| To our UK posters and lurkers, I'm sorry, but I have to take your Queen out back to the woodshed. She's redeeming her Xmas gift certificate for a session with the clue-by-four. |
Queen Elizabeth used her Christmas televised address to praise the virtues of religious and ethnic tolerance, telling her fellow Britons that diversity is "a strength and not a threat".| I saw this message broadcast on BBC America. I was appalled. It was all about making nice with Islam, with visits to mosques and cute lil "Asian" kiddies talking about how it was great to study their religion. No temples, no Sikh or Hindu or Wicca places of worship. Not even a church. |
"Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others," the 78-year-old monarch said in her annual address to the nation, as she reflected on the meaning of Christmas. "For me, as a Christian, one of the most important of these teachings is contained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus answers the question, 'Who is my neighbour?,'" she said. "It is a timeless story of a victim of a mugging who was ignored by his own countrymen but helped by a foreigner -- and a despised foreigner at that. The implication drawn by Jesus is clear. Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences." | Sorry to be so cynical, your Majesty, but England's not doing so hot on the mugging front lately. You won't allow your citizens to defend themselves from the criminals to begin with, and then you persecute them if they choose to stand up for themselves. |
The queen went on to highlight the benefits of diversity, noting that "we have only to look around to recognize the benefits of this positive approach in business or local government, in sport, music and the arts."| "Mmmmmm, isn't this milk tasty...what do you mean, it's sour? Oh my, you're right. The carton DOES say best if used before September 2001." |
While conceding that many challenges lie ahead she sounded an upbeat note about Britain's future in a globalized world. "There is certainly much more to be done and many challenges to be overcome. Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures," she said.| I don't think she is understanding just whose culture is being threatened. Rats. I expected better of the momarch of the United Kingdom. |
"They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat. We need also to realize that peaceful and steady progress in our society of differing cultures and heritage can be threatened at any moment by the actions of extremists at home or by events abroad. We can certainly never be complacent.| Complacency, I kinda sorta understand. Willful blindness, absolutely not. |
"But there is every reason to be hopeful about the future. ... I believe tolerance and fair play remain strong British values and we have so much to build on for the future," the queen said.| You'll have lots to rebuild after Al-Mujiharoun and the Abu Hamzanauts start exploding in Piccadilly Circus...speaking of Abu Hamza, have you paid him all the dole money he is owed yet? |
Her speech was interspersed with video sequences including one apparently shot in a mosque and in which she appears with her head and shoulders covered by a scarf.| That's when I spit out my cereal. Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen of this Realm and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith....in hijab. Even the French would be appalled. |
The monarch also recounted an anecdote she heard from an overseas visitor who said the best part of his visit had been "traveling from Heathrow into central London on the tube (subway). "His British friends were, as you can imagine, somewhat surprised, particularly as the visitor had been to some of the great attractions of the country. What do you mean, they asked?," the queen said. "Because, he replied, I boarded the train just as the schools were coming out. At each stop children were getting on and off -- they were of every ethnic and religious background, some with scarves or turbans, some talking quietly, others playing and occasionally misbehaving together -- completely at ease and trusting one another. How lucky you are, said the visitor, to live in a country where your children can grow up this way."| Apparently, this "overseas visitor" just flew in from America, where all the subways are ghettoes, and the kids shoot one another on sight. The Queen needs a better speechwriter. I suggest Peggy Noonan. |
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