Watching a network promotion on Global Television the other day, we learned the details of the network’s royal baby watch in England. The watch is orchestrated under the aegis of the network’s Entertainment Tonight program. This is the program that is constantly promoted on the network’s newscasts for those concerned about the gossip of the courtesans and glitterati of Hollywood and beyond.
But then the news switched to the story of the death watch in South Africa for that nation’s Nelson Mandela. South Africans are torn in awaiting news of their former president. At 94, he is failing in health and stamina. As much as they wish him well, many of his people recognize that his time has ended. It makes an interesting counterpoint to the watch in England.
You cannot help but think of the remarkable achievement of Mandela in uniting his country in a bloodless revolution. After decades of mistreatment by the former regime, Mandela displayed forgiveness and transitioned his country to a one-man one-vote democracy. He inspired a country, a continent and the rest of the world.
And what have any of the royals done for you lately? In England, they at least lend some pomp and ceremony to tourism. They launch ships and open shopping malls. They lend their names to charities. Other than that, they are drones, living off Brit society on a permanent dole. It is nice that a couple of the kids have learned to fly helicopters for the Brit military but there are many qualified Brits who could do the job for less.
Think of Nelson Mandela and the leadership he gave his people and compare that to any royal from the last 400 years. Back then kings and queens and tribal leaders lasted as long as they led their subjects to better hunting grounds.
Why Canadians would have the time of day for any royal, lord or lady, we have never figured out. In a democratic society, it is the people who excel in their endeavours whom we respect. Be they leaders in politics, in the community, in helping others, in business, in education, in the arts, we respond to them for their achievements, their ideas, their compassion for others and being, ahead of anything else, a good citizen.
In Canada, we must learn to honour those who are the best among our citizens. There is no higher rank.
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Copyright 2013 © Peter Lowry
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