There has been some media coverage on people wearing the Australian Flag and their behaviour when doing so. There was footage from Burleigh Heads on Aust Day, there was quite a few wearing the flag as a cape, getting very drunk, rolling around on the ground while still wearing their cape, abusing non white aussies, fighting police, getting arrested by police, and other common behaviour by drunk youths. I’m sure it happened in other places to, but that was the footage.

I was wondering what people think of the Australian Flag being worn as a cape etc, is it disrespectful to the flag. Or is the issue about their behaviour while doing so.
There was talk that this should become illegal to do so by RSL members and other prominent Australians.

This is my thoughts. I’m a very proud aussie, I have the upmost respect the Aust Flag, and was disgusted by what I saw on the news. It was nice to see so many flags, it is the symbol of our great nation for all Australians, but it should be flown high and proud, not dragged across the ground or rolled around on, in some bad cases it could have been as bad as burning our flag. It should be treated with highest care and respect, and the flyer should act as if carrying it in the opening ceremony of the Olympics and it is a great honour to them to be flying it. I fear the flag is becoming a fashion item or a symbol of some other agenda. I believe that many that are wearing it think that they are just being patriotic and don’t realise how offensive it is to many that fought or paid the ultimate sacrifice for this great country. I honestly don’t have a problem with their social behaviour; I believe most are just trying to enjoy themselves but probably can’t handle their liquor yet, we have all been there. I just have a problem with how they treating my, and yours, Australian Flag.

Anyway enough ranting, what do other people think , or do I “just don’t get it man”

Aussie Pride
show it, be it.

I went to the beach (COFFS HARBOUR) twice australia day, 8am, numerous people with alchohol, 4pm, lots of people plastered and police breaking up fights and arresting people,
like you say the same thing happening all over the coast.
It seems that Australia Day is free reign for public drinking, littering and abuse.
Having myself been young, drunk, in my youth I still found this public display a disgrace.
I know at 18-25 I didn't display my idiocity all over the streets, however now days it looks like its the thing to do.

Seems to be the trend is to wrap yourself up in the flag and tell everyone how proud you are to be Australian and then attack non anglos who have done nothing wrong besides not having white parents. The Nazis and Japanese did the same thing so what did my grandfather fight for in WW2?

Bad behaviour is tolerated and celebrated in our popular culture. You see it on TV all the time. It costs nothing to be civil and polite its invaluable for our society.

On that note, I saw a car on the freeway the other day, covered in Australian flags, with one of those stickers on the back saying "f*** off, we're full", in the shape of Australia.

When I drove past the car, I saw that the driver was quite obese.

I felt like saying to her, "If you didn't eat so much, then maybe we wouldn't be so full."

Aussie flag - should be flown high and honoured for the sacrifices it represents, and for those who died to protect the country it represents. Also to honour our ***indigenous heritage that the flag includes under its representation of 'our' country. Unfortunately, the bogons/ferals that see it as a chance to spread their hatred for others, use it as a symbol to give them their 15 minutes of fame, and prove what the media can do with a minority group of screw-ups that are displayed as the majority of us!!!

***I know the history of this nation, and can't replace the damage that has been done to the aboriginals, but knowing a few indigenous aussies, I know they wouldn't be called anything other than aussie, and love the land as I do...we all have 'issues' with the way this country is/has been managed (mangled) in the past, including current racist issues, but we're progressing, it may be slow, but it's progress.....

I read on another thread a comment that bugs me..."Patriotism is a form of racism" well, I don't know where I stand, because I am a patriot of this great country...not the flag...or the government...but the lifestyle, freedom, friendships, family and the fact that I can voice my thoughts (crap as they might be) on an open forum where in some countries it might be considered communism, and an illegal act against the commonwealth!

Anyways, I might not celebrate the TRUE meaning of Australia day, (invasion day) whatever you call it, I enjoyed spending the summer day with my family at the beach, and as far as the flag goes, my kids know it as "that's our-flag dad 'cause that's the flag of the country that we live in."

patriotism is a form of racism - load of ****e. by definition iit is pride in ones country. Doesn't have to be at the expense of any one else let alon any one elses race. Nationalism like the stuff ze germans got caught up in maybee.

Before all you land right for gay whale pinkos start calling for a new flag that reflects our diversity just remember that a lot of selfless black, white and rainbow people throughout our short history have sacraficed a lot for the flag. why shouldn't we hold it sacred.(lest we forget)

But yes the ossie ossie oi oi yobbo cronulla types do nothing for it's status or popularity among the minorities.

poor relative said...

LOL

Your queen would be proud.

You are saying that inclusively of course? She's your queen too.