People have the freedom to wear one or not, as they see fit. Just so long as they remember that their freedom to do so was paid for in blood.
We should be grateful that Britain is a place where the inhabitants do not routinely go around brandishing machine guns - where life is cheap and killing your 'enemy' is compulsory ! - Is that the way a civilised World is supposed to behave - well, Yes if it is intent on self destruction. The fact that the inhabitants of our shores do not live in perpetual fear of a bullet or bomb as you go about your daily routine, is in no small way down to the duty performed by our fathers & grand fathers. How many would do the same today ? - and yet we would expect to be free to do as we please - without being blasted in the streets. So if you don't wish to wear a poppy - not a problem - but at least have 'quiet' respect for those who gave their lives just so that that you now can make THAT very choice.
I thought they fought so that people had the right to voice an opinion in a free society, whether people like it or not, as opposed to having to stay quiet?
Something like that. When I was a teenager, older blokes would frequently collar you on buses and say things like "I fought a war for the likes of you". It took years before I realised that they weren't just grumpy old fossils, they really had made the sort of sacrifices my generation could only imagine. The point of the poppy, however, is not to celebrate winning two world wars and one world cup. It's to remember the futility of war, particularly the institutionalised murder at Ypres, the Somme etc.
Usually, as you point out, it was originally used to commemorate soldiers who died in war. However, it's bollocks to suggest that is still the case. In recent years it's basically promoted as some sort of 'Support Our Boys' as they traverse Points of the globe shooting dangerous men, women and children, and trying to avoid nasty IEDs whilst directly foiling the inevitable suicide and Mumbai-style attacks that would wreak havoc all over Britain, you know, if it wasn't for their bravery and sacrifice. Anyway, we all know that anyone who doesn't wear one is viewed with suspicion, and - even worse - someone who doesn't buy one AND voices a differing opinion, is then portrayed as some sort of terrorist-loving, anti-liberty promoting traitor.
According to their website, the British Legion "helps serving members of the Armed Forces, ex servicemen and women and their families, now and for the rest of their lives". I don't see much wrong with that personally, and it's necessary because "our boys" tend to get **** all help from their grateful government when they fall on hard times.
Where one if you want... Give to charity if you want... I do for personal reasons. And to support charities that help the old war soldiers. However, I do believe it been hijacked by some people as a form of jingoism - this sticks in my throat (and winds up others).
I think it's fair enough that you have a charity which supports your armed forces, as people say it is not as if they are paid well or have support from the government after they retire from service. I think the problem is when people get all over coercive over it, as in you must wear one of these symbols or you are disrespecting the country - when surely support of any charity is a private matter (and if anything, showing everyone how charitable you are by displaying your donation on your coat makes it slightly less charitable, since you gain some sort of personal social recognition there is a bit of selfishness involved).
Oh dear I can't remember the last time I wore a poppy. I have respect for the sacrifices made, but don't feel the need to donate to the charity or try to make myself look better to others by publicly supporting the cause.
I couldn't agree more - well said. The latest statement of jingoism comes in the form of a metal poppy with the insignia "try burning this". Needless to say this was not issued by the British Legion and, in fact all profits go to the EDL. Pretty disgraceful from people that claim to be patriots if you ask me......
It's 940 on a Monday morning ... gies a break! <****face> I agree ... people use it is a form of one up manship.
These cunst are ...well, ****s! If there are radical muslim groups banned from the UK, so should these ****s!
