Royalty

He got it rather wrong by calling his death 'tragic'. There was nothing tragic about it. Mandela had just about the fullest life you can imagine. Being imprisoned for 27 years is tragic, some of what he saw was undoubtedly tragic, but his death, at 95, was far from tragic, unless you think that death itself is tragic.

Well put Oliver, I thought the same when I heard his inane comments.

It was just the one word that made it sound a little as if he was on autopilot and hadn't really thought about what he was going to say. Then again, I certainly wouldn't want to be in his shoes and constantly have to function for the cameras, and I'm quite happy to cut everybody like that some slack.

why? it's his job. such as it is. surely he has enough spare time to think about what he will say when he is inevitably asked for his opinion on something of such global significance.

I think you're missing the point. Why is his opinion even valid? who does he even represent?

Mandela's oppressors?

the point is, he will get asked whether you or i like it or not. the fact that he said it was 'tragic' is indeed indicative of someone who has either a) not considered what he was going to say when asked, or b) had thought about it and that was the best he could come up with.

hey ho - either way, fuck em all.,

It was just the one word that made it sound a little as if he was on autopilot and hadn't really thought about what he was going to say.

Almost as if a private secretary or equerry or perhaps even a press secretary was doing the thinking and had been coaching him.

I'm quite happy to cut everybody like that some slack.

why? it's his job. such as it is. surely he has enough spare time to think about what he will say when he is inevitably asked for his opinion on something of such global significance.

Do as you would be done by.

Kinky.

You can be the peasant if you like.

He got it rather wrong by calling his death 'tragic'. There was nothing tragic about it. Mandela had just about the fullest life you can imagine. Being imprisoned for 27 years is tragic, some of what he saw was undoubtedly tragic, but his death, at 95, was far from tragic, unless you think that death itself is tragic.

Yes I picked up on that. I thought tragic was rather a strange word to use to describe the death of an old and ill man.

You could be forgiven for thinking that the BBC are Will and Kate's personal PR agency

Aren't they ?

It was just the one word that made it sound a little as if he was on autopilot and hadn't really thought about what he was going to say. Then again, I certainly wouldn't want to be in his shoes and constantly have to function for the cameras, and I'm quite happy to cut everybody like that some slack.
You're right Oliver - tragedy was the wrong word, though the fact they'd just finished watching an extremely hard-hitting movie about Mandela's life may well have heightened his emotions? I did find myself asking "Why on earth do I want or need to know the thoughts of this privileged young man who has never wanted for anything, who hardly knew Mandela, and whose life bears absolutely no resemblance to his?"

Regardless - the royals are still tossers.

"Why on earth do I want or need to know the thoughts of this privileged young man who has never wanted for anything, who hardly knew Mandela, and whose life bears absolutely no resemblance to his?"
...who is at the pinnacle of the establishment that wanted him hanged 30 years ago.

^ That too!

another reprieve for the royals

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tower-of-londons-ravens-flit-to-a-safe-new-roost-9131087.html

air gun rifle anyone ?

Interesting. Lizards and crows.

Birds did evolve from dinosaurs, I'd wager the royal family did too and although their lineages split some time ago they are related.

Rare 19th century colour photograph discovered showing two royals visiting the colonies.

go putin

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-today-hits-back-at-prince-charles-putinhitler-comparison-if-anyone-knows-real-nazis-its-the-royal-family-9426524.html

comments are fun

I was thinking this morning that, given how much support UKIP has garnered in Essex, that we offer it to Putin as a way of appeasing him for the outrageous slur he's suffered from Charles Windsor.

We lose Essex, the people of Essex get to see what it's really like living under an intolerant regime and Putin's expansionist plans get an unexpected bonus. Everyone's a winner.

A typical South Londoner's point of view. The rest of us want to go cycling in Essex, which has a marked advantage over South London in not having as many hills. Going through passport control every time would be a bit tiring, as would dodging the tanks on the Lea Bridge Road.

Hertfordshire is much better, Oliver.