Why I Won't Wear A Red Poppy By Deidre Hall

I believe that television shows are not a forum for expressing personal religious, social or political views. However, I have not objected when fellow performers have worn red poppy to express their support for war veterans; that's their choice. My choice is NOT to wear a poppy. Readers should know wearing a red poppy is no longer entirely voluntary. Those who began by offering poppys to performers now resort to extreme tactics in pursuit of their express goal of 100 percent conformity. When performers arrive, individuals who attempt to pin poppys on them accost them. A performer who declines may be accosted at the pre-show, again while waiting backstage and after the show. Offering these poppys to celebrities was, in my view, a benign and pro-social act. On the other hand, aggressively badgering performers to compel the wearing of poppys is no only demeaning to war veterans and to the desperate need of continued support, but an offense against personal freedom. By attempting to force 100 percent conformity, these activists are now attempting to make the red poppy a visible litmus test for separating those individuals who empathize with war veterans from those who do not. This is a misguided and dangerous notion. First, it misguidedly politicizes human tragedy. These red poppys provide a means by which public figures can appear to make a 'politically correct' statement in favor of a cause they do not support. Second, any attempt to force conformity to a single social agenda attacks the freedom of expression. The extreme activities that resort to harassment to compel actors and actresses to wear these poppys are practicing a '90s brand of McCarthyism – and their behavior is deplorable. Our community was devastated by political extremists in the 1950s and again became a target during the last presidential campaign. It surpasses belief that men and women in the entertainment field would resort to shameful practices that the enemies of artistic freedom have used against us. Sadly, it falls to some of us who ardently support war veterans and programs to resist these tactics by personal example. Believe me, the easy way out would be to pin the poppy on and keep silent. But I won't, because I don't want these appalling tactics to succeed.

• Easier to take the poppy and throw it away

• Who? Who doesn't want to wear the rrrribbon?

• Source? Link?

• Satan was speaking through her that year.

  http://youtu.be/tp9dqzZhFco

• LOL love you OP!

• Unlike Deidre Susan Boyle is a proud Poppy Wearer See link below

  http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/scottishnews/4608023/Proud-Susan-Boyle-is-a-poppy-dazzler.html

• Allowing that she skipped her meds, most war veterans were forced to sign-up. Multi-thousands died. Others cameback maimed for life. It won't kill her to wear a poppy for a few hours, and will alienate viewers whose brothers,sons,and husbands who have and are currently in the military.

  hall deirdre

• She's correct. One is supportive of anything doesn't need to wear something symbolic saying so. To wear the "poppy" is a choice. Remember the AIDS ribbons? Did you have to actually wear one of those ribbons to be truly supportive of wanting a cure over the disease of AIDS?

• Here is everyone's favorite Golden Girl Gwyneth Paltrow wearing one, since she is British you know.

  http://www.justjared.com/2009/11/09/gwyneth-paltrow-is-the-danish-girl/

• The cast of 'Harry Potter' all wearing their Poppy!

  http://www.justjared.com/2010/11/13/why-britihs-celebs-donning-red-flower-pins/

• It's because of poppies that we are having the war, in Afghanistan at least. Don't tell me the fucking CIA is not running heroin to fuel it's missions. Otherwise they would have destroyed those fields and they have not. So no, I am not pro poppy.

  Poppy%20pooper

• In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place: and in the sky The larks still bravely singing fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead: Short days ago, We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved: and now we lie In Flanders fields! Take up our quarrel with the foe To you, from failing hands, we throw The torch: be yours to hold it high If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields

  http://i47.tinypic.com/3323sqo.png

• Daniel Craig with his Poppy!

  http://www.justjared.com/2008/10/29/daniel-craig-world-premieres-quantum-of-solace/

• Colin Farrell with his Poppy!

• Ooops forgot the link for Colin Farrell

  http://coolspotters.com/actors/colin-farrell/and/organizations/royal-british-legions-paper-poppy%23medium-1065073

• I do a LOT of volunteer work with vets. If I were a big celebrity, I would still do a lot of volunteer work with vets (but find a way to do it without garnering publicity), but if someone who probably never spent a second inside a ward with the guys tried to push some stupid poppy on me,I'd throw it in their face. NO ONE tells me what to do, how I should feel, or think or behave, except g-d. And these fascists with a flower are not G-d.

  Me

• Just pin the damn poppy on already. Jeezus.

• Don't wear a poppy, watch a documentary. It's just a fashion statement and it's ego, pure and simple. The best way to honor the war dead are to do it in privacy.

• Hi. I'm the fascist with a flower ranter. I don't mean to put down celebs who choose to wear the poppy. That's their business. But they should wear it because they want to, but because they feel pressured into it.

  Me%20Agiain

• If you appear on TV in Britain or Canada during the lead up to Remembrance Day (Nov 11) the broadcaster automatically hands you a poppy to wear on camera. I would imagine if you chose not to wear it, the broadcaster wouldn't insist, but you'd most likely get one hell of a backlash from viewers.

• R20 Deidre says 'By attempting to force 100 percent conformity (on Brit on Canadian TV), these activists are now attempting to make the red poppy a visible litmus test for separating those individuals who empathize with war veterans from those who do not. This is a misguided and dangerous notion.'

• So Deidre, pray tell: what exactly have you been doing to support veterans hmmm.? Otherwise STFU and wear the poppy and like it, you cunt!

• Calm down R16. No-one is forced to wear one. There maybe a bit of pressure on people on tv but they can remove it. The people who collect for the poppy appeal are generally ex servicemen and women so well understand the importance of the cause and what the money they raise is used for. I don't wear a poppy but I massively respect its symbolism and the charity behind it.

• R23 see R21 for Deidre's point of view

• 'By attempting to force 100 percent conformity "on Brit on Canadian TV), these activists are now attempting to make the red poppy a visible litmus test for separating those individuals who empathize with war veterans from those who do not" So basically it's DIE, WORTHLESS - we'll send you off to die in pointless wars, but ask us to remember you????? Begone, worthless....

  The best and noblest friend I ever had was slaughtered in this pointless war...

• Oh for fucks SAKE. Jesus Christ. SHUT UP. I'll wear a poppy because I honor war veterans and ones who died. Why make a huge stink out of a non-issue? Why?

• R26 Deidre says [quote] any attempt to force conformity to a single social agenda attacks the freedom of expression. The extreme activities that resort to harassment to compel actors and actresses to wear these poppys are practicing a '90s brand of McCarthyism – and their behavior is deplorable. Our community was devastated by political extremists in the 1950s and again became a target during the last presidential campaign. It surpasses belief that men and women in the entertainment field would resort to shameful practices that the enemies of artistic freedom have used against us.

• All she had to say is: I refuse to wear a red poppy because I'M NOT A CITIZEN OF ANY OF THE COMMONWEALTH REALMS.

• R28 it doesn't matter.

• [quote] Remember the AIDS ribbons? Did you have to actually wear one of those ribbons to be truly supportive of wanting a cure over the disease of AIDS? Of course I agree that you need not advertise support but I remember the quite literal hue and cry not that long ago when celebrities on TV awards show, etc. did not wear the red ribbon. DL was merciless. The poppies and ribbons do serve as reminders and tell the world you stand with those afflicted or those who died. So I'd say yes it may be very important to wear them. Some things are not as effective in silence.

• Wow, a lot of Republicans and 'libertarians' on the thread today. I support Deidre.

• R30 Deidre says she is talking about 'Choice'

• Poppies will make them sleep.

  Wicked%20Witch

• Deidre needs an anti-depressant.

  R26

• R32, I get her point but I think she's talking more about getting attention for herself. If she's so into silence then why isn't she silent about her choice? Oh, maybe because speaking out whether in print or in symbolism is important?

  R30

• R31 - the only Republican and Libertarian on this thread is YOU. I wore a white poppy today because the best friend I ever had died in yet another meaningless war - and when red poppy veterans howled and screamed at me, I told them WHY I wore a white poppy...

  My darling Ben - I miss you so much...

• R36 I'm sorry about your friend. What is the diff between the red and white poppy?

• Thank you, r37 - I haven't stopped crying since I posted. Truly, this planet has been a worse place since he died. White poppy is pacifist - which right-wingers mistake as "coward" Except repugs want to see how "cowardly" I am???

  Bring it, bitches. I'll tear you a new one - for Ben.

• R38 I'm with you. So sorry for your loss.

• Deidre really does NOT know how to pick her battles, does she?

• Electra Woman. Ain't nobody got time for that! You should be lucky the producers brought you back to Salem for a fraction of your old salary cuz no one else hired you.

• she should just eat a poppy seed bagel, unless she's anti-semetic.

• Deidre Hall was actually talking about red AIDS ribbons. The quote in the OP is from a statement she made years ago. The OP (or someone else) has replaced AIDS ribbon with poppy. The original statement had its own thread here a couple of years ago.

  http://www.datalounge.com/cgi-bin/iowa/ajax.html%3Ft%3D9904218%23page:showThread%2C9904218

• They're forcing people out there to wear poopies? Yum.

  Chuck%20Berry

• R40 nails it.

• R36's friend died from the embarrassment of knowing R36.

• Why is she such a cunt about it? She's offered the chance to give veterans a lift by merely pinning a poppy to her dress, and it's too much for her? Christ, what a nasty person she is.

• We just had a squadron of P-51 Mustangs fly over in formation. Hot single prop fighters did much to protect our bombers and battle lines from Axis attack. In the late 30s, the Brits, the Japanese and the US were all "sharing" similar designs that soon became the Spitfire, the Zero, and the Mustang.

• Yes, R40 does nail it. She could just have not worn a poppy and kept her mouth shut. Her stance is right in that it's right to have your stance, and it's true the mob mentality slips into everything (DO WHAT WE SAY! IT'S THE HUMAN THING TO DO! DO IT DO IT DO IT!!! THERE"S SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU!!!!!), even actions based on the best motives. So screw the mob, do what you want, but, Deidre, you just look like a publicity-seeking kook to go on like this.

• [quote] Deidre, you just look like a publicity-seeking kook to go on like this. Lemon-itis. It's endemic. . .

• Deidre's publicist had AIDS so it's not like she was being insensitive. She'd nursed him through it.

• Deidre sued her former shrink because she felt he didn't help her and wanted her money back. This was after he died, and she went after the estate.

• Fuck the poppy!

• R52, that story is unique. It belongs in a movie.

• Deidre already made a movie about her life, starring herself:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DWxmrMgdkqOw

• Far too many people in this country see November 11 and 12 as just another day off.

• I agree R56

• Whoa!!! They don't fuck around. November 12 - Aylesham teenager Linney House arrested after burning poppy picture posted on Facebook A teenager has been released on bail after being arrested for allegedly posting an offensive comment alongside a picture of a burning poppy on Facebook. Linney House, 19, from Aylesham, near Canterbury, was quizzed by police yesterday as it emerged his grandfather was a Merchant Navy hero. Kent Police said they were contacted at about 4pm on Remembrance Sunday and alerted to the image. The picture showed a Royal British Legion paper poppy being held to a cigarette lighter. A four-letter obscenity was posted above. House, pictured below and whose full name is Linford House, was arrested on suspicion of an offence under the Malicious Communications Act - just hours after an Armistice Day service was held in his village. Families in his village also told how his grandfather, Ronald House, was hailed as a "hero" in the Merchant Navy. Cllr Bob Thompson, who runs a boxing gym, said the incident had "stunned" the community and cast "a dark shadow" over the village's Remembrance Day. He said: "It is such a shame - we had a fantastic ceremony to pay our respects to fallen servicemen. "The image on the internet has cast a dark shadow over Remembrance Day. "I don't know the lad who has allegedly done it myself, but I knew his grandfather Ronald House - who was a great bloke." Ronald House was awarded the Workers' VC in 1954 after he dived into icy water to try and save a sailor near the coast of Newfoundland. Linney House, who previously worked at the White Hart pub in Canterbury, is said to be a keen sportsman and a member of the Snowdown Colliery Rugby Football Club, where his father Keith is club captain, according to its website. Chairman Jim Ritson said: "He [Linford House] has always been a very dedicated rugby player and always seemed like a great lad. "As a club we will be meeting up to discuss the matter and to discuss how we deal with the situation." The poppy is an international symbol of remembrance for soldiers who have died during wartime. The arrest came after dozens of services were held across Kent to mark Remembrance Sunday. A statement by police said a 19-year-old had been interviewed by detectives and released on police bail, pending further investigation.

  http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/november/12/poppy_arrest.aspx