Sat here this morning in a bit of a reflective mood really. Wondering at how easy the euphoria of our success on Saturday is rapidly turning into disapointment and frustration. We can look forward to week of media bleating, ranging from the pompous to the inflammatory. The politicians will be out in force, the spin doctors rubbing their hands with glee at the platform it affords them. Who knows what the situation will be by the end of the week.

Pete is due back from Le Mans later today. No doubt he will have been burnt to a crisp, be feeling rather hungover, but will have had a wonderful time. He will be full of stories of 200,000 people gathered in one place, all nationalities, lots of flag waving, all drunk as skunks, and little or no violence. I know it`s true because I`ve been there. It`s the same at all big motorsport events.

I`m looking at our Cross of St.George flapping outside the door, and wondering if I should take it down, it is now so synonomous with violence. I would like to be clever enough to redesign this flag to include some sort of anti-violence symbol, something that would be as instantly recognisable as the `ban the bomb` sign. Any suggestions?(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Answers

Dunno what to say to help mum.....

Maybe a nice big smiley face on it would do the trick :))

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

What about that yin & yang symbol thingy. It has the advantage of at least of being black & white :o))

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

I thought about a white poppy, wasn`t there talk at one time of changing the red Rememberence Day poppy to a white one? I actually think that could work quite well, as long as people didn`t think it was a `rose` and spark off a civil war! (:o)

Thought about a dove too - but I think that`s a bit twee. Maybe the white poppy would also work well, because of the tenuous connection some hooligans like to make between football and righting the wrongs of two world wars.(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Just keep the flag as it is.....we've had it for hundreds of years the way it is. White poppies and doves indeed!!!

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

White poppy - opium ?

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

I know what you`re saying LR. I don`t have a problem with the flag as such. I was just thinking of the fact that you see mutilated flags draped around stadia at every match. I thought it might have been good to see some with positive anti-hooligan implications, instead of for example, `no surrender to the IRA` or whatever. OK I admit maybe I was having a bit of a `Heineken` moment, but I would just like the opportunity for genuine supporters to make their own statement. In fact, I shall be taking out my embroidery kit this afternoon and embellishing my own flag accordingly!(:o)

And Pit Bill - no, not opium - now go to your room!(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

when ever I get this Moral outrage nonsense I switch off - utter B****cks.

How come as soon as we go to Belgium so many people are arrested (and not the Netherlands?)is the trapist beer that turns the crowd so un monk like? Passports taken before hand? Wouldn't make any difference? More riot police only makes a riot? Ditto. How about some sensible policing? too difficult I suppose.(and some better behaviour)

From the various tea rooms in Wapping: "Bah bloody hooligans! Flog 'em that's all they understand! Bah! give 'em a taste o' their own medicie! Bah! didn't happen in mah' day I can tell yer! Huh, the shame of it, how can we ever do anything ever again, cancel all passports, all the governments fault yer know, should've rounded 'em all up in bloody March and stuck 'em in a forced labour camps with high fences and search lights, make 'em work down the mines in the freezing cold. No! too bloody good for 'em. Throw their entire families out on't' streets to freeze to death and when they ask you why, tell 'em coz you should've known there was going to be trouble and should have eaten yer' kebab somewhere else!! Bah!!!"

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

TM - was it something I said!(:o)

I`ve no idea what they are saying in the tea rooms of Wapping, but personally I don`t see a problem in taking the moral high ground, as long as you are not guilty of duplicity.(:o)

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Pit Bill, Papaver somniferum is usually red flowering!!

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Gus....go to your room as well!!

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Right I'm off then, try to help some people................

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000