I personally feel that the actions of this violent minority are deplorable. As much as anything it smacks of a deliberate lack of understanding of what the poppy represents. To me wearing a poppy has never been a symbol of consent to any conflict, whether it be red or white, and is simply to remember those who have died in all wars since WW1. What is remembered is, in my opinion, very separate from any decision to go to war. The problem that these particular extremists had actually had very little to do with what the poppy represents, which just makes the action all the more distressing and offensive to me. This ignorance is even worse in my eyes if they are British born as it's not something I can tolerate easily in Christians/agnostics/atheists who have a long British heritage! The assertions put forward in the Telegraph article by one of the extremists stating that the "British soldiers you remember on this day are soldiers who have taken innocent lives in illegal occupations and unjust wars" aren't strictly true. Whilst I would put a question mark over the legality of the most modern conflicts, the major historical conflicts that are the main focus were both legal and just and, indeed, were the result of many years of growing tensions and uneasy peace. Furthermore, regardless of the political impetus behind the decision to go to war and the legality of any war, the service personnel themselves simply do their duty and the sacrifices made by soldiers, etc in modern conflicts are just as great and just as important as those who served in WW1 and 2. Admittedly, the Daily Mail article does give a quote that is more precise. (I don't ordinarily read the Daily Mail! It's just that this issue is only actually reported in the Telegraph and the Daily Mail online! It's actually a fairly well done article in the Mail for once.)
I have a friend that I have fallen out with on a couple of occasions over this overarching issue. With the exception of buying a poppy, she refuses to support charities that help injured soldiers or the families of those who died because she doesn't agree with the actions in Afganistan. She doesn't seem to understand my argument that the soldiers themselves shouldn't be punished for the decisions of government as they have no say in if and where they fight.
These young men have every right to be angry and they do have the freedom to express their anger publicly. However, I am disgusted by the way in which they decided to express this anger. I hope most fervently that they don't try to interrupt the services of remembrance on Sunday.
I also commend the BBC for apparently not reporting it and not spreading the hate these men were spouting. Concentrating on the spirit of remembrance was absolutely the right way to go, especially on the TV news yesterday.
Beca :wave:
ETA: I don't believe that Islam is an inherently violent religion. In 6th form I had several friends who are muslim and they are lovely people. I also lived in an area that was almost predominantly non-Caucasian and experienced those who caused trouble and used their ethnicity as a get out of jail free card. Unlike several members of my immediate family, I understand that it's only a few that cause issues and the majority of muslims, and indeed those of other faiths and ethnicities that share Britain, are moderate and are integrated enough that they are a seamless part of British society, whilst maintaining a sense of their indigenous culture. I also understand that not all muslims are from immigrant families (no matter how far back in their family history!).
hehe i knwo alot of lads in afghan now who joined before the war alot dont choice to go but have ot coz they signed that blank cheque many moons ago they signed there life and choices to queen and country hehe iam mad on h4h and other charities to do with the forces i have my h4h band on 24/7 and i have the h4h tote bag hehe oh has been prewarned on h4h stuff round our hosue when we get one 
