Not in Crawley

Kind of, but I sense its something different at the moment. We've been through the western libreal consensus which was progressive and did work for many but if you weren't in larger cities and educated up to a certain level the more traditional blue-collar roles started to die off as internationalism became a main driver and therefore communities across the world have been left to die of the vine. Which you then see a growth of the Populist - or demagogic - leaders - Trump, Johnson, Le Penn, Putin actually saying they are the ones that listen and their row back on all the changes they don't like - most of which are progressive but basically come down to economics. The liberal centre became arrogant to think who wouldn't like all the changes but its happened too rapidly for some and they are still floundering in the wake of that change. Its also by 'Woke' can stand for anything, its basically short hand for Libral Centerism (hence why the far left also do well in these conditions - see Corybn)

To be fair, I know they are easily mocked but it does relate to a bigger issue, in the fact that there is a section of society just don't feel listened to - thats what Brexit did. I'm not saying we have to pander to these views but we/society/our leaders should do more to make them feel as though they had a voice because they feel society has left them behind and they live in places that also have been left behind. Self-inflicted damage like Brexit doesn't really matter when you don't have much to lose in the first place.

Becasuse - as I say, the later missions wouldn't have made sense without explaining the supoport they got and where it came from. It would have been stranger to ignore it in my humble opinion.

They had to show how the bomber squadrons started to be able to go deeper into enemy territory, otherwise some of the missions wouldn't have made any sense.

Why? It's an important part of the story - without those fighters the bombers couldn't have gone as far into Europe - they were a huge part of the success of taking control of the skies in WW2.

There's a film called Red Tails about the Tuskegee Airmen - it's not very good though.

I dunno - its just not, and never has been, part of our culture because of Britain and us being the dominate country in what is the United Kingdom. I personally don't, and never have felt the need to do anything on St George's day and I'm pretty sure that won't change through my lifetime. When my kids were are primary school they always did something for St George's day - same for St David's, St Andrews and St Patrick's Unfortunately the st George's Cross has once again become an emblem of right wing bigots - shame as I thought that had changed in the mid 90s. But again, all this goes back to England trying to find its place in a post Empire, post Brexit world. I'm pretty sure in 20 years when the next generation is starting to be in charge, the boomers have mostly died and Gen X retired or approaching retirement then things will shift.

I'm not sure anyone on this forum is defending the behaviour of some people today. However, it does show the schism around nationality and what we believe that to be. I'm English, yeah my great nana (who served in the Flying Shuttle in the 60s when it was a decent pub) was from the east end of Glasgow like many who moved for work. But my sense of nationality isn't defined by a flag its some other, its a culture I was born and raised into. Its in humour, and music and slate grey skies, it's in acceptance and in involvement and pride that I was lucky enough to be born I a country where I have free education, free healthcare and freedom of speech, that was built on some historically dubious premises but still I'm 2024 I'm benefitting from.

Well that's the point isn't it - is it OK to say, innocent people will die because of a war when they might not have to - because we aren't not fighting against a regime that directly want stop freedom bit for a political gain?

Really, sorry, don't know anything about that. Again all those stories, those lives that war takes. It's like I was in Lewisham the other day, there is a small plaque I was interested in seeing (after we went to a posh food market obviously) where the first V12 bomb landed in Britain. Killed just people going to Woolworths - it made no difference to the war and innocent people died. Echos something of the Gaza conflict.

He was a good, generous man. Terrible at business- had a butchers in Farnworth and gave away more than he earned- drove my Nana bonkers. Gave me all his medals - like when I fell over etc as a kid - always said they meant nothing to him. Wouldn't speak about what happened - never would, to anyone. I wouldn't be arrogant enough to speak for him, but going to Farnworth cenotaph on remembrance Sunday with him is a million miles from what I've seen today in London in terms of dignity.

There's loads to be proud of - just nothing those folks today represented.

It's a load of people from the home counties I'd bet, saying London's gone to the dogs but their parents left the area long ago. I'm all for people if they want to have a knees up if they want to, culturally it's not a massive part of our calendar as a country, not sure it's ever been - but this hijacking of it to cause a bit of aggro isn't what I'd associate with being English. Give me a last night of the Proms or Rochester Sweeps Festival and I'm there. Sorry - here's the link:https://www.visitmedway.org/events/rochester-sweeps-festival-2024-79679/ been there a few years and its always good (they do have an odd bit of fortune telling though!)

I heard that was good. My Grandpa fought that front - well, got captured in three week and spent years as a Japanese prisoner of war, his diaries are brutal reading. Sad thing is they got compensation only in 1999, my nana died 8 months after she received it and he passed away in 94. No wonder its the forgotten front, but for the Americans it's much more part of their WW2 narrative

Better than Masters of the Air? Wasn't that impressed with it given how they made British Airmen look like a right bunch of clots which was so far from reality.

Wash your mouth out. If it wasn't for St George, you'd be speaking Dragon now.

I don't! As I say I'm draping myself in a st George's Cross as we speak to join in with the Stella drinking and windmilling at the police like a true Englishman. Celebrating what's best about our country.

Right - you convinced me, I'm off to punch a horse #patriot

They post amongst us...

I couldn't cross the road because I obviously looked like a long-haired, metro-liberalite wokey. Sadly, I didn't have a camera crew with me.

British creative sector - we are just very good at this sort of stuff.

Went I was running loads I also decided that humas, pitta and low fat cup a soups would be ideal to only eat them - dropped to 12 stone. Although I felt great, looked a bit like I'd been sent to a Gulag.

It's true, that ruddy, bloody media.

Happy St George's Day - 'The Day The Media Would Let Us Celebrate' TM

These things really seem to get him all riled up 200 odd miles away. Can't say they bothered my Thursday last week when there was a march, nor a couple.of Saturdays ago. The synagogue opposite my house is still standing. Although if the SUV parks as close to my drive as last week, I will be having words with Laura, the Rabbi - who I'm sure would be happy having a cup of tea with RW and happily disavowing him of some of his rather reactionary views so he can perhaps doing something more productive with his days/evenings. - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Janner-Klausner