Thank you as always. Queen Elizabeth. Why are we so fascinated with English royalty? I know part of it is because it's in the DNA of many of our ancestors who came to this country from England and then fought against them to win their independence, just like when we leave our parents home. And also for those of us who have some Cherokee ancestry, we also have English ties, as the two were great allies.
When I was very young, I remember watching the coronation of Elizabeth and thinking what a lot of ceremony, robes, crowns, etc. to go through. But I too will miss her.
Steve Bannon can rot with his buddy trump. It would be so wonderful never to see or hear about either of them again.
And Miss Lizzie and her winnings. OMG!! When I read about it, I was appalled. And for the bank employees to tell her the check was fraudulent is beyond the pale. And then to put out the statement they did. Just disgusting. Good for Miss Lizzie not to be intimidated by them and to go to another bank where she was welcome. I'm sure there will be repercussions from this blatantly ugly racist treatment of her.
I will miss the queen. I do think there must be a sort of odd comfort to have had the queen be a steady ship through 15 prime ministers. Even if people felt like too much was changing or things felt out of control, she was there. She was consistent. And, I do admire her ability to carry on even when her family was embroiled in scandals.
There is the ugly side of the history of the monarchy, but one could argue we have a similar ugly past. We don’t have a monarchy, but we certainly have “old money” families, many of which built their fortunes on the backs of others, who have exerted enormous influence. Yet, we pat ourselves on the back as if that’s okay because they don’t have an official title of lord, duke, prince, etc. But, they wrap themselves in furs and jewels and move in a rarified world that most of us will only glimpse in movies. And, they pass their wealth to generation after generation, finding clever ways to beat the tax system. So, in the end, the average taxpayer does support a type of unofficial royalty. At least Britain is honest about it.
Good take on the week's happenings, as usual. My comment on Elizabeth is that I am so damned old that I remember when she got married! And the off-color joke that circulated about her wedding night - told to me by my father! I guess the basic fascination with the British royals is the years of tradition. Charles, at 73, will have a short reign. But the often outspoken royal, in contrast to his mother has said he is going to cut down the coterie to save British taxpayers some $$.
I sure hope Bannon gets a decent slug of prison time. He is perhaps an even bigger grifter and conman than Trump!
Not only should everybody with $$ in the Fifth Third bank, they should organize a protest against the acceptance of employees evidencing overt racism - and picket the place!! That is precisely the kind of crap that persists in our society - and why we should put out of office every politician who proclaims that institutional racism is a myth. And that includes every school board member who votes to suppress the full story of our history!
Excellent - succinct and saying it all, about the Royal family: "But in reality, the royals are merely wealthy, overdressed brand ambassadors for Britain, shilling for the company that supports them. Sure, they’re a connection to the country’s long history and all that, but they are also reminders of the horrible imperialism and arrogance that sought to rule the world not just economically, but by imposing their values on everyone." so totally agree and yes, we can mourn her passing: but not all of that very bad historical reality.
I share your opinion on the Royal family. I always liked the Queen. But the rest of the family? Not so much. They’re all very flawed individuals, Megan included, who would not merit any interest but for their connection to Elizabeth and vast wealth. I cannot understand the American interest in them any more than I understand why anyone cares about the Kardashians. I don’t wish the Royals ill; I just don’t want to hear about them.
Anglophiles? Conflict? How about New England? Was "old England" so great they had to copy the name? (wink). Same thing with New Mexico - was Mexico so great they had to make a new one? (silliness for the weekend).
Steve who? Next! Turds are not worth my time.
Woo-hoo for Lizzy! Shame on the bank and their employees.. They should be fined a percentage of the $12k for causing grief.
Kareem, I saw you on a rerun of "The Big Bang Theory" last night on TBS (slow day). I'm not a big fan of the show, but was surfing and said "whoa, Kareem". Any chance of you being cast on "Young Sheldon"? Also, when it the next "Ask Kareem"? .
Thanks for your thoughts on the Queen, Kareem. She seemed - from this distance, and from friends in Britain and Ireland (even those in the latter country with strong republican roots) a unifying figure, unlike anyone I can think of offhand in the U.S. Nonetheless, the idea of a hereditary monarchy is nonsensical - that someone, through sheer accident of birth, is “royal” - a member of a rarefied cohort of status and privilege. Even more peculiar is the idea that some mere mortal can become a “royal” (or even more humorous, a “senior royal”) simply through marriage - just by playing their social cards right. I understand the fascination with the pageantry and the regalia - that’s why we play dress-up as kids; watch the red carpet; love Halloween; and go to the theater. But most of us know that’s all fun, fantasy and make-believe. The Windsors, on the other hand, are living it, and for some their lives are a spectator sport.
Kareem writes about Kyrios: “Yes, the outraged commentators are correct that he shouldn’t have done that. But there was something so honest and spontaneous about his frustrated outburst—not directed at refs or the crowd or other players, just at himself—that all athletes can relate to. I just can’t hate on him for it.”
I’m surprised you feel this way. The way I see it is that this is a spoiled child who wants to always be in the spotlight, bringing attention to himself. What about having enough respect for your opponent (and the game) to NOT ruin or, at least, take away from HIS triumphant moment, the biggest win of his career? How do you think Kyrios would have reacted if he won and someone took the spotlight from him?
I agree one hundred percent with your take on the royal family, and can't imagine why the Brits are so supportive of keeping such an antiquated system in place. But they keep drinking the Kool-Aid and paying for it out of their own pockets.
I enjoyed your take on the Royals, Steve Bannon and I thank you for introducing me to Flora Purim (a voice that would melt butter!). But Nick Kyrios seems to revel in a public display of his anger. There is never an excuse for violence. Let’s not forget that he is facing allegations of domestic assault. I’m sure his criminal defence lawyers were not very happy with that display.
Mr Hedges another spot on historical analyses of the monarchy mania
Long live the queen( puhleeze) well indeed she did and may she Rest In Peace with all the proles that British imperialism wreaked havoc upon that is if they’ll have her
Kareem Reacts to This Week's News: Queen Dies, Bannon's Comeuppance, Racist Bank Tries to Steal Check, Kyrgios' Epic (and Comic) Meltdown, and More
Thank you as always. Queen Elizabeth. Why are we so fascinated with English royalty? I know part of it is because it's in the DNA of many of our ancestors who came to this country from England and then fought against them to win their independence, just like when we leave our parents home. And also for those of us who have some Cherokee ancestry, we also have English ties, as the two were great allies.
When I was very young, I remember watching the coronation of Elizabeth and thinking what a lot of ceremony, robes, crowns, etc. to go through. But I too will miss her.
Steve Bannon can rot with his buddy trump. It would be so wonderful never to see or hear about either of them again.
And Miss Lizzie and her winnings. OMG!! When I read about it, I was appalled. And for the bank employees to tell her the check was fraudulent is beyond the pale. And then to put out the statement they did. Just disgusting. Good for Miss Lizzie not to be intimidated by them and to go to another bank where she was welcome. I'm sure there will be repercussions from this blatantly ugly racist treatment of her.
Perhaps some enlightenment will follow
Peace and love.
I will miss the queen. I do think there must be a sort of odd comfort to have had the queen be a steady ship through 15 prime ministers. Even if people felt like too much was changing or things felt out of control, she was there. She was consistent. And, I do admire her ability to carry on even when her family was embroiled in scandals.
There is the ugly side of the history of the monarchy, but one could argue we have a similar ugly past. We don’t have a monarchy, but we certainly have “old money” families, many of which built their fortunes on the backs of others, who have exerted enormous influence. Yet, we pat ourselves on the back as if that’s okay because they don’t have an official title of lord, duke, prince, etc. But, they wrap themselves in furs and jewels and move in a rarified world that most of us will only glimpse in movies. And, they pass their wealth to generation after generation, finding clever ways to beat the tax system. So, in the end, the average taxpayer does support a type of unofficial royalty. At least Britain is honest about it.
Good take on the week's happenings, as usual. My comment on Elizabeth is that I am so damned old that I remember when she got married! And the off-color joke that circulated about her wedding night - told to me by my father! I guess the basic fascination with the British royals is the years of tradition. Charles, at 73, will have a short reign. But the often outspoken royal, in contrast to his mother has said he is going to cut down the coterie to save British taxpayers some $$.
I sure hope Bannon gets a decent slug of prison time. He is perhaps an even bigger grifter and conman than Trump!
Not only should everybody with $$ in the Fifth Third bank, they should organize a protest against the acceptance of employees evidencing overt racism - and picket the place!! That is precisely the kind of crap that persists in our society - and why we should put out of office every politician who proclaims that institutional racism is a myth. And that includes every school board member who votes to suppress the full story of our history!
Excellent - succinct and saying it all, about the Royal family: "But in reality, the royals are merely wealthy, overdressed brand ambassadors for Britain, shilling for the company that supports them. Sure, they’re a connection to the country’s long history and all that, but they are also reminders of the horrible imperialism and arrogance that sought to rule the world not just economically, but by imposing their values on everyone." so totally agree and yes, we can mourn her passing: but not all of that very bad historical reality.
Great takes once again, Kareem.
Enjoyed and learned new things as always. Thanks for being a news curator for us!
I share your opinion on the Royal family. I always liked the Queen. But the rest of the family? Not so much. They’re all very flawed individuals, Megan included, who would not merit any interest but for their connection to Elizabeth and vast wealth. I cannot understand the American interest in them any more than I understand why anyone cares about the Kardashians. I don’t wish the Royals ill; I just don’t want to hear about them.
Anglophiles? Conflict? How about New England? Was "old England" so great they had to copy the name? (wink). Same thing with New Mexico - was Mexico so great they had to make a new one? (silliness for the weekend).
Steve who? Next! Turds are not worth my time.
Woo-hoo for Lizzy! Shame on the bank and their employees.. They should be fined a percentage of the $12k for causing grief.
Kareem, I saw you on a rerun of "The Big Bang Theory" last night on TBS (slow day). I'm not a big fan of the show, but was surfing and said "whoa, Kareem". Any chance of you being cast on "Young Sheldon"? Also, when it the next "Ask Kareem"? .
Thanks for your thoughts on the Queen, Kareem. She seemed - from this distance, and from friends in Britain and Ireland (even those in the latter country with strong republican roots) a unifying figure, unlike anyone I can think of offhand in the U.S. Nonetheless, the idea of a hereditary monarchy is nonsensical - that someone, through sheer accident of birth, is “royal” - a member of a rarefied cohort of status and privilege. Even more peculiar is the idea that some mere mortal can become a “royal” (or even more humorous, a “senior royal”) simply through marriage - just by playing their social cards right. I understand the fascination with the pageantry and the regalia - that’s why we play dress-up as kids; watch the red carpet; love Halloween; and go to the theater. But most of us know that’s all fun, fantasy and make-believe. The Windsors, on the other hand, are living it, and for some their lives are a spectator sport.
Kareem writes about Kyrios: “Yes, the outraged commentators are correct that he shouldn’t have done that. But there was something so honest and spontaneous about his frustrated outburst—not directed at refs or the crowd or other players, just at himself—that all athletes can relate to. I just can’t hate on him for it.”
I’m surprised you feel this way. The way I see it is that this is a spoiled child who wants to always be in the spotlight, bringing attention to himself. What about having enough respect for your opponent (and the game) to NOT ruin or, at least, take away from HIS triumphant moment, the biggest win of his career? How do you think Kyrios would have reacted if he won and someone took the spotlight from him?
Yes to Bad Sisters. Delightfully perverse, without a hint of sanctimony.
Long live the queen and indeed she did but I can’t say the same for its erstwhile imperial colonial settler policies of Great Britain
 I’m very happy that they no longer exist but its legacy lives on
In the form of hostilities, bellicosity and injustice
The problems of India/Pakistan and Israel/Palestine etal are a direct result of the Queen’s
Empire, RIP your majesty along with colonialism
I agree one hundred percent with your take on the royal family, and can't imagine why the Brits are so supportive of keeping such an antiquated system in place. But they keep drinking the Kool-Aid and paying for it out of their own pockets.
I enjoyed your take on the Royals, Steve Bannon and I thank you for introducing me to Flora Purim (a voice that would melt butter!). But Nick Kyrios seems to revel in a public display of his anger. There is never an excuse for violence. Let’s not forget that he is facing allegations of domestic assault. I’m sure his criminal defence lawyers were not very happy with that display.
Mr Hedges another spot on historical analyses of the monarchy mania
Long live the queen( puhleeze) well indeed she did and may she Rest In Peace with all the proles that British imperialism wreaked havoc upon that is if they’ll have her
An odd thing, after all the queens ancestors were Austrian. Back to reading Thomas Paine on the Manners of Kings