The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

[Dark Raven]

Ok, so who here is doing anything for this this special long 4-day weekend while the Queen celebrates both her birthday and Diamond Jubilee? Street parties, celebrations, vacations etc?

Or is this just lost on most people here (especially those not in the UK)?

 

[enterthemadness]

It's lost on me.

 

[Manic]

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee aka Charles Wonders Why the Hell His Mum Isn't Dead Yet

 

[Silvermoth]

I'm going to dress up in my Union Jack shirt and watch it with mum here in Australia. I can't wait! Good on Queen Elizabeth II, she's really quite awesome.

 

[Eilzel]

Just watched the Thames Pageant; was a bit damp, but that's Britain lol

I am a major Royalist, hopefully the weather will be brighter and more cheerful for the procession on Tuesday but today was pretty incredible too, with all those boats

 

[Harls]

The media keeps saying the woman isn't smiling enough. Goodness, leave her alone. She hasn't sat down in 3 hours and neither has her 90 yr old husband.


Anyways, I'm picknicing on Tuesday! (In a jar)

 

[Eilzel]

I know!

It looking bitterly wet and windy up on the deck there and she waved at most opportunities. She is 86, I have huge respect for her simply staying on deck for everyone to catch their precious glimpse. Well done her I say

 

[Harls]

The neighbors must be brits. They've put up flags and bunting.

 

[chaseter]

Why do the Brits keep paying for a symbolic monarchy?

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Why do the Brits keep paying for a symbolic monarchy?

I've been told it's good for the economy because it brings in a lot of tourism trade.

 

[Eilzel]

Why do the Brits keep paying for a symbolic monarchy?

Because it costs relatively little; is great for diplomacy; and gives us a popular Head of State who typically has the support of the vast majority of people- unlike other nations where elected Heads of State let it get to their head and are often disliked by nearly half their people.

Plus at times like this they give people are great opportunity to lift the national mood and reflect on a colourful heritage. It is brilliant. Every nation is unique of course, and it is times like this I am honestly so proud to be British.

Interestingly the whole world seems to watch events like the Jubilee and last years wedding. How many other countries Heads can really command the same attention?

There is also a humbling for our politicians- particularly the Prime Minister who is reminded at his weekly meeting at Buckingham Palace of his position in the running of our country- he (or she) talks with a Head of State with vastly greater experience in world and domestic affairs than himself. The Queen has discussed important matters with people from Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, to George W Bush and Nelson Mandela.

I know some people from 'true' democracies (though how it is really any more democratic with or without as you say a 'symbolic' monarch I don't know) fail to understand our appreciation of our monarchy, but there are many reasons as I see it, boats and pageants being just the tip of it

 

[Thundercrack85]

All monarchies should be abolished. Let's stop living in the Dark Ages.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Was watching the Thames Flotilla thing earlier, and I turned to my mum and said 'We really do make patriotism look classy, don't we?'

I'm not really big into the Royals or anything, but I do think it's cool we've got this peice of heritage to celebrate with such dignity and class. And when I watch, I feel proud to be British.

And I think a lot of people forget, this women's been doing this since her dad died when she was 25. She absolutely deserves celebrating her commitment to her responsibilty.

 

[Eilzel]

All monarchies should be abolished. Let's stop living in the Dark Ages.

It's a major misunderstanding to automatically assume having a ceremonial constitutional monarch is the equivalent to living in the dark ages. Especially when a strong argument suggests a particular country is better off with than without.

When I consider our best effort of a Head of State recently might have been gurning Tony Blair or waxwork David Cameron I cringe. When I see France represented by poisoned dwarf Sarkozy and the US by dufus Bush I have pity (though granted Obama and Hollande are great).

Well said Dreamer

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

Why do the Brits keep paying for a symbolic monarchy?

I'm no supporter of the monarchy, but in terms of net worth, the monarchy brings in £90 million more than they cost. Plus, it's only 50p a year.

All monarchies should be abolished. Let's stop living in the Dark Ages.

The Monarch has no power, their power was weakened greatly in 1215, and disappeared in 1645.

The Monarchy is essentially a celebration of tradition. The queen has represented stability for 60 years. Also, the constitutional monarchy allows for the easily flexible constitution in the UK, that can change with the times and is very evolutionary, hence why there was only every one major revolution in the nation's history despite being over a millennia old. France had a revolution that removed their monarch, but resulted in several new establishments and constitutions.

The only change that is truly necessary in UK constitution is the need for possibly a directly elected leader of the major parties.

 

[Dark Raven]

I saw the boat pageant today but didn't get to see the Queen. She was further up the river from where I was.

Why do the Brits keep paying for a symbolic monarchy?

It's part of what makes Brits British and part of our heritage. Imagine a Britain without the monarchy and all of its history and symbolism. It would lose part of its cultural identity and distinctiveness. Even Americans flock to see these things when they come over here because it's something so particular to England that Americans simply don't have.

 

[Thundercrack85]

It's a major misunderstanding to automatically assume having a ceremonial constitutional monarch is the equivalent to living in the dark ages. Especially when a strong argument suggests a particular country is better off with than without.

When I consider our best effort of a Head of State recently might have been gurning Tony Blair or waxwork David Cameron I cringe. When I see France represented by poisoned dwarf Sarkozy and the US by dufus Bush I have pity (though granted Obama and Hollande are great).

Well said Dreamer

I'll sum it up with this, what is the basis for monarchy? Inequality. You can paint it with a brush. Say it's a tradition, whatever, but that's what it is.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I'll sum it up with this, what is the basis for monarchy? Inequality. You can paint it with a brush. Say it's a tradition, whatever, but that's what it is.

It's no more inequality than celebrity IMO. Yes, they are on a pedestal, but they aren't dictators or anything.

Our country is still run by a democratic government.

 

[Thundercrack85]

It's a ridiculous thing to have in this day and age.

But I question how much longer it will last. To her credit, Elizabeth's been able to pull off the dignified, regal thing. Her kids? Hardly.

A lot of love people had for the monarchy will go with her.

 

[Eilzel]

I'll sum it up with this, what is the basis for monarchy? Inequality. You can paint it with a brush. Say it's a tradition, whatever, but that's what it is.

So are children being born as the sons and daughters of top bankers. But they will have all the wealth and privilidge with none of the duty that goes with it. Some inequality (I stress 'some') is unavoidable. At least with the royals they do serve US in many ways and our country everyday.

The basis is in our history. We overthrew the monarchy once as I'm sure you know. But we decided it was better if parliament had someone to hold them to account, aside from the general population that is.

 

[Eilzel]

It's a ridiculous thing to have in this day and age.

But I question how much longer it will last. To her credit, Elizabeth's been able to pull off the dignified, regal thing. Her kids? Hardly.

A lot of love people had for the monarchy will go with her.

Charles will be the test; but Wills, Kate and Harry will be of great help there; and when William becomes the V all will be well again. It will last because the alternative is a drab President who will never have the full support of the people.

 

[Manic]

I'd say William hasn't been shaming the family name (which they don't use for reasons I don't understand), Harry is alright if you ignore that time he dressed up as a Nazi at a costume party, and Charles...

Who am I kidding? He's never gonna live down the fact that he's currently married to someone other than Saint Diana.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

It's a ridiculous thing to have in this day and age.

But I question how much longer it will last. To her credit, Elizabeth's been able to pull off the dignified, regal thing. Her kids? Hardly.

A lot of love people had for the monarchy will go with her.

Well no one particularly loves Charles, but I think you're majorly overlooking people's love for William, Harry and even Kate.

And I seriously don't see what's ridiculous about it. It certainly doesn't do anyone any harm.

 

[Thundercrack85]

That would not be state sanctioned inequality, which monarchy is. They're also not head of the church.

Yes, Cromwell did quite well, until he tried to start his own dynasty.

I suppose if you want Charles or William to be your king (that's going to be something), that's your right. But as a secularist who believes that all people are created equal, I'm going to voice my opinion.

Have to love the fact that people have forgotten that most misery the English people suffered was at the hands of the various monarchs. Hell, that goes for most of Europe.

 

[Manic]

You say that like the royal family is running the UK like a feudal kingdom rather than playing mascots to a democratically elected government.