Karl Posted September 17, 2015 I think like you that there'll be lots of conservatism in Corbyn, despite his surface socialism. I've never met a socialist where this isn't the case. And yes, like you say...if he was truly anti-monarchist he probably wouldn't be seeking power for himself. There is very little difference between the King and the Chairman (of the Mao variety). He will either fit in or, they will get rid of him. Little touches like reading out people's question, not wearing a tie etc are all just part of the new 'Corbyn brand'. They have identified that the electorate feel politicians are out of touch and living in the Westminster bubble. Labour aren't going to out conservative the conservatives, so they have to choose another kind of appeal. It's all about reflecting the mood of their supporters. It's pretty much what UKIP did and to an extent the greens/SNP. I think they are barking up the wrong tree. They are living in a leftist elite bubble which encompasses the kind of scruffy, privileged socialist groups that made up the occupy movement. Yet Corbyn is old enough to look like the wise old owl that will appear to the ageing hippy Marxist types. It's all about demographic marketing. Labour is full of think tank, marketing group think squads intent on engineering a populist movement. The unions have installed the Tom Watson thug to keep him right and take over if the marketeers mess it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 Hi Karl So wat he should do is continue the 'maintenance of the establishment?' That would be hypocritical as he ran on a platform of making changes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 I'm a bit disappointed to see that there is already quite a lot of politician answers in Corbyn. When Laura Kuenssberg asked him if he would kiss the Queen's hand, he claimed this was the first he had heard of such a requirement and would have to think about it. This can't possibly be true! Everyone who reads the papers knows what the politians must do with the Queen. Articles are written every time a new figure comes along. Surely Corbyn knows what has happened with fellow labour MPs whether in power or in opposition. if he is going to hold on to his power base, the everyday Labour party, he has to be thoroughly transparent and honest in everything. if he can't do this then he has to just jump through all the hoops without question as Blair did. Both extremes can work, but the middle appraoch won't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 "Great" Britain is dead. So should be its monarchy as, just as with "Great", "Monarchy" are words without any meaning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 "Great" Britain is dead. So should be its monarchy as, just as with "Great", "Monarchy" are words without any meaning. Great refers to the larger political grouping of England, Wales and Scotland so not Isle of Man, Scilly etc. It means size not grandeur. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 Great refers to the larger political grouping of England, Wales and Scotland so not Isle of Man, Scilly etc. It means size not grandeur. Well, in total, it isn't even big let alone great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Posted September 17, 2015 Well, in total, it isn't even big let alone great.Now don't you go picking on them and their cute little country. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thelerner Posted September 17, 2015 Modern day royalty is a fun anachronism. Colorful, historical, fodder for scandals and fashion magazines. Famous because they're famous. Its a game thats been played a long time. Kiss her hand? Why not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 Well, in total, it isn't even big let alone great. When I was a boy in the eighties people still thought Britian was great. we were still proud of something, maybe the war. No-one thinks like that anymore. We're neither great nor rubbish, just a normal country. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 17, 2015 That would be hypocritical as he ran on a platform of making changes. Change to the Labour Party brand. A fairer Britain for all ( what ever that means) and a democracy where everyone has their voice heard ( which is precisely what already happens and why we have MPs ). His change-or those of labours marketing team-is to dispense with the polish and try a rougher image. Make no mistake, that's all it's about-changing the image. The Labour Party and its supporters didn't change overnight, it's Labour as usual with a scruffy, shabitat, oxfam style sheik. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 Now don't you go picking on them and their cute little country. Yeah, it is a pretty little country when the sun shines. (That's maybe twice a year?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 Yeah, it is a pretty little country when the sun shines. (That's maybe twice a year?) To like Britain, you maybe need that distinctive nostalgia for the ancient. Not everyone has it, but for those who do, Britain is a really rich and evocative place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 17, 2015 When I was a boy in the eighties people still thought Britian was great. we were still proud of something, maybe the war. No-one thinks like that anymore. We're neither great nor rubbish, just a normal country. I'm still great, it's the rest of you that aren't all that. :-) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 17, 2015 Yeah, it is a pretty little country when the sun shines. (That's maybe twice a year?) USA- Homer Simpson. 'nuff said. ;-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 I hope all my Brit friends know that I am just messing with Y'all. Please don't take anything I say in this thread seriously. But yes, "Great" Britain does have a rich history. It's greatness started when the first Germans arrived. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 USA- Homer Simpson. 'nuff said. ;-) You have a point there. I always enjoyed Benny Hill and never could watch what you mentioned above. See? I can't even say it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 Modern day royalty is a fun anachronism. Colorful, historical, fodder for scandals and fashion magazines. Famous because they're famous. Its a game thats been played a long time. Kiss her hand? Why not. Maybe not kissing her hand is also part of the fun game. It's just more interesting not to, isn't it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 17, 2015 I hope all my Brit friends know that I am just messing with Y'all. Please don't take anything I say in this thread seriously. But yes, "Great" Britain does have a rich history. It's greatness started when the first Germans arrived. You sure that wasn't The Normans, or the Vikings, or the Romans, or likely the Celts from somewhere further South. The USA got better when we Brits colonised it. We didn't need to invade as you only had bows and feathers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 You sure that wasn't The Normans, or the Vikings, or the Romans, or likely the Celts from somewhere further South. Well, sure, they weren't called Germans back then but they were still Germans. The USA got better when we Brits colonised it. We didn't need to invade as you only had bows and feathers. Yeah, the Brits arrived with their gun powder that they got from the Chinese by selling opium and killed all the buffalo so the Americans would starve to death. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 What's your ancestry Marblehead? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 What's your ancestry Marblehead? I am German, of course. Prussian, to be more precise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 I am German, of course. Prussian, to be more precise. A noble race of thinkers. Can't fault the Prussians. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted September 17, 2015 A noble race of thinkers. Can't fault the Prussians. Yeah, that's my Mother's side. Father's side is generic German. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikolai1 Posted September 17, 2015 Father's side is generic German. Ah, the 'don't think about things, just do things' side. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karl Posted September 17, 2015 Well, sure, they weren't called Germans back then but they were still Germans. Yeah, the Brits arrived with their gun powder that they got from the Chinese by selling opium and killed all the buffalo so the Americans would starve to death. Of course, we are known for our cruel and unusual ways plus our ever ready adaptability to technology. "Germans bombed our chip shop" but we single handedly defeated them in the Battle of Britain, saved the world and then grew poppies and had tea on the lawn. Spiffing old chap. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites