Seems to me like the only time people mention the phrase "proud to be British" on these boards is in the BNP threads. Oh, the irony.

Anway, there are many things we should be proud of in this country, so to re-adress the balance I thought I'd list some. Please feel free to add any yourselves.

• The NHS. Yes, we all complain about long waiting lists, naff care, underpaid nurses, etc. But we still have free healthcare for all. Thats a great acheivement. If you get hurt in this country, we'll take care of you, even if you're poor.
• The BBC. Oooh, contraversial. People love to bash the Beeb, but £138.50 a year is a bargain if you ask me. The world service, the radio and TV channels, the internet site, all offer diverse enertainment, sport and information. We fund it, meaning we have a greater say when they **** up (which they do occasionally). Its a world renouned organisation, producing some of the greatest docs and dramas in the world. BBC Three is utter shite mind. Also, its the only place where you can enjoy something without people begging you to buy their goods or services every 15 mins. What other country has a media outlet such as this?
• We have produced some of the finest authors in the world. Dickens, Shakespeare, Douglas Adams, Jane Austen, Lewis Caroll, The Bronte Sisters, HG Wells (and many, many others). In fact, our contribution to The Arts in general is pretty remarkable.
• As Bill Bailey says "60% of our days are overcast, embuing the nation with a sense of wistful meloncholy". Perhaps not strictly true, but certainly the British sense of humour is distinctive, dark, and somthing to be proud of.
• Despite those at the far end of the spectrum, (you know who you are) we are mostly a centre left country, abortion is legal, there's no death penalty, we don't mix religion with politics (at least not out loud), we have mechanisms in place to discourage racial, sexual and gender discrimination.
• We have a free and diverse press.
• We produced Stephen Fry. He deseves his own bullet point.
• We have the best football league in the world. It may not mean much to everyone, but it does to many of us.
• We have freedom of speech, expression, religion, sexuality. As a nation we are mostly tolerant and accepting of other cultures.

Not bad for a little Island. Anyone want to add some more?

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Announcing your plans is a good way to hear god laugh.

Al Swearengen