The Queen’s Birthday: What does it mean to me?
Mon 12 Jun 2006The Queen’s birthday: Australia’s least significant public holiday, celebrated today (June 12) in eastern Australia, on October 2 in Western Australia and on April 21 by Betty Windsor herself.
Of course, we good Republicans aren’t really taking the day off. (For American readers, that’s “Republican” as in “Not Monarchist”. Not to be confused with “Republican” as in “George Bush fan-boy”.) No, unfortunately our Prime Minister has turned us all into tax collectors and we are busy bashing our BASs into shape for the approaching end of the financial year.
But what does it mean to me?
The Queen’s birthday is the day I’m reminded that I have yet to forgive John Howard for his cynical manipulation of the 1999 Republic Referendum question.
The full horror of what John Howard has done to us was driven home in the last second of the 2003 Rugby World Cup final. England’s star Jonny Wilkinson booted that magnificent drop-goal in extra-time to defeat Australia. And there, in the grandstand, was Prince Harry, grandson of the so-called “Queen of Australia”, cheering Australia’s defeat.
June 12th, 2006 at 16:44
haha!
Yeah, that Prince Harry. Shocking he is 
You kind of have to admire His Machiavellianness the PM for his masterful manipulation of the Republican debate. And his innocent expression when questioned on the fact that the Republican model he was promoting was the one model that didn’t actually allow us to directly elect the President. “But, but, but,” he sputters. “That’s still a Republic!”.
pfft. What a jerk-off. 
June 15th, 2006 at 1:41
It seems difficult for Prince Harry to say anything politically savvy or tactful with that big, ole shiny, silver spoon in his mouth.
June 15th, 2006 at 23:40
Poor Harry, he cannot help having been born into a family whose job is to act as ambassadors for British trade and industry, to the detriment of Australia’s at times. British taxpayers have to get some bang for their buck, er pound.
One good thing about him is his part-time job. I too was an armoured cavalry troop leader when I was his age. I like to think I was a bit less of a boof-head, though.
November 15th, 2006 at 21:18
Viva le Republique!
November 15th, 2006 at 22:46
G’day Aurelius,
It’s always good to meet another Republican in the blogosphere.
Now I only studied French for 1 year in high school. Is it “Viva le Republique!” or “Viva la Republique!”? I always get tricked by these nouns which are supposed to be either masculine or feminine.
And speaking of schoolboy language studies, I studied Latin for 3 years but that was 40 years ago. Let me have a go at your sub-title: “Everything we do in life is reflected in eternity?” Was I close?
March 27th, 2008 at 23:16
I think you will find that it is ‘Vivent La Republique’ or ‘Vive La Republique’.
Anyway..that aside, I definately think that you should drop the Queens birthday public hol..keep workin you lazy bludgers!! as you already have an Australia Day, don’t think that you should sneek in another public hol either!
Become a Republic by all means..I used to be a ‘monarchist’ I now find that I have no time for them. But honestly,what is the alternative? the thought of another Bush, Clinton or Billary running around is too awful to bare..or a Sarcozy & his naked wife for that matter! (I can read your mind as I type this Mike)
Greetings from somewhere in France..that’s a Republic you know!
Jools
March 28th, 2008 at 0:09
Thanks for the French lesson there Julie. Now I know. Yes Presidents have to choose their spouses carefully.
Joke from the days of Bill Clinton’s presidency:
Bill & Hilary are driving across Texas and stop at a gas station. The attendant is Bobby-Joe, an old boyfriend of Hilary’s. As they drive away, Bill says to Hilary, “It’s a good thing you didn’t marry Bobby-Joe or you would now be the wife of a gas station attendant.” Hilary replies, “Ah, No. If I had married Bobby-Joe, HE would now be President of the United States.”