Sergio Aguero Shows Respect-Take Note James Mclean

[bobby baxter]

I don't think that Springal sounds like a student at all.

I will be buying a poppy, but have every respect for anyone who does not feel able to because of their experiences, or those who feel the need to buy a white poppy.
Being cynical, there is every possibility that Sergio Aguero has been "told" by the Manchester City Public Relations Dept to wear a poppy. having said that, I think he is a decent and thoughtful bloke, so he could well be taking the whole thing on board. These things are complicated, and it is always too easy to judge.

And I am 62. I was actually in Birmingham the day after the bomb in the Rotunda - 1973? We are not going to stop/prevent things like that happening by demonising those that did it.

I am 66. I have a concern re your final paragraph, surely anyone planting a bomb with the clear purpose of murdering or maiming innocent civilians s should be demonized?

 

[Buzzer]

We are not going to stop/prevent things like that happening by demonising those that did it.

With all due respect you can take that opinion and shove it up your arse.

 

[1066familyman]

This is very common these days and the same as these protests you get that pop up full of them.Its clear we have a younger generation who're anti British and see us as a country that abused other countries years and years ago.

I'm not really sure how these youngsters come to their conclusions,but naturally they've been reading to many books etc.Its astounding how many people nowadays who don't seem proud of being British or English etc.

Modern day Britain A

Great spoof writing Sir!

Wouldn't be at all out of place on one of Chris Morris' superb creations

 

[alfredmizen]

Well said, and how bloody typical of Bushy ramming his politics down our throats as per.

If, as you stated , you consider me pointing out that Sergio Aguero is willing to show respect ,despite our respective nations past conflicts, and that James Mclean should take note of this , as ''ramming my politics down your throat'' might i suggest you man up a bit and get out more , you sensitive little flower.

 

[Diego Napier]

Great spoof writing Sir!

Wouldn't be at all out of place on one of Chris Morris' superb creations

I'd always assumed that Sir Albion was a spoof account?

 

[Simon Morgan]

The fundamental concept of democracy and having a voice means that when someone expresses their view on something as meaningful as the Remembrance Day poppy, it will no doubt elicit very strong emotional reactions from other people. This is especially true when professional footballers are given the opportunity to express their views on the subject to the watching world. Why is it particularly significant that James McLean decides not to wear a poppy? Similarly, how can it be considered news that Aguero does decide to wear one? The poppy is a symbol, and while for some people, it becomes an extension of their daily uniform around the time of remembrance, for others it obviously signifies very different things. No one person can decide what the poppy means, and that is why Aguero and McLean are not right or wrong to do what they have done. They have simply interacted with the symbol in a different way in order to express their beliefs.

However, one thing that does get a bit intolerable is the way in which individuals need their views to be heard. James McLean's job is to be a (very unremarkable) footballer, and yet it seems that every year, numerous stories emerge on the subject of him not wearing the poppy. Now, McLean clearly had a very rough time in the past, but I don't see how his opinion is more important than anyone else's due to the fact that what he does is different to the majority. There must be quite a few players in the FL who have suffered the effects of war, but I have personally never heard them speak up on this issue or indeed any other. For example, how often do we hear what footballers think about other political issues? The presence or absence of a poppy should not be a platform for a famous individual to broadcast their views to the world.

My big caveat with democracy and freedom of speech is that, in some cases, having an opinion is not enough, and instead everyone needs to know about it. This is not necessarily to say that McLean is at fault for being in the spotlight on this issue, but he does strike me as quite an angry man. In my opinion, the poppy is a symbol which almost everyone engages with to some level, and there are myriad reasons for their beliefs. People should not rally round McLean or Aguero to support or castigate them for what they have chosen to do. They have a right to express their opinion through wearing or not wearing a poppy, and what they decide to do should be accepted, not trumpeted or dissected.

 

[alfredmizen]

The fundamental concept of democracy and having a voice means that when someone expresses their view on something as meaningful as the Remembrance Day poppy, it will no doubt elicit very strong emotional reactions from other people. This is especially true when professional footballers are given the opportunity to express their views on the subject to the watching world. Why is it particularly significant that James McLean decides not to wear a poppy? Similarly, how can it be considered news that Aguero does decide to wear one? The poppy is a symbol, and while for some people, it becomes an extension of their daily uniform around the time of remembrance, for others it obviously signifies very different things. No one person can decide what the poppy means, and that is why Aguero and McLean are not right or wrong to do what they have done. They have simply interacted with the symbol in a different way in order to express their beliefs.

However, one thing that does get a bit intolerable is the way in which individuals need their views to be heard. James McLean's job is to be a (very unremarkable) footballer, and yet it seems that every year, numerous stories emerge on the subject of him not wearing the poppy. Now, McLean clearly had a very rough time in the past, but I don't see how his opinion is more important than anyone else's due to the fact that what he does is different to the majority. There must be quite a few players in the FL who have suffered the effects of war, but I have personally never heard them speak up on this issue or indeed any other. For example, how often do we hear what footballers think about other political issues? The presence or absence of a poppy should not be a platform for a famous individual to broadcast their views to the world.

My big caveat with democracy and freedom of speech is that, in some cases, having an opinion is not enough, and instead everyone needs to know about it. This is not necessarily to say that McLean is at fault for being in the spotlight on this issue, but he does strike me as quite an angry man. In my opinion, the poppy is a symbol which almost everyone engages with to some level, and there are myriad reasons for their beliefs. People should not rally round McLean or Aguero to support or castigate them for what they have chosen to do. They have a right to express their opinion through wearing or not wearing a poppy, and what they decide to do should be accepted, not trumpeted or dissected.

not really simon , he was seven when the good friday agreement was signed .

 

[Simon Morgan]

not really simon , he was seven when the good friday agreement was signed .

That's not to say his reasons for not wearing the poppy are because he is a disrespectful, ignorant person. He has his own reasons for doing what he does, and I think this should be accepted.

 

[JC Footy Genius]

That's not to say his reasons for not wearing the poppy are because he is a disrespectful, ignorant person. He has his own reasons for doing what he does, and I think this should be accepted.

He can wear what he wants but he did turn his back when the British national anthem was played during a pre season friendly which does seem a bit disrespectful. He is of course entitled to do that but he should expect some criticism if he chooses to bring politics on to the pitch. If he really does have deep seated reasons to dislike this country I am surprised he doesn't play in a different country. Might have to take a pay cut though ...

 

[Buzzer]

Any day now the Guardian, New Statesman or Independent will have some columnist or other telling us why they specifically won't be buying a poppy or maybe why they wear a white one (because they're morally superior is the usual subtext). They'll reference the far-right, UKIP will get a mention (of course), how the Union Jack has been hijacked, how they can't support a war machine, that the British have a blood lust and morbid fascination with war. It happens almost every year.

I just hope that those who defend Mclean's right not to wear a poppy are equally vociferous in our right to wear a poppy without some tosspot telling us that we are all xenophobic warmongers for doing so.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I just hope that those who defend Mclean's right not to wear a poppy are equally vociferous in our right to wear a poppy without some tosspot telling us that we are all xenophobic warmongers for doing so.

That is ridiculous Buzzer. You are straying into the territory of using the poppy, and all that it represents, to make a cheap political point. Go and have a cup of tea.

 

[Buzzer]

That is ridiculous Buzzer. You are straying into the territory of using the poppy, and all that it represents, to make a cheap political point. Go and have a cup of tea.

From 2014 Guardian "The Tower of London poppies are fake, trite and inward-looking – a Ukip-style memorial"
http://www.theguardian.com/artandde.../tower-of-london-poppies-ukip-remembrance-day

From 2013 Guardian "I will remember friends and comrades in private next year, as the solemnity of remembrance has been twisted into a justification for conflict"
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/08/poppy-last-time-remembrance-harry-leslie-smith

From 2012 Guardian "It seems to me that, these days, wearing a poppy is too often regarded as a test of patriotism."
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/25/poppy-remembrance-peace-glorify-war

From 2009 Guardian - and this is a particular favourite headline: The pornography of grief – and the devalued poignancy of the poppy
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2009/nov/11/pornography-of-grief-poppy-michael-white

From 2007 Guardian Why I won't be wearing a poppy
http://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/oct/10/whyiwontbewearingapoppy


So no, I'm not being ridiculous and I'm not the one making a cheap political point.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Five articles in eight years. And are you sure they are all make the point that those of us who choose to wear a poppy are making the point .....

we are all xenophobic warmongers for doing so.

Anyway, I am out of this one.

 

[Buzzer]

Five articles in eight years.

Look at the dates of the articles. They are all around Remembrance Sunday. It would make no point to write them at other times of the year For 5 times out of the last 8 that Remembrance Sunday has come along and for the last 3 years in a row a Guardian columnist has seen fit to write an article attacking the poppy for the various reasons I've given. They are clearly politicising it and accusing those who do wear a poppy of being complicit in a bloodlust, a war machine, xenophobia...you take your pick.

 

[alfredmizen]

That's not to say his reasons for not wearing the poppy are because he is a disrespectful, ignorant person. He has his own reasons for doing what he does, and I think this should be accepted.

Actually i think it is because he is disrespectful and ignorant , you only have to look at what he did in the US when our national anthem was played , and to be honest , fvck him, and fvck his reasons for not wearing it, i'm heartily sick of being expected to respect everyone who pitches up here's opinion while it seems its ok to disrespect our traditions and culture.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

I just hope that those who defend Mclean's right not to wear a poppy are equally vociferous in our right to wear a poppy without some tosspot telling us that we are all xenophobic warmongers for doing so.

As i said before, it's down to individual preference.

Those who do or don't want wear a poppy shouldn't have to explain their decision to anyone. It is their choice and and one that they are entitled to make for whatever reason they like and shouldn't have to justify it.

Equally, it shouldn't then lead to others criticising anyone's decision on wearing a poppy or not, or taking any sort of offense to it because, again, it is their choice and one they are entitled to make either way.

 

[Soulman]

Look at the dates of the articles. They are all around Remembrance Sunday. It would make no point to write them at other times of the year For 5 times out of the last 8 that Remembrance Sunday has come along and for the last 3 years in a row a Guardian columnist has seen fit to write an article attacking the poppy for the various reasons I've given. They are clearly politicising it and accusing those who do wear a poppy of being complicit in a bloodlust, a war machine, xenophobia...you take your pick.

You are wasting your breath. Take a look at the thread, the posts...... one poster stated that there was "a witch hunt" against those that do not wear the poppy, seems to me with articles like in the Guardian and others over a number of years, plus the antis on this thread, if there is a "witch hunt" (so dramatic eh ) then it seems to be with those that seem hell bent on letting us know that they don't want to wear the poppy. Fair enough.....i think we get it.

 

[Guy Fawkes]

Actually i think it is because he is disrespectful and ignorant , you only have to look at what he did in the US when our national anthem was played , and to be honest , fvck him, and fvck his reasons for not wearing it, i'm heartily sick of being expected to respect everyone who pitches up here's opinion while it seems its ok to disrespect our traditions and culture.

If you are or were a soldier, didn't you sign up to protect the ability for anyone in this country to have and express their own opinion and not to have one forced upon them ?

This whole thing of looking at one individual and getting annoyed about his decision seems to fly in the face of why people serve (to protect our country and the freedoms there in.)

This whole anti stance against him seems to me a bit more like you having to have respect and adoration from people because you chose to sign up to the armed forces and you feel that you need to be recognised and people wearing a poppy is one way of gaining this recognition you crave. Anyone not wearing a poppy is therefore not paying you any respect yet you are seemingly incapable of paying him any respect in allowing him to make his own choice in whether to wear one or not.

 

[BadFish]

If you are or were a soldier, didn't you sign up to protect the ability for anyone in this country to have and express their own opinion and not to have one forced upon them ?

This whole thing of looking at one individual and getting annoyed about his decision seems to fly in the face of why people serve (to protect our country and the freedoms there in.)

This whole anti stance against him seems to me a bit more like you having to have respect and adoration from people because you chose to sign up to the armed forces and you feel that you need to be recognised and people wearing a poppy is one way of gaining this recognition you crave. Anyone not wearing a poppy is therefore not paying you any respect yet you are seemingly incapable of paying him any respect in allowing him to make his own choice in whether to wear one or not.

This is all it should be about, people shouldn't be criticising people for wearing or not wearing the poppy. The fact that it is now such a contentious issue is a great shame and one that i am sure has my grandfather turning in his grave.

It would be nice to have a Remembrance Sunday pass without people feeling the need to comment negatively on the decisions of others.

 

[Albumen]

Having a go at someone from Derry for not wearing a poppy is bordering on ignorant, surely. Having a go at anyone not wearing a poppy is bordering on fascism, ironically.