Red or white poppies?

[CrazyHorse]

As a complement to the religion thread:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6131464.stm

I don't really know how I feel about this. How on earth can wearing a poppy raise the question of political correctness?

[thebish]

before "religion" gets blamed for this - no religion invented the red or the white poppy...

[David Lee's Hair]

[communistworkethic]

I hold no truck with White Poppies. The poppy dates back to WW1 and the fields of Paschendale, the Somme and Ypres. They are a symbol of respect and rememberance to those who have given their lives through all wars since then in the name of their country to ensure that the country we live in and the values we espose are maintained. The money from their sales goes to charitable causes supporting the survivors or wars and their families.

They do not glorify war. The white poppy is a slap in the face to all those who fought because it's trying to use the same symbolism and devalue the red poppy, I find this pathetic and somewhat distasteful.

Nobody sane thinks war is a good idea but until society finds a way to end war for good those who give their lives in the name of freedom should be honoured and respected and the poppy has served that purpose well. If the pacifist lobby want a symbol, good luck to them but using the poppy is wrong and is targetting the individuals not the policy makers.

[enfieldwhite]

What a load of old Sh*t

I'm sick of this crap where people think that changing something will change people's perceptions. The poppy metaphorically symbolises and literally manifests itself as hope springing from the carnage, death and horror of the North European battlefields.

This story is beyond pathetic.

Leave it be.

[Gertie]

When I was a Guide leader in Bolton all the Guides, Brownies, Scouts, cubs etc attended the rememberance parade in Bolton. One year I had to carry my Guide Group flag and I was sooooo worried about dropping it on some poor war veterans head.* We had to meet up at the library walk with the flags to the town hall and stand by the steps with the flags during the service.

The thing that I remember most, apart from not dropping the flag and trying to make sure the kids weren't texting during the silence was that there was a chap who took a white poppy wreath and laid it with the others.

* I didn't drop it on anyone phew

[warthog]

When I was a Guide leader in Bolton all the Guides, Brownies, Scouts, cubs etc attended the rememberance parade in Bolton. One year I had to carry my Guide Group flag and I was sooooo worried about dropping it on some poor war veterans head.* We had to meet up at the library walk with the flags to the town hall and stand by the steps with the flags during the service.

The thing that I remember most, apart from not dropping the flag and trying to make sure the kids weren't texting during the silence was that there was a chap who took a white poppy wreath and laid it with the others.

* I didn't drop it on anyone phew

That would be Bertie Lewis from CND. The wreath usually got removed, but one year, someone spray painted it red.

[Lennon]

A Christian lobby group says...

A 'Christian lobby group' is about as relevant as a star trek fan club, regardless of what subject they decide to moan about next.

[Soldier_Of_The_White_Army]

I hold no truck with White Poppies. The poppy dates back to WW1 and the fields of Paschendale, the Somme and Ypres. They are a symbol of respect and rememberance to those who have given their lives through all wars since then in the name of their country to ensure that the country we live in and the values we espose are maintained. The money from their sales goes to charitable causes supporting the survivors or wars and their families.

They do not glorify war. The white poppy is a slap in the face to all those who fought because it's trying to use the same symbolism and devalue the red poppy, I find this pathetic and somewhat distasteful.

Nobody sane thinks war is a good idea but until society finds a way to end war for good those who give their lives in the name of freedom should be honoured and respected and the poppy has served that purpose well. If the pacifist lobby want a symbol, good luck to them but using the poppy is wrong and is targetting the individuals not the policy makers.

Well fxxxxxx said that man!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everything I wanted to say on the subject has been written above.

[InsaneApache]

My dads second wifes father was on the Somme. At the outbreak of war he was training to become a priest. When he was called up he spoke to the recruiting officer about his calling and that as a conscientious objector would not be able to take up arms. He was asked if he had any objection to being placed in the RMC, he didn't and so became a stretcher bearer. Not a plum job.

He was gassed several times and never regained his sense of smell to the day he died. The stories he told me, when I was a young man, were unbelieveable and horrendous. When the war ended he was demobbed and returned to Blighty....he lost his faith and never regained it. He was an atheist until the end. His take on it was that if there were truly a god, then he would never have allowed such brutal deprivations and carnage.

For this nitwit to say the red poppy is a symbol much like that of the crucifix would be hilarious were it not tragic. Talk about getting your head stuck up your arse.

[Raven]

I hold no truck with White Poppies. The poppy dates back to WW1 and the fields of Paschendale, the Somme and Ypres. They are a symbol of respect and rememberance to those who have given their lives through all wars since then in the name of their country to ensure that the country we live in and the values we espose are maintained. The money from their sales goes to charitable causes supporting the survivors or wars and their families.

They do not glorify war. The white poppy is a slap in the face to all those who fought because it's trying to use the same symbolism and devalue the red poppy, I find this pathetic and somewhat distasteful.

Nobody sane thinks war is a good idea but until society finds a way to end war for good those who give their lives in the name of freedom should be honoured and respected and the poppy has served that purpose well. If the pacifist lobby want a symbol, good luck to them but using the poppy is wrong and is targetting the individuals not the policy makers.

Very well put, says it all really

[bobo the clown]

I hold no truck with White Poppies. ............

They do not glorify war. The white poppy is a slap in the face to all those who fought because it's trying to use the same symbolism and devalue the red poppy, I find this pathetic and somewhat distasteful. .........

Very well put, says it all really

Let me put it a slightly different way. To all those "complicators" of life, to all those who seek to excuse & deny & apologise just about anything & everything which good, honest decent people hold dear .....

Fck-off. Fck-off, fck-off, fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off. Fck-off, fck-off, fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off.Fck-off, fck-off, fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off cfk-off.Fck-off, fck-off, fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off.Fck-off, fck-off, fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off fck-off.

Just fckg, fck-off.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

What Bobo said!

[sluffy]

I hold no truck with White Poppies. The poppy dates back to WW1 and the fields of Paschendale, the Somme and Ypres. They are a symbol of respect and rememberance to those who have given their lives through all wars since then in the name of their country to ensure that the country we live in and the values we espose are maintained. The money from their sales goes to charitable causes supporting the survivors or wars and their families.

They do not glorify war. The white poppy is a slap in the face to all those who fought because it's trying to use the same symbolism and devalue the red poppy, I find this pathetic and somewhat distasteful.

Nobody sane thinks war is a good idea but until society finds a way to end war for good those who give their lives in the name of freedom should be honoured and respected and the poppy has served that purpose well. If the pacifist lobby want a symbol, good luck to them but using the poppy is wrong and is targetting the individuals not the policy makers.

Very well said Commie. I'm in total agreement.

Brave men indeed - who should always be remembered.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.


John McCrae MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918)

[Montreal Wanderer]

I hold no truck with White Poppies. The poppy dates back to WW1 and the fields of Paschendale, the Somme and Ypres. They are a symbol of respect and rememberance to those who have given their lives through all wars since then in the name of their country to ensure that the country we live in and the values we espose are maintained. The money from their sales goes to charitable causes supporting the survivors or wars and their families.

They do not glorify war. The white poppy is a slap in the face to all those who fought because it's trying to use the same symbolism and devalue the red poppy, I find this pathetic and somewhat distasteful.

Nobody sane thinks war is a good idea but until society finds a way to end war for good those who give their lives in the name of freedom should be honoured and respected and the poppy has served that purpose well. If the pacifist lobby want a symbol, good luck to them but using the poppy is wrong and is targetting the individuals not the policy makers.

Very well said Commie. I'm in total agreement.

Brave men indeed - who should always be remembered.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.


John McCrae MD (November 30, 1872 – January 28, 1918)

McCrae was actually a Canadian who was on the Faculty of Medicine here at McGill. In Canada we have never heard of a White Poppy (at least I have never seen or heard one)

[50sQuiff]

As a great man once said, "I leave symbols to the symbol-minded". They're not worth worrying about. Be happy that the cause is a worthy one.

[TANGODANCER]

Gee Commie,what a disappointment; nothing to debate about. For once I am in total agreement. Well put indeed.

My father was in the Second World War. Like most other ordinary working class people, he didn't want to be, he just went to fight for his country. We always visited the memorial on the Town Hall Square on rememberance day and just because some prat wants to make a name for themselves by altering an honoured and respected tradition changes nothing. Not long ago Ken Livingstone wanted to tear down all the statues of dead war heroes around London and replace them with modern achievers, whoever the fxxx they are. Another prat.

I bought a poppy yesterday from a Salvation Army veteran. It was red, as it should be. I wouldn't dishonour the memory of our soldiers by buying a white one.

Listen to the Furies version of "The green fields of France" as the finest anti-war song ever.

[Dujon]

Ruddy 'eck, white poppies? I think some of our esteemed theologians should go back to bed and do a bit of theologianing. Might do 'em a bit of good that.

The poppy (the red one) is usually worn, just once a year, to remember those who fell in battle. It is not a glorification of war but an expression of sadness. The fact that certain charities benefit from donations as a result is, in some respects, a bonus.

I suppose next that poppy eradication schemes will become world wide (they are in place in some countries) and some crackpot (sorry) minister/priest/parson or their ilk will equate white poppies to drug running. Bugger (sorry, again) such priests of the press and get them out to make an honest living. I am aware that many a dedicated man and woman do great work for the community but some of the statements issued by their heirarchy are totally ridiculous.

Perhaps I should research a thesis on the place of religious paraphanalia and regalia in their 'ceremonies'. Pah!

No, I'm not starting another anti-religious thread or hi-jacking this one.

[communistworkethic]

dujon

best example of a Christian symbol being hi-jacked - the swastika

[Zulus Thousand of em]

dujon

best example of a Christian symbol being hi-jacked - the swastika

A Hindu, Buddhist and Jain symbol, but not Christian to my knowledge. Your point is just as valid though.