brief pinko rant

i couldn't let yet another marvellous government suggestion pass without comment. this morning's news carried the story about the possibility of the twits introducing a pledge of allegiance to the good old queen and country; and more diabolical shit about britishness. what tosh! what do think they'll achieve? i mean i certainly wouldn't pledge allegiance to the country, regardless of my citizenship, or my feelings about it. do they really think, after Iraq et al, that people are prepared to stand by their country's behaviour? is it to be my country wrong or right? well, they can cock off.
the government comes up with a daft idea like this (imported from the land of daft nationalistic ideas, the USA), with some view to improving a sense of citizenship and engagement, as well as integration. nothing wrong with that aim, really, but superficial tat like pledging oaths and having a Britishness Day won't give you that. if the government were really serious about those things, they'd increase and improve teaching of politics and history within schools. these are what really make people intelligent engaged citizens, and furthermore improve their sens of national identity by familiarising them with the structures, ideas, and history that have formed the country.
unfortunately, the government doesn't like that idea for several reasons i suspect:
1) the teaching of history and politics is such a political hot potato they scared of opening debate on it
2)this would require genuine educational reform, not merely infrastructure/funding reform; it would cost them money. also, i doubt if those ratted private providers of education the government wants to roll out via city academies (the churches, business men, charities) would be too keen on the state making them teach these subject properly.
3)the levels of intelligence, scepticism, and social and political nous teaching the subject properly would encourage, is not the sort of thing governments like to encourage. its easier to keep people dumb and obedient.
its aggravating but true. cheap options, like pledges /oaths etc are easier to deal with. genuine emancipation based on historical and political knowledge, expensive and undesirable.

ps. Lucille, my dear, your blog entry is coming :)