Why does it matter so much that some people liked watching the wedding?

[Lyric]

I don't get the negativity. Prince William is very well-known and admired, even here in the USA. Royal weddings offer a glimpse of the pomp and ceremony of royalty that we, as a nation without royalty, rarely get to see. It's not exactly shocking that people would be interested in something that involves a famous public figure and a rare opportunity to witness the culture of another nation.

I wish he and Kate many happy years together.

:shrug:

[ellie]

1. Haters gotta hate.

[aikoaiko]

60. that's pretty much it.

[tallahasseedem]

62. Word. n/t

[blondeatlast]

75. Sums it up well. nt

[hfojvt]

81. is hate a bad thing?

http://ciangiff.wordpress.com/2011/01/13/jeremiah-odonovan-rossas-graveside-oration/

"This is a place of peace, sacred to the dead, where men should speak with all charity and with all restraint; but I hold it a Christian thing, as O’Donovan Rossa held it, to hate evil, to hate untruth, to hate oppression, and, hating them, to strive to overthrow them."

To some, Royalty is a symbol of oppression, of unearned privilege, of masses of people being distracted and enthralled by the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

I don't disparage the sentiment, just think it is a few decades behind the times.

[Maraya1969]

93. Royalty made have been that many years ago but it has changed. I was very

happy to hear the Kate and William asked that people donate to charity in lieu of wedding presents.

Good for charity, good for moral, good for a feel good feeling.

[tomp]

116. that's because they have more wealth than they could ever spend....

....and it's really god pr, which you seem to have bought into.

their wealth was stolen from their own people and from other countries through brutal violence.

people who think this is all so quaint and lovely and fairy-tale-ish might want to review history a bit.

there still is a british ruling class and those two are in it.

[canetoad]

107. Watching the wedding

is no more of an endorsement of oppression and unearned privilege than watching the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was support for China's human rights record.

[jumptheshadow]

108. Yes, exactly! (nt)

[skepticscott]

119. Or than watching Barack Obama's inauguration

was an endorsement of this country's oppressive military interventions around the world.

[The Straight Story]

2. some people hate folks who watch nascar, football, hockey, weddings

As far as I am concerned it makes me happy that others find joy in things as there is so much out there that does not bring us joy.

[KittyWampus]

8. I was going to post something like this- the total disdain many feel for the Wedding is how I feel

about the Superbowl. But I don't feel compelled to start threads about how stupid football is.

And I don't really care about the Wedding, either.

[calimary]

77. +1,000,000!

You took most of the words out of my mouth except the "And I don't really care about the wedding, either" part. But yeah, my eyes glaze over at talk of the Superbowl (or any other football-anything for that matter) and I don't bother watching. THIS I watch. Anybody who doesn't like it - you don't have to. But you're missing a great hoot of a party. And nobody feels it necessary to bang and crash into each other and knock each other down, either (so I guess it's not a big soccer thing today either, despite David Beckham being present).

And NASCAR? Oh please. I always like it when I complete one of those online Zogby polls and at the end there's a set of questions for them to figure out where to put your answers demographically. Besides the ones asking whether you're a church-goer or what your age and zip code are, and whether you're a regular Walmart shopper, they also ask whether you're a NASCAR fan. I'm always delighted to check off "NO."

[SidDithers]

21. +1...nt

Sid

[jbeing]

122. I love

your quote.

It's the perfect definition of a Teagagger and the people who bring them up to a boil.

Can I use send it to my friends and family?

As for the Royal Wedding: I thought it was a moment of joy, shared by a country. It has more meaning than what a Kardashian or Audrina or Mob Wives or Jersey Whore offer us.

As for oppression: Yes, it's true. Yes, it's inherent in ALL so-called civilized countries, religions and clans. But every now and then, we can take a breather from the grinding down of our morale. Think - Bob Hope USO - sometimes civilians need a break, too.

[BlueMTexpat]

40. Well said! nt

[blondeatlast]

76. Damn straight. Everyone's carrying at least a little desperation--a couple of hou'r respite from it

is good for ALL of us.

[DrDan]

3. as someone said on another thread - not hip to watch it

good luck to them

[panader0]

4. What I don't get is the very existence of the "Royals"

What good do they do? It's like as if Americans had the CEO of Exxon Mobile and his family on pedestals.

[Shadowflash]

6. The largest waste

of taxpayer pounds ever.

I wonder how many needy people could have been fed our housed for what that wedding cost?

[Myrina]

44. ... actually all of their wedding gifts are being distributed to charities.

n/t

[Shadowflash]

49. That's neat.

Thanks!

[calimary]

79. They also asked for donations to their favorite charities in lieu of wedding gifts.

Which is a lovely gesture. Besides, what could one possibly get for them as a wedding gift?

[obxhead]

132. And the 33 million for security?

Who's covering those costs?

All the money killing innocent flowers? How many mouths could that have fed?

The wedding gifts is hardly a ding in the overall cost and burden to the taxpayers that this wedding was.

[Lars39]

133. They're expecting about 10 billion dollars from tourism and such

from the event.

[MasonJar]

59. The royal family is a big asset to Britain. It increases the country's

tourism tenfold. The Windsors are England's biggest draw. The money they cost is well worth it.

[Zoeisright]

91. You do know that the $125 million or so the state pays the Queen and Prince Charles

generates billions of dollars in tourist revenue?

And that $125 million costs each British taxpayer $1.10.

[kaffy4x4]

106. Thank you for pointing this out

I've been reading a lot about the cost of the wedding to the country but can you imagine the money made yesterday by all the vendors, hotels, restaurants, street peddlers, traffic tickets, well the list goes on and on. Kate and William are a beautiful couple and I enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish.

[tomp]

117. so it's business, how lovely!

i wonder if that's what all the royal fans are thinking while they watch the fairy-tale.

[Horse with no Name]

95. Not to mention all of the storekeepers and merchants

who benefited from the business generated from the wedding.

I'd say it was pretty good for their economy. A far better investment than wars of aggression.

[jberryhill]

23. Same thing as Mickey Mouse at Disneyland

[Sedona]

109. ah hem

http://youtu.be/HJO0bzdjlng

part two

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1eP2V4CzkM&feature=related


part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1eP2V4CzkM&feature=related

edited to fix link

[hlthe2b]

5. Some have a near pathological need to feel "superior"

We see it on nearly every major (and minor) issue/event discussed here. There is no reason why those who enjoy watching the ceremonies should not do so without the nasty derision of some of our fellow Duers.

Feel sorry for them. They are very likely to be the most insecure people you could meet. :shrug:

[bluetex]

9. C'mon....

It's their culture. The Royals? They don't actually "do" anything. Ceremonial, mostly.

The Brits (most of 'em, anyways) don't have a problem with 'em....why should we? Like was said earlier....haters gonna' hate.

[hlthe2b]

12. And, why did you post this in reply to my post?

Totally out of context. :shrug: I'm not the one deriding the entire affair nor those who took pleasure in watching it. Perhaps you meant to respond to someone else?

[bluetex]

16. Oops...

My bad.

[snooper2]

22. Is DU bound to your hip? Watch the stupid wedding

"those who enjoy watching the ceremonies should not do so without the nasty derision of some of our fellow Duers"

You got dual displays running? DU on one side and the wedding on the other?

[hlthe2b]

26. Case in point for any who doubt the nastiness of some Duers...

See above. :eyes:

[snooper2]

34. you know, on edit

Do you always let random online messages on a message board distract you from enjoying something?

Say you are outside gardening...enjoying the breeze and the sun.

Do you pull up www.gardeningsucks.com on your I-Pad?

[sabrina 1]

45. Irony is NOT dead after all!

:rofl:

Why are you letting some random post on an internet forum get you so upset?

[JackRiddler]

127. It just ruins the wedding when anyone on the Internet is snickering over it, doncha know?

[Coyote_Bandit]

38. Feel sorry for them?

Uhhhhh.......no.

Some are little more than self-righteous bullies - completely deserving of the recognition of being added to my ignore list.

[Bluebear]

101. + + + + +

[pecwae]

113. You're right of course.

This phenomenon happens with regularity. The fact that a wedding in another country weighs so heavily on them is a desperate sign. With that insecurity comes fear, sadness and a sense of isolation. Those are the ones who deserve pity. There are some people who are eaten up with jealousy of others and some who are simply mean spirited and nasty. The problem is that those groups cannot usually be distinguished in an Internet persona.

[Logical]

7. I don't care but think it is silly. Like people who watch reality TV. I think it is a waste of time.

[KatyMan]

13. What do you do for entertainment?

I'm not terribly interested in the wedding, but I'm happy for people who are into that sort of thing, in the same way I'm not interested in the NBA finals, but people look forward to them every year, and more power to them. I think it's wrong to judge people by their entertainment choices.
My take on the wedding is if you're into this sort of thing, you'll love it. If not, don't watch it.

[Logical]

18. Opinions vary on all topics. That is why we debate stuff here. n-t

[KatyMan]

32. But it's not a debate

when folks get on this site and complain about Idol or NASCAR or whatever. People like that stuff--so what? I think comic books are dumb, but have a friend who likes them and collects them, and gets enjoyment from it, so who am I to say anything? I'm happy he has a fulfilling interest. Same with the wedding.
I'm not singling out your post, Logical, as it was just a comment, not a lambasting. Forms of entertaiment bashing around here is like Texas bashing--it's an undercurrent that makes the left look bad.

[Logical]

36. But that is like saying we should be more under standable of the GOP point of view....

and not complain about it. That is the whole point of any forum. You complain about stuff you do not like and try to explain to others why they are wrong. Should I be more understanding of the GOP voters? I think reality TV is a waste of time. But still like friends who watch it.

Thanks, but I didn't feel like you were singling me out. You are being very polite.

[KatyMan]

42. Thanks Logical

I think it's different than being undertandable about GOP points of view--I just can't get all that worked up about a tv show or other form of entertainment.
But to you, Logical, as Houston newsman Marvin Zindler used to say, "Have a good weekend - good golf, good tennis, or whatever makes you happy. ...

:)

[Spinny Liberal]

52. Thank you

That just about sums it up. People are into all sorts of things. For some, this is their Olympics. If it makes people happy, more power. There's enough in the world to hate and bitch about.

[sabrina 1]

46. I think it's a waste of time worrying about what total strangers

watch on TV once every thirty years or so.

[pnwmom]

103. Honestly, do you never waste time?

Never watch TV just for fun?
Never watch professional sports on TV?
Never play video games?

[CrownPrinceBandar]

10. I think the answer has many facets.........

I want to say at the outset that I am truly ambivalent about the whole thing. I can remember two other royal weddings before this and those mattered little to me as well. But looking at it sociologically, I can see some areas of irritation:

1) Like elie said haters are gonna hate. No matter what there will be people who will shit on anything. Its in some folks nature.

2) Some probably believe that during these economic hard-times, and in light of major wars, quelling of protests and true human dramas that the media should not be devoting large blocks of their coverage time to something that has relatively little import.

3) Finally, I also believe that some folks see this not as a fairy-tale glimpse into royalty, but as another upper-class slap in the face to the folks who are struggling to make ends meet. Sure, I've heard the royal couple is donating a bunch of their wedding proceeds to needy causes, but still the pomp and circumstance is grating to some that are really struggling themselves and also for those fighting for the less-fortunate.

But take this with as many grains of salt as you need. This is coming from a person who thinks American Idol is a waste of broadcast time. YMMV.

[Lyric]

31. Fair enough, but consider something else.

How much does a professional sports game cost, when you consider the salaries of all the players, officials, and managers involved? And they do thousands of those a year, as opposed to one royal wedding every 10 years or so. It seems to me that people waste a lot more money on unnecessary things like professional sports than they waste on royal weddings. But I don't see threads chastening people for watching the Superbowl every year because it's disgusting to spend that much when people are financially hurting. One or two people might make a comment to that effect, but it's uncommon--nothing like what we've all seen in reaction to the wedding today.

Hell, considering how much money America throws away just in wasted food every year, it seems pretty damned hypocritical to get up on our high horses and lecture Britain about "unnecessary excess" in a time of financial hardship. Or at least it seems that way to me.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

43. I agree.......

There's not much I can add to what you wrote.

[Stuckinthebush]

54. I think number 2 is the most common

Number 3 is the second most common.

I don't think the "haters" thing is really an issue. The other two are more likely. I, personally, am sickened by the non-stop coverage of this when so much is going on around the world that is truly news worthy.

[hifiguy]

11. Can't figure it out either, Lyric.

These events happen a couple of times a generation, and it's a big deal in Blighty. I don't give much of a hoot one way or t'other. It's not like the English royals are responsible for what's wrong in the world and they have more money than gawd, so it isn't as though the populace is getting stuck with the tab. And William seems like a decent enough duck. Good luck to the two of them.

[deutsey]

14. Yeah, while I don't care at all about the wedding, I also don't care if people want to watch it. n/t

[themadstork]

15. I don't really care about the wedding.

Being against it would involve giving it too much attention.

What I find weird is all the backlash against those who don't like it. Are they not allowed to not like something you enjoy?

[sufrommich]

17. How else are you going to know how much more superior they

are to the little people?

[JohnnyLib2]

19. Reminds me of the theme of fables, myths, literature for centuries--

the appeal will endure with or without thee and me....

Rec.

[robcon]

20. Some DUers promote a 'Puritan' ethic: we "shouldn't" enjoy the ceremony.

I enjoyed it a lot. That doesn't indicate I would prefer a monarchy in America.

[Raine]

30. EXACTLY, I guess we should all go around somber and dour

and never having fun or enjoying anything. Yup 21st century puritans.x( :puke:

[ScreamingMeemie]

74. I am, as we speak, making my grey sack cloth to begin wearing as

soon as possible. I shall throw out every diversionary object that I own...lest I be judged.

[Raine]

24. Some take pride in trying to take away the enjoyment some of us had watching it, killjoys..

That won't work cause I had a good time watching and sharing it with other DU posters who watched. :-)

[PVnRT]

25. I hate it being shoved in our faces constantly

A poll showed that only 6% or so of Americans really even cared about the wedding, yet, every single night on the news, there it was. It pre-empted all local news this morning (not fun if you're looking for a weather report). I read CNN sent 400 reporters to cover it. Why? Do we devote this attention to marriages involving the Swedish monarchy?

My problem is with the undue attention it's getting, in addition to my natural distaste of unnecessarily pretentious weddings. I don't care if people watch it or not, but I'm getting a little tired of others complaining about any of us who dare to mention that we don't give a shit about the wedding and are sick of hearing about it.

[Horse with no Name]

97. Yet 1/3 of the WORLD watched the ceremony

:shrug:

[JoePhilly]

27. I just don't want to HAVE to watch it. All morning, all channels ... hats, hats hats

I like to put the news on in the background while I work.

Not today. No news.

Just hats, and dresses.

[Arkansas Granny]

28. I don't understand it either. I'm not watching and haven't watched or listened

to any of the coverage leading up to the wedding, but it doesn't bother me at all that other people are fascinated with it. Like any young couple, I wish them a happy life together.

[Le Taz Hot]

29. Thank you!

I JUST logged on to DU and couldn't believe the hatred being spewed here. It's easy to see where the term "Ugly American" comes from.

It was a beautiful wedding and I wish them happiness throughout their years together.

[Raine]

33. Many of us who watched it and enjoyed it had some threads

of our own, we posted back and forth as we watched. We had a fun posting, the threads got very long but I think they have dropped off the front pages now.

[Le Taz Hot]

37. I'm glad to know that.

I'm apparently coming in on the tail end of things. The wedding started at 1:00 am on the Left Coast and I just couldn't keep my eyes open but I caught the highlights this morning.

[emulatorloo]

35. Dunno, William does a lot of good charity work. Kate isn't royality, and seems like a

cool young woman with good values.

All the US news pre-coverage is a bit much, but they don't control that.

[Zorra]

39. Instinctive horror at the thought of so many Americans glorifying the remants

of the monarchical systems of divine right privilege and absolute authoritarian rule that forced most human beings into abject subjugation and misery through a very long period of human history.

Our American forbears fought a bloody revolution against the most powerful empire in the world at that time to kick these people and this system to the curb and took extensive measures, like the Constitution, to keep them from ever having the power to enslave people again.

[Raine]

47. It was a wedding that people enjoyed watching.

Doesn't mean Americans are "glorifying the remants" of everything you went into. You're getting yourself all horrified at an event that was interesting for the spectacle but more because of seeing two people in love.

[Zorra]

53. We disagree, that's fine. If people are enthralled by the pageantry and luxurious excess

of a "royal" wedding financed by capital that was accumulated by oppressing powerless poor people for hundreds of years, and accumulated through the systematic imperialistic slaughter of indigenous peoples for their land and resources all around the planet, that's their right.

That's what we fought the King of England and his subjects for, to give people the inalienable right to watch royal weddings, or whatever else they wish, to the most reasonable extent.

Sorry if I find it all appalling. Monarchy disgusts me.

Would millions of Americans be so enthralled by watching the wedding of Mary Smith and Jane Jones of Peoria, Illinois, who are deeply in love?

Mary is a firefighter. Jane is a teacher of people with special needs.

The answer is no.

[Odin2005]

73. The British monarchy was purely ceremonial in 1776.

It was Parliament who was treating us like crap. You have fallen for the national mythology taught as "history" in elementary school.

[blondeatlast]

78. Best. Reply. Yet. Thank you. nt

[Odin2005]

80. You're welcome! I am annoyed by intelligent people regurgitating mythology as history.

[Posteritatis]

83. The high horse would work better were it not for the century and a half afterwards. (nt)

[defendandprotect]

102. Exactly--!! But, it seems "weddings" overcome "Monarchy" reality ....

This was a distraction for the British who are facing elite enforced "austerity" --

more starving of their health care system --

And it's a distraction for people all over the world!!

IMO, I think the reception it has from many DU'ers is frightening -- they've made

no excuses about it and only want to see it one way -- a lovely fairytale!!

You have to see it BOTH ways -- as an evil system based on wealth --

but an interesting couple -- attractive -- and especially for those of us who admired

Diana -- people we all wish well!!

And then throw in urgly shoes and funny hats -- well -- what can I say?

[pnwmom]

41. AND some people just enjoy watching weddings, period. It's just a bonus

when they come with silly hats.

:)

[Pooka Fey]

85. Kick.

:-)

[eShirl]

48. It's so quaint that they still have a monarchy in the 21st century

awwww!! :loveya: :hide:

[mountainlion55]

50. Evil Dynasty

500yrs of empire. Countless human beings killed for the royals enrichment. Just read some history of the royal family.
:smoke:

[Spinny Liberal]

51. Maybe it's the coverage? Or just cynicism?

I don't know. I enjoy it. Mainly to see her dress. It's nice to have a little break from a crappy reality.

[Blue-Jay]

55. I'm not interested in the royals one way or another.

Good luck to them and all that. I DO wonder why there has to be 50 fucking threads about the wedding, though.

And that's all I have said or will say about it.

[distantearlywarning]

56. Some people NEED to point out to others how superior they are.

Because being cynical and contemptuous of things like sports events and royal weddings is a great way to make sure everyone else around you knows exactly what a better-liberal-than-thou you are.

[JackRiddler]

87. You mean, the ones who feel superior by identifying with institutions of racism and imperialism?

[distantearlywarning]

105. Is this you?

http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-tel,429/

[JackRiddler]

125. I could respond by linking to a story about how bloodline "nobility" think commoners are DIRT.

Except that wouldn't be you. You don't get to be bloodline "nobility." To the bloodline "nobility," you and I are among the commoners whom they know to be DIRT. Their existence as bloodline "nobility" is predicated on the definition of them as the only real humans and you and me as DIRT. Subjects. Inferiors. Servants. Booty for plunder. That's what this institution is. They've been forced by democratic upheavals to adapt, and to play more of a circus for their privilege. But their definition as bloodline "nobility" involves you being DIRT.

[JackRiddler]

126. Yeah, some people NEED to pretend they are nobles by birth, and the rest are COMMONERS. Weird, huh?

[nadinbrzezinski]

57. Oh yes we do get to see it

we got an Elected Emperor... I mean that.

The Imperial Presidency is not unlike a man wearing purple and the pomp and circumstance is there... if different.

You get this very clearly when the Emperor visits any of the outlying provinces... like when I was in Mexico City and the current Emperor visited Mexico City.

Then you fully get it, the power of the Empire and the pomp and ceremony that goes with it.

By the way, the local press, who had been already for two in a row, (Bush and Obama) called it what it is... the power of a roman emperor.

[MasonJar]

58. Many Americans must forget that we have royalty too. It just isn't regal.

Ours have names like Trump and Koch and Bush.

[tallahasseedem]

61. I have no idea...

but I can say, without a doubt, that I loved it! Kate is beautiful and I look forward to ripping off her incredible sense of style for years to come!

[fishwax]

63. you can often see a similar condemnation of watching things like sports or reality tv (or tv itself)

I personally have no interest in the royal wedding, and have tended to change the channel in the past few weeks when stories about it began. Personally, I think the whole thing is silly, and I agree (in theory/principal) with some of the objections that people have raised about the spectacle itself. But I have several friends who have been interested, and I'm happy that they had fun watching it all this morning.

[bullwinkle428]

64. "I HAVE NOT OWNED A TV IN 25 YEARS; THEREFORE, ME >>>>>YOU!!1!"

:evilgrin:

Gotta LOVE those posts!

[fishwax]

65. lol -- indeed

Always good fun :rofl:

[Throd]

67. You mean this guy?

http://www.theonion.com/articles/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-tel,429/

[kiva]

66. I like blue.

How could you like blue?!?!

I just like blue, I think it's a good color.

I hate blue. Blue is the color of oppression, if you like blue you must agree with oppression.

Er, no, I just like blue. Why do you need to tell me you hate blue?

It's called freedom of speech! Why are you trying to take away my freedom of speech?!?!?

[in_cog_ni_to]

68. Especially the son of a great humanitarian, Princess Diana. Her son follows in her footsteps!

BOTH of her sons are involved in humanitarian work. I respect them for that. I loved seeing the wedding. It was beautiful....just lovely.

[madmom]

69. My take on this very controversial subject is...

I myself couldn't care less about the wedding, for those who want to watch it fine go ahead, but does it have to be on every freaking channel? At least give us a choice to NOT watch it if we want.

FWIW this will be my only comment on said subject.

[Liquorice]

100. It's sort of like the Super Bowl of weddings. And just like the

Super Bowl everybody gets all crazy, and people who don't like football complain that there's too much attention given to the game.

[Odin2005]

70. Some people think if you are not always thinking about serious issues you are a dumb sheep.

[Lucian]

71. I don't understand it either.

If you hate something, good. Hate it. Just don't be so goddamn negative to those who don't hate what you hate. Everyone has different tastes. Learn to love those differences.

[WatsonT]

72. There is a basic flaw in human nature that says: if person A is enjoying themselves doing something

that I myself would not enjoy I must intervene in some way.

[sarge43]

123. H. L. Mencken's definition of Puritanism

The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

[buddysmellgood]

82. It's an obscene waste of money while huge cuts are being made.

[wickerwoman]

89. It brought in a lot of tourist dollars

and the money stayed in the economy. It's like any big event (the Olympics, the World Cup, the Oscars)... it costs money but it can end up with a net profit. It's an excuse to pay people to polish up older buildings, crowd control, clean up, etc. Plus all the money they made selling tacky souvenirs, food, accommodation, and so on. And it sounds like the couple made the effort to buy British. The dress was a British designer, the cars were all British made and the ring was made from gold from Wales.

I'd be surprised if Britain lost money when you look at everything. And better to spend money on a big party than bombs.

[buddysmellgood]

136. Sounds good.

[pacalo]

84. I'll always love William & Harry because I thought so highly of Diana -- a class act.

[Zoeisright]

92. That's the way I feel about it too.

I think Charles is disgusting, and Camilla is a greedy opportunist and I think they both used Diana as a cover for their slimy affair.

[JackRiddler]

86. It doesn't. No one cares if you watched. It was being aggressively attacked with this bullshit...

for more than a week of so-called "news" during a time of upheavals, disasters and revolutions.

It is of course sad that people eat up this shitshow of glorifying hereditary monarchy, especially given the bloody and disgusting history of the British monarchy and the empire it stands for.

But I get it, no one cares about history or symbols or being brainwashed into respecting bloodline aristocrats. They just want to watch a show. Fine.

Which is why this show should have aired. On one channel.

[NYC Liberal]

88. Perhaps it's not about the specific people, but

about the whole idea of "royalty" in general. I think very few people here, if any at all, don't wish them a happy marriage.

[glinda]

90. I enjoyed it. Wishing them many years of health and love actually.

[lumberjack_jeff]

94. I hate ostentation. I hate celebrity worship. I hate bloodline monarchy.

This hater has definitely gotta hate.

[JI7]

96. the worst are the ones where people act like they are being oppressed

and how their being against the wedding makes them some working class hero. hhahahaha

[Zanzoobar]

98. Easy. Fairy tales are for morans!

CANNED RESPONSE #367.

[defendandprotect]

99. Well, it's not about "weddings" -- it's about Monarchies -- anything wrong there?

I mean if you don't get what's wrong with admiring Royals and Monarchy and their

wealth, then you won't get it --

And it's not a one way street -- people who have contempt for royalty/monarchy don't

automatically despise William & Kate -- many wish them well, I'm sure -- I certainly do!!

Especially out of effection for William's mother, Diana -- who came very close to putting

us all back on the right path!! IMO, that's why she is no longer with us.

Anti-war -- anti-landmines! Wow!

So -- you can't take for granted that a given equals another given -- it doesn't always

work that way!

[mackerel]

104. Spot on!

Can anyone explain the hat phenomenon?

[Capitalocracy]

110. No. No one can explain the hat phenomenon.

But that's certainly nothing new.

[defendandprotect]

134. Only hatred for women could explain those hats - or shoes -- !!

And in the case of Beatrice and Eugenie -- why weren't they stopped?

Their Dad -- who knew something about lovely women -- should have -- but

would they have believed him?

Didn't much care for his military look, either!!

[Capitalocracy]

111. Exactly. I don't have a problem with anyone who actually wants to see it...

as a lot of people seem to imply in this thread. I have a problem with it being the only thing on TV, and I find it repulsive because I hate, hate, HATE the concept of monarchy and can't understand how ANYONE in the modern world can declare themselves a king or a prince and not end up in a mental institution.

But if you want to watch it, more power to you.

[defendandprotect]

135. Agree -- and US used to kind of make fun of the royals -- bowing to them -- jewels, etal ...

Ironically, Diana brought a great onslaught against monarchy --

but the rise of the right held firm, it seems -- and played themselves as

the "underdogs" -- as far as I can figure it out!!

And, even more ironically, the word PALACE should immediately bring to mind

conspiracy, spies, plots and evil doings -- but many here so fear the word

conspiracy that they move into a "LA, LA, LA Zone" -- of see no evil, hear

no evil, speak no evil!! Same with our own country!! Hugely naive, imo.


Also think the British look at the Crown as a money-maker for them -- which

takes some of the sting out of it -- ????

:)

[sendero]

112. My first post on the subject..

.... I don't hate the royals and I'm anything but an anglophobe, quite the opposite.

My beef is this - all the major networks WASTED air time on something that is simply not important. It JUST ISN'T.

The world is falling apart and we don't get news we get bread and circuses, 24/7.

[gleeindc]

114. Agree with media distraction comments

When The Nation noted that only 6% of Americans were interested, I didn't wondered why 99% of the media gave it huge coverage, it fits into the newsertainment genre. Let's not even go to the invitation to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Ali al-Khalifa. Sure, he's their ambassador, but he was also head of his country's National Security Agency. And others--invited and not invited made news: Turkey's Hurriyet Daily News noted: "The guest list for Britain's royal wedding has sparked controversy after monarchs from countries with poor rights records were invited but two former British prime ministers were not."

[Stevenmarc]

115. Perpetual Poutragists will always find something to piss on.

[etherealtruth]

118. It doesn't

I didn't watch a moment of it .... I also didn't watch the Superbowl .... I've never watched American Idol .... but, I've been fascinated by many things "others" would consider a tremendous waste of time and energy .... We all do.

I don't fully understand why some need to "poo" all over someone else's enjoyment?

[Historic NY]

120. I enjoyed the cousins wedding..........

the is a American blood in the royal line his great great grandmother was an American on his mother side.

[Gman]

121. It's just the same people that hate religion and hate Obama

And anything else people like. They're miserable people themselves and can't stand it if something makes others happy.

[obxhead]

124. I simply do not think it needed to be a leading news item for the last

2 weeks.

Had it been kept to entertainment tonight and shows of that nature, sure no problem. The fact that every news network, even local news shows lead with the damn story really infuriates me.

Pile onto that all the people that were based in London somehow being given the task of reporting on the storm disasters of the south. It was absolute nonsense.

[JackRiddler]

128. No, it was necessary as a means of reinforcing the values of nobility over common dirt...

and distracting people from anything that matters in their own life.

[lonestarnot]

129. I watched the horses and looked at the hats and turned it off for about the next week.

[Danchi]

130. Why does it matter so much that some people liked watching the wedding?

First of all I wish them well-Blessings to them.  That said my
disgust is not with the couple but the whole industry and
stalking of these two ever since the engagement was announced.
 Yes, the Wedding watch provided revenue for the country of
Britain whose economy is in no better shape than the US.
However the US media and major media outlets have spent
hundreds of thousands of dollars to "cover" the
event from beginning until.....
It doesn't end here.  Next the media will be on baby watch and
I read last night the rumor that Kate is pregnant.  Who knows?
The US media outlets are reporting it.  To put this in
perspective, how much coverage did President Obama's health
care reform receive in 2009-10 when the Democratic's were
having town hall meeting attempting to expose the lies of the
death panels, vouchers, eliminating medicare etc?  The town
hall meetings that were balanced and didn't have paid
antagonist were not covered by the media, only liberal &
progressive TV and internet venues coverd them. The town hall
meetings that were explosive and disruptive by the paid
antagonist of the Koch Brothers on behalf of the Republican
Party were splashed everywhere in the US and abroad. This was
a daily report on most channels.  How much coverage are the
town hall meeting that are being held by Republicans who are
being nailed to the wall by their
constitutes,liberal,democratic,progressive,republican &
teabaggers receiving on media outlets around the world? The
release of Obama birth certificate was covered but did the
media outlets here in the US rebut the Daily Mirror's article
on the President's father:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1381444/Barack-Obamas-father-serial-womaniser-warned-stop-playboy-ways.html
'A slippery character': President Obama's father was a serial
womanizer who had to be warned to stop his 'playboy
ways".  Faux went ballistic on this. The major media
outlets have been stationed in England, in front of Buckingham
Palace for over a week to cover the event and the airwaves
& internet were saturated with it because no outlet wants
to be outdone by another so it was, in my perspective
nauseating.  Especially when US outlets are reporting on the
devastating tornadoes in the South while sitting in front of
Bucking Palace decorated in celebratory decorations. I'm a
little strange but I found that disturbing considering I have
family in those areas and communication has been on and off. 

I've heard comments about watching was a great distraction and
that's OK for a few hours but this has been going on for 6
months, starting with the pre-engagement coverage. Here in the
US do we really need to take our eyes off the ball, especially
with the Republican Governors joining forces to destroy the
democratic base by removing a major source of revenue-the
unions. Here in Michigan we can't afford the luxury of a
distraction. If we take a deep breath something else could be
wiped away by Snyder.

Perspective.  I think what most people who are not enamored of
the wedding just would like the world press & people in
the US to put things in perspective.  There are so many other
things going on.  Things that the couple never have to worry
about and have no connection to.  Especially in America.  Some
people yes hate the fantasy of the wedding and some of us just
want to maintain balance and keep the focus-always on what we
are faced with.  A day of this is fine but like I said in
terms of the attention it has received, it's been going on for
6 months.  The only other thing the media has placed that much
attention on is the "where is the birth certificate"
crazies.  

[Autumn]

131. Why do so may people like football, baseball

or any other, one could say, "stupid sport"? :shrug: People like to complain. I really enjoy all the pomp and pageantry and I think Harry is such a sweetie and hope William and Kate have a wonderful life together. The Queen is awesome too. It's interesting and fun to watch and I really enjoyed the sermon and readings. The last time I heard a sermon was for Princess Dianas funeral.