Cataract Resin 24

Welcome to the second instalment of the Cataract Resin guide to idiocy. As stated last week (If you haven't read it, do it now), this week's column is about that disgusting form of idiocy, Nationalism.

Let's start by clearing a few things up. Nationalism is defined as “loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups.” OK. Get thinking on that. Especially think about this: Patriotism is defined as “love for or devotion to one's country.” There is a very thin line between Patriotism and Nationalism.

So what's the big deal? Some guy thinks his country's the best. So what? Why should I care? Because that one person is not alone. There are hundreds of people who share his thoughts, and voice their opinions in the most brutal way possible. How often have you heard people complaining about immigrants “stealing” jobs? Perhaps you've done it yourself? It happens all the time. I won't discuss it in depth here, as I have covered the subject in a previous column.

The problem with most of these nationalists is that they don't realise that their countries need change in order to survive, and by staunchly upholding their tired traditions they are in fact killing the country. Somebody accused me of being racist because I didn't support Tim Henman during the Wimbledon play-offs. Why should I? I hate the man. I support who I like best, I don't support someone because he's english.

In fact, England can go to hell for all I care. Ridiculous traditions are rife here - Judges wearing silly wigs, Palace guards with stupid hats, it's all here. But I can cope with that to a certain extent. It's the extreme nationalists I can't stand. The BNP (British Nationalist Party) is gaining popularity. This band of bigots wants all Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Japanese, you name it, every non english person to either leave the country or suffer poorer working conditions etc. etc. England for the English and such shit. And this is where the real idiocy begins.

I want you all to take a look at England's history. It's had a bloody past, to be sure, but one thing remains constant - Every step of the way, the British Isles have been conquered, invaded and assimilated by other nations. The Vikings, with their raping and pillaging, the Saxons, the Normans and to a lesser extent in recent years, the Americans. These have all invaded and changed Britain's culture. So what? The country is better off for it. the point is, that the adage “England for the English” has absolutely no meaning, as we are the bastard sons of the rest of the world. Yet these people don't realise this, as they're idiots.

It's not just Britain, either. Shit, America is RUN by a nationalist bastard. And this is where the point I made about patriotism earlier comes in. Someone once said to me that bin Laden and his crew wanted world domination. They wouldn't stop until the entire world was Muslim. This may be so, but it's absolutely no different with America. Bush wants world domination. He won't stop until the whole world is American. And that's not Patriotism. That's not just Love of your country. That's Nationalism. That's excluding other countries from your goals.

Patriotism taken too far is found in countries all over the world. Blind Patriotism is the most dangerous and easily corruptible form. People love their country, but they don't know why. I hate to pick on Americans again, but it does seem to be the case with an alarming number of them. “God Bless America, and anyone who doesn't like her can BURN IN HELL.”

And that same idiocy comes into play again. Because how was America formed? from people escaping persecution in countries all over Europe. People seeking shelter in the new world.

“America for the Americans?” How can it be? You've put them all in reservations.

These are just two examples of Nationalistic idiocy that are prevalent in today's society. There have been many more in the past, and I don't doubt there will be many more in the future. Love your country by all means, but just remember that it belongs to the Earth.