Comments | nsingman: Those Sensitive Scotsmen

nsingman

Those Sensitive Scotsmen

Aug 07, 2004 08:28

A PENSIONER who flew a foreign flag in the window of his home ended up in the dock yesterday accused of "racial aggravation ( Read more... )

Comments 10

classytart August 7 2004, 07:27:24 UTC

But flags are naff!

It's absolutely right that they should be frowned upon.

nsingman August 7 2004, 08:05:45 UTC

This is one of those times when I'm thankful for my modest knowledge of British English, Liz.

Yes, they're naff, but I thought "fashion police" was just an expression! :-)

classytart August 7 2004, 08:11:21 UTC

Sure, it is. But I'm glad to see we're working on that.

I Dunno epiphany August 7 2004, 13:37:27 UTC

I think it's really sweet that a man would hang a flag in his window to honor and welcome his new son-in-law into the family.

~ E.

Re: I Dunno nsingman August 7 2004, 20:14:13 UTC

I agree. My disappointment is with the offended neighbor. This strikes me as a visual equivalent of that famous "niggardly" episode in Washington, D.C. Some people get offended by anything.

As Bette Midler purportedly said decades ago, f*** you if you can't take a joke! :-)

Flags shanex August 7 2004, 14:56:16 UTC

Europe often seems to have "exceptions" to freedom of speech when it comes to Nazi paraphenalia. Can't blame e'm, really.

Anyway, I'm a flag nut, so I thought I'd post some visual aides.

This is the historical Coat of Arms of Germany:
http://flagspot.net/images/d/de).gif

This is the flag of Albania:
http://flagspot.net/images/a/al.gif

Not too incredibly similar, and like a previous poster said, one head vs. two. Not hard to determine.

But the really stupid part, in my opinnion, is that the German eagle is not racist in any way, predated Nazism, has nothing specifically to do wth Nazism, was made official seal in the 1950's, and is STILL THEIR NATIONAL CREST TODAY!

-ATW

Re: Flags nsingman August 7 2004, 20:16:28 UTC

I understand the sensitivity of some German nations to Nazi memorabilia, but that doesn't excuse the infringement of free expression. I've always been rather a purist when it comes to free expression.

Re: Flags shanex August 7 2004, 21:27:00 UTC

Oh, I totally agree. But we're Americans. Not everyone agrees with our comparitive zealotry on freedom of speech. We're one of the few countries that have such a clear-cut, unimpeachable, widely-supported freedom of speech. Most other free countries have a strong culture of freedom of speech, but no actual guarantee of it, so there are little limitations like "No Nazi imagry" or "No Porn" or "15% of songs broadcast on the radio must be Canadian-made" etc.

-ATW

newhotness August 8 2004, 17:24:22 UTC

*sighs*

Old Europe.

nsingman August 9 2004, 07:00:09 UTC

Indeed, Mike. Literally and figuratively.