White poppies - an insult to our vets?

[Hitcher]

"White poppies" are a cynical attempt by a bunch of tree huggers to cash in on public sentiment for ANZACs and other returned servicepeople.

It's exactly the same strategy SAFE employs with its fundraising -- they want people to confuse them with the SPCA.

[scumdog]

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.

Can't give you bling 'must spread...etc'

But spot on anyway!

[scumdog]

From the stuff article:
"The white poppy is a long-standing international symbol of remembrance and peace .

Yeah, really?

I've seen more white moas than I have white poppies.....

[Toaster]

Why dont they just sell opium poppies and make some REAL money for the RSA and stop dicking around with plastic.

On a serious note, anyone read the Kapiti News tonight about the Kapiti Heroes? My Grandad (Eric) was one of the war vets featured. We had his 90th recently. So nice to see several war vets get such a glowing article about them.

[Big Dave]

The north of Tasmania has large valleys that go white with commercially grown Opium Poppies in season.

[Toaster]

large valleys that go white.

Sounds like Heaven!

[Pussy]

Haven't read the whole thread.... but it sucks!
The ANZACS deserve respect... they have earned it

[Gone Burger]

On a serious note, anyone read the Kapiti News tonight about the Kapiti Heroes? My Grandad (Eric) was one of the war vets featured. We had his 90th recently. So nice to see several war vets get such a glowing article about them.

You should be very proud Toaster. I know that I will be very proud at the dawn parade thinking of my grandpa. Great article to keep for years to come.

[Toaster]

You should be very proud Toaster. I know that I will be very proud at the dawn parade thinking of my grandpa. Great article to keep for years to come.

I have a photo somewhere of Grandad attending his first parade with me when I was with the Navy. Both officers (he was RNZAF) and I knew he just loved it.

He never wanted to discuss the war and his medals were up until then still in the paper bag in which he received them.

His brother died in the war.... shot down I believe. All he got was a note saying he had died... talk about stiff upper lip stuff.

[Hoon]

Not impressed. Not only bad taste and bad timing but the white poppies look shit. A blatant attempt to piggyback on a successful resurgence of ANZAC day popularity by trying to get people to buy a white poppy along with their red one.

I'm all for peace but although both parties share the same goal, their methods of reaching it are in direct conflict. I bet peace activists wouldn't like it if the Army were to run recruiting stands at their next event going "Howdy son, come wrap yer hands round this here peace maker!!".

If anyone tries to sell me one I'll kindly tell them to come back on Monday then I'll be glad too.

[Hoon]

From the stuff article:One of the first scholarships was awarded to Victoria University student Marianne Bevan to fund a visit to East Timor to study militarisation, violence and gender issues in the country's recently established police force.

They wisely chose not to mention the other scholarship recipient:

Ryan Bodman Ryan is completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Arts in the Department of History at the University of Auckland. His dissertation is on the Passive Resisters Union (PRU).

Under the 1909 Defence Act, all young men between 12 and 21 (later amended to 14 - 25) were lawfully required to train in the military. The PRU was established in early 1912 to peacefully resist this policy. Only young men directly affected by the policy were able to join the union, which had as its goal "to resist coercion, conscription and military training in all its circumstances and defy all penalties that may be imposed".

[scumdog]

His brother died in the war.... shot down I believe. All he got was a note saying he had died... talk about stiff upper lip stuff.

Yep, similar here: "Your husband is missing in action. We do not know if he is dead or captured" (end of telegraph).

[Oakie]

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.

Ha ha. It's kind of impossible to hold it more than 6 months away from an ANZAC Day. (Perhaps the fella was being clever that's exactly what he meant?)

Nevertheless, yeah, I agree. Riding on the coat-tails of the organisation to which you are philosophically opposed to is a bit low.

[Forest]

I have a lot of respect for veterans.

But I have absolutely no respect for the RSA.

[pete376403]

November 11 (armistice day) would be the ideal day for it (white poppies)
Also if judith collins is so upset about the RSA missing out on some money, why doesn't her government provide a bit more for for vets welfare, instead of making them dependant on charity from the public. Two faced bitch.