I’m generally a fan of Peace Movement Aotearoa. They are good thinkers and leaders on peace issues.
But their decision to set up a rival poppy appeal to the RSA is wrong.
The RSA appeal is a very important funding source for the special work they do with veterans. The poppy is an important symbol for Kiwis and we associate it with the RSA.
I hope that Peace Movement Aotearoa realise their mistake and never do it again.
I think he meant that there’s disgust across the political divide.
Don’t think my post was clear enough. I am worried about the timing of and competition with the RSA appeal. If the Peace Movement appeal was two or three months away from ANZAC day it would be acceptable as far as I am concerned.
I think it was clear, but I for one forgot the original post during the discussion.
Yes, the RSA does need the money and white poppy day just takes away from that.
The msn poll strongly opposes the white poppy sales.
From what I have heard the white poppies were not a major seller.
War is a legitimate folly to protest against and many people revile from the glories of war.
More power to any war protester group. The PR was badly handled in their decision to sell white poppies alongside of the RSA ANZAC associated appeal.
I have spoken to many old soldiers who came back in dismay after experiencing the futility of the death and destruction of young lives. Some were RSA members for social reasons, not for the support of war.
Britain did us badly in both wars as far as soldiers were concerned.
The only ones who did well were the military munitions manufacturers with carte blanc orders.
It does not denigrate the young soldiers who gave their best to protest against war. Many of them would have agreed.
The issues have been misrepresented by media sensationalism.
When is a good time to protest about war?
If you like war then I guess you won’t have a time.
WWII included a threat to NZ sovereignty.
Korea was a US affair.
Malaya involved a British interest
Vietnam was a disgraceful illegal war for US mineral grab using communism as a bogeyman.
Vietnam vets from NZ have become a less heroic subject but those Kiwi boys were put through hell and some died as well. Others have returned scared for life and their families suffer from the genetic damage done by agent orange from “friendly US allies”. Even some of the stuff was made in NZ.
There is no glory in the dirty secrets kept from the NZ public at the time although the National Holyoake Govt were complicit in the propaganda and media suppression.
Will the NZ public “so shocked” with white poppies honour the Vetnam vets for being in an unjust war.
Time will tell but no sign of it yet.
I agree with the Vietnam part of the comment, those poor men do deserve to be honoured
A family friend died recently from the exposure to the Agent Orange…
Sorry to hear that.
Trevor, Peace Movt Aotearoa look like a bunch of sandal wearing bearded hippy pacifists who are probably delighted that John Key’s govt ratified the DRIP.
But anyone should be free to grow and sell poppies. I hope you weren’t thinking of outlawing poppy sales.
@Spud – don’t worry about what polls say, work it out for yourself.
“But anyone should be free to grow and sell poppies” Tell that to the police.