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Ten core values of the British identity
The Daily Telegraph (UK) ^ | 27 July 2005 | Leading Article (Editorial)

Posted on 07/27/2005 7:44:58 AM PDT by GreenLanternCorps

It cannot be said too often that terrorist atrocities are solely the responsibility of those who perpetrate them. To blame the invasion of Iraq, or the occupation of the West Bank, or poverty, or racism, or Western decadence, is both intellectually and morally wrong.

What is reasonable, however, is to ask why modern Britain is breeding so many anti-British fanatics. Muktar Said Ibrahim has lived here since he was 12, and in 2003 he applied for citizenship. Last week he attempted to blow up the No. 26 bus. Why?

Part of the answer has to do with how Britain sees itself. The ancestors of the Leeds bombers, who arrived here in the mid-20th century from countries which had prospered under colonial rule, were infected by the self-belief of the British Empire. They were content, as it were, to buy into a nation whose subjects were so obviously proud of it.

Many countries try to codify their values in law. Some oblige their citizens to speak the national language; others make it a criminal offence to show disrespect to the flag. But statutory patriotism is an intrinsically un-British notion. We prefer simply to set out, in general terms, the non-negotiable components of our identity - the qualities of the citizenship that Muktar Said Ibrahim applied for.

I. The rule of law. Our society is based on the idea that we all abide by the same rules, whatever our wealth or status. No one is above the law - not even the government.

II. The sovereignty of the Crown in Parliament. The Lords, the Commons and the monarch constitute the supreme authority in the land. There is no appeal to any higher jurisdiction, spiritual or temporal.

III. The pluralist state. Equality before the law implies that no one should be treated differently on the basis of belonging to a particular group. Conversely, all parties, sects, faiths and ideologies must tolerate the existence of their rivals.

IV. Personal freedom. There should be a presumption, always and everywhere, against state coercion. We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed.

V. Private property. Freedom must include the freedom to buy and sell without fear of confiscation, to transfer ownership, to sign contracts and have them enforced. Britain was quicker than most countries to recognise this and became, in consequence, one of the happiest and most prosperous nations on Earth.

VI. Institutions. British freedom and British character are immanent in British institutions. These are not, mostly, statutory bodies, but spring from the way free individuals regulate each other's conduct, and provide for their needs, without recourse to coercion.

VII. The family. Civic society depends on values being passed from generation to generation. Stable families are the essential ingredient of a stable society.

VIII. History. British children inherit a political culture, a set of specific legal rights and obligations, and a stupendous series of national achievements. They should be taught about these things.

IX. The English-speaking world. The atrocities of September 11, 2001, were not simply an attack on a foreign nation; they were an attack on the anglosphere - on all of us who believe in freedom, justice and the rule of law.

X. The British character. Shaped by and in turn shaping our national institutions is our character as a people: stubborn, stoical, indignant at injustice. "The Saxon," wrote Kipling, "never means anything seriously till he talks about justice and right."

Not for the first time, we have been slow - perhaps too slow - to wake up to the threat we face. Now is the time to "talk about justice and right", and to act on our words.


TOPICS: Editorial; United Kingdom
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1 posted on 07/27/2005 7:44:59 AM PDT by GreenLanternCorps
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To: GreenLanternCorps

Every Democrat reading this article is asking the same question,"What's a core value?".


2 posted on 07/27/2005 7:48:35 AM PDT by hflynn ( Soros wouldn't make any sense even if he spelled his name backwards)
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To: GreenLanternCorps

bump


3 posted on 07/27/2005 7:51:19 AM PDT by Dark Skies ("The sleeper must awaken!")
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To: GreenLanternCorps
"We should tolerate eccentricity in others, almost to the point of lunacy, provided no one else is harmed."


4 posted on 07/27/2005 7:51:29 AM PDT by NRA1995 (West Virginia needs neurosurgeons like San Francisco needs gynecologists)
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To: GreenLanternCorps

Lemme guess--#IV is the only one taught in schools...?


5 posted on 07/27/2005 7:52:01 AM PDT by randog (What the....?!)
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To: GreenLanternCorps; MadIvan

BTTT


6 posted on 07/27/2005 7:53:01 AM PDT by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: GreenLanternCorps
Not to make less of the core values enumerated here, but this isn't a bad idea, either:

codify their values in law. Some oblige their citizens to speak the national language; others make it a criminal offence to show disrespect to the flag.

It's not wrong, when bestowing the benefits of citizenship, to expect some effort in return.

7 posted on 07/27/2005 7:55:02 AM PDT by GVnana
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To: hflynn

During the Dole debacle when he ran against Clinton, I recall watching Meet the Press when the then Gov from Colorado (very left liberal) (Pres. of the DNC) noted that "liberals are great neighbors but lously ancestors because they will help out but will leave future generations - nothing.

His quote struck a nerve in me which is why our schools are disasters becuase liberals teach there and, they teach how bad we are, not our achievements.

Not long ago the NAACP noted that our schools taught subjects that were "to white" - our history gave nothing to minorities.

The column is good however, it is never taught due to the PC crowds. British subjects grew up to blow up Britian because britian failed in its liberal/social compact to teach what is right, not what is PC.


8 posted on 07/27/2005 7:55:18 AM PDT by edcoil (Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
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To: GreenLanternCorps

BTTT


9 posted on 07/27/2005 7:56:03 AM PDT by Earthdweller (US descendant of French Protestants_"Where there is life, there is hope"..Terri Schindler)
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To: randog
>Lemme guess--#IV is the only one taught in schools...?

I notice those points
do not say much about God.
British folks once wrote:

"KNOW THAT BEFORE GOD, for the health of our soul
and those of our ancestors and heirs, to the honour of God,
the exaltation of the holy Church,
and the better ordering of our kingdom,
at the advice of our reverend fathers . . ."

10 posted on 07/27/2005 7:58:31 AM PDT by theFIRMbss
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To: GreenLanternCorps
Conversely, all parties, sects, faiths and ideologies must tolerate the existence of their rivals.

Too inconsistant with a theocracy mindset. It's them or you.
11 posted on 07/27/2005 8:01:38 AM PDT by Millee (So you're a feminist......isn't that cute??)
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To: hflynn
Every Democrat reading this article is asking the same question,"What's a core value?".

There are no core values, only alternative lifestyles.

12 posted on 07/27/2005 8:05:07 AM PDT by BlessedBeGod (Benedict XVI = Terminator IV)
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To: MadIvan; Brit_Guy

Ping!


13 posted on 07/27/2005 8:09:45 AM PDT by Pyro7480 ("All my own perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded upon Our Lady." - Tolkien)
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To: GreenLanternCorps; Lando Lincoln; quidnunc; .cnI redruM; Valin; yonif; SJackson; dennisw; ...

The values that made the anglosphere so successful!

    This ping list is not author-specific for articles I'd like to share. Some for perfect moral clarity, some for provocative thoughts; or simply interesting articles I'd hate to miss myself. (I don't have to agree with the author 100% to feel the need to share an article.) I will try not to abuse the ping list and not to annoy you too much, but on some days there is more of good stuff that is worthy attention. You can see the list of articles I pinged to lately on my page.

       Besides this one, I keep separate PING lists for my favorite authors Victor Davis Hanson, Orson Scott Card, David Warren and Lee Harris (sometimes). You are welcome in or out, just freepmail me (and note which PING list you are talking about).

14 posted on 07/27/2005 8:33:07 AM PDT by Tolik
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To: GreenLanternCorps
Commendable values however VI and V seem to conflict with freedom and property when it comes to law abiding citizens owning firearms and their God given right to self defense.
15 posted on 07/27/2005 8:38:38 AM PDT by moasicwolf
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To: GreenLanternCorps

what is this rag doing on Freerepublic, after our forefathers fought and bled to fly the stars and stripes...

btw, didn't at one time one of the core values of British Identity happen to be white supremacy??


16 posted on 07/27/2005 8:39:57 AM PDT by Schwaeky ("Truth is not determined by a majority vote" Pope Benedict XVI)
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To: GreenLanternCorps
II. The sovereignty of the Crown in Parliament. The Lords, the Commons and the monarch constitute the supreme authority in the land. There is no appeal to any higher jurisdiction, spiritual or temporal.

This means no appeal to the ICC, UN, and the EU for starters. So AMEN TO THAT.

17 posted on 07/27/2005 8:40:31 AM PDT by agere_contra
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To: Schwaeky
what is this rag doing on Freerepublic, after our forefathers fought and bled to fly the stars and stripes...

And now that we have our freedom, and have flown the stars and stripes for over 200 years, we can acknowledge that those forefathers of whom you write were all born Englishmen, that the ideas, writings, and institutions that gave them the very concept of national freedom were English, and that our nation was founded upon English precepts. It is foolish indeed to call the flag of the United Kingdom "this rag."

18 posted on 07/27/2005 9:00:21 AM PDT by Capriole (I don't have any problems that can't be solved by more chocolate or more ammunition.)
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To: Schwaeky
what is this rag doing on Freerepublic, after our forefathers fought and bled to fly the stars and stripes...

And now that we have our freedom, and have flown the stars and stripes for over 200 years, we can acknowledge that those forefathers of whom you write were all born Englishmen, that the ideas, writings, and institutions that gave them the very concept of national freedom were English, and that our nation was founded upon English precepts. It is foolish indeed to call the flag of the United Kingdom "this rag."

19 posted on 07/27/2005 9:00:44 AM PDT by Capriole (I don't have any problems that can't be solved by more chocolate or more ammunition.)
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To: Capriole
Nice post, 'er for some of us.

On the flag/s,I vaguely remember the words to a popular song, possibly WW2 vintage.

"Three cheers for the red, white and blue".

Take yer' pick. Like both of them meself. Coalition boasts both flags in Iraq May God protect both of those forces who fly them. LOL.

20 posted on 07/27/2005 9:14:11 AM PDT by Peter Libra
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