Er, 2012

Thank you, latedaytraveler. It is so important that we always remember.

Thanks, lateday. Some neat photos.

I see that Mayor B. Johnson is the only person in sight not displaying a poppy, the little rebel.

thanks for the link

"I see that Mayor B. Johnson is the only person in sight not displaying a poppy, the little rebel."

I doubt it.

The poppyless picture is of Johnson on his way to the service. Anyone tracking down a picture of him AT the service will almost certainly find a poppy has magically materialised on his lapel.

Poppies fall out of button holes, or won't come out of the jacket you were wearing yesterday as you're in a hurry to move it to today's jacket. In the real world, who cares? In Medialand (and few people spend as much time there as Johnson), there's always a continuity girl with a box of poppies for just such an eventuality.

Johnson's "rebellious" persona is carefully crafted. It DOESN'T include rebelling over issues that will make him unelectable. Rebelling against poppy wearing is almost the only stance that can get a British drummed out.

Glad you liked the piece. I think those poppies are stunning, especially when worn on somber black outfits. The Brits are so savvy with ceremonials, eh?


I love strolling down Whitehall – so much to discover and see…

It is worth reading the comments at the bottom, really people do not know how to behave online.

Thank you for commenting on that, flanneruk. I'm aware that B. Johnson's persona has a large show biz element, and from this side it's attractive and amusing.

Funny about the poppies. Afraid I'm fresh from watching the last two seasons of The Thick of It, and seeing those photos it's impossible not to think of Nicola Murray practicing her wreath carrying.

And, what happened to poppies in America ? I remember the VFW selling them but haven't seen them in some time. Was it for Nov. 11 or for Memorial Day ?

We get them at the entrance of our local supermarket. Veterans' groups take donations and then give you one. Few people would recognize the symbolism, though.

On the 11th here, too.