England national team

[Richard E]

It seems to be becoming a thing to be a self hating Englishman ( a proud Liberal middle class tradition like most things stolen by the “left”) Of course like any sensible person I can be thoroughly ashamed of the actions distant and not so distant of fellow countrymen but also immensely proud of the many positive things this country has done for the culture of the world. It’s not either/or. Ultimately there are ****** in every corner of the globe being English doesn’t have a monopoly on being a ******.

Spot on.

[Stu]

Is CD in posting prison?

[Sexual Ealing]

It seems to be becoming a thing to be a self hating Englishman ( a proud Liberal middle class tradition like most things stolen by the “left”) Of course like any sensible person I can be thoroughly ashamed of the actions distant and not so distant of fellow countrymen but also immensely proud of the many positive things this country has done for the culture of the world. It’s not either/or. Ultimately there are ****** in every corner of the globe being English doesn’t have a monopoly on being a ******.

If I ever achieve anything (I won't) I refuse you permission to take pride in it (you wouldn't) because it wasn't you, it was me (it wasn't)!

[FatSam]

I'm always jealous of people from smaller countries who can be patriotic without any of the baggage that can come with being an English patriot. Being able to say 'we're really good' and 'I'm proud to be one of us' in an innocent way without the history of colonialism, English exceptionalism and racial superiority, must be great.

I would imagine that people on here are proud to be English for a wholly different set of reasons to the Operation Raise the Colours lot. Whilst it is important not to let those guys take ownership of the idea of patriotism, they do seem to have control of the iconography at the moment, and I don't know how easy that is to change.

At least as Villa fans we can always take pride in our club representing beauty and righteousness.

[Smirker]

I agree with the pride thing.

I don't know how you can be proud of something you didn't achieve.

I'm proud of being 10 years sober or my athletic achievements.

I'm not proud of being born here.

I'm glad I was and I think I'm lucky to have been born here.

But I can't say I was proud or that I'm proud of my nationality.

I'll still going to shag my flag though.

[ChicagoLion]

Scottish fans that spent time in Fenway wearing kilts and singing Flower of Scotland were being patriotic, they don't seem to be a bad thing. They are there because of the plot of land they were born in.

There was a lovely interview with the Organist at Fenway on R4 earlier.
He was amazed as were the crowd at how much fun the Scots were having as he played the songs sung by Scotland fans.
I laughed and wished I was there, stuff like this makes life richer.

[john e]

I agree with the pride thing.

I don't know how you can be proud of something you didn't achieve.

I'm proud of being 10 years sober or my athletic achievements.

I'm not proud of being born here.

I'm glad I was and I think I'm lucky to have been born here.

But I can't say I was proud or that I'm proud of my nationality.

I'll still going to shag my flag though.

Like me Yes you can be a bit annoying but I’ve got immense respect for anyone who’s battled addiction problems of any kind they actually go up in my estimation,
not me but its something I’ve experienced in my own family
10 years is a super achievement and you should rightly be proud of yourself
Well done and keep going

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Scottish fans that spent time in Fenway wearing kilts and singing Flower of Scotland were being patriotic, they don't seem to be a bad thing. They are there because of the plot of land they were born in.

There was a lovely interview with the Organist at Fenway on R4 earlier.
He was amazed as were the crowd at how much fun the Scots were having as he played the songs sung by Scotland fans.
I laughed and wished I was there, stuff like this makes life richer.

I saw the other day a video of him banging out the SJM song. Add to the list of things I never expected to see in my lifetime. Or the next.

[SamTheMouse]

It seems to be becoming a thing to be a self hating Englishman ( a proud Liberal middle class tradition like most things stolen by the “left”)

It's not a new phenomenon. Didn't George Orwell make some pithy remark about it?

Anyway, this whole discussion started with flags, and I have to say that, although I'm proud of the Union Jack (is any other flag so ubiquitous in fashion and design?), I agree with CD that waving it around is uncouth.

We Brits should only ever use flags for their proper intended purpose, i.e to identify official buildings or when stealing other people's countries.

[brontebilly]

Do we draw the line at painting roundabouts? This multi cultural English team managed by a German is the antithesis of the fascism peddled by Farage and his mob. Enjoy it!

[Smirker]

I agree with the pride thing.

I don't know how you can be proud of something you didn't achieve.

I'm proud of being 10 years sober or my athletic achievements.

I'm not proud of being born here.

I'm glad I was and I think I'm lucky to have been born here.

But I can't say I was proud or that I'm proud of my nationality.

I'll still going to shag my flag though.

Like me Yes you can be a bit annoying but I’ve got immense respect for anyone who’s battled addiction problems of any kind they actually go up in my estimation,
not me but its something I’ve experienced in my own family
10 years is a super achievement and you should rightly be proud of yourself
Well done and keep going

Really appreciate it mate thank you.

[Sexual Ealing]

Yes, fair fucks, Smirker, that's some going. There is, after all, only one of you!

[Somniloquism]

The flag covered island near me now has each of the Union and St Georges with a Star of David crudely spray-painted on them. At a guess it was done to show "support for Israel" whilst they fight that dastardly Muslim menace alone.

[PeterWithesShin]

I've disagreed with you a lot, and probably will again, but well done Smirker, that is something you should be proud of.

[PaulWinch again]

Well done Smirker.