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OK. I'm Welsh, I live in Cardiff and I have many English friends. What I experienced on Saturday night disgusted me..
A couple of my English friends were out enjoying a drink, watching the match. They managed to find a decent pub in the city center where they could have a drink and watch England play Germany. After a fantastic win they decided to head home. During the walk they were confronted by a 'Welshman' who took a dislike to my friend wearing an England shirt. Now he wasn't parading round with the George Cross draped over his shoulders, shouting abuse or making any obvious remarks, just walking home.
A few foul remarks were thrown at my friend but he decided to shrug them off and continue on his journey. Unaware to him the 'welshman' was following. A couple of minutes later my friend received a harsh beating. So harsh infact that he is awaiting reconstructive surgery to his jaw and wont be leaving hospital for at least 2 weeks.
When I found out about this is made me embarrassed to be Welsh. A bit of sporting rivalry has never been a problem, but when this turns into violence I fear there is a bigger problem to be addressed. I am aware that the Welsh are a fiercely patriotic nation but I am completely unaware as to why they aim this at the English.
OK we have a little history, but to be honest if half the people in Wales picked up a history book every once in a while they would realise that we have more of a reason to dislike the French (even they had a few problems - William II had 2 failed attempts at conquering Wales) more than the English. Anyway, the nation practically embraced the Act of Union between England and Wales in 1536..
So where did this come from? Personally I think this is anger aimed at the English but not necessarily caused by the English. Sport being the most obvious example. In regards to rugby, we live in the past. Yes in the 1970's Wales was probably the best rugby nation on earth but that was 30 years ago. We have been terrible since the 80's and have failed to improve since then. England have also been bad but are now comparitive to most southern hemisphere teams. Is this a reason to hate a nation? Stereophonics you also have a lot to answer for here..
Football - we have never been good. We've only qualified for the world cup once and that was in the 50's. We have one world class player, but as they say - you're only as good as your weakest player, of which we have many. We dont even have a decent league team worthy of being Welsh. Again England are on the up and we dont like it...
The problem is that we refuse to take responsibilty for our actions. The blame is always shifted to something or someone else. We cannot stand on our own two feet and be taken seriously. There are huge divisions within Wales that need to be addressed - that of language, education, industry and culture. It is our discontent with our own nation that we decide to take out on England. In 1998 we voted for devolution - to take a 'stance' as it were, and so far we have done nothing but embarrass ourselves.
True freedom comes with responsibilty.
A couple of my English friends were out enjoying a drink, watching the match. They managed to find a decent pub in the city center where they could have a drink and watch England play Germany. After a fantastic win they decided to head home. During the walk they were confronted by a 'Welshman' who took a dislike to my friend wearing an England shirt. Now he wasn't parading round with the George Cross draped over his shoulders, shouting abuse or making any obvious remarks, just walking home.
A few foul remarks were thrown at my friend but he decided to shrug them off and continue on his journey. Unaware to him the 'welshman' was following. A couple of minutes later my friend received a harsh beating. So harsh infact that he is awaiting reconstructive surgery to his jaw and wont be leaving hospital for at least 2 weeks.
When I found out about this is made me embarrassed to be Welsh. A bit of sporting rivalry has never been a problem, but when this turns into violence I fear there is a bigger problem to be addressed. I am aware that the Welsh are a fiercely patriotic nation but I am completely unaware as to why they aim this at the English.
OK we have a little history, but to be honest if half the people in Wales picked up a history book every once in a while they would realise that we have more of a reason to dislike the French (even they had a few problems - William II had 2 failed attempts at conquering Wales) more than the English. Anyway, the nation practically embraced the Act of Union between England and Wales in 1536..
So where did this come from? Personally I think this is anger aimed at the English but not necessarily caused by the English. Sport being the most obvious example. In regards to rugby, we live in the past. Yes in the 1970's Wales was probably the best rugby nation on earth but that was 30 years ago. We have been terrible since the 80's and have failed to improve since then. England have also been bad but are now comparitive to most southern hemisphere teams. Is this a reason to hate a nation? Stereophonics you also have a lot to answer for here..
Football - we have never been good. We've only qualified for the world cup once and that was in the 50's. We have one world class player, but as they say - you're only as good as your weakest player, of which we have many. We dont even have a decent league team worthy of being Welsh. Again England are on the up and we dont like it...
The problem is that we refuse to take responsibilty for our actions. The blame is always shifted to something or someone else. We cannot stand on our own two feet and be taken seriously. There are huge divisions within Wales that need to be addressed - that of language, education, industry and culture. It is our discontent with our own nation that we decide to take out on England. In 1998 we voted for devolution - to take a 'stance' as it were, and so far we have done nothing but embarrass ourselves.
True freedom comes with responsibilty.
OK. I'm Welsh, I live in Cardiff and I have many English friends. What I experienced on Saturday night disgusted me..
A couple of my English friends were out enjoying a drink, watching the match. They managed to find a decent pub in the city center where they could have a drink and watch England play Germany. After a fantastic win they decided to head home. During the walk they were confronted by a 'Welshman' who took a dislike to my friend wearing an England shirt. Now he wasn't parading round with the George Cross draped over his shoulders, shouting abuse or making any obvious remarks, just walking home.
A few foul remarks were thrown at my friend but he decided to shrug them off and continue on his journey. Unaware to him the 'welshman' was following. A couple of minutes later my friend received a harsh beating. So harsh infact that he is awaiting reconstructive surgery to his jaw and wont be leaving hospital for at least 2 weeks.
When I found out about this is made me embarrassed to be Welsh. A bit of sporting rivalry has never been a problem, but when this turns into violence I fear there is a bigger problem to be addressed. I am aware that the Welsh are a fiercely patriotic nation but I am completely unaware as to why they aim this at the English.
OK we have a little history, but to be honest if half the people in Wales picked up a history book every once in a while they would realise that we have more of a reason to dislike the French (even they had a few problems - William II had 2 failed attempts at conquering Wales) more than the English. Anyway, the nation practically embraced the Act of Union between England and Wales in 1536..
So where did this come from? Personally I think this is anger aimed at the English but not necessarily caused by the English. Sport being the most obvious example. In regards to rugby, we live in the past. Yes in the 1970's Wales was probably the best rugby nation on earth but that was 30 years ago. We have been terrible since the 80's and have failed to improve since then. England have also been bad but are now comparitive to most southern hemisphere teams. Is this a reason to hate a nation? Stereophonics you also have a lot to answer for here..
Football - we have never been good. We've only qualified for the world cup once and that was in the 50's. We have one world class player, but as they say - you're only as good as your weakest player, of which we have many. We dont even have a decent league team worthy of being Welsh. Again England are on the up and we dont like it...
The problem is that we refuse to take responsibilty for our actions. The blame is always shifted to something or someone else. We cannot stand on our own two feet and be taken seriously. There are huge divisions within Wales that need to be addressed - that of language, education, industry and culture. It is our discontent with our own nation that we decide to take out on England. In 1998 we voted for devolution - to take a 'stance' as it were, and so far we have done nothing but embarrass ourselves.
True freedom comes with responsibilty.
A couple of my English friends were out enjoying a drink, watching the match. They managed to find a decent pub in the city center where they could have a drink and watch England play Germany. After a fantastic win they decided to head home. During the walk they were confronted by a 'Welshman' who took a dislike to my friend wearing an England shirt. Now he wasn't parading round with the George Cross draped over his shoulders, shouting abuse or making any obvious remarks, just walking home.
A few foul remarks were thrown at my friend but he decided to shrug them off and continue on his journey. Unaware to him the 'welshman' was following. A couple of minutes later my friend received a harsh beating. So harsh infact that he is awaiting reconstructive surgery to his jaw and wont be leaving hospital for at least 2 weeks.
When I found out about this is made me embarrassed to be Welsh. A bit of sporting rivalry has never been a problem, but when this turns into violence I fear there is a bigger problem to be addressed. I am aware that the Welsh are a fiercely patriotic nation but I am completely unaware as to why they aim this at the English.
OK we have a little history, but to be honest if half the people in Wales picked up a history book every once in a while they would realise that we have more of a reason to dislike the French (even they had a few problems - William II had 2 failed attempts at conquering Wales) more than the English. Anyway, the nation practically embraced the Act of Union between England and Wales in 1536..
So where did this come from? Personally I think this is anger aimed at the English but not necessarily caused by the English. Sport being the most obvious example. In regards to rugby, we live in the past. Yes in the 1970's Wales was probably the best rugby nation on earth but that was 30 years ago. We have been terrible since the 80's and have failed to improve since then. England have also been bad but are now comparitive to most southern hemisphere teams. Is this a reason to hate a nation? Stereophonics you also have a lot to answer for here..
Football - we have never been good. We've only qualified for the world cup once and that was in the 50's. We have one world class player, but as they say - you're only as good as your weakest player, of which we have many. We dont even have a decent league team worthy of being Welsh. Again England are on the up and we dont like it...
The problem is that we refuse to take responsibilty for our actions. The blame is always shifted to something or someone else. We cannot stand on our own two feet and be taken seriously. There are huge divisions within Wales that need to be addressed - that of language, education, industry and culture. It is our discontent with our own nation that we decide to take out on England. In 1998 we voted for devolution - to take a 'stance' as it were, and so far we have done nothing but embarrass ourselves.
True freedom comes with responsibilty.
well said ....now go claim you prize
Well thankyou, I think I will..
Congratulations, Craw - well deserved.
As you'll know from elsewhere in this forum, I consider myself an English nationalist - but in the 'better' sense of the word.
I have nothing against anyone, and certainly wouldn't dream of resorting to the violence you descibed here.
Why people feel the need to batter someone senseless just to prove how proud they are of their country, I'll never know.
Anyway, again - well done.
As you'll know from elsewhere in this forum, I consider myself an English nationalist - but in the 'better' sense of the word.
I have nothing against anyone, and certainly wouldn't dream of resorting to the violence you descibed here.
Why people feel the need to batter someone senseless just to prove how proud they are of their country, I'll never know.
Anyway, again - well done.
Thanks Wookiee.
Its funny that a discussion that evoked not a single response won. I'm more impressed with SR than myself.
Its funny that a discussion that evoked not a single response won. I'm more impressed with SR than myself.
Craw wrote:
> Its funny that a discussion that evoked not a single response won.
The sign of a perfect post, maybe? You covered everything so well that no-one could offer any more - which is no doubt why you won!
> Its funny that a discussion that evoked not a single response won.
The sign of a perfect post, maybe? You covered everything so well that no-one could offer any more - which is no doubt why you won!