Food, Drink & Dining Out Aussie day!

[CLUBMEDhurst]

I tend to agree with Seppb - I don't really give a shit what flag we have. I was born in Australia, I'm a citizen and a resident and the flag represents me. If it was any other design it would still represent me.

I only get sucked into stupid arguments when people start saying stupid things like "it doesn't mean anything to people", "its wrong cos it has the union jack", "a new flag will mean racists wont use it as a racist symbol" etc. etc.

It's the union jack that's the problem for me, for the reasons expressed by Gough.

I lived in the UK for quite a few years, enduring endless piss-taking from my soap-dodging mates about having their flag on ours.

The poms bailed on us in WWII, so we're forever dancing to the tune of our new masters. Therefore our new flag should be

 

[kfc1]

I've got no problem with the UJ being there - the country is a former British colony and that fact is inseparable from our history. I'm quite comfortable with history so it doesn't bother me, nor does any piss-taking from others.

I think it is ridiculous to think that a new flag will stop things like that - people will always find something else to tease you about (I should know, I do it all the time).

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

I've got no problem with the UJ being there - the country is a former British colony and that fact is inseparable from our history. I'm quite comfortable with history so it doesn't bother me, nor does any piss-taking from others.

I think it is ridiculous to think that a new flag will stop things like that - people will always find something else to tease you about (I should know, I do it all the time).

Former being the operative word

 

[Scotland]

Lets take away their flag, condem it as it stands for racist behaviour and force them to adopt to what we think is best for them. wow sound familiar.

Australia has a long way to go before they accept their indigenous people unlike most other countries who have embraced theirs.

Who is arguing to 'take away' the Aboriginal flag?

The Aboriginal flag is not a flag that represents nationhood, nor is it a flag that pre-dates the current Australian flag.

 

[kfc1]

Former being the operative word

Facepalm.

The UJ being there doesn't mean we are still a colony of Britain. Are NZ, Tuvalu and Fiji still British colonies? They must be if they have the UJ in their flag.

I'm not opposed to changing the flag by any means, I just think it is pretty stupid when people get their knickers in a knot over trivial, symbolic crap like this as if it would make a difference in anyone's lives.

 

[CLUBMEDhurst]

Facepalm.

The UJ being there doesn't mean we are still a colony of Britain. Are NZ, Tuvalu and Fiji still British colonies? They must be if they have the UJ in their flag.

Canada

I'm not opposed to changing the flag by any means, I just think it is pretty stupid when people get their knickers in a knot over trivial, symbolic crap like this as if it would make a difference in anyone's lives

.

Yeah, it won't make a diff in everyone's lives.

It IS symbolic.

I'd like the flag to be symbolic of a mature, independent country; one that is easily recognisable internationally, which unites ALL citizens.

The current flag is divisive and will be replaced one day.

Until then enjoy your Pimm's and cucumber sandwiches.

PS. If the scots get their way, the union jack will be no longer

Beautiful, innit?

 

[kfc1]

I'm aware Canada changed their flag.

I'd like the flag to be symbolic of a mature, independent country;

A mature, independent country would not be worried about changing its flag. Changing the flag is more representative of a country which is still in its infancy, trying to shows that its a big kid now by removing all traces of its parents.

one that is easily recognisable internationally,

I think you will find our flag is pretty recognisable internationally. Short of writing "Australia" on it or having a picture of a kangaroo we won't find a flag design that's much more recognisable.

which unites ALL citizens.

The flag represents all Australian citizens as it is.

A new flag design is just as likely to alienate people as it is to unite people.

I wouldn't have a thought a new design, without the aboriginal flag on it, would unite ALL citizens more than the current one.

If we put the aboriginal flag on there then we'd need to start putting other symbols of major cultural groups on there to include everyone else. Otherwise it is hardly uniting, it is "us and them" sitting together.

The current flag is divisive and will be replaced one day.

Probably - people love to get their knickers in a knot over silly things like this. My point is that I don't think there will ever be a flag that is not divisive.

Until then enjoy your Pimm's and cucumber sandwiches.

I don't actually know what Pimm's is, although I did see it on offer at a pub the other day as part of a lunch deal.