AK

Racism and bigotry have been with us one way or another since humans first trod the earth. The people of the Indian sub continent have a recorded history extending back some four thousand years or more. To this day, that history contains notions of superiority based on the colour of one’s skin. It is called the caste system and works by awarding a menial place in society to those who are darkest of colour and the most elevated position awarded to those of the lightest hue. That is how it is.

Other nations operate similar systems but more covertly. You, and I believe, Beemat mention that other much prized accusation of the LLE’s; nationalism or ‘nationalistic bile’. Is this the same ‘nationalistic bile’ that I and tens of thousands of others spout when we are cheering on and supporting England/Wales/Ireland etc. at Twickenham ? Perhaps because it is sport it doesn’t count as nationalistic bile ?

Did you support British athletes at the recent Olympics ? Tut tut ! Perhaps for you, something closer to home would be British actors and actresses winning a bauble or two at something called the Baftas or maybe an Oscar ? Did you feel a moment or two of something akin to nauseating nationalistic bile ?

You state that you are entitled to ‘have and express my concerns’. So is Nigel Farage when he speaks of the UK’s real friends. That is his opinion. Is he prohibited from expressing that opinion ? Should he be condemned for mouthing nationalistic bile ? Should there be some accusation of racism and bigotry added to make a more interesting accusatory mix ?

We should all consider and choose our words with care before making inflammatory statements.

By the by, it seems that Boeing quite like GB Ltd.

I think AKs inference was quite clear what he / she means by nationalistic bile. Bringing up supporting a national team or the olympics is a diversionary tactic similar to the tactics you usually use to ignore what someone is saying and create an endless circle meaning you never engage with the meat of what someone is saying.

Interesting that your response to someone being worried about the rise of racism is to simply say it has always been about. Is that your view? Accept it? Accept that it is on the rise? Grin and bear it like it is acceptable?

Trump content deleted

Indeed.

The stills from set of the filming of the ‘new’ Dunkirk is enough to put me off seeing it.

But, the reason these modern filmmakers want to make these films today, isn’t the same as the filmmakers making ‘war films’ in years gone by.

I’d imagine it’s the same reasons, need to make a living, love making films and like telling stories. I’d say what is different is that this generation is able to make films which blur the lines a bit more. No cut out German character stereotypes etc.

Take a film like the bridge over the river kwai. A film I like and enjoy and directed by a director whose standing remains second to none in the country. Recently we had the railway man which took a very different approach and angle with some similar subject matter. Both valuable, entertaining and casting light on a different aspect of war.

‘Lost the ability’ to make war films?

Full metal jacket, dark blue world, tigerland, inglorious basterds, fury, saving private ryan.

None perfect but I’d argue that many of the above are better than ‘the wooden horse’ or ‘reach for the sky’

If it’s flag waving patriotism then maybe recent war films don’t match up but if it’s realism and a greater emphasis on character studies then I think modern films win hands down. Take reach for the sky – it is a propaganda film in effect with its main lead reflecting very little of the real man.

Also the war films of days gone by would have you believe the war was one by WASPs .

I perceived this thread to be noticeable announcements of those recently departed and not a forum for the rights or wrongs of their lives and not something I’m interested in or in a position to judge.

I hate to agree with Mr Green but he does make an interesting point with the modern outpouring of grief. I see so many people have a need for to connect with the death and make the death “personal” in some way to them. A change definitely from many years ago.

Hm has it not occurred to anyone here that it’s the means to outpour this grief that might also have contributed. Perhaps the British ‘stuff upper lip’ may have not been so stiff during the last had the populace had Twitter and Facebook. Let’s not mythologise and create this legend of the past particularly when half of you weren’t even there and are relying on historical cliche. Stiff upper lip indeed. As if a stiff upper lip is always something to celebrate.

Also John talks about dodging a point. John – you have made a great success across these forums doing just that. Striking with a comment, provoking a response and then responding to that response by ignoring it and provoking some more. Very effective tactics but let’s not pretend that you engage in rational debate. Hence why you have ignored my reply about ‘inconvenient truths’ and what they were?

You’re obviously well informed. I know little about the people you mention. The original comment with which I agree, was pointed at the ludicrously over the top eulogies that always seem to accompany these matters.

The persons you mention, were singers of popular songs allegedly accustomed to stuffing themselves with a generous cocktail of exotic substances. Was the life they led more important than the life of an eminent physician who, after a lifetime of service to humanity dies unsung ?

Priorities old chap, priorities.

Who said we had to choose. George Michael was a figure of note and importance in 80s-90s popular music. He is reported as such and also for his work for gay rights and charity fund raising. I see no problem in that and I see no inconvenient truths. They just help give a rounder and fuller picture of an imperfect human being. Like me. Like you. I’m not a fan of his music not do I identify with his lifestyle but I can stretch my imagination to see that he was of importance to a significant amount of people if not to me and that reducing him to a sneering status of someone who was in a big band and who got caught in a sex act is petty and perhaps revealing in itself.

BBC Radio 2 are treating it as if somebody important had died, using words like “legend”

He was a boy band member who hung around in gents toilets. Is that all it takes to be a legend today?

Moggy

Maybe legend is overstated. But to say that he isn’t of importantance or significant is pretty lame. He sold millions of records and has thousands of fans whilst giving (it’s emerging) a lot to charity. Legend maybe not and his music maybe not to the taste of some but he is of note to many.

Boy band member who hung around in toilets? I wonder why the toilet comment came in there. There is something nasty about the whole comment. As if you can some up his total achievement to one boy band term in his life and a method in which he would meet other men. Sure, forget all the rest – the free concerts for nhs nurses, the millions donated etc etc.

For once and probably once only, I’m in complete agreement with CD.

I’ve previously mentioned this; I live under a patch of sky frequently criss crossed by not only GA but, also, Spitfire and Mustang traffic from Goodwood. If I’m around my local shopping area with many people to be seen, rather than down at the harbour, I’m jaw droppingly amazed that so few heads – if any at all – lift and look up when they hear the so distinctive snarl of the Merlins.

I think that on just two occasions, I’ve been asked by passers by, what are these aircraft. I admit that I’m shocked at the level of ignorance and disinterest.

And are you ignorant if your jaw doesn’t drop at a touch you are disinterested in? No, of course not. Why would someone, without a grounding in the subject, be expected to know a merlin and spitfire from say a general light aircraft? Some people arnt interested in aircraft and do wouldn’t think twice. This doesn’t mean they are ignorant. But in true grumpy old forum fashion you can’t see beyond our area of interest.