Originally Posted by Tiggergirl:
“Not another thread on this there were already two on this subject that got locked yesterday. Is it necessary to start yet another thread on this. People are not compelled to wear one, not wearing one does not equal lack of respect its personal choice as to whether you choose to wear one or not.
I really dislike the current mentality that seems to exist that wearing the poppy should be enforced it totally defeats the point of what it represents I.e those that died fighting for the freedom we have today yet it seems people are intent on trying to take away peoples personal choices so that makes wearing it a mockery as you are not respecting what is behind it.
I've had family fight in the wars and who have been in the Armed Forces in recent years so have nothing but respect for the sacrifices made but equally do not believe you should be forced to show that respect by wearing a poppy if you don't wish to.”
Unfortunately, as is the case with many things, the Poppy is being subtly hijacked to fulfil an agenda which started after the response to the Iraq War so both main political parties are as much to blame as each other.
It has only been in recent years that we've had this level of - and I use the word deliberately - Gastapo levels of conformity in the wearing of the Poppy. When I was growing up no-one batted an eyelid if someone wasn't wearing one.