I applaud your defence of freedom of speech - absolutely. But...
The argument in criticism of monarchy, though, is rife with false binaries (e.g. feeding the poor or having a monarchy - is this really a choice?) & poorly argued disconnections (e.g. gun control, performative nationalism?), in my view. And connecting, even blaming, a twentieth century modern monarch - with no real power - to the noxious impact of colonialism totally misplaces blame for what was, in effect, a largely victorian phenomenon. Of course that was wrong, of course British overseas policy was fraught with brutality and flagrant self-interest. But to take issue with modern monarchy on the basis of centuries old wrongs (terrible though they were) is to draw connections where there aren't any. As you say about yourself, I have't sold half my possessions either, but does that make me any more or less guilty than the queen? At least I have the power to sell my stuff; the Queen didn't, as most of her holdings are in the national possession anyway. Maybe that makes me more guilty?
To reduce the international and national (internal) benefits of figureheads to that of ancient oppressing authoritarians is just daft to my mind. She/they are not that. Neither can anything they do be reasonably stretched out be that.
To suggest that the Queen didn't work is to ignore the reality of a life sacrificed on the alter of national service. Of course she's privileged and wealthy - that much is obvious and not an issue to me. But she/they can never go the the shops, go on holiday, attend church for worship, visit friends or do any of the other myriad things we all take for granted. There's often an assumption by the 'have nots' that the 'haves' enjoy greater freedom, happiness, joy and delight than the rest of 'us.' And therefore they 'must' be somehow to blame for it all.
For me, that's the nub of all this. I'm neither a royalist nor a republican by instinct. But I do think that a self-centred, inverted superiority that individualises everything is fraught with problems; and all the more so when it claims Jesus as its justification.
As for freedom of speech - absolutely. I wholeheartedly applaud you for saying what you've said, Jonty, because it is absolutely your right to do so. Thank you.
Thanks so much, this is brilliant. Puts into words everything I've been trying to put across to my family since she died, so nice to find a like-mind amongst the idolators!
I'm not. I'd be happy to see a simplified royal family, but I support the royal family. And in recent years, the royal family has been slimed down.
But the Queen did give so much. She wasn't in a position to sell Winsor Castle and give the proceeds away. But she gave of what she could. She cared for people and did her best to show that.
And look at what Charles has done with the estate at Dumfries House and the Duchy of Cornwall. Loads of community initiatives, supporting disadvantage people into employment, developing better ways of farming, using renewable energy and many other things. Also, the Princes Trust, Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, etc.
The documentary that was made about the Royals a few decades ago brought in huge royalties which the Queen gave away to Bafta which allowed that organisation to do what they now do.
And, the Queen has worked all her days. Yes, she wasn't going down a pit, but her role and duties, I think, were unrelenting. And she has continued doing that into her 90s!
I'm inspired by her Christian faith and how she spoke of it.
She's been a feature of my country throughout my life.
I personally feel her loss much more than I thought it would.
She has been a great public servant. I don't think that is a crazy statement. She has served her country.
A huge majority of the UK population are grieving someone we held very dear.
And, I think if we got rid of the monarchy and elected a president, how much would that cost? They would still preside over all the state occasions, there would need to be election every so many years, etc etc. It would incur a huge expense. And we might get another Boris! That would be terrible!
I applaud your defence of freedom of speech - absolutely. But...
The argument in criticism of monarchy, though, is rife with false binaries (e.g. feeding the poor or having a monarchy - is this really a choice?) & poorly argued disconnections (e.g. gun control, performative nationalism?), in my view. And connecting, even blaming, a twentieth century modern monarch - with no real power - to the noxious impact of colonialism totally misplaces blame for what was, in effect, a largely victorian phenomenon. Of course that was wrong, of course British overseas policy was fraught with brutality and flagrant self-interest. But to take issue with modern monarchy on the basis of centuries old wrongs (terrible though they were) is to draw connections where there aren't any. As you say about yourself, I have't sold half my possessions either, but does that make me any more or less guilty than the queen? At least I have the power to sell my stuff; the Queen didn't, as most of her holdings are in the national possession anyway. Maybe that makes me more guilty?
To reduce the international and national (internal) benefits of figureheads to that of ancient oppressing authoritarians is just daft to my mind. She/they are not that. Neither can anything they do be reasonably stretched out be that.
To suggest that the Queen didn't work is to ignore the reality of a life sacrificed on the alter of national service. Of course she's privileged and wealthy - that much is obvious and not an issue to me. But she/they can never go the the shops, go on holiday, attend church for worship, visit friends or do any of the other myriad things we all take for granted. There's often an assumption by the 'have nots' that the 'haves' enjoy greater freedom, happiness, joy and delight than the rest of 'us.' And therefore they 'must' be somehow to blame for it all.
For me, that's the nub of all this. I'm neither a royalist nor a republican by instinct. But I do think that a self-centred, inverted superiority that individualises everything is fraught with problems; and all the more so when it claims Jesus as its justification.
As for freedom of speech - absolutely. I wholeheartedly applaud you for saying what you've said, Jonty, because it is absolutely your right to do so. Thank you.
Thanks so much, this is brilliant. Puts into words everything I've been trying to put across to my family since she died, so nice to find a like-mind amongst the idolators!
Hi Jonty,
Ok, you're a republican, I get that.
I'm not. I'd be happy to see a simplified royal family, but I support the royal family. And in recent years, the royal family has been slimed down.
But the Queen did give so much. She wasn't in a position to sell Winsor Castle and give the proceeds away. But she gave of what she could. She cared for people and did her best to show that.
And look at what Charles has done with the estate at Dumfries House and the Duchy of Cornwall. Loads of community initiatives, supporting disadvantage people into employment, developing better ways of farming, using renewable energy and many other things. Also, the Princes Trust, Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, etc.
The documentary that was made about the Royals a few decades ago brought in huge royalties which the Queen gave away to Bafta which allowed that organisation to do what they now do.
And, the Queen has worked all her days. Yes, she wasn't going down a pit, but her role and duties, I think, were unrelenting. And she has continued doing that into her 90s!
I'm inspired by her Christian faith and how she spoke of it.
She's been a feature of my country throughout my life.
I personally feel her loss much more than I thought it would.
She has been a great public servant. I don't think that is a crazy statement. She has served her country.
A huge majority of the UK population are grieving someone we held very dear.
And, I think if we got rid of the monarchy and elected a president, how much would that cost? They would still preside over all the state occasions, there would need to be election every so many years, etc etc. It would incur a huge expense. And we might get another Boris! That would be terrible!
But, thanks for your thoughts.
Always really interesting!
Best wishes,
Maggie