We've been alienated? I think someone forgot to tell us.
billi just did.
Take notes now! You have been alienated! Sheesh...Brits!
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We've been alienated? I think someone forgot to tell us.
:chuckles: I'm not sure that 'alienated' is the right word, BillC. There has certainly been a cooling of relations at some levels and a certain amount of offence taken (by Englishmen like me) at the diplomatic gaffes and missteps that have been made by President Obama's staff. But 'alienation' is too strong a term.
Something to bear in mind is that the pivot of our diplomatic relations with the world is Her Majesty; that means that ebbs and flows within the international community are ameliorated by her abillty to 'ride out' an unwelcome or somewhat fumblefooted foreign administration if it is so required.
I confess that I do fear that her successor may not be such a valuable servant of their people as she has been and we may lose some of that 'smoothness' and continuity that she has given us as a nation.
I am willing to be convinced about Prince William, Tez; I'm not counting him out yet and he is being groomed the right way {lord knows he has a good role-model in his grandmother :nods:}. I was just expressing the fear, as I said, that Queen Elizabeth II has served us royaly well {yeah, monarchy based pun attack! } and will leave some very big footsteps to follow.
As to the Wing of American politics, aye, couldn't agree more; I've said many times it is comprised of the Right and the Really Far Right.
We do represent the civilized part of NA.
Yeah, well, that's the funny thing about political opinions, but sure. I get that it's not racial... at least, not for most. I'm sure there are some die hard bigots out there unwilling to vote for a black dude, but I can't imagine there are many.
Funny thing is Steve, before Obama was a nominee, only a small portion of African Americans voted in General Elections. When obama became the nominee, they voted in droves. Are those people racist, because they only came out to vote for an African American?
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I confess that I do fear that her successor may not be such a valuable servant of their people as she has been and we may lose some of that 'smoothness' and continuity that she has given us as a nation.
:grins: I am not one of those that holds a low opinion of Prince Charles. I like the fact that, like his father, he is not afraid to have his say, even if others erroneously believe he should not.
But, as Tez alluded to earlier, it is possible that he will not inherit the throne when the sad time comes that Queen Elizabeth II must leave us. It may well pass to his son to pick up that burden.
Leaving that to one side tho', what I was saying, in all seriousness, is that Elizabeth is a tough act to follow. Since the Second World War, she has served us very well as our monarch, placing her people before herself, just as the first Elizabeth did so many centuries ago. I pray that we are as lucky again with her successor but am not sure that a 'media age' monarch will carry quite the same weight and gravitas.
:grins: I am not one of those that holds a low opinion of Prince Charles. I like the fact that, like his father, he is not afraid to have his say, even if others erroneously believe he should not.
But, as Tez alluded to earlier, it is possible that he will not inherit the throne when the sad time comes that Queen Elizabeth II must leave us. It may well pass to his son to pick up that burden.
Leaving that to one side tho', what I was saying, in all seriousness, is that Elizabeth is a tough act to follow. Since the Second World War, she has served us very well as our monarch, placing her people before herself, just as the first Elizabeth did so many centuries ago. I pray that we are as lucky again with her successor but am not sure that a 'media age' monarch will carry quite the same weight and gravitas.
I think a lot of non Commonwealth people think the Monarchy is either useless or at least outdated but it's actually a sort of oil/grease that eases diplomatic actions between our country and others even those that aren't part of the Commonwealth. A lot of what the Queen does is done out of sight and sound of the political media so it doesn't seem as if she does much other than launch ships and wave nicely. However she can ease tensions between the political heads of state and smooth ruffled feathers that no other agency can. Her work is sadly very under valued and under estimated. A call from the Queen is never turned down even if it's only taken in politeness to start with and while she doesn't interfere with the politics, a tactful suggestion from her can make a huge difference to how countries approach each other. It may be something as simple as a visit from a Royal or an invite to Buck House but it smooths the trouibled international waters. Even the Presidents of the USA, China and Russia aren't adverse to be seen staying with the Queen! Her contacts are varied and wide ranging, she's related to most of the Royals in the rest of the world, she's respected by the Arab Royal Families who actually run their countries as well as the heads of State of the Commonwealth countries.
In this country the police, armed forces, civil service all take their oath of allegiance to her not the prevailing government, it's a check in their power if it;s ever needed.
She is not only their Queen , she is ours as well , and we like it just the way it is thank you very much.I'm sorry, but you guys still have a monarchy, it just seems so quaint. Perhaps one day Britain will move into the modern age and ditch the royals. Not that I mind your Queen, she is a very tough individual, but still, a Monarchy?
I'm sorry, but you guys still have a monarchy, it just seems so quaint. Perhaps one day Britain will move into the modern age and ditch the royals. Not that I mind your Queen, she is a very tough individual, but still, a Monarchy?
I'm sorry, but you guys still have a monarchy, it just seems so quaint. Perhaps one day Britain will move into the modern age and ditch the royals. Not that I mind your Queen, she is a very tough individual, but still, a Monarchy?