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1. 

   withnail
   

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   60 years ago on the 6th February 1952 Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II after her father died suddenly in his sleep. I know a lot of people think it strange that a modern democracy should still have a Queen as the head of State, but it has given a wonderful continuity to Great Britain and the 135 million people who live in Commonwealth countries. She is, after all the head of 16 United Nations countries.

   Political leaders come and go and Prime Ministers may swing between Left or Right wing, but still, above it all is our Head of State. It is a link between the distant past and the present, she still meets with the Prime Minister each week to keep up to date with what her Government is doing in her name. In the words of our National Anthem - Long may she reign over us.

   Albert Einstein said "I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgement in all human affairs"

   Posted 3 months ago #
2. 

   Lawrence
   

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   I have to admit I admire Queen Elizabeth II greatly.
   How do I put this?
   Her reign has been and is very deserving of celebration.
   Thanks for the post Withnail.

   
   My Pipe Slide Show
   

   Posted 3 months ago #
3. 

   juvat270
   

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   I have always been fascinated by English history and particularly the Monarchy. I agree with everything you said Withnail. I just couldn't imagine England without a Monarchy.

   As corny as this may sound, I have always considered the English as family, not just allies when it comes to the world stage. English history is American history.

   God save the Queen!

   Posted 3 months ago #
4. 

   withnail
   

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   Thanks for the positive posts I hope there always be close ties between the British and Americans, I think many in this country feel closer to America than we do the rest of Europe!

   As I said, the Queen isn't a political figure. When a official visitors from other nations visit, they are not visiting a Conservative, Liberal or Labour leader but someone that represents the country as a whole. Plus, only 3 more years and she will have been on the Throne for longer than even Queen Victoria! Some people here complain that the Royal Family is a waste of money, but she carries out well over 600 official duties a year and I do believe helps bring in tourists and goodwill from many nations. For an 85 year old, she keeps bloody busy!!

   Posted 3 months ago #
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   hnryclay
   

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   The history of the English speaking peoples is very intertwined. I have a great respect for the current Monarch, if not her family, or her line. I have always been interested in the monarchy, but very happy we are without it in the United States. That said,God save the Queen, and a cheer for her Royal Highness!

   Posted 3 months ago #
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   aussielass
   

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   Ha, I thought this was going to be another one of those, "Happy Birthday TO ME ...." threads, blaaargh.

   As one of her subjects (Australia), God Save The Queen. I loved the last movie they did about her, especially the scene with the huge Buck, you can just imagine her doing that.

   We had a Poll yesterday about whether it's "Time for Australia to Become a Democracy" - with sinking heart I voted "NO!" thinking I'd be in the barely registrable minority - to my bewilderment, the "No's" outstripped the "Yes's" by a country mile. Of course, my motives are entirely selfish, I like having the motherland there to come to our aid in times of trouble, not that she's not in diabolical & similar trouble to us at the moment, probably worse (read shores being invaded so it's "spot the Brit" or "spot the Aussie")

   Stats: Female "Proud Pretty Pipe" Smoker, lover of all things aromatic, especially mens' armpits!
   Technophobic fool who can't work out how to invite friends, so if you want to be mates with moi, you'll need to do the legwork involved, but only if you have a great SOH and don't dump on others!

   Posted 3 months ago #
7. 

   sherlock
   

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   I have the odd compulsion to read every book I can about British History. I even considered specializing in British History, but in the end it wouldn't do much for me living in the States. I'll smoke a bowel of good English tobacco in her honor. God save the Queen!

   Posted 3 months ago #
8. 

   frtimmyd
   

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   Not only is she a wonderful Sovereign but also a beautiful person and excellent Head of the Church of England. I wish I was British.

   Posted 3 months ago #
9. 

   Jud
   

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   As a person of Scottish descent, I feel compelled to point out that Her Majesty is Elizabeth II & I - second of England, but first of Scotland. "Good Queen Bess", aka Elizabeth I - did not rule Scotland - and Scots have no more reason to be fond of her than they have of her father. The dual nature of the monarchy is acknowledged by the royal family - Prince Charles is the Prince of Wales in other parts of the UK, but in Scotland he is His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay, heir to the throne of Scotland. The Scottish monarchy was never abolished, merely united with that of England when James VI of Scotland also took the throne of England on the death of the earlier Elizabeth - his first cousin, twice removed.
   These comments are not meant to disparage Her Majesty in any way - merely to point out the true situation.

   Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
   Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close
   Rudyard Kipling

   Posted 3 months ago #
10. 

    withnail
    

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    Sorry Jud - Of course you are right and as you say, the Queen is indeed Elizabeth I of Scotland and the two nations have shared a monarch since James VI of Scotland who also became James I of England and Ireland in 1603. Apologies for leaving that important detail out of my original post. Although with all the talk of Scottish independence since the last election, I wonder if that will still be true for much longer?

    Posted 3 months ago #
11. 

    Jud
    

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    I'm interested to see what will happen in that regard, myself. I have no idea what is best for Scotland. I would not be surprised if it was some looser form of confederation which, as I understand it, is what most Scots wanted before the Treaty of Union.

    Posted 3 months ago #
12. 

    tokerpipes
    

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    Klans knew how to run things...England kinda took that away from the Scotts.

    If you can't pack it, light it, and smoke it then why do it. It's a dieing art that must be rekindled in all of us as fortold by our forefathers.
    
    Words to live by for all pipe smokers.

    Posted 3 months ago #

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