Quote Originally Posted by Greenbeanz View Post
I look at it in a similar way to self respect. If you don't respect yourself the chances are you will not have much respect for others either. The politically correct brigade, who in an over eager attempt to appease their own ingrained prejudices, tried to align national pride, the Union Jack and particularly the English St George's Cross as an indication of a hostile attitude to immigrants and non white citizens, are actually the ones with a racist agenda.

By accident of birth,fate or pure chance we are born in a specific place on Earth. Why not embrace that reality and celebrate the history and cultural heritage that growing up in that specific country has given you. To be blindly patriotic without acknowledging the negative aspects of a country and to be so hyper sensitive so as to not be able to tolerate criticism, is stupid and dangerous, but to just pretend it does not matter is equally dumb.

When I go away I miss the green hills and moorland , the 7760 miles of coastline, the woodlands and heath, the bogs, the lakes , the trees, the rain, the Cities, towns , villages and hamlets, the crofts and farms. They were here a long time before the government or church and will be here for a long time after.
Part of me loves the fact that I am English and speak in a particular way and have reference points that excite me and characteristics that seemingly motivate others to like England too. I like that I am English, it is an intrinsic part of who I am. There are elements of being English that define me.

I don't adhere to a flag, nor care about anthems, but I do have an affinity for British culture. It is British literature and music that I see to return to more than all others. What turns me away is monarchy, politics, celebrity stalking and a police state mentality. And it really is a police state mentality and a media worship of our dear leader.

I can't be doing with any of that and seemingly everyone outside of the Daily Mail agrees.