rememberance day - the new christmas?

[jonthefox]

did anyone see the poor old sod on the market (todays merc).

they were only trying to charge him rent

leicester council, you couldnt make it up.

[Orkneyfox]

Halloween ended 4 days ago, the very next day our local Tesco ( I try to go to the co-op) had a Christmas tree up.

Poppies are different. Since I was a little boy I have observed the 2 minute silence and can still remember how the time seemed an eternity at those tender years. My father was Royal Navy so it was part of family life but also the community culture to wear poppies and contribute money to the collecting tin. In my town now every shop has a collecting box and the British Legion has a strong presence. The money goes to old and young injured service men and provides much that pensions and government benefits will miss. I don't give a sh*t about fashion but believe it is the right thing to do. I also contribute to other charities in various ways.

Incidentally I took two internal flights this week wearing my poppy affixed to my coat by a 2 inch steel pin and got onto the flights with no problems. Goodness knows what evil mischief I might have wreaked armed as I was to the teeth.

[Guest Mee-9]

It's annoys me when people disagree with some parts of the poppy appeal. It's a sign of respect to the fallen heroes of our country.

I would pay money for a poppy months in advance, I dont care if it's weeks before, its a mark of respect.

[Guest]

I don't think it's any earlier or any later than it's ever been before.

[lildave3]

Yeah i'm getting a new bike for Rememberance Day.

[davieG]

did anyone see the poor old sod on the market (todays merc).

they were only trying to charge him rent

leicester council, you couldnt make it up.

I think that was Market Harboro' Council

[Bellend Sebastian]

I think people have been a bit more focussed on it over the last few years as our armed forces have been actively involved in conflicts, and not many days go past without news of more casualties.

Prior to the Iraq war it was a lot less noticeable. There were at least a couple of years where I wanted to buy a poppy and struggled to find one

[marbelladave]

A very odd thread indeed.

I doubt that any of us posting on this forum have had to fight for our family or our country, we all belong to a very, very lucky generation (or two) indeed.

The sacrifice of our countrymen (not all British, I must add) in the World Wars is easy to understand, in the main, they simply believed that the freedom of their country and their way of life was at stake and were prepared to give their all in its defence. This is different from the modern political wars but I am pleased to see that the majority of posters appear to have no problem discriminating between the sickening, possibly criminal behaviour of our discredited government and the dedication, in near impossible circumstances, of our armed forces.

My family, and in all probability the families of most of you on this forum, has been involved in the main conflicts of the 20th century yet so many people seem to remain ignorant of the realities.

For those of you who have not done so it would be worth looking up the involvement of your own families and the reality of what they had to do in the dreadful wars that disfigured the last century, only by doing this can you begin to understand the sacrifices made by your and all our ancestors.

Like many British families, for us Rememberance day is not only November 11th but also other more individual dates. For our family those dates are 31st July and 26th October, one more than 90 years ago, the other just 65. Lifetimes away in time, but never, ever forgotten.

[Lillehamring]

How can showing respect to those who have lost their lives fighting for our country and those currently serving our armed forces be compared to fooking Christmas. Get a grip.

have you even read any of the posts in this thread - you certainly haven't read mine - no one is discrediting showing respect, the question being asked is whether the charity/poppy wearing element is overwhelming the real reasons why we should be remembering this day, whether it has now become a drawn out media event a la children in need rather than a moment of solemn reflection over the war dead?

jeez, read the thread before you post knee jerk reactions

[Captain...]

Are we (Leicester City) not partly to blame for this?

Were we not the first club to play a match in remembrance, with a poppy stitched to our shirts that was then auctioned off, I think it was because we were actually playing on Remembrance Sunday. It was a nice gesture and we raised over 5 grand for the charity.

Now every club does this...

...It turns out it's not every club http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...our-heroes.html

Apologies for linking to the daily fail, but I think it highlights some of the points in the original post.

Some clubs have been pressured in to doing this by that hate filled rag, but it looks like only Arsenal are going to auction the shirt.

Incidentally the first poppy I saw this year, being in Spain I don't see many, was Nick "I'm not a racist, my Dad fought in the war!" Griffin wearing one on Question time, 2 weeks ago. The rest of the panel were wearing poppies too including Sayeeda Warsi whose poppy was about 3 times bigger than the normal poppy, but not a single member of the audience were. I remember thinking at the time it's a bit early, but it also made me think about Remembrance Sunday. Make of it what you will...

(sometimes my posts lack cohesion)

[Daggers]

have you even read any of the posts in this thread - you certainly haven't read mine - no one is discrediting showing respect, the question being asked is whether the charity/poppy wearing element is overwhelming the real reasons why we should be remembering this day, whether it has now become a drawn out media event a la children in need rather than a moment of solemn reflection over the war dead?

jeez, read the thread before you post knee jerk reactions

Does this mean you're telling me that Father Poppy doesn't exist and Lil'Dave isn't getting his new bike?

[Fosse Boy]

I think that was Market Harboro' Council

Clowns.

[James.]

I think there's far too much over thinking going on in this thread. Remembrance Day and the weeks building up to it feels the same now as it did do years ago. And long may it continue.

[Sir Fynwy]

This is one of the most churlish topics I've ever seen on FT. The topic starter should be ashamed.

[Lillehamring]

This is one of the most churlish topics I've ever seen on FT. The topic starter should be ashamed.

why?

everything i posted in the original post was a question, which i opened up to discussion?

what's shameful about that?

[Lillehamring]

Does this mean you're telling me that Father Poppy doesn't exist and Lil'Dave isn't getting his new bike?

apparently i am the grinch, so, no he's dead....and father poppy doesn't exist.

[Sir Fynwy]

why?

everything i posted in the original post was a question, which i opened up to discussion?

what's shameful about that?

Questioning remberance of our war dead? Comparing the coverage to Christmas? Why have a discussion about whether it is relevant?

Wrap it up however you want it was a stupid and crass thing to do.

[Daggers]

apparently i am the grinch, so, no he's dead....and father poppy doesn't exist.

[Houdini Logic]

Questioning remberance of our war dead? Comparing the coverage to Christmas? Why have a discussion about whether it is relevant?

Wrap it up however you want it was a stupid and crass thing to do.

In Vålerenga's defence - his original post was hardly questioning the rememberance of the dead.

I personally have noticed the exposure getting longer year on year, including in football.

Whether this is a good or bad thing, or discussing who is making this 'longer' is a different matter.

I think 'stupid and crass' is a little over the mark

[Lillehamring]

In Vålerenga's defence - his original post was hardly questioning the rememberance of the dead.

I personally have noticed the exposure getting longer year on year, including in football.

Whether this is a good or bad thing, or discussing who is making this 'longer' is a different matter.

I think 'stupid and crass' is a little over the mark

thank you, absolutely correct.

it would have been nice if, before the criticism i have received, those people would have read my more direct thoughts on the subject where in fact, i reiterate, my worry is that the fund raising has overshadowed the solemnity of the event - other posters have qualified this suggestion with their own observations, whilst others have felt that it doesn't seem that intrusive.

i haven't criticised any of these opinions, in fact, compared to some debates on FT i think this has been intersting and very calmly (apart from the few who just misinterpreted everything) discussed.

i'm sure there are many far crasser and stupider threads on FT than this.

[Sir Fynwy]

thank you, absolutely correct.

it would have been nice if, before the criticism i have received, those people would have read my more direct thoughts on the subject where in fact, i reiterate, my worry is that the fund raising has overshadowed the solemnity of the event - other posters have qualified this suggestion with their own observations, whilst others have felt that it doesn't seem that intrusive.

i haven't criticised any of these opinions, in fact, compared to some debates on FT i think this has been intersting and very calmly (apart from the few who just misinterpreted everything) discussed.

i'm sure there are many far crasser and stupider threads on FT than this.

Belittling the event as the commemoration of a 90 year old event is hardly just asking a question, I stand by what I posted earlier and see no point to you starting a thread like this, only asking questions? Not the way I read it.

[Daggers]

i'm sure there are many far crasser and stupider threads on FT than this.

*strokes beard and ponders*

Hmm.

Maybe maddog could start a poll about it?

[Lillehamring]

Belittling the event as the commemoration of a 90 year old event is hardly just asking a question, I stand by what I posted earlier and see no point to you starting a thread like this, only asking questions? Not the way I read it.

how many times! i'm not belittling the EVENT, i'm worried that the media's relationship and reverance to the CHARITY is now more important than the remeberance. how is that belittling? i'm actually supportive of acknowledging armistice day, even though i may find shades of emotional blackmail about the charity element.

this should not be a two week affair, it should not make people feel obliged to behave in a certain way - and clearly some people do.

if you're not interested in DEBATING socially important matters, then stay out of the thread. constantly misrepresenting my point and purpose offers nothing to this thread, and by doing so you have turned another interesting thread into childish namecalling.

[Sir Fynwy]

how many times! i'm not belittling the EVENT, i'm worried that the media's relationship and reverance to the CHARITY is now more important than the remeberance. how is that belittling? i'm actually supportive of acknowledging armistice day, even though i may find shades of emotional blackmail about the charity element.

this should not be a two week affair, it should not make people feel obliged to behave in a certain way - and clearly some people do.

if you're not interested in DEBATING socially important matters, then stay out of the thread. constantly misrepresenting my point and purpose offers nothing to this thread, and by doing so you have turned another interesting thread into childish namecalling.

Ooo, I'm being thrown out of a thread am I, best get your daddy on it then. I am taking issue with the whole question you posted and not name calling. There is no overkill on rememberance day as far as I can see (but it may look like that from Norway), two weeks of minor media interest in the most important times of the 20th century and the sacrifices that are ongoing can not be compared to Christmas.

[Darkzzz_]

Its not to remember war, its to remember the people who fought in them, who gave up their everyday lives to fight and people that lost their lives. This isn't remembering war ffs, or its not becoming a celebratory event like Christmas. We're remembering our ancestors, and hero's of the country that fought in them and who are fighting in current wars. Everyone should acknowledge that, even if you do not want to spend 1 minute remembering them.

Agree with Lav.

I wear my poppy with pride and respect, I guess there are some who'd see is as being 'Cool' to wear one without knowing the reason behind it.