Impelled by Sheona’s post and the recent heated exchanges, I have been researching this “Monarchist/Republican” thing in your UK media, and there is little doubt that the blogging fraternity in the UK has gone completely bonkers.
Now, before you all start attacking me, or flouncing from the Chariot in high dudgeon, just take a deep breath and listen to dear old Daddy Bear.
In Australia, the Republican debate is merely a debate. Nobody gets particularly heated about it, or insults those with a different view or submits hysterical diatribes to the MSM. It’s something that needs to be sorted, sure, but it’s nothing to have a war over. I’m sure Donald will back me up on this.
Quite obviously this is not the case in the UK. Tempers are high, claws are out – the subject is being treated with – as I remarked before – religious fervour. No prisoners are being taken, there are no calm and dispassionate analyses, only the feral screaming of two opposing mobs in a lunatic asylum. No wonder Ferret, Sheona and Bravo have attacked Cuprum and Julie with such uncharacteristic acerbity – it’s what you’re all doing in the UK. You have been stirred up by rabble-rousers to such an extent that you can’t tell your arse from your elbow.
So here’s some advice. Keep firmly in mind that the Chariot is a civilised Australian site. We don’t lose our rags over something as trivial as a constitutional monarchy or its possible republican replacement. Personally I couldn’t give a stuff about whichever side of the divide you’re on, but the descent of the Chariot into a poor imitation of MyT is greatly deplored, particularly when the offenders are those who normally – when the red haze hasn’t descended on them – are some of the most interesting and thoughtful contributors.
Go sit down in a darkened room with a nice cup of tea and a biccy, and don’t come out until you’ve calmed down, children.
Boadicea's Chariot 
I also hadn’t realised that this issue was being debated with such animosity and fervour in the UK. I had thought that the posts here on the subject here were simply topics for discussion.
Level-heads folks! I’ll not see blood spilt in the Chariot!
Y’know Boadicea, I reckon it’s sublimation, or transference, or some other posh trick-cyclist word.
The Brits can’t get their leaders to do anything about the EUSSR, they can’t stop their Mr Bigs rorting the parliamentary system for every penny, and they’re not allowed to complain about the Muslim occupation because their daft EUSSR, politically correct, left-wing wanker laws won’t let them, so they’re taking their frustrations out on each other.
The authorities don’t mind if they want to rip each other to bits about their stale and anachronistic monarchy, so it’s a safe outlet for the poor dears; rather like going to the gym and wacking all hell out of a punch-bag with a face painted on it.
A symptom of a very sick society though, innit? They ought to get out more. 😀
I guess in the end we have proved to the world what we’ve always said … that we have surpassed all others when it comes to acting civilized and mature with regards the future of our country and possibly the world.
Debate = Discussion and Results
Not
Debate = Bring out the gun and start shooting 😦
Perhaps they need Viagra or something …. maybe Valium since they are such an old, degraded and forgotten society …. angry people, very angry 😦
🙂
Tee hee! Very naughty, Donald!
Boadicea is already threatening to take my comment down – Gawd knows what she’ll do to yours! 😆
It must be me. But I am not aware of any ‘upsurge’ in republicanism in the UK or indeed any interest in it whatsoever. I will admit to having been a bit distracted by other things recently but if there was a great furore going on I probably would have noticed it, perhaps I read the wrong kind of newspaper. Of course you get differing views on any subject you may care to mention but that’s the nature of the beast, and apart from the occasional letter in the press spluttering on about something to do with an alternative to the Monarchy, nothing, nix, zilch.
Are you sure it’s not just some colonial thing common to your neck of the woods? Some yearning to be totally free of the yoke of a Monarch across the seas but not really willing to cut the apron strings completely, so you propagate a vague sense that the split may come from the UK if we disband the Royal Family?
Well I’m sorry to have to tell you guys that it ain’t about to happen any time soon, if you want to walk the primrose-path of perceived freedom from Liz, you are going to have to instigate it yourselves.
OMG
I think you have misread this post. I don’t think you have been around to read some of the very heated arguments going on here about the issue!
It’s been so bad that I’ve seriously thought about closing the site – because I just don’t want to feel like the lion-tamer trying to keep people from each other’s throats… It isn’t my idea of fun at all.
There is no discussion here in Oz. The pro-Republicans have, I think, realised that they will not get a ‘yes’ vote until after Lizzie Windsor’s demise and only then if they come up with a better solution than the one proposed previously. We will not vote for another politician appointed by a bunch of politicians – that would be one too many trough-guzzlers….
Bearsy & Donald
No – I don’t like either of your comments, you are jointly awarded the Monster Wooden Spoon Award for the week…
I would have removed them had OMG not already read them….
OMG – sorry chum, but you have obviously not read what’s been written, nor have you been reading the childish exchanges that have been taking place here between UK bloggers, nor have you followed Sheona’s links, Hannan’s article or Hannan’s links.
Nothing to do with us Aussies.
In fact your final sentence shows (although you’re one hell of a nice guy and I’d hate to offend you) that you’re just as off your rocker on this subject as the other UK Charioteers. We couldn’t care less what you do in the UK, we run our own country very successfully and we need nothing from the poor old UK.
Please don’t blame Australia for your internal arguments.
Can we go for Gold, Boadicea?
No offence taken Bearsy, I’ve obviously stepped into a minefield which, according to Boadicia was sown some time ago and which I missed. So doing what anyone would do under similar circumstances, I’ll creep gingerly out of the field and close the five bar gate behind me.
😎
Hang around OMG – we need some level headed people here 🙂
BREAKING NEWS
OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD
caught in Islamabad, Obama is on TV right now
🙂
Ooops – T’was done in jest, my apologies.
It’s BEARSY’S FAULT …. he got me started 🙂
Bad Bear! 😦
Confucius say: man who poke bear get mauled.
Inaccurate again, Bearsy. I have attacked neither with any kind of venom, substantiate or apologise, please.
Cuprum fights his own corner….
I am a vague republican and a very strong atheist (and white, male, heterosexual, nearly 40, wear a uniform, have no disability and come from a privileged background). I felt more vilified by the former than the latter in the chariot which surprised me as I have had plenty of hatred for the latter view before elsewhere.
I started my monarchy blog with a heart felt “I love it here and you’re all wonderful” and yet, although not too personal, it wasn’t until I pointed out that I served the country and had done for 17 years, that some charioteers even took me seriously.
I don’t want a revolution, just a debate.
I even put a very sweet log on after the end congratulating the country in its pagentry and offered the opinions of my wife, contrary to mine.
Except for Ferret, who has a special place in my heterosexual heart, the monarchists didn’t seem to respect the fact that I had contrary views. I was brought up to respect and listen, even if I thought wrong. That’s all any of us asks here. Humour is a great tool and gets used here well, but not it seems on the subject of monarchy.
OMG – you are normally the nicest, funniest and respect of all bloggers but even here you didn’t interpret a Bear properly even when he used very simple language. All seems strange to me.
Here’s the crux. The chariot is great, long live the chariot. Everything else is irrelevent!
Dear
BrendanoBravo –I have no intention of apologising for my criticisms of the outbreak of MyT-itis which has so discombobulated Boadicea that she has – as she mentions in her #6 above – given serious consideration to closing the Chariot.
Have any of your comments on this subject attempted to address the issues?
I think not; they have centred around criticism of the way in which other Charioteers have presented their ideas / opinions / views.
Even here you are not addressing the primary theme of my conciliatory post, preferring to cavil at my empathetic and compassionate support for you and other misguided bloggers. “No wonder,” I cry, “no wonder they sinned, for the devil was in them.”
Verily is it written that a prophet is without honour on his own blog. 😦
But quotes you want? Then quotes you shall have Sir!
If you so dislike the word ‘venom’, then please supply your own and I shall execute the necessary edit. ‘Acerbity’, perhaps?
Can we no longer be flamboyant in our word-choice? Has poetic licence expired? Are we to be constrained to the dull grey of Oliver’s New Model Army?
In the interest of accuracy and nothing else, I see absolutely nothing in the quoted comments that qualify as an attack on either of the people you mentioned.
And I continue to deprecate C&P quoted as ‘argument’ with no reason – as I have, consistently, in all of my time here. (And, particularly, C&P which contains no argument in itself.)
And I will now shut up on the whole subject lest I be accused of the dreaded SJC.
Fairy Nuff, Bravo.
Might I therefore ask your opinion of Sheona’s “post” quoting Daniel Hannan?
Sorry, but SJC defeats me; I am old, but I’m reasonably sure that San Juan Capistrano is not the correct interpretation. 😥
As the recipient of the wooden spoon award I would like to thank all those concerned who helped and assisted me in reaching such undreamed of heights. It is an honor I shall carry with pride …. Speech, Speech … applause … trophy is presented … bows to crowd … 🙂
THAT MEANS YOU, BEARSY!! 😦
🙂
Satantic Justice cult?
Silly Jesus Christ?
Special jaundiced creature?
Self jacked crusade?
TLAs – used in business, civil service and military the world over!
Self Justifying Crap
Oh, of course Bravo. How silly of me not to realise! Thanks. 😀
Ah, I see too!
I think we can all agree C&P is useless as a stand alone entity – it can though, I’m sure, be used as supporting evidence when introduced and declared as such?
And Breathe….”In with love…….out with anger!” 😀
Well attack is a bit strong, even Cuprum admits I have gone about this whole thing with a genuine desire to consider the other side of the argument, but only when that argument has a basis in fact or at least a half true, genuine sentiment.
I am apalled however that I may have given Boadicea sufficient distress to consider putting the Chariot in for a service. For my part in any of that I can only apologise. I am happy to let the topic fade into obscurity for the sake of peace.
I am off visiting No2 daughter today in her new home, and the rest of the week is likely to be frantic because we are having a new kitchen installed. I will ty to look in from time to time.
No no Ferret – not you, indeed not anyone here at the moment!
I was rather unpleasantly surprised a few weeks ago with flak from a quarter I did not expect and it left me a bit reeling and wondering whether I was handling this as well as I thought… Juggling with too many balls, and slipping on the oil that I try to pour on those water, I really did not want a repeat performance this time 🙂
I hope your kitchen goes in as efficiently and quickly as ours did a few years back. Much to my disappointment, I was able to resume cooking within three days of the workmen starting to rip the old one out… 🙂
B & B:
I don’t think you realise the frustration felt in the UK over so many things. Because the British, and especially the English, take so much provocation before they act, it can be frustrating for those with a bit more fire. What is not in doubt is that, over the last 20 years, and especially the last 13, the country has been run by people who do not seem to give a toss about the country, but just lining their pockets. The Monarchy/Republican thing is just a minor symptom of a much worse malaise. When the reaction finally comes, I fear it may be very violent.
FEEG
We probably don’t – except I do visit the UK every year and travel on public transport – I’m a great one for talking to people. I also use taxis a great and I have a fair idea what taxi drivers from all parts of the UK think – and, in case you don’t know, they are the most Un-PC and outspoken group of people I’ve ever met just about anywhere!
Comes the Revolution – I wouldn’t be surprised if it is led by the Taxi-Drivers of England… 🙂
Dear Daddy Bear,
“Old”? Surely not! Boadicea has got it right. The words “a better solution” are important. So far no one has actually produced a well laid-out scheme for the republic of the UK.
I realise I may have been a bit prickly the last few days. I attribute it to coming back last Thursday to find our car had been smacked into the garage door and had its towbar destroyed by a vehicle being chased by the police. The two villains did not know the area and didn’t realise that what looks like a nice wide road shortly after you leave the motorway is a deadend with a roundabout planted with trees. They took their own front wheels off on the roudabout and slewed into our car. Result: blood all over the place, six police cars, two ambulances. The neighbours have been filling us in on the details and the police left a very full report, but we have the hassle of having our car checked out, insurance paperwork, garage door fixed, etc.
So I apologise for being extra dour, but still think we ought to stick with what we’ve got. Oliver Cromwell gave warts a bad name! And since I know my own limitations, I believe Hannan said it better than I could have.
Your cherished, or perhaps not, colleague,
Sheona.
PS I loved the Seekers song you put up.
Sheona: that sounds awful. I trust all is now well?
Boa: dare I ask…are you talking about me?
Oh My! Sheona
I think I might have been a bit more than just ‘prickly’. Hope you get it all sorted out with the minimum fuss – but being a bit of a pessimist as far as insurance companies I doubt it, so I shall insist that everyone gives you lots of tea and sympathy – whatever you say!
I understand what Donald said elsewhere about ‘how a group of people with wildly different international accents, wildly different physical characteristics and wildly different heritages can … consider themselves to be countrymen”. I know I’ll be English until the day I die… but the Seekers’ song brings a lump to my throat and … no I’m not going to admit to tears in the eyes!
Claire – I am absolutely not talking about you! Have a smiley 🙂
FEEG – many thanks for your enlightening comment.
I’m sure we have little appreciation of the reality – although my 93 year old Dad keeps me up-to-date with some of the nonsenses that affect him, living alone in what was once a sleepy country town.
Sheona – that sounds horrendous and traumatic. Hope is all well now.
That Seekers song genuinely is the second Australian Anthem.
Of course we’re cherished colleagues! 😎
Thank you, Claire. The car won’t be checked out till Thursday unfortunately. It’s daft, really, since we weren’t even here when it happened and certainly weren’t in the car. It is probable that the other vehicle had been stolen, so no insurance there. Yet our closest neighbours said the two guys involved were of Asian appearance and well dressed, not typical TWOC hoodies. There has been no report in the local papers, we’re told, and the police force dealing with it is some distance away, so it’s all a bit of a mystery.
Thank you, Boadicea. Could I have a G&T with the sympathy, please?
G & T coming up!
Oh okay. thanks Boa. I like it here; there is nowhere else like it out in internet ether.
Sheona; poor you. Things like that always shake me up. I have had a few near misses recently, on the M58 and so on, and it was only for the skill and grace of the other (admittedly, male) drivers, that I avoided crashing.
Bearsy my old cyber buddy. Insults and name calling have now reached an all time low on the site. Whilst I can turn the other cheek to be referred to in vulgar terms as a part of the female anatomy I would be extremely annoyed if my name was ever mentioned in the same breath as the departed blogger, Brendano aka TIIG. In fact, I would even consider having a swift pint of hemlock having already slit my wrists to put me out of my misery and shame. 🙂
Nice post Bearsy. Chill. The sun is out, there’s a million different greens out ther and the lanes are fringed with frothy cream cow parsley, billowing in the breeze (one hell of a breeze actually, as I found on my ride earkier). Far too nice to be horrid to each other.
I rather think you should practice what you preach.
If you want a pleasant site then you should not write choleric chimeric blogs that purport to amuse when all they do is insult or upset.
It also strikes me that most of the aggro is alcohol fueled, living in a completely separate time zone it is very easy to spot the disintegration of various bloggers, mainly female, who appear incapable of holding their drink.
I can’t say it was the height of sense or sensibility to tout republican values quite so strongly the week of a much anticipated Royal event either!
LOL I hope you have never spotted my disinteflagration.. disinterrigation…disintegration-thingy, Tina. I admit i have had a large snifter of The Macallan but if its good enough for Hugh Laurie and band at Chelters Jazz Festival then, verily i feel no shame. And I will sleep like a baby. Night! 🙂
Well, well, Christina.
With regard to my “choleric, chimeric” posts: after your scurrilous, unfeeling and ignorant jibes at the Queensland disasters and Australian architecture and construction methods, you are in no position to criticise, or to set yourself up as an expert in ‘sensibility’. A more extreme example of pot calling the kettle black would be hard to envisage.
When it comes to practising and preaching, you make a poor role-model. 😦
Jan – tee hee! 😆
Christina – I like yah, you can be my spare mom anytime 🙂
I think you rather miss the point Bearsy. I am a lowly irregular contributor and a non competitive one to boot. I do not purport to be a role model. This was your site and is now your wife’s. You are supposed to be the role model.
Study the penultimate paragraph of your blog above, I think you should take your own advice. Considering your answer in 42 it appears you can’t!
Hee Hee Bearsy,
You have to admit Mrs Osborne has a point. You have been known to pop your lid over matters far more trivial than this.
Talk about missing the point, Christina.
No, I am not supposed to be anything of the sort. I am allowed to have an opinion and express it, just like anyone else. Boadicea moderates and censors my remarks more rigorously than contributions from other Charioteers.
How did you work out that being an irregular or infrequent contributor somehow gives you rights that regular posters are to be denied?
This post suggests that debate about the monarchy raises emotional feelings in Poms which are far more intense than those engendered in Aussies. Try addressing that, perhaps?
Ferret – ah, the Muslim defence again.
“Never mind what we do, just look at what you did 500 years ago. That justifies us in blowing up the Tube.”
Trouble is, you know damn well that Cuprum and Julie were attacked inappropriately and illogically for expressing their views, but only Sheona was ‘man’ enough to actually admit it. It’s more comfortable for you to have a pop at me instead.
All this rabbiting on about my behaviour is nothing but a smokescreen to conceal your intransigence.
FEEG‘s comment was constructive and helpful – worth reading if you haven’t already done so.
Well, for what it’s worth, I hold my hands up to Christina’s charge.
I drink too much at the moment, or did last weekend, and fired off a row on here, so mea culpa.
Ego te absolvo … 😎
I think I understand…despite being a Latin hignoramus an’ all that…
Christian Church forgiveness patter –
“May our Lord Jesus Christ absolve you; and by His authority I absolve you from every bond of excommunication (suspension) and interdict, so far as my power allows and your needs require. [making the Sign of the Cross:] Thereupon, I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
😆
I thought so.
I can quote you chapter and verse of the mass in English, but as far as Latin is concerned, sorry no can do…
Thank you anyway.