Matt McCarten: "Mrs Windsor wouldn't miss our outpost colony"

Submitted by LJ Holden on 7 March, 2010 - 11:14
Matt McCarten writes in the Herald on Sunday on Keith Locke's Head of State Referenda Bill:

When will we stop pretending we are a South Pacific outpost of the Windsor family who reside in London? Betty Windsor is the Queen of England. She's still ours, too.

When her parents ruled us, one fourth of the world was part of their empire.

Sure, the Queen is still "ours" - the question is though, is the monarchy worth keeping? Does it actually perform any constitutional function a New Zealander (say, the Governor-General) is unable to do? Of course not.

Comments

WestmiNZter Monarchist's picture
Submitted by WestmiNZter Monarchist on 7 March, 2010 - 22:31.
Matt McCarten states in his article: "For some reason, poll after poll says we don't want a republic. " He also says: "Anyone who has half a brain and thinks about it for a minute knows what a crock it is having a foreign hereditary monarch as our ruler. " Well Matt, you are arrogant and condescending to your fellow NZers. Maybe we should use our half brain and throw your article with its glib lines, condescensions and generalisations out with the trash.
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 8 March, 2010 - 12:54.
I agree - it's not fair to characterize those who hold a contrary view as being stupid. I think apathetic is actually more correct - it's a strange sort of comfortable apathy; most New Zealanders seem to accept that it's wrong someone born into a certain family gains political office by birth alone; however that said there is an awful lot of ignorance that drives support for the monarchy - e.g. that the Queen somehow provides a check on our politicians.
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
WestmiNZter Monarchist's picture
Submitted by WestmiNZter Monarchist on 8 March, 2010 - 17:36.
I do not think that monarchists have a monopoly on ignorant supporters. Having said that, it does take greater will power and the courage of one's convictions to stand up against prevailing attitudes and the status quo.
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 8 March, 2010 - 19:19.
I do not think that monarchists have a monopoly on ignorant supporters.

Sadly, this is true.

Having said that, it does take greater will power and the courage of one's convictions to stand up against prevailing attitudes and the status quo.

Shucks... thanks for that.
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 21 March, 2010 - 17:48.
Mrs Windsor? - I thought her name was Mrs Popodopolous (nee Von Battenburg of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha - Germany not England! They changed their name from Von Battenberg, during WWI, because of Brit anti-German sentiments, to Anglicised version of Battenburg). 

Her hubby the London cabby Prince Phillip Popodopolous of Greece, the West Oriental Gentleman or POG the WOG as he is affectionately known by his loving subjects. Serves no  purpose other than being the donor of German Lizzzie's little swimmers.  Namely Noddy, Annie Fannie, the Duke of Pork and Teddy! 

Phil the Greek and German Lizzie are also cuzzies or inbreds!

Greeks and Germans sitting on the British throne - LOFL!!!

Dump them now - they serve no purpose what so ever - real or sentimental!


Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 21 March, 2010 - 18:27.
Of course the Queen, or Mrs Battenburg/Saxe-Cobourg-Gotha, or whatever the surname you decide to call her was born in England as were her parents and 3/4 of her grandparents! If you decide that The Queen is German then using the same logic the majority of non-Maori NZers are still British. British people and their descendants in NZ! Now that is preposterous! Cover them in sun-block because their skin just is not suited for NZ conditions and then ship them out. What use have non-maori been in NZ....they have devastated the flora and fauna and brought over flatulent sheep that are destroying the ozone layer, potentially threatening mankind's continued existence!
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 22 March, 2010 - 01:40.
Actually, the ozone hole is caused by CFCs, not flatulent sheep.
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 22 March, 2010 - 01:42.
Dump them now - they serve no purpose what so ever - real or sentimental!

They certainly have a sentimental role. But we don't think sentiment should govern a constitution meant to keep government in check - actual checks and balances should.
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 22 March, 2010 - 10:00.
That is true. Flatulent sheep emissions add to the "greenhouse gasses".
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 22 March, 2010 - 10:04.
Yeah but that's different to the Ozone hole - http://www.theozonehole.com/
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 22 March, 2010 - 10:07.
True...but the excess build-up of the greenhouse effect will still bring about unhappy consequences.
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 22 March, 2010 - 10:11.
Relevance?
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 22 March, 2010 - 10:39.
That is true. Flatulent sheep emissions add to the "greenhouse gasses".
Anon's picture
Submitted by Anon on 22 March, 2010 - 10:41.
As much relevance as the original comment, to which I was responding.
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 22 March, 2010 - 10:41.
Fair enough.
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350

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