Pants

and so am I about to...was wondering how little bubs is doing? any more piccies for us to coo over HP??

I hope you are happy and enjoying being a "mum", it goes very fast.!!! now how many times have you heard that so far!!!

well hope your not in a rush to head off anywhere else yet...are you happy at staying put ??

Big hugs to little HP....

Cheers

Pants

HUP

Dosn't hurt anyone and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs but their beliefs hold no credibility as they have nothing to compare it too.

estarriol

It's a bit of a pain in the arse to have to listen to it all the time though, especially when it becomes an excuse to slag off how cold/miserable/dark/rainy England is, or just generally slag off other countries. It's just a bit antisocial, and sounds weak from someone who has never left Australasia.

MeganEkno

You know they're lacking credibility (in your opinion) so be content in that knowledge.

If they slag off the UK then that is a different matter. If you disagree with what they are saying stand up for yourself. That is exactly what I would do if someone said something I believed to be untrue about Australia or England for that matter.

bondipom

The brain washed rarely to realise it.

There is an element here, including the media and politicians, that make outlandish comments about Australia and Australians and being un-Australian. Daily you here comments about "this great nation" with "great people" and the criminality is often declared as "un-australian" as though Australians are morally superior.

Sure there are plenty who are content but there are many who simply say such things to justify their battler poverty and place in Australia. A bit like the British classes supposedly knowing their place.

The British are just as patriotic but are far more reserved in expressing their nationhood. There is no England day, VE and VJ days are not public holidays and thankfully no Queens birthday public holiday.

There are exceptions to the rule and the Sun is what springs to mind. Then again channels 7,9 and 10's current affairs and news is at a level marginally above the Sun.

I personally find patriotism a little distasteful and too often racist organisations such as the BNP and One Nation bend it to being nationalistic.

MeganEkno

If we were all patriotic but reserved and didn't celebrate our National Day, Queen's Birthday etc., we would be English. We aren't so we do celebrate these things. If you would rather be surrounded by people who act like the British (which seems to be the only way you believe people should act, then live in the UK. Simple as that. You cannot change 200+ years of an extremely proud Nation.

bondipom

You presume lots yet know little from that ourburst. I like be surrounded by confident people secure in themselves without the need of something their nation has done to make them feel good. I've met those types across the world and there are plenty of them here but there is a highly vocal type that has an inferiority complex. All part of being a small young nation finding its role in the world.

I find a lot of the pride is leaching off others achievements. Personally I take pride in what I do and achieve and learn off others.

MeganEkno

#

It's not an outburst. I never presume to know anything about anyone on these forums.

I can understand why people don't like people being overally patrioctic but I don't think the answer is to say that is not how the British act. It seems to me that a lot of people who hate Australians simply hate them because they do not act in a "British" way. I like the British with their quirks and l like the Aussies for theirs.

bondipom

Thankfully not all Australians are overly patriotic but far too many are and they can be way too in the face. Yes it is a good country with good weather and australia like so many other nations has done great things but most other nations peoples don't have to tell me it all the time. There are positive signs the media is growing up but there is a long way to go.

You presumed that I think people should only be reserved in their patriotism and for that I should go back to the UK. If people want to sheepishly flag wave they should do it away from me. I do not seek it or put myself in situations where it happens. Personally I prefer the self exminers who prefer self improvement. Not sure how stating how great ones nation is does that.

Patriotism is also used by politicians to ease the pain of policies. The classic case being Hitler. At the time of the build up to the Iraq invasion patriotism was used to try and limit questioning of policy. In hindsight that questioning could and should have prevented the war. When misused patrotism can cause death and destruction on a huge scale. The patriots are just pawns.

Keelie

British Isles, Canada. Oz.NZ....your subject reminded me of that old Walter Scott poem...

Breathes there a man, with soul so dead
Who never to himself has said
This is my home, my native land!
Who's heart has ne'er within him burned
As home his footsteps he has turned,
From wandering on a foreign strand
If such there breathe, go mark him well,
For him no minstel raptures swell.
High though his titles, proud his name
Boundless his wealth as wish can claim
Despite these titles, power and pelf,
The wretch, concentred all in self
Living shall forfeit fair renown
And, doubly dying shall go down
To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonoured and unsung.

Sounds like Sir Walter would understand the discussion in this thread!

dugongs

I certainly feel more comfortable with Walter Scotts inner love for his country than the patriot taking a large step and telling us we should be mindlessly waving our national flag just like the average aussie and usa citizen does.

Maybe a quick lesson in the rise of socialism in the uk post first world war and a read of george orwell's 1984 may shed some light.