RIP Queen Elizabeth II

I'd be surprised if she were complicit with Diana's death.

But the Queen's death already seems to be kicking off Republican movements in the Caribbean, and I expect the same to happen here. The Prime Minister has just spoken about our priorities, and has said that a constitutional change to provide proper representation of indigenous Australians to Parliament is more important than becoming a Republic. But that statement made it pretty clear that it is on the to-do list.

 

That melanin is highly unlikely to make it to the throne: it would take an incident of almost King Ralph proportions for that to happen now.

But you do raise an interesting point. Much of the UK media seems to think that Harry's transgression is worse than the many transgressions of his apparently-incapable-of-sweating idiot uncle. They're claiming - and I don't know whether this is true - that that's the view in the Palace too. This, I have to say, digusts me as far as the media is concerned, and would disgust me if it were found to be true within the Palace.

You may be right there.

Honestly, given what we've seen of the "other Liz" who came to power in Britain last week, I think the monarchy will outlast the UK. Which does not necessarily mean that I think the monarchy will last a long time.

 

Loyal subjects, how appropriate

 

who knew?

8062382001

 

That is really, really weird.

 

i thought so as well, but thought you might be more familiar

 

I suspect it tastes like eel. And I HATE eel.

I'd never heard of this tradition, though. It's very interesting.

 

Numerous things that are delicacies in some cultures seem disgusting to many in other cultures.

And lamprey is definitely a delicacy in some circles. Though I have no plans to sample lamprey or eel.

 

The Pacific lamprey is a traditional food source of Native American tribes. The Northwest used to see huge runs.

Conserving and celebrating an ancient fish - ICT

They have a high oil content and fatty flavor, thus why some prize them for eating.
A Note on Lampreys | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

 

Considering how many 'American opinions' have been acted by upon certain government entities that actually did have choices, working against local democratic forces and achieving 'successes' that later cause us great chagrin (how did the CIA get such a bad reputation around the world? How many countries regret letting us browbeat them into Iraq?), I'm reluctant to express opinions in forms that sound like telling other democracies what they should do.

Today's British monarchy is not the same oppressive regime that we rebelled against and expelled two and a half centuries ago. And the UK cannot escape its colonialist history by loading all responsibility and guilt onto just today's monarchy, then disposing of that monarchy.

If they can keep and construct their monarchy in a benevolent or benign ceremonial form, more power to them. A dozen European countries are technically still monarchies, half of them are even EU members. Abolish it? That is fine too. I do follow some coverage of the royals with a bit of interest, but it does seem that certain portions of the 'news' media are quite excessively focused on the British royals as celebrities. The other European constitutional monarchies I've visited seem to have far less celebrity focus. A tour guide in one of them mentioned being out fishing along a very rural stream, and discovering that the other guy fishing along the same area was that county's King, with nor retinue or tabloid paparazzi visible anywhere.

 

aha, you have an opinion! and you don't like mine, i'm okay with that.
i will continue to opine on worldwide issues, i'm not concerned with your concern.
if someone in authority reads priuschat and changes their mind because of my opinion, that would be wonderfully empowering for me.
maybe i could fix all the problems in the world.

 

line up for the viewing:

10365766002

my bladder isn't big enough

 

I have no problem with having an opinion about the government arrangements or choices of other countries. But be careful about how it is expressed, making sure to not sound like you are telling them what choices they should make.

Similarly, it is one thing when foreigners simply don't like our domestic choices. It is quite another when they insist that I should vote their way.

 

I have many more sympathies with the family and friends of Elizabeth than the recently departed, Ken Starr. For our Common Wealth Friends, Ken was for the Republicans what the Republicans falsely project the Democrats are doing to end the Republicans' Royal Trump.

Bob Wilson

 

Ken Starr is a household name even here. And not in a good way.

 

i think you mis read or did not read his concern

 

sorry, i'm not following your logic