Poppy wearing

[JackDanielsU]

As the 11th of November nears, newsreaders etc are wearing their poppies. But not everyone is yet. Is this wrong??

For example On Today with Des and Mel, both Des and Mel had a poppy, yet Lenny Henry who they were interviewing did not.

I remember reading that a few years ago, they digitally put a poppy on Johnathan Ross for part of Film 2003

here is the story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3260277.stm

[jenstar]

Maybe Lenny Henry's fell off. Anyway, it's not like it's a legal requirement or anything.

[MrsBadely]

Poppy wearing is a matter of personal choice, so I would never say that for a person not to wear one is wrong.

[Johnmof]

Good question. There are various reasons why some people will not wear them. For example the association it has with Haig, who many regard as being at least in part responsible for the slaughter of so many men. There are also those who feel that Britain treated it's war victims, especailly widows, very badly, particularly in comparison wjth Germany, where provision for widows was much more generous. It's argued that the victims of wars should be provided with adequate state support and not have to rely on charity. Just a couple of thoughts - I'm sure there are other reasons for people refusing to wear them. .

[Eastender]

Yet again another tradition dying out maybe. I always wear one and always will. Never forget........

[jenstar]

The relationship between the British Legion and the Church of England is another factor. As someone who feels religion is part of the problem rather than the solution, I wouldn't be happy to wear the poppy symbol.

Mind you, I can't imagine Lenny Henry being the sort to refuse to wear one. It was probably just an accident or an oversight.

[kazza12345]

i dont think its wrong if you dont wear one - i look at them as the same sort of thing as the bullying/breast cancer/nspcc/livestrong bands - it is an outward sign that you have supported that charity. You wouldn't think someone was wrong for not wearing a bullying band would you/

[JamesEverton]

kazza12345 I think that it's a bit more than a symbol of support (such as those other charities). It's a statement that you haven't forgotten, and that you respect, the sacrifice of servicemen who have fought to protect this country. (You might not agree with some or all of the wars that we've been involved in but this doesn't diminish the sacrifice of those that have fought).

Given that we've all benefited from these individuals' actions it seems appropriate to many people to publicly acknowledge that fact and, by so doing, to provide support to disabled servicemen or the families of those that have lost their lives.

[kazza12345]

i dont really agree with you there, sorry. You are giving the charity money and they are giving you something to display to show you have given them money .... how is that different from the band thing?