Peace Poppy - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

silent_jay · 11-08-2006, 08:26 PM

So I was just watching CTV News and I saw a story on the 'peace poppy' being distributed in Alberta. Now I'm all for peace but this seems disrespectful to the men and women who fought and died, and the veterans do seem upset about it.

Quote:

White poppy emblems anger Edmonton veterans

Edmonton veterans are considering legal action to stop the sale of white poppy emblems.

The Earth's General Store on Whyte Avenue has been selling white poppies during the week leading up to Remembrance Day.

Owner Michael Kalmanovitch says the poppies promote a message of peace.

However, a veteran with the Royal Canadian Legion says the white poppies are an insult and may infringe on the legion's trademark.

"The use of the poppy in any other colour other than in blood red is a disservice and dishonour to all our fallen dead, the past and our latest veterans," said Robert Torrie, spokesman for the Kingsway Legion, Branch 175.

Store will continue to sell poppies

Kalmanovitch says he'll continue to sell white poppies despite the legal threat.

"I mean it's a little bit un-Canadian that somebody has a trademark on the poppy. It would be like having a trademark on the rose in Alberta or the beaver … It's just bizarre," said Kalmanovitch.

Kalmanovitch has been selling the white poppies for several years. Edmonton Women in Black, an anti-war group, is also selling them.

Kalmanovitch purchases them from the Pledge Peace Union in London, U.K. According to the organization's website, the white poppy dates back to 1933.

"The White Poppy symbolizes the belief that there are better ways to resolve conflicts than killing strangers," states the web site.

fresnelly · 11-09-2006, 06:19 AM

I was thinking about starting a thread on this.

I appreciate why the Veterans are upset about this, and worry that it will needlessly politicize remembrance day.

That said, it should be highlighted that the White Poppy is not a new symbol, and that it dates back to the 1930's, originally created and worn by wives of soldiers in Britain.

I believe one can wear both while being respectful to veterans. The desire for peace and the remembrance for our war dead, are not so far apart.

Charlatan · 11-09-2006, 07:07 AM

I agree with Fresnelly... To complain about this is like the red ribbon campaign complaining about the white ribbon campaign.

The concepts behind the two poppies are not mutually exclusive.

Yakk · 11-09-2006, 07:48 AM

Legally, the veterans may run into problems -- failing to defend a trademark renders it invalid.

Have the white poppies been sold continuously since 1930s, or is this a revival?

james t kirk · 11-09-2006, 02:25 PM

You know what, stick to the red poppies.

The vetrans have but one day a year that the rest of the country honours them. If they want red, let it be red. The Vetrans earned at least that tiny iota of respect from the rest of us who have enjoyed the freedom that they have provided all of our lives.

BTW, I haven't seen anyone wearing any white poppies.

Whenever I read of stupidity like this, I think of a cartoon I saw in the Globe and Mail on the anniversay of D-Day a couple years ago by Brian Gable.

The sketch showed a WW2 vetran with his cane and medals standing beside a statue of a Canadian soldier leading the charge across the beach with his pack and bayonetter.

Standing in front of the old guy were a couple of 18 year olds with propeller hats on and the one kid says to the old guy, "Did you ever back pack across Europe when you were our age?"

highthief · 11-10-2006, 04:52 AM

I agree with Spock's buddy.

The vets get a day a year, and neither they nor their symbols deserve to be subverted by any other group.

theycallmelisa · 11-10-2006, 12:47 PM

maybe the white poppies should be sold all the rest of the year, while the red poppies are sold in nov. for rememberance, like they are meant to be. Selling white poppies and promoting peace is not going to take away the reason behind the red poppies, and I believe that should still be honoured.

11-09-2006, 06:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	I was thinking about starting a thread on this. I appreciate why the Veterans are upset about this, and worry that it will needlessly politicize remembrance day. That said, it should be highlighted that the White Poppy is not a new symbol, and that it dates back to the 1930's, originally created and worn by wives of soldiers in Britain. I believe one can wear both while being respectful to veterans. The desire for peace and the remembrance for our war dead, are not so far apart. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life Last edited by fresnelly; 11-09-2006 at 06:23 AM..

11-09-2006, 07:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I agree with Fresnelly... To complain about this is like the red ribbon campaign complaining about the white ribbon campaign. The concepts behind the two poppies are not mutually exclusive. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-09-2006, 07:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	Legally, the veterans may run into problems -- failing to defend a trademark renders it invalid. Have the white poppies been sold continuously since 1930s, or is this a revival? __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

11-09-2006, 02:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
james t kirk Junkie Location: Toronto	You know what, stick to the red poppies. The vetrans have but one day a year that the rest of the country honours them. If they want red, let it be red. The Vetrans earned at least that tiny iota of respect from the rest of us who have enjoyed the freedom that they have provided all of our lives. BTW, I haven't seen anyone wearing any white poppies. Whenever I read of stupidity like this, I think of a cartoon I saw in the Globe and Mail on the anniversay of D-Day a couple years ago by Brian Gable. The sketch showed a WW2 vetran with his cane and medals standing beside a statue of a Canadian soldier leading the charge across the beach with his pack and bayonetter. Standing in front of the old guy were a couple of 18 year olds with propeller hats on and the one kid says to the old guy, "Did you ever back pack across Europe when you were our age?" Last edited by james t kirk; 11-09-2006 at 02:33 PM..

11-10-2006, 04:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	I agree with Spock's buddy. The vets get a day a year, and neither they nor their symbols deserve to be subverted by any other group. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

11-10-2006, 12:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
theycallmelisa Banned	maybe the white poppies should be sold all the rest of the year, while the red poppies are sold in nov. for rememberance, like they are meant to be. Selling white poppies and promoting peace is not going to take away the reason behind the red poppies, and I believe that should still be honoured.