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Original poster

Where can I get a white poppy?

290 replies

Ellbell · 01/11/2006 01:27

Some time ago, I used to wear a white poppy (for peace) at this time of year. I haven't seen them for some years now. Does anyone know if they are still produced and where I can get one? Thanks

OP posts:
foundintranslation · 03/11/2006 22:56

(sorry about the hijack btw)

southeastastra · 03/11/2006 22:56

england and germany have always had a history, especially with football argh. but i find we have alot in common with germany..

curlew · 03/11/2006 23:25

If "most soldiers are anti-war" whay do they join the army? I'm not trying to be offensive - I'm just puzzled.

Heathcliffscathy · 03/11/2006 23:43

taken from the white poppies website:

'While the heritage industry and the British Legion differ slightly in their views of war, both essentially see and portray it (even if indirectly) as grim and regrettable yet sometimes necessary and sound in purpose. The pacifist view is a different and subversive one, and all the more difficult for that. Our conviction that war is neither necessary nor purposive challenges those comfortable and convenient formulations of the kind perpetuated every year on Remembrance Day. They were originally devised to give comfort to those bereaved by war, and give justification to the state that embarked on it. ?They did not die in vain? implies ?the war had a valuable purpose?. This is the lie that has been repeated sanctimoniously every day of remembrance since 1918.'

Blandmum · 04/11/2006 08:20

To me WW2 had the 'valuable perpous' of getting rid of the Nazis. There were not people who would stop their actions why debate.

I once went to a place in France called Oradour Sur Glan. The village was burned as a reprisal by the Nazis for actions taken by French Resiatnce fighters. There was no direct link to the village of the actions , they simply chose it to punish the French in general.

the Village consisted of 642 people. The men and older boys were taken, lined up and shot. The women and the younger children were gathered together, locked n the church which was then set on fire. One woman escaped.

This is one tragedy. Lets nt even begin to count the number of disabled people killed in German, the jews, gypsies, gay peole, comunists, christians. Hitler said that once the jews were all dead, it would be easier to kill off other 'subhumans' because, since they had darker skins they wouldn't need a badge to identify them. In Mien Kampf, he said that he inteded to hang every jew in Berlin from the lamposts. It wasn't the actions of the allies that drove the 'Final Solution' it had always been their plan.

Jaw, jaw *didn't work, and goodness knows the appeasers tried long enough.

Go to Oradour Sur Glan. It changes your outlook on life.

MamaG · 04/11/2006 08:29

I think that says it all really mb. Excellent post.

I'm wearing my poppy with pride.

satine · 04/11/2006 17:28

Curlew, most soldiers join the army because it is a good job, based on a true meritocracy, where you are putting yourself in a position to potentially serve your country if called to. Soldiers see themselves as a well trained and professional insurance policy. They do not hunger for conflict and I can assure you the cheers would have been loudest of all from the army if Blair had not followed Bush into Iraq this time around.

TiggernPooh2 · 05/11/2006 15:31

MB and Satine again said it all and echo's my feelings.

Rhubarb · 05/11/2006 15:46

I'm sitting on the wall, for once, on this one.

Heathcliffscathy · 09/11/2006 16:28

church group comes out in favour white poppies, red ones seen as politically correct!

harpsichordcarrier · 09/11/2006 16:32

absolutely mb.
I heard a quote from Stravinsky today on the radio that sums it up for me:
what good is peace when you are dealing with men with no honour.
in other words, sometimes to bring peace you have to make war.
and believe me I come from a long line of pacifists and even conscientious objectors and I loathe violence in every way, but sometimes there is no alternative.

Flamesparrow · 09/11/2006 16:37

Told my mum about this thread - she was insensed by it (incensed???).

Heathcliffscathy · 09/11/2006 16:39

but white poppies remember and honour those fallen harpsi...

Flamesparrow · 09/11/2006 16:42

How can you honour those falling whilst protesting about why they did? It is the same as saying they died for nothing.

Wrong.

TheHighwayCod · 09/11/2006 16:42

"for peace" what DO you thinkt he men were fighting for ffs?
fun?

GeorginaA · 09/11/2006 16:43

I read a really good blog yesterday about the problems with buying red poppies: Blue Witch - Give peace a chance

Interestingly, she's not that keen on the white poppy as a symbol either.

southeastastra · 09/11/2006 16:44

at that blog! whatever your views alot of WWII sevicemen are still alive.

Flamesparrow · 09/11/2006 16:46
Shock
GeorginaA · 09/11/2006 16:49

(incidentally I should point out that we have bought red poppies in this household, I just found her point of view interesting and valid)

Heathcliffscathy · 09/11/2006 16:49

why is wearing a white poppy protesting about what they did????

it is remembering the horror of what happened with an emphasis on peace.

JoolsToo · 09/11/2006 16:53

"If one more person asks me if I want to buy a poppy I shall ram it down their throat."

oh yeah! there's peace for you

The red poppy IS a sign of peace - Lest we forget?

I think it's a red poppy because of all those that fell in Flanders fields full of poppies. You should wear one with pride.

Flamesparrow · 09/11/2006 16:59

I agree, the red one is to remind us not to do it again.

soapbox · 09/11/2006 17:03

It is a red poppy because one observer wrote that when on Flanders field he saw the massacre that was, it looked to all around as if it were a field of poppies.

It was in fact the blood and gore of the fallen.

To me that does not glorify war in anyway, it highlights the true horror of it.

Some wars are necessary wars and some are not. IMO we should remember those that fall in any war, as THEY were not in a position to choose whether they died in a 'just' war or not. They lost their lives irrespective of what spin history might put on the usefulness of their doing so.

I agree totally with Soupie, Marina, Surfermum, on this one. I shall be wearing my red poppy as usual.

soapbox · 09/11/2006 17:06

I would also like to know where the money from the sale of white poppies goes.

Does anyone know?

GeorginaA · 09/11/2006 17:29

The poppy isn't just a symbol of rememberance though, is it? It's an annual fundraiser for a charity - and there's a huge number of very valid and important charities vying for our money and time.

That's fine if you think British Legion do a good job and want to support that, not so good if you don't, which is why I found Blue Witch's post interesting. Along other reasons for not purchasing one, she vehemently believes the British Legion don't spend the money they raise wisely or appropriately.

I do think a vast majority of people don't actually think about the charity at the other end of the purchase, and forget you can "remember" and "honour" the dead just as effectively without a piece of paper and a bit of plastic which will probably end up in landfill within a week...

I think for me the minute's silence (rarely achieved post children, unfortunately) is more important than the symbol.