Poppies

[diddlydo]

Is it a BBC rule that all presenters have to sport a poppy in October - way before remembrance day on 11 Nov? Do they have the option of wearing a white poppy for peace? I doubt it.

[DJHawkes]

I've never seen a white poppy for peace on sale and it's already november

[pixie373]

That's exactly what i was wondering- on all the channels in fact. Also, any guests seem to all wear them. Maybe they are afraid of complaints if they're not worn.

[pixie373]

And, i didn't know you could get white poppies?

[Peter Pedant]

You will notice all the defendants in the Hacking case
are all wearing poppies.

The pastor who decided to wear a white poppy during her sermons has according to the DT got it in the neck from her parishioners. She also isnt English.

[Ric.ror]

Maybe there could be a different white Poppy Day

[Nini74]

As it seems appropriate for shops to be adorned with Christmas decorations/items for sale so early, I don't see why there should be an issue over the wearing of poppies a couple of weeks before Remembrance Sunday. Choosing to wear one before 11 November is surely no more unusual than people putting comic relief noses on their cars before the event. What's the problem? I too have never seen a white poppy for sale but I don't see why the BBC would object to a presenter wearing one - am I missing something?

[craft1948]

I would have thought that if a white poppy was seen as being against the establishment the BBC would consider them de rigeur........

[craft1948]

^ rigueur

[Georgiesmum]

Yes, and dont forget the purple poppies that animal aid sell every year in remembrance of all the animals that have died in the wars too.!

[emmie]

i think it's a rule, i have only seen one person on the BBC not wearing one in recent days.

[tonyav]

I haven't heard of those before, Georgiesmum.

[emmie]

Tony

http://www.animalaidshop.org.uk/accessories/purple-poppy

[ethandron]

No it's not a rule. The all the bbc do is give some guidance as to when their presenters might want to start wearing them, this year it was Saturday 28th October. As that's only two weeks before 11th November, and poppies are on sale everywhere by then, then personally I can't see any problem.
None of the presenters have to wear a poppy, it's their personal choice, Jon snow has decided not to wear one on air but does wear one in his private life.

[tonyav]

Right, thanks emmie.

[emmie]

i didn't mean it was hard and fast, but as i said i have only seen one person on the BBC without a poppy, i think the powers that be assume that everyone should wear one, if they don't wish to i wonder how they get around it....

[BlueToffee]

Red Poppies are sold to enable us to remember the tens of thousands of Allied Troops who gave their lives in the Great War and WW2 to enable us to enjoy the freedom we have today.

Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the past, not a time to air our views on the now. Let us NEVER forget.

I was cheered today though, to see so many young people out selling poppies in the streets of my local city.

[ethandron]

Emmie, they don't have to get round it, they just don't wear one, it's their choice, the powers that be don't force the issue.

[woofgang]

I "get" the purple poppy thing but I can't see why the white "peace poppy" is seen as the opposite of the red Remembrance Poppy. It is not worn in support of war but to remember the terrible thing that war is and to respect the people who have died for our freedom.

[Baldric]

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I am sure the thoughts of all will be with those British and Commonwealth Service men and women who fell in the defence of our liberty.
But spare a thought, too, for the men and women of the White Poppy appeal. And don't make it a kind thought. This wretched outfit "believes that there are better ways of solving conflicts than killing strangers". That is how they describe the sacrifice of British and Allied lives in the inescapable war against Nazi Germany and the Axis powers.
People who wear white poppies – who include the sanctimonious prats of the "Christian" think tank Ekklesia – not only dishonour our war dead: they also assert their supposed moral superiority over the 40 million Britons who wear British Legion red poppies.
What should you do if you see a white poppy wearer today? At the very least you should give them a cheery wave not involving the use of all your fingers.
From The Telegraph a year or 3 back, sums it up as well as any.