Needs moar frangipani . . .

peterh said :

Nambucco Deliria said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

A mate of mine went over to Northern Ireland and his first stop was a pub to catch up with his brother. He opened his backpack to get out a gift he had brought. Being something of a patriot he had also brought an Australian flag, which was on top, folded in quarters, Union Jack side up.

They left, very quickly.

Surely the Provos would’ve welcomed an Aussie in their midst? After all you’re both suffering under the yolk of colonialist oppression.

sounds like they had “egg” on their faces…

sorry. The yoke is obviously what I meant.

The US 1st Marine Division has the Southern Cross in there patch. Learn something new everyday, don’t I.

When the Australian flag is in quarters, Union Jack side up, it is just the union jack the anyone can see

I was taught to fold the flag with the union jack to the centre, so that no red was showing. Perhaps this is why?

Nambucco Deliria said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

A mate of mine went over to Northern Ireland and his first stop was a pub to catch up with his brother. He opened his backpack to get out a gift he had brought. Being something of a patriot he had also brought an Australian flag, which was on top, folded in quarters, Union Jack side up.

They left, very quickly.

Surely the Provos would’ve welcomed an Aussie in their midst? After all you’re both suffering under the yolk of colonialist oppression.

When the Australian flag is in quarters, Union Jack side up, it is just the union jack the anyone can see…

Nambucco Deliria said :

colourful sydney racing identity said :

A mate of mine went over to Northern Ireland and his first stop was a pub to catch up with his brother. He opened his backpack to get out a gift he had brought. Being something of a patriot he had also brought an Australian flag, which was on top, folded in quarters, Union Jack side up.

They left, very quickly.

Surely the Provos would’ve welcomed an Aussie in their midst? After all you’re both suffering under the yolk of colonialist oppression.

sounds like they had “egg” on their faces…

The owner of that car could be a native of Tokelau, Brazil, UnZud, PNG… or perhaps a member of the US 1st Marine Division.

Wow what a whole lot of carry on over nothing! The owner of this car resides in my street and is no way a ‘redneck’, just a normal everyday proud aussie.
They keep to themselves and dont cause trouble, a great neighbour.

colourful sydney racing identity said :

A mate of mine went over to Northern Ireland and his first stop was a pub to catch up with his brother. He opened his backpack to get out a gift he had brought. Being something of a patriot he had also brought an Australian flag, which was on top, folded in quarters, Union Jack side up.

They left, very quickly.

Surely the Provos would’ve welcomed an Aussie in their midst? After all you’re both suffering under the yolk of colonialist oppression.

A mate of mine went over to Northern Ireland and his first stop was a pub to catch up with his brother. He opened his backpack to get out a gift he had brought. Being something of a patriot he had also brought an Australian flag, which was on top, folded in quarters, Union Jack side up.

They left, very quickly.

“It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather
for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country and mankind its
citizens.” Abdu’l-Bahá

I’m all for people being proud of their country and feeling lucky to be in such a great place.
I am sick and tired of people using ‘pride in their country’ to exclude, put-down other countries and their citizen’s.

Oops time flies it was Aust day 2008 not 2007.

A different flag would be good. It certainly wouldn’t change my view of it but I may feel it even closer to home without the Union Jack but something more Australian. I always liked the thought of mixing the Aboriginal flag in the corner with our style flag and Southern Cross or something.

You’re right Monomania. If we want to go and see OUR Queen we have to stand in line with all the other foreigners.

It’s sad but I get the same feeling as Jim Jones. Whenever I see an Aussie flag flying on someones car or back window my initial thought is ‘racist scumbag’. My second thought is that I could be wrong – or hope I’m wrong.

I do get a different feeling from seeing it waved at a sporting event or displayed in an official capacity. It’s just the personal display I get that initial feeling.

I think a green flag with a golden Commonwealth star and southern cross would be a good choice.

Monomania, when you put it that way, it’s an interesting thought. Being a member of the Commonwealth doesn’t seem to actually get us anything beyond a fistful of gold medals every 4 years…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_of_Nations

Would you look at that, the Commonwealth has a flag! Learn something new every day… can I hang that up in my back window?

I’m going to hang a flag from my ute now just to annoy all you snobs who somehow think it’s offensive. haha.

The flag is simply a symbol. Australians are known for their irreverence. But we are supposed to show reverence to a symbol that has a representation of an irrelevant* foreign country. Our problem is that we have been watching too much US television. Now those guys are seriously warped. God and their flag have been used as an excuse for complete contempt of our planet and every other nation.

* At an airport in Great Britain we line up as aliens with passports. We need work permits. Germans and Italians get treated differently because they are in the EC. Two grandfathers, a father and 3 uncles (one killed in action) fought against Germans and Italians in support of GB.

All I want is that the Union Jack is removed from our flag.

neanderthalsis said :

peterh said :

Clown Killer said :

If you can’t point out the Southern Cross in the night sky first time every time then you’ve got no business getting it in ink.

so if i get the eureka flag instead, that’s ok?

You can only get the Eureka Stockade flag tattooed if you know where and when it occurred, have made the pilgrimage at least once and you’re willing to do an archimedes and run naked down the street shouting Eureka!

riight. shame that it was dismantled for wood for mines, and the exact site is not known. but ballarat has a good memorial to the men who died at the stockade, mostly irish, they were… and lalor lost his arm after the stand at eureka. the flag is in the ballarat fine art gallery. oh, and the year was 1854.

If you can’t point out the Southern Cross in the night sky first time every time then you’ve got no business getting it in ink.

i want the pleiades in a tatt across my eyelids…

what this board needs, though, is a riotous course in semiotics.

“Gosh, this is going well.

I thought it was a vaguely amusing snap of a vehicle crying out for frangipani stickers.”

Best laid plans hey poptop?

I am not going to take a side on this other than to say that if you tear down or disrespect an Aussie flag that is being flown by ‘our’ country in any official capacity, well, then you will see patriotism from this little 5th generation duck. A sticker or dodgy piece of Chinese made cloth does nothing for me.

. . . and genuinely support the stuff they were fighting for, like white male suffrage and payment to Members of Parliament.

peterh said :

Clown Killer said :

If you can’t point out the Southern Cross in the night sky first time every time then you’ve got no business getting it in ink.

so if i get the eureka flag instead, that’s ok?

You can only get the Eureka Stockade flag tattooed if you know where and when it occurred, have made the pilgrimage at least once and you’re willing to do an archimedes and run naked down the street shouting Eureka!

Clown Killer said :

Without too much back pedalling – it wasn’t directed at you specifically Jakez, and I wasn’t having a crack at the blind either. It’s more a general observation about the ability of many to pick the constellations that they seek to appropriate in the night sky.

It was a joke CK, enhance your calm.

Without too much back pedalling – it wasn’t directed at you specifically Jakez, and I wasn’t having a crack at the blind either. It’s more a general observation about the ability of many to pick the constellations that they seek to appropriate in the night sky.

Openyourmind2, I believe you’re right on that point. I’m sure that there are a bunch of our southern Pacific neighbours – mostly former colonies in the Empire that also have the Southern Cross on their flag.

I guess that the stylised “Eureka” flag is more Australian.

“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind.”

Albert Einstein

“Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”

Charles de Gaulle

“Patriotism is a lively sense of collective responsibility. Nationalism is a silly cock crowing on its own dunghill and calling for larger spurs and brighter beaks. “

Richard Aldington

OpenYourMind2 said :

I do wonder if some Australians are unaware that the southern cross is not exclusively Australian and plenty of other nations can also see it in the night sky very clearly.

stop pointing out the obvious…

I do wonder if some Australians are unaware that the southern cross is not exclusively Australian and plenty of other nations can also see it in the night sky very clearly.

Maybe everyone with a flag/cape ensemble and southern cross tattoo should be awarded a free trip to Kabul to award their patriotism. Training provoded FREE OF CHARGE on arrival, naturally. I believe there are a lot of un-Australians at large in the area who would welcome some re-education.

Outrageously funny!

It’s okay with me peterh, so long as you understand that it is a symbol of defiance against the burdensome heavy taxation and iron fist of the state.

Clown Killer said :

If you can’t point out the Southern Cross in the night sky first time every time then you’ve got no business getting it in ink.

so if i get the eureka flag instead, that’s ok?

Clown Killer said :

If you can’t point out the Southern Cross in the night sky first time every time then you’ve got no business getting it in ink.

Oh so blind people can’t be patriotic? WELL THAT’S OUTRAGEOUS!

If you can’t point out the Southern Cross in the night sky first time every time then you’ve got no business getting it in ink.

My fiancee was going to get the southern cross tattooed on her wrist. Her parents were born in the Philippines and she is very proud to be Australian and loves this country. We have numerous tattoo ideas each and are planning on getting one/some of them soon. During one of our conversations I asked her if she was going to get her southern cross one. She told me she had gone off the idea because of the way it was being used by morons; Cronulla Riots, racist idiots etc.

I couldn’t disagree with her. I was thinking of getting the same tattoo (yes that’s right, matching tattoos, I am that much of a lame sappy romantic unimaginative arse), but I’ve gone off the idea as well. I think the Eureka Flag wrapped around my wrist is a better design actually. The wrist is a bit of a problem area re employment though.

As for flags, I have hanging in my room:
* the Eureka Flag
* the Boxing Kangaroo
* the Gadsden Flag (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gadsden_flag)
* the rebellious stripes flag (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Liberty)

Half Australian, Half US so I don’t consider myself a complete traitor. The Australian Flag just doesn’t mean as much to me as the above flags do…

I agree with p1. I don’t like the flag as a cape as I think it is disrepectful. I understand the sentiment though.
I think Tatts are fine and the Southern Cross is a good way to show some pride in a more informal manner.
It just occured to me, what is the Kiwi feeling on the Southern Cross? Do they consider it a national symbol as well?

colourful sydney racing identity said :

Ralph said :

Lots of un-Australian, elitist comments being made here. This is not surprising given the general level of snobbery amongst out-of-touch Canberrans.

This person, as we all should be, proud to fly our flag and stand up for our values.

The last time I checked freedom of expression and flying our flag were not crimes.

Yet you have a problem with freedom of expression when people disagree with you? Rather than debate an issue you would rather thump your breast and throw around emotive catchcries like “un-Australian” “elitist” and “snobbery”.

What are these values that you claim I should stand up for? Really, I want to know.

Still waiting Ralph….

Oh, and since I hold Australian Citizenship, anything I do is “Australian” and anything you do that I disagree with is “UN-Australian”.

This system may fall down in the event that two or more Australians exist.

The issue I keep coming back to (after trying had to erase recent negative associations of the flag with Cronulla), is not the design of the flag being used, but a flag itself. I often find flag shirts, boxer shorts, or stubby holders to be kinda tacky, but not offensive, while flags draped over peoples shoulders vex me.

Flags should be treated with respect, flown appropriately, and stored when not being flown. I am also upset when I see a flag that has been on the pole so long that it is faded and frayed.

If you want to wear a symbol of the country, get a t-shirt with the flag on it. If you want to fly the flag, get a staff or a pole.

Hams said :

I don’t know. From some of the opinions here I feel I need a flag to wear as a cape and to go fight random people if they don’t look “Aussie” enough. THat should make some trouble. It would give everyone an excuse to look down on me from their High Horse as well.

Now you’re getting it!!!

Hams said :

I am now a troublemaker. What does that mean?

It means you are being Watched.

I don’t know. From some of the opinions here I feel I need a flag to wear as a cape and to go fight random people if they don’t look “Aussie” enough. THat should make some trouble. It would give everyone an excuse to look down on me from their High Horse as well.

Hams said :

I am now a troublemaker. What does that mean?

unAustralian!

I am now a troublemaker. What does that mean?

Granny said :

Well, we are living under a Southern sky, I suppose …..

One night in Cairns, I was with a group of American tourists who found a total of 5 Southern Crosses in the sky.

Well, we are living under a Southern sky, I suppose …..

I don’t understand all the hate for the flag, or people flying the flag. Their have been people proudly displaying the Aussie flag long before any race riots gave some clowns an oppurtunity to disgrace it with their actions.
Maybe this person is ex-military and the flag holds some special significance for them, mabe the Southern Cross signifies a very special memory or time. I think it is a bit unfair to label them a racist or a mad ultranationalist just from what they have on their car.
Personally I don’t think displayiong the flag like that gives it due respect, but I am not going to judge the cars owner. I will judge them on the personalised plates, I hate personalised plates.

It probably wasn’t even the cars owner driving it.

Clown Killer said :

made in China Australian flag from the $2 Bargain Store does not a patriot make.

Reminds me of Australia day 2007, took the 4 kids and I down to the City on the bus for the day to check out what it had to offer us wanting to celebrate our great country. Won’t get into how the day went, but it was great and Glebe Park/Canberra Centres were the places we were at mostly.

But we did decide to go grab an Australian flag each from a Chinese junk store type place in the centre to wave around and keep in the spirit. Well.. whilst walking around the areas a fair bit (so I could have a beer occasionally, no drinking in Glebe park that day) we were saying Happy Australia day with big smiles and laughter to anyone who would walk past and guess what? I would say 80% of the people getting around our great city that day couldn’t give a rat’s arse, not even for the kiddies who were starting to take it personal when they were getting completely ignored by so many and that bites to happy little outgoing socialites my kids are usually loved for. Same went for me too I guess (although I saw the irony and played on it in my mind, taking note all the same of our absolute snobbery towards the flag). I didn’t let it get to me on the day anyhow, we purged on and kept our spirits high and met some wonderful spirits along the way too.

But I’m with Granny, I was singing that anthem and got joy for years watching the flag go up and down at school and we were just indoctrinated in and felt quite natural doing it, wasn’t something anyone I ever knew bucked against. Why not show some pride if not for remembering those times it bloody well meant something to you. It shows not who you are but who you are proud to be.

BUT.. saying all that, I must admit I’m strangely attracted to those Southern Cross stickers but I freakin’ hate them… Go Figure?

“its only a small amount of idiot bigots carrying on, people were proud to show the flag long before it became popular with the idiots.”

Yeah, agreed. Sadly, the idiot bigots are very very loud and stand out. Hence my first post about some people ruining it for everyone else. That really is the association that many people have.

Peterh, with respect, I still think it’s pretty inappropriate to appropriate the flag. It doesn’t and shouldn’t belong to an individual – it’s not ‘their’ flag, it’s ‘our’ flag. Back in the day, it was deeply deeply disrespectful to use the flag in the way that it’s used now: as a cape, or a bumper sticker or whatever. Letting the flag touch the ground was deeply disrespectful. I find using it jingoistically even more offensive.

All of that said, I’m quite fond of flag burnings.

jim, if the picture was of someone burning a flag, I would be outraged. I would prefer that they were displaying it in their car.

The thing is, it is a symbol of australia. it is recognised by us all in a heartbeat. and for that reason, we take pride in it.

If they believe that it is their flag, and they are proud of it, and some want to wear it in ink as a tribute to it and australia, they should be able to recognise all that the flag stands for. But they don’t. chest beating patriotism should be able to recognise the values of being an australian, and help others learn these values.

without resorting to violence.

Jim Jones said :

Nice post peterh.

Of course, not everyone flying the flag is like this –

Thats all i was trying to get across, thanks for agreeing. infact its the opposite of how you are portraying it, its only a small amount of idiot bigots carrying on, people were proud to show the flag long before it became popular with the idiots.

Infact i grew up in the 80’s and the aussie flag was everywhere then.

Gosh, this is going well.

I thought it was a vaguely amusing snap of a vehicle crying out for frangipani stickers.

Nice post peterh.

The last 4 paras are, particularly moving. But they don’t have anything to do with the flag.

Australia is a great place, and there are heaps of nice people here.

But the people that I have met sporting Southern Cross tattoos have been – without fail – obnoxious loudmouth bigotted bullyboys draping their crude racist nationalism in the folds of the Australian flag. Those who conspicuously shove flags into other peoples faces tend to the same category.

Of course, not everyone flying the flag is like this – but it’s impossible not to be aware of how the flag has become a symbol of the ‘new nationalism’: the sort of ignorant brute chest beating patriotism that delights in calling anyone they disagree with ‘unAustralian’, as if linguistically trying to expel them out of the country for some perceived slight.

There’s a place for the flag – and it is, as you say, when we “observe a minute’s silence as we remember those who died to keep us free, on anzac day or remembrance day”. It’s a flag for overtly public occasions that are supposed to bring us together as a variety of peoples. The flag is meant to be something that belongs to all Australians and brings us together. To treat it as some form of ‘individual expression’ is grossly inappropriate.

peterh said :

At least it isn’t a rebel flag, or an image in poor taste.

Hmm, best you don’t ever see my bedroom. All the flags I have hanging are about rebellion.

…well except the boxing kangaroo one actually. That’s more about how I miss the 80’s. Perhaps I’m rebelling against the 2000’s…

Starscream @ work said :

Granny said :

Exactly granny, excellent point. but be prepared to be accused of a racist moron for your veiws.
I do not understand why some people here think its a good thing to be proud to be a aussie.

because we can. and we stand up with others and salute the flag, or observe a minute’s silence as we remember those who died to keep us free, on anzac day or remembrance day.

The union jack needs to be removed and the flag made to represent us all. I believe that the flag is the symbol of australia.

We aren’t a fledgling country anymore, we are powerful, with divisions, true, but we are, all of us, here due to the sacrifices of many, many people.

The chinese and other asian peoples came here in the gold rush days and helped to shape australia, as did the europeans who died building the snowy hydro system. The people who say we should be white, well, they are a minority.

we are stronger for the input of many different peoples. I am proud to be a part of this country, and i have mates that are the same. they reject the teachings of hatred and violence, from their birth countries, and accept that there is a greater freedom here to be who you want.

and i want to be a provider to my family, a role model for my children, and a contributor to my community.

Granny said :

I grew up in a primary school with a Scottish principal. I don’t know if he had served in one of the World Wars or both, as he was quite grey, almost white, and when you’re a child all grown-ups seem kind of old.

We had our school badge, with the word ‘Integrity’, and our school motto:

I shall pass through this world but once
Any good deed, therefore, that I can do
Or any kindness that I can show
Let me do it now.

Let me not put it off
Nor neglect it
For I shall not pass this way again.

At assembly we would sing the national anthem and salute the flag. Remembrance Day was particulary poignant, and there would be tears in his eyes.

He loved the flag. You could tell. We learned to love it, too. The flag had a special meaning for us all.

People are free to make judgments as to how or when or why I use my flag. I’m not willing to surrender its significance or ownership to anyone – either those who abuse it or those who reject it.

Live and let live. It’s my flag.

Exactly granny, excellent point. but be prepared to be accused of a racist moron for your veiws.
I do not understand why some people here think its a good thing to be proud to be a aussie.

Holden Caulfield said :

Jim Jones said :

How in all hell is it disrespectful to dead diggers? They died for a flag? Really? A piece of material?

What a load of bollocks – they died for any number of reasons, but never once was it a piece of material. The flag is a symbol, don’t mistake it for anything real.

Not to mention for large parts of WWI and WWII Australian soldiers fought under the Brtish flag.

If I wanted, I would have a flag in the back window of my car. you would all know my nationality, and I wouldn’t give a toss what you thought about it being there. if the owner of the car wants a flag in their car, it is their choice. If they want the southern cross, it is their choice. sometimes, I feel as if we are a literary group, analysing to the last degree about anything anyone does. Has anyone asked the owner why they have a flag in their car? No. At least it isn’t a rebel flag, or an image in poor taste.

Ah yes, ‘unAustralian’.

Howard era racist dogwhistle politics pandering to xenophobia, love it.

And ‘elitist’, beating people with the anti-intellectual stick.

Nice to see you’re remaining true to form, Ralph.

Ralph said :

Lots of un-Australian, elitist comments being made here. This is not surprising given the general level of snobbery amongst out-of-touch Canberrans.

This person, as we all should be, proud to fly our flag and stand up for our values.

The last time I checked freedom of expression and flying our flag were not crimes.

Yet you have a problem with freedom of expression when people disagree with you? Rather than debate an issue you would rather thump your breast and throw around emotive catchcries like “un-Australian” “elitist” and “snobbery”.

What are these values that you claim I should stand up for? Really, I want to know.

It’s a simple fact that these people are little more than jingoistic fools. To suggest that they are patriotic is simply crediting them with a level of intellectual sophistication that they will never attain.

A made in China Australian flag from the $2 Bargain Store does not a patriot make.

Best comment here. Dead true.

ant said :

Ralph said :

Lots of un-Australian, elitist comments being made here. This is not surprising given the general level of snobbery amongst out-of-touch Canberrans.

This person, as we all should be, proud to fly our flag and stand up for our values.

The last time I checked freedom of expression and flying our flag were not crimes.

You forgot the punchline?

It all reminds me of a time many years ago when I was at a traffic light behind an old merc, NSW plates, driven by a middle aged gent in a tweed-ish jacket, “squatter” style hat, cushions on the back shelf an a large sticker that read “Lose your guns, Lose your freedom”. It featured a graphic of the Australian flag. Evidently a rural person. I sat there regarding the sticker with disapproval.

The light turned green, but still he sat there. Dreaming of his guns, perhaps.

My window was open, and I stuck my head out and politely barked “Bugger off, you rednecked old turd”. Apparently his window was open too, becuase the merc took off exactly like a scalded cat.

I guess he had not brought his guns, and therefore had no freedom that day. I certainly didn’t think much of his “aussie values”.

…Yeah you really showed that person who was boss.

I grew up in a primary school with a Scottish principal. I don’t know if he had served in one of the World Wars or both, as he was quite grey, almost white, and when you’re a child all grown-ups seem kind of old.

We had our school badge, with the word ‘Integrity’, and our school motto:

I shall pass through this world but once
Any good deed, therefore, that I can do
Or any kindness that I can show
Let me do it now.

Let me not put it off
Nor neglect it
For I shall not pass this way again.

At assembly we would sing the national anthem and salute the flag. Remembrance Day was particulary poignant, and there would be tears in his eyes.

He loved the flag. You could tell. We learned to love it, too. The flag had a special meaning for us all.

People are free to make judgments as to how or when or why I use my flag. I’m not willing to surrender its significance or ownership to anyone – either those who abuse it or those who reject it.

Live and let live. It’s my flag.

Want to fly the flag? Fly it properly, not in the boot of your boganmobile or around your scrawny neck. Have a think about why you’re flying it, too. If it’s to make a statement about you, FAIL.

It’s a simple fact that these people are little more than jingoistic fools. To suggest that they are patriotic is simply crediting them with a level of intellectual sophistication that they will never attain.

A made in China Australian flag from the $2 Bargain Store does not a patriot make.

Ralph said :

Lots of un-Australian, elitist comments being made here. This is not surprising given the general level of snobbery amongst out-of-touch Canberrans.

This person, as we all should be, proud to fly our flag and stand up for our values.

The last time I checked freedom of expression and flying our flag were not crimes.

You forgot the punchline?

It all reminds me of a time many years ago when I was at a traffic light behind an old merc, NSW plates, driven by a middle aged gent in a tweed-ish jacket, “squatter” style hat, cushions on the back shelf an a large sticker that read “Lose your guns, Lose your freedom”. It featured a graphic of the Australian flag. Evidently a rural person. I sat there regarding the sticker with disapproval.

The light turned green, but still he sat there. Dreaming of his guns, perhaps.

My window was open, and I stuck my head out and politely barked “Bugger off, you rednecked old turd”. Apparently his window was open too, becuase the merc took off exactly like a scalded cat.

I guess he had not brought his guns, and therefore had no freedom that day. I certainly didn’t think much of his “aussie values”.

zig said :

Some of the comments in this thread just goes to show how lame and pathetic some people have become.

What’s next? People getting upset about people flying the Aussie flag at the cricket?

Seriously get a grip people. If you can’t fly the Australian flag without self-righteous losers accusing you of being a patriotic racist there is something wrong. Find something else to whine about please.

QFT

Lots of un-Australian, elitist comments being made here. This is not surprising given the general level of snobbery amongst out-of-touch Canberrans.

This person, as we all should be, proud to fly our flag and stand up for our values.

The last time I checked freedom of expression and flying our flag were not crimes.

harley said :

Primal said :

Moar is a perfectly cromulent spelling. Particularly if you like LOLcats.

I are in yr teritry…

eatin yr frangipanies.

Now I can has chezbrger?

Guffaw! Nice! Blowed if I know what it means, but it’s funny.

And it’s entirely possible to “love” Australia, without american-esque displays and flags and other symbols. It’s sad that some of us want to go down that path. Go into any wal-mart in the US, and see all the tat with the flag on it. There’s a lot more to being patriotic than sticking pictures of one’s flag on one’s car.

Spectra said :

Where’s the “If you don’t like it leave!” sticker?

Or indeed my personal favourite spotted on a ute the other day: “Australia: Built with spanners, not chopsticks”. Clearly a student of history.

I can’t believe some one actually makes stickers that say that!

Some of the comments in this thread just goes to show how lame and pathetic some people have become.

What’s next? People getting upset about people flying the Aussie flag at the cricket?

Seriously get a grip people. If you can’t fly the Australian flag without self-righteous losers accusing you of being a patriotic racist there is something wrong. Find something else to whine about please.

Primal said :

Moar is a perfectly cromulent spelling. Particularly if you like LOLcats.

I are in yr teritry…

eatin yr frangipanies.

Now I can has chezbrger?

Furry Jesus said :

It’s a short step from nationalism to ultranationalism, isn’t it?

It is not a short step, it’s a goose-step…

Doesn’t the need to have an Australian flag AND a Southern Cross in such a visible position say something clearly ‘us and them’ about the owner? I mean, who’s the audience for this public declaration of nationality? And which Australia are they declaring that they belong to? The current multi-aspected one, with its mix of cultures and lifestyles and belief systems, or something less savoury?

I’m Australian, but I don’t need to advertise it. Particularly to my fellow Australians, who surround me in their teeming millions. We just assume each other’s existence, and occasionally encounter people from other countries who aren’t Australian but live among us – the exceptions.

It’s a short step from nationalism to ultranationalism, isn’t it?

Funnily enough i was just driving behind this car.

I would swear it was Chic Henry driving.

Jim Jones said :

cbr_lad said :

Exactly. It is just canberra snobbery, straight up and down.

You know nothing about the person who owns the car.

Presumably when you meet someone in the street, you don’t make any assumptions about them based on their looks, gender, age, the way they’re dressed, any symbols they might be wearing, etc.

Get real, bud. Everyone is continually in the process of interpreting the world around them via the signs, signals and accumulated cultural significance that is provided. Crying ‘snobbery’ ain’t gonna change it one bit.

And just make sure you don’t call women you don’t know who wear very little to cover their breasts and bottoms ‘trollops’.

That would be wrong and offensive.

🙂

neanderthalsis said :

Jim Jones said :

Starscream @ work said :

Its very disrespectful to dead diggers to complain about people being proud to fly the flag. just becuase some morons in sydney acted like dicks and some idiots here have the same attitude is no excuse to blast people for being proud to be a australian.

How in all hell is it disrespectful to dead diggers? They died for a flag? Really? A piece of material?

What a load of bollocks – they died for any number of reasons, but never once was it a piece of material. The flag is a symbol, don’t mistake it for anything real.

A moth eaten rag on a worm eaten pole
it seems not enough to stir a mans soul
but ’tis the deeds that are done
beneath that rag
when the pole was a staff
and the rag was a flag

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.

Jim Jones said :

How in all hell is it disrespectful to dead diggers? They died for a flag? Really? A piece of material?

What a load of bollocks – they died for any number of reasons, but never once was it a piece of material. The flag is a symbol, don’t mistake it for anything real.

Not to mention for large parts of WWI and WWII Australian soldiers fought under the Brtish flag.

Jim Jones said :

Starscream @ work said :

Its very disrespectful to dead diggers to complain about people being proud to fly the flag. just becuase some morons in sydney acted like dicks and some idiots here have the same attitude is no excuse to blast people for being proud to be a australian.

How in all hell is it disrespectful to dead diggers? They died for a flag? Really? A piece of material?

What a load of bollocks – they died for any number of reasons, but never once was it a piece of material. The flag is a symbol, don’t mistake it for anything real.

A moth eaten rag on a worm eaten pole
it seems not enough to stir a mans soul
but ’tis the deeds that are done
beneath that rag
when the pole was a staff
and the rag was a flag

Where’s the “If you don’t like it leave!” sticker?

Or indeed my personal favourite spotted on a ute the other day: “Australia: Built with spanners, not chopsticks”. Clearly a student of history.

cbr_lad said :

Exactly. It is just canberra snobbery, straight up and down.

You know nothing about the person who owns the car.

Presumably when you meet someone in the street, you don’t make any assumptions about them based on their looks, gender, age, the way they’re dressed, any symbols they might be wearing, etc.

Get real, bud. Everyone is continually in the process of interpreting the world around them via the signs, signals and accumulated cultural significance that is provided. Crying ‘snobbery’ ain’t gonna change it one bit.

johnboy said :

that flag’s not actually flying you might note, it’s just being used as a large bumper sticker.

The flag is not actually on the bumper you might note, nor is it a sticker.

Just sayin.

Exactly. It is just canberra snobbery, straight up and down.

You know nothing about the person who owns the car.

Starscream @ work said :

Its very disrespectful to dead diggers to complain about people being proud to fly the flag. just becuase some morons in sydney acted like dicks and some idiots here have the same attitude is no excuse to blast people for being proud to be a australian.

How in all hell is it disrespectful to dead diggers? They died for a flag? Really? A piece of material?

What a load of bollocks – they died for any number of reasons, but never once was it a piece of material. The flag is a symbol, don’t mistake it for anything real.

Its very disrespectful to dead diggers to complain about people being proud to fly the flag. just becuase some morons in sydney acted like dicks and some idiots here have the same attitude is no excuse to blast people for being proud to be a australian.

chewy – I’m not stating that the person who drives this car is a racist or a redneck. I’m simply explaining why I (and many others) react in a particular way to seeing this car and are wary of people who use the flag in this way.

If it wasn’t the case, then this thread wouldn’t even exist.

Jim Jones said :

“with no evidence to indicate they are a racist redneck”

Did you not see the Cronulla riots? Or the crowds of d1ckheads at the Big Day Out (and all the rest of the festivals), wearing flags as capes, and forcing other punters to ‘kiss the flag’. The ‘love it or leave it’ crowd.

It’s sad, but there is a large crowd of wankers out there who’ve taken the Australian flag (and the Southern Cross – with tattoos being a big signifier) as their symbol of xenophobic nationalism. I see them on a daily basis; I can’t unsee them.

I have more respect for people who burn flags: this generally occurs at political protests – whether you agree with the issue at stake or not, the people who do this are involved in attempts to make this country a better place, rather than bullying other people because they’re ‘lebs’ or ‘gooks’.

Yep Jim,
and all Irish are drunks,
all young people are hoons,
all Lebanese are in gangs,
and all male dancers are gay.

Were you at the Cronulla riots or the Big Day Out?

I flew the Australian flag on Australia Day this year and was neither involved in a riot or any racist behaviour.
Therefore from my statistical sample of one, you are wrong.

Where’s the “If you don’t like it leave!” sticker?

PS: I’m not saying that flying a flag will lead to war etc. Just that agreeing with a statement just because if ends with ‘it’ll mean a better Australia’ or ‘in the interest of the nation’ often stems from patriotism.

johnboy said :

that flag’s not actually flying you might note, it’s just being used as a large bumper sticker.

I suspect it is being used to keep the sun from getting on the little one that may spend a large amount of its time stuck in the cars back seat while said owner is gambling all their cash on the pokies on the nearest club…

Yeah, there’s some clown who lives on Adelaide Ave who’s taken to putting a flag on the bonnet of his fully-sik V8 Statesmen. Vanity plates too.

*sigh* the irony of flying the southern cross with the Australian flag.

“with no evidence to indicate they are a racist redneck”

Did you not see the Cronulla riots? Or the crowds of d1ckheads at the Big Day Out (and all the rest of the festivals), wearing flags as capes, and forcing other punters to ‘kiss the flag’. The ‘love it or leave it’ crowd.

It’s sad, but there is a large crowd of wankers out there who’ve taken the Australian flag (and the Southern Cross – with tattoos being a big signifier) as their symbol of xenophobic nationalism. I see them on a daily basis; I can’t unsee them.

I have more respect for people who burn flags: this generally occurs at political protests – whether you agree with the issue at stake or not, the people who do this are involved in attempts to make this country a better place, rather than bullying other people because they’re ‘lebs’ or ‘gooks’.

cbr_lad said :

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

The risk of being patriotic is blind patriotism.

Just have a look back through history (even recent events) where unquestionable belief has lead to wars, death, murder, pain, genocide etc.

Sammy said :

Ability to spell ‘more’: epic fail

Moar is a perfectly cromulent spelling. Particularly if you like LOLcats.

Also, I was under the impression that having objects obstucting your rear window was illegal?

I can see the Today tonight headlines now! Cop charges Aussie for displaying flag!

Jim Jones said :

cbr_lad said :

Jim Jones said :

cbr_lad said :

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

Sorry – a bunch of racist rednecks ruined it for everyone else by equating ‘patriotism’ with ‘not liking foreigners’.

For some reason, a lot of them thought it was appropriate to wear it as a cape – memo: it’s a flag, not a f$%king cape.

They ruined it? No. This is just snobbery.. A.U.S! A.U.S!!

Don’t tell me, you’ve got a Southern Cross tattoo? And a fauxhawk, right?

LOL Not even close. I’m not quite sure about the fixation on the southern cross. Does it mean anything to these people? Probably not. However, I wouldn’t criticise somebody who chose to display the flag.. When did that become a big no-no?? The snobbery of people looking down at somebody doing that (with no evidence to indicate they are a racist redneck) sickens me just as much as the tiny percentage of people who chose to abuse the flag, which was about 4 years ago now, and happened in Sydney…

Well, it is a Ford Territory, the bogan version of the Soccer mum X-3 or Kluger.

Also, I was under the impression that having objects obstucting your rear window was illegal?

that flag’s not actually flying you might note, it’s just being used as a large bumper sticker.

cbr_lad said :

Jim Jones said :

cbr_lad said :

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

Sorry – a bunch of racist rednecks ruined it for everyone else by equating ‘patriotism’ with ‘not liking foreigners’.

For some reason, a lot of them thought it was appropriate to wear it as a cape – memo: it’s a flag, not a f$%king cape.

They ruined it? No. This is just snobbery.. A.U.S! A.U.S!!

Don’t tell me, you’ve got a Southern Cross tattoo? And a fauxhawk, right?

Jim Jones said :

cbr_lad said :

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

Sorry – a bunch of racist rednecks ruined it for everyone else by equating ‘patriotism’ with ‘not liking foreigners’.

For some reason, a lot of them thought it was appropriate to wear it as a cape – memo: it’s a flag, not a f$%king cape.

They ruined it? No. This is just snobbery.. A.U.S! A.U.S!!

p1 said :

And are “Gas, Grass or Arse” stickers legally binding contracts?

Actually they’d be considered an ‘invitation to treat’.

YES, CONTRACT LAW HUMOUR! My work here is done!

You know, people should carry emergency frangipani stickers for when they spot cars like this, that should have frangipani stickers but don’t (yet).

I used to have one, but used it to “fix” the look of a ute.

I have a lot of trouble figuring out various “vehicle” fashions. Do those playboy stickers mean that the driver is in porn, or just reads porn? And massive stickers from Audio or Tyre stores, do you get a discount for the advertising? And are “Gas, Grass or Arse” stickers legally binding contracts?

Jim Jones said :

cbr_lad said :

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

Sorry – a bunch of racist rednecks ruined it for everyone else by equating ‘patriotism’ with ‘not liking foreigners’.

For some reason, a lot of them thought it was appropriate to wear it as a cape – memo: it’s a flag, not a f$%king cape.

If a country for some reason chose a cape to be their national flag, would that mean that nobody could wear capes anymore without committing a fashion faux pas?

…I’m really suffering under the weight of monday morning right now.

Ability to spell ‘more’: epic fail

cbr_lad said :

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

Sorry – a bunch of racist rednecks ruined it for everyone else by equating ‘patriotism’ with ‘not liking foreigners’.

For some reason, a lot of them thought it was appropriate to wear it as a cape – memo: it’s a flag, not a f$%king cape.

…it needs a “I shoot and I vote” sticker.

damn. you can’t even fly the australian flag anymore it seems..

hetzjagd1 said :

Australia… f*** yeah?

Oh great. Now I’m going to have that damn song stuck in my head all day.

You know, people should carry emergency frangipani stickers for when they spot cars like this, that should have frangipani stickers but don’t (yet).

Australia… f*** yeah?

Did the driver have a mullet? Or at least a Noll.

Aussie Pride !!!!!!!

Where are the frangipani stickers? Is there “moar”?