agent_pollifax
Awesome
Thanks for agreeing with me on the points you do, but when you mention things in our history which you associate with our flag that are negative, you also have to think of the positive things: the diggers, freedom, democracy, security, wealth, happiness, and the list goes on. I'm certain that the list of positives is far greater than the negatives. If it weren't we'd be living in a quagmire.I agree with agent pollifax on some points too, but it really depends how u see the flag doesn't it? i mean, yes, im sure in the right sense, we can see that the flag represents us. but the background of the flag-imperialism, destruction, draining, atrocities against aborigines....are all those things representative of the Aussie people in this day and age? i know the kid wasnt thinking of all this when he burnt the flag however...
If the flag represents our past, and our present, then it must not be a representation of only the negatives, which are really a small part of the big picture.
When you think about it, for a colour (or flag, banner, etc) touched the ground, it meant an army had been conquered. burning the flag takes that to a whole different level.
The problem with that is, we aren't allowed to follow that trend, for instance, we cannot say we are one nation under GOD because the Constitution says we aren't. I agree with you however that in year 10 or something, the flag should be in the syllabus for HSIE, so that students can learn what it stands for, and the history behind it.Most countries' flags have definite meanings such as in the US flag;White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief [the broad band above the stripes] signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice.(wiki). Most students in the US knew what the flag stands for and what it represents. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to The Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. If those basic knowlege are not taught in australian schools I am not surprised that many australian are confused about their national identity such as many australian citizens, born here but not consider themselves australian or a part of it, or despise it! I seriously support an overhaul of australian school system and revision of curriculum. I'm wondering whether they taught civics subject at all in school?
If people don't see themselves as Australian, they can burn their passports and citizenship documents which represent their Australianism, not the flag which represents the Commonwealth as a whole.People born here should feel and see themselves as Aussies. The sad thing is some don't. BUT the problem is a 2 way thing... events like Cronulla, etc...well doesn't that isolate minorities making them feel even less Australian?
When the us-and-them attitude can be disposed of from every faction in Aussie society, only then will a lot of people come forward and say they're Australian. After the Cronulla riots, I bet a lot of people possibly went into reflection(?)...about who they are...what they stand for etc...and that's not a bad thing.
The flag is sacred enough, but there are obviously deep seated issues which need to be resolved first before we go on about burning a kid at stake for fucking up a flag. I say we MAKE them feel more Australian, before isolating them. We can't simply say "he burnt the flag to hurt the AUstralain people". I mean, he IS Asutralaian. Let's make him see that(don't ask me how)...hope this made sense
Well, your majesty, so much for the freedom of expression you are defending and the parliamentary privilege in debate.Insulting your betters will get you nowhere.
It doesnt matter what kind of a gathering it is, it could be a girl scout bake off for all I care, once you burn that flag, you are showing your distain for the nation by destroying in flames its most sacred national emblem.The flag represents different things to different people. I am prepared to accept that ordinarily, the flag represent the nation of Australia, although not necessarily the values of the nation. The nation as an entity is not as significant to many compared to other units such as family, religion or a universal notion (such as peace or love). There are exceptions to that in certain situations. A particular act of burning the flag is only visible to a limited number of people unless it is broadcasted through some medium. When a protest is made out to those people, they are generally aware of the intention of the specific protest - whether against racism, war, government or monarchism (personally I'm a monarchist btw). The fact that they may interpret the burning as an insult to the nation appears far fetched and will be outweighed by the message of the protest. After all, it is merely an insult and not an actual infliction of harm.
Even if it is accepted that the gist of flag burning is insult to the nation, I don't feel that it is sufficient to deem the action a crime. A blanket ban on insulting the nation is a coercion of the population into loving the nation. If the nation is so great and fantastic to all, there would not be many occurrences of flag burning within that nation, given the constant that flag burning is allowed as an freedom of expression in the first place.
Once the lighter goes near the cloth, that turns the gathering from peaceful assembly, to a riot with the intention to incite hatred.
Greater emphasis on multiculturalism, ey? So that would mean we need to be more caring and considerate of other nations, yes? So what would happen if I went into the middle of Baghdad and set fire to the Iraq flag, because I protest the use of militia? Would I be praised for expressing my thoughts? I think not. What would happen if I even went to Sydney and set fire to the Lebanese flag? I'd probably wake up several months later in intensive care. Why is it that we are moulding ourselves around other people? Why should Australians have to change to suit others? Why must we forget that we are Australian because we don't want to be politically incorrect?"Was" is the operative word in this. I understand your nostalgic conservative sentiments. Times and priorities unfortunately change, and in present day there is a greater emphasis on multiculturalism, internationalism and gender equality (for example) than patriotic symbols. Again you may disagree with or despise such concepts and I feel sorry for the internal hurt it may be causing in you.
Wake up, Australia and be proud.
Also, kudos to the members of Parliament who not long ago told muslim clerics that if they wanted to abide by allah's law before Australia's law, they can leave.