....to ask what you think of white poppies (Remembrance-related)?

[PlumpingUpPartridge]

I had been dimly aware of the existence of white poppies but hadn't really given them much thought until DH mentioned them this weekend. I checked out the website and saw this:

linky

I liked this quote:

"In 1933 the first white poppies appeared on Armistice Day (called Remembrance Day after World War Two). The white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War - a war in which many of the white poppy supporters lost husbands, brothers, sons and lovers - but a challenge to the continuing drive to war. The following year the newly founded Peace Pledge Union began widespread distribution of the poppies and their annual promotion."

I am very happy to express my admiration and respect for those who died in wars, but I don't particularly want to see any more wars. I don't know what the alternative is, but I'd like to see more effort go into finding it.

I've been sifting through the threads and noticed some anti-white poppy feeling (along the lines of 'it's disrespectful'). I didn't grow up here so don't have childhood experience to guide me on this. Please can you tell me what you think of it and, if you think it's disrespectful, why?

I'm not a journalist by the way, just curious and trying to be impartial

fairy I think you may be giving a bad impression of service people because your posts are sounding increasingly irate and less reasonable. As stated, you're not in the service yourself but you seem to identify with people who are.

Rabbitt it's not viewed as great because to some it's viewed as a personal jibe and insult, you can't help how people feel, people take offence to many different things in all walks of life. You can tell them your reason for wearing it and they may or may not accept it.

For me I wear a red poppy with pride on remeberance weekend, and a SAFFA PIN badge everyday.

I've heared "stories" of white poppy wearers that may or may not be true (we've had this debate already) and it has swayed my viewpoint and probably added insult to injury, but that's life.

You have the right to wear a white one I have the right to wear a red one, liberties and freedoms fought by men and women who payed the ultimate price, be them civilian or military the fallen should be remembered for me the red poppy encompasses all of these people and the white poppy excludes military personnel because of it's non war undertone, and demonized their losses, that's my belief on the matter.

Plumping I'm not irate or unreasonable. I am laughing at the fact that someone has had to resort to making things up to suit their own agenda, not a couple of hours after having a go at someone else for doing the same thing.

It is ridiculous that that particular poster has had to do it, especially after how rude she has been all day, no?

Maybe that's the crux of the matter, Ginger?

White poppy wearers think red poppy wearers remember military losses only?

Red poppy wearers think white poppy wearers specifically exclude military losses from their thoughts?

Not saying either of these are true... But perhaps that's the perception?

My thoughts exactly meoverhere.

I mean, I think those are exactly the misconceptions that exist.

I think you might have summed it up nicely, meoverhere.

I'm assuming that the phrase "white poppy militia" was chosen deliberately for maximum insult.
So please, do be specific about the problems you have with my views and beliefs, and I will listen and answer as best I can

Molly - you appear to be under the impression I was directing my comments at you personally. Not the case at all, and sorry if you think so, but you are mistaken. If you had read any of my previous posts, you will see that I am a supporter of the red poppy, but was also considering the white for various additional reasons (a per pro WWI Vets), the reasons for which I have stated.

Me - nicely put. Finger on the button exactly, I think!

Hi everyone,

We're aware this thread has got a little heated, so could we possibly have some peace and love (and a reminder of our talk guidelines).

Thanks!

*WotchootEraPolis" - You are at liberty to wear a white poppy if you like but don't forget it's the sacrifice of the armed forces that got you that liberty whether you condone war or not.

Good comment too - if it were not for the red poppy emblem, we would not even be permitted to have the white.

I was assuming that the "white poppy militia" referred to people supporting the wearing of white poppies, unless there is an organisation of armed white-poppy-wearers of which I am unaware.

I interpreted your comment as being deliberately rude by suggesting that a group made up predominately of people who are pacifist are actually behaving in a way that violates their principles and so were calling people who choose to wear white poppies hypocrites.

That was my objection.

(Bold fail)

Well, as I support the wearing of the white poppy, (in context), you are entirely incorrect in your assumption. So I was being neither deliberately rude nor hypocritical. Again, I ask the question - have you actually read any of my previous comments? I would suggest the answer might be "No".

My "White Poppy Miitia" referred to those who only seek to worship the white poppy as a symbol of peace and love, with no regard to those who lost their lives, therefore enabling the wearing of the white poppy in the first place. The White Poppy Militia meant those who name red-poppy wearers as warmongers, war-apologists, and other comments of that ilk.

I don't want to re-type all my previous posts. If you wish to comment on them further, could you scroll up yourself and read them.

I would add - it is all very well claiming the "pacifist" stance, when you have allowed others to do the fighting for you, to allow you that right. (and when I say "you" I DON't mean "you - Molly"). Let's get that straight, not misinterpreted [ smile]

I would wear the white poppy for the people shot for cowardice, when they should, instead, have received compassion and appropriate treatment. Many pacifists ran through the battlefields picking up casualties, choosing a different path for that awful war. They were every bit as brave as the person holding a gun.

You interpreted and assumed - incorrectly! I will happily wear a white poppy - alongside my red (and purple) one.

I thought I'd re-visit this thread and just share what I saw/heard at Remembrance Day today.

I didn't see any white poppies but then I didn't expect to really although they would have been welcome. I met a young boy of 6 wearing his father's medals. The Eric Bogle song was played in Church in its entirety which was well received; the Joss Stone effort not so much, it was ignored mostly.

Just a quick reminder to anyone who wants to listen: the Armed Forces want peace too. They really, really do want peace.

Iseesheep, thanks for sharing that. I would have liked to attend a Remembrance Day service today, but couldn't for various reasons (we were in an unknown city and our kids are unreliable at that time of day to put it mildly). I did tune into Radio 4 for the 2 minutes silence at the Cenotaph though.

I'm not a churchgoer so am slightly surprised that the Eric Bogle version was played, but quite pleased.

I don't doubt that the Armed Forces do want peace. I think that if most people realised how much the military do for us that ISN'T 'boots on the ground'-type stuff, they'd be surprised. I never realised they do so much. My personal ire is now directed at the people who order them about, not the military themselves.

By the way, has anyone esle noticed the Google doodle for today? It's commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. I find the lack of acknowledgement of the centenary of the Great War quite fucking offensive, frankly

I find the lack of acknowledgement of the centenary of the Great War quite fucking offensive, frankly

But 7-11-1914 isn't a significant anniversary; a Google doodle is more likely on the centenary of the Armistice.

Ah. You have a point, Janine.

It's been a hard day (for many reasons) and the Remembrance services have been in my head a lot. I forgot it's not actually 'til Tuesday

Anyone notice what colour poppy Joss Stone was wearing at the RBL Festival of Remembrance?

How interesting meoverhere..... I would have wondered if the dress detailing/colour was accidental, except for the fact that she isn't wearing an additional red one.

linky (apologies, it's the Daily Fascist)

I attended a remeberance day service today, it was full of forces and their families the main message was to wish for peace.

one thing that stuck with me from today was what someone actually said afterwards in the pub as we were remembering friends and that was "peace is your job, war is ours, if you fail at yours we won't fail you, or at at our job" made me feel quite upset .

Yup, Plumping, my thoughts exactly.

I thought it was a beautiful dress and I'm glad she wore it, without a red poppy, at the particular event she did.

It really goes to show the 'red poppy fascist brigade' which has apparently popped up over recent years appears no where other than the media, within idiotic places like the EDL/Britain First and within a few misguided individuals. Oh... And in some people's imaginations.