Professional Cycling For the Fans - Black and white american flags

Does anyone know why you see all those blacek and white american flags along the roads on the tour is it a protest?

you need a new TV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Brittany

Every Year!!!!!

you need a new TV

:lol: Post of the week!

And why is Vino wearing that funny jersey? :D

they turned our stars into pine trees, the *******s !!!

vive le breton!

It is the flag of Brittany (a region in France).
Just like you see lots of yellow flags with a black lion . . . flag of West Flanders (a real hotbed for cycling in Belgium).

It is the flag of Brittany (a region in France).
Just like you see lots of yellow flags with a black lion . . . flag of West Flanders (a real hotbed for cycling in Belgium).

Does it look like a white flag with a black lion on a black and white set? :crash:

Does anyone know why you see all those blacek and white american flags along the roads on the tour is it a protest?


you need a new TV

This thread gets my vote for the best first two posts of the TDF forum :thumb:

Thanks it just looks like a black and white American Flag I don't know enough about France to know their cowardly regions and yeah I miss spelled Black so as a argant American F ya all

Thanks it just looks like a black and white American Flag I don't know enough about France to know their cowardly regions and yeah I miss spelled Black so as a argant American F ya all

Hint #1: "misspelled"

Hint #2: Lighten up.

Hint #1: "misspelled"

Hint #2: Lighten up.



:roflmao:

:roflmao:

:roflmao:

Actually a black & white stars and stripes is pretty sharp sarcasm considering the black & white, "with us or against us" Bush/Cheney mindset. And while..

I myself don't care for displays of nationalism or protest in sports, that's just life. Anyway, as an aside, the Olympics is as much about the gambling odds and the marketing as it is about the spirit of competition.

Yeah, I'm jaded.

another absolutely ******** thread in the TdF forum. go figure.

Will the converter work on a BW TV when the signal goes digital or is it racial?

And in case any one asks... the Isle of Man's flag shows three legs running in a circle. I'm sure with Cavendish surging as of late, there will be lots of hometown flags waving him on.

Instead of jumping all over the guy, why not take the opportunity to educate him (and a few others here...)

Gwen ha du is the name of the flag. It is brezoneg (breton in breton) for black and white. Brittany has it's own language and culture that predates the French influence that started in earnest when Anne of Brittany married King Charles VII of France in 1491, bringing all of Brittany under the rule of France. Breton was still spoken in Brittany, though, for hundreds of years, and you can still hear it if you listen. All the road signs in Brittany are in both Breton and French, much like in Ireland where the signs are in Irish Gaelic and English.

After WWII, even the remote parts of Brittany became French speaking, and Breton was discouraged or forbidden, not taught in schools, and generally considered backwards. That meant that a generation whose parents spoke Breton did not learn the language. When you skip generations in language, the language is typically on it's way to a certain death.

Culturally, Brittany is Celtic. There are menhirs and dolmens (prehistoric standing stones) all over the place that predate the Celts. The Breton language is closely tied to the now-extinct Cornish that was spoken in southwestern England. The Cornish were pushed out of Cornwall by invasions of England (Angles and Saxons and the like) way back. They probably landed in Brittany. King Arthur and Merlin and the gang are thought to have spent considerable time in Brittany.

In the past 30 years or so, Breton-only schools have been established all over Brittany (Diwan), so that the children are learning the language even though their parents don't speak it very well. Breton music is Celtic, with the Binou being the Breton bagpipe. It's a beautiful culture and landscape, and some of the best cycling in the world.

I hope you get to go sometime and see for yourselves.

Kenavo.

The Occitan flag is the coolest.http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z85/daisydoe/drap_oc.gif

Instead of jumping all over the guy, why not take the opportunity to educate him (and a few others here...)

Gwen ha du is the name of the flag. It is brezoneg (breton in breton) for black and white. Brittany has it's own language and culture that predates the French influence that started in earnest when Anne of Brittany married King Charles VII of France in 1491, bringing all of Brittany under the rule of France. Breton was still spoken in Brittany, though, for hundreds of years, and you can still hear it if you listen. All the road signs in Brittany are in both Breton and French, much like in Ireland where the signs are in Irish Gaelic and English.

After WWII, even the remote parts of Brittany became French speaking, and Breton was discouraged or forbidden, not taught in schools, and generally considered backwards. That meant that a generation whose parents spoke Breton did not learn the language. When you skip generations in language, the language is typically on it's way to a certain death.

Culturally, Brittany is Celtic. There are menhirs and dolmens (prehistoric standing stones) all over the place that predate the Celts. The Breton language is closely tied to the now-extinct Cornish that was spoken in southwestern England. The Cornish were pushed out of Cornwall by invasions of England (Angles and Saxons and the like) way back. They probably landed in Brittany. King Arthur and Merlin and the gang are thought to have spent considerable time in Brittany.

In the past 30 years or so, Breton-only schools have been established all over Brittany (Diwan), so that the children are learning the language even though their parents don't speak it very well. Breton music is Celtic, with the Binou being the Breton bagpipe. It's a beautiful culture and landscape, and some of the best cycling in the world.

I hope you get to go sometime and see for yourselves.

Kenavo.

Thanks for the history lesson, but what about the confused American with visions of wood nymphs, damsels in distress, Guinness ale, Led Zeppelin, Braveheart, Tolkien, and the The Once and Future King?

Instead of jumping all over the guy, why not take the opportunity to educate him (and a few others here...)

Gwen ha du is the name of the flag. It is brezoneg (breton in breton) for black and white. Brittany has it's own language and culture that predates the French influence that started in earnest when Anne of Brittany married King Charles VII of France in 1491, bringing all of Brittany under the rule of France. Breton was still spoken in Brittany, though, for hundreds of years, and you can still hear it if you listen. All the road signs in Brittany are in both Breton and French, much like in Ireland where the signs are in Irish Gaelic and English.

After WWII, even the remote parts of Brittany became French speaking, and Breton was discouraged or forbidden, not taught in schools, and generally considered backwards. That meant that a generation whose parents spoke Breton did not learn the language. When you skip generations in language, the language is typically on it's way to a certain death.

Culturally, Brittany is Celtic. There are menhirs and dolmens (prehistoric standing stones) all over the place that predate the Celts. The Breton language is closely tied to the now-extinct Cornish that was spoken in southwestern England. The Cornish were pushed out of Cornwall by invasions of England (Angles and Saxons and the like) way back. They probably landed in Brittany. King Arthur and Merlin and the gang are thought to have spent considerable time in Brittany.

In the past 30 years or so, Breton-only schools have been established all over Brittany (Diwan), so that the children are learning the language even though their parents don't speak it very well. Breton music is Celtic, with the Binou being the Breton bagpipe. It's a beautiful culture and landscape, and some of the best cycling in the world.

I hope you get to go sometime and see for yourselves.

Kenavo.

Didn't you see his second post, I think he may refuse your offer of education.:D

Didn't you see his second post, I think he may refuse your offer of education.:D

It wasn't just for him...

Didn't you see his second post, I think he may refuse your offer of education.:D
People were being pissy about it and he was pissy back. I wouldn't expect someone from Europe to be able to recongize regional flags from North America. Would someone from Saskatchewan even be able to recognize their own flag?

At least the Breton flag is immediately recognizable. Some French regional flags involve count-the-lions guessing games.

Thanks for the history lesson, but what about the confused American with visions of wood nymphs, damsels in distress, Guinness ale, Led Zeppelin, Braveheart, Tolkien, and the The Once and Future King?

Led Zepplin is all about Wales, which is very close to Brittany culture-wise. Brittany also has wood nymphs, damsels in distress, and the Once and Future King, as well as wind-swept moors and mysterious misty forests. Instead of Guinness they have really awesome very hard cider. Instead of Braveheart, they have Guihmarc'h. The Mabingion is a collection of Breton tales and myths. I visited the purported grave of Merlin near Josselin, as well as a fountain of youth (but there were vipers, so I didn't actually take a sip).

People were being pissy about it and he was pissy back. I wouldn't expect someone from Europe to be able to recongize regional flags from North America. Would someone from Saskatchewan even be able to recognize their own flag?

At least the Breton flag is immediately recognizable. Some French regional flags involve count-the-lions guessing games.

Obviously not to everyone. :D

Thanks it just looks like a black and white American Flag I don't know enough about France to know their cowardly regions and yeah I miss spelled Black so as a argant American F ya all

It's actually "arrogant".

It's actually "arrogant".

also "an" not "a"

Whatever. I think we need more tulips around here. :love:

Instead of jumping all over the guy, why not take the opportunity to educate him (and a few others here...)

Gwen ha du is the name of the flag. It is brezoneg (breton in breton) for black and white. Brittany has it's own language and culture that predates the French influence that started in earnest when Anne of Brittany married King Charles VII of France in 1491, bringing all of Brittany under the rule of France. Breton was still spoken in Brittany, though, for hundreds of years, and you can still hear it if you listen. All the road signs in Brittany are in both Breton and French, much like in Ireland where the signs are in Irish Gaelic and English.

After WWII, even the remote parts of Brittany became French speaking, and Breton was discouraged or forbidden, not taught in schools, and generally considered backwards. That meant that a generation whose parents spoke Breton did not learn the language. When you skip generations in language, the language is typically on it's way to a certain death.

Culturally, Brittany is Celtic. There are menhirs and dolmens (prehistoric standing stones) all over the place that predate the Celts. The Breton language is closely tied to the now-extinct Cornish that was spoken in southwestern England. The Cornish were pushed out of Cornwall by invasions of England (Angles and Saxons and the like) way back. They probably landed in Brittany. King Arthur and Merlin and the gang are thought to have spent considerable time in Brittany.

In the past 30 years or so, Breton-only schools have been established all over Brittany (Diwan), so that the children are learning the language even though their parents don't speak it very well. Breton music is Celtic, with the Binou being the Breton bagpipe. It's a beautiful culture and landscape, and some of the best cycling in the world.

I hope you get to go sometime and see for yourselves.

Kenavo.

Thank you. While I've got a good knowledge of Medieval European history, the majority of it is (of course) English-based. And what I know of Medieval (now as we know it) France is usually because of some English cross-current. Or, my endless fascination with the Huguenots.

Very much enjoyed the overview.

And before the Anglo-Saxons got there, the people in Brittany and that island across the channel to the north were pretty much the same people.

Anyone for pie?

This therd make funny.

Does anyone know why you see all those blacek and white american flags along the roads on the tour is it a protest?

I don't know why everyone is giving you such a hard time. The truth is that the French hate Americans so much that they went to all the trouble of making a bunch of *******ized Starts and Stripes just to insult a nation that doesn't even watch bike racing...

Drop that coffee, step back from the computer, and no one gets hurt.

I wondered about that flag, too, and assumed it was a regional flag. I would have been reticent about posing the question on this forum, given the self-righteous ideologue trolls that have been lurking under the BF bridge lately.

And before the Anglo-Saxons got there, the people in Brittany and that island across the channel to the north were pretty much the same people.

Yup. Celts all the way down to Spain in Galicia.

Haha, the first year I was watching the tour I thought the same thing but instead of trees I saw bombs!

How great would that be? I was thinking, damn, the spirit of protest is alive and well in Europe! I too was disappointed.

vive le breton!

Isn't it Bretagne?

Also what the hell kind of Johnny Foreigner Union Jacks are they flying?

http://www.patriotic-flags.com/world/westeurope/SPAN010.gif


;)

Isn't it Bretagne?

Actually, it's Breizh Ma Bro.

Also what the hell kind of Johnny Foreigner Union Jacks are they flying?


;)

I was wondering when this question would come up. I'll leave it to the Basque folks to answer.

Led Zepplin is all about Wales, which is very close to Brittany culture-wise. Brittany also has wood nymphs, damsels in distress, and the Once and Future King, as well as wind-swept moors and mysterious misty forests. Instead of Guinness they have really awesome very hard cider. Instead of Braveheart, they have Guihmarc'h. The Mabingion is a collection of Breton tales and myths. I visited the purported grave of Merlin near Josselin, as well as a fountain of youth (but there were vipers, so I didn't actually take a sip).

So I'm not completely off-topic in my entire post, I'll say M-E-R-L-I-N makes lovely bikes.

I was being silly in my previous post of course, but you provided an interesting followup - thank you!

Btw, "The Once and Future King" is one of my favorite reads, I put it way ahead of Tolkien's trilogy. My mom's family is from Scotland. Has Scotland any interesting mythology from the days of King Arthur?

Isn't it Bretagne?

Bretagne is the region, Breton are the language and the people. As opposed to Grand Bretagne, just across the water.

Also what the hell kind of Johnny Foreigner Union Jacks are they flying?

http://www.patriotic-flags.com/world/westeurope/SPAN010.gif


;)

The Ikurriña was indeed modeled after the Union Jack.

You may also see white flags with a black area shaped like this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Mapa_provincias_Euskal_Herria.svg/280px-Mapa_provincias_Euskal_Herria.svg.png

The pink part is the Basque Autonomous Region of Spain, the Green part is Navarra (historically Basque but less intersted in autonomy) and the yellow part is the Basque region of France. On the flag though it's all one color and is a symbol for unity even though there isn't very much of it.


And for fun and edification, here's a Youtube of a woman who wants to speak Euskara with the phone company which apparently offers any language except hers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HspcDKxt5LA

Agur.

edit - the flag I've been seeing appears to be the one used by ETA to demand that Basque prisoners be transferred to Basque prisons. Note that the French bits are missing from the shape.

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/images/e/es%7Depeh.gif

cornish language fellowship - just to correct a comment about extinct languages
http://www.cornish-language.org/

all this talk of protest flags reminds me of a joke its taken from a comedian rob newman in the history of oil (youtube link below)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5267640865741878159

i'd put it in but it would probably upset some people you'll just have to find it yourselves

I was wondering when this question would come up. I'll leave it to the Basque folks to answer.

Sorry my original post should have included a couple of ":rolleyes:"s

Thanks it just looks like a black and white American Flag I don't know enough about France to know their cowardly regions and yeah I miss spelled Black so as a argant American F ya all

You are a fine example of the intelligence of our country's population. Bravo. :rolleyes:

What makes a region cowardly? Too chicken to become a state or province? Not enough balls to become a country?

Drop that coffee, step back from the computer, and no one gets hurt.

I wondered about that flag, too, and assumed it was a regional flag. I would have been reticent about posing the question on this forum, given the self-righteous ideologue trolls that have been lurking under the BF bridge lately.

I just can't resist...

You ARE the weak link...good bye. :D

"a argant American."

"a argant American."

http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/n/U/moran.jpg