That’s the rationalization that former Secretary of War Donald Rumsfeld used to justify overthrowing dictators in the name of spreading Democracy, but doing nothing about getting rid of “Kings” or “Emirs” who happen to be our friends – we need to respect their cultural heritage and tradition based on a genetically transmitted right to rule.
Video from Kilmeade & Company (10:00 into the clip)
First, England does not have a King – not for my entire lifetime – King George VI died in 1952. England has Monarchs – Queen Elizabeth II has been Queen of the British Commonwealth (not just England) since 1952, 17 years longer than Muamar Qadaffi has been ruler of Libya.
The Magna Carta in 1215 established that the rule of the King was not absolute and laid the foundation for representative government of a Parliament later that century. While the House of Commons is elected, the House of Lords mostly consists of inherited seats. We broke away from England because we didn’t want kings appointed by God and titles of nobility. 230+ years later, we have a former U.S. Government official saying there is no conflict between Democracy and having Kings.
No wonder the world is in such turmoil. Did he not think the Saudi family expected to be thrown out by the Bush Doctrine?
(Yes, I know the Department of War was renamed in 1949)
The Greater London telephone directory lists some 316 Kings. There ARE kings in England. I was even friends with a king while I served in Okinawa. He was an O4, a Major King.
But your point is well taken. It’s late and I’m cranky.
Are any of them named Rodney?
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