Escape from Oz
Dec 18th 2009 | 10:30 pm
#106
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,249
From: Alloha snack bar
Dec 19th 2009 | 10:49 am
#107
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 247
Re: Escape from Oz
What an absolute load of nonsense.
Why are the Italians not constantly chastised for their Roman invasions? Or the Nordic countries for their Viking invasions? Or the countless other countries that have at one point or another in the past invaded other countries including France, The Netherlands, Spain etc. I mean for gods sake, the Germans don't even get it in the neck like the English do and they started two World Wars.
As others have said, get rid of the ridiculous chip on your shoulder.
Why are the Italians not constantly chastised for their Roman invasions? Or the Nordic countries for their Viking invasions? Or the countless other countries that have at one point or another in the past invaded other countries including France, The Netherlands, Spain etc. I mean for gods sake, the Germans don't even get it in the neck like the English do and they started two World Wars.
As others have said, get rid of the ridiculous chip on your shoulder.
Maybe in another 200 years the Aussies will grow up ..!!
Dec 19th 2009 | 11:02 am
#108
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24,249
From: Alloha snack bar
Re: Escape from Oz
UK dead: approx. 21000
ANZAC dead: approx. 11000
French dead: approx. 10000
Many Aussies will have you believe that British generals sent Australian troops to their death while UK troops stayed on their ships. Reality is quite different.
Slagging UK for colonising Australia is just plain stupid. They might be speaking French or Dutch instead of English but colonisation was inevitable and essential.
Dec 19th 2009 | 11:19 am
#109
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Posts: 1,855
Re: Escape from Oz
Dec 19th 2009 | 12:05 pm
#111
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Escape from Oz
Not sure I agree. We had the 'I'm Backing Britain' campaign in the 70s and people were proud to show their feelings towards the country and it's people. That peetered out and suddenly it became very fashionable to negate everything Britain does well, schools stopped teaching how the empire came about and what good was done by Brits abroad and other brilliant historical aspects of British life.
I honestly think the slide started when we joined the EU, suddenly we were part of a bigger picture and we were almost brainwashed into thinking that Britain was a piddly little bit of Europe and nothing to shout about. France had better food apparently, Italy had better men (sounds daft but that's what we were led to believe), etc etc. All Britain had was a few historical buildings and some pretty countryside. Successive governments have pushed this belief further and further and as a result I think these daft programmes found a niche and they have simply reinforced the previous belief.
I honestly think the slide started when we joined the EU, suddenly we were part of a bigger picture and we were almost brainwashed into thinking that Britain was a piddly little bit of Europe and nothing to shout about. France had better food apparently, Italy had better men (sounds daft but that's what we were led to believe), etc etc. All Britain had was a few historical buildings and some pretty countryside. Successive governments have pushed this belief further and further and as a result I think these daft programmes found a niche and they have simply reinforced the previous belief.
Britain was perhaps a nation seeking a role and reinvente itself after the loss of empire during the preceeding couple of decades,a costly war only twenty years previously and yes finding a place in Europe.
The CommonWealth of Nations was becoming far less important to Britains economic vibility and a new world order was steadily encroaching on peoples perceptions of Britishness,which in turn were forged over considerable time.
Dec 19th 2009 | 12:31 pm
#112
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Escape from Oz
The other side of the coin(and the pond!) There always is one. For me, I wish the Brits were more proud of their country and shouted it from the rooftops. It may not be the power it once was but it was instrumental in shaping the world we live in today and has brought countless benefits to the world through it's perseverance and ingenuity.
I will never knock the yanks or the Aussies for patriotism, it's to be lauded.
Bush was a tosser though.
I will never knock the yanks or the Aussies for patriotism, it's to be lauded.
Bush was a tosser though.
True patriotism is in my mind being critical,showing dissent against government when required as well as having an understanding of historical aspects and cultural pursuits of the nation.
Find a lot of folk from New World nations do not have a lot of depth to their knowledge of national identity,which in turn,in the case of Australia is surely far more than wrapping oneself in the Southern Cross on Australia Day and in some cases, over taxing the few functioning brain cells with rather appalling behaviour.
Dec 19th 2009 | 1:05 pm
#113
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Escape from Oz
The former also leads to depression and anxiety, and in extreme cases, suicide. By the British track record, when things start to go south in your country, what is the British thing to do? It's either sit at home on election time sipping and munching away at the tea and crumpets daydreaming about sunny skies or packing up your bags and going on invading Australia and the U.S. (specifically Florida, Texas, California, and Arizona) instead of staying at home and getting the politicians to listen to you. But then again that's what happens when it becomes the norm for society to start making patriotism like it's an extreme form of denial. In our daily life when we are depressed do we engage in some activity to relieve our depression? Some of us do, but clinical studies show most depressed people lose interest in life. See my point?
Like my quote above, lack of patriotism in your country only leads your politicians from stepping all over you like doormats. And I'm tired of being told I'm ignorant, stupid, and uneducated because I have pride in my country. Nobody's perfect, but why not celebrate what's GOOD? What's wrong in seeing that each country does have some good? Us Americans and Australians can see the good in our countries, but as usual, the defeatist British are always trying to shove down our throats with a huge magnifying glass that we have to hate ourselves because they mistreat aboriginals or we discriminated against blacks. Can you see why I'm PO'd? Because I can sure see why Australians are when you bash their country, on purpose.
Like my quote above, lack of patriotism in your country only leads your politicians from stepping all over you like doormats. And I'm tired of being told I'm ignorant, stupid, and uneducated because I have pride in my country. Nobody's perfect, but why not celebrate what's GOOD? What's wrong in seeing that each country does have some good? Us Americans and Australians can see the good in our countries, but as usual, the defeatist British are always trying to shove down our throats with a huge magnifying glass that we have to hate ourselves because they mistreat aboriginals or we discriminated against blacks. Can you see why I'm PO'd? Because I can sure see why Australians are when you bash their country, on purpose.
No politicians treat folk like doormats as you refer more than likely as a result of patriotism and not lack of it in my view.
Politicians act when their jobs are on the line and instead of taking refuge behind flag and kin, the population actually demands that they do something.
Being from USA,the Vietnam War would be an anolgy to underline people power in obtaining outcomes favourable to the people.
Very similar movements in other countries have achieved similar positive outcomes,from Philippines to Romanis and countless others.
Patriotism on both sides saw Britain go to war with Argentina,Nazi Germany start WW2,The recent Yugoslav conflict and numerous other events.
Mental Health issues are a ever growing concern here in Australia,with depression being a big factor.
Actually believe when folk cannot express the negatives in life contributes to unwellness. A culture that allows and teaches it's citizens to critique is far healther than glossing over what is wrong and only focus on positives which in fact is a subtle form of control over society.
Dec 19th 2009 | 1:10 pm
#114
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Escape from Oz
I have noticed this to, often I feel like a second class citizen. Some of them look down on english people and if you ever dare to question anything australian you get the kneejerk reaction 'why dont you piss of back to england then'
They seem to live in their own little bubble, thinking they live in the best country in the world, which if you question them by pointing out how crap something is or a better way something could be done they cannot handle it. They act like a child whos toys have been stolen.
I am sure you will get some reactions like that from aussies on this topic in this forum, they seem to like to troll here and ignore the whole british expats banner at the top.
They seem to live in their own little bubble, thinking they live in the best country in the world, which if you question them by pointing out how crap something is or a better way something could be done they cannot handle it. They act like a child whos toys have been stolen.
I am sure you will get some reactions like that from aussies on this topic in this forum, they seem to like to troll here and ignore the whole british expats banner at the top.
Dec 19th 2009 | 1:30 pm
#115
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Escape from Oz
A lot of Ozzies are plain old racist. My wife is Peruvian and last Peruvian independance day we got together in a park for a bbq. We decorated the area with a combination of Peruvian flags and Australian flags, but we had people walking past saying some pretty derogatory remarks.
I have a few flags myself which i put up on certain days, for example,English on St Georges Day,French on Bastille Day, Irish on St Patricks Day,plus a few others all countries that have had a connection with and heard a few comments from folk around here also. Didn't bother me in the least, and i hope you feel able to continue your celebrations next .
Dec 19th 2009 | 1:36 pm
#116
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,830
From: Perth
Re: Escape from Oz
Folks Aussies have their faults but do not believe in all seriousness hating Poms is very high on the agenda.
Dec 19th 2009 | 2:55 pm
#117
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,054
Re: Escape from Oz
What a lot of ethno-centric billious making bilge in this thread. "The best possible world is a British one." As is self evident to any non-traitorous Australian, the best possible world is, without question, an Australian world, all other worlds are cheap fakes and poor imitations.
Dec 19th 2009 | 5:04 pm
#118
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Escape from Oz
What a lot of ethno-centric billious making bilge in this thread. "The best possible world is a British one." As is self evident to any non-traitorous Australian, the best possible world is, without question, an Australian world, all other worlds are cheap fakes and poor imitations.
Let me know when it comes up with something that isn't a cheap fake.
Oh... and if you will insist on using your new catch phrase of "ethno-centric" you might want to learn to spell it correctly. It's not hyphenated.
Dec 19th 2009 | 5:18 pm
#119
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,054
Re: Escape from Oz
That's a lot of hyper-ventilating about a hy-phen. Still, I understand, dictionaries must be hard work for you - so, thought-fully I thought, I broke it into more readily recognizable bits for youse-all. Can't stress enough the value of getting a good edjumication.
Dec 19th 2009 | 5:28 pm
#120
Account Closed
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Escape from Oz
Pi$$ off back to your little hole in the ground and don't come back until you have something worthwhile to say. What a w@nker.
