Disrespect of the Highest Degree

We all hear, and are told, to be weary of the things we read on the World Wide Web. It is fair to say, such is the opinion of people, and rightly so, as there are many people with net access, and just as many varying opinions. It is possible to read of one's objective stance on a particular issue. It is just as possible, however, to read of one's biased, and narrow- minded opinion, on another.

For those who know me, and those who i've told, i am, in part, (mainly from the Greek part), an Imperialist. Loyalty to God, King, and Country. To some this may be childish. To others, foolish, to others it may be something they understand and also hold. Regardless, this is a belief i hold. I believe that monarchy is not such a bad thing. I believe that monarchy is something of importance, even in today's society. At the very least, monarchies still in existance today are all constitutional, most of them are anyway. The respect and the ceremony is all still there, in a way. Some, in fact, still enjoy the idea of monarchy. I do. I am a citizen of a nation apart of a commonwealth, under a constitutional monarchy.

I have always been fascinated by the history that sourrounds royal families, and royalty. Particularly, if no one has noticed, the Imperial and Royal Families of: Greece, Russia, and Great Britain. This is my trinity of "Royal Passion". Whilst i can see that Australia will become a republic, in the future, i still believe that politicians such as Prime Minister Rudd, and Oppostion leader Turnbull, inflict a great insult on the Monarchy of England. Sure, this is a serious issue that must be addressed. However, pictures of Prime Minister Rudd have circulated in the media; Drapped in the Australian flag with the title: "Rudd Republic" underneath, a wide grin on the PM's face, as though he has something to be proud of.

I have no problem with the issue being placed atop the national agenda, if it must be. I do, however, contest the display of such images, which clearly disrespect the monarchy that governs this nation. A Prime Minister of Queen Elizabeth's is her adviser. He/ She is the one entrusted to govern the nation on behalf of the Queen. Such images take advantage of the priviledge Prime Minister Rudd has been given. He drapes himself in the flag that many have died under, and with a grin, attacks the monarchy for which he works. What can one extrapolate from such disrespectful displays? The Prime Minister, the Queen's advisor, the man chosen by the people of Australia, is not happy with the power he alreay obtains. Being the Prime Minister is not enough for Prime Minister Rudd. He is searching for more. He, and Liberal leader Turnbull, are looking for how to become the last Prime Minister of Australia and the first President of the Republic of Australia.

I thought such socialist activity ended with the appaling murder of the Imperial family of Russia; Tsar Nikolas II and his family. However, i can see a modern revolution taking place, lead by noneother, than the man i call the Prime Minister of Australia; the man who is leading my country at the moment. I doubt i can i do a better job, however, i will not doubt the lack of respect and loyalty this Prime Minister has for the monarchy that he is still under.

As if this were not enough. Recently, while researching information on the Greek Royal Family, i fell into wikipedia. It was interesting to read a debate taking place between some of the monitors of the site. The dispute was over the title of Constantine, the Former King of Greece. Most sites will use this title when refering to the exiled King. However, there are some which use the variations: "Constantine, the King of Greece", and "Constantine, King of Greece".

The fairest argument put forward was: Constantine was the King of Greece. Although, he is no longer the King. Thus, he should not be given the title: the King. Having ruled the country for a period of time, and having been exiled by a false, and undemocratic referendum; the argumentor was undecided whether Constantine should remain to be called: King of Greece. Seeing as the country was now a democracy, and not a monarchy, he/ she concluded simply, no. Hence, the title: "Former King of Greece", was the most appropriate. It described the circumstance for which Constantine was no longer the King of Greece, yet allowed him the respect he is still due.

What really angered me was that some person had the audacity to hold the belief that he should loose all title/s offered out of respect. "He is no longer a King, even though he was. So he shouldn't need any title. He rules no country, so he's not a king." The only response i had to that statement, not being a monitor i couldn't respond however, is: Queen Elizabeth II's mother, the Queen Mother, was known as "Queen Elizabeth", even though she no longer wore the crown, or sat on the throne of England. What makes this case different to Constantine's, that some person should believe he should not be offered some sort of respect?

In the end the reality is that there are still monarchies in existance. Whilst their power and control has deminished, they still play a role in reminding people how society was once ordered. The royalty, when coronated, do so before the people of the nation, and sometimes, before the world. Some may not think much of the rituals and ceremonies. However, others, myself included, see that somethings, such as the coronation of a King or Queen, has theological meaning behind it. When a King or Queen is coronated, they kneel before a Holy Altar of God and vow to protect and serve the people of the nation with justice and fairness and mercy, for all their life, however long or short that may be.

Some people disregard such statements, others just don't care. I, however, and a few others, see that this is something our leaders don't do. Prime Minister Rudd didn't kneel before an Altar and make such an oath, such a promise. In fact, i didn't see the Prime Minister, and his cabinet, sworn into office. In some countries, the coronation of a King or Queen is a national holiday. The Prime Minister of my nation is sworn into office, and i hear of it on the evening edition of the news. I believe that to attempt to remove a King or Queen, in the way that Prime Minister Rudd has attempted to, is disrespectful. Regardless of the fact that such a thing will happen, he does not have to encourage, and add his personal beliefs to, the situation. Such a disgusting and disrespectful display that contests the presence of a constitutional monarchy, to me, is something of a modern revolution. Prime Minister Rudd and extremely proud republican, Turnbull, are just as bad as the soviet socialists. They haven't murdered, yet. However, the low tactics, and over- Australian patriotic speeches they've both given on the subject, are better than murder.