Libraries lift 'scandalous' ban on poppies after outcry over decision not to all

[TG]

A decision to ban poppies from being sold in libraries was overturned after an outcry today.

Staff at 48 libraries were ordered to remove all poppy collection tins from counters - in the name of equality.

Officials in Derbyshire ruled they could not be seen to support particular charities at the expense of others

Link

Obviously an emotive subject given the comments on the rag I saw this story in, but I don't get it.

If deciding that one charity merits a position that others are denied, should it not be one that serves the living rather than the dead?

I give a children's charity priority over veterans every time.

[Rogerm]

I'll second that. I get fed up with being mugged by poppy day collectors strategically placed in public places lest anyone escapes!

[marianne]

I haven't ought a poppy in years as I am an expat, but my father fought in WW2 and mygrandad in WW1. Young men are putting thier lives on the line, I would support 'poppies' .

I have worked for a charity, a charity that supports an unpopular group: children charities swim in money...

[Tattie]

children charities swim in money...

I live just around the corner from one of the wealthiest charities in the UK

Guide Dogs For the Blind..........a toxic mix lethal to wealthy widows wills

[catfish]

I'll second that. I get fed up with being mugged by poppy day collectors strategically placed in public places lest anyone escapes!

i get fed up with groups of children and their parents who stand in the middle of the road waving their buckets about in my village on "Children in Need Day "

[Mub]

i get fed up with groups of children and their parents who stand in the middle of the road waving their buckets about in my village on "Children in Need Day "

Well, prepare yourself, Catfish, the day is nearly upon you!

[John]

should it not be one that serves the living rather than the dead?


That remark does not become you. You cannot have missed the scores of young soldiers with muliple amputations from Blair`s war? They are supported by this appeal, and the people I mention are `living`
For me it would be a living death.

[TG]

should it not be one that serves the living rather than the dead?


That remark does not become you. You cannot have missed the scores of young soldiers with muliple amputations from Blair`s war? They are supported by this appeal, and the people I mention are `living`
For me it would be a living death.

I had a quick look but could not find a breakdown of what the money collected is spent on, but surely these men and women don't depend on it. Do they not receive compensation for their injuries?

In any case the point was about one charity being given preference over another. I only saw one photo of troops returning as you describe and it was emotive, but so are many other images associated with other charities. I was interested in Marianne's comment and I think it has relevance. Generally speaking the charities we tend to support the most are those we feel a greatest affinity for. Servicemen, current and ex, along with their families will feel particularly strongly about the poppy appeal. Others will feel the same way about issues that have affected them and their families.

I'm not trying to take anything away from them, just opining that the elevated status of this charity cannot be rationally justified.