Friday, July 08, 2005
Are more flags flying today?
I can’t really imagine raising one myself, but I wouldn’t sneer at anyone who did. It’s not jingoistic - it is saying: this is who we are, we are proud of who we are, and we are together. I don’t think that anyone should have a problem with that. Think of it as a symbol of an open society if, like me, you’re not too keen on that whole “nationhood” thing.
Americans are comfortable with them. In fact, they are comfortable with ours. I wouldn’t be surprised if today there are more Union flags up in the USA than in Britain. Some (SWP, Ali, the usual) might see it as Uncle Sam patting his poodle. But I like it. I’m touched.
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I can’t really imagine raising one myself, but I wouldn’t sneer at anyone who did. It’s not jingoistic - it is saying: this is who we are, we are proud of who we are, and we are together. I don’t think that anyone should have a problem with that. Think of it as a symbol of an open society if, like me, you’re not too keen on that whole “nationhood” thing.
Americans are comfortable with them. In fact, they are comfortable with ours. I wouldn’t be surprised if today there are more Union flags up in the USA than in Britain. Some (SWP, Ali, the usual) might see it as Uncle Sam patting his poodle. But I like it. I’m touched.
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