Do you respect your country's flag?
- Thread starter mrhappyface
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For some times the British flag was rather hijacked by the more racist aspects of society and people would have been nervous to display it in case they were incorrectly identified as being part of the National Front/BNP. Patriotism sometimes seems (//shrug) almost frowned upon.
I don't think that I have ever actually owned any sort of version of our flag - not even the plastic sort on a stick that was sold widely for the Golden Jubilee. Neither would I be disturbed at images of someone burning the flag - mainly because the intent of that act is to elicit outrage and if you don't show or feel outrage then it just becomes a hollow and pointless act.
Personally I avoid attributing any kind of emotional resonance to material objects. I would no more react to my flag than I would to being shown a teddy bear from my childhood. They are both "things" that mean nothing in and of themselves.
Oh, and I don't sing our national anthem either. But then I don't believe in religion or the monarchy so singing "God Save the Queen" is an utter nonsense to me. Notwithstanding the fact that of everyone in the country, she (and her witless family) are the ones that need the least help - jobs for life, personal security, everything handed to them on a plate.
To feel proud of my country I need a lot more than a piece of cloth and a dirge of a song. I am more moved by aspects like universal health care, social justice (when it can be found), the things that we actually DO as a people.
I don't think that I have ever actually owned any sort of version of our flag - not even the plastic sort on a stick that was sold widely for the Golden Jubilee. Neither would I be disturbed at images of someone burning the flag - mainly because the intent of that act is to elicit outrage and if you don't show or feel outrage then it just becomes a hollow and pointless act.
Personally I avoid attributing any kind of emotional resonance to material objects. I would no more react to my flag than I would to being shown a teddy bear from my childhood. They are both "things" that mean nothing in and of themselves.
Oh, and I don't sing our national anthem either. But then I don't believe in religion or the monarchy so singing "God Save the Queen" is an utter nonsense to me. Notwithstanding the fact that of everyone in the country, she (and her witless family) are the ones that need the least help - jobs for life, personal security, everything handed to them on a plate.
To feel proud of my country I need a lot more than a piece of cloth and a dirge of a song. I am more moved by aspects like universal health care, social justice (when it can be found), the things that we actually DO as a people.
No, i'm from Britain, we don't really care about those sorts of things, unless you're in the Navy...
Haha - no, i could care less.
And by extention, i would never die for my "country" or something equally as stupid unless i was forced into it, and if i was conscripted i would probably desert.
Really, i dont get the idea of respecting a country, flag, etc. All in all, we are a bunch of humans living togethor, no need to turn it into a gigantic multi-million/billion person mini-cult that passes itself off as a country.
I cant think of a reason why i wouldnt rather be somewhere else, except maybe the beaches and all, but that has little to do with the people/government, and just happens to be a coincidence of the land.
Internet censorship, no R18 ratings, third world internet speeds, ridiculous pricing for everything to do with technology, the list goes on.
And by extention, i would never die for my "country" or something equally as stupid unless i was forced into it, and if i was conscripted i would probably desert.
Really, i dont get the idea of respecting a country, flag, etc. All in all, we are a bunch of humans living togethor, no need to turn it into a gigantic multi-million/billion person mini-cult that passes itself off as a country.
This, at this point australia has got to be the most reject developed nation in the world.ethaninja said:
I cant think of a reason why i wouldnt rather be somewhere else, except maybe the beaches and all, but that has little to do with the people/government, and just happens to be a coincidence of the land.
Internet censorship, no R18 ratings, third world internet speeds, ridiculous pricing for everything to do with technology, the list goes on.
Well, hello thar, Bhutan. You are now awesome in my book of "Countries With Awesome Flags What Have Dragons On Them".thecaptainof said:Bhutan would like to say hello.King of the Sandbox said:
And even if there's only two, at least one can has eastern dragons, and the other, western. ^_^
Ahem. As a Dane I will apologize for that. We didn't mean for stupid idiots who can't read to burn your guys flag. But if it's any comfort they thought we were ruled by a queen and demanded an apology for her. Goes to show how much they know. (In fact we have a queen, but she has nothing to do with the press). It seems like people like that understands nothing but authoritarian regimes. *sigh*iLikeHippos said:
As for flags... well, a few Danish flags were burned as well (as well as a Swizz one. Again sorry.) but I don't really mind. It's just a piece of cloth and anyone should be allowed to piss on it if they want. I sure want the right to do whatever I want to the Danish flag (though I'd never piss on a foreign flag).
The Danish flag does not really mean anything to me. It's just the flag of the country that I happen to be born in. I can't understand people that are proud of their country or its history. It's not like it's their personal achievement. It's a silly thing and it leads only to bad places. As far as I see nationalism and undue reverence for flags breed all kinds of crap. Instead of revering past deeds and dead flags why not go out and do something good for the world? If I had my way the time on nation states would pass. It's counterproductive to cooperation and peace.
That said, I do get a tingle down the spine every year on May 1st when I see this:
in general I find america to be completely obsessed with flags... when I went to new york there were flags absolutly everywhere