The speech was interesting in several ways. It sounded
to me as if the king had inserted little bits of it by himself, most especially
the conclusion where he quoted the national anthem’s wording of “the true north
strong and free.” Total kitsch. But right, in context. Can't fault it but I cannot see the government’s writers putting that
in. And too many figures quoted. In addition, I have a few minor complaints about the format. One is that it seems stupid
to have issued the man a floppy booklet to read from where he struggled at
times to turn the pages. The other is that it is annoying to have an English
language voice-over for the French. Most of us have enough second language
to follow clear, slowly read statements, especially if they are repeats of the same material. I wanted to judge the king’s French accent and was unable to hear him.
Anyway, that was my morning. Trade barriers, energy
conservation and management, housing starts, some lowering/increasing of fees
and rates, increased military spending (we’ve heard that before), all stuff
that came up in the campaign. Annoying that the Liberals are taking credit for
the dental program; the NDP shoved that one down their throats. Mostly, though,
the speech was about sovereignty. With the king making the running. It would be more amusing if it were less important.
I like our country, a lot, and never more so than when
we do something as stodgy but as pertinent as this morning’s entertainment.
There is much to like. It is remarkable that we have remained steadfast and true in many ways.
ReplyDeleteI confess to being surprised at the size of the crowd to see them. I was worried that there would not be a good enough turnout, but, wow.
DeleteI think it was a brilliant show to try to realign our Orange Idiot. OI would be fuming, wishing he could have a throne to speech with. Good show. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that was what it was all about. Message to President Trump was high on the agenda.
DeleteIt was a brilliant move to have the king read that speech. The monarchy isn’t my thing but its part of our heritage and we like it well enough to want to continue our system. Thanks just the same, orange man!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned, the monarch can be a symbol and the person wearing the crown is irrelevant. It is the system, the only one that has stood the test of time and many idiotic men (and I do mean men, although Victoria was idiotic enough to let Albert run her). It works. And it probably did a lot for the king's self image.
DeleteI watched a clip of the King reading the speech and was underwhelmed at his lack of eye contact with his audience.
ReplyDeleteWell, yes, but. I don't know if you were aware, no telprompter and the poor man had to fiddle with limp pages. The speech in its entirety was already in the hands of the press and if he had bobbled a single word, they would have had a field day. Plus, he was switching languages. Not surprising if he clutched his text and concentrated. In passing, though, your comment is really apropos for the Queen, who read in glasses. She did look up and every time she did, the lights flashed in her glasses and she looked absolutely blank.
ReplyDeleteI am not a fervent monarchist, but I do support having a Royal family as head of the Commonwealth. I was born in England and grew up with the Royal family always as part of life. I think King Charles' visit as King of Canada and reading the throne speech was a brilliant move. It provides a very visible statement, we are Canada and we will stay Canada. I'm glad there were lots of people there to greet him.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I want our system to stay the way it is with the monarch as the head. It works better than most other systems I think. Although I feel a bit sorry for the present King, who is going to have to host Trump and make nice, at the behest of one of his governments. Meanwhile he is cocking a subtle snoot that the same person at the behest of another one of his governments. Lovely.
DeleteNot into monarchy, but i do like the Prime Minister concept as opposed to a presidency, especially these days when our government seems to be falling apart at the seams. No one has enough backbone to stand up to the fool in charge.
ReplyDeleteI often wish that Queen Elizabeth had stepped down and allowed Charles to govern sooner. Was it her punishment for him ditching Diana? Or did she just enjoy being the boss? I wonder.
I think that the Queen really believed that she was meant to be monarch until the day she died. And, in fact, she received a prime minister the day before she did die. Plus, certainly the Duke's opinion of Charles was that he was weak and foolish and not able to do well. And if nothing more, that would influence the Queen. I study the monarchy from time to time as the whole concept fascinates me.
DeleteIt won't be long before the orange felon adjudicated rapist demands a rococo throne for all his pressers and the State of the Union addresses. I wish I weren't serious.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I wish you weren't also. What are the Republicans in the house and the Senate, the ones who might do something about him, thinking????? Argh.
DeleteI watched some of it, he spoke French quite well:)
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that. The voiceover was annoying. I suspected he would be fine; I believe that the Royal Family stresses learning good French. The Queen had an impeccable Paris accent, I am told. Too funny.
ReplyDelete