White poppies

[fellowtraveller]

Are they an insult, or a legitimate expression the peace movement?

story here

[JerrySeinfeld]

Are they an insult, or a legitimate expression the peace movement?

story here

These people are ignorant losers with nothing better to do than undermine our mission, our fallen and our society at large. They should move to the Pushtun Plain, buy a herd of yaks and a copy of the Koran and be done with it.

[Figleaf]

The organization behind this should find another symbol and another time of year.

I feel they are intruding on the concept of Remembrance Day.

(And they are violating the Legion's trademark.)

[sharkman]

When you bastardize a symbol that is used to honor our dead, and use it for a movement that belittles the sacrifices the soldiers made, it is a slap in the face.

One such person's thoughts were in the letters section of the National Post today. She said the white poppy meant to her seeing a little dutch boy standing by the side of the road as the allies marched in to free them. To her it would mean having the boy hold up a sign saying,' Thank you so much for liberating us, but could you have done it without all the fighting?"

The mindset that believes Hitler could have been beaten without fighting him is a mindset that dooms us to repeat history.

[gerryhatrick]

When you bastardize a symbol that is used to honor our dead, and use it for a movement that belittles the sacrifices the soldiers made, it is a slap in the face.

How is that movement belittling the sacraifices of soldiers?

The mindset that believes Hitler could have been beaten without fighting him is a mindset that dooms us to repeat history.

Who expressed that belief?

[JerrySeinfeld]

When you bastardize a symbol that is used to honor our dead, and use it for a movement that belittles the sacrifices the soldiers made, it is a slap in the face.

How is that movement belittling the sacraifices of soldiers?

The mindset that believes Hitler could have been beaten without fighting him is a mindset that dooms us to repeat history.

Who expressed that belief?

It's implicit in the "pro peace" message utilizing a symbol that remembers that we FOUGHT A WAR for what was right and good.

Roughly 25% of people are against war NO MATTER WHAT. So 25% of people probably would have NOT supported the war against Hitler's Nazis. And that's exactly what wer'e encountering again here in our worldwide striggle against Islamofascism.

Traitors.

[Black Dog]

Some background on the White Poppy.

In 1933 the Co-operative Women's Guild produced the first white poppies to be worn on Armistice Day (later called Remembrance Day). The Guild stressed that the white poppy was not intended as an insult to those who died in the First World War - a war in which many of the women lost husbands, brothers, sons and lovers.

I'm of two minds on this. I'm proud to wear the Red Poppy, but I respect the message of the White (it's certainly not disrespectful in my boks) and think the two are not mutually exclusive.

[gerryhatrick]

When you bastardize a symbol that is used to honor our dead, and use it for a movement that belittles the sacrifices the soldiers made, it is a slap in the face.

How is that movement belittling the sacraifices of soldiers?

The mindset that believes Hitler could have been beaten without fighting him is a mindset that dooms us to repeat history.

Who expressed that belief?

It's implicit in the "pro peace" message utilizing a symbol that remembers that we FOUGHT A WAR for what was right and good.

He referred to the movement, not the white poppy symbol, as "belittleing the sacrafices of soldiers". Does a peace movement impliticly do that?

[Black Dog]

It's implicit in the "pro peace" message utilizing a symbol that remembers that we FOUGHT A WAR for what was right and good.

Only people who actually know what the red poppy represents should be allowed to comment on this.

Since 1921, the Poppy has stood as a symbol of Remembrance, our visual pledge to never forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations.

[gerryhatrick]

Should cancer patients be insulted that the "support our troops" ribbon croud copied their car magnets?

[JerrySeinfeld]

It's implicit in the "pro peace" message utilizing a symbol that remembers that we FOUGHT A WAR for what was right and good.

Only people who actually know what the red poppy represents should be allowed to comment on this.

Since 1921, the Poppy has stood as a symbol of Remembrance, our visual pledge to never forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations.

The PPU website states:

"The White Poppy symbolizes the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers," states the website.

What a crock of shit. Typical lefty view: let's all just sit around and chat.

The problem with lefty viewpoint on war is that they don't want it. Ever. NOTHING is worth dying for.

This type of thinking places alot of faith in the Hitlers, the Kim Jong Ils, the Ahmedinejads and the Saddam Husseins of the world.

[fellowtraveller]

I doubt that the Legion is aginst any peace movement, but they are rightfully and righteously pissed at the use of the poppy symbol.

[geoffrey]

What an enourmously disrespectful time to launch such a campaign. Do these people have any respect for our vets?

The luxury we have in Canada of not having to deal with war, and demanding peace is a nice one. But I think all these people wearing white poppies should go suffer under a oppressive dictatorship in the middle-east and come back saying that peace is always the only answer. I'd have no problem calling out a white poppy wearing person on the street and telling them what a disrespectful, ignorant person they are.

Terrible. The only reason that these people can wear white poppies is because our vets suffer and died for our freedom in WWI and WWII and now are fighting to extend those rights to oppressed people around the world.

Seeing this story on the news made me really angry, these people simply don't get it.

[Cameron]

The PPU website states:

"The White Poppy symbolizes the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers," states the website.

A cock is right Jerry.

The question I would like to ask these "people". What if those strangers are "not willing" to sit down and have tea and bunns? What do you suggest we do then.

The UN was set up for just that. A way to resolve problems without conflict. We've seen the past years the downfall's of the UN. Sometimes you just need to kick someone in the ass to make them listen. Sometimes that person will listen and there will be no need to kick them.

[JerrySeinfeld]

The PPU website states:

"The White Poppy symbolizes the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers," states the website.

A cock is right Jerry.

The question I would like to ask these "people". What if those strangers are "not willing" to sit down and have tea and bunns? What do you suggest we do then.

The UN was set up for just that. A way to resolve problems without conflict. We've seen the past years the downfall's of the UN. Sometimes you just need to kick someone in the ass to make them listen. Sometimes that person will listen and there will be no need to kick them.

Basically the UN didn't enforce res. 1441. Then when the USA DID, the "international community" had a hissy fit. My question to the UN is, if you didn't want to enforce a resolution, then why did you make it in the first place?

We had to blow him to bits.

[Chrissy1979]

We had to blow him to bits.

I assume you mean the "Royal We" because you're far too much of a coward to actually enlist.

[JerrySeinfeld]

We had to blow him to bits.

I assume you mean the "Royal We" because you're far too much of a coward to actually enlist.

Yes. It's actually the "Victorian We".

And yes: I supported the war.

[Chrissy1979]

And yes: I supported the war.

You enlisted? Or you said "yeh team" from a safe distance?

[Black Dog]

Some of these responses bring to mind Sassoon’s words from the Great War:

“You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye

Who cheer when soldier lads march by,

Sneak home and pray you'll never know

The hell where youth and laughter go.”

What an enourmously disrespectful time to launch such a campaign. Do these people have any respect for our vets?

Disrespectful how? What would veterans have against peace?

The luxury we have in Canada of not having to deal with war, and demanding peace is a nice one. But I think all these people wearing white poppies should go suffer under a oppressive dictatorship in the middle-east and come back saying that peace is always the only answer.

Dissemble much?

"The White Poppy symbolizes the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers."

Not "peace is always the only answer". But there are better ways. Am I to assume, then, that all of you knee-jerk reactionaries believe war is the only answer?

I'd have no problem calling out a white poppy wearing person on the street and telling them what a disrespectful, ignorant person they are.

And I'd have no problem telling you to stick it up your ass. I spent many a Nov. 11 freezing my ass off at Remembrance Day ceremonies, first as a spectator, then as a member of the cadet cenotaph honour guard. I have great respect for our veteran and the dead and no reactionary sonofabitch can tell me different. What I despise is the bullshit rhetoric about “fighting for freedom”, rhetoric that serves to glorify and romanticize the ugly business of war and thus make it seem like a good option.

On Nov.11, we remember the fallen: not what they fell for (because-and this is the cold, hard truth-so many died in vain), but just that they fell.

Terrible. The only reason that these people can wear white poppies is because our vets suffer and died for our freedom in WWI and WWII and now are fighting to extend those rights to oppressed people around the world.

Ah yes: they have freedom and they should show their respect for those who fought and died to preserve it by not excercising the freedom others fought and died for.

[watching&waiting]

My honest gut reaction to some one with the white poppies would be spit in their face and call them the cowards they are. But the law would frown on that. But I can only hope that these types stay far away from the war memorial and stay well out of the light. I am not sure if their presence would start a ruckus, but if it did start one it would be hard to stop it with the feelings of that day being so near.

I suppose that the memories of those who in my family gave their lives during WWII to make it so these misguided fools can legally spout their thoughts, is bad enough. But to actually have them present at the Cenitafe displaying their contempt is just much more then many will be able to bear. I have made my feeling quite clear on these people and if I had a choice to save the life of a dog or the life of one of these white poopy wearing people, the dog would be resting comforatbly at my side. Since these people do not share the basic beliefs of Canada, they should not expect anything from Canada. Yes I have gone so far as to call them traitors, because we are at war and these type of people think it fashionable to be against this. If it was another time about 70 years ago, these types would be found face down in the dirt, for what they are free to do today. Too bad the laws stop people from doing that anymore. It would help cleanse the country of a few who do not deserve to be in it.

This is what Canada has become and I must say that if I thought it was made of a majority of these fools, I would just give up on it. But I take faith in that these people who would wear a white poppy to an event where it will be seen as an insult to the veterns, are just the bottom clinging scum that society must tolerate. As for aour troops everywhere and those who were lost, I can say that I feel very grateful for what you have done and will honour all those who have taken the challenge to make Canada a better place to be.

[southerncomfort]

Are they an insult, or a legitimate expression the peace movement?

story here

Its an insult and pure political expression but they are pretending it isn't so.

[crazymf]

And I'd have no problem telling you to stick it up your ass. I spent many a Nov. 11 freezing my ass off at Remembrance Day ceremonies, first as a spectator, then as a member of the cadet cenotaph honour guard. I have great respect for our veteran and the dead and no reactionary sonofabitch can tell me different. What I despise is the bullshit rhetoric about “fighting for freedom”, rhetoric that serves to glorify and romanticize the ugly business of war and thus make it seem like a good option.

On Nov.11, we remember the fallen: not what they fell for (because-and this is the cold, hard truth-so many died in vain), but just that they fell.

BD, this hurts me to say this, but I agree with you 100%. I believe it's the most Canadian thing you've said so far. As far as the white poppies go, it's a non starter with me. I couldn't give a hoot what someone wants to sell. It's a free country.

I'll be wearing a red poppy myself, thank you very much.

[Black Dog]

I suppose that the memories of those who in my family gave their lives during WWII to make it so these misguided fools can legally spout their thoughts, is bad enough.

If you really respected the dead, you'd not be shamelessly co-opting their memory by ascribing motives to them you don't know they held.

As for the rest of your horrid diatribe, let me tell you right now that you clearly don't give a shit about "freedom". You don't even the meaning of the word.

Its an insult and pure political expression but they are pretending it isn't so.

Funny: I was thinking the same thing of the "how dare they they fought for our freedom we're at war blaaaarrrgh!!!" crowd.

[southerncomfort]

Get real, Nov. 11 is for sure about fighting for freedom, and remembering those who fought for it freedom if they had not we would all be speaking German now if we were alive.

[Black Dog]

Get real, Nov. 11 is for sure about fighting for freedom, and remembering those who fought for it freedom if they had not we would all be speaking German now if we were alive.

That's not what the Legion is telling me.

Each November, Poppies blossom on the lapels and collars of over half of Canada’s entire population. Since 1921, the Poppy has stood as a symbol of Remembrance, our visual pledge to never forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations. The Poppy also stands internationally as a “symbol of collective reminiscence”, as other countries have also adopted its image to honour those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The word freedom is nowhere to be found.

It's worth noting that the poppy and Remembrance Day's origins lie, not in the later struggle against fascism, but in the pointless slaughter of the Great War.