The missus may I say thank you? that post you put up while I was putting mine together is one of the best I have ever seen in this forum.
Now we can both hide under the bed.
Some will see your truth as racism.
I see it as truth and about time we spoke it, cringing in our own corner, forgetting today is our day, and that some will be unhappy with any flag we fly is idiotic.
Thinking a new flag betrays us, our past or future is scatter brain thinking.
Goodonya Friend have a nice Aussie day.

Foxy,
I'm fully aware of Ray Martin's background, after all it was on TV. Celebrities from a poor background always guarantee warm'n fuzzy TV.
He obviously is constantly wearing one of those impression suits when he is doing his job. Obviously, judging by his success many people like him but so did many when they elected Kevin Rudd but he must have stopped wearing his impression suit the day after the election. If you support such people than what of your own character, don't you care what is being done to this Country by such people ? Why is it that people express such concern about our future and yet they support those who try to sabotage any hope for the future simply with their vanity. I really can't fathom such mentality. I'm open to listen to & accept a plausible explanation. So much has occurred under the australian flag. Hardship & plain suffering at first & gradually the physically hard working people (not the frivolous academics) transformed a fledgling community into the great Country Australia. The flag represents this. To change this flag will callously & disrespectfully disregard this past which, even on OLO, always gets dragged up in a passionate manner.

Wow! We need a new flag because Ray Martin said so, wonderful! What colour will it be Ray? Red with a green border sounds good? You know, to represent a watermelon!

foxy and others
IMO Ray Martin is "personality/celeb" as such is an image, one that is phoney as a $3 bill.
Did you see his behaviour with that pathetic example of a comedian [?] Safran [?] from Ch2. A real case of it's OK for me to invade others privacy but not for others to invade mine.

Sure I, object to the front gate stop by what ever his name is, but if you live by the sword so ye shall treated.

It matters not *where* you came *from* or *where* you are *now*, rather *how* you got there and what you *do* now.
No Col not Socialist....humanist clue they're spelt differently.

As for the flag CJ? personally it's as relevant/appropriate as Menzies, Chrissy songs about snow, once a year good will towards men clap trap, Chistmas celebrates God's son's birthday and Australia day being held on 26th January.I could go on but the topic is the flag and I guess what it means/stands for.

IMO it stands for a national myth a * white washing* of a history that
is best in history book and not the source of pride today. It in deed has British colonial overtones, racism and general stupidity/arrogance.
By all means acknowledge, respect the achievements of our forebears but idolize/mythologise them? No thanks. that's a bit like celebrating the Aussie yob. Yep, they exist but should all children be encouraged to emulate them?

I agree that we need a national flag that represents us all as a nation of multi-cultures. Not one that mythologises or raise one group above any other, we *all* built this nation as it is.

Best nation in the world? it doesn't exist.

Personally, I think symbols, national pride is a waste of time. It's the people that motivate me. i.e. would I go to war or die for national pride like most seem to think is important? An emphatic no! But I would die protecting people. Subtle but real difference.

Dear Individual,

Perhaps if you were to read Ray Martin's biography -
you may get a different impression of the man.
But frankly, I don't really care - you're entitled
to your opinion, as I am to mine. I just thought
you were coming on a bit strong and making
judgements about a person I assumed - you knew
little about. For example I wouldn't dream of
calling you an "idiot" simply because your opinion
was different from mine.

As I tried to point out in my opening post - a new
Australian flag is something that should be talked
about only after Australia votes on the question
of becoming a Republic. And this is something that
should be left to the country to vote on. At present
we are still a British colony - and as such the flag
represents that. However - were Australia to decide to
become a fully independent country (respectful of its
British history) then of course it will need a new flag
that will project an authentic and modern Australian
identity.

As another poster said - Let the country decide!
Slanging off at people - calling them "hangers on"
and so forth, and raving on about what needs fixing
in this country's economy - is irrelevant to the
topic - and adds nothing whatsoever to the debate.

Foxy,
I have no intention of calling you or anyone names. I have no right to object to others' opinion. What I believe I have a right to object to is when other people are trying to make changes which may suit or satisfy their ego & vanity & in many cases an ignorance which adversely affects my existence. To drag up & make a huge matter out of something as useless as a new flag is doing nothing more than removing the focus away from real issues which are a matter of real importance to a functional society. Why is it that when people achieve their level of comfort that important issues fade & dissolve into frivolous pursuit. Do they forget that there are many out there who really need help & they're not at all helped by something as MEANINGLESS as a new flag taking up so many resources both financial & governmental. Has anyone any idea how many needy could have been helped with the resources WASTED on the Republican & the flag issue ? Now, Have a great Australia Day. I'm off to spend the arvo with real Australians made up of about 30 ethinc back grounds under the proper australian flag.