How amusing to be called a nasty racist by Col the Troll, who seems very touchy for a Monday morning.

My suggestion that he doesn't belong in Australia stems from his tedious habit of babbling on about his former home, its repulsive politicians, and how they represent the peak of human civilisation. I don't think I've read anything at all from him over the years that might indicate any kind of affinity with Australia - outside of Melbourne, that is.

"Race" doesn't come into it.

Examinator

Thanks for your patience. If you ever think you are being pompous I suggest a read of any of Col's posts will set you straight.

I think that Col has provided the truth of jingoism as abuse. Graham certainly gives him a great more latitude than he does others. Maybe Graham pities him for his lack of humour - like CJ, I have teased him in the past and have received nothing but vile insults since. I am willing to wager that in real life he is a quiet little mouse, nothing like the "alpha-male" he claims to be. I mean since when did anyone have to claim they were superior? Its like claiming to be cool - if you do then you're not.

As for patriotism, I hope that this will become an outmoded concept, it is really just trumped up tribalism.

Like religion it is useful to control large numbers of people and gain their support to attack other large numbers of people.

PS

CJ I don't think a comparison to Alf Garnett was harsh at all, I bet Col has a framed portrait of M Thatcher on his wall at home.

fractelle "he claims to be."

I claim to be nothing other than myself, with occassional references to the facts of my life...

whatever way you try to hurl a backhanded insult at me is up to you but

you merely confirm the hypoctrisy of your posturing regarding "latitudes"... lets face it.. nothing I have ever said compares to the bottom feeding habits of CJMoron nor the highhanded arrogance of yourself or the sly side swipes from the likes of the Examinator.

the truth is you like to hand it out but just cannot bear it when someone slaps it back at you...

I remember you telling me how you were going to do this that and the other every time I posted something you disapprived of...

so I suggest fractelle, you bring it all on and see how far it gets you and then you will find out what I will do with it...........

Now, go get your galloshes, sou'wester and oilskins... the forecast "changable" with something wet and smelly possibly coming your way..

I cringe when flaky chicks bang on about recipes and exchange pleasantries. Have I stumbled into the Woman's Weekly forum?

Thanks Fractelle. For those who find Col the Troll more tiresome than amusing, I've stumbled across another video clip of him - this one appears to have been made shortly after his arrival in Australia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ymZaMJ_Pno&feature=related

Back to the subject of this thread - Patriotism.
I've got a few more thoughts...

People are less likely in this day and age to remain
in the hometowns or countries of their forefathers
throughout their lives. This raises some questions about
patriotism and loyalty. Do you love the land of your
ancestors, the land of their birth, or the country
in which you're presently living? To whom do you owe
your loyalty?

Examinator quoted, Samuel Johnson, who wrote,
"Patriotism, is the last refuge of a scoundrel."
Johnson was pointing out that patriotism, like other
emotional attitudes, sometimes becomes exaggerated or
distorted. People with an excessive attachment to a certain
group, especially people with an unreasoning enthusiasm for
military superiority and glory for one's country are
guilty of chauvinism or jingoism.

Exaggerated or distorted forms of patriotism have existed
at different times in almost all nations. The Germans
under Adolf Hitler and the Italians under Benito
Mussolini became convinced their nations had a patriotic
mission to extend their territorial boundaries.
In the late 1800's, the French and English believed they
had a moral responsibility to establish colonies in Asia
and Africa.

And, as we know demands for open and public demonstration
of loyalty are often heard in times of national crisis.
During World War I, for example, King George V of
Great Britain changed the name of the royal family
from 'Saxe-Coburg' to 'Windsor.'

The name 'Saxe-Coburg,' was German, and Britain was at war
with Germany. Then during World War II, thousands of
patriotic Japanese-Americans were placed in detention camps
because of unreasonable fears that they might be loyal to
Japan rather than the United States.

So yes, patriotism is the love and loyal support of one's
country. Including a feeling of oneness with the nation.
But it does have its abuses as well. Questions need to be
raised about how far should patriotism and loyalty go.