Happy St. George's Day

[celsis]

In the late 70's and early 80's the nazi's took over the union flag but we got it back. Same for the cross of St.George. To regard it as symbolic of the sieg heiling loonies is falling for their nonsense. It is the flag of the English it was at Crecy and Agincourt and it is today. The popularity of the BNP is labour's fault and should not be be a cause for shame of our nationality or our flag.

Was the English cross flown at Crecy and Agincourt? The reason I ask is because at that time, the English kings claimed overlordship of France (a la William the Bastard) and the woodcuts I've seen all seem to show the English flying the quartered fleur de lys of Normandy.

[Deano]

I have to say Bry that I'm surprised you feel that way about the flag.

I'd hate to know what you think of Marmite!

[Robusto]

ALL flags whip me up, Deano.

I suppose that seems disrespectful to everyone, every nation, but I see flags as a sort of rallying-call thing to battle. Be that battle between nations (Crecy, Agincourt, whatever) or - at worst - mindless football hooliganism.

So flags seem violent-ish.

I am not some kind of mung-beaned-brained pacifist. It's just how I see it.

Many pubs here were decked out in the St George's flay yesterday. Bunting everywhere.

To me, that means come in here and get totally pissed.

So sorry. This seems really oblique but I've had enough contact with drunks and violent people to be ultra cautious.

I always associate the George Cross with extremism and violence.

If any of you had the flag in your window, I wouldn't page the thought police to have it taken down. I'm NOT a Nazi for purism.

That's it from me on the topic.

[Deano]

I guess you're right, but I suppose it's more of a call to some underlying patriotism, and that's not a bad thing - but it can get totally out of hand, which I think is the end you tend to see!

[ChrisMClark]

St George's day?

Does it still exist? except in beer commercials and the minds of a few dragon haters.

Will we be getting a day off?, will their be a parade through London like there is on St Patrick's day, Chinese New Year ?

I hope you can take a little solice in that on Friday I marched through the streets of Warminster, along with a hundred troops or so, 2 Warrior AFVs, scouts, police, firemen and the British Legion motorbike branch. Was a fantastic day. I've been in the Army for 8 years and it's the first time we've done anything for St. George's day. May it be the first of many; it's about bloody time.

Sad thing, is I'm sure there'll be some MP somewhere wondering if the parade offended any local immigrants.

Oh well, I'm voting for the Icelandic Volcano Party on May 6th. They've done more in 6 days to sort out immigration than Labour managed in ten fucking years