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November 07, 2005

I remember when people weren't insane. And I'm not even 30.

Over the weekend it occurred to me that we hadn't yet had a poppy controversy. You know the ones — some peon in some giant company decides that selling poppies on company property amounts to solicitation, or that house policy demands that equal time be given to anti-war flowers, or some such nonsense. They come like clockwork, every November 1-11, but this year, nothing.

Turns out the Legion was bringing it in-house. In a decision that my intellectual property lawyer friend assures me is above reproach, but that all normal people view as completely insane, prominent news aggregator Pierre Bourque has been told to remove the image of the poppy from his website or else. (Or else what? Who knows, but for some reason the image of the enraged old-timers chasing George Costanza down on their Rascals comes to mind.)

Colby Cosh says: I am certainly surprised to learn that "Remembrance" itself has become anyone's formal property. I won't pay for or wear [a poppy] ever again. And neither should you." Kathy Shaidle says: "The Canadian Legion can bite my lumpy butt." Good points both. Personally, I'm more confused than I am angry. I mean, ubiquity is one of the Legion's stated goals for the poppy. "Who should wear a poppy?" is, ostensibly, a frequently asked question, and the Legion's response is "everyone as it is at this time of year that we honour the memory of the far too many Canadians who gave their lives in the defence of freedom."

So we wear our poppies every year, to show, in Mr Bourque's words, "our deep appreciation and respect for the Canadian men and women who gave their all on foreign battlefields and recognizing their monumental sacrifice so that we can today enjoy the freedoms that we all enjoy." But we can't put an image of the poppy on a website. Somehow, that's completely, utterly different. I am amazed that this decision hasn't yet been reversed, and even more so at Bob Butt's pugnacious tone in dealing with this:

As it is not in the public domain and because it is a registered trademark of the Legion the organization is taking every step it can to protect it (and I do mean every step)… Sorry, I know your heart and many others are in the right place. Unfortunately we have to protect this image or lose its use as a symbol of Remembrance.

It is to laugh, and derisively at that. I note that the poppy is good enough for use on novelty license plates in eight provinces and one territory. It's good enough, if I may quote from the Legion's trademark, for the following:

Clothing, namely, berets, blazers, neckties, jackets, bow ties, golf jackets, winter jackets, shell jackets, parkas, golf/baseball caps, hats, T-shirts, winter caps, pants, shirts and sweaters; insignia and accessories, namely arm bands, beret crests, blazer crests, shirt crests, sports crests, activity crests, numerals, blazer buttons, crested plaques, banners, lapel badges, medals, sports badges, trophies, award ribbons, decals and bumper stickers; books and pamphlets, printing mats and stereos, guest registers, posters, recipe books and song books; jewellery, namely, cuff links, tie bars, tie tacks, lockets, lighters, brooches, pendants, key chains, charm bracelets, charms, rings, sweater guards, watches, earrings, money clips, jewel boxes, watch fobs, clocks and watches; luggage, namely, sports bags, tote bags, suiter bags, weekender bags, clutch purses, luggage tags, folder and underarm portfolios, credit card holders and wallets; branch seals, certificates, ash trays, matches, match books, records, coffee spoons, coasters, place mats, cigarette holders, cigarette cases, cigarette boxes, tobacco pouches, gavels, tankards, pipe and lighter sets, pens, pencils, table lighters, playing cards, letter openers, Christmas cards, spoon racks, pipe racks, smoker's stands, memo holders, shaving kits, gavel bells, silver-plated dessert sets, wine goblets, bonbon dishes, coffee sets, golf balls, table napkins and serviettes; beer steins and travel mugs, envelopes; tulip bulbs; calendars and flags; periodical publications; break open lottery tickets

Can't you hear The Last Post wafting on the breeze, oh so faintly, over the melancholic rustling of leaves? I know I can. I won't take off my poppy, nor will I post one here in protest, simply because Mr Butt obviously doesn't represent the views of the majority of veterans. Mr Butt is just a jerk, and no one should pay him any mind. If the Legion actually wants to sue someone for displaying the poppy, which is precisely what they ask of Canadians every year, it'll be a fine opportunity to wrest control of one of our proudest symbols back from a few complete lunatics. Somehow, though, I don't think it's going to come to that.

Posted by Chris Selley at November 7, 2005 10:21 PM

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Comments

I would love to agree that Mr. Butt "obviously doesn't represent veterans." And certainly I think he does so poorly. But if anyone "represents veterans", surely it is the paid communications director of the Canadian Legion? Who does it if not him?

Posted by: Colby Cosh at November 7, 2005 10:45 PM

Yeah, point taken. If this wasn't what the Legion wanted at the highest level, then Butt wouldn't be saying it. I was thinking more of the kindly old vet with the artificial leg I see every lunch hour selling poppies underneath Metro Hall in Toronto, and all the others like him, and it somehow seems unfair to drag him into this by refusing to wear a poppy over some lawyeristic b-s. On the other hand, that kindly old vet might well have lost that leg on Juno Beach — even at his advanced age, ousting Butt should be a walk in the park by comparison.

Posted by: Chris Selley at November 7, 2005 11:02 PM

Cosh is a moron and Shaidle is a degenerate retard. Read this comment by Johnathan Dursi before you drink their kool-aid.

Posted by: Robert McClelland at November 8, 2005 12:36 AM

The Royal British Legion actually encourage people to link to their poppy appeal.

On their web page www.poppy.org they invite people to: "Show your support for the Poppy Appeal. To download this Poppy Appeal button for your own website CLICK HERE".

It provides some simple HTML that can be included appropriately on a web page.

Posted by: Colin S Smith at November 8, 2005 09:42 AM

Would Cosh and KS be so upset if Bourque was Canada's # 1 porn site ??

Posted by: Nbob at November 8, 2005 11:10 AM

Actually, Burger King refused to sell poppies this year becasue of concerns the pins would get into food.

Veterans were protesting outside an Ajax restaurant. The local paper and CFTO did a story.

The company has since changed its position.

Posted by: CFo at November 8, 2005 12:17 PM

"Cosh is a moron and Shaidle is a degenerate retard."

Boy, Robbo - you are just so darned convincing!

"Read this comment by Johnathan Dursi..."

Yes a nice analysis; it's a good thing you've got somebody to take care of thinking for you.

Posted by: DCardno at November 8, 2005 02:34 PM

Dear Robert,

Normally I'd delete random juvenilia such as your 12:36am comment, but upon reflection, the only reputation you've besmirched is your own. Which is quite a remarkable achievement on your part, I'd say, considering your existing body of work. Now piss off.

Thanks a bunch,

Chris

Posted by: Chris Selley at November 8, 2005 05:11 PM

There was an incident in Montreal this year where poppy sellers were kicked out of a mall. Saw it on TV. Can't blame you for not knowing, seeing as you live in Toronto.

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