badgerx16

I don't have 'bitterness and resentment' towards the Monarchy, I couldn't care less about them - it's the sycophancy, hagiography, and fawning that surrounds them; 3 of the Queen's 4 children are divorced, the future 'Defender of the Faith' carried on with a married woman behind his wife's back, and the Duke of Edinburgh is 'good for a laugh', but if he was your or my Grandfather he would be shut away to avoid embarrassment, yet somehow they are all so 'wonderful' and an example to us all. ( Mind you, looking at that list, they probably are ! ). It's the unaccountable facet of their influence, the idea that God gives them a validity that is above scrutiny, that I do not accept and feel that a republic would put right. What exactly does the Monarchy afford to GB that the French, Germans, or Americans lack due to their political structure ? I have no problem with monarchists, but the triumphalist crowing and bleating, and claiming that republicans are somehow not allowed to describe themselves as British, is sheer b0ll0x.

Yesterday we were at an event in Fleetwood where my wife was supervising children from her class in a talent show - which they won. Today we were in Lancaster where my youngest was playing in the Catholic Cathedral. Does this count ?

Just keep bowing and scraping, I'm sure the Windsors appreciate it.

What a great line of argument. It has put your point over quite eloquently.

Yep, lets continue living in the past and bathing in the glory of an Empire that has been consigned to ( a less than glorious ) history. Maybe things won't 'improve' as a republic, but it's easy to opt for 'no change' and to stagnate.

Very proud to be British Aren't we all, dearie. You don't have to believe in the divine right of a German to rule over us all to qualify as British.

Self praise is no recommendation.

Jeez, you are so blindingly hilarious. How come you've never been signed up for the Royal Variety Show ? As Eleanor Bron said in the first Secret Policeman's Ball, "Pr!ck !"

daniels

Your loss.

Gemmel, as an arch-monarchist, could you please explain exactly what it is that Queen Elisabeth II has DONE ? Other than travel the world in luxury, shake hands with specially screened people, and wave a lot.

Bread and circuses, nothing more.

This is the wallpaper on my PC at work :

Would that be bog snorkelling and canal vaulting ? As you have posted pictures of your garden on the forum, which clearly show the neighbouring houses, I can categorically state you are much more of a 'townie' than me - wannabe country boy.

That would be the sort of 'civilisation' that hunts animals for sport and accepts social rank is based on God given heredity ?

The clues are there !

Dune & working -mutually exclusive methinks

I'm not sure that there's as much going on as the media would have us think. Been out and about today, covered quite a few of the local villages, and into Cleveleys and Fleetwood - probably no more than 1 in a 100 houses have any sign of bunting or flags, together with a few pubs, but nothing at all in terms of street decoration. Out of what I've seen, there are more St George's flags up for the Euros than Union flags for the Jubilee.

I use AUDACITY - probably bigger and many more features than you need, but free and easily edits and rearranges MP3 files.

Bet they're a devilishly difficult team to draw away in the cup.

channel

The suicide rate in France has always been high - they also consume high levels of anti-depressants... http://www.enotes.com/topic/Suicide_in_France http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/why-are-so-many-france-telecom-workers-dying-1795171.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/business/global/30employ.html?pagewanted=all ( From 2009 - with Sarkozy in power ) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/why-are-so-many-france-telecom-workers-dying-1795171.html ( From 2007 - Sarkozy in power )

This is assuming the Skates will start next season.

This as regards the Prem, plus the Skates ( assuming they survive the summer ) @ Nottarf in the cup.