Photograph: Getty ImagesRemember all that fuss last summer about England flags and whether they were a harmless symbol of patriotism in the build up to the world cup or something more sinister following the success of the BNP in the local elections?
The row got pretty heated at one stage. But it was nothing compared to the current furore in Australia over attempts to ban, or rather discourage, the Australian flag at a rock concert.
The organisers of the Big Day Out concert suggested they wanted to ban the flag from the event, as it was "gang colour".
They said at the same event last year, which was held in the wake of ugly race riots in Cronulla, displays of patriotic flag waving was "intolerable."
This has prompted a furious reaction from Australia's prime minister John Howard, who said banning the flag was "stupid and offensive" and called instead for the event to be banned. The organisers have since tried to clarify the situation by claiming that flags won't actually be banned, but they have urged the 60,000 people expected to attend the event on Thursday to leave their flags at home.
Bloggers are bitterly divided on the issue.
Tim Sterne on Sarsaparilla says its "Downright unrock" to ban flags from the event.
Girls and Goals says the Australian flag is a "fine symbol" and "totally cool". It says:"Just because some dreary lefties think it might be used to provoke violence (how, why, who?), they have convinced the BDO organisers to ban, sorry, discourage the wearing of the flag. It's these same people that feel shame when they think of Australia."
But flag-waving makes Culture Strain "bowel-squirtingly ill". It adds: "Calls to ban the Big Day Out are stupendously moronic - as if you should be punished for not falling into line behind some patriotic ideal."
And Path of Most Restistance also sides with the organisers. As does Paul Watson on What the Cat dragged In. He says that after the Cronulla riots the flag has become a "stupid medieval rag."
The row prompts Modia Minatour to call for a new Australia flag. It says: "The sooner the whole thing's redesigned to reflect the fact that we're no longer an outpost of Old Blighty, the better."
