On Wed, 10 Apr 2002 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I think you've added meaning to my comments that's not there. I said that the
No, actually, I meant to add to nothing anyone else said. As a non-British citizen, I wonder why they put up with what they do from the royal family. The fact that they don't pay taxes, that you pay for much of their oppulance, etc. I don't pretend to know all the pros and cons of that side, nor do I entirely care to (yes, that's an ignorant opinion). On the flip side, I know that they provide a source of pride to you, that they are a regal touch to statesmanship, or whatever you care to call it. Again, I'm not here to argue either way on it. I respect that many British love their royal family. I can understand your respect. As an American, I do find the sometimes-worshipful level of attention paid to the royal family by Americans to be confusing, mostly due to the fact that they were the symbol we fought against. It really only reached its zenith when Princess Diana died and entire segments of my country stopped in hero worship of someone who, to me and me alone, didn't deserve all of it. (on the flip side, I had the same feeling when the last Kennedy died, as well) And that's my opinion, and I choose not to force it on anyone, especially to anyone who does opt to pay homage to their royalty. > woman is a hero for her conduct during WW II. I paid tribute to the English And I will not argue this under any circumstances. I don't know what she did directly, however, if nothing else she inspired patriotic pride in the people of her countries, and that pride helped to win a war. As for times not in war, she also stood out as a figurehead which was there to lead and inspire people. I won't take that way, either, or impunge on it. Nor was it ever my intention to do so on this list. As I said, I may not understand what she means, but in my young American mind, there's no place for her, better or for worse. However, that doesn't mean anything negative, just that I can't comprehend it. Just like I can't comprehend the mythical "Leica experience," because I've never had a chance to experience it. > Think, had we not had the "Brits" et. al. we'd be driving Japanese and German > cars; watching Japanese televisions and using Pentax Cameras (thread). I'm not so sure if the Axis would've overrun the world, but it would certainly be a much different place. Except for the cars, cameras, and televisions, of course. :) It also makes you wonder if Leicas would be so damnned expensive... However, what I wanted to state in the beginning, and what perhaps got lost under the structure of me making statements of why I didn't exactly agree with everyone's stance on the royal family is: If someone, especially someone who lives in a country under the British Empire (or whatever term I should use here) wants to mourn the loss of the Queen Mother, then so be it. Its not for me to judge, and it certainly isn't for Nitin to rage on about, either. Now, I didn't want to keep this thread going, either, but I did want to defend my stance a bit, and pull myself out of the hole I felt I was being edged towards. :) -- http://www.infotainment.org "The destructive character is cheerful." - Walter Benjamin - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
