Politics Fiji change flag...when will we follow?

[mantis]

You overestimate the speed of change.

Even things we look back on now in previous decades as so obvious were done with loud kicking and screaming opposition.

Things change when those in the positions of power put themselves on the front and do the changes. Otherwise the status quo remains.

Thus we have a supposedly once left wing Prime Minister who is opposed to same-sex marriage because she doesn't want the hassle.

Progressive types in 1963 were probably thinking "Surely within 50 years from now we'll be a republic with a fitting flag". Wrong!

My Grandpa was one of those, he must be turning in his grave.

He told me not to let anyone force me to stand up for the old national anthem, or salute the flag. OK. I did get detention every monday, because I remained sitting at school assembly when they raised the flag & played god save the queen.

 

[LouisCK]

Why do people always blame the oldies? I think there are more youngies who are against it, because they have discovered stupid US style Patriotism.

Well when was the referendum for it?

None of the modern youth at the time were able to vote.

 

[LouisCK]

I dont get why left wing means gay marriage

I reckon "they" are natural coalition voters

Funny you say that, most gay blokes I know vote for the Liberal Party.

 

[MC_Forward50]

Surprised this flag hasnt been posted, i think it looks alright.

FWIW: i dont have a strong view on either side of the republic/flag change debate, i just think this is a decent attempt of a potential australian flag.

The website this design is from also has adaptations for state flags and such which use the same design just different colours representing the states, just google image search new australian flag and go to the site of this flag to see them.

 

[mantis]

On stormfront, they are saying anyone who burns the flag should be charged with treason & executed. Gawd I love those morons.

 

[Slax]

i must say that the best thing John Howard did as PM was to bring in a law that makes it impossible to change the flag without a referrendum, so basically it will never happen.

 

[Pessimistic]

On stormfront, they are saying anyone who burns the flag should be charged with treason & executed. Gawd I love those morons.

Or wears it underfoot or covering their private parts ?

 

[Engimal]

I personally love the flag and, at age 16, most of my friends love it too.
At Australia celebrations over the past few years we've shrouded ourseves in the Union Jack and Southern Cross combo with nothing my pride.

 

[Fire]

Surprised this flag hasnt been posted, i think it looks alright.

FWIW: i dont have a strong view on either side of the republic/flag change debate, i just think this is a decent attempt of a potential australian flag.

The website this design is from also has adaptations for state flags and such which use the same design just different colours representing the states, just google image search new australian flag and go to the site of this flag to see them.

That is an awesome flag.

The only issue I have with it is that the kangaroo is looking backwards. Like the union jack occupying the first quarter of the flag, certain elements of design have a meaning which one needs to be aware of. For the sake of symbolism, the kangaroo needs to be facing 'forwards' (to the right). Perhaps a simple inverted design would do the trick.

 

[Fire]

I personally love the flag and, at age 16, most of my friends love it too.
At Australia celebrations over the past few years we've shrouded ourseves in the Union Jack and Southern Cross combo with nothing my pride.

I'm not one for nationalism (and henceforth pride), but I am curious as to how someone can be proud of a symbol that is essentially meaningless. The union Jack isn't there to be a symbol of Australia.

 

[Engimal]

I'm not one for nationalism (and henceforth pride), but I am curious as to how someone can be proud of a symbol that is essentially meaningless. The union Jack isn't there to be a symbol of Australia.

No, but it represents our past and European settlement (especially the British) was essential in forming the country that we live in today. We're proud to be Australian, and celebrating a key part of its formation is a way we do that.

 

[Frankster177]

No, but it represents our past and European settlement (especially the British) was essential in forming the country that we live in today. We're proud to be Australian, and celebrating a key part of its formation is a way we do that.

But the british part is only 1 part.

 

[Frankster177]

No green and gold please.
its too bogany, reminds me of the fanatics, brazil. south africa...

That flag i posted before with the big star red with a white outline

 

[Hard_to_Beat]

But the british part is only 1 part.

Not really.

The flag symbolizes the union jack against the southern sky.

It is a flag within a flag. It is a colonial symbol.

 

[MC_Forward50]

That is an awesome flag.

The only issue I have with it is that the kangaroo is looking backwards. Like the union jack occupying the first quarter of the flag, certain elements of design have a meaning which one needs to be aware of. For the sake of symbolism, the kangaroo needs to be facing 'forwards' (to the right). Perhaps a simple inverted design would do the trick.

I totally agree with you on that point, its the same thing i was thinking when i first saw it.

Something like this might be more symbolic, forward facing kangaroo

 

[wally funk]

Since when is facing right facing 'forward'? Because we read from left to right? I like the original version better, with the roo facing left (and not 'backwards') and Southern Cross on the right side (arguably where it belongs, if it's going to remain on our flag).

I love the state flags of this design, many of which are awesome. The actual proposed national flag with blue and gold sadly doesn't look nearly as awesome than this sports-based green and gold flag. The worst one, though is the proposed Aboriginal flag using red, yellow and black. I'm sure our indigenous population would likely hate it - pretty sure it's the current flag design that's more important to them rather than the three colours on any old thing.

This is the site, by the way: http://newaustralianflag.squarespace.com/

 

[LeverPuller]

Yeah, nah. Good with it as it is, thanks.

Seriously, who cares about the Jack? Flags are meant to show heritage as well as symbolism in my opinion. The US hasn't changed the number of bars - that's a heritage symbol. Spain actually returned to the flag with the royal crest. Russia's is a variant on an old Tsarist flag - without the royal crest of course. Islamic states recognise not only their major religion but also their roots in cases - Pakistan as the Islamic half of the former crown jewel for example.

The Union Jack, like it or not, represents a critical part of our heritage, and I think it should stay represented in the flag.

 

[Frankster177]

Yeah, nah. Good with it as it is, thanks.

Seriously, who cares about the Jack? Flags are meant to show heritage as well as symbolism in my opinion. The US hasn't changed the number of bars - that's a heritage symbol. Spain actually returned to the flag with the royal crest. Russia's is a variant on an old Tsarist flag - without the royal crest of course. Islamic states recognise not only their major religion but also their roots in cases - Pakistan as the Islamic half of the former crown jewel for example.

The Union Jack, like it or not, represents a critical part of our heritage, and I think it should stay represented in the flag.

Problem is. with the union jack, people like myself will never truly feel Australian.
I aint sacrificing myself or my kids for the poms. My relaatives fought against the poms lol.

 

[Jakko]

I wonder when the Poms will change their flag?

They are a very multicultural country and many may not feel any connection with the current flag, etc etc, no longer represents who they are as a country, etc etc.

 

[Malifice]

i must say that the best thing John Howard did as PM was to bring in a law that makes it impossible to change the flag without a referrendum, so basically it will never happen.

Repeal this law.

Parliamentary soverignty and all that.

 

[Malifice]

I like that one.

A lot.

 

[bullish23]

No, but it represents our past and European settlement (especially the British) was essential in forming the country that we live in today. We're proud to be Australian, and celebrating a key part of its formation is a way we do that.

Utter rubbish. A flags purpose is not to represent a nation's colonial past.

Other then small pacific islands still bearing the union jack, do you see former french, portugese or spanish colonies incorporating the 'mother country's' flag within their own? The insecurity within Australia is astonishing.

 

[Slax]

Repeal this law.

Parliamentary soverignty and all that.

So we can have a group that will make another law that the majority of this country does not approve of.

The simple facts remain:

1. No-one is yet to create an alternative that has optioned any level of popular support to suggest it might be viable.
2. The majority of the country actually does not want to change the flag and it is only a small vocal minority that keep raising the question on Australia
3. Most Australians also want no reference to the aboriginal flag inside the Australian flag. We live in a country where our colonial heritage has more to do with who we are as a nation than anything the aboriginal community has ever done. If you don't want to acknowledge one group then you sure as F can't acknowledge another.

 

[Malifice]

No-one is yet to create an alternative that has optioned any level of popular support to suggest it might be viable.

Support comes with time.

The majority of the country actually does not want to change the flag and it is only a small vocal minority that keep raising the question on Australia

77% of the population supported John Howard re the Tampa. Doesnt make it right though.

Most Australians also want no reference to the aboriginal flag inside the Australian flag. We live in a country where our colonial heritage has more to do with who we are as a nation than anything the aboriginal community has ever done. If you don't want to acknowledge one group then you sure as F can't acknowledge another.

I agree.

I wasnt suggesting we should incorporate the Aboriginal flag into the ANF.

 

[Slax]

77% of the population supported John Howard re the Tampa. Doesnt make it right though.

Both the Federal ALP & Liberal Parties do not support gay marriage yet a majority of the supporters of both sides do. So do you trust the government to do what people want?

I wasnt suggesting we should incorporate the Aboriginal flag into the ANF.

You mightn't of been but plenty do.