There is no genuinely good reason to not wear one, other than being an awkward leftie for the sake of it.
You're wrong.
What's your reason?
There are many people who are uncomfortable with the close relationship between this charity and militarism. This is not the time or place to enlarge upon that. But I also wonder if the idea that unless you wear a poppy you are unpatriotic is causing a degree of resentment.
Total codswallop - do you seriously think that people wearing a poppy are doing so to celebrate war (past, present and future) rather than offering remembrance and thanks ?
Today is Remembrance day, the one time a year we stop to pay tribute to those who served in wars across the centuries and around the globe. But is the poppy, worn as a gesture of solidarity and support, more a celebration of military action than a reminder of its terrible cost?
Case for: A tainted symbol
There are a number of good reasons why one might choose not to wear a poppy. It's a symbol that has bled into a kind of generalised, unthinking militarism. Yes, we all have a duty to remember those who died serving their country, and to support the soldiers who, in circumstances we mostly can’t imagine, are still putting themselves in harm’s way for our sake. But people have every right to feel uncomfortable donating to a cause and sporting an emblem so firmly wrapped up with wider support for military action.
Case against: Grow up
So wearing the poppy offends your sense of yourself as a vibrant individual with unique tastes and interesting thoughts? So what? Get over it. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices and band together for the greater good. A generation of men and woman learnt that lesson the hard way during the two World Wars. Many men and women continue to make great sacrifices in defence of your freedom. All you have to do is drop a coin in a collection box and wear a poppy. If that's the greatest injustice you have to rail against, lucky you. The British military must have done a pretty good job. "
All you have to do is drop a coin in a collection box and wear a poppy. If that's the greatest injustice you have to rail against, lucky you. The British military must have done a pretty good job.
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
There is a female German OAP who lives near me, and every year we wonder if she will make it and turn up for the local remembrance services each year, she moved to Britain after WWII and married an English guy she met near to the end of the conflict (he, sadly, is no longer with us), she wears a poppy and she wears it for remembrance of all who died, not for victory. As she said to me once "I lost family & friends on both sides due to WWII"
This is her from last years service at Bluewater (3rd pic I believe in this link)
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
I'm sure someone can read into what that says.
Just as easy to dig an old poppy out the draw and donate here like I did this year.
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
I'm sure someone can read into what that says.
Just as easy to dig an old poppy out the draw and donate here like I did this year.
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
I'm sure someone can read into what that says.
Just as easy to dig an old poppy out the draw and donate here like I did this year.
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
I'm sure someone can read into what that says.
Just as easy to dig an old poppy out the draw and donate here like I did this year.
Still honestly haven't seen a poppy seller yet and I've hardly been hermit as I've walked across Manchester city centre and back again 4 times this week, yet I've seen about 10 Big Issue sellers in that span of time.
I'm sure someone can read into what that says.
Just as easy to dig an old poppy out the draw and donate here like I did this year.
Just back from the very busy Cleethorpes Tesco .. would estimate that between 75-80% of the people in the store were wearing poppies, men, women and quite a few children .. the exceptions, without generalising too much would tend to be the younger generation .. I spoke to the very smart old gentleman who was manning the well stocked Legion stall .. he told me that sales had picked up in the last few days after a slow start .. as has been mentioned on here, perhaps the public like to buy their poppies nearer to the 11/11 rather than in mid October
I bought two a couple of weeks ago in local Tesco. One is stick on, one with a pin, hoping I would keep at least one until the 11th. Usually lose at least one. I still have both today!
Comments
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/debate/has-wearing-the-poppy-become-a-symbol-of-unthinking-militarism-8294037.html
" What's going on?
Today is Remembrance day, the one time a year we stop to pay tribute to those who served in wars across the centuries and around the globe. But is the poppy, worn as a gesture of solidarity and support, more a celebration of military action than a reminder of its terrible cost?
Case for: A tainted symbol
There are a number of good reasons why one might choose not to wear a poppy. It's a symbol that has bled into a kind of generalised, unthinking militarism. Yes, we all have a duty to remember those who died serving their country, and to support the soldiers who, in circumstances we mostly can’t imagine, are still putting themselves in harm’s way for our sake. But people have every right to feel uncomfortable donating to a cause and sporting an emblem so firmly wrapped up with wider support for military action.
Case against: Grow up
So wearing the poppy offends your sense of yourself as a vibrant individual with unique tastes and interesting thoughts? So what? Get over it. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices and band together for the greater good. A generation of men and woman learnt that lesson the hard way during the two World Wars. Many men and women continue to make great sacrifices in defence of your freedom. All you have to do is drop a coin in a collection box and wear a poppy. If that's the greatest injustice you have to rail against, lucky you. The British military must have done a pretty good job. "
I'm sure someone can read into what that says.
This is her from last years service at Bluewater (3rd pic I believe in this link)
http://m.newsshopper.co.uk/news/10801373.Two_minute_Armistice_Day_silence_brings_Bluewater_to_a_standstill/
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/how-to-give