Who made the poppy a political symbol? For those who collected the flower from fields in France 90 years ago and many bereaved relatives at home it was a symbol of respect for loved ones lost, but it can be used politically and has been shamelessly politicised in Scotland in recent years, where the symbol of national loss has been exploited.
In itself, the poppy is not political, it occupies the same territory as the black armband, but even this worldwide symbol of respect has been exploited for political ends by footballers in the past.
I can understand why many in England are furious that Fifa consider the poppy a political symbol and have banned England for wearing it against Spain this week, but since a few live to exploit the flower for political ends, the Fifa decision is correct.
Before making the decision someone at Fifa would have undertaken cursory research into the subject. Searching Google for “poppy football” a few weeks ago would have returned this (now archived) result. I’m sure you recall; a banner at Celtic Park, which didn’t make the news on the day it was displayed, or on the next day, was badgered by someone into the news on day three. Celtic were the target of that exercise, the England team are now collateral damage.
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Poppys, The Times View:
Would the furore over Fifa’s vacillating over whether to allow England’s footballers to wear a poppy at Wembley have reached such a political pitch, had it not reflected a broader controversy that has been simmering over the wearing — and non-wearing — of poppies as Armistice Day nears?
This newspaper feels strongly the obligation of every democratic society to support the servicemen and women that it sends to war. We are proud to carry a poppy on our masthead. But that is our choice, and we respect the freedom of others to opt not carry one on their lapel. Not wearing a poppy should not brand a person disrespectful, unpatriotic, or ungrateful for the sacrifices of our Armed Forces.
For the right to wear a poppy goes hand in hand with the right not to wear one. If wearing a poppy ever comes to feel morally mandatory, the flower will lose its potency as a genuine symbol of the wearer’s tribute to those who fell to secure our freedom. Indeed, in a sense, it was for the freedom not to wear a poppy if they felt uncomfortable doing so, or to forget to wear a poppy, or even not to care one way or the other, that they gave their lives.
Football’s governing body last night cut a compromise by allowing the England team to wear poppies on their black armbands when they play Spain at Wembley on Saturday. In making this decision it reversed its original ban on their wearing a poppy embroidered on their shirts. Fifa rules forbid member nations from adorning shirts with “commercial, political or religious” symbols or messages. Fifa feared setting a precedent that might lead to football shirts becoming the continuation of diplomacy by other means as players used their chests as a billboard to promote political causes, or to bicker over contested borders, or to proselytise.
David Cameron dismissed Fifa’s initial ban as “outrageous” and “absurd”, saying that “wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride”. So it is. But a sea of poppies is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers only if the wearers have worn their flowers voluntarily. Universal wearing of poppies to ward off criticism does not reinforce the tribute to Britain’s war dead, it dilutes it — every bit as much as flattery sprayed like water from a hose dilutes the punch of praise on those occasions when it is genuinely heartfelt.
When every casual visitor to every British television studio, when every far-flung correspondent of every British news channel, when every person in the public eye, is seen with a poppy at their breast, the result can look more like lip-service than genuine loyalty to those who died on a faraway battlefield. It drains their vigour as genuine tokens of remembrance. For what worth is a poppy pinned to the chest of someone who is wearing it only because he feels socially bullied into doing so?
We do not silence those whose views we find ugly and abhorrent, because we cherish free speech. And by respecting the right of others not to wear a poppy, those poppies that are worn willingly serve all the more powerfully, and all the more poignantly, as symbols of remembrance to those whom Siegfried Sassoon immortalised as: “The unreturning army that was youth; the legions who have suffered and are dust.
Wycombe
Great article.
“For what worth is a poppy pinned to the chest of someone who is wearing it only because he feels socially bullied into doing so?”
Not to mention feeling socially bullied into not doing so.
“but since a few live to exploit the flower for political ends, the Fifa decision is correct”
This twisted logic exposes the reasoning of a bigot.
Good morning friends from EK where the first traces of snow are falling. Ach I’m only kidding! Dry and pretty clear skies.
Jobo
macjay1
Do yo feel socially bullied into not wearing a poppy.
MWD
M.W.D.
No. I wouldn`t let that happen.
However, a lady accompanying ” a walk across the rooftops ” of this parish ,was insulted at Celtic Park for wearing one.
Perhaps the day of the “poppy protest”
Vowed she would never return to Celtic Park.
Hunnish exclusion by Tims.
Good morning CQN
Celtic played two trialists against St. Johnstone in a friendly. Assuming Zenden was one,
Anyone know the other player?
BSR –
Messi.
Lycru
BSR
rported elsewhere as possibly Andre Blackman EX Chelsea Left Back now at AFC Wimbledon. also the Sun are reporting Zenden is to sign a short deal.
UC
Andre Blackman Wimbledon left back guy.
Watchin’ the ole ‘Frozen planet’ last night, brilliant,brilliant stuff as usual from ole clever clogs Davie Attenborough.
The musk ox, most of whom appeared to be sportin’ the oole Mo Bangura tribute wig, demonstrated a beautiful zonal defence in keeping the wolves at bay.
Good morning cqners, Just had a wee gasp at snyde there “Largs lottery winners are stepping in to help……………………………….. the waverly stay afloat”
Phew
HH
Will be a wee bit confused if Blackman gets a contract, this is a player that nobody wants south of the border not even Conf.league teams.
Zenden on the other hand is just what we need as long as his strengh is still intact.
Reported we are looking at Micke Lustig , Lustig means strange in Swedish , he would be very good but think he will op for a bigger league.
KTF
Remembrance Sunday, the Sunday closest to 11.11 and indeed 11 o’clock on the 11th november, is the time to remember the dead of all wars. The Cenotaph is apparently positioned where it is so that MPs going towards parliament were reminded of the human costs of their decisions.
When did these acts or remembrance and respect change into what is almost a celebration of the armed forces?
The Daily Heil, sorry, Mail and its bastard wannabe the Express, are the titles behind what has been described as Poppy Facism – the browbeating of public figures into the wearing of the poppy, more than ably supported by the Sun and its “Help for Heroes(sic)” charity – this was I believe started by the Sun and nicely ticks a few boxes. – community activism, a hobby horse and (possibly) tax benefits. Personally I don’t feel volunteering to enter a profession is automatically “heroic” no matter how dangerous it is, but that’s a different debate.
If wearing the poppy was truly about remembrance, they’d be free or sold at cost. The fact is the Poppy Appeal raises some £30m for the Royal British Legion – a charity that gives support to former british servicemen. I see that as government’s role btw – the government recruits volunteers (I always think of the conscripts who lost ther lives in wars) and pays wages to our armed forces and we should maintain that responsibility post-demob.
I was on City Road in londoin when there was a 2min silence for the victms of the 7.7 bombs. Everyone and everything stopped – pedestrians and buses stopped, taxis and cars pulled over, the whole street was silent. It was awesome. The more we demean and water down these moments, the less impact they have.
Declaration: I gave a couple of quid to the Poppy Appeal last week but didn’t take a poppy. I said they should sell it to someone else – increase their profits.
Macjay1
Anyone who acts like that has no knowledge or feeling for the ethos of our club. They should be made unwelcome.
MWD
Palacio67 says:
10 November, 2011 at 08:06
Good morning cqners, Just had a wee gasp at snyde there “Largs lottery winners are stepping in to help……………………………….. the waverly stay afloat”
Phew
HH
——————————————————————————-
I had exactly the same thoughts,,
Curly
Tidy
Ulster – Celt
Cheers
Modern day International weeks is rubbish.
It’s very nearly a pre requisite for the ole Celtic trial, that nobody else wants you.
Centre Back at 5million is what we really want.
Carrigan says:
10 November, 2011 at 08:08
Blackman’s seems to have had a bad boy reputation off the field and an attitude problem within the clubs he’s been at. Not seen him play so can’t comment on him ability wise but looks like he’s a young guy who realises he’s made mistakes and is trying to sort out his life.
Zenden, if fit , would be a great signing, the type of experience we need for our youngsters to play alongside.
Morning CQNer’s.
bournesouprecipe says:
10 November, 2011 at 08:48
It’s very nearly a pre requisite for the ole Celtic trial, that nobody else wants you.
Centre Back at 5million is what we really want.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
I don’t think we are deemed to be deserving of seeing such quality players brought in ? IMO!
P.S. Paul 67, hopefully my opinion isn’t deemed worthy of a, second yellow card ?
Hail! Hail!
Get well soon young Ki, seems he won’t play for South Korea…
starry plough says:
10 November, 2011 at 08:55
Get well soon young Ki, seems he won’t play for South Korea…
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Hear, Hear!
May God Bless ‘Every’ Celtic Fan
Off oot.
Laters.
bournesouprecipe says:
10 November, 2011 at 08:48
It’s very nearly a pre requisite for the ole Celtic trial, that nobody else wants you.
Centre Back at 5million is what we really want.
——————————————————————
you’re talkin Scheidt :)
jimmybhoycampbell
INcambodia
Morning all
Zenden? Blackman? Lustig? Gosh, it feels like the summer.
Morning all from gay Paree, the sun is out, pleasant morning.
The 11th minute of the 11th hour of 11/11/11: Administration.
How good would that be?
I reckon in the absence of any other announcement today’s article will be about the renaming of Newcastle’s St James’ Park to the “Sports Direct Arena”
How much for? Nowt!
It is a temporary name (Mike Ashleigh’s company) to showcase the possibility for any interested party.
All very confusing? Couldn’t punt the rights privately so is doing it publicly, attracting the natural criticism from traditionalist fans but with no reward to counter that argument?
Or is he just getting the naming rights on the cheap………….
I know what my money’s on.
sixtaeseven says:
10 November, 2011 at 09:20
Morning all from gay Paree, the sun is out, pleasant morning.
The 11th minute of the 11th hour of 11/11/11: Administration.
How good would that be?
==========================================================
hope and pray..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Blackman
According to *hitter, we’re signing this bloke. Just the one question, if it’s true….Why?
A bright, pleasant morning here in North Ayrshire.
jimmybhoycampbell says:
10 November, 2011 at 09:22
sixtaeseven says:
10 November, 2011 at 09:20
Morning all from gay Paree, the sun is out, pleasant morning.
The 11th minute of the 11th hour of 11/11/11: Administration.
How good would that be?
==========================================================
hope and pray..
Good day to “bury” bad news story. They wouldn’t would they?
Andre Blackman —–
21 years old ——
Shown the door at Arsenal
Went to Spurs
Shown the door at Spurs
Went to Portsmouth
Shown the door at Portsmouth
Went to Bristol City
Shown the door at Bristol City
Had an unsuccessful trial at Leicester
Went to Dagenham
Shown the door at Dagenham
Went to Wimbledon
Shown the door at Wimbledon
Had an unsuccessful trial at Oldham..
Went on trial at Celtic.
Said to be never a dull moment kind of guy . My Wimbledon supporting pal said ——— ” Think of a combination of Gazza and Joey Barton and then multiply by 3.”
BlantyreKev says:
10 November, 2011 at 09:22
The Newcastle stadium has been called the Sports Direct.Com@St. James Park since 2009.
The rebrand to Sports Direct Arena is due to their marketing people saying that keeping the St. James part put prospective sponsors off investment and that they need to ditch that part.
How long until we play in the Betdaq Arena?
cabbageandbacon – No way are we signing Andre Blackman.
I know this for a fact, because he had a trial with us.
Celtic only ask players on trial to boost tourism in the east end of Glasgow.
FACT. (thumbsup)
Kilbowie Kelt says:
9 November, 2011 at 20:10
Thanks for the explanation.
I always scroll past so had missed that.
Craig Whyte is currently negotiating a multi-thousand pound deal to change Ibrox’s official name to BCW Group Stadium.
FACT! (thumbsup)
Kayal 33 -How long until we play in the Betdaq Arena?
A long time if DD has got anything to do with it.