Trenchant criticism

摘要

Reading about the pious solemnity of the great and good visiting the field of ceramic poppies by the Tower of London this year, I had difficulty repressing a Wildean tear of mirth. But really tears of rage would have been more appropriate, because in this jamboree year for empty sentiment, some things that are worth remembering have tended to get smothered beneath the cosy narcosis of official poppycock: the fact, for instance, that it was the great and good who sent millions of men to their pointless deaths 100 years ago, and who continue to do so today.