Ban the banning of all bannable items - What a big day out that'd be
Homebush: Politicians have ceased the moment, sharpened the sacrifical sword and prepared to perform a Mel Gibsonesque sacrifice of needlessly bloody proportions.
Their victim?
The Big Day Out.
Concerned after last years behaviour where "the Australian flag was being used as gang colours. It was racism disguised as patriotism," Big Day Out organiser Ken West has controversially chosen to confiscate any flags brought into the concert.
Mr West continues, outlying the difficulties behind his decision, "Fans behaviour last year in the wake of the Cronulla riots and the recent ethnic violence at the Australian Open tennis tournament had forced (his) hand."
Politicians --predictably-- are outraged, glad that someone is taking the spotlight away from state party spontaneous combustion or excessively unpopular federal industrial changes.
John Howard said that the Big Day Out should be cancelled unless organisers reversed their decision to ban the flag. This form of leadership from Howard follows a prestigious history of demanding items without a valid stance to do so:
In 2003 George Bush Jnr, threatened that unless Iraq gave up its weapons of mass destruction, it's sovereign right as a nation would be forfeit
2006 wtiness Howard threaten that unless Australians gave up reasonable working conditions willingly, they'd have to give them up anyway.
Meanwhile in Kirribilli, Jean 25, mother of John 3, and Kevin 5, threatened "that no-one could have icecream until you learn how to share." Proving that the human spirit is strong until you grow up, John promised to do so, ate his icecream then stole Kevin's portion for good measure.
Music lovers had a simple solution for this furor, "For a country so ban-ho on the selection criteria, banning beer from cricket, bags from trains, students from using seats, immigrants from Pacific Islands and politicians from Fiji, it seems apparent that the simplest solution is just to ban bannnig."
Kevin Rudd, reminded us again of the Big Day Out, "Organisers have got it plain wrong when they try to hide our flag as if it's some sybol of shame."
"True hidden shame is mandatory sentencing in Northern Territory. True hidden shame is Share Warne. True hidden shame is Mark Latham."
"Our flag, however, has just been incorrectly used in the past. Anything can be used to brandishe gang colours, even your pants."
Upon learning this the Big Day Out has decided to also ban the wearing of pants.
Their victim?
The Big Day Out.
Concerned after last years behaviour where "the Australian flag was being used as gang colours. It was racism disguised as patriotism," Big Day Out organiser Ken West has controversially chosen to confiscate any flags brought into the concert.
Mr West continues, outlying the difficulties behind his decision, "Fans behaviour last year in the wake of the Cronulla riots and the recent ethnic violence at the Australian Open tennis tournament had forced (his) hand."
Politicians --predictably-- are outraged, glad that someone is taking the spotlight away from state party spontaneous combustion or excessively unpopular federal industrial changes.
John Howard said that the Big Day Out should be cancelled unless organisers reversed their decision to ban the flag. This form of leadership from Howard follows a prestigious history of demanding items without a valid stance to do so:
In 2003 George Bush Jnr, threatened that unless Iraq gave up its weapons of mass destruction, it's sovereign right as a nation would be forfeit
2006 wtiness Howard threaten that unless Australians gave up reasonable working conditions willingly, they'd have to give them up anyway.
Meanwhile in Kirribilli, Jean 25, mother of John 3, and Kevin 5, threatened "that no-one could have icecream until you learn how to share." Proving that the human spirit is strong until you grow up, John promised to do so, ate his icecream then stole Kevin's portion for good measure.
Music lovers had a simple solution for this furor, "For a country so ban-ho on the selection criteria, banning beer from cricket, bags from trains, students from using seats, immigrants from Pacific Islands and politicians from Fiji, it seems apparent that the simplest solution is just to ban bannnig."
Kevin Rudd, reminded us again of the Big Day Out, "Organisers have got it plain wrong when they try to hide our flag as if it's some sybol of shame."
"True hidden shame is mandatory sentencing in Northern Territory. True hidden shame is Share Warne. True hidden shame is Mark Latham."
"Our flag, however, has just been incorrectly used in the past. Anything can be used to brandishe gang colours, even your pants."
Upon learning this the Big Day Out has decided to also ban the wearing of pants.
In any case. It's a flag. It's a piece of cloth. You can put as much meaning behind it as you want - nationalistic pride, racial prejudice - it's still a piece of cloth. It's just wrong when politicians threaten to cancel one of the only good Australian music festivals.
Hunt Famous
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Fat Cult
Techbreak
I suggest using non-flag symbols to indicate their circle of friends. The burning cross is always a good one.
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
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Gadget Museum
Wouldn't be easier to poke out peoples eyes so they can't see each other and spark a riot.
Just like that comedy show with the blind black white supremacist. He did not know he was black but the KKK needed him because he was their best writer.
Hate doesn't need a flag. It just needs an excuse.
Mum's Word
When I dropped my 3 year old off at preschool this morning, I walked in the front door only to be confronted with a huge Australian flag.
I found it bloody amusing. The Director hadn't heard the news this morning. She just wanted to celebrate Australia Day with the kiddies.
How stupid would it be if next schools decided to ban the flag. Talk about being divisive. Nothing to unify everyone.
But I like your amusing take on it
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Joe Blogg's Blog
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Mediated
It's so nice to see an issue actually being explored rather than the usual gloss over you get in the media that points out the most cusorary and fundamental of arguements.
Truth be told I've never been an overt nationalist, I don't stand up for the national anthem, I don't own a flag, I only occasionally go out for Australia day.
I do consider myself Australian and am quite happy to be Australian.
However, overt patriotism ALWAYS rubs me the wrong way. Because how do you define a nation? For some reason because someone was born in NT I have some kind of affinity with them. So much so, when we condone bad things we have a universal set of values that makes things "un-Australian".
Herein lies the problem, generally I've found defining a nation involves stating what you're not.
No wonder people get annoyed if I'm holding a flag saying what they're not. Especially with recent history in mind...
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Maybe we could kill two birds with one stone and make Burkha's out of the Australian Flag and all wear them to our Big Day Out?
Bloody Politicians and Clergy, like scurvey and pox - they incite the riots in the first place.
Lilla
Mediated
It'd be a valid call.
After reading the news for my latest article (not a shameless plug at all folks) I was amazed to find Howard taking swings at Iemma over immigration because it was the Labor right that allowed in Sheik al-Hilali.
Despite the massive sensitivity of the issue he's trying to use it to win points in advance of a march election.
Herein lies a major MAJOR problem
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
You: Hey pretty girl.
PG: Hey.
You:You're hot.
PG: You too
You: Let's get naked.
PG: But the grounds dirty.
You: OK, let's find somewhere else.
PG:That's boring... Brad!! Brad!!
Me: Hey pretty girl.
PG: Hey.
Me:You're hot.
PG: You too
Me: Let's get naked.
PG: But the grounds dirty.
Me: That's OK, I just happen to have this Australian flag we can lie on.
PG
Mediated
Lost Fanatic
Day Break TV
Very astute.