Weird and Wonderful stories from around the World

[A Cousin]

(04-03-2011 06:19 AM)Silktie Wrote:  Here in SA people display the flags of their local rugby or soccer teams rather than the country flag...

Priorities, baby.

And they say Americans are sports obsessed! My neighbor does have one of his bathrooms decorated in the colors and paraphernalia of his favorite (American) football team.

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(04-03-2011 08:14 AM)Nixie Wrote:  Here in Oz people definitely display the colours of their footy teams (AFL or rugby - 'footy' refers to different sports in different states), especially around Grand Final time. They certainly know their teams' footy songs better than the national anthem. Most Aussies (myself included) know about this much of our national anthem:

"Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free
*blah blah blah* ...
Advance Australia Fair!

Big news here in the US is that Christina Aguilera screwed up the lyrics to our national anthem at the Super Bowl. (If you don't know, the Super Bowl is the big American football playoff game.) Part of me forgives her for not knowing the lyrics to the anthem because so few of us really do and the other half condemns her for not being a bit better prepared. The rest of us may not know it either but we aren't being paid beau coup bucks to sing it at the Super Bowl!

(04-03-2011 08:14 AM)Nixie Wrote:  As for flags, well that's just controversial and closely linked to the 'to be or not to be a republic' debate.

Unfamiliar territory for me. Please elaborate?

[HellsBells]

(03-03-2011 03:11 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  So...I can see where the political complications could come into it. I am fascinated by our similarities/differences. Just to make sure that I have this correct in my brain, St George's Cross is the white flag with the red cross correct? I will go out on a limb and say that most Americans would associate the Union Jack as the British flag.

That's right the white flag with the red cross is England's St George's flag, Scotland have a blue flag with a white diagonal cross, Northern Ireland's flag is white with a diagonal red cross, so together they make the Union Jack. Wales has a dragon on they national flag, which isn't included on the national Union Jack. That seems as clear as mud !!!!

[Nixie]

(04-03-2011 02:39 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  Unfamiliar territory for me. Please elaborate?

Well, AC, I'm no expert and I'd welcome any other Aussies to weigh in here, but in a nutshell:

The Australian flag has 3 elements: the Union Jack in the top right hand corner, signifying Australia's links with the UK; the Southern Cross (constellation); and the Commonwealth Star or Star of Federation, representing the 6 states and combined territories (2). The controversial bit is the Union Jack, as the links with UK and constitutional monarchy vs republic is a constantly simmering debate. Australia's Head of State is Queen Elizabeth II and her representative in Australia is the Governor-General. There was a referendum in 1999 (I think) re changes to the constitution leading to Australia becoming a republic, which was defeated. The Australian Head of Government is the Prime Minister. I think in the US your President is Head of both State & Government. Interestingly, right now all 3 roles (Queen, G-G and PM) are held by women.

Then we have the Australian Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag, which have no official government standing but represent Indigenous peoples. Another controversial point. In my experience, the Aboriginal flag has huge symbolic and emotional value and is proudly displayed by Aboriginal people. Australian Aboriginal athlete, Cathy Freeman, ran her victory lap after winning the 400m (I think) at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 (again I think) with the Aboriginal flag instead of the Australian flag and was criticised and forbidden to do so again (which she defied) - all very controversial and hotly debated at the time. When she won at the 2000 Olympics, she ran her lap of honour with both flags.

Then there is the Eureka flag, which was first used by rebel gold miners in the 19th century and symbolises the willingness of Australians to fight for civil rights and liberties. From the earliest days it has been linked with the republican movement.

And I won't go into the fact that each state in Australia has its own constitution, government (Premiers being the heads), flag and emblem and hence have, among many others, separate education systems and road rules - makes changing states interesting to say the least.

Whew, it's 2.40 am here and I just got up to make a peppermint tea as I couldn't sleep and thought I'd check out the forum while I drank it. Gotta say this is not what I'm usually doing at this time of night!

[picard1109]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12869141

Two Mississipians shoot each other over dog poop. Only in America...! (Sorry cousins...but really!)

[A Cousin]

(28-03-2011 09:35 AM)picard1109 Wrote:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12869141

Two Mississipians shoot each other over dog poop. Only in America...! (Sorry cousins...but really!)

Yup...really. *(hangs head in shame....)* The problem with our gun laws is there is nothing stopping the idiots from owning guns!

However, I am pretty certain other counties have arseholes too?

[picard1109]

(28-03-2011 01:12 PM)A Cousin Wrote:  

(28-03-2011 09:35 AM)picard1109 Wrote:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12869141

Two Mississipians shoot each other over dog poop. Only in America...! (Sorry cousins...but really!)

Yup...really. *(hangs head in shame....)* The problem with our gun laws is there is nothing stopping the idiots from owning guns!

However, I am pretty certain other counties have arseholes too?

Yep, some of ours were in central London this Saturday, throwing paint at the police and smashing windows in the name of protest against the Government. They weren't protesting anything - just causing trouble for the sake of it...

[HarryPearceSpy]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nati...le1999090/ - Man bitten by own pitbull after urging it to attack neighbour, police say.

I have no words.

[HellsBells]

I know I shouldn't laugh, but that is quite a funny story!! If you are going to use your dog to attack people you would at least train it first.

[HarryPearceSpy]

(28-04-2011 01:48 PM)HellsBells Wrote:  I know I shouldn't laugh, but that is quite a funny story!! If you are going to use your dog to attack people you would at least train it first.

Haha yeah that was a pretty funny story.

This story's worse- http://failblog.org/2011/05/02/epic-fail...ling-fail/

haha

[HarryPearceSpy]

Here's another story...
http://failblog.org/2011/05/21/epic-fail...anchovies/ "Woman draws sword during argument at Pizza Hut"..