Has any one else noticed that thers about 30 photos of the American flag in the wind challenge? People sure must love there country loads!
Dont knock it, there is nothing wrong with a bit of patriotism. Over here in the UK you are branded a racist, fascist or football hooligan if you fly the Union Flag or St. Georges Cross (english flag), or asked to take it down in case you offend one of the ethinic `minorities`. I am not blaming those people mind, its the left-wing liberals in government who say it offends these people and are too scared to take a stance about it.
Actually, I wont tar Scotland with the same brush as England, I was up there a few weeks back and the Scottish flag is flown everywhere, no sense of shame in their own national identity up there.
The only time we can seem to `get away` with flying our own flag is during the World Cup (football, umm, soccer) tournament and the European Cup tournament. At those times loads of people hang the St Georges Cross on their cars, off their houses and it looks blimmin' fantastic..
Right, put that tin opener back in the drawer since this can'o'worms is well and truely opened now...
overwhelming patriotism has never lead to good things.
Although there is nothing wrong with being proud of your country, background or heritage. Its just in this country you are frowned upon if you have a sense of national pride.
Dont knock it, there is nothing wrong with a bit of patriotism. Over here in the UK you are branded a racist, fascist or football hooligan if you fly the Union Flag or St. Georges Cross (english flag), or asked to take it down in case you offend one of the ethinic `minorities`. I am not blaming those people mind, its the left-wing liberals in government who say it offends these people and are too scared to take a stance about it.
I think somewhere in the middle is about right. I totally agree that here in the England patriotism is almost frowned upon which is far from a good thing but I also have to say after a recent trip to the states I found that there is a good dash of patriotism there (certainly more than I have seen in other countries) that starts to wander into jingoism.
Jingoism isn’t good, patriotism isn’t bad…
As I said somewhere in the middle is just fine.
Dont knock it, there is nothing wrong with a bit of patriotism. Over here in the UK you are branded a racist, fascist or football hooligan if you fly the Union Flag or St. Georges Cross (english flag), or asked to take it down in case you offend one of the ethinic `minorities`. I am not blaming those people mind, its the left-wing liberals in government who say it offends these people and are too scared to take a stance about it.
I think somewhere in the middle is about right. I totally agree that here in the England patriotism is almost frowned upon which is far from a good thing but I also have to say after a recent trip to the states I found that there is a good dash of patriotism there (certainly more than I have seen in other countries) that starts to wander into jingoism.
Jingoism isn’t good, patriotism isn’t bad…
As I said somewhere in the middle is just fine.
IanA, you hit the nail on the head mate.. I think the Scots have got it pretty much nailed, its there, you can see it,they are proud of it, but its not rammed down your throat. (and it doesnt cross into the realms of tacky)...
Has any one else noticed that thers about 30 photos of the American flag in the wind challenge? People sure must love there country loads!
Actually, I wont tar Scotland with the same brush as England, I was up there a few weeks back and the Scottish flag is flown everywhere, no sense of shame in their own national identity up there.
Some of us proud Scottish-Irish "rednecked" Americans fly the Stars & Stripes every day, and would fight anyone who challenges it. Like the book "Born Fighting", we would fight for that right. So, I was glad to see so many flags flying in the wind. Van
I don't think it's necessarily a huge patriotism thing for the American photogs. It's just that flags here are easy to come by. Every business, government building, fire station, police station, restaurant, college campus, high school, grade school, etc. etc. etc. has one flying out front. So what do you do when you're not looking very far from home for a Wind entry? The flags are just there.
Also keep in mind that many people fly the flag as a way to support the troops more than they fly it to express their overwhelming rah-rah-USA patriotic personalities.
Exactly. Some are reading way too much into this.
And I don't get that flag display equals jingoism. It is a sad state of affairs when one feels embarrassed to display his/her own national flag.
Originally posted by karmabreeze:
I don't think it's necessarily a huge patriotism thing for the American photogs. It's just that flags here are easy to come by. Every business, government building, fire station, police station, restaurant, college campus, high school, grade school, etc. etc. etc. has one flying out front. So what do you do when you're not looking very far from home for a Wind entry? The flags are just there.
Also keep in mind that many people fly the flag as a way to support the troops more than they fly it to express their overwhelming rah-rah-USA patriotic personalities.
Exactly. Some are reading way too much into this.
And I don't get that flag display equals jingoism. It is a sad state of affairs when one feels embarrassed to display his/her own national flag.
Originally posted by karmabreeze:
I don't think it's necessarily a huge patriotism thing for the American photogs. It's just that flags here are easy to come by. Every business, government building, fire station, police station, restaurant, college campus, high school, grade school, etc. etc. etc. has one flying out front. So what do you do when you're not looking very far from home for a Wind entry? The flags are just there.
Also keep in mind that many people fly the flag as a way to support the troops more than they fly it to express their overwhelming rah-rah-USA patriotic personalities.
Patriotism is a good thing (I am a proud Welshman and out flag if flown around the country too) but I think when you stop being able to accept or acknowledge your countries problems then patriotism could be a negative emotion.
You just need to look at this discussion, and the odd person who are taking this discussion out of context and been offended by it, as if its a personal attack on their country.
The big problem with Wales is that since devolution (Wales was given its own parlaiment, that is still answerable to the house of commons) there has been a section of the Welsh community who are insisting we do everything possible to hold onto out heritage.
While I agree with this to an extent, we are now in a situation where our kids are being forced to learn the Welsh language instead of a useful 2nd language like Spanish, German or French. All our roadsigns are now dual language. Every piece of mail and every automated phone line are in dual language. Now, while this sounds like a good thing, only a tiny percentage of Wales speak Welsh, whether we like it or not, it is a dying language, and it is costing us many many millions in taxes that could go to better causes (education or health) to pay for this dual language.
I dont know a single Welshman who doesn't love his country, and the fact that he is a Welshman and not English, but none of them want their taxes going to learning Welsh.
Incidently, check out the Welsh Flag, without a doubt the most beautiful flag on the entire planet, stripes and crosses are so common compared to a fighting dragon, donch think!
Well, here in the US, the neocons (Bush, Rove et. al.) have tried, and to some extent succeeded, in redefining patriotism as agreeing with their policies.
It's as if you don't support the Bush administration's every move, you must be a card carrying member of Al Quaeda.
I love my country, but I'm embarassed by its leaders.
FWIW, I counted thirteen American flags flying along the three mile drive to work this morning, and I probably missed a few since I was trying to count and keep my eyes on the road. So yeah, American attitudes toward the flag are mixed and quite different from those in other countries, and the flags also quite ubiquitous and therefore easy to come by for a Wind challenge ;-)
