Poppycock

The totalitarian patriotism engendered by George Bush and folks like
John Ashcroft in the States scares and depresses me. They really do
think they're the best. Their siege mentality, pushing aside human
rights and freedom of speech (arresting those who do not agree with
them), is so at odds with the teaching of Jesus whom they claim to
follow. Matthew 5:44 says "Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you." Maybe if they did this instead of taking the aggressive
line that they have taken since September 11th, they wouldn't be so
reviled.

3 reasons I did not wear a poppy this year:

1. I wouldn't want it to be mistaken as support for the current bombing of what's left of one of the world's poorest countries by two of its richest, which I abhor.


2. There are many other less-well supported-charities than the Haig Fund which I would prefer to support.


3. Wearing a poppy is sometimes equated with a patriotism which I
   cannot stomach at the moment. The national anthem was sung in church on
   Sunday, but I didn't join in. Something to do with trying to avoid
   confusion between the God of all humanity and the god of Western
   civilisation.