James McClean

[Poshgill]

I see McClean the Sunderland and Ireland player refused to wear a shirt with a poppy on for yesterday's match with Everton. I'm not sure if he is being disrespectful or if he is right to stand by his personal beliefs. I suppose that is why so many brave people gave their lives, so that we have freedom of speech. On the other hand, it is beholden on professional footballers to set an example to young people. Be interesting to hear others views.

[Kezz]

Hmmm... didn't know this. Maybe his poppy shirt got ruined and he only had a regular shirt to wear? I dunno. Regardless of what we believe to be right, those who fought for us, fought so we are free to do what we want to do. It may not turn out how we want it to.

[Elgrande]

Seems it was his personal choice; the same as it being his choice to change from Northern Ireland at youth level to republic at senior. Next stop Celtic I would guess.

[Robpthegills]

it is true a lot of celtic supporters and their fans dont like poppy day or its background.

Once again a situation of very very confused people.

All religions fought together during the wars, when a man sat beside another man in a trench I do not think religion crossed his mind other than dear god keep me alive.

A small minded young man who hasnt yet grown up enough to recognise just exactly what defending our country meant. That under Nazi rule his religion would not even be allowed never mind tolerated or accepted.

I dont feel anger towards him, as a young man I had ideals which I found out later to be flawed and useless, but a shame that he feels the need to make such a big political point when in fact his point is without depth or value.

[Garawa]

They died to give us free speech. The least we can do is use it to give thanks for just 2 minutes/hours a year. If true, he doesn't deserve to enjoy the life he has been afforded.

[mark8364]

It's all down to personal choice! Same for everyone! I never buy or wear a poppy, again personal choice!

[Poshgill]

Agreed Mark, it is personal choice. But why do you not supoport the poppy appeal? McClean is a misguided young .Mn that thinks he is making a political statement. What is your reason for not doing so?

[Elgrande]

Strange choice Mark; as Posh says can you explain why.

[mark8364]

I don't and never have given money to any charity!

[Elgrande]

Fair enough Mark; i just hope you never need any help or treatment from anyone or thing financed in part or full by a charity.

[Garawa]

We all have choices, preferences, things we agree with or not and have to be different. Many are vehemently against all wars but most of those still support the boys doings the jobs none of us would dream of doing. So as a collective, if someone chooses not to do this they are effectively taking a stance against it. Why? How can you possibly not support a collective thankyou at the very least to an obscene amount of people that died so we can enjoy all the niceties in life including huge salaries for kicking a ball about. Good God, can't even give a moment to wear a sticker!

It's not about giving to charity really, I never bought a poppy (mostly because we didn't find any where we went) so I didn't directly support the charity. What struck me was when they read out the names. There are just over a thousand people living in my village now and the vast majority of houses were built in the late seventies. Between 50 and 60 names were read out as dying from the parish in WW1, it had to be half the village back then. If the village lost that many people now in would be devastating, back then..........? I can't even begin to imagine. Anyone so ungrateful for what they gave their lives for doesn't deserve anything at all.

[Rimshot]

With respect Mark, that's not an explanation it's just a statement of fact. As others are saying it's your right but a curious and impenetrable one. Never given to Charity ? Not once in your life been moved to help the needy, destitute, sick and starving ? Never wanted to show support for someone's efforts for Cancer care ?
That is hard to understand.

[Robpthegills]

when my brother in law died aged 37 I saw the McMillan nurses a charitable organisation at work and saw how wonderfull they were. This was compounded when my 38 year old sister in law died also of cancer.

I am a Trustee of a charity working in gillingham and without this charity nobody would do anything for the kids living on this estate.

It is true, some charities waste a lot of money on admin and rubbish but like anything you cant tar everybody or every organisation with the same brush.

I personally see it as my civic duty to give to charity. That said it is easy to give if you have something to give in the first place. However money is not always important, time is just as valuable.

I do not blame or criticise Mark for his stance, I would just suggest that maybe mark has not been in any circumstances whereby he can see a charity at work and therefore see the need for people to give.

I refused for YEARS to be a Organ Donor. It was only driving down to East Sussex that I heard a radio show and it asked the question. If my children needed an organ to save their life would I accept it. If the answer was Yes then how could you possibly not be a donor. I have been registered as a donor ever since.

I do not do sponsors and I do not give to bucket collectors (other than poppys) but thats because my giving is structured so dont feel the need.

If it wasnt for charities, most people who suffer from cancer in this country would suffer a whole lot more emotionally and physically. If it wasnt for charities there would be no help at all for the homeless (over 40% of homeless are said to be ex forces who cannot return to normal life due to emotional issues) there would be no help for the young children on the Vineries estate in gillingham whose only crime is being born to parents who do not know how to parent, spend all the money on drink/drugs regular beat their kids and wont allow them to do homework as they cannot read and write themselves so they get jelous. There would be far fewer species living in this wonderful world as nobody would have protected them, there would be nobody in the poorer countries trying to bring relief to a devastating existence. Whether its right or wrong that we need charities the fact is we do need them.

[steve347]

Republicans will never view the British army as a body worthy of respect, even if the fight against fascism liberated many in Europe from an appalling aggressor.
Few in Europe have any respect for the Irish Republic's actions in World War 2 and some are very resentful.

[Poshgill]

That is a sweeping statement Steve and just isn't true. I have a very close friend that is a confirmed Republican and is also a staunch supporter of the armed forces. He may not believe in fighting for Queen and country but he does believe in supporting the armed forces that died to defend our freedom.

As for Mark, I cannot believe you have never given to any charity. Everyone has done so at some stage even if it's a bucket collection or a work mate doing a charity parachute jump.Actually I never give to BC children in need but that is a personal choice.