Flags

[Aruntraveller]

This by David Mitchell is rather good on the subject of the current government's enthusiasm for flags:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/robert-jenrick-government-patriotism-union-jack-flags?

I remember many years ago now when some USAian friends of ours came over and were horrified when we took them to a restaurant in Nottingham called "Monroe's". It was American food of a sort. Anyway one wall was covered by the Stars and Stripes, but this flag was then covered with various pics of Marilyn (hence Monroes's).

My friends were most unimpressed, in fact almost angry. "You can't cover the flag up!" and I was like "Why not? It's just a flag" and at that time that seemed to sum up the difference between the American outlook on flags and the British outlook.

Alas times change and now Boris wishes to ape the cousins across the pond and become all Gung ho about the flag.

Well I'm having none of it.

I'm going to get a union jack and stick pictures of Dusty all over it. So there.

[Owlswing]

This by David Mitchell is rather good on the subject of the current government's enthusiasm for flags:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/apr/04/robert-jenrick-government-patriotism-union-jack-flags?

I remember many years ago now when some USAian friends of ours came over and were horrified when we took them to a restaurant in Nottingham called "Monroe's". It was American food of a sort. Anyway, one wall was covered by the Stars and Stripes, but this flag was then covered with various pics of Marilyn (hence Monroes's).

My friends were most unimpressed, in fact almost angry. "You can't cover the flag up!" and I was like "Why not? It's just a flag" and at that time that seemed to sum up the difference between the American outlook on flags and the British outlook.

Alas, times change and now Boris wishes to ape the cousins across the pond and become all Gung ho about the flag.

Well, I'm having none of it.

I'm going to get a union jack and stick pictures of Dusty all over it. So there.

Considering the behaviour of the supporters of Trump and their use of the flag during many of their nastiest demonstrations it looks like respect for the flag is a dying art.

Owlswing

)O(

[Anchorman]

What 'British outlook', TV? There's a Westminster caimpaign on the go to try and plaster the union flag on everything in sight here....with no real success so far. It's not very common here; you're far more likely to see the saltire fly than the union flag, which, depending on your loyalties, is better known either as the union jack or the butchers' apron.

[Aruntraveller]

What 'British outlook', TV? There's a Westminster caimpaign on the go to try and plaster the union flag on everything in sight here....with no real success so far. It's not very common here; you're far more likely to see the saltire fly than the union flag, which, depending on your loyalties, is better known either as the union jack or the butchers' apron.

At the time I was speaking of - the 80's, it was the British outlook, whether that suits the historical narrative you want to believe or not.

[SweetPea]

Agree on posting union jacks everywhere but I thought it was sad and rather disturbing that the children at Pimlico school burned their union flag.

[Roses]

Flags have their place on important buildings, but having them everywhere as would appear to be the case in the US is totally OTT, imo.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Trent,

I'm going to get a union jack and stick pictures of Dusty all over it. So there.

Fine by me. Just don't even think though of sticking union jacks on a picture of Dusty... 

[Udayana]

Flags have their place on important buildings, but having them everywhere as would appear to be the case in the US is totally OTT, imo.

No problem with flags flapping on buildings or outside, but flags propped up next to politicians, to impress people, is ridiculous.   

[Nearly Sane]

Moderator Posts discussing Dusty Springfield have been moved to a separate topic on the Literature etc board. Kindly move back to flags.

[Harrowby Hall]

No problem with flags flapping on buildings or outside, but flags propped up next to politicians, to impress people, is ridiculous.

I know that some people have likened the new Briefing Room to that used by Donald trump, but am I right in thinking that a certain politician in 1930s Germany used a similar setup?