The poppy thread

[amateur51]

As you can see, the poppy causes a lot of grief here in N.Ireland. Bloody politics!

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1113/higginsm.html

I go along with Anna's sentiments, but I haven't the courage to go along to pay my respects.

Some great sense spoken by the three men in that film especially 90 year old WWII veteran Ken MacLean who said 'I hope there'll never be another war'.

Amen to that :ok::peacedove:

[Anna]

Mary, and others, may be interested that in Newport, South Wales, following an approach by the Welsh Greens, a wreath of white poppies was laid on Sunday at the War Memorial on behalf of the Peace Party. This may have also been the case in parts of England, I don't know, I just thought I'd mention it.

[scottycelt]

Interesting formulation by the presenter: to remember "those who gave their lives in the service of their country" I think she said...

Yes, it was the lovely Sophie Raworth who did indeed say that!

Nothing much wrong with those sentiments, as we owe our freedom today to those who fought on the Allied side in two World Wars.

However, a few years back we had pictures of British, French and German war veterans paying their respects together at various events.

If the survivors who actually fought in these bloody wars can set such an inspiring example, surely the least we can do is respect their wishes and follow suit ?

[amateur51]

Yes, it was the lovely Sophie Raworth who did indeed say that!

Nothing much wrong with those sentiments, as we owe our freedom today to those who fought on the Allied side in two World Wars.

However, a few years back we had pictures of British, French and German war veterans paying their respects together at various events.

If the survivors who actually fought in these bloody wars can set such an inspiring example, surely the least we can do is respect their wishes and follow suit ?

I completely agree, Caliban! :ok:

[Nick Armstrong]

I completely agree, Caliban! :ok:

Errr.... Twas Scotty you were agreeing with, perhaps :smiley: ?

And Scotty, the quote I gave was by Sarah Walker presenting "Essential Classics", not the fragrant Ms Raworth...

[scottycelt]

Errr.... Twas Scotty you were agreeing with, perhaps :smiley: ?

:laugh::ok:

Yes, Caliban, Sophie said exactly the same during the BBCTV coverage at the Cenotaph ... obviously that is an indication of the preferred BBC view of the event?

[amateur51]

Oooops! :yikes:

Apologies to Messrs Caliban & scotty for mixing you up :smiley:

[scottycelt]

Absolutely no need to apologise, my dear Ams!

I'm simply overwhelmed, and indeed flattered, that you would 'completely agree' with anything (indeed everything) I said even though this most extraordinary commendation was expertly and most cunningly routed via our valued third-party member, Caliban.

I therefore declare you are now free to completely agree with me directly if that is indeed your secret heart's desire ... but just don't expect me to agree with you in return. :grr:

[Flosshilde]

The 'Bling' poppies, rrp £59.99, British Legion gets 10% of that, they are just big business cashing in.

& as a column in last Sunday's Observer commented, they last from year to year, so the wearer can just bring it out of its box the following year - no more income for the BL; whereas the paper poppy has to be bought anew each year - & sometimes several times a year, as they are easily lost.

[Flosshilde]

This is probably dragging the tone of the debate down, but this clip from the BBC is worth watching -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15728082

[Chris Newman]

This is probably dragging the tone of the debate down, but this clip from the BBC is worth watching -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15728082

One of those more delightful "been there, done that, got the T-Shirt" moments in Parliament.

[MrGongGong]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/08/poppy-last-time-remembrance-harry-leslie-smith

[Ferretfancy]

My father served in WWI, and my brother landed in Normandy on D Day.
The thought that always comes to me at this time of the year is "Why didn't I ask them to tell me more? now it's too late."

[BBMmk2]

My grandfather served in WW1,as an officer, King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and my father was out in far east, well India based, RAMC, a captain

[MrGongGong]

My grandfather served in WW1,as an officer, King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and my father was out in far east, well India based, RAMC, a captain

My mum has new wallpaper in the hall