British Legion banned from selling poppies in city centre

[The Year Of The Fox]

Just to expand briefly on Iraq 2; a soldier from Easy Company (band of brothers) wrote during WW2 that; he couldn't understand why America's mothers and fathers wanted a safe return back to the states ASAP for the soldiers overseas. As he realised that without taking the fight onto the heart of Germany, the "beast would not rest, getting ready to strike again" (or words to that affect)

My point is that perhaps Blair realised this would be the case with Iraq regardless of what reasons he gave us.

[The Doctor]

It's not todays soldiers who are at fault for causing these conflicts though. Blame the government not them. The squaddies in general don't go about looking for praise from the public. They love what they do. But why perhaps yourself and large al want to only be appreciative of the WW vets and not the current servicemen I do not know. Afterall they VOLUNTARILY join up, compared to the ones conscripted for the WWs.

Going back to the recent 'disgraceful conflicts' perhaps you'd think differently if you lived on the falklands (for example)

Whilst you may disagree with Iraq and afghan for whatever reasons you may have, noone can ever say that had we not gone to war in either country, that we would not be directly affected with whatever future plans al qaeda and sadaam had in mind.

The government have had to change from being reactive (in world war 2s case) to proactive (iraq and afghan)

Had we have taken proactive action against Germany in the years under Hitler before 1939 we would probably have averted the seconds world war.

You've got the wrong end of the stick there, I have more respect & sympathy for those conscripted because they were forced to join, arguably against their will/beliefs, and had to fight given the punishment for desertion was usually a date with the firing squad. Compare that with those that choose to sign up, they know what they are getting into, they are choosing to join, they want to fight so why should I have the same amount of sympathy for them as those that fought despite not wanting to.

Oh and the conscripts (and volunteers) from the WW's fought for a just cause, whereas modern conflicts are based on greed and a desire to own more, as opposed to the last resort to protect a way of life.

OK then, how was sending the opium trade in Afghanistan soaring through the roof after the Taleban had brought it down to one of the lowest levels in history helping to stop al-Qaeda's future plans?

And proactive wars aren't really respectable choices - Invading and killing hundreds of people on the off-chance that the country may become a threat soon - definitely a part of modern society that should be retained ey?

[The Year Of The Fox]

Only a brief reply for now cos I'm busy in a loft! As far as I'm aware the taliban use opium to fund the buying if weapons etc. I have definitely read that somewhere as I'm sure you have read your but somewhere too. I guess its all down to what yourvon beliefs are as to which document you fund and believe

[Bob Weasel Fox]

An absolute disgrace of a decision, certainly disrespectful.

Nothing should stop poppies being sold. Not good publicity at all.

agreed

[Alexikokopops]

Sorry fella but i can't agree, i'm all for remembering those that died to protect our freedom etc, but the recent conflict our nation has been involved with have been disgraceful and to be completley honest the modern soldier who chooses to join the army in my opinion deserve no more rememberance than our fireman and women, who put their lives on the line day in day out.

Don't mean to offend anyone connected to the army, i respect what you do and the need to do it, i just don't agree with the methods or agenda.

It's not todays soldiers who are at fault for causing these conflicts though. Blame the government not them. The squaddies in general don't go about looking for praise from the public. They love what they do. But why perhaps yourself and large al want to only be appreciative of the WW vets and not the current servicemen I do not know. Afterall they VOLUNTARILY join up, compared to the ones conscripted for the WWs.

He's not looking to blame them, and he's not saying he doesn't appreciate them. He said that he doesn't see why today's squaddies deserve more rememberance than firemen/women who also put their lives on the line day in day out, fighting things that they're not responsible for starting.

[Charl91]

Erm.. I'm not!

I'm comparing attitudes of today and 70 odd years ago

But no-one has denied that the second world war was worth fighting for, so you're not really making a point.

I agree with AL. Service men should be respected, but so should all professions that require putting your life on the line for the benefits of others. And it's easier to argue that Firemen etc. are serving a more just cause. While I feel both should be respected, I feel there's a big difference between the soldiers who were forced to fight and the soldiers who willingly choose to.

I also feel that World War 2* was a much more noble cause to fight for, while in the case of Afghanistan, many people aren't even sure why we're there. Though that's not really the fault of the soldiers.

*Not so much WW1. That was because of greed on the parts of many countries.

[21st Century Fox]

Any shame directed at our Armed Forces should lay squarely at our Governments door. I highly doubt a great deal of soldiers today are there for their own political reasons but are doing a job, unfortunately that job is dictated by our government who passes of 'stabilising' non-complying oil rich regimes on behalf of Western oil companies as fighting for freedom and democracy. That shouldn't undermine the risks our troops take but its far, far removed from circumstances of 70 years ago.

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Can't see the massive fuss myself, yes it's a rather "important" day in terms of the armed forces but I think it's clear the nation doesn't actually care since they seem to need to play on Nov 11^th's history in order to collect for charity.

Besides that article says Oxfam (a far more worthwhile charity) have given the RBL the chance to collect on the 5^th instead, rather than Oxfam collecting - so this is really a complete non-story and the RBL need to stop ****ing whining.

Oh, and collecting to allow the homeless a better standard of living is more important than collecting for the RBL IMO.

Also acooling - what the **** does that have to do with this? You keep bitching about ethnic minorities but, quite frankly, they are of far more use to this country than you are.

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now the biggest turd on this site. If it was not for people like them you probably would not have been born, let alone be so pig ignorant. Pethaps it's a shame we won the war, with garbage like you infesting the streets. :wave: :frusty:

[Rincewind]

Thought this had been resolved. It was only one or two streets they were not selling on. And poppys are on sale before that date and can be purchased in pubs clubs shops and charity shops. The reason they were not selling on that street I believe is they did not apply for the license in time and the council did not think two different charities being in the same place on the same day would not be right. But I believe they have changed the decision so its a much ado about nothing as someone once said.

[The Doctor]

CONGRATULATIONS! You are now the biggest turd on this site.

I refer you to the post below:

Oh the irony.

[BlueSi13]

Thought this had been resolved. It was only one or two streets they were not selling on. And poppys are on sale before that date and can be purchased in pubs clubs shops and charity shops. The reason they were not selling on that street I believe is they did not apply for the license in time and the council did not think two different charities being in the same place on the same day would not be right. But I believe they have changed the decision so its a much ado about nothing as someone once said.

It has.

The story was a complete non event. The particular street only allowed one charity there per week. Shelter had already applied for that week. RBL got turned away because of this though they weren't being stopped from collecting anywhere else in Birmingham. The right wing media get involved screaming headlines such as "BRITISH LEGION BANNED FROM BIRMINGHAM". Paranoid Brits who love the idea that there is a violent anti-British/English campaign going on lap it up. Shelter then withdraw their application. RBL now allowed to collect unrestricted.

Close thread.

[boring_jester]

You cant really compare two differnet charitys who have two different missions. Its like saying Help For Heros is better then PDSA. they have two different missions.

RBL help WW1 and WW2 vets and also modern day vetrens and thier family. There was a story/artical a while ago about a serving sailors son not being abale to afford some kind of exspensive opperation and RBL help pay most of it.

Im in the Navy at the moment and pensions are recieved with any amount of service. But for a decent one you must do 22 years and being high ranking helps alot. You don't get the payment until your 65 and theres a good chance most service men in my branch of work (Submariner) wont live that long.

to conclude. you can't compare Oxfam and RBL. two different missions. And that RBL help alot with modern and retired armed force personal.

Doctors, Policemen ect do have charitys to help with problems. Just google them.

In my opinion the armed forces should be celebrated a bit more. there are men and women who have done and are doing work (vouluntery and conscripted) that many, many people would not wont to do to help the country and many countries around the world. you say Oxfam help feed starving africans. but the forces help with flooding in remote countries and help inicent trade ships from pirates. and whos there when fireman are on strike. Many people wanted the army to help in the riots. They help the country more then just middle easten wars.

(PS sorry about the spelling)

[acooling08]

Al, you say today's soldiers don't deserve charity because they joined the Army voluntarily. I think that's a shit viewpoint.

[The Doctor]

Al, you say today's soldiers don't deserve charity because they joined the Army voluntarily. I think that's a shit viewpoint.

No, I say they are not as deserving of charity as those conscripted because they chose to join, and they aren't as deserving as WWII vets because WWII vets fought for a good cause.

[Rincewind]

I dont think it matters how they joined. Many joined voluntary so as to get into the regiment of their choice. My own dad joined during WW2 and lied about his age. I imagine many others did too. I dont think any charity should be deemed more important than another. Giving to one is often personal to the giver.

When any young person joins the armed forces they believe at the time it is for a good cause.