Aux armes, citoyens

telegraph.co.uk ^ | 20/01/05 | Leader writer

[flitton]

To a free-born, free-thinking Briton, there is something both ridiculous and odd about the ceremonies to which some Japanese companies subject their workforces at the start of each working day: the physical jerks, the chanted affirmations of loyalty to their employers. The Japanese themselves, whose history is so different from ours, see nothing strange or disturbing about these rituals. But the average Sainsbury's check-out girl, or London solicitor, would find it grossly humiliating - and not a little sinister - to be forced to behave in this thoroughly unBritish way. Quite right, too.

How horrifying, therefore, that the Government is planning to subject British 18-year-olds to humiliating ceremonies of exactly this sort. A document from the Home Office, published yesterday, suggests that young Britons should attend official rites to mark their passage into adulthood. It cites, with approval, Australia's new "Affirmation Ceremonies" and the "Citizenship Days" favoured in some parts of America.

Details of the scheme have yet to be announced. It seems certain, however, that some sort of loyalty oath will be involved - a pledge of allegiance to some aspect or another of the New Labour Project. There may be a clue to the form that the oath will take in the title of yesterday's document: "Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society: The Government's Strategy to Increase Race Equality and Community Cohesion."

There is something deeply depressing about the thought of a whole generation of Britons being made to chant on Citizenship Day: "We pledge ourselves to increasing race equality and community cohesion; we understand the importance of promoting and celebrating the diverse elements of our local and national society." The very idea of a citizenship day is alien to the history that has kept us free. This is the proposal of a power-crazed government that has been in office for too long.

[flitton]

I loathe Anthony Charles Lynton ('just call me Tony')Blair and his whole new labour project, his idiotic politically correct left wing moonbat ideas and I live for the day he is consigned to the waste paper basket of history. They are destroying my country.

Thank you for allowing me this rant, this story was just the last straw in a spinally challenged camel situation.

[kingsurfer]

Who you going to vote for in the next election?

[flitton]

I'll be voting Conservative.

[chapin2500]

"How horrifying, therefore, that the Government is planning to subject British 18-year-olds to humiliating ceremonies of exactly this sort. A document from the Home Office, published yesterday, suggests that young Britons should attend official rites to mark their passage into adulthood. It cites, with approval, Australia's new "Affirmation Ceremonies" and the "Citizenship Days" favoured in some parts of America."


I don't understand. What "affirmation ceremonies"? What's involved?

[kingsurfer]

ME too. Mainly because it is a split seat between tory and labour.

If there was another option I would consider it.

[handy old one]

Not free thinking only swings to the left!

[flitton]

Affirmation ceremonies
Australians, whether by birth or by choice, have the opportunity to renew and affirm their commitment to Australia by taking part in an affirmation ceremony. Affirmation ceremonies have been extremely popular since they started in 1999 and are often held as part of citizenship ceremonies.

The Affirmation of Australian Citizenship is based on the Australian Citizenship Pledge made by new citizens and reads:

As an Australian citizen,
I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people,
Whose democratic beliefs I share,
Whose rights and liberties I respect,
And whose laws I uphold and obey.

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/ceremonies.htm

They can be held by pretty much any official body apparently.

[CatoRenasci]

I thought Brits simply swore fealty to the Crown, in language essentially unchanged since the Plantagenets.

[March I up]

Ironic that the article lists:

"Previous story: China's communist rulers still don't trust the people"

("Correcting Mistaken Ideas", anyone? or how 'bout the "PC Guard"?)

[flitton]

Only in occupations eg the military, MPs etc where you a directly serving the Crown. But not in any general ceremony for everyone

[garyhope]

I love to watch those Sainsbury check out girls do calisthenics. I like their groceries too!.

[chapin2500]

Off the track question. Is your Union Jack under attack from the lefties. Do you still have the option to have your flag on your license plate?

[sheik yerbouty]

Clearly sir, you are unbellyfeelimg Ingsoc! Doubleplusungood!

[flitton]

Licence plates don't have anything other than the number here. Interesting thing about the flag, it was adopted by the racist parties, National Front, British National Party etc and the Union Flag fell out of favour with the Left with the attendant consequences for anyone who wanted to fly it. However since about the mid 90's and the whole Scottish devolution issue came back the flag of St George has made a real resurgence and (especially during football tournaments) you can see it everywhere. Despite the Left patriotism is back.

[flitton]

I vaguely recognise that, what's it from?

PS I am of the female persuasion. Took my screenname from the very weird Pamela

[tjwmason]

Is your Union Jack under attack from the lefties.

As a small point, technically the Union Flag is not the national flag but rather a personal standard of the Queen - it's use as a de facto national flag is completely accepted, however, excpet at sea where the Red Ensign is flown.

Many of the leftists are trying to subsume us further into the European Union, and additionally dislike any patriotic display, thus they try to down-play the Union Flag which is a most potent and recognisable emblem of the country.

Do you still have the option to have your flag on your license plate?

Yes, absolutely. A car number-plate (as we call them) may be embossed with the Union Flag, the Cross of S. George (the English flag), the Cross of S. Andrew (the Scottish flag), or the Welsh Dragon - with the letters G.B. underneath. A growing practice is the display of the European ring of stars, in many cases cars are supplied with these plates as standard; they are (obviously) legal, but may be replaced with the older style plain ones, or with ones containing one of the flags.

[sheik yerbouty]

George Orwell's book "1984".

[chapin2500]

"Despite the Left patriotism is back."

Good to hear.

[K1W1 Patriot]

! Classic humor, mate! George Orwell was right, but 20 years ahead of his time with "1984"

[shibumi]

So why is the title of this thread in Frog-talk?