White poppies - an insult to our vets?

[Tank]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3603...ngers-veterans

War veterans are angry that Peace Movement Aotearoa is running a white poppy fundraiser just a day before the annual RSA red poppy day street appeal.

Veterans' Affairs Minister Judith Collins said the white poppy appeal was "incredibly disrespectful to those who served their country".

"Peace Movement Aotearoa should be ashamed of themselves," she said.

World War II veteran George Jones, 88, of Lower Hutt, said: "They should get off the RSA's patch and hold their appeal at least six months away from Anzac Day.

"Red poppies pay homage to the soldiers, what they did and what they had to put up with.

"They say they're for peace, but doing it the day before our day is picking a fight." ... conts see link




What do you think. Personally I think its disgusting. Our Vets gave more than we can ever imagine for us, and sadly time is making us forget.

[rustyrobot]

I dont see this as a 'conflict'. My granfather was staunchly anti-war. He lost an eye and most of his hearing in WWII. It's poor timing, but personally I dont think it's bad taste. Having Boobs on Bikes the same weekend? Well, that's poor taste IMHO.

[mashman]

Whilst there's something to be said for promoting peace... I would have thought the day afterwards would have been more appropriate.

[Tank]

Whilst there's something to be said for promoting peace... I would have thought the day afterwards would have been more appropriate.

Now that is a good idea!

[slowpoke]

Perfect timing I reckon, and in no way diminishes what our soldiers went through. While honouring their sacrifice is important surely the most important thing is to try and end having to make the sacrfice in the first place?

Or is war just a perpetual human state, one that all era's have to endure?

Nup, the "disgusting" thing is that young men go away to die and have absolutely no idea what for. We are happy to buy the poppies, happy to rock up to the dawn parade, and happy to blindly elect the politicians that put them in harms way.

But is it really the politician's fault? Most of us would rather watch a game of (insert trivial sport here) than follow anything remotely political, something that will actually affect our lives and the lives of our children.

[Headbanger]

I don't see it as an issue, I would have thought a peace poppy could reside right along side one commemorating what the soliders endured.

If we want to talk disrespect, then the issue of young cunts bashing war vets (fuck it, any elderly person) who sacrificed so much to protect a country so some filthy cunts can spit out fuckwit kids who assult them in carparks.

Utter fucking filth.

[rainman]

What do you think. Personally I think its disgusting. Our Vets gave more than we can ever imagine for us, and sadly time is making us forget.

That they did. However much of a peacenik I am, and how much I think war is disgusting, I am grateful to those who went and fought. The white poppies are a reminder for us to strive to never get into the same situation again; the red of what happens when we do.

Whilst there's something to be said for promoting peace... I would have thought the day afterwards would have been more appropriate.

I think Mr Mashman has the right idea here. Doesn't need to be six months apart, but at the same time is bad optics.

[Big Dave]

I think it's cheap and contrived and disrespectful and cashing in on the sacrifices that makes it possible for them to have the freedom to be there in the first place. If any of them come near me they will get a gobful.

A more suitable time and I'd probably buy one.

[oldrider]

Catch 22 isn't it, they died that we may live in peace and we are "fighting" over how it should be expressed! Humans! WTF?

Kill them all!

[bogan]

I agree with mashman, day afterwards is far more appropriate, sort of like, we comemorate those who died fro our country, now we must work towards peace so it does not happen again. And if anyone trys to sell me one thats what I'll tell them.

[mashman]

I agree with mashman, day afterwards is far more appropriate, sort of like, we comemorate those who died fro our country, now we must work towards peace so it does not happen again. And if anyone trys to sell me one thats what I'll tell them.

Good strap line for it.

[Maha]

As long as there is no Tall Poppy's then all is good.

[Mully]

Didn't they fight for freedom? It's a bit "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

Personally, I think it's a bit disrespectful to do it on the same day and use the poppy.

World War II veteran George Jones, 88, of Lower Hutt, said: "They should get off the RSA's patch and hold their appeal at least six months away from Anzac Day.

At least six months away from ANZAC Day? Could it be further?

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them

Lest we forget.

[onearmedbandit]

I think it's cheap and contrived and disrespectful and cashing in on the sacrifices that makes it possible for them to have the freedom to be there in the first place. If any of them come near me they will get a gobful.

A more suitable time and I'd probably buy one.

Agreed 100%. Forget the politics of war, the waste of young lives, how 'peace' is better. These guys, younger tham most on the forum, gave up the ease and comfort of their lives to fight a battle so that we could have the freedom we enjoy today. Respect that.

[MisterD]

What do you think. Personally I think its disgusting. Our Vets gave more than we can ever imagine for us, and sadly time is making us forget.

Damn right it's cheap and disgusting. They've timed their white poppy thing precisely to gain publicity from the reaction they knew would happen...it's deliberate and it's cynical and if I see anyone hawking these things, I'll be letting them know my views in no uncertain terms.