SubscribeNYT Is Sick Of 9/11 Tributes, Not Princess Di
From where else but the New York Times:
As 9/11 Nears, How Much Tribute Is Enough?
Todd Heisler/The New York Times
Published: September 2, 2007
Again it comes, for the sixth time now — 2,191 days after that awful morning — falling for the first time on a Tuesday, the same day of the week.
Again there will be the public tributes, the tightly scripted memorial events, the reflex news coverage, the souvenir peddlers.
Is all of it necessary, at the same decibel level — still?
Each year, murmuring about Sept. 11 fatigue arises, a weariness of reliving a day that everyone wishes had never happened. It began before the first anniversary of the terrorist attack. By now, though, many people feel that the collective commemorations, publicly staged, are excessive and vacant, even annoying.
“I may sound callous, but doesn’t grieving have a shelf life?” said Charlene Correia, 57, a nursing supervisor from Acushnet, Mass. “We’re very sorry and mournful that people died, but there are living people. Let’s wind it down.” …
As the ragged nature of life pushes on, it is natural that the national fixation on an ominous event becomes ruptured and its anniversary starts to wear out. Once-indelible dates no longer even incite curiosity. On Feb. 15, how many turn backward to the sinking of the battleship Maine in 1898?
Few Americans give much thought anymore on Dec. 7 that Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 (the date to live in infamy). Similar subdued attention is paid to other scarring tragedies: the Kennedy assassination (Nov. 22, 1963), Kent State (May 4, 1970), the Oklahoma City bombing (April 19, 1995).
Generations, of course, turn over. Few are alive anymore who can recall June 15, 1904, when 1,021 people died in the burning of the steamer General Slocum, the deadliest New York City disaster until Sept. 11, 2001. Also, the weight of new wrenching events crowds the national memory. Already since Sept. 11, there have been Katrina and Virginia Tech. And people have their own more circumscribed agonies…
Some people are troubled by what they see as others’ taking advantage of the event. “Six years later, we can see that a lot of people have used 9/11 for some gain,” said Matt Brosseau, 27, of Westfield, N.J. He sees the public tributes as “crassly corporatized and co-opted by false patriots.”
“Me personally, I wouldn’t involve myself in a public commemoration,” he said. “I don’t see the need for an official remembrance from the city or anyone else. In six years, is Minneapolis going to pay for something for the people who died in the bridge collapse?”
David Hendrickson, 56, a computer software trainer who lives in Manhattan, said he began being somewhat irritated by the attention to the commemoration on the third anniversary. “It seems a little much to me to still be talking about this six years later,” he said. “I understand it’s a sad thing. I understand it’s a tragedy. I’ve had my own share of tragedies — my uncle was killed in a tornado. But you get on. I have the sense that some people are living on their victimhood, which I find a little tiring.” …
Mental health practitioners see a certain value in the growing fatigue.
“It’s a good sign when people don’t need an anniversary commemoration or demarcation,” said Charles R. Figley, the director of the Florida State University Traumatology Institute. “And it’s not disrespectful to those who died.”
Laurie Pearlman, a clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, said, “Our society has a very low tolerance for grief — it’s exhausting and unrelenting, and we don’t want to hear about it.” …
What might happen on Sept. 11 a hundred years from now? “It’s conceivable that it could be virtually forgotten,” said Dr. Bodnar, the history professor. “Does anyone go out on the streets of New York and commemorate the firing on Fort Sumter?”
Meanwhile, the selfsame New York Times has published at least ten articles about the tragic Princess Diana in just the last few days:
Times Topics: Princess of Wales Diana
News about Diana, Princess of Wales, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.
What’s on Tonight
…Blair struggle with the death of Diana, Princess of Wales , in this semibiographical…45 P.M. (Starz Cinema) DIANA: THE WITNESSES IN THE TUNNEL…taken in the tunnel the night Princess Diana was killed to tell the story of…
September 1, 2007 - By KATHRYN SHATTUCK - Arts
Princes Remember Diana as Loving Mother
…LONDON (AP) — Princess Diana should be remembered…criticism from one of Diana’s friends that…attending. To the princess, her close friends…anniversary of the princess’ death. This year…a rock concert on Diana’s birthday, July…
September 1, 2007 - By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - World
A Memorial for the World’s Princess
…anniversary of the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales , was simple…fevered time after Diana’s death on…more to remember the princess. Flowers covered the…Kensington Palace, where Diana lived, and several hundred…
September 1, 2007 - By SARAH LYALL - World
Today in History - Sept. 1
…America. Ten years ago: As Britain continued to mourn the untimely death of Princess Diana, there came word from a source in the Paris prosecutor’s office that Diana’s driver, Henri Paul, was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash…
September 1, 2007 - By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EDITORIAL; In the Decade Since
…Has it been 10 years already since Diana died? So it seems, and the best…calendar. It s the photographs of Diana, Princess of Wales, staring out at us from…perhaps, is one of the ways to tell Diana s story a shimmering wisp of the…
August 31, 2007 - Opinion
What’s on Tonight
…lend their voices. 8 P.M. (WE) DIANA REVEALED Ann Curry is the host of…draws on a controversial videotape of Diana, Princess of Wales , speaking frankly about…respect of the royal family. At 10, Diana: The Night She Died examines the…
August 31, 2007 - By KATHRYN SHATTUCK - Arts
After 10 Years, Fascination With Diana Hardly Fades
…29 Ten years have passed since Diana, Princess of Wales , died and Britain erupted…where she lived, is devoted to Diana: A Princess Remembered. Crowds are still…and having picnics beside the Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Fountain…
August 30, 2007 - By SARAH LYALL - World
What’s on Tonight
11 P.M. (9) PRINCESS DIANA : THE LEGEND AND LEGACY OF A PRINCESS Joan Collins is host of this 90-minute special…after she left the royal family. In The Spirit of Princess Diana, immediately following, psychics take a look at…
August 28, 2007 - By KATHRYN SHATTUCK - Arts
On 10th Anniversary, ‘Dianabilia’ Takes Over
A DECADE ago, Diana, Princess of Wales, became a powerful princess…the Mystic Stamp Company, with a Princess Diana colorized British penny ; and the…limited edition figurine devoted to Diana, princess of our hearts. It no longer raises…
August 27, 2007 - By STUART ELLIOTT - Technology
As well as a special crepe-draped ten page “slide show” tribute:
Remembering Diana
Clearly, the New York Times knows what’s important and historical. They are the “newspaper of record,” after all.
Still, it was a little surprising to hear the attacks on 9/11 described as an "ominous event."
And to learn that the firing upon Fort Sumter has been forgotten, and that "few Americans give much thought anymore on Dec. 7 that Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 (the date to live in infamy)."
But of course since then we have had both Hurricane Katrina and Virginia Tech.
Not to mention the greatest tragedy in all of history — the death of Princess Diana.
47 Responses to “NYT Is Sick Of 9/11 Tributes, Not Princess Di”
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September 1st, 2007 at 7:20 pm
They are absolutely right SG. And Dianna is so much more important. After all, she looked good and sexy in an evening gown, smiling a phony smile and shaking hands with equally insignificant people while maintaining wealth from the backs of the average U.K. citizen. Much, much more important than any old 9/11 attack here in our own country. /sarc
Anyone who thinks making us remember 9/11 is a bad idea has a death wish. We still have a memorial for Pearl Harbor every year at the site on 12/7. I suppose they think that’s been going on too long also. What a bunch of crapweasels (as Michelle Malkin would call them).
September 1st, 2007 at 7:30 pm
“In six years, is Minneapolis going to pay for something for the people who died in the bridge collapse?”
Perhaps the most preposterous of all of the many preposterous quotes.
Where does The Times find such people?
September 1st, 2007 at 7:32 pm
“Where does The Times find such people?”
In the sewer?
September 1st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Spot on WI, I had said the same thing ten years ago about Diana. I don’t consider myself crass or anything, but I had always considered those people insignificant, especially the royal family. They jet off to places that most “normal” brits can only dream of going, on their dime! Then we are expected to care about a traffic accident ten years ago? Sorry, I was over it ten seconds after it happened.
And to the Times: Yes we should remember such dates, 9/11/2001, 12/7/1941, 6/6/1944 and other such “infamous” dates.
September 1st, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Honestly, I don’t give a rat’s doinker about some “princess.” All royalty is is just useless people who can’t get a real job. If the British “royal family” were in the US, they’d be the same as they are in Britain: Welfare cases.
Look at them: They live in government housing, get checks from the national treasury, marry their cousins, and don’t work. They aren’t anything special…just Jerry Springer fodder! They even have the bad teeth and the odd looks of the typical Springer guest!
I’d rather mark the deaths of 3,000+ innocent people who were killed by barbarians while they were ACTUALLY AT WORK, than pay any attention to a welfare mom who died in a car wreck with her latest boyfriend. What did Diana or ANY of those welfare cases with “titles” ever contribute of value to the world? Nothing!
The only people who seem to like monarchy are star struck losers and those creeps who think that they are better than everyone else…CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC FOREVER!!! DOWN WITH KINGS AND “ROYALTY”!!!
I feel better now.
September 1st, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Sharps….PERFECT!
September 1st, 2007 at 8:52 pm
I used to travel to the UK a lot. The few times the royals came up in conversation all of the common folk I had chatted with never seemed to have much good to say about them. This whole thing seems like a media creation.
It has a lot of elements that they like. Some mellow-drama, death, implied sex etc… Personally I find it sickening. Especially when we have a campaign finance scandal brewing that involves untold number of highly placed political figures, as well as top-tier presidential candidates. Oh ya I forgot, they are democrats. In the backward world we live in the Hsu affair is relegated to the crawler on the bottom of the screen, and all of the sappy crap takes center stage.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Sharps, I give that post 2 thumbs up.
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:03 am
Now, children, which event does not belong in this group?
1. 9-11 attacks
2. Pearl Harbor attacks
3. Kennedy assassination
4. Oklahoma bombing
5. Kent State?
While I’m sure it is a tragedy to the family and friends of the 4 four students killed in an anti-war protest, you can hardly equate the Kent State event with the others where the entire United States was attacked. Maybe the NYT reporter has elevated it because Neil Young wrote a song about it - must be important!
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:37 am
It amazes me that the corporate media of the USA, which clearly broadcast fake video images of ‘planes’ striking the World Trade Center on 9.11.2001 have not yet admitted to their fake broadcasts. Every thinking person owes themselves a visit to the video evidence found on the following sites -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AU9607IVOiY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqvJyj5zEzg
‘Sick of 9/11 tributes’ - I think the truth is that people worldwide are sick of dodging the real issue - that the events of 9.11 were committed with the complicity of corporate news agencies who remain, to this day, unaccountable for their fake plane footage.
Which person, visiting the above sites, and seeing with their own eyes the actual analysis of footage broadcast ‘live’ by major news corporations on that tragic day, can say honestly that these people, these journalists, should remain at liberty for their part as accessories to the murder of 3,000 innocent people in New York on that tragic day.
Truth has a habit of just eliminating darkness.
September 2nd, 2007 at 8:42 am
robert newman,
You have got to be kidding. You find that it is remarkable that the initial people calling into the networks were newspeople? This happened in the middle of the news media capitol of the U.S. Christ, news people on the street were probably trampling over one another to be the first on the air. This “evidence” you present (admittedly, I didn’t waste too much of my time watching all of it) is at best laughable. More of the same old conspiracy theory nonsense.
Truth may indeed eliminate darkness but it obviously can’t eliminate idiocy.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:09 am
robert newman
… and I’m suppose to believe a blind cleric and his followers from New Jersey were set up to drive a van full of explosives into the basement of the World Trade Center back in 1993? Bogus id’s used to rent the van, these guys only got caught because two of the clowns went back for the deposit they put down on the rental van. They wanted their money back! As the great radio talk show host Blob Grant would say, “Put this fact into any cockamamie conspiracy theory …, pal. Think about what I just said for awhile, and then come back and talk to me.”
God gave you two eyes and one mouth so you can see twice as much more than you speak.
It wasn’t because they were so smart they got the World Trade Center the second time around. It was because we were, and still are, so …
I don’t want to think about it. I gotta go do something else now.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:44 am
robert newman….
Since the planes were just animations to be shown on TV as part of the cover-up, please explain the close to complete, but badly damaged, aircraft engines found on the streets of NYC. Please….
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:30 am
Liberals Make Great Speedbumps wrote what I was thinking. The media is all over Manhattan, as anyone who has visited Manhattan would know. I am ashamed that I have now fed the Robert Newman-troll.
September 2nd, 2007 at 10:57 am
We are missing the real story here - 1) the msm loves to dumb down and ‘celebrize’ the news - as if any of the crap is real ‘news’ and 2) the msm has a reason (besides their own bds opinions) to stop all 9/11 rememberances/mentions.
1) to remember is to remember the pain, anger and real ENEMY we fight and must continue to fight (remember people the GWOT is just a bumper sticker slogan - nothing to see here, move along).
and
2) this particular September is a pivotal one - the surge report is due on the 15th.
The msm must do anything and everything to make 9/11, the GWOT, Bush, the military - all just go away. Unless of course they can paint it in a bad light or use it to destroy.
SG - might I suggest that on September 11, 2007 - all things on S & L be 9/11, GWOT or US Armed Forces related (and yes I would not be against 12/7/41, 6/6/44 or even something 1776 that day).
And finally I have two comments for the trolls, idiots and moroons out there who think that in America the gov./corportations/evilbushitlerburtonco killed 2,997 people for their own pocketbook or to start a war or whatever nonsense is your ‘core’ belief.
1) study Hitler and Saddam - read about or watch what they did and then the afterwards - not just denier literature - victim, gov papers, trials, war stories - it all - The US is nowhere near the depth of depravity and gov malfeason portrayed in these two REAL regimes of death and destruction.
and
2) the proof that the gov/corps/evilbushitlerburtonco is not behind 9/11 is that you all are still alive and putting out your crappola (btw just for ‘truthiness’ - Loose Change is on their THIRD re-write/reproduction - how is that for facts, truth and reality)?
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:18 am
And a great number of us have ~not~ forgotten the firing on fort Sumter.
And its subsequent actions–the March to the Sea, the burning homes and murdered women and children and defiled graves and the many, many rapes of both slave women and free. Is it unfair that while Bin Laden is rightly despised for the three thousand murders he is responsible for, Sherman gets a pass on his fifty thousand?
I don’t even think this is a matter of the Treason Times belittling the South, as much as their thought processes are so warped that the idea someone may commemorate this is completely beyond them.
September 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Robert Newman
There are only two possible explanations for your belief in such moronic conspiracy theories:
A.) You are retarded.
B.) You are suffering from a form of self-induced psychosis, “Bush Dereangement Syndrome,” described here by Dr. Pat Santy (http://drsanity.blogspot.com/2007/08/this-interview-with-retired-vice.html):
“[Leftists argue] that– instead of using a healthy and appropriate psychological defense called anticipation against terrorism and the Islamofascists (who most certainly want to kill us and destroy our society)–we should instead switch to a psychotic one, denial; and maintain that the only thing we have to fear is…President Bush. The latter is a defense mechanism called displacement that I have already discussed in an earlier post.
“In fact, there is a strong element of paranoia here too. And a noticeable touch of both projection (ask yourself who is really desperate about getting and keeping power) and hysteria–though [leftists think they] can use [these terms] to describe normal people justifiably afraid of irrational fanatics not amenable to reason. The implication is that the only purpose such ‘fears’ … are being manipulated must be to “justify illegal actions.”
“The basic tenor of [Leftist] fear is easy to deduce: While we are fighting this illusory enemy, Bushitler has been amassing power and will soon set himself up as a dictator and destroy our freedom. I will let you decide who we have to fear more–the President of the United States or the religious fanatics of Islam who want to obtain nuclear weapons and have issued a religious fatwa justifying using them? Who do we have to fear more: those who are trying to prevent another 9/11 or those who would like nothing better than to do something even worse in our country?”
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
robert newman,
Why could I have not noticed it was all faked before, It was all done in a studio.
Just like the lunar landings and the Kennedy assassination, Wow now I am convinced that Elvis lives.
That the earth is flat and your daddy didn’t abandon you at first sight.
Oh you do have enough functioning brain cells to know sarcasm dont you?
I didnt think so, Asshat.
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I know that ‘robert newman’ is probably not out there but here is a thought for all to consider, most especially those on the left who buy into the garbage of 9/11 was an ‘inside’ job (although I have to admit that the ‘corporate media’ is a new incarnation of the evil insiders involved. [I did waste some of my beautiful Sunday afternoon to view a few scant minutes of each Sept. clue 1 -6 - I am sorry but by then I was laughing so hard I could not view any more].
I would rather have an Administration that would ’sell out’ or ‘be bought’ by American corporations - than American Congressmen and women who are bought and paid for by Communists/Communist sympathsizers (Clinton, Clinton, Kennedy, Murtha et al). The former can be controlled (or should be) by the 3 prong government we have - the latter are simply destroying America from within.
And Wicked Wolf - I do agree with your post - a combination of two much inhaling in the sixties, too much entitlement in the 70s and too much lying in the 90s have pushed the liberals to the edge of paranoia, projection, hysteria and outright lunacy.
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:32 pm
“Truth has a habit of just eliminating darkness.”
You wouldn’t know the truth if it fell on your face and started to wiggle.
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
The NYT knows that whenever the memory of 09/11 is invoked it brings the weakness of the left to the fore. Anything that remotely attaches itself to the security and defense of America plays handily against the left and they know it.
The islamofascists struck at the heart of America that day. The leftists cannot understand that because it does not fit with their ideology. But, both agree that America must be destroyed.
I don’t think it’s about “tribute,” I think it’s about remembrance, which is appropriate.
Never forgive, never forget.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:05 pm
You have to understand why she has become a cult figure amongst the UK Left:
(1) She was the self-declared ‘Queen of Hearts’ … a ‘People’s Princess’
(2) Progressives loved her as she became an anti-establishment figurehead
(3) Conspiracy theorists think her death was an inside job.
She appeared to be a genuinely troubled woman, privileged, caring and just a little self-obsessed.
I have no axe to grind here … but her media image is almost cult-like.
And yes, 911 commemorations deserve a just little more respect … especially from the NYT!
What the left appears to misunderstand, is that it wasn’t so much the numbers of people who were killed (tragic though that was) but the fact that we all know that if the terrorists could have killed 50,000 or even a million on that day … they would have done.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Greg England…..
Sharps said it best…..a welfare mother in the truest sense. Sorry to show disrespect to your royals, but America was established to get away from them. For most of us, the sentiment hasn’t changed. And most of us feel they are just a pimple on the ass of progress…..sucking from the teat of the public trough. No better, no worse, just useless. A little more respect than 9/11? In fact they shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath.
You’re spot on about the number killed or would have been killed. If they had know how successful the attack was going to be, and how relatively easy it turned out to be…..I hate to think about what could have happened because it would have happened.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:43 pm
I have read the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and some of the US Constitution. I have a lot of respect for your system, and it’s a hell of a lot better than the EU!
Unfortunately in the UK, most republican sentiment comes from the left.
When a UK national expresses republican sentiment, it’s not usually because they respect self-evident truths to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It’s usually because they want to overthrow the monarchy and replace it with a socialist dictatorship.
I fear that had our monarchy been overthrown during the time of the US and French revolutions, the UK would be less like the US and more like France! I’m not a historian though …
There are rituals (e.g. slamming the door in the face of Black Rod) that express the checks and balances required for a democracy to work.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rod
The present Queen usually quite respected, because regardless of pro or anti-monarchy sentiment, she has actually fulfilled her role rather well.
I don’t know what Prince Charles will be like as king.
“911 commemorations deserve a just little more respect”
By the way, that was British understatement.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I believe that under a constitutional monarchy, the Oath of Allegiance to the Crown might be similar to your Pledge of Allegiance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_Allegiance_(UK)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pledge_of_allegiance
In both instances, it’s an oath of patriotism, and loyalty to your country.
Anyway … as far as George III was concerned … what can I say? Ahem!
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:19 pm
“The present Queen usually quite respected, because regardless of pro or anti-monarchy sentiment, she has actually fulfilled her role rather well.”
Well spoken Greg. I am curious though. Just what is the role, as you see it, she has fulfilled rather well?
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
“Just what is the role, as you see it, she has fulfilled rather well?”
Ha ha! Good question!
********
Let me start by saying that I’m not here to defend an ancient system of government. I’m not an apologist for the monarchy - if was building a nation from scratch I would be more inclined to borrow from the US system.
********
However, as I see it, I believe that she has three main roles:
(a) Representing the nation at official functions
(b) Acting in a mentoring capacity for the Prime Minister
(c) Acting as the source of governmental authority
She doesn’t actually have an active political role, because she is a constitutional monarch.
Taking each in turn:
(a) On the whole she has represented the nation with dignity. I can’t remember of occasions where she has embarrased the nation. Other members of the royal family have been far less successful in this regard. This is essentially a diplomatic service.
(b) I have heard many Prime Ministers come out with what appears to be genuine praise for her advice. She appears to take her duties very seriously.
(c) She has managed to keep the institution intact, even with all sorts of problems surrounding her, and as a consequence she has helped to preserve a political stability at the heart of the UK. This political stability prevents other seats of authority from being able to overthrow the government.
It’s an apolitical centre at the heart of the nation, but whilst the centre has all of the authority it has no dictatorial capability.
From what I understand of her (and we are all at the mercy of the media) she has dutifully performed her role.
I know, when I put it like that it appears as if she has done nothing … that’s the secret of her success.
Try rewinding history and putting a total idiot on the throne, or a dictator.
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I suppose it’s a bit like chairing a debate, or refereeing a sports match.
You’re not actually supposed to contribute to the debate, or play in the match.
However, your contribution is essential to the success of the game, to prevent anarchy breaking out.
Credit where credit is due, I believe that Queen Elizabeth has been a success in this regard.
September 2nd, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Well Greg…..you speak well of your queen. But for me at least, and I suspect most of the posters here, we think the whole idea of a monarchy is just kind of silly. However, it’s your form of government, and as long as you keep it over there, I’ll respect it for what it is. You however, Sir, sound you like would really rather be a conservative American…..lol.
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:36 pm
A couple of points to ponder here:
First off, the real villain in this thread is -or at least should be- the NY Times.
Next: After the second shooting war, we (Britain, Canada) kinda got the impression that you don’t like the monarchy. Fine. We get it. Actually, things have been humming along quite nicely since then, if you remember that we were on the same side in: the Boxer rebellion, WWI, WWII, Korea, Iraq, Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq (again), Afghanistan -oh yeah, and the cold war.
Finally: To date, 242 British, 70 Canadian and 2 Australian soldiers have returned home in caskets from either Iraq or Afghanistan. Small numbers compared to US deaths, but those soldiers are every bit as dead. Their families grieve every bit as much.
What do all those soldiers have in common? Their cap badges are topped by the Queen’s crown and their oath of allegiance is sworn to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the second (I still have a copy of mine).
No doubt some of those soldiers thought the monarchy is a silly, outdated anachronism but some of them probably still take it pretty seriously. Please respect that.
I’ve been a member here long enough that I really should know better, but I had to say something. Flame away if you must.
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:16 am
No flame coming from me DW.
Well as long as you dont take up for the taliban. ;-)
September 3rd, 2007 at 12:47 am
I suspect respecting the queen or king falls along the same lines as respecting a president,
Would I bow before a king, No. But I will never bow to a president either.
I will bow to no human being.
But as Greg has said the queen has not shamed her crown.
I wish I could say the same for our elected officials, And I consider most of them welfare trash.
When was the last time any of them actually earned a paycheck?
When was the last time I was proud of congress or the senate?
When was the last time I was proud of a president?
When was the last time I was proud of a lawyer or a judge?
Yup Monarchy feeds freely like pigs at a banquette, Whether elected or born into royalty.
We in America just have a chance to vote in new tyrants, Slugs and welfare trash.
Its not perfect, But I still say its the best system on the planet.
But the crops to pick from are rotted.
God help us all.
September 3rd, 2007 at 5:51 am
“I may sound callous, but doesn’t grieving have a shelf life?” said Charlene Correia, 57, a nursing supervisor from Acushnet, Mass. “We’re very sorry and mournful that people died, but there are living people. Let’s wind it down.”
Sure, but it’s okay every year to be reminded of the many tributes and grieving over the atom bombs being dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Of course at least once a year we get some story about the suffering caused by slavery. When is the NY Slimes and other outlets going to stop promoting these “tributes”?
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:34 am
“I may sound callous, but doesn’t grieving have a shelf life?”
I don’t know. Let’s ask Cindy. Cindy? Cindy?
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:19 am
RW & Patrick - you made the point (but forgot the left’s new homage to everything evil and conservative - NO/Katrina) - if it can be seen, viewed or used to raise taxes by the left - it can be reminded each and every time some clever faux journalist, celebrity, or dem can insert it into a current story.
If it is helpful to a conservative or military or true American/Constitutional cause - it must be forgotten as soon as possible.
National Geographic channel has been running their Inside 9/11 - it is a two part special. The first part 1 is War on America about the radical islamic terrorists and part 2 is Zero House which is about September 11, 2001. I’m sure in the next 8 days they will be running it again.
I guess with this situation the comment - Those who fail to study history are doomed to repeat it - is very applicable. I do not want my grandsons to be fighting the same war their Fathers and Grandfathers fought. We’ve been in Iraq twice - please don’t let us have to do it AGAIN.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:21 am
“Well Greg…..you speak well of your queen. But for me at least, and I suspect most of the posters here, we think the whole idea of a monarchy is just kind of silly. However, it’s your form of government, and as long as you keep it over there, I’ll respect it for what it is.”
Hey DW…..ease your rudder my friend. Read what I said above. This was actually just a comment in a friendly OT posting where I asked Greg his feelings about the queen. However, all the silliness about Di is just that, silliness over a “welfare” mom.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Hi WI - no probs!
To answer your question, yes I would prefer to be a conservative American. I prefer the American way.
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
“Would I bow before a king, No. But I will never bow to a president either.”
I agree … that’s one of the issues with a monarchy. I love the US self-evident truths, because they place you right at the centre of the reality of your existence … here is your life, now live it, be free and be happy. Other political systems try to ensnare you. The US system tells you to just get on with it and live your life!
Incidentally, this is not sycophancy. I have little to gain from this. I value my privacy too much (and personal security given that this is the WORLD WIDE WEB). However, if you are friendly and do discover who I am … a crate of Australian Red wine would be much appreciated …
However, whilst I am a British subject, in practice it is rare that I would ever be put in a position of bowing to a monarch. In reality, if I was given a knighthood or something, it would be an occasion of pride not of humiliation before a king or queen.
Here’s another point about how the constitutional monarchy system works … at least my understanding (as I’m not a constitutional expert).
- The Queen has all the authority but none of the power.
- The parliamentary executive has all of the power … but none of the authority.
Separation of powers …
In my limited experience of studying constitutional monarchies, the UK system does have a lot going for it. If you read up on the traditions they all have an important place to play, in terms of checks and balances.
This leads us back to the Hayekian style of conservatism (I know, he wrote an essay entitled “why I’m not a conservative … but bear with me) which places a “conservative” value on tradition as it contains centuries of condensed human wisdom.
Progressive politics is inevitable in a democracy … people want change. However, one of the points of a conservative is to appreciate the value of tradition. Sometimes progressives rip up institutions, with not enough reflection and little appreciation of the unintended consequences.
And a message for DW. I hope my transatlantic enthusiasm doesn’t offend. I would like to live in the US, but that’s another story (have you visited?)
I agree with you that some US conservatives can be a little dismissive of UK traditions, but in my experience it’s not often venomous. That’s partly why I am discussing the traditions. I value the transatlantic alliance … I don’t believe that we are divided by a common language, so much as extended family that really needs to talk more often.
Especially given the current state of the world.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:16 pm
In some ways I have always yearned for a split between “head of state” and “head of government”. In some ways it makes a lot more sense, and would reduce the frivolous portion of the executive workload.
P.S. I liked the article and the comparison to Princess Di tributes. Nice call.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Greg well put when you said ………”In my limited experience of studying constitutional monarchies, the UK system does have a lot going for it. If you read up on the traditions they all have an important place to play, in terms of checks and balances.” To me England is a lesson in traditions, history, diplomacy and manners, not to mention the delightful dry wit. Something the U.S.A. seems to fall short of, these days. I respect your culture.
My sister and her family lived in London for 3 years back in the 1990’s, my daughter’s high school marching band was invited to play in New Years Day parade in 1998. My Dad went to a International Produce convention in London the 90’s (He was delighted to meet Prince Charles) sponsoring the Texas 1015 sweet onions. England is a wonderful and friendly place.
I will never forget 9/11 and value any tribute or remembrance of it. But, what do I know…..I live Texas and we still “Remember the Alamo”.
You have to admit that this story sure did create some great dialog, though. This is a great website!!!!
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:18 pm
Greg…..come on over….the United States needs people like you. You would be welcomed with open arms.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:39 pm
WI, sorry, that post was in no way aimed at you. I actually liked your comments to Greg, but rereading mine, I can see where you got that impression. Again, sorry about that.
It was actually aimed at all the people slobbering all over themselves to take shots at the royal family -at least until that troll wandered in here and sidetracked everyone.
I agree completely re all this silliness over Princess Di. But I still think the real story here is the NY Times’ attempt to marginalize the WTC attacks.
Greg, I assure you, your enthusiasm in no way offends. I’m rabidly pro-American myself (which endears me to no end with oh-so-many of my countrymen LOL) though I’m quite content to be a conservative Canadian (we have better beer) -at least until the Libs get back in and legislate me out of existence.
Have I visited …? America? The UK?
America, yes -though mostly just western New York. I’m hoping someday to go to San Antonio, Texas (to see the Alamo of course).
Never been to the UK. Maybe someday. I’ll still waiting for that knighthood…
September 4th, 2007 at 1:04 am
DW
You would be most welcome in Texas any time you want to come.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Why is townhall.com so slow tonight? Growl!
(Maybe I should have my dinner and come back later).
September 5th, 2007 at 12:30 am
It is unbelievable to me that SIX years after a monstrous, life-changing, TERRORIST ATTACK that killed THOUSANDS, people could be so callous and jaded. I can bet you that none of the morons who gave quotes, or the brain-dead writer of the article lost anyone in that attack. neither did I, but the fact that I have empathy and a heart leads me to be moved and want to memorialize a day that will, as long as I live, hold a deep sense of tragedy. Lest we forget, the day is referred to as SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH. Thus, I would be led to believe that even as distantly as TEN years from now, people may catch the reference of that date when it rolls by. That’s it, just rename the NY Times the “NY I hate America, good thing I’m so much damn smarter than everybody else Gazette.” Now I like Diana and all, but this author can quote me “I don’t mean to sund unfeeling, but I’m just over it. How long can you mourn for a figureheaded princess from a country I’ve never even been to?”
September 5th, 2007 at 10:51 am
She was my whole world (sob)…I never met her and she never met me but (sniffle) but there was a special bond between us (choke). Me and Mrs Artboy went up to Kensington Palace last Saturday (sob) and we hung teddy bears (wail) on the railings and left flowers and personal messages written in big, loopy letters so Diana and Dodi can read them from Heaven…no, we did nothing of the kind. Gimme a break. I did spend a little part of last Saturday running across three lanes of traffic to reach a traffic island outside my town to tear down a bedsheet that some lackwit had hung up with “9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB Get the Facts” etc etc written on it in big black letters. Normally, I’d never do anything anytime against anyone’s freedom of speech, no matter how stupid, offensive or crazy it was but when it comes to Sept 11 - hey, that’s a different story…
September 5th, 2007 at 11:42 am
“APPLAUSE”
Way to go artboyusa.