Do You Think James Mcclean Has A Point In Not Wearing A Poppy?

[sp1814]

I think for him, given his background, it makes sense - and I have a degree of sympathy for him, because at this time of year the 'poppy fascists' come out in force.

I always buy a few each year (one for each suit I wear to work), but I understand that others may view poppies as a symbol of support of our military - where in fact, it's supposed to honour all those that have died in conflict (including civilians).

What are your thoughts?

[woofgang]

who is James Mcclean and why does he not wear a poppy?

[Baldric]

What has James said?

[Mamyalynne]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/james-mcclean-explains-why-he-refuses-to-wear-remembrance-day-poppy-on-west-brom-shirt-a6716081.html

[Mamyalynne]

I have always taken the same stance as The RBL do regarding Poppy wearing. Personal choice.

[retrocop]

I do not know who James Mcclean is and neither am I obviously aware of his point.
As for your second paragraph. I agree. For ALL casualties at the battle front and the home front.
The poppy does represent Earl Haig's workshops for disabled servicemen after the 1st war though.

[janbee]

I wear a poppy brooch all year round(bought from the British Legion) and I wear a paper poppy from Nov 1st to Nov 11th with very great pride.

[Baldric]

Ah, he's as entitled to his opinion as I am to mine.

[Zacs-Master]

I can see his point of view.

[woofgang]

oh. footballer. I disagree heartily with poppy fascism. I often don't wear a poppy on my coat because its a goretex type waterproof one and I don't want to stick a pin in it.
I think if anybody wants to wear a poppy they should and if they don't want to they shouldn't BUT in some circs its a corporate thing and if you are somewhere representing your company and the company line is to wear a poppy then you comply or find a job elsewhere.

[Gromit]

a footballer is obliged to wear the teams kit and nothing else. It should not be compulsary for him to have yo wear a poppy. On foreign players, the gesture is pretty pointless anyway.

Saying that, I do not accept his reason for not wearing it. Northern Ireland is in the UK, and many of his countrymen died in the wars. It is disrespect to those people.

The British Army may not have had a good day on Bloody Sunday, but that was over 40 years ago. This footballer was born long after that day, and was born into a hard fought peace. I don't think his explanation for mot wearing it holds up.

[Pete65]

You should "opt in" to wear a poppy.
You should not have to "opt out".
I understand his reasoning and have not a problem with that.

[sp1814]

Apologies for forgetting the link.

Cheers Mamyalynne!

[Canary42]

It is ironic that the "poppy fascists" adopt the very stance that those the poppy commemorates fought so hard to overcome.

[sp1814]

At this time of year absolutely everyone on live tv is wearing a poppy. I noticed on The X Factor last year that all the presenters, judges and contestants were wearing one.

Every...single...one.

I find it hard to believe that every person working on that show is wearing one in heartfelt recognition for sacrifices made.

No...they all wear one because of the fear and the number of complaints the poppy fascists will make.

That to me, this is madness because it devalues the poppy if people are wearing it because of outside pressure.

The only positive is that at least more money is raised for the Royal British Legion.

[ichkeria]

I agree 100% with Gromit.
It should be up to McClean what he does of course but his reasoning is questionable to say the least. Unfortunately the whole poppy wearing thing has perhaps inevitably got mixed up in N Ireland politics, as indeed it has to a lesser extent in GB. So there's a lot of baggage there he is carrying around
The fact that he's the sort of bloke who could start a fight in an empty room has of course nothing to do with it :-)

[Mamyalynne]

I also hope those attending the match respect his right to decide and do not repeat the booing of previous times.

They do the cause no good at all.

[Zacs-Master]

He's had death threats also Mamya. Takes some bottle to maintain your principles in such a situation, I'll give him that.

[vetuste_ennemi]

The simple answer to the question posed is "Yes".

But how extraordinary that someone can write this - 'It is ironic that the "poppy fascists" adopt the very stance that those the poppy commemorates fought so hard to overcome' . And be awarded Best Answer for it!
"The VERY STANCE"? What, that of German militarism? that of Nazism? A moral equivalence suggestive of a fevered brain.

I repeat - extraordinary. But not surprising given the provenance.

[mushroom25]

//The British Army may not have had a good day on Bloody Sunday, but that was over 40 years ago. This footballer was born long after that day, and was born into a hard fought peace.//

you have to bear in mind, gromit, that the irish still hold great animosity against the british for events dating back to 1690 and beyond. 40 years ago is but yesterday by comparison.

[Just-Jude]

It's hysteria time again! I wondered when James McClean's name would come up, everyone should know about his principled stance by now.

All those poppy wearing fascists need to get a life.