in and trying to protect the population from the administration. But they are professional warriors so they would think that. I explained to them that after the lies leading to the invasion of Iraq, the public/back-benchers didn't trust the motives of the Government. They had a good think about that!

Because they clash terribly with my outfit and colouring.

they have not died in vast numbers to protect my nation or principles. So for that reason I honour soldiers.

I had a fascinating post club chat with some afgahn guys that run a minimart in kentish town, they were happy to see the back of the taliban but considered their country a worse place now, because of the ongoing violence, one guy said he planned to take his family and kids back once the brits left and it all calmed down again. They were of the opinion that for hundreds of years people had fought over his country and we ha dbeen idiots for thinking it would work out any different this time.

happy to see the back of the taliban

Why are soldiers all "heroes" but those in other dangerous jobs aren't?

They aren't all heroes. Most people in the military (and they are people) are embarrassed by most of the flag-waving etc. I'd say that fireman and medics are all labelled as heroes.

Victims don't volunteer, volunteers are complicit. No volunteers, no army, no war crimes.

War is an extention of politics. So, if we follow your very simple logic, no politicians, no decisions to use military, no wars. I suggest that you solve the cause of the problem rather than trying to make half-baked points. Deal with the politics.

War is an extention of politics. So, if we follow your very simple logic, no politicians, no decisions to use military, no wars. I suggest that you solve the cause of the problem rather than trying to make half-baked points. Deal with the politics.

Politics don't happen in a vacuum, the soldiers as well as the voters bear their share of responsibility.

Possibly slightly less than the population who voted them into power. You are seeking to persecute your own vendetta against the military rather than identify the legal route taken to deploy them - which is politics.

I always but a couple over the few weeks they're about, but never wear them more than once - they get completely crumpled? I've no idea how folk on tv keep em so pristine. Need one o them proper pin badges really

Victims don't volunteer, volunteers are complicit. No volunteers, no army, no war crimes.

Very rarely wear a poppy, and not until the Sunday. With my wife being a nurse in the Forces, attend a military remembrance parade which is anything but gingoistic flag waving.

wrecker - Member
Victims don't volunteer, volunteers are complicit. No volunteers, no army, no war crimes.

Says the IRA supporter...

Any deviation from the Brit party line, really annoys you doesn't it? 😀

TooTall - Member
Politics don't happen in a vacuum, the soldiers as well as the voters bear their share of responsibility.
Possibly slightly less than the population who voted them into power. You are seeking to persecute your own vendetta against the military rather than identify the legal route taken to deploy them - which is politics.

Any deviation from the Brit party line, really annoys you doesn't it?

I wear a white poppy, as a Quaker, because like most Quakers, I am anti-war, for the most part. Although I do recognise/concede that in some cases, war is unavoidable.

It seems that people think wearing a white poppy to represent the hope and wish for peace is a worse statement to make than wearing a red one. I wear the white poppy because I do want to remember those who died, but I think we should also remember the horror and sadness of war, and in some cases, the futility, and remembrance of the dead should remind us to work all the harder to achieve peace.

Idealistic? Yes, sure it is, but should we not have high aims for our society?

I wear the white poppy because I do want to remember those who died, but I think we should also remember the horror and sadness of war, and in some cases, the futility, and remembrance of the dead should remind us to work all the harder to achieve peace.

Idealistic? Yes, sure it is, but should we not have high aims for our society?

*Applauds*

Well put, Very well put indeed.

wrecker - Member
Any deviation from the Brit party line, really annoys you doesn't it?

Not even remotely, I'm just pointing out that you can't harp on about "victims" and at the same time support an organisation who bombed soft civilian targets and called them "legitimate".

Plus i'm not harping on about victims at all, just apportioning blame and responsibility, which the armed forced of this country get completely absolved of publicly, that is wrong. When it comes to the IRA i know fine well where the blame and responsibility lies. There's is no contradiction there at all and it's not just down to the army council that gives the orders, they couldn't have done what they did either with out the rank and files complicity.

this isn't rocket science, people are responsible for their own actions, even after orders are given. there is such a thing as a conscientious objector you know.