What Makes You Proud to be British?

[thefab444]

This country was gutted and filleted in the last hundred years. Hardly a shadow of her former self. We are turning into a province of the European Union, retiring into obscurity to wither away to a forgotten power. In 1898, Great Britain was the most powerful country the world has ever seen.

I'm afraid that's natural turnover, a country can't remain a great power forever.

 

[mumrar]

Yeah, one hundred years ago Britain was so great - exploitation, racial oppression and discrimination, taking resources from other countries for our own use (we still do this now, but have to pay). Oh yes, what a proud heritage that is! It's that kind of stuff which I'm NOT proud to be British because of.

 

[delt1c]

I take it that means you're happy to be British on Xmas Day or something. I'm proud that the education I got in England taught me how many days are in a year!

364 days proud to be a Scot, 1 day Hangover day which is 1st january, not even proud to be awake.
Christmas day proud to be a Scot, not sure why you think I should be British on X MAS day. Proud of Scotish education as well.

 

[thefab444]

Such a great Scottish education you can't even spell it correctly!

 

[delt1c]

Such a great Scottish education you can't even spell it correctly!

Extra Hangover day this year plus dislexic key board:cry:

 

[me123]

Good Scottish education too make me proud to be Scotlandese.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I am proud to be English and that is for the following:::

Proud:

Plenty of decent(ish) Countryside
Sunday Roasts
Typical British Moaning

Not Proud:

Political Correctness Gone Mad (Banning barr barr black sheep springs to mind!)
The joke that is Britain's Railways
The England National Football Team - utter disgrace

Couldn't agree more: Baa Baa Black Sheep in Birmingham's schools was Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep. Idiotic

 

[90019]

Good Scottish education too make me proud to be Scotlandese.

Bloody Weigeys, bringing the rest of us down!

 

[scotsman]

Proud Scot but NOT a Nationalist. Really don't see the point of independence. Britain works well as a Union, so why change the status quo.

Proud to be a Scot:
1. The Scottish Parliament
2. Hearing "Highland Cathedral" from the massed Pipes and Drums at Murrayfield
3. Caledonian MacBrayne
4. The highest Labour majorities in the UK

 

[90019]

Couldn't agree more: Baa Baa Black Sheep in Birmingham's schools was Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep. Idiotic

It wasn't, that's an urban myth.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It wasn't, that's an urban myth.

Urban myth or not, its a sad, sad situation that it is even a thought to change the song due to politcally correct idiots
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Proud Scot but NOT a Nationalist. Really don't see the point of independence. Britain works well as a Union, so why change the status quo.

Proud to be a Scot:
1. The Scottish Parliament
2. Hearing "Highland Cathedral" from the massed Pipes and Drums at Murrayfield
3. Caledonian MacBrayne
4. The highest Labour majorities in the UK

Agree with your points 2 + 3, even though I'm not a Scot myself, shame we don't get good sport songs and ferry companies down here. Think we all know who you voted for from point 4

As I'm Northern Irish, I find any UK singing God Save the Queen with pride making me proud.

 

[Greenback]

Urban myth or not, its a sad, sad situation that it is even a thought to change the song due to politcally correct idiots
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Agree with your points 2 + 3, even though I'm not a Scot myself, shame we don't get good sport songs and ferry companies down here. Think we all know who you voted for from point 4

As I'm Northern Irish, I find any UK singing God Save the Queen with pride making me proud.

Nobody thought to change the song, the tale was made up, like so many good urban myths! Probably emerged from the internet!

Personally, I find God Save the Queen to be a bit of a dirge musically.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Personally, I find God Save the Queen to be a bit of a dirge musically.

Whats a dirge? Please explain

 

[Oswyntail]

...God Save the Queen ... a bit of a dirge musically.

Even then it is more lively than "Flowers of Scotland". But that's enough trolling for now.

 

[Greenback]

Whats a dirge? Please explain

Not sure of the dictionary definition, but it is usually used to eman slow, sombre and funereal.

Just on a personal level, I think a national song should be about the country rather than it's monarch, it should be rousing, uplifting, upbeat and inspiring.

It's all subjective of course, but I find GSTQ to be none of those, compared to the Star Spangled Banner or French one (I can't even begin to spell it!)

I'm one of the people who believes that playing Rule Britannia or Land of Hope and Glory would be more apporpriate at sporting events involving England. Leave GSTQ as the UK anthem!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Not sure of the dictionary definition, but it is usually used to eman slow, sombre and funereal.

Just on a personal level, I think a national song should be about the country rather than it's monarch, it should be rousing, uplifting, upbeat and inspiring.

It's all subjective of course, but I find GSTQ to be none of those, compared to the Star Spangled Banner or French one (I can't even begin to spell it!)

I'm one of the people who believes that playing Rule Britannia or Land of Hope and Glory would be more apporpriate at sporting events involving England. Leave GSTQ as the UK anthem!

GSTQ is really about our country - a sign of devotion and pride to our empire.

Our national anthem should be, if not GSTQ, Rule Brittania, Land of Hope and Glory or Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepp

 

[CarterUSM]

I'm one of the people who believes that playing Rule Britannia or Land of Hope and Glory would be more apporpriate at sporting events involving England. Leave GSTQ as the UK anthem!

Perhaps land of hope and glory, but not Rule Brittania! A poem written by James Thompson of Scotland and set to music by Englands Thomas Arne. A music equivalent of the union of the crowns.

 

[the sniper]

Nothing makes me proud to be British. When I think of Britain, all I can think of is the absolute shambles that continues to come out of Westminster on a daily basis. Illegal/dodgy wars. Expenses scandals that no-one could make up. The farce that is the House of Commons. The bigger (and more expensive) farce of the House of Lords. These are just some of the reasons why I'd be embarrassed to call myself "British".

Funny, when I think of the Scottish Parliament at the moment, all I think of is the unbelievable early release of an international terrorist on 'compassionate' grounds. Nobody's perfect, heh?

I am proud to be English and that is for the following:

Typical British Moaning

Don't you mean English moaning?

Not Proud:
The joke that is Britain's Railways

But surely your proud that Britain created the railway and gave it to the world? And surely your proud that Britain were railway innovators for nearly 150 years? (The BR Research Department and APT/HST dragged out the age of innovation).

The Royal Navy, the force that holds Pax Britannica, keeping the shipping lanes open and the world stable. The Army, solid and reliable, ready to face down anyone who dares to challenge us. The Royal Air Force, first and finest, defending our skies and, if necessary, ready to devastate the industry of any country who turns against us.
Here, what have they scrapped now?

I don't really get your point here. Are you saying that the RAF, Army and Royal Navy would be better if they continued to use old, outdated and sometimes decrepit technology?

Couldn't agree more: Baa Baa Black Sheep in Birmingham's schools was Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep. Idiotic

Urban myth or not, its a sad, sad situation that it is even a thought to change the song due to politcally correct idiots

Maybe, but the thought never reached the Birmingham primary school my mom works in and non of her colleagues in other Birmingham schools had heard about it until the press told them they were already supposedly doing it!

I think it was more of an issue to the press then it ever was for anyone on the ground.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I think it was more of an issue to the press then it ever was for anyone on the ground.

OK - but some political correctness is way OTT, like cloud bursting not brainstorming - it offends people who get seizures/fits, sorry its just rediculous

 

[CarterUSM]

Funny, when I think of the Scottish Parliament at the moment, all I think of is the unbelievable early release of an international terrorist on 'compassionate' grounds. Nobody's perfect, heh?

I think of it as a 'parish council' filled with mostly non entities who couldn't run a menáge. Absolute embarrassment.

 

[Greenback]

GSTQ is really about our country - a sign of devotion and pride to our empire.

Our national anthem should be, if not GSTQ, Rule Brittania, Land of Hope and Glory or Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepp

There is no empire any more!

Perhaps land of hope and glory, but not Rule Brittania! A poem written by James Thompson of Scotland and set to music by Englands Thomas Arne. A music equivalent of the union of the crowns.

I take it back! Thanks Carter, i didn't know the background to the song!

 

[Zoe]

If you know the last verse of God Save the Queen then you will know it's anti-Scottish.

 

[Spaceflower]

This....

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

only in fishing

oh and wallace and grommit

 

[scotsman]

Urban myth or not, its a sad, sad situation that it is even a thought to change the song due to politcally correct idiots
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Agree with your points 2 + 3, even though I'm not a Scot myself, shame we don't get good sport songs and ferry companies down here. Think we all know who you voted for from point 4

As I'm Northern Irish, I find any UK singing God Save the Queen with pride making me proud.

lol! (Not at you)

1. I dislike the idea of the English anthem being used as the UK anthem
2. Highland Cathedral isn't actually a sport song - it is, I believe, a "trad. arr."
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If you know the last verse of God Save the Queen then you will know it's anti-Scottish.

Aye, if they banned that verse the SNP vote would fall!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

lol! (Not at you)

1. I dislike the idea of the English anthem being used as the UK anthem
2. Highland Cathedral isn't actually a sport song - it is, I believe, a "trad. arr."
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Aye, if they banned that verse the SNP vote would fall!

I knew it wasn't a sports song - just being sung at a sporting venue was nice
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There is no empire any more!



I take it back! Thanks Carter, i didn't know the background to the song!

I know there's no empire, but it was written when there was Its just a song of loyalty to your country

 

[scotsman]

Funny, when I think of the Scottish Parliament at the moment, all I think of is the unbelievable early release of an international terrorist on 'compassionate' grounds. Nobody's perfect, heh?

To be honest, I feel it was the right thing to do - the man was dying along way from his family. In the end, you're punnishing them too.

 

[CarterUSM]

If you know the last verse of God Save the Queen then you will know it's anti-Scottish.

I disagree to an extent, the said verse implores General Wade and the BRITISH army(including thousands of Scots) to crush rebellious Scots, that much is true, but the Scots being referred to are the pro-Stuart Jacobites, whom he did indeed crush, and thank goodness too in my opinion. The verse was dropped shortly after Culloden also.

 

[me123]

Funny, when I think of the Scottish Parliament at the moment, all I think of is the unbelievable early release of an international terrorist on 'compassionate' grounds. Nobody's perfect, heh?

The Scottish Parliament may not be perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more practical than Westminster. Government and politicians aside for a minute, Holyrood is a better parliament. In terms of logistics, Holyrood is centuries ahead of Westminster (with automatic voting technology meaning a division can take only a few seconds, rather than the twenty minutes it takes in London). And the rabble of Westminster is utterly embarrassing.

In terms of the actual politicians, I look at the Labour lot in London, and compare them to the three administrations up here (two Labour and an SNP). None of the three are perfect, but all of them seem to have done a lot more than Labour in London at the time. And the delivery of some pioneering legislation, such as world-leading climate change legislation, the smoking ban and the breastfeeding laws, years ahead of Westminster and in a fraction of the time.

Scotland's Parliament is something I am genuinely proud of. There are faults with it; to say it got off to a shaky start is the biggest understatement of last century. But it does deliver, and it's considerably better value for money than the politicians in Westminster.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The Scottish Parliament may not be perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more practical than Westminster. Government and politicians aside for a minute, Holyrood is a better parliament. In terms of logistics, Holyrood is centuries ahead of Westminster (with automatic voting technology meaning a division can take only a few seconds, rather than the twenty minutes it takes in London). And the rabble of Westminster is utterly embarrassing.

In terms of the actual politicians, I look at the Labour lot in London, and compare them to the three administrations up here (two Labour and an SNP). None of the three are perfect, but all of them seem to have done a lot more than Labour in London at the time. And the delivery of some pioneering legislation, such as world-leading climate change legislation, the smoking ban and the breastfeeding laws, years ahead of Westminster and in a fraction of the time.

Scotland's Parliament is something I am genuinely proud of. There are faults with it; to say it got off to a shaky start is the biggest understatement of last century. But it does deliver, and it's considerably better value for money than the politicians in Westminster.

Talking of politics, what happened to the Lib Dem's railway reopening scheme?

 

[scotsman]

Talking of politics, what happened to the Lib Dem's railway reopening scheme?

Erm, they could claim some of Airdire - Bathgate and Alloa. They were partners with Labour (!) for the first two sessions of the Scottish Parliament.