@ Chris Walker
One of the finest attributes of the English is that, apart from big sporting occasions, can't be arsed with all the patriotism bollocks. We leave that to countries with serious insecurities. Here are a few thoughts on patriotism for you:
"One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous." - Aldous Huxley
"The people can always be brought to do the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger." - Hermann Goering
"You're not to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it." - Malcolm X
"Patriotism is often an arbitrary veneration of real estate above principles." - George Jean Nathan
"Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons." - Bertrand Russell
"To be accused of a lack of patriotism by Rupert Murdoch is a bit like being told to sit up straight by the Hunchback of Notre Dame." - George Galloway
"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all others because you were born in it." – George Bernard Shaw
And best of all:
"The English are not usually given to patriotic boasting - indeed, both patriotism and boasting are regarded as unseemly, so the combination is doubly distasteful. But there is one significant exception to this rule, and that is the patriotic pride we take in our sense of humour, particularly our expert use of irony." - Kate Fox
Google tips hat to St George - finally
