In the last month, I've seen both Cuba and Iraq criticised on American television news for their state-sponsored celebrations of their government and leaders. The term state-sponsored is used as an insult - you know, those backwards countries where the government throws parties for themselves?
Then, this week, the CBC is all over the Golden Jubilee, which is, as far as I can gather, a state-sponsored celebration of the Queen in England. Every country does this.
I realize there is a big difference between England's celebrations and those in Cuba and Iraq (and I'm not suggesting that Cuba and Iraq are similar either - except maybe in the eyes of the U.S. administration). The most obvious example of this difference is that those who criticise the British Monarchy aren't thrown in jail. Also, there is a fundamental difference when a democratic government celebrates itself - since a democratic government represents the people, in theory, the people are then celebrating their own government.
Still, I find it remarkable how we in the west (and I include myself in this) are able to hold such obvious double standards.
Thank you for reading my amateurish political opinions.
Comments
Easyrew - June 4, 2002 12:21 pm
I find my feelings towards your comments are much the same as my feelings towards the British Monarchy: I agree with some of it and disagree with parts too.
Speaking as a Brit, I just want to take issue with your point about the democratic government representing the people and therefore celebrating itself. I would have no problem with the British Government organising events to celebrate the British - but the Jubilee hasn't been organised by the British Government.
I have no problem celebrating the Queen's service over the past 50 years. But I don't believe the Queen represents anything democratic at all. She has not been elected as our Head of State, we will have no part to play in selecting her successor. We pay for her up-keep through our taxes, but have no say in how they are spent. We are unable to remove her from her office.
That said, I can see that the Queen (and the Royal Family) do hold some value within our society.
Thank you for allowing me to reply with even more amateurish political/royal opinions than your own ;-)
Alan - June 4, 2002 12:47 pm
In a democracy all political opinions are amateurish.
I watched a bit of the events in London and was both bored and offended second-hand. A good pal of mine works for the BBC and is sent off into a rage when he is reminded that his taxes pay for these twits. Time to let them go.
Blag - June 6, 2002 12:37 pm
Absolutely. It's time for some new twits.