FIFA. You bunch of plonkers

[Mad Doug Biker]

As one who has not worn a poppy in years (I don't want too, there, said it, I have my reasons, live with it), I took a deep breath before reading this thread, but it has turned out a lot better than I thought, so thanks all!

 

[Tanis8472]

I've never worn one, but have on occasion donated a few quid to the British legion.

 

[srw]

Also, given that civilian casualties have outnumber "forces" casualties by some considerable amount over some considerable time, is it not the case that "people in uniform" should be remembering civilians?

A bit of balance while the country has its annual swoonfest over anything in uniform? That would never do.

And to answer your previous question, it's been a long time since I last attended a civic remembrance event, but yes, it did cover the entire Commonwealth. Even the Scots. The embarrassingly twee sea of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London a few years ago included one for each of the Commonwealth* war dead**. Though not for the German cannon-fodder, the nasty foreign deckers.

*Empire
**as long as they had the decency to die in uniform.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

I think the whole thing should be wound back a bit. IMO it's not just a remembrance symbol for those who died, but a reminder that we should never again allow the political mindset that countenanced wholesale slaughter as a "great and glorious thing". To my mind, that's the true meaning of the poppy but the whole thing has been mismanaged in recent years.

 

[rich p]

This relatively recent obsession with the poppy is odd to me.
Anecdotally, I see less members of the general public wearing poppies these days, but more and more 'compulsion' to do so on TV and in public events.

Actually, I see 'fewer' but the grammar pedants are cutting me some slack...

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I think the whole thing should be wound back a bit. IMO it's not just a remembrance symbol for those who died, but a reminder that we should never again allow the political mindset that countenanced wholesale slaughter as a "great and glorious thing".

Yeh, that's worked well...

 

[Dayvo]

Apologies for the link, but I found the answer to my 'simple' question: yes, the England cricket team did indeed wear a poppy on their shirts during the recent Test against India.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/2163...lled-in-conflict-lets-hope-fifa-are-watching/

That's all I wanted to know.

 

[John the Monkey]

As one who has not worn a poppy in years (I don't want too, there, said it, I have my reasons, live with it), I took a deep breath before reading this thread, but it has turned out a lot better than I thought, so thanks all!

Give it time

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

I've always worn a poppy for a great grandfather that died on the Somme. To me there seems to be a new industry in creating the next big gesture.
I understand the BBC making them compulsory as they would get bombarded by abuse from public, press and government. Last year people were ringing and complaining because a BBC presenter's poppy was 'the wrong way round'.

 

[AndyRM]

On the way to work this morning I saw a woman who had a very 'bling' poppy, gold stem, diamante red and green bits.

I thought it was rather sad, almost showing off her 'remembrance' as a fashion statement.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I don't really like the whole poppy wearing. I find it to be no different to the bullying wrist bands. Now, I'm indifferent to what people choose to do/not do, wear/not wear. But I do have my own opinions.

There's no "right" way to remember, you don't have to attend a service, you don't have to observe a minute silence, you don't have to donate cash to remember, and respect all those who served. But it seems there's become a socially acceptable way, and unnecessary pressure for people to conform.

Wearing a poppy, I see as nothing more than a public statement that you donated to charity.

 

[MiK1138]

Why would Indian players wear a poppy*, every war that has ever been fought was won by people from England, alone and unsupported. You fule.

*This is a genuine question caught in the midst of my usual bollocks.

People from England? surely just one person John Mills i heard he won the war single handedly

 

[MiK1138]

I didnt used to wear a poppy when it was the Earl Haig fund, couldnt believe the charity was named for one of the people largely responsible for the suffering. only started wearing one when it became Poppy Scotland

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The teams should both have points deducted. The rules are the rules, agree with them or not.

 

[slowmotion]

A poppy thread comes round every year. It's rather like the schoolgirls jumping for joy at their A-level results. I'm all for tradition.