[OT] EJ's poppy (lack of)

#1

There was an item on Sky News this morning about the conventions of
poppy-wearing in which it was remarked upon that Eddie Jordan wasn't
wearing one on Sunday.

I must say that I noticed the same thing but it seems that a sort of
Poppy Fascism has developed amongst broadcasters in the UK where it is
de rigueur for everybody to wear a poppy from somewhere around the
middle of October until November 11th and the first question anybody
about to make an appearance on TV is asked by the producer is, "are
you wearing a poppy?"

I have been a soldier (although never on active service) and consider
that I have more respect than most for the sacrifices made by our
servicemen during this and the last centuries but I think that the
respect implied by the wearing of a poppy is seriously degraded when
it becomes a politically correct requirement rather than a personal
gesture of remembrance.

I rather admire EJ for not wearing one.
--
Henry Birkin Bt.

#2

On Nov 3, 12:25*pm, Sir Tim <bent... (AT) brooklands (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

Quote:

There was an item on Sky News this morning about the conventions of
poppy-wearing in which it was remarked upon that Eddie Jordan wasn't
wearing one on Sunday.

I must say that I noticed the same thing but it seems that a sort of
Poppy Fascism has developed amongst broadcasters in the UK where it is
de rigueur for everybody to wear a poppy from somewhere around the
middle of October until November 11th and the first question anybody
about to make an appearance on TV is asked by the producer *is, "are
you wearing a poppy?"

I have been a soldier (although never on active service) and consider
that I have more respect than most for the sacrifices made by our
servicemen during this and the last centuries but I think that the
respect implied by the wearing of a poppy is seriously degraded when
it becomes a politically correct requirement rather than a personal
gesture of remembrance.

I rather admire EJ for not wearing one.
--
Henry Birkin Bt.

As he is Irish, I suspect that there may be a historical reason for
him not wanting to wear a visible mark of support for the British army.

#3

In message <2680f5pd4kcsa9k35u2hp7ovb282qgl169 (AT) 4ax (DOT) com>, Sir Tim
<bentley (AT) brooklands (DOT) co.uk> writes
[snip]

Quote:

I have been a soldier (although never on active service) and consider
that I have more respect than most for the sacrifices made by our
servicemen during this and the last centuries but I think that the
respect implied by the wearing of a poppy is seriously degraded when
it becomes a politically correct requirement rather than a personal
gesture of remembrance.

I rather admire EJ for not wearing one.

I'm also an ex serviceman who has seen active service. I agree with you
that people should be allowed to choose to buy a poppy and not feel
morally bullied into doing so. I donate to charities that are close to
my own heart (including the RBL) but I sometimes have to endure the
obvious disdain from colleagues when I decline to make sponsorship
donations in support of their favourite charities.

As for EJ, he was born and grew up in the Republic of Ireland so he's no
more obliged to support the RBL than any other non-brit.

--
Paul Giverin

My photos:- www.pbase.com/vendee

#4

On 2009-11-03, Tommo <sxt2000 (AT) hotmail (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

Quote:

As he is Irish, I suspect that there may be a historical reason for
him not wanting to wear a visible mark of support for the British army.

Yes because everyone who is Irish must have a deep-seated hatred for
all that's British..

I'd say that's the least likely explanation.

--
Blast off and strike the evil Bydo empire!
http://youtube.com/tarcus69
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tarcus/sets/

#5

Ian Rawlings <news06 (AT) tarcus (DOT) org.uk> wrote:

Quote:

On 2009-11-03, Tommo <sxt2000 (AT) hotmail (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

As he is Irish, I suspect that there may be a historical reason for
him not wanting to wear a visible mark of support for the British army.

Yes because everyone who is Irish must have a deep-seated hatred for
all that's British..

I'd say that's the least likely explanation.

I've discussed this on another forum and it seems that the tradition of
wearing a poppy is not as prevalent in Ireland as it is in Britain so it
might be one of the reasons.

However I am sick of people making such a big thing about it. Jon Snow
has the right idea in not wearing any emblem on TV as it is showing his
personal preferences and when he's reading the news they shouldn't come
into it. As he said if they did he'd be wearing a different ribbon,
flower, badge every day when you think of how many campaigns there are
out there.

The question I want answered is did Jake & DC buy their own poppies or
were they just handed them by a member of the production crew? There's a
big difference.

--
Emma
http://chocmonster.rules.it

#6

Tommo wrote:

Quote:

As he is Irish, I suspect that there may be a historical reason for
him not wanting to wear a visible mark of support for the British army.

My (Irish) grandfather fought with thousands of other Irish Nationals
alongside the British in Gallipoli and France.

<http://z9.invisionfree.com/royaldublinfusiliers/index.php?showtopic=122>

a

#7

Tommo wrote:

Quote:

On Nov 3, 12:25 pm, Sir Tim <bent... (AT) brooklands (DOT) co.uk> wrote:
There was an item on Sky News this morning about the conventions of
poppy-wearing in which it was remarked upon that Eddie Jordan wasn't
wearing one on Sunday.

snip

I rather admire EJ for not wearing one.
--
Henry Birkin Bt.

As he is Irish, I suspect that there may be a historical reason for
him not wanting to wear a visible mark of support for the British army.

And what of all the other countries that use the poppy as a symbol of
remembrance? Surely you don't believe that we're all *just* supporting
the British armed forces?

(And I also tend to dislike the political correctness of public
figures with their poppies on display. Especially politicians --
although I must admit being disposed to dislike *them* at the
slightest provocation. <grin>)

--
Darryl

#8

"Emma" <elc (AT) who (DOT) net> wrote

Quote:

However I am sick of people making such a big thing about it. Jon Snow has
the right idea in not wearing any emblem on TV as it is showing his
personal preferences and when he's reading the news they shouldn't come
into it.

Don't his brightly coloured ties show his personal preferences?

As for poppies, I never wear one although I usually give to the collecting
tins and have the highest respect for those that fought and died which
include members of my own family.

Z

#9

On 11/03/09 12:45, Ian Rawlings wrote:

Quote:

On 2009-11-03, Tommo<sxt2000 (AT) hotmail (DOT) co.uk> wrote:

As he is Irish, I suspect that there may be a historical reason for
him not wanting to wear a visible mark of support for the British army.

Yes because everyone who is Irish must have a deep-seated hatred for
all that's British..

I'd say that's the least likely explanation.

Ireland was a neutral country in WW1 & WWII

& so probably does not see the need.

However I would like to point out to the "white poppy brigade" that the
poppy is a symbol for peace, in remembrance of what has happened in the
past so that it is not repeated.

#10

On 3 Nov, 14:41, "Zimmy" <z...@y.x> wrote:

Quote:

"Emma" <e... (AT) who (DOT) net> wrote in messagenews:YxIcRHBFvC8KFACD (AT) ukmax (DOT) com...
However I am sick of people making such a big thing about it. Jon Snow has
the right idea in not wearing any emblem on TV as it is showing his
personal preferences and when he's reading the news they shouldn't come
into it.

Don't his brightly coloured ties show his personal preferences?

As for poppies, I never wear one although I usually give to the collecting
tins and have the highest respect for those that fought and died which
include members of my own family.

Well said.

Mike P