To not buy a poppy

[Hippymum89]

Why is it more important to remember the death of a soldier who died fighting for the country (or so he believed) than the death of every other person who has died?
What about all the others who have died helping others? Were their lives less important? Or the little old lady who died in hospital at the age of 97, she didn't kill any Germans, or rescue people. She lived her life, but doesn't that count?
I think poppys glorify war and therefore murder, so I will not be buying one.

No, LtEveDallas I will wear my White Poppy with pride as my war hero father did, thanks. I do not choose to wear a Red Poppy. I support the stance of the Peace Pledge Union.

If you want remembrance untainted by militarism, then the White Poppy is what you should be wearing. It's the Red Poppy that introduces politics and militarism into the issue of remembrance. Not the White Poppy.

I don't think the taliban invading england is a real threat.

Sorry but why does the red poppy introduce politics? Or is that just down to individuals opinion?

Mordion where do the funds from white poppies go to? Am genuinely interested to know.

guy might disagree with you Virginia

Eldritch you have a great way of looking at it. I honestly wish it didn't anger me so much.

I also love the Imperial War Museum for the way in which they present a great insight into what the commonwealth countries contributed to the war effort.

I am against war but feel that all who have fought when they felt our freedoms were on the line, should be remembered equally and with admiration.

No, it's the Red Poppy that is a symbol of Remembrance and nothing else.

The Red poppy and the purchase of, supports those ex soldiers and their families that the Government have abandoned.

The White Poppy and the purchase of, gives no support to anyone

Hijacking Remembrance Day is disrespectful, and nothing but a gimmick.

Lest we forget.

Wiley, from their website - the money goes to themselves:

Where does the money go?

"Through the white poppy our aim is primarily to raise issues. We distribute the white poppies each year to challenge the view that war and preparations for war are necessary or inevitable. Any money raised over and above the cost of producing, publicising and distributing the white poppies goes to fund our education work, some of which can be seen on our main website"

Ah yes LtEveDallas just looked at the website and was quite disappointed that there is no clear statement of what funds collected are for -

"Any money raised over and above the cost of producing, publicising and distributing the white poppies goes to fund our education work"

"it's the Red Poppy that is a symbol of Remembrance and nothing else"
^ agreed

I don't think the taliban invading england is a real threat

Well to be fair, I don't think I am necessarily doing justice to a quite complicated military doctrine, Virginia (which I don't endorse, by the way, just saying that's the apparent justification).

You may not understand OP but ignorance like yours makes my blood boil.

As a mother, I would do anything to protect my child but I can't imagine being asked to go to war and potentially give my life for her freedom. These people did that for their families. The very least we can do is remember that sacrifice.

x post!

Thanks LtEveDallas

@Wiley to the PPU educational projects mainly. The annual income of the PPU is c£95k. Which is about the same as the salary of the British Legion Chief Exec.

@LteveDallas The White Poppy is neither a gimick nor disrespectful and it does not 'hijack' remembrance day. Remembrance is not the sole preserve of the Haig Fund.

Hi all,

Many thanks for all of the reports about this thread, we will be going through it shortly to remove the personal attacks and other posts that break our guidelines.

We do understand peoples concern but, from what we know of the OP, we don't think she deliberately started this thread to goad/inflame.

Please remember that personal attacks do break our Talk guidelines and are likely to be deleted.

Do feel free, however, to counter her opinion, as many others have, with your own very different thoughts about the value and importance of the Poppy Appeal.

@RebeccaMumsnet I presume you meant to include an invitation to add thoughts about the value and importance of the White Poppy movement and the Peace Pledge Union too, yes? Or is the message of No More War not one that Mumsnet thinks has value and importance?

I find the white poppy the political statement.

Just my opinion though.

@Tess Indeed it is just your opinion.

Mordion what are their educational projects - i couldn't really make head nor tail of their website, it didn't appear very clear.

On their website making a point of the Bomber Command memorial sat uncomfortably with me.

But perhaps that is because i do not know much about the White Poppy and what it funds exactly.

I find their website perfectly clear.

People really reported this thread? Because they actually couldn't believe the OP actually held opinions different from theirs?

Fook me.

"I find the white poppy the political statement"

From what i have seen i agree.

I have to say they have political messages about reducing funding to the military on their website etc. whilst the Red Poppy is about raising money to help ex/servicemen and their families.

Mordion - do you assume that anyone who wears a red poppy is a supporter of war?

I'm Irish so there's a few obvious reasons why I wouldn't wear one but fair play to those who do, they're entitled to hold whatever views and support whatever causes they choose.
No problem with anyone who either chooses or chooses not to wear them, only those who try and enforce their morals on others either way.
I've heard of a fair few people in England being pressurised into wearing them, but then again there's probably a load of places in Ireland where you'd get pressured to take them off