Patriotism

[Alpha]

Wow, Americans take their anthem seriously. We sing ours, in two languages, most people stand, but I don't see it as being expected. No one really puts their hand over their heart. The only time where I might would be at an ANZAC ceremony. But I'm also inclined to get sad not only about my fallen country men and women, but the men and women who had to fall on the 'other side'. At least representatives of their countries get to lay wreaths. But I've always found it weird how the armed services correlates to patriotism. It's so patriarchal, and just plain silly. I say this, even though my grandfather bombed Germany. Sorry about that.

As to my flag, well, how's this:


New Zealand


Australia

The blue is meant to be the same shade.

I want a new flag, but I'm also a closet monarchist. And all the suggested new flag designs suck. They all revolve around rugby. Like this:



I'd sooner move to Australia... wait, there's my patriotism.

I do, however, like the tino rangatiratanga flag. It's just that it's used by Maori separatists who would rather break the country apart than solidify it as truly multicultural.