Weird and Wonderful stories from around the World

[binkie]

(28-02-2011 02:47 PM)HellsBells Wrote:  Interesting report binkie, although it seemed that a lot of ideas were 'lumped' together.
I'd support the flying of union flags from public buildings - there isn't enough flag-flying in this country!!

Have you ever participated in one of these market research surveys? The phrase "a lot of ideas lumped together" was invented to describe them! I once had the misfortune to spend 45 minutes responding to questions about renewable energy, convenience food, mental health and the Church of England. I'm sure there is a connection

You make an interesting point in separating out the flag thing, and you are not alone:

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/press/story.php?ID=57

[A Cousin]

(28-02-2011 03:36 PM)binkie Wrote:  Have you ever participated in one of these market research surveys? The phrase "a lot of ideas lumped together" was invented to describe them! I once had the misfortune to spend 45 minutes responding to questions about renewable energy, convenience food, mental health and the Church of England. I'm sure there is a connection

Uummmm...OK. I'll have a go. They are researching renewable energy options in the processing of convenience food in order to minimize the preservatives that go into said convenience food that cause neurological issues that can lead to mental health issues that put an undue strain on the mental health outreach programs run by the Church of England?

Are you sure it wasn't Zaf trying to pass you comms without letting the chick you were with with bomb sewn into her abdomen know?

---

Word to the wise, regular dental care. Just sayin'....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41765652/ns/...eird_news/

[Nixie]

This story is in today's Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/bungling-...1bd6u.html

Could the FBI really be that clumsy ... or are they having us on?

Interestingly, I have a US relative (some sort of cousin) who was a "legal attache" to several US embassies, including Australia. My mother used to say he was FBI, but as she's a great storyteller, I always took it with a pinch of salt. Now I wonder ...

My prevailing memory of him was that he had a handshake that could break bones and a big presence.

[HellsBells]

(28-02-2011 03:36 PM)binkie Wrote:  

(28-02-2011 02:47 PM)HellsBells Wrote:  Interesting report binkie, although it seemed that a lot of ideas were 'lumped' together.
I'd support the flying of union flags from public buildings - there isn't enough flag-flying in this country!!

Have you ever participated in one of these market research surveys? The phrase "a lot of ideas lumped together" was invented to describe them! I once had the misfortune to spend 45 minutes responding to questions about renewable energy, convenience food, mental health and the Church of England. I'm sure there is a connection

You make an interesting point in separating out the flag thing, and you are not alone:

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/press/story.php?ID=57

It's true, unless there is a football tournament on, nobody will fly a flag (St. George's or The Union Flag) and I guess it is for fear of being linked to the far right. Someone locally used to fly the American Flag, and I would think how great it must be to feel that proud of your nation.

(02-03-2011 10:51 AM)Nixie Wrote:  This story is in today's Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/bungling-...1bd6u.html

Could the FBI really be that clumsy ... or are they having us on?

That does sound incredible!! I love the way the paper actually found out the guy's real name and where he worked.

[A Cousin]

(02-03-2011 04:00 PM)HellsBells Wrote:  It's true, unless there is a football tournament on, nobody will fly a flag (St. George's or The Union Flag) and I guess it is for fear of being linked to the far right. Someone locally used to fly the American Flag, and I would think how great it must be to feel that proud of your nation.

I am fascinated by this.

It is not unusual in the US. To do so doesn't link one to any political position at all. Many, but not all, have flag poles outside their houses on which they fly the Stars and Stripes at least on national (non religious or ethnic) holidays such as Memorial Day (our Remembrance Day), Labor Day, July 4th, MLK Day, and Presidents Day. Some have them all the time. Old Glory is certainly flown on public government buildings at all times.

About a month after 9/11/01, I had a British friend visit and as we were driving down the highway she noticed the flag on every car, house, overerpass, on everything really. With clear astonishment, she asked, "Is it like this all the time?!?" I had to laugh and told her no. It was just an expression of solidarity due to the recent events.

[HellsBells]

I guess in England it is also becoming more blurred as the other countries in the United Kingdom (eg Scotland and Wales) move further away, politically. Do we in England fly the St george's cross, our national flag, or the Union Jack? I think either way someone would be offended!
Do individual states in America have they own flag?
I think you also need permission from the local authorities in erect a flag pole if you tend flying a flag for more than a set number of days.

[A Cousin]

(03-03-2011 02:25 PM)HellsBells Wrote:  Do individual states in America have they own flag?

Yes, but these are only flown on state/town government buildings (and maybe public spaces) with Old Glory on top and the individual state flag on the bottom. I cannot say that I have seen anyone fly a state flag at their home. I would go as far as to say that most people would not be able to identify their state flag! lol! Some state buildings in the south also fly the Confederate flag which is our reigning political issue when it comes to flag flying.

So...I can see where the political complications could come into it. I am fascinated by our similarities/differences. Just to make sure that I have this correct in my brain, St George's Cross is the white flag with the red cross correct? I will go out on a limb and say that most Americans would associate the Union Jack as the British flag.

[Beatriz]

Oh!!! This is really interesting!!!! I didn't know that flying a flag over there meant that!!! In Spain it's the same story, and I thought we were the only ones! A Spanish flag is linked to a far right mind (specially when there's an eagle in it, well, that's an obvious sign of far right political view, it was the flag of the dictatorship), actually when I had the Spanish flag beside my name, here on the forum, it felt a bit weird...
I think it's because the dictatorship is not far away, not everybody feels monarchist... People usually feel more at ease with their region flags.

[Silktie]

Here in SA people display the flags of their local rugby or soccer teams rather than the country flag...

Priorities, baby.

[Nixie]

Here in Oz people definitely display the colours of their footy teams (AFL or rugby - 'footy' refers to different sports in different states), especially around Grand Final time. They certainly know their teams' footy songs better than the national anthem. Most Aussies (myself included) know about this much of our national anthem:

"Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free
*blah blah blah* ...
Advance Australia Fair!

As for flags, well that's just controversial and closely linked to the 'to be or not to be a republic' debate.