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.

^Who's going to invade you? And aren't the majority of the armed forces overseas anyway?
And don't you think civilians might rise up against this mythical invading army?^

If we sat here without any forces, we'd be fair game, don't you think?!

And yes, I'm sure a lot of untrained civilians would be really effective.

No, the majority of the armed forces is not overseas.

Without training, and arms, civilians will not be able to 'rise up'

I'm sure Poland didn't expect to be invaded, either.

Back to your box Virginia, you know not of what you speak.

RubyrooUK what a brilliant post.

every year we get thick as shit threads like this.
they are full of the same drivel as the op here is.
what a pile of shit

OP, I feel the same as you. Someones probably already mentioned this in 12 pages, but there is an alternative by a white poppy.

www.ppu.org.uk/whitepoppy/index.html

I don't think it matters since no-one is going to invade you. Even inside my box I can tell that.

Poland did expect to be invaded. And I think you'll find things have changed rather a lot since then.

But its all a moot point since its been, what, 700 years since your country was last invaded? Not actually a realistic prospect, more a hyperbolic rhetoric designed to win pointless internet arguments with random strangers.

So why post on a thread about the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal. What does it matter to you - are you just trolling?

Virginia you DO seem to enjoy a nice little ruck have to say. Popping up everywhere with the most disagreeable view possible.

VirginiaDare so...Britain should have no defences because we haven't been invaded in "700" years. I believe actually,it has been longer than that.

If we had had no defences in WWII we would have been invaded. If we had no defences,we would have been unable to protect the British citizens of the Falkland Islands.

Things happen,defences are needed.

PickledFanjoCat I've noticed that as well.

I picked my nephew up from pre school today, they had made poppies and he very proudly told me "this is to remember the soilders"

Nobody is forced to wear a poppy, join in any sort of rememberance parade or silence. What is unreasonable is to try to argue against how much soilders gave up (and still do) in order to help protect us. Whatever your view on wars are they happen and as such I will be eternally greatful for the men and women who are willing to risk their lives.

I will wear my poppy with pride and I will parade with pride on Sunday.

It hasn't been longer than that. 1326 I do believe.

I'm still wondering who exactly you think is going to invade you.

Anyway, back to the point. Do non commonwealth countries wear a poppy or have the equivalent, or is it a peculiarly British-esqe doohickey?

This thread is sad. Why can't we debate more politely?

Virginia are you an American?

I agree with RubyRooUK

I am eternally grateful my Jewish great grandfather was allow to settle here and am proud my (non) Jewish grandfather fought in WWII and came home. Without these two men and the tolerance of the UK (generally) I don't think I would be here today - or at least not in this capacity.

The poppy for me is about everyone who fought, died, lived through and came out the other side. It's not about the 'glory of war'. My grandfather came back from war a changed man - he never spoke or remanissed about it, never accepted his medals and became an atheist.

I find it a bit ironic all the "How dare you say that! Soliders died for your freedom!"

It is exactly that freedom to express such views.

My unease with the RBL and particularly the tone of the modern appeal is that, IMHO it romanticises war.

Men were treated like cannon fodder and forced/ sent off to die in terrible conditions.
We still have an army (where the poorer working classes and care-leavers are hugely overrepresented) are sent of to be killed and maimed in horrible conditions in ever more pointless and unjust conflicts.

Painting it all as a remembrance of heroism let's the government off the hook ethically and financially.

Oh, btw my dad served in the army for many years and is well aware of my views.

Um...where did you get 1326 from? I was thinking 1066 myself.

And it turns out we were both wrong Virginia the last time invaders set foot on British mainland was 1797.

Isabella of France and her mercenary army, 1326.
1797? Not sure about that one, by who and where?

And it turns out we were both wrong Virginia the last time invaders set foot on British mainland was 1797.

Quite, and we wear a poppy to remember those who ensured it wasn't 1940.

French Legionare. February 1797. Fishguard.

VirginiaDare so...Britain should have no defences because we haven't been invaded in "700" years. I believe actually,it has been longer than that.

Actually technically it was 1940-1944. Luftwaffe anyone? And the Germans invaded the Channel Islands that are "technically" British.That was only 70 years ago.

1797? Not sure about that one, by who and where?

The French landed in Fishguard.

Operation Sea Lion (German invasion of England) was never even properly planned let alone attempted, and was never a realistic possibility, mainly due to the germans v small naval capacity.

The channel islands were invaded and were resolutly ignored by the British Government. But we don't really go on about that do we? Because you know, we only remember the nice bits where we won.

@Goth its not a 'bit' ironic