A vicar who claims wearing a poppy “advocates war”
A Methodist minister named the Reverend Patricia Jackson from Telford, Shropshire is refusing to wear a poppy to a Remembrance Day service because she believes they “advocate war”. For that reason, she simply had to be our Wally of the Week.
Separately, David Cameron was criticised in recent days by The Guardian’s Michael White for wearing a poppy whilst on a trade mission to China and Channel 4’s Jon Snow denounced “poppy fascism” after stating he’d wear the Remembrance Day symbol “when and where he deems it suitable”. This hyperbole is ridiculous and frankly is not worthy of discussion even.
The revenue raised from poppy sales helps ageing and disabled service people and those that they left behind. It does not glorify conflict and it does not celebrate killing. As Barbara Ellen pointed out in The Observer yesterday, those who don’t want to participate “could consider getting into the remembrance spirit of doing so with quiet dignity”.
Nobody is forcing people to support The Royal British Legion’s fundraising campaign but we commend those that do wholeheartedly. In this context, Zhou Enlai’s 1972 statement rings very true: “Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide to the future”. Wear your poppy with pride.
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She ought to go back to America. Stupid woman.
Poppies are a mark of respect. This vicar has shown none. She ought to be ashamed of her bad behaviour.
The Reverend is RIGHT you bloody Capitalist creeps. War is EVIL. It just makes people like Bush and Cheney rich.
Don’t be idiotic…do you seriously suggest that a war which stopped the more or less total massacre of the Jewish people was evil. I suspect you are a bit of a cretin
How dare you attack me. I am as entitled to my views as the next woman. Leave it out you Capitalist pig.
Adolf Hitler was also entitled to his views, he turned us Jews into soap and cosmetics products, I guess he did not go far enough for certain people.
It is acceptable to promote prejudice and preach hate against Jews, the Political Correct brigade will only attack if you discriminate against selective minority groups on the fringes of society. It would not surprise me that Claire Powell is probably filthy rich.
Peter take no notice of this woman, she winding us up. Perhaps it is the same Claire Powell from “Can Associates” who managed Katie Price and Peter Andre, not forgetting Kerry Katona. It is very odd that she should hate capitalists. Perhaps she can start the revolution with Russell Brand.
Agreed Chaim, This woman does tend to substantiate the dictum that you never go bust underestimating the intelligence of (some) members of the British public.
She is not just a wally. Her despicable comments on several subjects not only reflect great ignorance but they are plainly malicious. Her acid tongued statements seem to be her only way to achieve some kind of notoriety. What a sad woman.
This morning’s services were dignified and well conducted and went off without incident here in Edinburgh. The soldiers who fought for us were decent and to be honest the likes of Claire Powell should accept the sacrifices made for what they truly were.
I salute the brave British soldiers who fought for us, and the sacrifices they and their families had to make in the process. Claire Powell must go and dance the “Zorba” with Peter Andre and his family. That is all she is good for.