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On this day, July 4th, Americans celebrate the founding of the United States and all of the freedoms being an American represents.
In my latest column, I discuss how the British people have been encouraged to reclaim their flag from the powers that be who would remove the Union Jack from all public places.
I was wondering how people felt about this.
If you have any comments, please post them here. I feel that this an issue that Americans, particularly, would be outraged about if it happened in America.

That really is ridiculous, Maureen. At this rate there will be no British nationality left the way this government's going.

I don't know that I understand. The flag stands for the country. If people want to be part of that country, why would they not like the flag? It's like moving to France and then saying "OK all you French people, now start speaking Swedish and eating Japanese food". Why did you go to France if that was your intention?

I don't understand this either, but this is the way the Government sees it. They don't see that this adds to bad feelings towards immigrants and it fires racism on a large scale.

You bet Americans would be outraged! I mean we freak out if we can't stomp, burn, mutilate, or do other icky things to our flag in the name of freedom of speech (don't get me wrong I'm not against freedom of speech, I just think that the flag means more, and stands for more, and is just too darn important to mutilate) So I really and truely think that a flag should stay a flag. I mean, the people who first decided on the flag didn't just close their eyes and pick something! It has meaning and historical value! PHEW! okay I said my spiell <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

It's largely because some groups took offence at the huge number of St George's Crosses and Union Jacks on display outside people's houses and then during the Jubilee I guess the sight of the Mall waving with hundreds of thousands of Union Jacks was just a bit too much for some stomachs. And that idiot Blunkett really has no common sense at all when it comes to such things. The British National Party is in fact a very tiny political group but the way some people react to it is what's causing the problem because they are considered to be racist.

The ridiculous thing about the flag issue was that people were just joining in with what everyone else was doing and it was great at the time and nobody said anything till well after the event - and the Government DEFINITELY didn't like the Japanese supporting the British football team when their team lost!

Just wait till we get to the Last Night of the Proms!!!

I was here in England for the last night of The Proms last year, and I was severely disappointed to see that they changed the program from the usual fanfare that closes the event.
I think they were wrong to change it. If a bit of patriotism was needed, it sure was needed then!
The Government should come to its senses about what patriotism is all about, if they can only understand what "The People" want.

i'm from Britain and i think the whole thing bout people bein offended by the union jack is stupid!!!i think it's the fact that our country is bein overrun by foreigners and assylum seekers doesnt help anyway!this is great britain, we shouldnt have to take our flags down for anyone, especially in our own country!i hope i havnt offended anyone but u gotta understand! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

political corectness sucks. It started out well aiming to end racial discrination and is ending up supressing indivituality. It is getting to a point where they will be making up laws like "you can vote for whoever you want as long as there not far right or far left". for saying this on the BBC current affairs website BB i got my post deleted and a message from the chief moderator asking me not to post messages people may find offencive. My post was simply saying political corectness had gone too far, it is turning into surpression and is just the goverment wanting more votes from people in minorities.

To stay brief:

- Britain has long since degraded from a powerfull and noble country into a dying puppet one.

- All the world society in general has degraded and those in charge - use this illness to their own good.

- Government and the media are all corrupt from toes to head, rotten from inside with attractive and cheesy outside.

- Spare the neurons, care for yourself if you are not in position to change anything ...