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[10ebbor10]

Sadly, there's not much else they can do. It's also unlikely that any major changes are made, as these are rules that are written down in the Maastricht treaty. An attempt to change anything on it would immediately be used by everyone else to change that which they don't like. (UK would want more exceptions, ....) After all, these treaties are unanimously agreed upon.

[Owlbread]

Well, it's Remembrance Sunday tomorrow. I bought a poppy but I haven't worn it yet, I couldn't fit it on my clothes because they don't have pins anymore. I wonder though if I will bother at all next year. The red poppy symbol has become pro-military propaganda, part of the whole "every soldier is a hero" soldier worshiping bullshit in this country today. In Northern Ireland it has also been hijacked as a Loyalist symbol, causing great division in the province.

I heard a minister down in England had the temerity to criticise the song "I vow to thee my country", saying that to suggest that dying for your country is a good way of getting into heaven (basically) is absolutely disgusting. The song invokes "the old lie", dare I quote "dulce et decorum est pro patria mori". He's been completely slated for it as well, eaten alive by the soldier worshiping press and the tabloids. It's stuff like that that just turns me off the whole thing. I observe the minute silence but I'm wary of wearing a badge that commemorates the sacrifice of Commonwealth soldiers and nobody else. I'd rather commemorate all victims of war, not just my own relatives who have been killed or ruined by both wars but also those they fought and possibly killed, along with the civilians, conscientious objectors and all the rest of them. Let's not forget the Americans, Soviets, Poles, French...

A political activist I know of said recently that the Red Poppy commemorates "Marine A", while the White Poppy commemorates the POW he murdered. I find myself sympathising with that sentiment, I'm not sure if I could bring myself to wear a white poppy just yet though.

[10ebbor10]

That's a sad thing really. Over here, it's more of a symbol for the idiocy in war. Of course, the war is also politicized, but more to benefit Flemish secessionism rather than a pro-war stance.

Could be due to the fact that's here were the massive graveyards are, and where we're still digging up tonnes of unexploded ammunition each year. (Also, massive poison gas bombs dumped in front of the coast).

[Owlbread]

I'm more appalled by the fact that our repulsive media isn't calling this a war crime.

[Frumple]

Silly owlbread. It's only a war crime when a third world country and/or the losing side does it.

[Another]

That was still handled much better than mass-murders of Afghan civilians by military personnel from some other countries.

[Owlbread]

The thing is... if that marine had stood on a land mine on his first day he'd be called a hero.

[Loud Whispers]

The thing is... if that marine had stood on a land mine on his first day he'd be called a hero.

Well it's a whole lot better than calling someone who's just had their leg blown off a bellend

[Owlbread]

Sometimes bellends get their legs blown off though. Maybe just call it a tragedy.

[Frumple]

... does bellend have a meaning beyond what wikipedia redirects to? E: Possibly belated suggestion: I wouldn't particularly recommend entering the term into wikipedia.

[Owlbread]

It does not, I am sorry that you had to be put through that.

[Loud Whispers]

... does bellend have a meaning beyond what wikipedia redirects to? E: Possibly belated suggestion: I wouldn't particularly recommend entering the term into wikipedia.

It does not, I am sorry that you had to be put through that.

Oh how the innocent have fallen

[MonkeyHead]

... today I learnt that even crude British idioms have a wiki entry. Outstanding.

[Loud Whispers]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/man-nails-testicles-to-red-square-cobblestones-in-bizarre-protest/489300.html
I... What? Just, what? Is any cause worth such a feat?

[lordcooper]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/man-nails-testicles-to-red-square-cobblestones-in-bizarre-protest/489300.html
I... What? Just, what? Is any cause worth such a feat?

A universal vaccine would have me considering it, if only for a few seconds.