Patriotism

[Exiled In Surrey]

A flag should be about pride. About unity. About celebrating who we are.That’s not what’s happening right now. These England flags going up everywhere?That’s not patriotism. That’s marking territory. That’s sending a message.And the message is ugly: “This is ours. You don’t belong here.”That isn’t pride. That’s fear. That’s exclusion. That’s racism dressed up as tradition.Real patriotism doesn’t slam the door in someone’s face. Real patriotism says: we are strong enough, proud enough, confident enough to welcome others in. To share our values — values of fairness, decency, tolerance — the values that have always made Britain worth being proud of.When you turn the flag into a weapon, you betray it. You betray our history. You betray the very idea of Britain.Because the truth is this: our flag should say we belong together. Not you stay out.

[Nutsin]

[only1billybonds]

There's a reason why certain country's in the middle east wont allow certain people in despite their cultures being very similar. So why the fuck should they and their fucked up beliefs be tolerated here? 
If people are not willing to assimilate to a 1000 plus years of our culture they should find somewhere that welcomes theirs!

[wils]

A flag should be about pride. About unity. About celebrating who we are.That’s not what’s happening right now. These England flags going up everywhere?That’s not patriotism. That’s marking territory.
 

When someone says to ethnic minorities that they aren't English, the reply from people who talk like you is, "they are as English as you and me". So now the country is putting up English flags and people who talk like you are saying it's marking territory and sending a message that "you don't belong here". But if immigrants and ethnic minorities are as English I am, then surely that territory being marked is just as much theirs as it is mine. If they are English as everyone else then they must love their flag the same as I do. It seems it's you that is doing the othering here. 

Real patriotism says: we are strong enough, proud enough, confident enough to welcome others in. To share our values — values of fairness, decency, tolerance — the values that have always made Britain worth being proud of.When you turn the flag into a weapon, you betray it. You betray our history. You betray the very idea of Britain.Because the truth is this: our flag should say we belong together. Not you stay out.

Sigh! If all the world is my brother, then I have no brother.

But you do hit on a truth here. A confident nation is able to welcome others. People who don't feel threatened are in the position to hold out their hand and welcome people. But large parts of the country are threatened and are actively being culturally dispossessed. Look at the report yesterday arguing that the countryside is racist and there should be more black people, halal foods and pubs should be more welcoming to muslims. That's taking people's culture away from them, that's why the flags are out. I mean look at West Ham and what happened to the East end. White working class area with years of history and people assimilating from different cultures, Jews and Huguenots, Scots and Italians all making it their home. But it had a culture to assimilate into. That has now been wiped away and utterly replaced with something that's unrecognisable to all of us. 

Of all people to lecture about being open minded to immigration and patriotism you chose the cockneys. Of all the people! You great big fucking idiot.

[Massive Attack]

Nah, not distracted at all. Fully focused on what's been going on and the direction of travel the Country is and has been heading in for a long time now. 

So when you taxes go up and your cost of living goes up, how are you going to protest? and who will you be protesting about?

Protest against the Government and continue to vote against them. 

[goose]

Nah, not distracted at all. Fully focused on what's been going on and the direction of travel the Country is and has been heading in for a long time now. 

So when you taxes go up and your cost of living goes up, how are you going to protest? and who will you be protesting about?

Haven’t taxes and cost of living already gone up?

Taxes no. NI contribution went up for employers so you could claim that but it’s not a direct tax on working people.
Cost of living - yes but depends on the time frame. Council tax has gone up, mortgage rates are high, rent continues to rise, food has gone up as retailers pass through the NI increase.

[only1billybonds]

It seems that flags and decorated zebra crossings are totally acceptable. As long as they represent anything other than England or Great Britain. Fly as many pride/Palestine flags as ya like, you'll be left alone. Fly a union jack or red cross and you are seen to be slightly to the right of Hitler. I really do think that the authorities/government are trying to wind the public up to the point where the slightest provocation will end up in severe unrest and trouble at this big March in London next week. And as we all know,there will be plenty of provocation from the rent a riot crowd.

[Nutsin]

Nah, not distracted at all. Fully focused on what's been going on and the direction of travel the Country is and has been heading in for a long time now. 

So when you taxes go up and your cost of living goes up, how are you going to protest? and who will you be protesting about?

Haven’t taxes and cost of living already gone up?

[goose]

Nah, not distracted at all. Fully focused on what's been going on and the direction of travel the Country is and has been heading in for a long time now. 

So when you taxes go up and your cost of living goes up, how are you going to protest? and who will you be protesting about?

[Massive Attack]

Nah, not distracted at all. Fully focused on what's been going on and the direction of travel the Country is and has been heading in for a long time now. 

[violator]

I thought exactly the same for years, and then someone on the radio said that in the majority of cases, it’s because English is their second language. I don’t know how true that is, but to fair it does make sense. 


 

Yeah until they end up in court and need an interpreter 

[goose]

This is a sideshow that the super rich individuals & institutions are happy for you to focus on. 
Meanwhile they become richer & you become poorer.

Before anyone shits their pants, I’m not saying it’s not an issue but it’s an issue they are happy to distract you with.

[Barty888]

yeah you are all welcome!

[Massive Attack]

A not particularly bright bloke i know has one large flag adorning the front of his house and one flying from the car 

He remarked how reasonably priced they were 

He hasn't sussed yet they are Faroe island flags 

Was it Keir Starmer pretending to be patriotic again whilst really supporting other territories?

[Massive Attack]

Nah, it's definitely Patriotism and I fucking love it.



 

[only1billybonds]

I actually agree with Swiss on this point. The politicians are more to blame than those seeking free stuff and an easy ride. If the government (and those before it) made it less appealing to be here then less of them would come.

[Swiss.]

Btw I have no issue with flying our flag in our country as I would if a loads of Belgians fly there here in Brussels. Immigration is an issue but I'm not sure flying flags is going to get this government to change it's policies. 

The other is to remember that a lot of these "refugees" are a result of Western policy on overthrowing non friendly regimes. Maybe don't put it on them but again the politicians and establishment that put them in this position. 

[Nutsin]

If you think flag waiving is bad wait til you see what comes next.

The good people of Britain are not gonna tolerate this Gov’ts Oppression not in any form.



 

[goose]

they are passing that up for the offer of loads of free shit.
they come to the place that offers the most and has the best chance of granting asylum.

[Eerie Decent]

After travelling through Italy and Spain 

Yeah those places like Venice, Florence and Rome with all their renaissance 14th and 15th century art is rubbish as are those horrible Alps and beaches. Don't get me started on that shit music by Puccini and Vivaldi or the crap food. They have nothing to compare with us. 

And also of course those slim but voluptuous raven haired olive skinned woman. Give me a pasty fat ginger English bird any day. 

Why are they passing all that up?

[Gary Strodders shank]

A not particularly bright bloke i know has one large flag adorning the front of his house and one flying from the car 

He remarked how reasonably priced they were 

He hasn't sussed yet they are Faroe island flags 

[easthammer]

I think in the case of all these Flags suddenly appearing up and down my High Street, assuming Carnival Week hasn't arrived early. Samuel Johnson's quote on patriotism is a highly appropriate way to describe events.

That's not to say there aren't issues related to immigration that need to be addressed. 

[Swiss.]

Thousands cross in small boats from France to England. Perhaps ask them, why they think England is better than France?

After travelling through Italy and Spain 

Yeah those places like Venice, Florence and Rome with all their renaissance 14th and 15th century art is rubbish as are those horrible Alps and beaches. Don't get me started on that shit music by Puccini and Vivaldi or the crap food. They have nothing to compare with us. 

And also of course those slim but voluptuous raven haired olive skinned woman. Give me a pasty fat ginger English bird any day. 

[Swiss.]

Is England better than France, Italy or Spain for example? If so on what  basis? 
 

Thousands cross in small boats from France to England. Perhaps ask them, why they think England is better than France?

After travelling through Italy and Spain 

Yeah those places like Venice, Florence and Rome with all their renaissance 14th and 15th century art is rubbish as are those horrible Alps and beaches. Don't get me started on that shit music by Puccini and Vivaldi or the crap food. They have nothing to compare with us. 

[Swiss.]

There are many things I'm proud of for being English and many I'm ashamed of. I could never understand why someone thinks their country is better. Is England better than France, Italy or Spain for example? If so on what  basis? 

I think it's a big stupid and ignorant and arguably patriotism breeds hatred. 


 

Nothing wrong with patriotism, it's nationalism you were referring to and it's not that.

I don't see how you you can be a patriot and not a nationalist.

[WHU(Exeter)]

Exiled, you don’t know what reasons individuals have for displaying the flag, it’s presumptuous to say it’s for this and that, it could be for any number of reasons.

Some might have put them up recently in a celebration of their concerns over the last 30 years FINALLY being taken as a serious consideration, by our ruling classes, instead of being subject to being called racist, generalised about, patronised and smeared with pathetic and lazy stereotypes.

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