Link

I think Fisk is generally bang on the button, edgy perhaps, controversial certainly, but generally makes you think, as does this article, what's your opinion?

I think its a bit harsh to be perfectly honest. Also no mention of where the poppy donation money goes.

I am not sure following the money is the point? but it has been a week since I read it, but when you see every man and his dog wearing the Poppy, do they know what it means? If you want to contribute to its umbrella associations so be it, but if you don't understand the horror that goes with it, leave the actual Poppy on the car seat.

It is not a fashion statement!

I am not sure following the money is the point? but it has been a week since I read it, but when you see every man and his dog wearing the Poppy, do they know what it means? If you want to contribute to its umbrella associations so be it, but if you don't understand the horror that goes with it, leave the actual Poppy on the car seat.

It is not a fashion statement!

I see the argument Mossfinn and its likely more pertinent year on year but all I can say is I do...and believe those around me know.

Not sure i would want to see the results of a poll on it though.

I've just read that

Would Fisk rather we just stopped with the poppy stuff and forget about it all?

I used to donate to the American Legion about this time every year and they'd give me a poppy to wear for our Veterans Day. The last time I pinned anything to my chest on Veterans Day was in the early 90's, and that was a dollar bill. That was probably a bit over the top, as many people gladly pointed out to me. I'm older now and probably wouldn't do that again. Good article.

The writer has his point of view, I have mine.

For the entire 1980s I was working in Libya, in and around Benghazi.

I visited the cemeteries around Tobruk, also those in and around Benghazi, with other smaller ones in between.

I visited not once, not once a year, but several times each year, usually accompanied by Eastern European hospital workers and construction workers. The Polish contingent were most present on 1st November, Czechs and Slovaks in May, to celebrate the end of the European war. One has to walk around the various graveyards to appreciate the real sacrifices that took place.

In the International cemetary, where Poles, French, Czechs, Slovaks, British, ANZAC and many other nationalities are buried, Jew, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Moslem, side-by-side, we had many prayer meetings.

In the Kensington cemetary, a few kilometres outside Tobruk, are thousands of British and Commonwealth graves - with only three dates on the headstones. Most are aged 18-25 and died for very little. One time there I couldn't walk past the first row, my girlfriend of the time had to lead me out because I could not see for weeping.

In Benghazi are the graves of the SBS squadron of David Stirling - died on an attempted raid on Rommel's headquarters, together with many other Tommies.

All were well maintained when I was there, local caretakers employed by the Imperial War Graves Commission - and all concientious and respectful.

When I can I wear a poppy in respectful remembrance of the people fallen while fighting for causes they believed in, whether the politicians and generals had told them the truth or not.

Another middle class moaner. I wear a poppy to honour the men and women who gave their lives for their country. I might not agree with the reasons they did so but that's not relevant.

So as I understand it Fisk says he'll not wear a poppy because hypocrites wear them. That's a bit like refusing to vote because the opposition vote as well.

We can suppose that everyone on the BBC that wears a poppy is a hypocrite, or not. That is our supposition, and unrelated to their feelings. I don't really feel strongly enough about such things, but if I were to walk past someone selling poppies, I would buy one and wear it. We have a duty to do what we believe to be right, whether we have subjected it to a thorough moral investigation or not; whether our view is shared by hypocrites or not; and whether it is the most that we can do or not.

How else should we remember the futility of that sacrifice?

Or is your point that the poppy has been adopted by war-mongering would-be sacrificers, who would sacrifice the youth of our nation on their political aspirations? How better to highlight that, than to speak out on our previous losses?

SC

My grandmother wore a poppy today as a serving member of the WAAF during the war....she is 87 now and proud to attend the Remembrance service each year.

I wear one in honour of her and her friends and those she watched leave the airfield and never return. There is no need for these people to be "showy" about what they achieved but if we can take the opportunity to thank them but once a year...and remember then it can only be a good thing for all of us.

A lesson in humility for our generation (and those that follow) I feel.

My grandmother wore a poppy today as a serving member of the WAAF during the war....she is 87 now and proud to attend the Remembrance service each year.

I wear one in honour of her and her friends and those she watched leave the airfield and never return. There is no need for these people to be "showy" about what they achieved but if we can take the opportunity to thank them but once a year...and remember then it can only be a good thing for all of us.

A lesson in humility for our generation (and those that follow) I feel.

Very well said.