Page 1 of 1

26 January, 2009

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:28 pm
by Caravan Ray
Happy Invasion Day!

Once again - we roll around to the World's Most Inappropriate National Holiday! (as explained in last years 26 January rant:
(http://songfight.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=4953)

At least I am not in Australia this year - so I don't have to put up with stupid bogans driving around with flags on their cars.

I freaking hate flag-wavers. Happily - Kiwis don't seem to be into the whole flag thing. Understandably too really - theirs is worse than ours.

The best bit about Australia Day this year though was that Mick Dodson was named "Australian of the Year" - and he came staight out and said Australia Day was a load of crap and it should be changed to a different day. Onya Mick!

QotD: What day should be celebrated as Australia's National Holiday? Or alternatively - would you like your own country to have a different national holiday or flag or whatever?

The best suggestion I have heard for a new Australia Day is 25th of January. It is a date that has no historical significance whatsoever - but it still gives us a good summer long weekend 4 weeks after Christmas. That way - people who care about these things won't be offended, and people who couldn't give a toss won't notice the difference! Perfect!

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:34 am
by Lunkhead
My birthday is January 26th so maybe Australia could just celebrate my birthday as a national holiday?

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:24 am
by Caravan Ray
Lunkhead wrote:My birthday is January 26th so maybe Australia could just celebrate my birthday as a national holiday?
Happy Lunkhead Day! :lol:

Works for me!

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:01 am
by Rabid Garfunkel
...and there could be a Baron of Sam-Day, all dressed formal-like and dancing in the streets, as the national icon of that day. If he wore a guitar as well, the official music of the day would have to be Hendrix.

Okay, it's too early and I'm too tired to be even remotely clever. Cleaver, maybe, but y'all'd need to bring your own chickens.

Happy Sam-Day, Lunk!

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:16 am
by slats
Caravan Ray wrote:I freaking hate flag-wavers.
Haha! I like how in last year's thread you said:
Caravan Ray wrote:Waving flags around everywhere is such an American thing to do. It is very distasteful.
It's really not too terrible a habit here in cosmopolitan NY, but it's bad enough. Getting out of this area around the Fourth of July can be damn frightening, though. Mini-flag poles could take your eye out.

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:36 am
by ujnhunter
I like to wave my flag pole at all the people who walk by...

QotD: I'd rather not have any holidays because all they mean to me is that I'm not getting my overtime pay...

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:03 am
by fluffy
There's not a lot of flag-waving here in San Francisco, even on the 4th of July which is Independence Day. I think I only ever see flags on the government buildings and the (very rare) Republican pick-up truck.

I think in San Francisco we should celebrate September 17 as our "national" holiday.

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:15 am
by slats
fluffy wrote:There's not a lot of flag-waving here in San Francisco...
As I'm sure you're well aware, neither NY or SF is real America. Sarah Palin certainly won't set foot in either of our cities (except maybe for a fund raiser).

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:45 pm
by Albatross
Most of the flags waved where I live are Mexican flags.

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:23 pm
by Caravan Ray
And true to form, right on cue - here are the Australia Day news reports:

Manly 'morons' rampage was racist: academic
Mayor Jean Hay and police commander Dave Darcy were today hosing down accusations that a group of about 80 drunk teenagers who ran chanting and yelling through the town centre wrapped in flags were targeting ethnic Australians.
Image

This is why flag-waving and other outward expressions of 'patriotism' are not a good look in the hands of drunken Australian boofheads.

Of course - I am all for mindless jingoism when it comes to the sporting field - because sport is essentially stupid in the first place, and it is the perfect outlet for all those natural tribal instincts we have. These dickheads seem to be making their own sport though. That's not the same thing.

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:16 pm
by Billy's Little Trip
They had an Australia question on cash cab yesterday. What are the 3 syllables in the famous Australian chant that follow "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie"? I guessed correctly, Oi, Oi, Oi! :wink:

Re: 26 January, 2009

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 11:32 pm
by Lord of Oats
I forgot that Australia had drunk teenagers. Maybe it's worth visiting after all.