AUSTRALIANS DEFY FLAG BAN IN LARGE NUMBERS? [+] serious ballot by Socrates created Thu Jan 25, 07 This is related to my previous ballot: ballot #111404 "Big Day Out (concert) promoter Ken West caused a storm earlier this week when he asked fans not to take flags to the concert. Mr West said he wanted to avoid a repeat of last year's concert, when he said some fans used the flag as "gang colours" or for racist taunting in the wake of the Cronulla riot. This year's Big Day Out was moved from Australia Day, but many of the 60,000 concertgoers today still displayed the national flag, wearing it on boardshorts, hats, T-shirts and bandannas. Others wore the flag as a cape, some chanting "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" as they entered the Sydney Showground for the 12-hour event, which features more than 80 bands, solo artists and DJs. "I didn't care what the organisers said, wearing the flag is a sign of patriotism and I wanted to display that," said 28-year-old Big Day Out regular Simon Bennett, from Blaxland, west of Sydney. "The Big Day Out is about seeing lots of international and domestic bands, getting into the flavour of summer and celebrating Australia Day. "It didn't matter that it was on the eve this year, I was still going to bring my flag." Promoter Viv Lees admitted organisers had made a mistake. "This is what I would call a world class bungle," he told ABC TV. Friends James Cunneen and Caleb Crinis, decked out from head-to-toe in the Australian colours, said the event was all about music and not violence and racism. "It's disappointing that they were discouraging us wearing our flags to an event that is pretty much celebrating Australia Day," said Cunneen, 18, of Thirroul, near Wollongong. "They changed the date because of racism but it's only a few idiots out there who ruin it for the rest of us. "I wear my flag with pride today and would have worn it no matter what. I will have this (outfit) on for the next 48 hours." Aussie rockers Jet said they would use elements of the flag in their backdrop design at today's concert. "We are proud to be part of this musical heritage and it's got nothing to do with political point-scoring or racist idiots and their misguided beliefs," lead singer Nic Cester said in a statement on Tuesday. Mr West's flag request was greeted with anger by many political leaders, and NSW Premier Morris Iemma said today it was "fantastic" so many people had chosen to ignore the organisers. "The story of the week was the issue of displaying the Australian flag at the Big Day Out, a controversy that showed our patriotism - low-key and hard to provoke though it may be - is still very much alive and well," he said. The Premier described the flag as an "emblem of a working democracy, a society founded on reason and tolerance". "What troubled me about this week's controversy was not so much that louts might use the flag to provoke trouble. The police can deal with them," he said. "Rather it was the assumption that the flag itself was the problem. "The flag is not, and never can be, the problem so long as we respect what it truly stands for." Detective Chief Inspector Cooke said some of those charged with drug possession were picked up as they arrived on trains near the venue. Sniffer dogs were also at railway stations at Parramatta and Hornsby. He said those charged would appear in court over the coming weeks. The Big Day Out moves to Melbourne on Sunday, Adelaide on February 2 and Perth on February 4. - with AAP" (Source: SMH) - Are you susprised that this politically correct attempt at a flag ban failed? Yes, I am fainting with shock that the Australians didn't appease the politically correct elitists No. There should be more grass-roots movements against political correctness gone too far. No. Knee-jerk Nationalism runs strong in most countries. Register to submit choices Ballot #111552 : SEE RESULTS Comment: Register to submit comments You may still vote without registration show your vote with comment?

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