For me a white poppy shows both respect for the fallen but also says why lose more in it's message of peace. I don't see it as an insult at all.
I saw it, and was unsure about it. I left it because there hadn't at that time been a reaction. I think once there was, it needed to go to keep the thread respectful, at least until people understood it a bit better by discussing it on a thread like this. I'm still not really sure what it's supposed to mean, so I'm happy to be educated. As for explaining deletions, I've no problem doing it by PM, or on a thread like this.
I don’t really understand what the problem was with Stan’s post (well from what I can gather it contained). From what my understanding is, the white poppy remembers and respects the dead too. As someone else said, the hate towards it seems to stem from a tabloid campaign (internet reveals The ****ing Daily Star) and from national treasure, Margaret Thatcher. I’d reckon that Stan, like the rest of us who have lineage from this island, lost family in the World Wars too. For what it’s worth, I always wear a red poppy.
Personally, I find the white poppy a bit unnecessary. The red poppy is good enough for remembering and respecting our war dead; there's no need for a contrarian alternative. I've always found that the people who wear white poppies are doing it for attention, as the red poppy signifies the exact same as the white one.
Trouble with the picture was it showed a red poppy almost covered by a white one with "Peace" on it. Which is point making and posted to provoke a reaction. The wearing of a white poppy is normally done by people ostentatiously making points, the odious Polly Toynbee on TV the other morning being an example. It is like saying those who we are remembering were wrong and shouldn't be celebrated. If people don't agree then don't wear a poppy. Don't try and make points or distract from what the poppies are about, raising funds for ex-servicemen. Both my grandfather's were in WW1. One received an injury which affected him for the rest of his life . The other one would put money into the boxes but not wear a poppy because of its association with Earl Haig someone he had contempt for.
Again, I didn’t see the initial posts, just going on what’s been said and perhaps Stan might be able to go to greater detail, but as I’ve said, I’ve known the WPs as having emphasis on peace as well of remembrance. Which, to me, doesn’t seem such a dangerous platitude particularly if you position it in the social/political contexts of its origin.
I feel the Mods are doing well. Since election result last month or so. Just this week, I created a thread about Rio Ferdinand, not seeing another thread on the topic by Dr Stan. My thread was deleted but merged into the exsiting thread. So I was pleased.
I agree. It's not an easy role but the board is running smoothly. Not so many daft arguments these days. The fact a certain poster has stopped posting has probably helped. IMO.
I think the last few arguments helped clear the air and let people see where our actions were a part of the problem. I like to think I've learned from what people said about where they felt I was wrong. I thought what I was doing was for the best, but I was wrong. I've tried to back off quite a chunk since.
Fair play Dutch. I've been an argumentative t**t in the past and have been embroiled in a few ding dongs that have over stepped the mark. Can't be arsed anymore. I'm basically a chilled out entertainer these days.
