I'd have no issue with them remembering their fallen either. What I would object to is if they politicised it - like the example earlier in the thread. Most of the ones our troops fought against were conscripts who were there just to divert attention away from a failing military government at home. As in most wars, none of the ones who took the decision to go to war stepped anywhere near the battlefield while any action was taking place.
**** anyone that doesn't wear a poppy in my opinion I hope world war 3 starts next week when trump wins and that they and their family's get forced to fight
total bull ! most of the ones our troops fought against were conscripts ? goose green, paras totally outnumbered by argy commandos they knew this was a stragegic position and defended it with their best troops ,mount longdon the same, ended up with hand to hand fighting Argentinian special forces and marines involved, also at mount tumbledown defended by marines with machine gun posts and artillery on to the british positions,they also had months to survey the land and to dig in and position machine guns and artillery .other positions heavily defended .also it was known that their air force was top quality due to the fact they trained with the R A F, I was in the R N And we knew we would loose ships ,the army lads knew the opposition were no push over I actually find that post an insult
I don't wear a poppy. I put my change in the British Legion box in the pub last night though so I'm not opposed to chipping in occasionally.
Anyone noticed today that FIFA have started retrospective action against Ireland for wearing shirts celebrating the Easter Rising? Expect a small fine for Ireland, to be used as justification for a whopping points deduction for England and Scotland. That being said if we qualify despite a points deduction, it could be just the boost to team spirit England need before a major tournament.
I'm with FIFA on this one. It's hardly a longstanding tradition the FA are fighting for, is it? How on earth did we manage to remember the war dead all those years when poppies were not printed on sports shirts? If the FA insist on defying FIFA, under pressure as they are from Brexiters and Daily Mail readers, then I hope they are ready to face the consequences, including expulsion from the World Cup. That is one of the things annoying me about this whole non-issue. FIFA have taken action against the Iranian, Kosovan and Croatian football associations for violations of the rule regarding racial, religious or political chanting, yet people are going on like it's just them having a vendetta against the English. They have 212 member countries to look after, not just the arrogant fools in this country.
When was the last time England played Scotland on Remembrance day? Also, comparing a symbol remembering war dead to racist chanting is a bit much mate. Unless you're on a wind up of course.
No, I'm not on a wind up. I'm just reminding people that wearing the poppy on sports shirts is a recent innovation, and certainly not an issue to confront FIFA on. There are at least 101 other issues that are more important. It doesn't make you a traitor to your country to see what nonsense this is. Since the death of Diana Spencer it seems we can't mourn, grieve or remember without making a vast mawkish show of it. And forcing it down other people's throats.
I'm with you that individuals should be able to make the choice. Wear a poppy if you want, or don't. Many (but not all) of those who died did so defending your freedom to make that choice. However, the FA is arguing that the symbol is not political - and on this they are right. Allowing two national teams to meet and wear a joint symbol of remembrance should be a no-brainer.
Andy Murray winning his quarter final match there playing with a poppy on his shirt and nobody seems to be getting their knickers in a twist. One win away from becoming world number one by the way, since Djokovic lost his match earlier.
trouble with the poppy is that people wear it as a matter of course and not because they believe in it. If Bliar can wear the poppy then there';s something wrong; I can't get behind the same message presented in the same way. I am not wearing the poppy this year as I haven't done in years past. It doesn't mean that I don't regret the loss of life nor disrespect the fallen of any nation it's just that I find that the process of putting on a poppy and popping a quid or two in the tin and thinking that's sufficient to display one's grief and support: well, for me it's not. I am angry that a lot of our servicemen were put in mortal danger for the last 100 years (and more) and I believe that putting on a poppy to show my acceptance of social remorse is utterly wrong. I am angry that men and women died needlessly in the first world war; we didn't need to be there. If we had sorted out the mess after the first world war properly then there wouldn't have been a second. And as for the likes of Blair and Bush sending men out to die for their benefit then, I am sorry, I am not wearing a poppy and be quiet. I am angry and I am not wearing a poppy because I want people to ask me why not. And, yes, I served.
While I agree with a lot of what you said I think you have to accept that there will always be wars - somewhere there will be somebody who wants more power than they have got and there are times when other countries have to step up to the plate and stop them. I have enormous respect for those who serve in the military and for those who have given their lives serving their country. What pisses me off is the government making a big issue out of this poppy thing while at the same time sending troops out with inadequate equipment to protect them and then not looking after them properly when they do get back providing limited physical and mental therapy for the injured, inadequate housing for their families and limited compensation for the bereaved. In any other line of work it would be classed as gross negligence. The outsourcing of essential services (training, equipment maintenance, housing maintenance) is also an absolute disgrace. I would always wear a poppy but I think that insisting that 22 players have to do it for 90mins in contravention of the rules of the competition is just silly. Let the crowd get involved, donate the gate receipts and any player appearance fees to the RBL and play The Last Post instead of the National Anthem with a minutes silence. That to me would be a much more fitting tribute to those who have served and died and those who are serving now.
Agree with most of what you've said but for me it's not a political symbol and, therefore, not in breach of any rules. Do also agree with Deluded that some people buy the poppy just to be seen to be doing the right thing rather than because they believe in the message of the symbol. Demonstrated for me the other day on Radio Newcastle when people in the street were interviewed and gave various disparate reasons as to what the poppy was supposed to represent.
