White Poppy Campaign?

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

There are stories about this every year where I am convinced it is more children who want to hear their own voices moreso than put constructive thought into a discussion regarding the history of the poppy and what it means to many people, including myself. I do think that sometimes war is glamorized for being something that it isn't, however I also think that November 11th is about remembering those who did sacrifice everything and those who did come back as changed men and women.

At the end of the day I think that we should just ignore the people who make this statement rather than give them the attention that they crave.

[CaptainCrunch]

The person that talks about the red poppy celebrating war is semi ######ed and clearly doesn't understand what the red poppy really represents.

It has nothing to do with a pacifistic viewpoint versus some barbaric war f ya symbolism.

On top of that the money raised by the sale of White poppy goes to their own educational programs after they pay for manufacturing and distribution , whereas all the money raised by Red Poppy goes to vets in need via the Salvation army and the legions.

I personally don't care if people wear the white poppy its literally one of the freedoms that are enjoyed because of sacrifices made but have a clear understanding of what the red poppy stands for and don't dismiss it as some symbol of war mongering or some anti peace statement. And if you're going to wear the white, then just drop your dollar in a red poppy bin and don't take a red poppy.

[Devils'Advocate]

Oh, I was gonna try and guess which newspaper printed this. Oh, and I was sooooo right…. Leave to the Sun to take "a handful of students" and rile some rightous indignation out of people. They sell their newspapers by giving some minuscule faction of naive university students some ink so that the readership can feel superior.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

Oh, I was gonna try and guess which newspaper printed this. Oh, and I was sooooo right…. Leave to the Sun to take "a handful of students" and rile some rightous indignation out of people. They sell their newspapers by giving some minuscule faction of naive university students some ink so that the readership can feel superior.

Doesn't change the fact that these kids are being ######ed. And that's the only point I see anyone making in this thread.

[Kavvy]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Doesn't change the fact that these kids are being ######ed. And that's the only point I see anyone making in this thread.

I think the poster you just quoted made another point, why dismiss the poster like that?

Anyway, yes, stupid students, but why is it still on the front page of calgarysun.ca?

When typing headlines, as anal as this sounds, I am in the camp that they have to be 100% accurate if your going to use them to sell your story. Stating "Students don't care if 'white poppy' offends vets" like it is a quote in a story, when the student group actually said "We can't account for other people's feelings" is a lie in my books. We don't know that he doesn't care it offends vets, he might care, but understands from a children book (Aesop fables) that you can't please everyone. Interesting that the Sun can't pick up something we learn at the age of 5.

I think this white poppy leader is 100% wrong, and doesn't realize the full disgracefulness of the action he is taking. A handful of students are doing a stupid thing they think is helping make the world a better place. Sounds like most college students to me.

[GGG]

I don't like the way the poppy is worn as a fashion statement these days and the attitude that you HAVE to wear a poppy. I really appreiate the article that Flameswin posted aboue written by Robert Fisk. I choose instead to donate to the poppy fund but to not wear a poppy.

What started this was one year I left my poppy on (accidently) the day after rememberance day and took a lot of flack from people saying you weren't allowed to wear it. (As per the legion manual you are). But the fact that it was more about rules than symbology turned me off of wearing it. It has begun to reek of facebook slacktivism.

Instead I will reflect quietly and privately.

[Hack&Lube]

There's also the issue of the Royal Canadian Legion claiming a trademark over the poppy. I would support a poppy that is not trademarked or claimed by any organization, even if they have the right intentions.

Royal Canadian Legion asks Canadian Reddit sub-forum to remove Poppy over trademark

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcomm...trademark.html

This was a big head shaker for me.

[Red Ice Player]

The usual sensationalist headline from the Sun. I have never seen a white poppy on a person out in the street. I completely dismiss the rationale for wearing them, but I think its a non issue. On the other hand, my brain hurts just taking a glimpse at the Sun comments section. Biggest bunch of mouth breathing bigots you'll find. Its like troll central. I think the Sun is a troll incubator.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

There's also the issue of the Royal Canadian Legion claiming a trademark over the poppy. I would support a poppy that is not trademarked or claimed by any organization, even if they have the right intentions.

Royal Canadian Legion asks Canadian Reddit sub-forum to remove Poppy over trademark

I'm torn on this one. The poppy is an important symbol and is vital to the fundraising that the Legion does, so it should be protected. But, a web site using the poppy's image respectfully and non-commercially doesn't seem like a threat to the image, the fundraising, etc. I suppose that's up to the trademark holder to decide, however.

And regarding the original topic: I have always been proud to wear a poppy, and I have never seen it as a celebration of war. I think that the "white poppy" people are missing the mark with their little campaign, but are free to have their opinion. I think that part of the problem is that we really haven't had the type of "total war" like WWII in a few of generations. There have been conflicts, obviously, but these have largely played out for us on television and were fought by professional soldiers and not the general population. To be frank, the impact on the average Canadian's daily routine is minimal. While those who have fought in modern conflicts deserve our utmost respect as well, I do think that people have become detached and desensitized to the horrors of war because we are so far removed from it (unless you have family and close friends who are in the forces, etc). Which brings us full circle to the whole point of Remembrance Day.

And... the Calgary Sun specializes in manufacturing faux issues for their small but fanatical readership to get excited about. A few university students are trying to be provocative? Oh la la. I never would have known about their white poppies if not for this forum, nor would the vast majority of the population. But controversy sells papers, and if you don't have one, make one up.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GGG

I don't like the way the poppy is worn as a fashion statement these days and the attitude that you HAVE to wear a poppy. I really appreiate the article that Flameswin posted aboue written by Robert Fisk. I choose instead to donate to the poppy fund but to not wear a poppy.

What started this was one year I left my poppy on (accidently) the day after rememberance day and took a lot of flack from people saying you weren't allowed to wear it. (As per the legion manual you are). But the fact that it was more about rules than symbology turned me off of wearing it. It has begun to reek of facebook slacktivism.

Instead I will reflect quietly and privately.

Fisk is a know pacifist so nothing in that article surprises me.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Fisk is a know pacifist so nothing in that article surprises me.

I don't get how him being a Pacifist affects that article. The Poppy as you articulated earlier has nothing to do with promoting or being against war. The feeling of the acessorizing of the poppy like a new purse or pair of shoes. A display of patriotism, a talking point if it is missing, it is so far gone from the Solomn display of rememberance. I think that is what his article is about. To simply shoot the messenger because he has differing views on a related but separate issue ignores the very valid content.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by GGG

I don't get how him being a Pacifist affects that article. The Poppy as you articulated earlier has nothing to do with promoting or being against war. The feeling of the acessorizing of the poppy like a new purse or pair of shoes. A display of patriotism, a talking point if it is missing, it is so far gone from the Solomn display of rememberance. I think that is what his article is about. To simply shoot the messenger because he has differing views on a related but separate issue ignores the very valid content.

I am lost on this the whole Poppy fashion accessory slant. I don't see it, nor have I expeirenced it, nor do I give a #### about it.

What I do care about is the continued and ongoing display of remembrance.

To be honest and I am not trying to offend you, these seem like excuses to not wear one. Again, this is not aimed at you, as i take you at your word that you follow your own schedule/approach to remembrance.

[SeeGeeWhy]

When I see or wear a poppy, it reminds me of the great losses that we all suffer in times of conflict. I cannot think of a greater incentive to work to avoid wars in the future than this.

This white poppy campaign is completely off target.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

If anyone understands the value of peace its a veteran

[Jbo]

I threw in extra money today to the Poppy fund.

I wear my red poppy to remember. I am proud of the veterens, that were asked the unthinkable, and lost everything, so that we could do things like argue over the colour of a poppy. University students that have never faced any hardship even close to what these men/women have and currently face.

God Bless and never forget.