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whoozqueen at 07:05pm on 22/06/2004
whoozqueen at 07:05pm on 22/06/2004Bloody *spit spit* John Howard. He's now insisting that Australian schools fly the flag and "wouldn't mind it" if they also made the kiddies sing the national anthem *every day*.
Fuck. Off.
Here's just one more reason to vote Labour, vote Anyone But Howard this coming election. Since when did Australia try to emulate the United States in their ridiculous levels of nationalism? Our nation isn't like that - forcing kids to sing a song every day to show their national pride. That's brainwashing, not national pride.
When I was 11, going on 12, my grade seven teacher made my government school class say the lord's prayer every morning whilst standing next to our desks. The teacher, a Mr EFS, was a class A bully....oh, and you know, a stalwart of the church, too. *eyeball roll* So he thought it would do us a bit of good to say the lord's prayer every morning.
I was a very shy child, a good student, a quiet student. I did what the teachers told me to do, but I wouldn't do this. I hadn't believed in the existence of a supreme being (or any being for that matter) for a while, but this was my first year of truly making that belief public. So I refused to say the prayer. And every morning, that damn teacher would eyeball me in anger as I stood there and stared at the blackboard in silence.
Telling kids that they "have to" fly the flag or sing the national anthem every morning is bullying, nationalistic crap. We don't need to reinforce the symbolism in the minds of our children. Pride comes from being a nation that does good deeds, treats everyone well and comes together in a time of crisis. Not American-style patriotism. We've all seen where that path leads, and I don't want my country to be like that.
Fuck. Off.
Here's just one more reason to vote Labour, vote Anyone But Howard this coming election. Since when did Australia try to emulate the United States in their ridiculous levels of nationalism? Our nation isn't like that - forcing kids to sing a song every day to show their national pride. That's brainwashing, not national pride.
When I was 11, going on 12, my grade seven teacher made my government school class say the lord's prayer every morning whilst standing next to our desks. The teacher, a Mr EFS, was a class A bully....oh, and you know, a stalwart of the church, too. *eyeball roll* So he thought it would do us a bit of good to say the lord's prayer every morning.
I was a very shy child, a good student, a quiet student. I did what the teachers told me to do, but I wouldn't do this. I hadn't believed in the existence of a supreme being (or any being for that matter) for a while, but this was my first year of truly making that belief public. So I refused to say the prayer. And every morning, that damn teacher would eyeball me in anger as I stood there and stared at the blackboard in silence.
Telling kids that they "have to" fly the flag or sing the national anthem every morning is bullying, nationalistic crap. We don't need to reinforce the symbolism in the minds of our children. Pride comes from being a nation that does good deeds, treats everyone well and comes together in a time of crisis. Not American-style patriotism. We've all seen where that path leads, and I don't want my country to be like that.
infuriated
(no subject)
Not being religious I had to learn to ignore our weekly chapel services and Christian classes. It's given me the ability to glaze over yet seem alert. Superb skill really. I'm talking nonsense...excuse me. I'm in a frazzled mood.
stupid Howard!