More dangerous, ignorant bigotry
"It is not your right, it is right, that you should wear one."
Rather like the religious cranks who claim some man in the sky gave us all 'free will'' just as long as we exercise it tin accordance with his commands.
A few years back and well before that the wearing of a poppy was down to individual choice. Many who had not lost family or close friends and saw it as a bit odd to 'remember' those they never knew.
Now it has bcome something akin to red nose day. Somehow those not participating are deemed not to care for the plight of others - never mind that they might wonder why so many needed a charity to care for those the poppy wearer tell us gave us freedom. No asking why the great and good will be leading the events at the Cenotaph whilst so many ex-servicemen are sleeping on the streets.
No questioning why Wetherspoons have huge cardboard poppies outside their pubs, or that the simple poppy is no longer universal but is up against expensive displays or 'care'.
And I am well aware that conscription did not come in until Mar 2016 - that was my whole point. They were sacrificed, along with millions of others of all creeds and nationalities. Trying to reduce that complex and ghastly event into one simply 'showing your willy' sign of your virtue is offensive. There are no poppies for those who came back, or headstones in the local churchyard. Certainly 'silly billy' who was shell shocked so badly he lived in a barn unable to mix in the village and died there alone in the 30's. Alone as so many did.
His wife could not remarry as long as he was alive and had to move into a one up one down cottage on the estate until he 'came to his senses' and went back to work. Three kids as well. He was my grandfathers pal. The stigma stayed with his sons and their children. I know because as a kid I joined in the mocking. Only this time, as an adult I can choose how I respond to what happened to him and millions of others.
And no sanctimonious bullying by you or other self righteous sheep will change what happened or how it affects me. Nor how I respond either. I have and will exercise that choice. Something that was denied to a huge number of young lads in my village.
A choice.
.