Samuel Johnson's epithet does not mean that all patriots are scoundrels.
A row over a tweet shows deep differences of understanding among people in the UK. Those who live in the same society can make very different assumptions and effort can be needed to bridge the gap.
Are you 'flying the flag'?
The term popular 'fly the flag' is all too often a cipher for "support us against them" or "toe the line". But from the beginning of August through to the beginning of September 2013, creative artist Peter Liversidge is helping us to recognise and practice another, positive meaning.