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Post by ronturner on Nov 13, 2013 12:16:42 GMT 1
Can you imagine, what protests might have erupted, if any of our so called "ethnic" groups had been insulted in this way? It also tells us that the worker who hoisted the flag, had no idea what he was looking at. I wonder to which ethnic group he belonged? www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24906040 |
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Post by Biggles on Nov 13, 2013 21:23:54 GMT 1
Makes one wonder where the Flag was actually produced. Total and utter disgrace.
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Post by johnoakes on Nov 14, 2013 9:03:50 GMT 1
But who really cares?
There are no consequences so what the heck.
You can desicrate a war memorial with paint and be fined a few ponds but when a mosque is similarly treated its a jail sentence.
Who cares--who is going to redress the balance?
NO ONE is prepared to stand and be counted--they just keep their heads down and carry on .
Yet each one is a precedent to be built on.
Like the free flying lesson-oh but they are not free WE are paying for them--wonder where the 9/11 pilots got their training--bet they had to pay for them.
In King Lear Shakespear said words to the effect--If you pull down your pants and give someone else the stick don't be surprised if you get your arse wacked.
I can hear the sounds now. Can you?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2013 11:34:08 GMT 1
But who really cares? There are no consequences so what the heck. You can desicrate a war memorial with paint and be fined a few ponds but when a mosque is similarly treated its a jail sentence. Who cares--who is going to redress the balance? NO ONE is prepared to stand and be counted--they just keep their heads down and carry on . Yet each one is a precedent to be built on. Like the free flying lesson-oh but they are not free WE are paying for them--wonder where the 9/11 pilots got their training--bet they had to pay for them. In King Lear Shakespear said words to the effect--If you pull down your pants and give someone else the stick don't be surprised if you get your arse wacked. I can hear the sounds now. Can you? Who cares? Hardly anyone. Who is taking part in 'reality shows' is far more important, or which footballer is being transferred to where and for how much. I fear for the future of a country where so many young people just want to be a 'celeb' and have no interest in the history of their own country or in designing and manufacturing goods which the rest of the world wants, as we did for so long and were prosperous as a result. Let's put it simply. Germany still makes cars: Mercedes/BMW/Audi/VW. France still makes cars: Citroen/Renault/Peugeot. Italy still has Fiat and Alfa-Romeo. Spain still has SEAT, which is at least owned by a European car manufacturer. What does Britain have? Two Japanese car manufacturers and two British premium names which are owned by an Indian company. Vauxhall is the only volume car manufacturer with British origins, albeit as a subsidiary of Opel, which in turn is owned by General Motors. For the car industry, read most others - lorries for example. When did you last see a British-made lorry on our roads? And remember that on the international stage, two of Britain's biggest competitors are France and Germany. The fact that a contractor has so little understanding of the British national flag speaks volumes about the state of Britain today. Years ago, a few phone calls would have been made on the basis of WTF? Can you imagine that happening in America, where by law the national flag has to be burned if it falls to the ground and must be lit if it is flown at night? I believe the word we're looking for is pride, and there's no shame in that. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 14, 2013 21:43:12 GMT 1
Yes, but my point was that so few of these companies are in British hands. Profits are sent overseas and they can pull the plug (or threaten to) on UK production whenever the mood takes them, as we have already seen.
Even Aston Martin is barely British: Almost 40% is owned by an Italian investment company. Aston Martin V8 and V12 engines are still manufactured by Ford in Cologne, under an agreement that will last until 2013. Ford, which does not use either of the engines in its vehicle range and derives little benefit from the arrangement, has declined to comment on its future (my italics).
To balance it, JCB is a shining example of a British company in British hands which still produces a quality automotive product which is sold all over the world. I wish there were more like this.
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Post by wadoki on Nov 15, 2013 14:30:30 GMT 1
Maybe we could adopt the flag for the `New UK` after Alex Salmond gets his way and we wave good-bye to Bonnie Scotland.
Seriously though,the old Union Flag can`t fly after the union has gone,can it? The Cross of St.George doesn`t represent Wales or N.Ireland,and they will still be in the Union.
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Post by ronturner on Nov 18, 2013 18:45:18 GMT 1
This question of the ownership of industries is a difficult one for me. It would be great if the capital behind these enterprises was returning its dividends into home turf, but it does not mean that the labours of its workers are any less valued and are not to be celebrated.
I raise the subject because I worked for 16 glorious years for Philips, a Dutch owned company who employed thousands in the UK from Southampton to Scotland making all sorts from Integrated circuits to TV screens.
Our division of Philips grew from a turnover of £0.5 million to over £200m per year, in just five years, and we opened up 4 new factories to achieve that, exporting all over the world.
The top men and the direction of the Company was in a foreign land, but the inspiration, the designs, the realisation and the production were all very much home grown, and something to be proud of.
All of this contrasts with the 100% British company which I left, Plessey, eventually to whither away.... Oddly enough, one of the advantages of working for a multinational is the certain knowledge that non competitiveness, be it price or quality, is a sure way to work yourself out of a job.
Yes. It is a pity that so many companies are owned by foreign capital, but do not under estimate the unique and valuable skills which still characterise our manufacturing industries, even in today's highly competitive climate.
As a footnote, if you want to get nearer to home, to take a look at how our once proud aircraft industry collapsed in the gentlemens' clubs and executive dining rooms of the day, read "Empire of the Clouds"
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Post by spotter27 on Dec 5, 2013 17:04:57 GMT 1
The flag consists of the Crosses of St George and St Andrew As well as the Cross of Ulster. There is no Welsh representation on the Union Flag because Wales is a part of England. Made so when England conquered Wales in battle. The country as such was co-opted into England and became one of it's provinces.
Scotland and England agreed to join parliaments, and Monarchs. A political move since Scotland was almost bankrupt and England needed a new Monarch.
Although I have lived in England since 1968 I am proud to say that I am Scottish. Like the majority of Scots I am not stupid and know what is good for me and my country. The Scots will not follow the Pompous Prat into oblivion.
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