50 thoughts on “Was It For This?”

  1. Neilo

    Plenty of Irish people fought in the world wars and/or ‘Irish’ bars attract a strong British clientele. Next story, please.

    2. Joe cool

      And the fact it’s Belgium. Home to many of these battles. Where the whole poppy movement got its inspiration

    4. Snickers

      They don’t really do this in countries other than Britain. And the poor bastards who fought for the British Army… well, was that a good choice?

          1. Jake38

            Yes, indeed, it was the final event of the 19th century. The 19th century was a long one. It began with the French Revolution (1789) and ended with the First World War (1919). The 20th century then began and ultimately ended with the fall of the Soviet Union (1989). The 21st century then began with the fall of the Twin Towers (1991) and has been going poorly ever since. Free your mind. Don’t be a slave to Pope Gregoy XIII.

    5. Punches Pilot

      So it’s just about the world wars then! Eh nope. If it was imply that then I wouldn’t have a problem myself. What you’re celebrating wearing the poppy though is the abuse of civil rights all around the planet through out generations, including in Derry and various other towns up North. If you’re happy with that then go ahead. I’m not.

    6. TomRed

      Plenty of Irish men and women bravely served to fight Fascism and I have no problem at all with poppies.
      Next story please.

  2. MintyFresh

    Every year… boring. Will I be vilified for wearing a poppy to remember my granddad from Newfoundland, Canada who flew as a bomber in the RAF? Vets in Canada can get a special license plate featuring the poppy- it’s a symbol of remembrance for lots of people for lots of wars. Idiots out there need to educate themselves.

    1. Bingo

      If anything, it’s NOT wearing the poppy that will bring vilification to your door in the UK.
      My opinion is, if you want to wear one, wear one.
      If you don’t, don’t.

      1. Earthworm Jim

        Is it Paxman or someone who refuses to wear one for the simple reason that there is a growing obligation to wear one, and a villification if you don’t, that he doesn’t like

      2. DubLoony

        +1
        Some trenches were so close to each other that soldiers on both sides came to personal agreements not to shoot each other.

        Hence the phrase, “live and let live”.
        An attitude that should be applied to this annual topic.

    2. Demon

      Will I be wearing a poppy to remember those of my family who were in the armies fighting in World War I? No. Will I remember them? Yes. Privately.

  4. Nugget

    The poppy is used by the UK and other commonwealth countries to remember all military who died in all wars since 1914. This would include the British forces killed on the orders of Michael Collins. Isn’t ironic don’t think or maybe we have just all moved on.

  5. Spaghetti Hoop

    The poppy in this case represents the Royal British Legion who support British servicemen and their families in today’s wars. The reason why many Irish refrain from supporting this charity is because one of those recent conflicts was Northern Ireland. There are also people who object to recent British foreign policy and military tactics and will also choose not to support the RBL. Vocal pacifists have gone as far to say that this charity is mopping up a mess that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. Not wearing a poppy doesn’t mean that WW1 veterans are ignored or you honour them any less. It’s a personal choice – not a national one.

    2. scottser

      the ould lad was a member of the legion on john rogersons quay back in the day. cheapest pint in town – was quite a nice feeling knowing the queen was subsidising your scoops. but the stories the ould lads used to tell were great. these weren’t the tally-ho, mustachioed general types, they were the grunts, the mechanics and cannon-fodder. for anyone who’d refuse to wear a poppy i’d suggest you talk to one of those lads first, if you can find one still living.

      1. Spaghetti Hoop

        I’ve a lot of respect for these lads.
        The War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge aptly remember the 49,400 Irish of WW1 and the British Legion in Ireland also host an annual Remembrance Sunday event there, marked by the laying of poppy wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice. As I said, choosing not to wear a lapel poppy does not imply you are not honouring WW1 veterans – it may simply mean that you have a stance against supporting 21st Century British conflicts.

  7. Mr. T.

    The YFG all wear them secretly to bed at night. They dream of being back part of the UK again, subjects of a monarch.

      2. Owen

        A day hardly passes without him having a go at the YFG. I reckon Mrs. T had an affair with one of them.

  8. MoyestWithExcitement

    Why is it anyone’s business if someone wants to wear a poppy? Why does anyone actually care?

  9. ahjayzis

    I got a white poppy last year – it’s a nice compromise. I wouldn’t wear the red mainly because it’s been rendered meaningless by being so ‘enforced’. And then I’d have to wear that easter lilly or something to balance it out. It’s not doublethink to honour the Irish boys who died in like the Somme and the lads who died in the war of independence, to think it’s one or the other is infantile jingoism, we’re so removed from both conflicts we don’t have to take a side.

    1. Neilo

      That may be the poppy, you’re thinking of? The lily is usually worn by supporters of the Paedophile Information Exchange (Ulster Widowmakers Branch).

    1. Deluded

      Easily forgotten.
      r/Ireland has a recent post on “The Wind That Shakes The Barley” and the reception to it in the UK.
      The Times, for instance, compared Ken Loach to a Nazi propagandist for his portrayal of British brutality.

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