Sraosha & Rakasha

Από εδώ, πολύ ενδιαφέρον. Η υπογράμμιση δική μου.

It seems to me that nationalism comes in two distinct types. One is fiercely proud of the achievements of the country, its history and language. The other is prickly, always looking out for insult and offence and its main motivation seems to be not pride, or even prejudice, but nursing old wounds.

Let's call it stabinthebackism, in memory of the Weimar Republic. Any gentle poking of fun, questioning of values or tradition is seen as the latest sign that the barbarian hordes are already inside the gates.

It was, I believe, Spike Milligan who used to say that he enjoyed kicking the backs of people's chairs when they didn't rise for the national anthem at the end of a theatre performance or film in the cinema (as was once routine). He said he did it not because he cared much about the national anthem but because it was a good excuse for kicking people. There are those still with us who have a similar motivation, without the irony.

Παρεμπιπτόντως, κάποια από τα σχόλια σε άρθρα του BBC σαν και αυτό με πείθουν πως δεν πρέπει ποτέ κανείς να απελπίζεται τελικά από τα σχόλια που δέχεται στις καταχωρίσεις του.