I do have a soft spot for Ray Martin. Maybe it's that he's been around forever and looks a little like Mr Sheen. I got excited when I heard he was fronting up at my local shopping centre for book signings. This guy is, for all intents and purposes, a fixture in the Australian society.
That may be why I couldn't simply dismiss this little campaign with a 'Well, that's stupid'. Someone like Ray is fronting this. According to this NineMSN article, Ray's having some issues with our flag. He doesn't like having the Union Jack in the corner. I haven't seen too much coverage of this, what with the purported breakup of Brangelina, but it seems that this is directly linked to the Republic issue.
Ray is quoted as saying that 'I think we have to grow up'. Using the excuse that Australia needs to grow up is a sham. Plenty of other countries have managed to 'grow up' without giving the ups to their history. I remain confused as to why Australia seems consumed by the need to change for change's sake. There's no real logic behind the relatively constant pushes for a new anthem, a new flag, conversion to a Republic. I can deal with a progressive attitude. After all, I was in school when they started to rewrite parts of history. I'm fine with the apology to any people taken from their family...in the end, the intentions behind the action don't really help the end result.
It almost seems like Australia's ashamed of its history. I think we have a fascinating history and that we really should embrace it. I would really have liked to have learnt more about it in primary school, let alone high school. In high school, a major portion of modern history involved Asian development. I think there was one subject on offer for Australian modern history and it was very dry for what could have been an involving topic.
Not being greatly knowledgeable in the area, I wonder, if we were to become a Republic, what would be the difference in the day-to-day running of the country? Sure, there'd be no Quentin Bryce (however well she dresses). And, if it did, how long would it take for people to start complaining that the decision was a bad idea. As it is, a Galaxy Poll shows that 44% of surveyed people are okay with Australia becoming a Republic. 27% are against. I assume that the whopping 29% of people surveyed either have no idea what a Republic is or has no opinion either way.
The NineMSN article also quotes John Brumby mentioning the symbolic nature of the flag and its historical value. Yes, people fought under this flag. It means something to a lot of people. I heard it mentioned that a new flag would be a better way of becoming inclusive. No. This phrase ages me, but it's a slippery slope.
At least our current flag has meaning, even if it is draped around a bogan's shoulders. Another less meaningful flag would just be a piece of material draped around the bogan's shoulders.
That may be why I couldn't simply dismiss this little campaign with a 'Well, that's stupid'. Someone like Ray is fronting this. According to this NineMSN article, Ray's having some issues with our flag. He doesn't like having the Union Jack in the corner. I haven't seen too much coverage of this, what with the purported breakup of Brangelina, but it seems that this is directly linked to the Republic issue.
Ray is quoted as saying that 'I think we have to grow up'. Using the excuse that Australia needs to grow up is a sham. Plenty of other countries have managed to 'grow up' without giving the ups to their history. I remain confused as to why Australia seems consumed by the need to change for change's sake. There's no real logic behind the relatively constant pushes for a new anthem, a new flag, conversion to a Republic. I can deal with a progressive attitude. After all, I was in school when they started to rewrite parts of history. I'm fine with the apology to any people taken from their family...in the end, the intentions behind the action don't really help the end result.
It almost seems like Australia's ashamed of its history. I think we have a fascinating history and that we really should embrace it. I would really have liked to have learnt more about it in primary school, let alone high school. In high school, a major portion of modern history involved Asian development. I think there was one subject on offer for Australian modern history and it was very dry for what could have been an involving topic.
Not being greatly knowledgeable in the area, I wonder, if we were to become a Republic, what would be the difference in the day-to-day running of the country? Sure, there'd be no Quentin Bryce (however well she dresses). And, if it did, how long would it take for people to start complaining that the decision was a bad idea. As it is, a Galaxy Poll shows that 44% of surveyed people are okay with Australia becoming a Republic. 27% are against. I assume that the whopping 29% of people surveyed either have no idea what a Republic is or has no opinion either way.
The NineMSN article also quotes John Brumby mentioning the symbolic nature of the flag and its historical value. Yes, people fought under this flag. It means something to a lot of people. I heard it mentioned that a new flag would be a better way of becoming inclusive. No. This phrase ages me, but it's a slippery slope.
At least our current flag has meaning, even if it is draped around a bogan's shoulders. Another less meaningful flag would just be a piece of material draped around the bogan's shoulders.
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