Simeon Brody
It's an ethical jungle out there. What should 'The Ethicist' write about this week? There's so much in the news! Should I agree with Dr. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, that consumers of chocolate should only buy fairly traded chocolate? Or should I get all excited about the recent cancer research findings that indicate that being overweight or eating processed meat, including bacon and ham increases the risk of getting cancer. Maybe I could discuss the research about organic fruit and vegetables having far more nutrients and being better for us, or the air pollution spike caused by festive bonfires and fireworks...
Although these subjects are topical and of interest to many of us, I feel the need to revisit last week's issue, as I was contacted by a reader who felt very strongly that the wearing of a white poppy was an insult to the memories of those who had fought wars. The comment was from 'Walter Wall', who said that both his grandfathers had been injured in a war. I do not like upsetting Walter and others like him, and as I'm a sensitive chap, I've been thinking about his comment and wondering how I can be true to myself yet not offend others. It weighs on my ethical conscience.
So I've been asking round my friends, neighbours and family about their attitude to the red or white poppies, and their feelings about war. The saddest story was of a man who served in World War One, and was told to shoot a soldier who refused to go 'over the top'; leave the trench and go and fight. The officer wouldn't shoot him, and was consequently demoted. He also got malaria, and when he got home, he committed suicide. For me, this tale is one example of the evil of warfare.
However, many people agree with Walter, that white poppies give an impression of disrespect. Whether or not I agree with this is immaterial, and my views are not representative of the majority. So as my white poppy gives offence to so many, I have decided to wear a red one as well. Hopefully this will show that although I think that war is wrong, I accept that it happens and that those in the forces are doing their job and deserve some respect for the situations they find themselves in. I also acknowledge that if the British and their allies hadn't have fought the Nazis, that they might have over-run all of Europe and done more damage to people than they did.
I have no particular 'Green Suggestion of The Week' other than if you eat chocolate, make sure it is fair trade, and don't eat too much red meat... and if you have to eat bacon or ham, have some organic vegetables with it, to help reduce the risk! If you wear a white poppy, wear a red one too, as the money you give goes to good causes.
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