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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Mr Camerons outburst that FIFAs decision not to allow the poppy to be worn on the england shirt is “outrageous”
No sign or hint of irony from a Government that continues to send men and women to their death in foreign lands, or for that matter from a Government that allowed political prisoners to starve to death because they wanted to wear their own clothes.
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:13
7%? Seriously?
My brother (well, his wife) has a pub in Tempe, Arizona which runs numerous charity events every year but was recently turned down by a charity for an annual event because, having looked at the costs and benefits of previous years, the charity found out that the cost to run was marginally greater than 50% of the takings ergo the charity would get less than 50% of the takings.
I think they gave several thousand pounds to a veterans benevolent fund from the replacement event.
*dollars, obviously
Yaaawwwwnnnnnn!!!!!
Football ?????
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping in,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.
In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.
And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.
“Fools” said I, “You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you,
Take my arms that I might reach out you.”
But my words like silent raindrops fell,
And echoed
In the wells of silence.
And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls.
And whisper’d in the sounds of silence.”
Hail Hail
dirtymac,
yes seriously, thats why there are so many private charity fundraisers, very lucrative business is charity.
Poordeadking @16 16-
Javier Pastore —-
Saw him a lot when he was at Palermo ——– fabulous player !
Ron Bacardi says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:14
Just did a quick count of ‘ordinary’ people wearing poppies in a Tesco Extra, went round all the aisles, counted 20, out of hundreds in the store
Dicounted guys in bowling club/ british legion blazers
dirtymac: 9 November, 2011 at 16:15
“Haud on. He was on two weeks ago; Cook at the weekend.
“Surely this is a fabrication?”
They were wearing poppies two weeks ago on the show – well, with one exception. No fabrication. One of my best mates works on the show.
Ex Ludo says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:02
Much of what has been posted on here today revolves around the politicisation of football and politics. WW1 provided a great exampleof this when a football match kicked off between the two opposing armies on Christmas Day 1914. Needless to say the Generals couldn’t allow that to happen and such behaviour was quickly outlawed. What would have happened if such matches had continued?
Germany would have won WW1 on penalties.
Just popped my head into the waiting room to count the number of honest hardworking Doonhamers wearing Mo Bangura tribute wigs.
None.
Have FIFA banned them as well?
The amount of money charged by the London Marathon Ltd to charities for a guaranteed entry (Golden Bond) is disgraceful.
Dbbia
I actually forgot about Mr Bangura.
Poppy day, eh?
Hmm. Can of the old proverbial burst open again. Do I, don’t I? Do you mind if I do? Do you mind if I don’t? I’ve worn black armbands to high school back in the day and I’ve also worn poppies. I chose to do these things as it is my choice. Let me tell you a little bit about the Great War and how it affected my families community and why I choose to wear a poppy. I’m wearing it for these people.
My family hail from the Isle of Lewis, many left for Glasgow in the middle of the last century and many more left for the big old US of A in the 20’s. A few years prior to that second clearing the HMY Iolaire was returning to Lewis with around 300 young soldiers on New Years Day 1919. Lewis at the time had around 25,000 inhabitants or thereabouts and it is reckoned 20% of the Island fought in that stupid non war that was in effect a big royal family argument. Anyway, I digress.
The families of the soldiers lined Stornoway harbour as the Iolaire sailed into view on a typically rough Minch sea, all excited, tears in their eyes, drinks in hand no doubt as they brought in the New Year and welcomed home the loved ones from a terrible war they should never have been in. Something happened, the ship veered off it’s path and into rocks. The boat was designed for about 100 I believe and there were as I said 3 times that on-board, they all just wanted to get home and had traveled for days. So into the rocks it crashed, literally 20 or 30 yards from a section of shore. The boat broke it’s back and took down around 250 of those brave young Island boys.
They survived the great war but yards from home they perished. They say there wasn’t a family on the Island that didn’t lose a family member in that horrid, tragic incident.
My grandfather went off to fight in WWII, he has a scroll from the King of Norway as he was the first man on his boat to throw the guy line (sp) over to Norway and in a sense, free them from Der Hun. My grandad sat me down a few times as a kid, he didn’t talk about the war much, he’d pull out the medals of his dead family members and the scroll and it was always solemn.
I wear a poppy for my dead islanders that fought in the Great War and for my my mothers father that died in Erskine Hospital for disabled ex serviceman. He says he killed 20 people, my mother says he was only a cook and probably poisoned his own!
Seriously though.
For my islanders, for my mother and fathers dads I wear a poppy.
HH all, don’t let them take it from the people it means some thing to.
Just catching up. Was at CP three hours,ago back in Manchester now. Lovely drive back down. Love that drive. Better when it is on the way up. Good to see the old poppy debate still rife.
Interestingly you see very few people wearing them on the street. More do on the day.
Apart from being highly politicised in recent years as a symbol of nationality, it has also become a celebrity fashion accessory for November.
It has become the norm for news presenters, X Factor and any live show. The original message has been losted. Celebritisation of it will ensure it will become meaningless in the next few years.
Freddie Starr ate my Poppy.
TSOAL
With a haircut like that?
BontyBhoy says:
9 November, 2011 at 15:19
Imatim,
Imatim, I won’t ever engage you again. I don’t read your posts, and that’s no flounce, they’re just not interesting to me.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
2010 Never Again
Ah bontyboy….via_nirone….whatever you call yourself! Boo-hoo!
For someone who doesn’t read my posts you sure know what’s in them…..You’re not very bright are you!….<;-))
A little tip. When you’re purpose is to be divisive and run with an agenda you should at least be half way smart. You are a transparent troll from way back. Your credibility is zero. You peddle a hun agenda, always.
The blog is wise to you…..feel free to keep peddling the hun party line…..it’s so predictable and it gives me and I’m sure quite a few others a good laugh.
Ok. No football i guess. Don’t you hate International weeks?
There is no way on God’s Earth that the mentality at the SFA will change.
Where are these enlightened members going to come from?
It is in the character and DNA of the tin pot directors from tin pot clubs, to be as they are.
You cannot have openness and accountability in a system and organisation that is infested by Freemasonry.
Even if we have one of our club’s reps.(PL), involved, they just wait until he is not present before they plan whatever strategy they intend to use on any particular issue.
The game’s a bogey…and always was.
Now that the cork is out of the bottle, there is now no pretence of it being an honest game.
Cash your chips in ,Celtic and save us all from the stress.
bournesouprecipe
Its a good haircut he needs
SOAL – damn your eyes, you churlish ingrate!
Imatim and so is Neil Lennon says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:39
Stop it. You’re embarrassing yourself.
Aipple says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:34
Read the story of that before.
The cattling of servicemen onto such a craft was indicative of their treatment throughout. A sad end for such a number of ill-used young men.
thomthethim says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:40
agree with all of that but why the perpetual acquiescence ?
Hail Hail
Aipple says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:34
Excellent post.
LB
Celtic’s starting 11 on Sunday contained one Scottish born player – James Forrest.
I know that a lot of CQNers couldn’t care less about Celtic players representing Scotland, but the current Scotland squad has no Celtic players and the U21s have only one – James Forrest. Hibs, Rangers and Dundee Utd each have 3 players in the U21s.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the core of the team who are currently going for 4 in a row in the SPL are either Scottish or have some form of attachment to the forces of darkness.
Celtic have generally had very successful youth teams and U21 teams over the past 15 years. What is happening to these guys when they turn 19, 20 or 21?
Anyone remember Charlie Grant? Grant announced his retirement from football at the age of 24 in April 2011 following the expiry of an unsuccessful short-term contract with East Stirlingshire.
CQNers,
If whistleblower Steven Craven is banned from blowing his referee’s whistle again it will be a sad indictment of the closed shop vindictiveness that can still be found in areas of west of Scotland life.
Let’s hope he has the resources laid at his disposal to take the matter further. Otherwise a clear signal is sent by the refs that you disagree with their corrupt practices at your peril.
Today has also brought confirmation of another long-suspected prejudice. EDL protestors on the roof of UEFA HQ find they have a firm ally in Call Me Dave.
Who’d a thunk it?
thomthethim says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:40
There is no way on God’s Earth that the mentality at the SFA will change.
You are correct. Just spoke to my mothers neighbour earlier today.
Spanish lad and mad Celtic fan. He pointed out the obvious that it will never be fair for Celtic in a Protestant country.
JohnnyClash says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:45
We train our youngsters in skills redundant for their work/marketplace.
Sad, but true.
Any chance of a master songs debate too.
MWD
Er, thanks Aw Naw :)
Ole Johnny Clash -maybe you should ask Willie McStay.
Our current Scottish born players are currently injured [Brown, Wilson] and we have recently got rid of of some players who are still currently featuring in the NT- McManus, Robson and the Saintly Gary.
Our youth policy has been very unproductive for years,and as a result we have ended up spending/wasting too much money on inferior imports that have not been worth the air fare.
Celtic XI triumph over Saints
By: Mark Henderson on 09 Nov, 2011 15:54
A CELTIC XI, which included Kris Commons and Paddy McCourt, beat St Johnstone 2-1 at Lennoxtown on Wednesday afternoon.
Goals from Bahrudin Atajic and Darnell Fisher put the Hoops in charge at the break. And while the visitors pulled a goal back just after the restart, Celtic held on for the victory.
Despite the presence of Commons and McCourt in the side, it was a predominantly youthful Celtic side which started the match, featuring players from the Development Squad and the Academy.
Commons and McCourt were quickly to the fore for the hosts, and the former nearly opened the scoring for the Hoops, fastening on to a long pass and sending a left-footed shot wide of the far post.
As the half went on, Celtic began to stamp their superiority. After a neat exchange of passing down the right in the 27th minute, Fisher delivered an excellent delivery into the box which Atajic headed just past the post.
Collecting possession inside the visitors’ half, Commons then drove at the heart of the Saints defence, evading several challenges but he was unable to keep his effort on target.
The Hoops deservedly broke the deadlock in 39th minute. After a fine passing move, the ball was worked out to Rhys Murrell-Williamson and the winger released a trialist, whose low cross was finished off at the far post by Atajic.
Just before the break, they doubled their advantage. Patrik Twardzik played in Fisher and his low effort deflected off a Saints’ defender and into the net.
The Perth side, eager to impress new boss, Stevie Lomas, pulled a goal back straight after the interval.
However, the Hoops came close to restoring their advantage as Atajic bore down on goal but saw his low shot deflected wide.
And Commons, who got a valuable 90 minutes under his belt, presented the same player with another chance, beating the offside trap and teeing him up inside the box, but a Saints’ stopper managed to block his goalbound effort.
Inevitably, the visitors mounted some pressure in search of a late leveller but the youngsters held firm to take the spoils.
CELTIC XI (4-4-1-1) Feely; Fisher, McNally, O’Brien, Trialist; P. Twardzik (Yaqub 75) McCourt (Bogle 66) Trialist, Murrell-Williamson (Johnstone 55); Commons; Atajic (Alabi 80)
Aipple, lovely.
JohnnyClash says:
9 November, 2011 at 16:45
‘Anyone remember Charlie Grant? Grant announced his retirement from football at the age of 24 in April 2011 following the expiry of an unsuccessful short-term contract with East Stirlingshire’
He was plagued by a succession of injuries.
Top lawyer Paul McBride in new legal fight with the SFA.. to get Whistlegate linesman Steven Craven reinstated
Mar 30 2011 Exclusive by Tom Hamilton
TOP lawyer Paul McBride is set to declare war with the SFA for a third time this season – to get Whistlegate linesman Steven Craven back in the game.
McBride, acting on behalf of Celtic, forced the game’s rulers into an embarrassing climbdown when he forced them to reduce Parkhead manager Nei l Lennon’s touchline ban from six games to four.
And he is the man who spotted the legal loophole which means the Celtic manager’s latest eight-game dugout suspension could be served in just five.
Now McBride has agreed to help Craven, the man at the epicentre of the Tannadice flashpoint which sparked Lennon’s long-running feud with authority, overturn his own SFA-imposed ban.
Craven has not been allowed to officiate since telling the truth about how ref Dougie McDonald covered up a decision to overturn a penalty in that powderkeg clash on Tayside in October last year.
The fallout from that day led to Craven’s resignation, saw McDonald forced into retirement and led to pressure for referees’ chief Hugh Dallas to be axed as well.
Craven insisted he had felt bullied and victimised by Dallas who was then toppled in disgrace when he was found to have sent a tasteless email about the Pope from his office computer.
But now McBride plans to call on both Dallas and McDonald to give evidence which he believes will clear the name of his latest client and pave the way for his return to action.
Craven had originally continued to officiate at lower-level amateur games in the Glasgow area until a probe resulted in him being expelled by the Glasgow Association of Referees http://www.glasgowreferees.co.uk/, effectively banning him from refereeing at any level.
He has now decided to appeal against his ban after meeting with Glasgow criminal defence lawyer JP Mowberry and QC McBride earlier this week.
The legal duo last appeared together when they successfully defended Gail Sheridan against perjury allegations.
Last night, as they prepared to take on the SFA, the legal team was unavailable for comment.
But a source close to the appeal said: “There has been no justice in this shabby affair for Steven Craven. He stood up and told his story honestly and has been expelled from acting as a referee.
“His offence was speaking in public w ithout permission. He has been a referee for more than 15 years and has been treated quite abysmally.
“Yet Dougie McDonald, a self-confessed liar, has not been banned. The SFA might seem to think that is justice but no right-minded person would consider that to be the case.
“The appeal will be vigorously fought and among the witnesses to be called will be Dallas and McDonald. There will also be other leading figures in the SFA who can expect to be called to account.
“They will face a tough inquisition from McBride who is a deadly courtroom combatant and like a dog with a bone once he is in full flight.”
The appeal is expected to take place within the next few weeks.