No, I'm just making a different point.

I admit that it's actually just a distraction from the pretty awful daily grind most of us currently have. The monarchy in the UK is essentially ephemeral - it presents pageantry and power, but possesses no actual constitutional power worth a damn. I find it amusing that people banging on about a republic don't seem to realise having one will actually change pretty much nothing at all in any concrete way. You'll still get the option to vote for a government every so often, you'll still pay taxes. Whether William is single, married or even exists makes absolutely no measurable difference whatsoever to your circumstances or my circumstances. I think the media went over the top on it but then they do that all the time. Making a mountain out of a molehill seems to be their current raison d'etra.

The argument I am making is that that rarified issue is no good reason to stop lots of people having a good time. It's there, why not use it as an excuse? Why does the news programme only have to be filled with 'real important stuff' when the real important stuff is unremittingly bleak and horrible? Lots of things happened yesterday, some of them are nice, some of them are not. Why is it somehow worthy to only report the nasty ones? Why is suffering somehow more valid reportage than joy?

I'm not actually bothered whether prince William is single or not. I wish them happiness, as I'd wish any other couple on earth who had made the decision they have. But I think we've all become so worn down by the negativity we're surrounded by on a daily basis that some of us no longer seem able to rise above it.

Two people announce they are very much in love and want to get married and what are the first reaction?
'Oh it'll be too expensive', 'Why am I being told this? I don't know them', 'Ah, it's obviously a consipracy to hide bad news isn't it'?' What, like they suddenly feel the need to hide bad news anyway? Isn't that pretty much all we've had for about the last year?

Sometimes, a thing is just what it appears to be. Sometimes, looking for a good thing to take your mind off all the bad things is actually a good idea. Sometimes, just sometimes, isn't it possible to let people be happy for a while without somebody saying "well, you all know it's going to be [LIFTED] again tomorrow, don't you"?

Jon

<rant>

As for the wedding, yeah whoopee do; two twenty-somethings are getting married, it happens on a daily basis. Frankly I'm more interested in the neighbour's wedding, but UK taxpayer PLC isn't footing the bill for that.

And they are not paying for this one either.

Oh really? Is Tesco sponsoring?

If we had an elected presidency the same as they have in France say, it would just be one more place for political infighting and self-aggrandisment. if we're going to have a non-monarchic head of state, I'd rather had one that wasn't just another politician, to be honest.

They would be chosen by the people, that's the point.

I have no confidence whatsoever in the ability of 'the people' to choose

If we're going to change our constitution (which being a republic would actually involve) I'd prefer us to sit down and figure what gets us the best person to lead, rather than just keeping the system which, for the last 20 years, seems to have given us whichever incompetent idiot in an expensive suit has the sharpest spin doctor.

I'm sorry, I'll stop you right there. What right do you have to make that judgement about everyone else and for everyone else?

It's a bit hypocritical for the UK to try and promote "democracy" (whatever that is in reality) when the UK has an unelected Head of State that is only there out of breeding.

We're arrogant to promote democracy full stop. We've got no right to tell other people how they should govern themselves and, as I say, given it's a system that's recently brought such luminaries to power as George W Bush and Sylvio Berlusconi, I think anyone else we suggested it to would have every right to laugh in our faces.

It's all a scam! The British mug manufacturers have been quiet for a few years and want some more business! </Bill Bailey>