ITV Newsreader gets racist and sexist abuse for not wearing a poppy.

[papa smurf]

i have never supported the poppy appeal, i would support a lets not do that again appeal .

For clarification, the Poppy Appeal is in remembrance of those who fell, not a celebration of war.

[Hom3r]

People seem to have forgotten what the poppy symbolises, including the 2 minutes silence, I was once up my local town centre on the 11th just before 11 o'clock approached we told my nephew and niece to stand quietly, (some other brats were running around like possessed demons) which they did, after the 2 minutes an old guy came over to and thanked them.

They know what the poppy represents and always wear one every year.

The thing is the Poppy has become entangled with patriotism. You don't see critics getting as feral if someone is not wearing a AIDS awareness badge, or a moustache during 'Movember' to raise awareness of prostate cancer, or even participating with Comic Relief and Children in Need. The Poppy invokes far more angry responses. So to a minority of people not wearing a Poppy is a sight against the country and therefore against them in roundabout way. Although I suspect for some of that small minority it's more about having the moral high ground over their fellow citizens and that they actually care more about the Poppy as a fashion symbol, a advert for the amount they care, than what it represents. It's quite a cynical view I'll admit but I can't see any other reason why people would be that angry about it if not for show or personal affront.

I mean can you think of a more symbolic everyday betrayal of what it stands for than abusing or demanding the firing of someone who doesn't wear one?

[Pierre]

Originally Posted by Damien

The thing is the Poppy has become entangled with patriotism. You don't see critics getting as feral if someone is not wearing a AIDS awareness badge, or a moustache

To be fair as comparisons go, they're pretty crap examples.

The poppy is to remember those that died defending this country and our way of life. So it something that affects us all.

Therefore an element of patriotism is unavoidable and understandable.

[SMG]

Its your personal choice. I buy a poppy each year & never collect it, I have a very special poppy (special to me) which I wear each year, so I just give a quid to the British legion in the hope it will help our ex servicemen.

It represents the fallen during WW1, of which there are very few, if any, left, however, the poppy, the "symbol" represents all our war dead, past & present.

To any ex serviceman or woman, wearing one is a mark of respect for our war dead. Its a time to remember the brave souls who gave their lives so we could enjoy our freedom, & our freedom to debate the issue.

.

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by SMG

Its your personal choice. I buy a poppy each year & never collect it, I have a very special poppy (special to me) which I wear each year, so I just give a quid to the British legion in the hope it will help our ex servicemen.

It represents the fallen during WW1, of which there are very few, if any, left, however, the poppy, the "symbol" represents all our war dead, past & present.

To any ex serviceman or woman, wearing one is a mark of respect for our war dead. Its a time to remember the brave souls who gave their lives so we could enjoy our freedom, & our freedom to debate the issue.

.

Harry Patch was the last surviving "Tommy" died at 9 am on 25 July 2009, aged 111 years, one month, one week and one day

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by SMG

Its your personal choice. I buy a poppy each year & never collect it, I have a very special poppy (special to me) which I wear each year, so I just give a quid to the British legion in the hope it will help our ex servicemen.

It represents the fallen during WW1, of which there are very few, if any, left, however, the poppy, the "symbol" represents all our war dead, past & present.

To any ex serviceman or woman, wearing one is a mark of respect for our war dead. Its a time to remember the brave souls who gave their lives so we could enjoy our freedom, & our freedom to debate the issue.

.

Personally, while I think that anyone who does or is injured in the line of duty helping others or serving their country deserves respect and admiration, I like to donate as I feel that in some tiny way, I am helping living ex-servicemen a little. This is what the British Legion does, and just displaying a photo of a poppy on a social network is not going to help them. They need money.

Note: As I've said before even if I don't necessarily agree with why Solidiers are fighting, I think they deserve respect for doing it. Its the government who ultimately decides who our forces fight, so any complaint should be taken up with them.

[SMG]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Harry Patch was the last surviving "Tommy" died at 9 am on 25 July 2009, aged 111 years, one month, one week and one day

You know, I knew that, my son met him whilst training at the Junior Leaders Regiment. He took him round the Tank museum at Bovington camp in his wheelchair over 20 years ago. I don't know why it didn't come to me! Must be a senior moment.

[Arthurgray50@blu]

I think its time for this matter to be dropped. We all know why the poopy appeal is there, and l support it each year.

My belief is that all the service personnel gave there lives for our freedom that we cherish today. To bully someone for not wearing one is a disgrace, and the bullies should go and hide themself or join the rmed services. To find out what it was like.

I have a poppy sticker on my car each year and it normally stays there.
The Royal British Legion do a fantastic job and should be thanked for all there hard work

[dilli-theclaw]

Originally Posted by Arthurgray50@blu

I think its time for this matter to be dropped. We all know why the poopy appeal is there, and l support it each year.

Clearly this is not the case - even in this thread it seems there are those that don't know.