Why I No Longer Feel Comfortable Wearing a Poppy

[Geckos48]

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/madeleine-fry/poppy-day_b_4169581.html

very eloquently put. Exactly how I feel about the whole debacle.

November 11th should be for those who selflessly gave their lives in the World Wars, not those who chose to fight dubious campaigns abroad.

Again, how does a hatred of war show a 'lack of empathy'

Actually, don't bother, this is nothing to do with my career choice, my 'plan' has not changed.

Ignore my last. Have asked for it to be withdrawn.

limitedperiodonly that was a shameful episode in our history wasn't it. It disgusts me that we did that.

I expect gecko organised a street party.

But we have to use it Kim because it is there.

Otherwise what would they do?

I heard the other day that we wouldnt go into another war because we can't afford to, so most of the army will be disbanded. I bet if we are at risk of invasion that money will magically appear.

You don't think it is offensive saying 3,000 people should move 16 across the world if they want to be British? And that the Northern Irish should too! Are you on Mars, Gecko?

You act like its the only time we have done it back it certainly is not.

You are anti war, fine, funnily enough I suspect no one here actually wants war themselves.

Your loathing for the people who serve in the military is obvious, you will forever be remembered by those of us who read your other thread [remember, the 'I'm going to leave Mumsnet because I can't believe our team are talking to them] one and some of the disgusting things you wrote on that.

You don't understand it Geckos because you don't read any of it! When I then ask you a second time you come back with one of your own or say 'read.......' As if it answers my question.

I wrote that I dont think all soldiers are heros and that they ignore behaviour they wouldnt ignore in the UK.

I still have the same views, I think there are lots of people who are pro-war, in that they can't see any other answer for the worlds problems than bombing the shit out of people.

Okay well thanks for elaborating(?) Satin I can't see I have any more of an idea what you are talking about!

I'm not entering into discussion here as the OP seems determined not to listen to any other points of view but just want to add my voice to those who say I will wear my poppy with pride and with sadness for all of those who have given so much for the rest of us

" I bet if we are at risk of invasion that money will magically appear."
But isn't that exactly what you were advocating earlier in the thread gecko? That we should all band together in the face of invasion. A bit like Dad's Army with garden brooms.
Except that, oops, modern warfare has moved on a bit since 1940, and pitchforks might not quite cut it.

Possibly back

I don't agree with gecko or the article she linked to. I think her arguments are muddled.

But I do feel the wearing of poppies has become a political act, or is seen as one, and it is naive not to acknowledge that.

It's something I'm comfortable with and don't believe signifies my support for the decisions of some politicians. But I can see how some people might see it that way.

Of course a hated of war doesn't show a lack of empathy. But saying that 3000 should leave their homes, their history and everything they've ever known does.

sandiego not to mention "neglectful scum." If we're talking about shameful episodes, the OP's performance (under previous name) on that thread was right up there. Until she got deleted for nearly every post.

kim I agree with your post of 14.42. But your issue there is with the government, not the troops.

Geckos48

You still haven't explained how you'd diplomatically deal with the leaders of other countries?

All this is changing the subject because when it comes down to it you don't have a clue. Perhaps when you were small you found that simply demanding your own way worked, but the real world is more complicated than that and doesn't revolve around you.

Feel free to hold your breath until you go blue though. It's all you really have to offer.

And that the Northern Irish should too!

But people who have been hurt by the Troubles have been forced to accept a diplomatic solution and power-sharing because, for a variety of reasons, most of us want it that way.

Doesn't make their outrage any less.

"But we have to use it Kim because it is there.

Otherwise what would they do?"

I suggest you read back a few pages to where I, and many others, have repeatedly told you all of the things the Forces do that have nothing to do with war. Even with us being involved in Afghan the Forces still spend 90%+ of their time doing other things. I'm not going to repeat it all again to deaf ears.

clam I couldn't agree more!

I apologize Kim, I must have misunderstood. The OP doesn't seem to be able to separate the troops from the government who decides where to send them.