Tuesday, 5 August 2008

The flag

Well here's one for the CyberNats to go over-the-top on...

China has banned the flying of the Saltire (along with many other world flags, ie Tibet).

The Nats will have a field day, but to be honest, why?

If a competitor is taking part representing Britain, he/she is obviously not disgusted at being a British representative, so should have no NEED to fly the Saltire, desire maybe, but need, no.

And if they are so afronted by not being able to fly the Saltire while participating as a British competitor, then just fly home now. I'm Scottish and proud. But like it or lump, we are also British, and that is what you are when you are at the Olympics.

I look forward to the childish tantrum that will inevitably ensue from our SNP bloggers, so that I can pity them. Soon enough, we'll have independence anyway, and then, and only then, will we be able to fly the flag, and thenm, and only then, will the Nats stop moaning about stuff that really doesn't matter.

2 comments:

Jeff said...

Wow, that's a very black and white way of looking at it.

It really shouldn't be such a big deal. Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, Europe. All of the above flags (if they exist) should be permissible. What's the big deal about how someone expresses their support for an athlete?

"Fly this flag or you can f*** off home" is an interesting angle. Maybe you should apply to the Chinese Govt for a position as Sports Minister? ;)


Oh, and it's not China that's banning the flags, they are merely enforcing an exsiting IOC rule that has existed for years...

Political Dissuasion said...

What a shock, within an hour of posting, a card-carrying-CyberNat posts a comment!

It shouldn't be a big deal, EITHER WAY, but I'm just predicting that SNP fans will be on their very high, very tartan horses about it.

The Olympics is a non-political event and the IOC is a non-political organisation, so if, for example, Tibetans want to fly their flag, either in joy, or in protest, it can't happen as it will spark a non-olympic political debate.

So before any card-carrying CyberNats start comparing their quest for independence (which I support) to the struggles of Tibetans (cos you know there's someone out there who'll do it), I just wanted to pre-empt them with "shut up".