RMR: Rick's Rant - Charles and Camilla

[LiveToTheMax21]

I have absolute respect for the monarchy and the Royal family we need some semblance of tradition and continuity in this ever changing, ridiculous world we live in.

[fissionemblem1]

@LiveToTheMax21 The monarchy is traditionally a way for people in power to hold onto their power! Why would you support a system that is completely undemocratic, unfair, and unintelligent? It also provides no benefits! I mean, there's basically no upside to the monarchy ...

[biquelion]

@LiveToTheMax21 Canada is called the multicultural mosaic of the world for a reason. Its insulting we are required to pledge allegiance to a queen that fails to represent the make up of our nation. I completely agree with @fissionemblem1. The French got it right with the idea of a Monarchy!!!!

[hermoniexx]

What a tragic embarrassment Charles must be for his parents by cavorting with the despicable Camilla. Various depraved telephone calls are published where Charles states he wants to be whore Camillas TAMPAX as he was too stupid to use a secure line. Then the legality of his 'marriage' is questionable as this was not undertaken by Anglican clergy as required under English law for members of the Royal family. The sooner these two wanton parasites are removed from the face of the earth the better

[jeveuxlesoleil]

@hermoniexx You're disgusting. Just so you know.

[hermoniexx]

Camilla is the PERFECT person to share Tampax Charles's life, for they are two parasitic peas in a pod in lack of ethics, character, integrity and morals. Charles is unfit to become the next King of England and if he does, he will bring the monarchy to total ruin - he's already begun to rot it's very foundations because of his selfishness and the way he's conducted his life as Prince of Wales to date. And his relationship with evil whore Camilla has only further undermined the British Monarchy

[russfromdodge]

Rick wants to be Queen of Canada

[TiberiusMaseus]

I disagree.

[GnarlGevs]

@TiberiusMaseus reasons?

[gundamWWW]

@TiberiusMaseus

You are free to disagree. It doesn't make change the fact that the head of state of Canada had grandsons that are drug users wear Nazi costumes and a guy that cheats on his wife.

This family is a disgrace to Canada.

[canadiensfan2010]

aw that was so mean what he said about the WWF/WWE

[SomethingNormal00]

Hey Rick,

Buckingham Palace is the London home and primary residence of the British monarch.

They dont live in a castle you bloody plonker.

[AspiringPotato]

Charles wants to be a tampon (his words). Charles hates Galileo, and talks to plants. I'd be disgusted if he were ever King, but somebody could probably convince him to leave his throne in exchange for some worthless herbal medicine or something.

[frbjoernLA]

Wow! Canadians are waking up! Maybe Prince Charles and his legal other half, the Bride of Frankenstein helped the to finally wake up!

[BlueLuva1]

Rick Mercer for PM!

[jortchav]

VIVA LA REPÚBLICA DEL CANADÁ LIBRE!!!!!

[verbod]

I love Rick, but he needs to replace his cameraman ASAP.

[14blackboard]

@verbod thats how the camera is supposed to be during the rant

[dusthat]

So the kind of Canada that Rick wants sounds like a rebellious teenager who wants to get his own apartment, because his grandparents are soooo boring. In that case Canada needs to grow up some more. (Still I love Rick's rants.)

[verbod]

go away brits

[fixxxer2673]

One sign of us growing up would be that we kept the monarchy. It would be irresponsible for us to abolish the central institution of our government without cause. The monarchy is like an iceberg, only the tip is visible. Abolishing the monarchy is going to lead to serious political problems. This assertion has been agreed by several important Canadian political scientists including Peter Russell, David Smith, Eugene Forsey, and others.

[bourdon30]

@fixxxer2673 oh, I'm sooooo petrified at this prospect...

[fixxxer2673]

@bourdon30 You should be

[gundamWWW]

@fixxxer2673

You do know that Peter Russell, Peter Hogg and David Smith are huge monarchists!

People who love Democracy such as myself would just prefer an elected head of state.

Just have the current GG declare himself the head of state. No one can stop them from doing so if he has the consent of the Prime Minister.

Who is going to enforce the queens will? British army, lol?

[fixxxer2673]

@gundamWWW The ignorance of your answer shows how pitifully little you know about our machinery of government. Peter Russell and David Smith are both renowned and respected political scientists who fully understand the enormous difficulties that Canada faces in removing the monarchy. You claim to love democracy. You might want to check out a recent study that was conducted by the UN regarding the state of democracy in various countries; seven of the top ten were constitutional monarchies.

[gundamWWW]

@fixxxer2673

I am familiar with all your above mentioned political scientists. They are all Monarchists and their work regarding the monarchy is biased.

Removing the monarchy takes only will. If the queen dies, no one will care.

The Sky won't fall apart, the earth won't shift and children won't die.

As for the most democratic countries!

The people make them democratic, not the monarchy? Democracy works from the bottom up not the top down!

Who will enforce the will of the Queen? The Army?

[fixxxer2673]

@gundamWWW If you peruse through our constitution, you will realize that it is almost legally impossible to remove the monarchy. And, once you have, what then? Abolishing the monarchy can be done if there is the will to do it, yes. But the aftermath is what we should be afraid of because things can go very quickly out of control. You cannot expect a country to remove the foundations of its government and institute another on a feather bed. History shows us that time and again. Look at Nepal.

[gundamWWW]

Don't be afraid of democracy, it's quite nice. Just replace the queen with the Governor General.

Hold Open, free and democratic elections to select our head of state.

France does it, Israel does it, India does it, many nations do that.

I think Canadians should elect their own head of state for 7 year term limits. I'm not saying throw the queen out. We have history book and portraits and legacy, but lets get into the 21rst century.

Have you heard about the Queen taken off stamps in England?

[fixxxer2673]

@gundamWWW An elected GG would give him/her more legitimacy to interfere in politics because he would be able to claim a mandate by the people. This will create tremendous friction between the GG and the PM. Also, electing a GG will force him to become partisan since he will have to declare his opinions when he is campaigning. This would negate the whole idea of a head of state who is above politics. Elections are not always a good thing, nor is democracy. This is an illusion.

[gundamWWW]

What I'm saying is that The candidates for Govenor General would not campaign on what they would do in office. They would Campaign on "what they have done for Canada over their lifetime". This way we could have the best Canadian sitting in that office. A Mandate by the people is good, on the issue of using reserve constitutional powers. Michael Jean was criticized for prorouging Parliament. So let's have an election to decide what a GG should do in office. A Canadian as head of state? GoodORbad?

[troy4976]

It is a strong issue with all Canadians.....I am infact a Canadian but born in the UK in Scotland, so i can understand both sides off the coin! first thing there is no such thing as the Queen of England.....the first monarch of the scottish and english crown was infact...yes scottish...and have a look at the union jack....yes the Scottish saltire with the English ontop! you should know this stuff! but the Queen on our money is a bit of a kick in the teeth, maybe a republic would win the vote?

[gundamWWW]

In Maclean's Magazine, July 20, 2009: QUEEN COSTS US MORE THAN THE BRITS PAY, the monarchist league's own figures prove we paid over $50M for it in 2006-07. That annual $50M would go a long way toward something worthwhile ie: healthcare, cancer research, crime prevention, SCHOOL, fighting unemployment, HELPING WOUNDED SOLDIERS!

That $50M works out to $500M over 10 years, $1B over 20, $2B over greater time!

We are IN A DEFICIT IN THIS COUNTRY!

No welfare for the wealthy!

[themanyouwanttobe]

Elizabeth will be the last monarch of Canada. Let her live out her reign then, before Charles puts on his shiny metal hat, switch to republic mode.

[peterwhen]

Who thinks it desireable to have a pair of moral bankrupts and adulterers as heads ,albeit figureheads, of Canada or any other country come to that. Charles would be head of the Church of England also , what a croc of hypocracy that is.

[LeJisemika]

I disagree, I love having the British royal family as our head of state, it's apart of our history. The only reason that Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall never got crowds is because the people are not interested in them. Bring over the Queen or even Prince William or Prince Harry and you'll see.

[simplic10]

@LeJisemika

Hear hear!

[norcofreerider604]

So you believe the royal family was chosen by God to rule over you?

[LeJisemika]

No, because I believe in equality. But I'm also big for tradition and the royal family has been in power for thousands of years, so I'd feel like we're losing a part of our Canadian identity if we took the queen out of our government and got a republic.

[norcofreerider604]

That's what monarchy is though, and that's the entire justification for it. It is an inconsistent worldview to support a system based on divine right and hereditary rule while at the same time say you believe in equality. A monarch is both legally and spiritually superior to you (they are, after all, anointed by god to rule on earth). Slavery was a long held tradition, but we ended it because it was a bad practice. Just something to think about.

[LeJisemika]

Well first I would never compare slavery to the monarch (I'm a human rights activist). Now, 150 years ago, we could say that the monarch had power in Canada, UK, etc., but as of right now, they're just for show. Queen Elizabeth has no powers. But as I said, getting rid of the monarch is such a lost of culture. I don't think you nor Rick Mercer really do understand that. How our whole government structure would drastically change (Not saying change is bad, I'm completely for it).

[norcofreerider604]

I wasn't comparing the monarchy to slavery, I was making the point that just because something is tradition doesn't mean we should maintain it. In both Canada and the U.K., the monarch still holds a tremendous amount of power; however, this power is rarely exercised. My main objection to monarchy is the monarchs claim to divine authority over their subjects (and that is what we are). It just isn't compatible with my sense of justice or equality.

[norcofreerider604]

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood."

Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Supporting the institution of monarchy is incompatible with the above declaration. Only a member of a noble house can claim a right to the throne, but the remainder of the people cannot. This means that under monarchy, we are not born equal.

[LeJisemika]

I think you have to realize the time and place we live in (Canada in 2010), the queen has no divine authority over us at all, she is in no since above the law but all she has is a title and that's it. To be honest, people like Donald Trump and the Richardson Family have way more power in the world in reality than the Queen does.

[norcofreerider604]

Yes and no. The Crown does still hold a great amount of authority; however, this authority is rarely exercised, and the governor general pretty much goes along with the ruling party. I didn't say that the monarch was above the law (that has not been the case since the signing of the Magna Carta!), but I am saying that in order to recognize the Crown as a legitimate institution, you must accept the idea that all people are not born equal.

[B21983]

@norcofreerider604 one can accept the Crown and still hold all people are born free and equal. Her Majesty's position is an accident of birth - but you being born in Canada, or someone being born in the US is also an accident and it puts them in a favorable position vis a vis someone born in Zimbabwe. Is this unjust? Should you be forced to leave Canada b/c of your accident of birth? Do you think you are better than someone else b/c of it? NO. So why do you assume HM the Queen is like that?

[B21983]

@norcofreerider604 You are wrong on divine authority nor, the British monarchs (and by extension Canada's) have always existed alongside parliament. The British Crown did not have the same theory of divine right as the French or Spanish Crown claimed to have. So, historically, you are simply mistaken in your view.

[norcofreerider604]

I agree that the British Crown did not have the same theory of Divine Right as the French or Spanish Crowns, but they still had a theory of Divine Right. As I already mentioned, the Magna Carta established that not even the King is above the law, but the Monarchy having its power limited by law (and not absolute) does not mean that the Monarch accepts the idea that we are born equal. It only means that the Monarch accepts that we are governed by laws, and nobody is above them.

[norcofreerider604]

Also, a commoner can not become the King or Queen of England. By nature of ones birth, certain positions can not be attained, and thus we are not born equal under the British Crown.

[B21983]

@norcofreerider604 that is probably your strongest point, but as I said, where one is born (Canada v. Zimbabwe or Haiti) is an accident of birth. Some people are born to wealthier families, some get "smarter" genes, others "handsomer/pretty" - all accidents of birth. Equality, in the Western Democratic sense, is not that we are all the same, or even that we can achieve the same things ( I will not become a supermodel, no matter how hard I try).

[B21983]

@norcofreerider604 I think you might be over analyzing or giving greater weight to the monarchy than its actually due. it is simply a part of Canadian history, and a part to be proud of. The freest, most liberal and prosperous countries tend to be constitutional monarchies. We all still have equal rights and dignity as human beings and citizens.

[therrydicule]

@B21983 Anyway, most Canadian don't want a constitutional debate... And, well, the monarchy is in our constitution. Don't open it for nothing.

[B21983]

@norcofreerider604 well to be fair, neither of us know what the Queen thinks about these issues - she is a dutiful constitutional monarch and thus keeps her political and social views to herself. She surely knows we are not all born of the same stature - but a person born in Canada, has an automatic 'privilege' over someone born in Zimbabwe. Both are accidents of birth, but that doesnt mean I can assume you think you're "better" because of it, nomore than you can assume that the monarchs thnk it

[LeJisemika]

Well I heard that William might take over because Charles had the divorce, but not positive on the full situation. But to be honest, even if Charles became King he won't for that long since he's getting old anyways, he'll have a short reign.

[kalenluck]

No more governor general and her high expenses, no more paid trips for royalty.

Abolish this, if anyone knows of a petition, website or group on this issue please post it

[principessadivalicia]

Why are we complaining about being on their B circuit? B is too close to the top of their list for my comfort. I'd like to slip down a little further on that colony list. Let them forget we're here at all, living out our peaceful lives with all our nice natural resources. Yup! Send us the fake prince in tights.

[philruddrocks]

YA HIP!!!!!

[SirFact]

A highly respected member of another country comes and visit. not matter who it is and where they are from I still say they should be welcomed.

Canadians are supposed to be nicer after all guys.

[icaru34]

"respected" is a seriously stretching it. The monarchy is completely obsolete and has no right to go around wasting either Canada's time and money or Britain's

[SirFact]

@icaru34 In time of great need they can be looked at for inspiration and courage.

[icaru34]

I'm not sure that owning hundreds of thousands of acres of land and costing millions of pounds per year to maintain is either courageous or inspirational

[SirFact]

@icaru34 if that is all you look for.

[icaru34]

well, what could they possibly do that's courageous? or inspirational? they're royalty, being courageous isn't their job

[SirFact]

@icaru34 You are thinking to simple right now for me to even bother explaining this. But , example, King George VI and his family stayed in London while being bombed, they too followed rationing restrictions. such a simple thing you may say. but this one act gave millions of people the hope to go on.

before you cringe your nose at something think twice.

[bladeere14]

i agree completly!

[rooftopeagle]

drunk guy in tights named gary LOL

[kidmecha]

HELL YEAH! I don't bend over for some family I have never met, who was born into wealth and didn't earn it.

[imaginetheresno]

Like it or not..we ARE part of the Commonwealth. I would MUCH prefer the British Forces come to our aid then the "ooops Friendly Fire" Americans. I (like MANY in Canada) are held ransom by "other's" need for THEIR heritage...are the English not entitled to their heritage? Their visits cost no less than any other dignitary visit....even that senseless Bush (pick either) when they come to "speak". I STILL can't understand why anyone would want to listen!

[konyers88]

The man speaks the truth !

[SuperChase101]

i totally agree. like always.

[LaurenAnyone]

I totally agree with Rick. Canada's a big country now. Do we really need England to look after us? And if so, can't we get royalty we actually care about to visit us? Like Harry or William, or even the Queen herself?

[humbersidehusky]

Yes, the Royals are a part of our Heritage and we wouldn't be a country without them, but that's the past. It's one thing to honour and respect them, it's another to grovel at their feet every time they feel like showing up.

When the Queen comes, everyone turns out to see her, but Prince Charles and Camilla are just kind of there.

[verbod]

@humbersidehusky

you are an idiot

[ANTIRACIST2013]

@humbersidehusky I could also say crooked politicians are part of our heritage, it does not mean I have to honour, respect and cherish that fact. What bothers me the most about visiting royalty,is that we have problems that could use the wasted tax payers money on, istead of wasting it on people who have billions in assets, and hundreds of millions more in currency. I think they should get real jobs and work and pay for everything, like the rest of us.

[Conchobhar]

@humbersidehusky Honour and respect? Their ancestors stole their wealth through oppression and slavery. That they exist at all is totally incongruent with modern values—values like equality, merit, hard work: things the royal family didn't need to gain the respect you want to keep lavishing them with.

The monarchy is a symbol of English, male, Anglican, and genetic superiority. We NEED to kick them out of government.

[Conchobhar]

@Conchobhar And, not only us, but England should be as invested in doing away with them. Maybe think about repatriating some of that land they didn't earn, too.

[artsfestoriginals]

@humbersidehusky no the queen still controls canada stupid

[enorabv]

@artsfestoriginals LOL!! You need to take a basic history course:)

[enorabv]

@humbersidehusky Huh?? You should get out more!We are a big ole country who don't need them or take anytime of day to consider them!!

[enorabv]

I sosooooo sooo agree on this topic I think it's one of biggest rants. So what to do? I think when the queen dies we take the opportunity to add a few dead Canadian public faces to our coins and stop sending the royals the monthly cheque for being the original oppressors of the natives and stealing the land. After all we are the ones paying the bills now.

[TheSomeone12389]

i like have Royals, but you know what he is right.

come on we dont want Cammille send us someone like harry send us the queen

after all we are her subjects

i like royals

but maybe they dont like us?

[bobbyjumper]

Ok, well I guess Im the only Monarchist to voice my opinions so far. I have to strongly disagree. The Monarchy is a large part of our history, and not only just our history but modern day Canada. It's essential to our everyday lives, no matter how much it appears to not play a part in it. Laws are passed in HM the Queen's name, She adorns the front of our coins and She gives our politicians their power. So Mercer as much as I love your genius (and your Hip reference) I must condemn your views.

[azngirlchibi]

Yes, it is a part of our history, but that's way in the past. Sure, the laws are passed in the Queen's name, but we all know it's just a formality. Does she actually write up our laws? Does she actually think about our laws? And does it really matter if she adorns the front of our coins? Is that supposed to mean something to me?

[nadiaboo1]

I agree with Mr. Mercer. It is time we grow up.

[B21983]

@nadiaboo1 time to grow up? Since when is it a sign of maturity to abandon one's parents and completely disregard one's history. If someone had told an Indian immigrant to Canada "oh, give up your religion and silly customs" - wouldn't you condemn them? I would. Why a double standard with Canada's own history and tradition?

[nadiaboo1]

I barely remember posting this comment, and who said anything about immigrant's?I do know there was a refference to Tragically Hip though...

[B21983]

@nadiaboo1 my point about immigrants was that, generally, and correctly, in our society, if a new immigrant to Canada was told to abandon all his/her traditions and customs (some should be abandoned of course, but not harmless ones), there would be condemnation as racist (I did make an assumption that you would also condemn that attidude). Well Canada's custom and tradition is, in large part, the Monarchy and should be respected and retained as such.

[nadiaboo1]

Why are you pestering me with your nonsuch,shoo you! I have bigger fish to fry(My attitude is exactly that, mine!).Take your chill pill, drink some wine,smoke your pot,whatever it is that you do to calm down just leave me alone!!!

[lestef23]

Well I was in Montréal to manifest against their coming here. They had to go through the garbage door! :P

[firefox858]

Oh, you were at the Black Watch Armory? You wanted a apology from him for the crimes that the brittish did to the french, after they took over "New France"? Or are you just some shit disturber? a Quebec Nationalist? dude, I don't know what you are but to laugh and feel proud about that makes you a jerk, Im not going to swear or call you names but really? Im sure Rick Mercer wouldn't support you. Those are his beliefs, but you can show your beliefs in a non violent way which that crowd did.

[lestef23]

La manifestation était pacifique, et nous l'avions averti de ne pas venir au Québec. Oui je suis indépendantiste et en complet rejet de la monarchie comme 79% des Québécois, et 61% des canadiens je crois.

Mes propos ont peut-être l'air d'une simple vantardise, je m'en excuse. Mais après s'être fait matraqué pour avoir militer pacifiquement, cette petite victoire (le faire passer par la porte d'en arrière), on la savoure!

[lestef23]

Je ne demande pas à Rick Mercer de nous endosser, mais on semble s'entendre sur le fait que la monarchie est vétuste, n'est-ce pas? :)

[nadiaboo1]

That's worth saying Hear Hear for! Ut's about time they get dirty!

[ThOverdrive]

we need to toss out the royals. What have the British done for us lately?

[123luck321]

could'nt agree more. time to get rid of the monarch and all the BS that goes along with it.

[JimGraham1973]

love it!

[IglooGirl1]

luv ya Rick & your rants :)