For Saint George!

Be proud to be English, etc, blah, blah, blah.

I thought I'd start this thread, as I read something which cracked me up today, and I thought I'd let other's enjoy it as well.

I'm a Sun reader (apologies, eternal shame, etc), and they've got their usual St. George's day stuff going on, plenty of topless birds wrapped in English flags and all that. Very nice too. :D

Anyway, as a serious bit, on page 8, they've got the Chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, Trevor Philips, to write a piece.

He's basically on about being black and English, and proud to celebrate St. George’s day; and it’s all very nice.

Now... towards the end of his article, he starts listing reasons for us English to be proud, and he writes - "There is a great deal to be proud of; the courage that defeated Hitler, the culture that gave the world Shakespeare, The Beatles and..."

What do you reckon comes next? Standing against Hitler; Shakespeare; The Beatles... a pretty impressive list of English (British if you like) achievements, so the next one better be a biggy.

It needs to stand shoulder to shoulder with our courage during our darkest hours, the world's greatest ever playwright, a band who conquer the world and became 'bigger than Jesus' to quote that one with the crap glasses.

So, who did good old Trevor choose to finish this list of greats?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, in his own words, Trevor Philip's choice:

"There is a great deal to be proud of; the courage that defeated Hitler, the culture that gave the world Shakespeare, The Beatles and... Naomi Campbell."

Naomi Campbell!

Some silly bint, who arses about on a catwalk, in shoes and crap hats. Yeah Trev, that's the same as Shakespeare. That's as important as the fight against the Nazi's. I'm sure Miss Campbell will be remembered long after the Beatles songs have since faded from our memory.

He's having a laugh, isn't he?

I couldn't help but laugh when I read that. :D

Anyway, old Trev does pull it back, with the last line - "Today, I'll wear a rose with pride. Whatever colour or faith you are, maybe you should too."

Well said Trev. Enjoy St. George’s Day all. :D

NAOMI CAMPBELL...

blimey :(

but i'm not english... i'm scottish....and australian.... so i cant be proud to be english :P

No. You will have to make do with wishing you were English. ;)

quite the opposite my dear, i'd rather be anything but. But you have to be proud of what u've got, so carry on :p

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Originally Posted by Elmo

quite the opposite my dear, i'd rather be anything but. But you have to be proud of what u've got, so carry on :p

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Don't give me that, love. After years of simple, hairy, ginger galoots, slobbering all over you, reeking of Iron Brew and shouting 'FREEEEDOM!' at the point of climax, you'd kill for a sophisticated Englishman like me.

See, with us English, you get a real man, who doesn't have bits of deep fried Mars bars trapped between his teeth; and we have colour television as well.

Ah yes, I could open your eyes darling, if only you'd come South, where the men have evolved fully, and the cave's are places to visit on crap school trips, not houses.

Bet you'd love it down here. :D

;)

ST georges day is a joke, simple as that. No-one gives a damn about it, which is a shame, i'm proud to be English for the stuff that people in the past have done for us, the brave people of wwI and WWII, the soliders out in the gulf risking their lives for us.

But i'm not proud of modern day England, I think its a damn disgrace.

TiG

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Originally Posted by Vaul

Don't give me that, love. After years of simple, hairy, ginger galoots, slobbering all over you, reeking of Iron Brew and shouting 'FREEEEDOM!' at the point of climax, you'd kill for a sophisticated Englishman like me.

See, with us English, you get a real man, who doesn't have bits of deep fried Mars bars trapped between his teeth; and we have colour television as well.

Ah yes, I could open your eyes darling, if only you'd come South, where the men have evolved fully, and the cave's are places to visit on crap school trips, not houses.

Bet you'd love it down here. :D

;)

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ahh but wanting the love of an englishman and wanting to BE english are 2 VERY different things!

My bf *is* english, but i dont ever want to BE english :D no offence.... petal..

*wipes sweat off head*

Lucky i'm not English, i would feel ashamed if my country saw naomi campbell as an achievement. *shakes head*

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Originally Posted by KeZZeR

*wipes sweat off head*

Lucky i'm not English, i would feel ashamed if my country saw naomi campbell as an achievement. *shakes head*

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I don't think anyone else does, just Trev, for some reason. (Which was sort of the point mate, but you seem to have missed it :D )

I mean, I'd really like to ask him why he went for Naomi Campbell. He's used the fight against Hitler, Shakespear and the Beatles, now why, when needing one more example, go for some silly model?

I mean, he could have gone for Winston Churchill, Darwin or someone. What possesed him to choose Naomi Campbell?

On what grounds is she a reason for us to be proud to be English? What has she supposed to have done?

ditto Kezzer...I feel I have more scottish in me than anything else...my first name is with out question a sure fire way of telling that!...not much of a fan of things 'english'. but there's nothing I abjectly hate either way so I'd rather go on living quitely than kick up a fuss. It doesn't bother me what people are...apart from carnies and damned dirty apes taking over the world...

Care to expand further on the comment "I'm not much of a fan of things English" Shiato?

What exactly do you mean? You don't like the English, in a charming Xenophobic way, or you don't like Steak and Kidney pie? :D

meaning I don't exactly rave on about english in the sort of way perhaps americans would anything american - I think most people in england hold some modicum of reserve...shame the old US doesn't. - just mean I'm not a fan but I'm not really objecting to anything. get it? not fussed with how things are... etc. I guess i worded my earlier comment incorrectly then, no, I'm not xenophobic towards people but I would call myself more scottish than english . . . despite the english accent. lots of my family live in scotland, Gran came down during the war to work in hospital (in fact at No. 1 London...at teh bottom of Hyde Park where that big war memorial/arch is...yeah she worked there), she moved out to country but dad works in city and so on so forth, and thats how I came to live in london... *takes a bow*

and no I don't like steak and kidney pie. kidneys, yuch!! I know what those things do! (studied them)...

Well speaking of one who is British but not English -if you want to be technical, I see no problem with pride in any of it. To be honest I think that the English of British or however you want to split it, should be more patriotic.

It's not a matter of imagining the country is perfect and you're proud of it all, but it's a sense of heritage, of values, of what we've given to the world. It's passion for one's country that gives the motivation to change it!

Also, doctor's prove that being positive is good for your health - so there!

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Originally Posted by Galant

Also, doctor's prove that being positive is good for your health - so there!

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Have they?

Rejoice, all is well!

Shiato - The story of how you came to live in London is an epic and beautiful tale, which I'm sure you will enjoy telling to your children, and, in time, they to their children.

That bow was well deserved, my son.

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Originally Posted by Galant

Well speaking of one who is British but not English -if you want to be technical, I see no problem with pride in any of it. To be honest I think that the English of British or however you want to split it, should be more patriotic.

It's not a matter of imagining the country is perfect and you're proud of it all, but it's a sense of heritage, of values, of what we've given to the world. It's passion for one's country that gives the motivation to change it!

Also, doctor's prove that being positive is good for your health - so there!

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generally it's split scottish, english, welsh and n.Irish. I'm proud to be scottish, we have glorious countryside and scenery, pretty cities, whisky, highland cows, robert the bruce, william wallace, what more could one country want!?

I thought William Wallace was of Irish parentage.....

As for Naomi Campbell - I've nothing against her personally, and obviously he wanted to add someone of ethnic descent, but it's must be a bit of a kick in the teeth to those that have a great deal more to contribute to this country !!

Still, as I understand it St. George was a roman soldier of Turkish origins, so you have to laugh at the whole situation anyway.....

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Originally Posted by Auran

Still, as I understand it St. George was a roman soldier of Turkish origins, so you have to laugh at the whole situation anyway.....

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only ...ONLY you would know that :D

To be English is as follows....

To grimace at que jumpers but simply to cough and not smack them in the gob.

To love to mow the lawn.

etc etc.....

Me...? I'm alien ;)

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Originally Posted by Auran

Still, as I understand it St. George was a roman soldier of Turkish origins, so you have to laugh at the whole situation anyway.....

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Not sure of your point, to be honest. St. George never killed a dragon either. Its just tradition, he doesn't have to have been born in Oxford, he's the patron Saint of England, and that's the point, me old mucker.

Scotting blokes can also wear authentic Kilts. from a real clan, not some made up one.
Elmo - being scotting yourself, do you know what clan you're part of at all?
I'm a Colquhoun, tartan colour is this:
http://www.destinationscotland.com/t...mages/colq.gif
or this
http://www.destinationscotland.com/t...ages/colq3.gif
or lastly this [called 'colquhoun dress' so guessing for the ladies?...
http://www.destinationscotland.com/t.../colqdress.gif...

...
http://www.macbraveheart.freeserve.c...pics/pic20.jpg

Well, I'm not as Scotting as you (Scottish?) obviously Shiato Storm, or indeed Mrs Elmo, but I don't think the dress tartan's are, as you say 'for the ladies'.

As I understand it, one of the primary colours is changed to white, for the dress tartan. You then have the Clan tartan, a Chief’s tartan, worn only by... you guessed it, the Clan Chief, and there are also District tartans and a Royal tartan.

Although I'm English born and bred, my ancestor’s were (to my eternal shame :D ) sweaty socks. Like I say, I was born in England, as was my Dad, but his Dad was born in Scotland.

Its quite interesting actually, because my Dad is very interested in our family history, and still see's himself as a Scot, so come any sort of England \ Scotland football match, its very interesting in our house. :D

Anyway, he's into all this Clan stuff, and the tartan of my Clan is this little number:

Maclaren Modern:
http://www.lindaclifford.com/Images/MacLaren.jpg

Maclaren Ancient
http://www.lindaclifford.com/Images/MacLarenOC.jpg

The Clans motto is apperantly "Creag un Turic" which means 'The Boars Rock', anyway, we had a holliday in Scotland a few years back, and this rock is where the Clan would gather, and it still stands, so my Dad, being the Highlander that he is, decides to visit it.

Here it is
http://www.balquhidder.org.uk/glnmnt...ntuircview.jpg

As you can see, its on the top of a mountain, which I wasn't told when I agreed to go with him. I had to walk up that to get to this rock. Then we had a nice meal in the sun, next to it.

I have to admit, even as a proud Englishman, my ancestors had a pretty fantasic, beautifull view from their Clan gathering place. A cut above anything I get to see in Birmingham.

Nice place Scottland, if you go to the green bits, and not the cities. :D

seems this thread has been taken over by Scots.. time to strike back!
according to http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/standrew.html,
St. Andrew was thought to have been an israeli fisherman, so George is just as English as ol' Andy is Scottish :P

yeah I forget which is the modern and which is ancient tartarn, I believe its been somewhat influenced by the yanks...I found some yanky clan member wannabee's...ok so they may have been related several hundred years ago but personly I'd not want to be related to many of them across the pond...

my clan is the henderson clan

Henderson modern:
http://www.lindaclifford.com/Images/Henderson.jpg

and Henderson Ancient:
http://www.lindaclifford.com/Images/HendersonOC.jpg

I used to have a little tartan kilt in my grampa's clan's tartan :p

ah i remember now, the colquhoun modern is dark blue which I think is nicer than the lighter blue ancient one...but there you go.

p.s. not sure why the one above came out purple...!

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Originally Posted by Elmo

generally it's split scottish, english, welsh and n.Irish. I'm proud to be scottish, we have glorious countryside and scenery, pretty cities, whisky, highland cows, robert the bruce, william wallace, what more could one country want!?

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Scottish, English, Welsh and N. Irish - lovely. However, I happen to have been born in Gibraltar, to a Father born there also (listed as a British Dependent Territories Citizen).

What more could you want? Well, if you don't like plaid...or men in skirts...

just kidding - please don't flame with those lightning bolts William!


Seriously though, Gibraltarian - what's that then? Overrun by the Moors, fought over by the Spanish, taken by the British and Dutch 1704 I believe, an absolute melting pot of pretty much every mediterranean culture out there.

And now, now the HM Govmt, is seriously thinking of dumping us off to the Spanish because they're being beligerent and not very cooperative. Nothing like the unity and tolerance of Europe is there? At least the Scottish and N' Irish don't get bartered over!

no the irish just blow people up...well, used to anyway - thankfully its changing now.

Ooh look more reason to be proud!

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Originally Posted by shiato storm

no the irish just blow people up...well, used to anyway - thankfully its changing now.

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Not all people, just imperialist bullies!

At least we have stopped blowing people up, and the English have stopped ....oh no Iraq sorry, they are still at it.....oops. :P

Nothng wrong with a bit of national pride. As long as you dont go as weird as americans do!

yeah, i'd agree on that one.

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Originally Posted by shiato storm

no the irish just blow people up...well, used to anyway - thankfully its changing now.

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Not the Irish just the IRA. Thats a bit of patriotism gone too far .

As far as I can see the in general the Irish are not nearly as patriotic as they make themselves out to be. Apart from Paddy's day and a few other drinking fests now one gives a rubbishrubbishrubbishrubbish which is a bit sad. Actually not no one but very few :( .

Theres nothing like a bit of oppression to bring out pride in your country :rolleyes: Except for the Amercicans that is :p !!!

Back to the original newspaper...is it not possible that Trev was just having a laugh? and didnt mean anything by it at all

perhaps we should see what happens when everyone else represses the americans for a change? would shut them up at least wouldn't it.
here's another thing; you can ALWAYS spot an american +60yrs on holiday...its the shell suit and white trainers that give them away.

That and they always shout, seem to be incapable of talking.

true true.

oh yeah, with reference to the words above, they can't make beer either. budwiser,coors etc. they're all like making love in a canoo.

...f***ing close to water.

Shiato

After 10 pints of Budwiser on draft you might reconsider the comment about water.....

Reasons to be Proud:

1

2

3

Some fun stuff:

Here

after 10 pints of budweiser on draft I'd still be pouring it down the drain...aweful stuff.

p.s. reason not to be proud of british-ness...

http://archiv.radio.cz/nato/fotogalerie2/bush_blair.jpg

*slow hand clap...*

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Originally Posted by Galant

Scottish, English, Welsh and N. Irish - lovely. However, I happen to have been born in Gibraltar, to a Father born there also (listed as a British Dependent Territories Citizen).

What more could you want? Well, if you don't like plaid...or men in skirts...

just kidding - please don't flame with those lightning bolts William!


Seriously though, Gibraltarian - what's that then? Overrun by the Moors, fought over by the Spanish, taken by the British and Dutch 1704 I believe, an absolute melting pot of pretty much every mediterranean culture out there.

And now, now the HM Govmt, is seriously thinking of dumping us off to the Spanish because they're being beligerent and not very cooperative. Nothing like the unity and tolerance of Europe is there? At least the Scottish and N' Irish don't get bartered over!

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I spent 2 weeks last summer in Gib, i loved it, it's like a really sunny england, with lots of friendly people that speak spangligib (a mixture of english, spanish and gibraltarian). My best mate worked in Pizza hut on casemates. Having to cross the border with spain twice or more times a day was slightly amusing tho (he lives just outside gib in la linea).

Maybe the term used should have been UK citizens rather than british, as britain has colonies all over the place.

Glad to hear you liked the place! A lot fo people hate it, but I have a lot of good memories over there.

Hit any of the beaches? (doubtless!) Which did you prefer? I haven't been in several years, wonder what's changed. Don't know if it would be the same for me now, my Grandfather and his wife died a few years ago, and they were so cool. When I was a kid we used to visit and he'd have the drawer full of sweets, chocolate bars, M&M's all kind of things - kid's dream! But to make us learn Spanish, we had to ask for things in Spanish - "Abuelo, quiero chocolate por favor!" To be honest, he'd give it to us anyway, such a magnificent guy. He was Spanish, from La Linea, and I still have quite a bit of family on both sides of that border.

I don't mind British - because I think there's a lot the 'British' have to be proud of.

Of course, Saint George being the start of the thread, it does limit it to English. Bit weird really.

Only went to one beach, wasnt really a beachy holiday, one of my other mates over there has a pool in his garden, he lives in Guadacortes. Not sure what the beach was called but it's over where the la linea market is held. Went up the rock to see the apes... cheekieh moonkiehs! Also went to marocco - that was amazing :D

Would definitely go back, it was the best holiday i've had for a very long time :)

That sounds like East Beach - the one nearest to the border - if you face the sea then the Rock is to your right, maybe just behind you????

Personally, loved Catalan Bay and Rosia Bay, Sandy Bay and Little Bay! :)

I heard that the apes were actually added as part of the army. A while back that is.

Apparently some hostile forces were trying to invade/take over, and whilst creeping up the side of the rock, the apes noticed them and started to freak out, thus alerting the home troops to the enemy presence allowing them to put 'em down!

Did you check out the caves/tunnels? I love all the winding streets, and the steps, and buildings etc. :)

Never been to Morocco, would love to visit. See any dolphins?