well, being a gram or two lighter, he may run faster over 95 minutes.

what are your thoughts ?

a pacifist hero standing up against unbridled imperial corporate militarism ?
or
a 'Ra t0sser just being difficult to stir up sectarian sh1t ?

or both, or neither ?

personal thoughts.
We should honour the fallen on all sides of WW1 and WW2. But not do anything to encourage the next war starting next week somewhere..again for the umpteenth time.

korea, falklands, belize, iraq, afghanistan, syria, ...the list seems endless.

McClean is a Catholic from Derry. Much background baggage there for sure. Condemn or condone him ? probably neither.

is he a Nelson Mandela/Ghandi or is he a Martin McGuinness ?

your thoughts ?

[Link]

Edited by PalazioVecchio (30 Oct 2018 1.12pm)

Eze Peasy at Anfield....

He explained his stance in a WBA programme whilst he was playing for them :

“People say I am being disrespectful but don’t ask why I choose not to wear it,” McClean wrote.

“If the poppy was simply about World War One and Two victims alone, I’d wear it without a problem.

“I would wear it every day of the year if that was the thing but it doesn’t. It stands for all the conflicts that Britain has been involved in. Because of the history where I come from in Derry, I cannot wear something that represents that.”

Edited by Willo (30 Oct 2018 1.20pm)

Saw a letter he wrote to (I think it was to the Wigan chairman ) that explained very well why he couldn't wear a poppy.

All to do with the troubles in NI and Bloody Sunday in Derry where he was from...made sense from his perspective

He regards himself as Irish and plays for the ROI. All Irish people (including those from Ulster) can get Irish citizenship.

You may not agree with it, but I fail to see how it is hypocritical? It seems to me that his actions are completely consistent with his stated views.

Also, you would "respect his decision" not to wear a poppy? Is it now mandatory, everyone must wear a poppy or suffer the consequences.

Surely this is something people should be free to opt into, not something expected by default, which people should get hounded for if they opt out of?

Completely agree with this and good for you for selling poppies mate.

Out of interest, have you experienced any first hand resistance to selling them yourself?

"It feels much better than it ever did, much more sensitive." John Wayne Bobbit

Totally agree. It's akin to saying you don't love Palace for not standing when the crowd sing "stand up if you love Palace". Or if you don't like/share that facebook post that says "we think child rapists are bad, share/like if you agree" it means that you don't think child rapists are bad. Let people wear a poppy if they choose to and don't demonise those that don't.