No Respect

[Rudy Can't Fail]

The idea is a fine one, and I think it should be kept on.

The people spoiling it are the pricks with their No Respect bullshit. How embarassing.

My thoughts too.

[Ger Regan]

The poppy isnt a symbol of the British army, therefore why should anybody feel uncomfortable wearing one?

And Mons XI, the truck driver analogy doesn't wash. Sunderland, like all football clubs, had a kit with a poppy on it, McClean chose not to wear his, thus making a statement. He doesn't have to explain why, I can guess. And he's being an ignorant twat because of it, just like those Celtic idiots, because it has no political significance and if one is attributed it is in ignorance.
What other reason could it have been. Is he allergic to synthetic sewn on poppies?

It's probably best I drop this now because I dont like where it might lead. I've said all I have to say.

Sorry Maz (and I'd certainly hope a debate could be had on this without it leading to ill feeling between posters), while your intentions and motives are no doubt sincere, it is a bit naive to think that the poppy isn't a political symbol. It's absolutely loaded with symbolism, and it certainly is considered to be a symbol of the british army, especially in the north.

Just for the record, I've no links to the north, I absolutely despise sinn fein, understand and respect the poppy as a commemorative symbol for the fallen (who should be remembered), but it's got a lot baggage, more than that you would like, unfortunately.

[saunders_heroes]

The poppy isnt a symbol of the British army, therefore why should anybody feel uncomfortable wearing one?

And Mons XI, the truck driver analogy doesn't wash. Sunderland, like all football clubs, had a kit with a poppy on it, McClean chose not to wear his, thus making a statement. He doesn't have to explain why, I can guess. And he's being an ignorant twat because of it, just like those Celtic idiots, because it has no political significance and if one is attributed it is in ignorance.
What other reason could it have been. Is he allergic to synthetic sewn on poppies?

It's probably best I drop this now because I dont like where it might lead. I've said all I have to say.

As has been explained to you, McLean come from a part of the world where the British Army have killed members of his own community. Perhaps he's showing a bit of respect to his own dead when he refuses to wear a poppy? That shouldn't make him an "ignorant twat".

[kippaxvilla2]

If the poppy isn't the symbol of wars as people have said, then I guess no one should be averse to wearing an Easter Lily if asked?

I just don't wear a poppy, mainly because I haven't been bothered to over the years.  No underlying hatred of anything, just, I haven't worn one.

[Concrete John]

The poppy isnt a symbol of the British army, therefore why should anybody feel uncomfortable wearing one?

And Mons XI, the truck driver analogy doesn't wash. Sunderland, like all football clubs, had a kit with a poppy on it, McClean chose not to wear his, thus making a statement. He doesn't have to explain why, I can guess. And he's being an ignorant twat because of it, just like those Celtic idiots, because it has no political significance and if one is attributed it is in ignorance.
What other reason could it have been. Is he allergic to synthetic sewn on poppies?

It's probably best I drop this now because I dont like where it might lead. I've said all I have to say.

Sorry Maz (and I'd certainly hope a debate could be had on this without it leading to ill feeling between posters), while your intentions and motives are no doubt sincere, it is a bit naive to think that the poppy isn't a political symbol. It's absolutely loaded with symbolism, and it certainly is considered to be a symbol of the british army, especially in the north.

Just for the record, I've no links to the north, I absolutely despise sinn fein, understand and respect the poppy as a commemorative symbol for the fallen (who should be remembered), but it's got a lot baggage more than that you would like, unfortunately.

Very well put, Gar, and my sentiments also.

[MonsXI]

The poppy isnt a symbol of the British army, therefore why should anybody feel uncomfortable wearing one?

And Mons XI, the truck driver analogy doesn't wash. Sunderland, like all football clubs, had a kit with a poppy on it, McClean chose not to wear his, thus making a statement. He doesn't have to explain why, I can guess. And he's being an ignorant twat because of it, just like those Celtic idiots, because it has no political significance and if one is attributed it is in ignorance.
What other reason could it have been. Is he allergic to synthetic sewn on poppies?

It's probably best I drop this now because I dont like where it might lead. I've said all I have to say.

I think if you look at the MO of the British Legion:

The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Armed Forces charity.

We provide practical, emotional and financial support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present, and their families.

We actively campaign to improve their lives and safeguard the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces.

You can surely see why a lad who grew up in a city that the armed forces that this charity supports murdered 14 people might feel uneasy wearing one of their poppies?

[Irish villain]

If the poppy isn't the symbol of wars as people have said, then I guess no one should be averse to wearing an Easter Lily if asked?

I just don't wear a poppy, mainly because I haven't been bothered to over the years.  No underlying hatred of anything, just, I haven't worn one.

OK, so the Easter Lilly is slightly different in that only Sinn Féin supporters in Ireland wear it. Not even  the mainstream Irish establishment wear it and as far as I know it isn't allowed in the Irish parliament.

But the point still stands. It is a commemorative Lilly (originally just intended to mark the deaths of the 1916-21 rebels). Yet I would understand somebody from Birmingham seeing the Lilly as a deeply political emblem and would not consider them 'ignorant twats' for refusing to wear one if asked.

Excuse any mistakes, I am at work and trying to post on the QT!

[Risso]

The poppy isnt a symbol of the British army, therefore why should anybody feel uncomfortable wearing one?

And Mons XI, the truck driver analogy doesn't wash. Sunderland, like all football clubs, had a kit with a poppy on it, McClean chose not to wear his, thus making a statement. He doesn't have to explain why, I can guess. And he's being an ignorant twat because of it, just like those Celtic idiots, because it has no political significance and if one is attributed it is in ignorance.
What other reason could it have been. Is he allergic to synthetic sewn on poppies?

It's probably best I drop this now because I dont like where it might lead. I've said all I have to say.

Who else do the RBL give their support to, other than people who have served in the British armed forces?

[Chico Hamilton III]

I don't think MON wears a poppy either.

He was wearing one in his press conference after the game.

[Richard C]

Don't forget, to turn the whole McLean thing round. McLean's community murdered many more British Solders and indeed Catholics than were killed on Bloody Sunday.

[Risso]

Don't forget, to turn the whole McLean thing round. McLean's community murdered many more British Solders and indeed Catholics than were killed on Bloody Sunday.

Oh blimey, here we go....

[kippaxvilla2]

Lights fuse to incendiary device.....oops.

[Ger Regan]

Don't forget, to turn the whole McLean thing round. McLean's community murdered many more British Solders and indeed Catholics than were killed on Bloody Sunday.

Ok then.

[curiousorange]

One of the things that annoys me about Britain is that as soon as we do something more than a couple of times, it becomes a tradition and woe betide you if you break it.

As regards poppies, I wear one and am proud to, but I don't look down on those that don't. They have their own reasons, even if they're as simple as indolence. Being part of a free society is the right to say no to the majority.

Getting back to the topic of the 19th minute, I'm a bit embarrassed by it now. I like the sentiment, but I feel it makes us look as if we're clinging to an excuse for our indifferent form somehow. Almost like 'we've lost our talisman, look how brave we are anyway'. I wouldn't have any objection to letting it wind down.

[MonsXI]

Don't forget, to turn the whole McLean thing round. McLean's community murdered many more British Solders and indeed Catholics than were killed on Bloody Sunday.

What does that have to do with Mclean not wearing a poppy? Or is it the case that really there's nothing disrespectful about a young lad quietly without fuss exercising his right not to wear a poppy?