[anarchist23]

Should we celebrate Remembrance Day? Wear a poppy?
A white poppy or a red poppy?

Once a symbol of remembrance and respect, the red poppy is now being used as a political tool by the government to “sell” its war on terror, a World War Two veteran has said.

Harry Leslie Smith, a former RAF serviceman, believes the poppy has been both “politicised and commercialised” and the requirement to wear it has become a “month-long dirge of patriotism”.

The 92-year-old’s comments come as scrutiny grows over the red patriotic symbol. Last month, former EastEnders star Barbara Windsor said that anyone who does not wear a red poppy should “sod off”.

Mr Smith does not wear a red poppy. He announced in 2013 that he would no longer allow his “obligation as a veteran” to be manipulated by governments to promote present-day wars.

Harry Leslie Smith says the red poppy is used to ‘sell’ the government’s war on terror

Speaking to the Huffington Post UK, Mr Smith said: “Unfortunately, since we fell into the quagmire of the Iraq war and the ubiquitous war on terror, Armistice Day and the wearing of the poppy have been not only politicised but also commercialised.

“It is now almost a month long dirge of patriotism without context and without understanding the true cost of war.”

But the Royal British Legion maintains that the red poppy raises funds for veterans and their families and is “non-political and does not depict or support war”.

Those in the public eye who choose not to wear a red poppy are often vilified for it.

In fact the red poppy is often the only symbol that many TV channels allow their presenters to wear. As such, the absence of the flower on an outfit is noticeable and frequently condemned.

Chris Nineham, from the Stop the War Coalition, told the Huffington Post UK: “There is huge pressure at the moment on people to wear the red poppy. It appears to be virtually obligatory for politicians and journalists.”

This weekend, West Brom footballer James McClean again refused to wear a poppy during a match because of his personal beliefs. He has received death threats because of it.

McClean is not the only celebrity to shun the symbol. Sienna Miller, Jon Snow, Evan Davis and Charlene White have all come under fire for failing to wear a red poppy.

Sienna Miller was heavily criticised for not wearing a red poppy on The Graham Norton Show

Mr Smith said he does not mind if people choose to wear the poppy, but said that they should consider what it represents.

The veteran also urged people not to liken the present-day “war on terror” with his generation’s battle against Hitler.

He said: “I can assure you that the two are not the same. My generation gave our blood sweat and tears to be victorious against a tyrant who wanted to enslave us to a totalitarian state, whereas today we are more than willing to surrender our personal liberties to governments and corporations hoping that if we live in a state under constant surveillance we will not suffer physical harm.”

He added: “To me that type of trade off is just another form of terror and maybe the most dangerous kind.”

[Kaiserschmarrn]

I'm close to tears thinking about the injustice that journalists and politicians of all people are expected to honour fallen soldiers.

[Decky]

Nope. My great grandfather never ever wore a poppy and he knew a great deal more about the trenches of the first world war than the middle class liberals trying to push poppies on everyone today.