James Mclean............

[nightgoat]

That's it for me if he really has such a problem with wearing a poppy he doesn't have to live here

Likewise, living in this country is not dependant on whether or not one wears a poppy.

 

[talkshowhost86]

That's it for me if he really has such a problem with wearing a poppy he doesn't have to live here

Really?

No I mean actually....really?!

 

[mill]

Likewise, living in this country is not dependant on whether or not one wears a poppy.

No but he clearly has a problem with this country, why choose to live and work in a country where you feel the need to turn your back on the national anthem? There's professional leagues all around the world I'd respect his stance if he chose to play abroad cos of the strength of his feelings but of course that'd involve a pay cut

 

[hellava_tough]

No but he clearly has a problem with this country, why choose to live and work in a country where you feel the need to turn your back on the national anthem? There's professional leagues all around the world I'd respect his stance if he chose to play abroad cos of the strength of his feelings but of course that'd involve a pay cut

Just because one disagrees with certain instituations or political views within a nation, doesn't mean they complete disagree with the whole nation and it's structures.

 

[longtimespur]

As far as I'm aware the Poppy recognises ALL those who died in war, from whatever country, not just British deaths.

 

[King of Otters]

No but he clearly has a problem with this country, why choose to live and work in a country where you feel the need to turn your back on the national anthem? There's professional leagues all around the world I'd respect his stance if he chose to play abroad cos of the strength of his feelings but of course that'd involve a pay cut

I understand where you're coming from, but I think you're conflating anti-British colonialism, with anti-Britishness in general. People of Irish heritage have every right to be pissed at the British establishment and armed forces. The same could also be said of people with roots and family in the Middle East.

 

[tototoner]

That's it for me if he really has such a problem with wearing a poppy he doesn't have to live here

It's not about nationalism, I personally couldn't care less about the whole Ireland thing, I think his stand against it is a bit pathetic, considering he's more than happy to sign multi million pound contracts to live here, what a hero

Derry was still part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland last time I checked

 

[tototoner]

Brilliant line from that Belfast Telegraph article

"These days you are not making a gesture wearing a poppy on a television chat show or a football field. You are making a gesture if you don't."

 

[talkshowhost86]

Derry was still part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland last time I checked

Shhhh....don't tell @mill that Mclean actually always lived in this country....it'll only upset him.

 

[alfie103]

He should be free to do whatever he wants but I think it is very important to respect who have fought this country (you don't have to wear a poppy to do this)

Also the First World War may not be as futile as people suggest. A German historian called Fritz Fischer wrote about how Germany wanted aggressively expand in Europe and Africa and were willing to go to war to get this. Below is a wikipedia link for a brief summary for his views.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Fischer

 

[RichieS]

He should be free to do whatever he wants but I think it is very important to respect who have fought this country (you don't have to wear a poppy to do this)

Also the First World War may not be as futile as people suggest. A German historian called Fritz Fischer wrote about how Germany wanted aggressively expand in Europe and Africa and were willing to go to war to get this. Below is a wikipedia link for a brief summary for his views.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Fischer

I thought that was the generally accepted view - Wilhelm II in particular being the main driver. I think he would have preferred to avoid fighting against the British Empire though.

 

[alfie103]

I thought that was the generally accepted view - Wilhelm II in particular being the main driver. I think he would have preferred to avoid fighting against the British Empire though.

The accepted view I thought was that in the first world war everyone was as guilty as each other in wanting war and the Versailles treaty was extremely harsh which caused the rise of the Nazis.

 

[Misfit]

I mean, meh. Fair fucks to the dubyadubya 2 lot and a nod the Falklands boys but otherwise, we'll soon be wearing poppies to commemorate professional soldiers. Paid to go and fight wars. I don't mean them any ill will and very much hope the government that sent them off to these wars treat them properly when they return but I have a couple of mates in the armed forces. It's a great career choice for them, particularly at the officer level. They are not heroes though and they are not holding back the tide of the Chinese or Russians etc from the white cliffs.

No, instead they are killing people around the world to further the government's agenda. The same government that think they should be able to track my every movement and every communication. Yours too.

Wear it, don't wear it. Free country. For now.

 

[LSUY]

I thought that was the generally accepted view - Wilhelm II in particular being the main driver. I think he would have preferred to avoid fighting against the British Empire though.

They might not have wanted to fight the UK and France at the same time but they would have got round to fighting Britain eventually. For Germany WW1 was about settling old scores with France and proving to the world it was a superpower, which could only be achieved by defeating Britain. For Britain it was seen as a chance to put Germany in its place.

 

[worcestersauce]

As far as I'm aware the Poppy recognises ALL those who died in war, from whatever country, not just British deaths.

Even the Irish which is something Ireland never did.

 

[ohtottenham!]

Whenever a side in a debate comes down to you've got to wear something in order to prove something, be very afraid!

 

[SugarRay]

I understand where you're coming from, but I think you're conflating anti-British colonialism, with anti-Britishness in general. People of Irish heritage have every right to be pissed at the British establishment and armed forces. The same could also be said of people with roots and family in the Middle East.

The vast majority of British people have just as much right to be pissed at the British establishment too! I detest them.

I'm not a big fan of what the poppy seems to have become. Wasn't it originally to honour lives lost during the great world wars? That I absolutely support.
Involving other conflicts and especially modern day conflicts is a bit out of order imo and just tarnishes it. Iraq, Afghanistan, even the troubles, nothing at all to be "proud" of, not that we ( normal Brits ) had any say in these matters. Just poor people being sent to kill and help control other poor people by the establishment ( rich and powerful people ) all for their own gain.

 

[luptic]

At the end of the day he has the right to do want ever he wants. I understand his reasons for not doing it, but he really doesnt help himself at times. I think his manager should really keep him out of the limelight during his period for his own sake.
Just because you live and work in a country doesn't mean you have to toe the line, without being made a villain of.
Its the same shit every year, drummed up by media etc.
At the end of the day no one died.

 

[worcestersauce]

That's a poor choice for a last line luptic, his choice and his right to make a choice is what men died for.

 

[g_harry]

As far as I'm aware the Poppy recognises ALL those who died in war, from whatever country, not just British deaths.

I may be wrong but I believe the main reason James mcclean and alot of Irish will not wear the poppy is because the proceeds collected goes to support the current British army.