Comments on: Another reason to love America http://www.owen.org/blog/383 Thoughts on development and beyond Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:50:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John http://www.owen.org/blog/383/comment-page-1#comment-1671 John Sat, 05 Nov 2005 15:54:22 +0000 http://www.owen.org/blog/?p=383#comment-1671 Yes, I agree that the monarchy has no democratic legitimacy to speak for us (although a constitutional monarchy for all its faults isn't a terrible option for organising some of the apolitical roles that a democracy needs, but I wish the style was more Scandinavian). Oops, digression. My point was more that Tony Blair has failed in his representative role by failing to disagree with George Bush on <em>anything</em>. Christopher Meyer</a> has highlighted exactly this problem with Blair's leadership in his <a href="http://politics.guardian.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12956,1635029,00.html" rel="nofollow">Guardian interview today</a>. Yes, I agree that the monarchy has no democratic legitimacy to speak for us (although a constitutional monarchy for all its faults isn’t a terrible option for organising some of the apolitical roles that a democracy needs, but I wish the style was more Scandinavian). Oops, digression.

My point was more that Tony Blair has failed in his representative role by failing to disagree with George Bush on anything. Christopher Meyer has highlighted exactly this problem with Blair’s leadership in his Guardian interview today.

]]> By: Owen http://www.owen.org/blog/383/comment-page-1#comment-1672 Owen Fri, 04 Nov 2005 11:43:19 +0000 http://www.owen.org/blog/?p=383#comment-1672 John I would agree with you if Charles had <em>any</em> legitimacy whatsoever in speaking for us. Owen John

I would agree with you if Charles had any legitimacy whatsoever in speaking for us.

Owen

]]> By: John http://www.owen.org/blog/383/comment-page-1#comment-1673 John Fri, 04 Nov 2005 09:09:14 +0000 http://www.owen.org/blog/?p=383#comment-1673 I'm not a fan of the monarchy or of Charles, but it is good to hear a British public figure criticise the US administration over their shocking attitude towards climate change. It is a shame that Tony Blair doesn't have either the policies or the guts to do the same. I’m not a fan of the monarchy or of Charles, but it is good to hear a British public figure criticise the US administration over their shocking attitude towards climate change.

It is a shame that Tony Blair doesn’t have either the policies or the guts to do the same.

]]> By: Carl Lundquist http://www.owen.org/blog/383/comment-page-1#comment-1674 Carl Lundquist Fri, 04 Nov 2005 02:06:33 +0000 http://www.owen.org/blog/?p=383#comment-1674 You are to hard by far on poor Chuck. He and his lady hit New York first and she was immediately set upon by the fashionistas as been middle aged and not sufficiently fashionable -- and generally <em>not</em> Diana. The latter being the unforgiveable sin in their eyes. The opinions of the Manhattan nattering classes cut little ice in the rest of the country. Look to the reception of the couple in Washington and the rest of their tour. Middle-aged slightly out of fashion couples are more the norm out here in the sticks. You are to hard by far on poor Chuck. He and his lady hit New York first and she was immediately set upon by the fashionistas as been middle aged and not sufficiently fashionable — and generally not Diana. The latter being the unforgiveable sin in their eyes.

The opinions of the Manhattan nattering classes cut little ice in the rest of the country. Look to the reception of the couple in Washington and the rest of their tour. Middle-aged slightly out of fashion couples are more the norm out here in the sticks.

]]> By: Brian Barder http://www.owen.org/blog/383/comment-page-1#comment-1675 Brian Barder Thu, 03 Nov 2005 18:33:37 +0000 http://www.owen.org/blog/?p=383#comment-1675 Someone should tell HRH the PoW to remember Rule 1 for public figures -- especially males -- undergoing the ordeal by paparazzi camera: never allow anyone to make you wear a funny hat. (The one in your illustration above is a prize example, especially when accompanied by some sort of shroud.) It applies to an only slightly lesser extent to females, too, as someone might usefully remind Cherie Booth QC (aka Mrs. Tony Blair). (In her case, though, she seems to choose the funny hats herself.) But I do have a soft spot for Camilla, whom I've never met, but who seems quite a nice lady, given her huntin'-and-fishin' background, and I hope she gets through the current ghastly visit without falling flat on her face. I think she'll make quite a pleasant Queen (assuming that P. Charles defeats the sainted Diana's gloomy prognosis and eventually makes it to the throne). It's all a much better soap than <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/eastenders/" rel="nofollow">East Enders</a>. <strong>Brian</strong> <a href="http://www.barder.com/ephems/" rel="nofollow">http://www.barder.com/ephems/</a> Someone should tell HRH the PoW to remember Rule 1 for public figures — especially males — undergoing the ordeal by paparazzi camera: never allow anyone to make you wear a funny hat. (The one in your illustration above is a prize example, especially when accompanied by some sort of shroud.) It applies to an only slightly lesser extent to females, too, as someone might usefully remind Cherie Booth QC (aka Mrs. Tony Blair). (In her case, though, she seems to choose the funny hats herself.)

But I do have a soft spot for Camilla, whom I’ve never met, but who seems quite a nice lady, given her huntin’-and-fishin’ background, and I hope she gets through the current ghastly visit without falling flat on her face. I think she’ll make quite a pleasant Queen (assuming that P. Charles defeats the sainted Diana’s gloomy prognosis and eventually makes it to the throne).

It’s all a much better soap than East Enders.

Brian
http://www.barder.com/ephems/

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