I think that's a really ****, reductive quote that shows absolutely no understanding of what the essence of patriotism actually is. Of course, patriotism can manifest in horrible, unpleasant ways. But you and the lad Carlin seem to be implying that it can only ever be a negative thing.
OK, please tell me what a positive manifestation of patriotism is then. It's just arbitrary stuff, isnt it?
I mean, I'm happy that William Wilberforce abolished the slave trade, that Nye Bevan created the NHS and that Alan Turing created the difference engine but I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable taking pride in it, it's not my achievement even if we share the same passport.
It's great Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space but that he was a fellow caucasian male has no bearings on my feelings and neither do I resent Laika or canines in general for getting there first.
Answer that yourself; have you not previously stated your "pride" in your Irish roots?
"Plenty of strikers can score goals," he said, gesturing to the famous old stands casting shadows around us.
"But a lot have found it difficult wearing the number 9 shirt for The Arsenal."