English flag banned in England: Might 'offend' Muslims

GOVERNMENT TOPICS

MAY 18, 2013
BY: TIMOTHY WHITEMAN

English patriotism, English pride.
Credits: Public Domain


Has patriotism become synonymous with racism?

The centuries old flag of England has been rejected by a local town council on the grounds the red cross on white background English colors may be "inappropriate" and "offensive" to Muslims, as reported by the on-line news portal The Bristol Post (of Great Britain) on 16 May, 2013.

The town council of Radstock in Southwest England, has elected to pass on purchasing a new flag of England, correctly known as The St. George's Cross.
Councillor Eleanor Jackson, a university lecturer and teacher, stated that due to the English national flag was used by English troops during the Crusades of the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries just possibly could mean the beloved English Red & White may be seen by some as offensive.

As Councillor Jackson stated:
My big problem is that it is offensive to some Muslims but even more so that it has been hijacked by the far right.
My thoughts are we ought to drop it for 20 years.

Jackson failed to mention the Crusades were in response to the initial Muslim invasion of the Holy Land.

John Clements, vice-president of national patriotic group the Royal Society of St George, branded the town council's decision as "nonsense."

Clements also complained that "censoring" of the national flag played into the hands of the far right.

Run Them Up The Flag Pole...

According to Town Council Chairwoman Councillor Lesley Mansell, there already is a slew of flags that have been authorized to be flown over town hall.

The approved list thus far:

  • The Union Jack on Armistice Day.
  • The In Bloom flag at the Miners’ Memorial Garden to celebrate Radstock's achievements in the local gardening competition.
  • The media-deigned Rainbow flag, the symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender movement, will be flown during the murkily defined "appropriate" times of the year.


Who Is This Far Right You Speak Of...?

The most renown group to be tagged by the left-of-center English media as the preeminent "far right wing" and "racist" organization would be the patriotic association, the English Defense League (EDL).

Somehow missed by Auntie Beeb and The Guardian would be the EDL's stated position on theirofficial website which gives the distinct impression they are far from "far right wing" or "racist."

A few examples include:

  • We are an inclusive movement dedicated to peacefully protesting against Islamic extremism.
  • We want an open and honest debate about Islamic extremism; about what we can do to stop it, and about what causes it.
  • We believe that our country has done a great deal to safeguard and champion individual rights and freedoms, and that this is something of which we should be immensely proud.
  • We believe that our service personnel deserve our respect for the sacrifices that they are willing to make in defence of our country (regardless of the criticisms that can be made of the conflicts that they have found themselves involved in).
  • We believe in freedom and democracy; in opposition to all forms of extremism.


http://www.examiner.com/article/engl...offend-muslims