...the UK would readily accept a Gaddafi-like dictator if it meant an extra bank holiday and more bunting in the street. Especially if they made them feel fuzzy and vaugely patriotic, for not doing anything.
We could have huge debates on how the Sisterly Leader of the Union Revolution brings in fifty gajillion dollars of revenue from tourism each year (while ignoring that the Palace of Versailles frequently gets visitors in such numbers they have to shut down entry before midday, and no-one at all lives there). We could bestow ridiculous titles on the various bastard offspring of the dictator, and give them plush jobs where they waste public money in positions they are entirely unsuited for. And we could get police to thrash anyone who is being insufficiently cheerful near the public celebrations. The state-run TV station could then run wall-to-wall, propagandistic coverage of the whole thing, using terms which would make Goebbels blush insincerely.
If a third world nation acted like we are now, we'd call it a cult of the personality and start the calls for regime change.
Seriously though, if the French want to impose their model of government on us, I'm fully willing to go along with that program.
Quote from: Cain on May 30, 2012, 07:47:23 PM
...the UK would readily accept a Gaddafi-like dictator if it meant an extra bank holiday and more bunting in the street. Especially if they made them feel fuzzy and vaugely patriotic, for not doing anything.
We could have huge debates on how the Sisterly Leader of the Union Revolution brings in fifty gajillion dollars of revenue from tourism each year (while ignoring that the Palace of Versailles frequently gets visitors in such numbers they have to shut down entry before midday, and no-one at all lives there). We could bestow ridiculous titles on the various bastard offspring of the dictator, and give them plush jobs where they waste public money in positions they are entirely unsuited for. And we could get police to thrash anyone who is being insufficiently cheerful near the public celebrations. The state-run TV station could then run wall-to-wall, propagandistic coverage of the whole thing, using terms which would make Goebbels blush insincerely.
If a third world nation acted like we are now, we'd call it a cult of the personality and start the calls for regime change.
Seriously though, if the French want to impose their model of government on us, I'm fully willing to go along with that program.
You guys had about 1500 years of Gaddafi, didn't you?
Pretty much, though I will say in defence of Alfred of Wessex, he at least did not insist on bunting.
Quote from: Cain on May 30, 2012, 07:50:46 PM
Pretty much, though I will say in defence of Alfred of Wessex, he at least did not insist on bunting.
And I'm pretty sure Vortigern didn't give a FUCK if the peasants felt British.
I strongly suspect this is the original purpose of the bunting - so you can hang yourself when it all gets too much.
Quote from: Cain on May 30, 2012, 07:57:38 PM
I strongly suspect this is the original purpose of the bunting - so you can hang yourself when it all gets too much.
I always thought it was to distract people from realizing that their political rally is being held in a dumpy middle school gymnasium.
what's bunting?
Quote from: Twiddlegeddon on May 30, 2012, 08:19:51 PM
what's bunting?
Google images. It's easier than explaining it.
I am fucking sick of union flags on everything from cupcake cases to paper fucking plates, t-shirts and other assorted tack'n'tat and fucking BUNTING.
EVERYTHING IS DIAMOND JUBILEE FUCKING THEMED.
:mumbles something about double-dip recession, slash-and-burn public services cuts, spending hideous amounts of money on a fucking unelected head of state and the fucking Olympics making poor people in London live in illegal sheds:
I shall get drunk on Pimm's, though, if I can wrangle up the money to do it right.