Just to widen your mind a little, Bob, and assuming there aren't all that many Japanese people walking Scotland's streets: The Tokyo branch of the RBL: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/tokyo The wider issue of Japanese war guilt is complex stuff, doubtless. Discussed many times here, but I cannot accept a total tarring of a group based on a small paper flower. I have to disagree with you von Poop.British soldiers and those of the Commonwealth were killed in action fighting the Japanese in Burma.And what about our prisoners of war who suffered and died building the Burma railway.That railway was intended to get the Japanese to India to capture part of our British Empire.The Muslims in India now Bangladesh and Pakistan were once part of India and some of them fought for Germany against the allies.It was for these same people that commonwealth blood was spilt,and the Muslims seem to forget that.No,I do tar them all with the same brush,because I was once a branch secretary of a RBL branch and happened to speak to many others at the national conference and every one of them said that people from Bangladesh and Pakistan never buy poppies from them,and what better proof is that.Indians,Chinese,Germans,Poles,and Dutch people used to buy poppies from our team but never had someone from the Asian countries I have mentioned buying a poppy off them,and its the same from all over the UK. Just to widen your mind a little, Bob, and assuming there aren't all that many Japanese people walking Scotland's streets: The Tokyo branch of the RBL: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/tokyo The wider issue of Japanese war guilt is complex stuff, doubtless. Discussed many times here, but I cannot accept a total tarring of a group based on a small paper flower.
As I implied, I'm fully aware of the issues re. Japan's war & the state's continuing refusal to accurately acknowledge it's role. Same for the history of the Indian Army, which the aforementioned Grandad served with. But I live in Leicestershire, and buy my poppies from a shop & post office both run by Brown men, so am still quite comfortable in dismissing any sweeping universal assumptions about race, religion & poppies. (You're actually quite possibly more likely to see a Sikh with a poppy on in Leicester itself than you are certain White demographics.) I like the Poppy as an entirely neutral symbol of remembrance - not something to bolt any other issues onto. At all. A free choice. But, hey, it's a traditional poppy outrage thread, 'tis the season, so I've come to expect blanket assertions, hunts for offence, and individuals claiming to speak for everyone; so there ya go.. A thought from 2010: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/25649-disgusted-deport-the-lot/?p=314487
Just to widen your mind a little, Bob, and assuming there aren't all that many Japanese people walking Scotland's streets: The Tokyo branch of the RBL: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/tokyo The wider issue of Japanese war guilt is complex stuff, doubtless. Discussed many times here, but I cannot accept a total tarring of a group based on a small paper flower. I have to disagree with you von Poop.British soldiers and those of the Commonwealth were killed in action fighting the Japanese in Burma.And what about our prisoners of war who suffered and died building the Burma railway.That railway was intended to get the Japanese to India to capture part of our British Empire.The Muslims in India now Bangladesh and Pakistan were once part of India and some of them fought for Germany against the allies.It was for these same people that commonwealth blood was spilt,and the Muslims seem to forget that.No,I do tar them all with the same brush,because I was once a branch secretary of a RBL branch and happened to speak to many others at the national conference and every one of them said that people from Bangladesh and Pakistan never buy poppies from them,and what better proof is that.Indians,Chinese,Germans,Poles,and Dutch people used to buy poppies from our team but never had someone from the Asian countries I have mentioned buying a poppy off them,and its the same from all over the UK. Just to widen your mind a little, Bob, and assuming there aren't all that many Japanese people walking Scotland's streets: The Tokyo branch of the RBL: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/tokyo The wider issue of Japanese war guilt is complex stuff, doubtless. Discussed many times here, but I cannot accept a total tarring of a group based on a small paper flower. An article regarding last year's appeal http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/one-million-muslims-will-wear-remembrance-poppies-despite-extremists-opposition-say-researchers-8924933.html Again, not wearing a poppy doesn't mean that someone hasn't contributed to the appeal, or doesn't respect the sacrifices made in the two WWs especially. As it is a personal choice, not wearing one is also an expression of the liberty we all enjoy. If the rest of us are grateful for those freedoms we can't very well complain if a few chose to express them in ways which we would not. As a result of these 'poppy outrage' stories October/November is never the wholly reflective time of year on the forum that it could be. We all seem to end up chasing the full facts behind the headline: the arguments take centre stage rather than the men and women we want to remember. I won't guess at the motivations behind those who kick them off, but I do have to wonder about some of those who so quickly jump to comment on social media without actually checking. IIRC last year was relatively quiet here, so I hope this year is too.
Last year was indeed near devoid of outrage. Was nice. Coincidentally: As is often the case, ARRSE has this covered in their traditional style: ARRSE - The Poppy Outrage Thread I was considering a similar corral here, but feel I've been beaten to it.
von Poop, as you are obviously incensed about my posts,may I respectfully ask that you create a separate thread for these sort of posts about the Poppys.While I respect your opinion and that of others but, I feel it only right that people with other opinions should have the right to post them,after all this is a democratically run forum isn't it! There you go!
I happened to be in Singapore just after Remembrance Sunday 2012 and took the MRT up to Kranji.. I wanted especially to visit my aunt Pamela's uncle 2/Lt Hilder who died in February 1942. He served with 10th Baluch Regiment. About 50 yards away from his final resting place were a group of head markers facing to the west and these included ones for other men from the 10th Baluch Regiment, some of these men had also died in February 1942... Whether I'm wearing a poppy or not doesn't lessen my own ability to reflect fully on the memory/sacrifices of the thousands of men/women from all nations who lie at peace right across the world.. best
Not even slightly incensed. Amused, and mildly irritated at another splurge of poppy outrage, as happens every year, which I feel should often be countered. You'd be amazed at just how tolerant we are of all sorts of opinions. Just that some people seem to ping more than the average number of reported posts. Democratic forum? Dunno what gave you that idea...
Ah, wrong yet again, Bob. Naturally, I know I'm always right, but have never hidden behind admin status here during arguments, it being far more fun to be a normal member on the actual posting side. The thing is though, I maybe have some duty to defend the forum, and occasionally respond when I receive an above average level of complaint about a post or poster. We have 'Asian' members here. I don't like them being insulted, particularly by someone who recently had their own little thin-skinned toy throwing session over a few words on a screen about field telephones. You appear to be a bit of an offendotron, Bob. If you're going to be so easily offended, you possibly shouldn't be quite so surprised when people pick you up by return for your own irrelevant injections of race into an issue. Loving the rebel leader act, by the way. Beautiful.
In the old-fashioned natural order of things the autumn timetable should be: 1. Harvest festival 2. Set clocks back an hour 3. Avoid pumpkins 4. Mischief Night 5. Bonfire night. Light one hundred penny bangers ( cost 8 shillings 4 pence ) 6. Buy Poppy. 7. Buy another poppy because the first one fell out 8. Buy another poppy because the second one given away. 9. Repeat stages 7 and 8. November 11th. Try and find somewhere quiet. Stand still at 11.00 a.m. In the new order of things local supermarket has no poppies but sells pumpkins next to Christmas cards.
Bob I have been following your recent posts with interest the last few days. I don't normally feel the inclination to get involved in threads such as this but since you have been so vocal with your opinions here and on other threads, here's my twopennorth. Your recent posts suggest to me you have come here spoiling for a fight. (We've had a lot worse here believe me). Yes you are entitled to your opinion but soon get a bit uppity and have been rude to other members . It isn't the first time lately that you have completely ruined a thread. I for one am getting bored of your petty comments. Why don't you start posting something really useful which makes a contribution to the forum-after all, that's what we are all here to do. As for you saying that everyone should wear a poppy, (by the way I do wear one), I feel it is a personal choice-I don't need to wear one to remember the fallen. Myself and many other members have taken pilgrimages to honour those who died in the war. You should take a GOOD LONG LOOK at the threads members have started on this forum with pictures of cemeteries and headstones they have visited over the years. Just my opinion of course :wink: Lesley
