Kettle said:
It's quite obvious you don't, thanks for your balanced opinion.
Yes, it is my opinion, and no, it wasn't supposed to be balanced. I dislike the Royal Family. I don't think they provide value for money and I think they are an anachronism. Lords of the realm are no longer allowed to sit in the House of Lords (the British second chamber of Parliament, similiar to the U.S. Senate) on the basis of hereditary - it's seen as old fashioned and hence has been abolished. If hereditary Lords are no longer appropriate for 21st century Great Britain, why is a hereditary monarchy? Both are equally steeped in tradition. People should get where they are based on merit, not on the basis of long-dead family members who were favourites of Henry VIII or Elizabeth I, or who their parents happen to be.
When Harry dresses up in Nazi regalia, fights with photographers outside nightclubs, smokes cannabis, I disapprove. When Prince Charles laments the state of the British education system and protests against it giving children what he perceives as ideas above their station, I disapprove. When Prince Phillip makes racist, insensitive comments, I disapprove. When Prince Edward runs a vanity TV production company (losing lots of (presumably taxpayer) money) and interviews his nephew Prince William in violation of a press agreement (which includes his media company) not to harass William, the heir to the throne and his wife makes ill-advised comments to press members who are dressed as Arab sheiks, I object. Ought not they, the Royals, be an example to the rest of us? The Queen never does anything distasteful or stupid. Princess Anne is very well behaved and does a lot for charity. Why can't the male members of the House of Windsor be more like the female ones?
My views are not supposed to be balanced. I did not intend to present them as such. They are tainted by my belief that we should not have a monarchy and should allow the Windsors to live out their existence in private, without the press harrassing them. In addition, my comments were supposed to be light-hearted. I think some readers got that impression. Evidently you did not.
Kettle said:
Are you deliberately trying to show how disgusting you can be? Presumably this is humour? It's not like he has attended a dinner in remembrance of the liberation of Auschwitz is it? He was at a private party, and personally in that context I find in very amusing that someone frequently referred to as a Nazi (among other derogatory names) because of his accident of birth, can see beyond the self importance of accidental position.
Errr, no. You really are hypersensitive aren't you (but then again, you find it "amusing" that he prances around wearing a Nazi armband and attends a party called "Colonials and Natives")? I was angry with Prince Harry. I found his action, to coin an expression, "disgusting". I thought he made an unforgivable error of judgement, especially crass when we're about to commemerate the liberation of Auschwitz. Acts committed by the Nazis are still fresh in the minds of many survivors of the death camps, including those of British citizens. The Third Reich was, to my mind, one of the worst eras in human history. I've read a 1600 page two-part biography of Hitler. I've read about the Nazis. I have a copy of "Mein Kampf", a truly hideous, despicable book that I dare not read. I don't believe you should make light of the atrocities committed by the Nazis, especially if you are an heir to the throne, supposedly a responsible, mature adult who provides leadership and inspiration for millions of Britains and other people across the world. Prince Harry showed an alarming naivity in his actions. I hope he learns something from them and becomes a better person. Whether he does remains to be seen. I hope he goes to Auschwitz with the British delegation and takes some time to learn what happened and reflect upon it.
Kettle said:
You're out for one thing and that's blood. What would you say to his family after you had personally lined him up, blindfolded, against the wall and shown no sympathy at all? Would you pull the trigger or would you order someone else to do it?
No. I'm out for responsible behaviour from our so-called "betters". Harry and his family should behave in an appropriate manner for members of a monarchy. He does not do that. As for the rest of your comment, I have already mentioned I wrote in the heat of the moment. I do not believe Prince Harry (or any of the Royals) should be shot. I believe in a peaceful transition to a republic and allowing the Royal Family to live in peace. Do you ever have the red mist descend, when you're particularly riled by something and happen to write something that you would not, in normal circumstances do? Are you really that perfect? Sure, maybe it was a bit over the top, but what's done is done.
We live in a free society. I am entitled to my views. You are entitled to yours. Each person's views are just as valid. You may not like my opinions. So be it.
Will you be admonishing Peterkro for his "hang 'em from the lampposts in front of the Apple Store" comment? I look forward to reading your views on that post.
Apologies to Kettle and all for the length of this rebuttal.
