No-one can accuse me of lacking in humour but as others have said, enough is enough, Roy. I speak as a colonial, one whose direct ancestors left Yorkshire in 1635 (and Norfolk in 1638 and Wiltshire in 1634) precisely to search for a better life in the American colonies (and no, they were not indentured servants or criminals being exiled). A colonial whose patriotism today is every bit as strong today as her ancestors who were members of the same militias that fought the British for independence, one of whom, Nathan Hale is long remembered for his famous words just before he was hung by the British as a spy in 1775: "I regret that I have but one life to give to my country." Despite our differences, however, Americans have always had tremendous respect for the British monarchy and yes, we do love pomp and circumstance. But then, we love tradition. People like Roy lought to poke fun as this idiosynchratic side of republican Americana. We may not have a monarchy. We have politicians and politicians come and politicians go, with all the vicissitudes of their "craft", but we have our flag, the iconic representation of our patriotism. For all our failings, however, we do not laugh at other countries' patriotism nor at those who inspire it, such as their monarchy. This colonial spent the last four days glued to Sky TV and the BBC transmission of the Jubilee celebrations, with interest, some amusement and certainly no disrespect. How can one disrespect a people who, in the midst of all of today's economic adversity, can produce such a stirring scene as the group of young singers who, soaked to the skin and shivering with cold, proudly stood on the deck of the last barge to sing Land of Hope and Glory (a tune that always brings tears to my eyes) not once, but twice at least, in honour of their Queen and country. Who could not be stirred by the very human emotion of the Queen bravely holding back her tears when, at the end of the fabulous concert, Prince Charles referred to his father in hospital? One may or one may not believe in the monarchy, one may prefer a totally secular government, but to deride the Queen and all that she has stood for, at this time of celebration, is unpardonable. She, too, might easily say that she regrets that she has but one life to give to her country. As to her family, I am sure that when the time comes, should it come, they will do their duty to the best of their ability. Roy delighted in cutting the "royals" to moral pieces, but if one can believe all that has been reported and written in the British Press over the past 60 years, politicians have proven to be no better from a behavioural and moral sense, and, in many cases, far, far worse. So let's put a lid to this discussion and get back to something constructive - family history and genealogical research. Magdalena A New Hampshire Colonial and proud of it -- *MAGDALENA GORRELL GUIMARAENS* *Member of Council for the Portugal Region* *AIIC* *- International Association of Conference Interpreters* www.aiicportugal.pt prt-region-councilmembers@aiic.net<http://prt-region-councilmembers.aiic.net/> *MGG *m.gorrell@aiic.net http://www.mgorrell.eu tiltonpt@gmail.com *Membro da Direcção Nacional do SNATTI* Sindicato Nacional da Actividade Turística Tradutores e Intérpretes http://www.snatti.com <http://www.snatti.org/> AIIC Mail - A service provided by the International Association of Conference Interpreters --- http://aiic.net

>From Magdalena's message on 7/6/12 " We may not have a monarchy. We have politicians and politicians come and politicians go, with all the vicissitudes of their "craft", but we have our flag, the iconic representation of our patriotism." Which, I believe, was based on the Family Crest of the Washington family (as can be seen in Selby Abbey) - good Yorkshire stock. Pam in cold Queensland :-)