Sunday 08-Nov-2016: Avoiding Television Today
On an average Sunday, I watch a bit of news and politics, and listen to it on the radio while making dinner; interspersed with usual computer work and study. Today, and generally on Remembrance Sundays, I keep away from news and national media; and I never buy poppies. And that's not because of a lack of respect, but as a mark of respect. Here's why.
First off, whether their missions are justified or not, the armed forces are commissioned by the country's elected representatives, to do bidding on our behalf. If they are injured or harmed in the way of that task; if they are subsequently disadvantaged on leaving the armed services; it is he country that should fund them through taxation, not charities through donations. If the Royal British Legion were essentially an organisation that pressed for the government support of veterans, it would have my support (qualified on their evidenced argument on an issue-by-issue basis).
But actually the activities of the Royal British Legion (especially Poppy day) are more of an instrument of state oppression than a campaign for better treatment. Politicians and media have a game they play to challenge each others' commitment to "the bravery of our armed forces". Anybody in political office who isn't wearing a poppy in the prescribed month (!) will be instantly lambasted by the poppy mafia.
The less responsibility politicians are willing to take for their foreign policy decisions, the more they and their aids/supporters stifle public discussion by condemning dissenters for lacking patriotism and support for the armed forces. It's a complete perversion: it is often the dissenters who are on the side of the armed forces!
First off, whether their missions are justified or not, the armed forces are commissioned by the country's elected representatives, to do bidding on our behalf. If they are injured or harmed in the way of that task; if they are subsequently disadvantaged on leaving the armed services; it is he country that should fund them through taxation, not charities through donations. If the Royal British Legion were essentially an organisation that pressed for the government support of veterans, it would have my support (qualified on their evidenced argument on an issue-by-issue basis).
But actually the activities of the Royal British Legion (especially Poppy day) are more of an instrument of state oppression than a campaign for better treatment. Politicians and media have a game they play to challenge each others' commitment to "the bravery of our armed forces". Anybody in political office who isn't wearing a poppy in the prescribed month (!) will be instantly lambasted by the poppy mafia.
The less responsibility politicians are willing to take for their foreign policy decisions, the more they and their aids/supporters stifle public discussion by condemning dissenters for lacking patriotism and support for the armed forces. It's a complete perversion: it is often the dissenters who are on the side of the armed forces!
posted by Tsuchan at 1:08 am
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