You know what really grinds my gears?

[Frequency_Chemist]

If they really wanted to make some money in DVD sales, they would film the Royal conception of the next heir to the thrown.

That's a pretty fucking good idea.

[Variable]

I know right?

So I know I could look this up for myself.  But I'm writing a research paper and really don't have the time.  But this convo sparked my curiosity.  I have never quite understood the modern day purpose of the Royal family and why the UK keeps them around?  Can anyone who actually knows what they're talking about answer that one for me?

[bright lights, big city]

i really like william and kate. THEIR LOVE MAKES ME HAPPY.

well then you're not gonna like it when they get a royal divorce.

That made me giggle.

There should have been more Corgis involved in the Royal Wedding. That's all I'm saying.

THIS

[blixa]

THEY WON'T GET DIVORCED. LEAVE THEM ALONE, MARK. WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN OUR HAPPINESS!!!

I know right?

So I know I could look this up for myself.  But I'm writing a research paper and really don't have the time.  But this convo sparked my curiosity.  I have never quite understood the modern day purpose of the Royal family and why the UK keeps them around?  Can anyone who actually knows what they're talking about answer that one for me?

they're more of a symbol of britain - the british culture and heritage is tied up with the monarchy. you will find that a lot of britons do want them around. the history of the royal family is a reminder of what it means to be british. plus the royal family and its heritage brings in more than £500m of revenue a year from overseas tourists (those are 2010 figures). which takes me back to this complaining about using £37 million of taypayers money for the wedding yet they forget that the taxpayer received £130 million from the crown estates.

if you're going to question anything it should be why countries like australia, canada, india etc are still under the monarchy when we have clearly established a culture of our own. as an australian, i don't know where i stand. i see some good arguments on both sides. the thing is the british culture is the culture of the majority of white australians, but even some of them are ardent republicans. we've literally got an entirely different sort of life/culture going on here in australia, but every time there's a royal in town we get giddy with excitement.

[blixa]

for the two corgis fanatics on this board. you know who you are.

[Variable]

lol yeah but what do they actually do?  Anything?  Do they have any power or influence or anything at all?

[blixa]

lol yeah but what do they actually do?  Anything?  Do they have any power or influence or anything at all?

they don't have any political power per se. they did in the past. i guess in a way, they've become an institution. if i think of england i think of the royal family straight away. they're more of a symbol. look at those corgis, even they love the queen.

OH, MY FUCKING EAR IS THROBBING.

[Variable]

Random way to end that post

[blixa]

it literally is throbbing. it comes and goes though. i'm drinking white wine so i think it's really doing something to me.

[Variable]

mmmm I went wine tasting today.  It was great.  Not a big fan of white wine though.

[Frequency_Chemist]

Weird I actually had a couple glasses of white wine tonight and I never drink wine.

[blixa]

it's alright. i prefer beer though. and gin. and vodka. i've never had bourbon. i'm going to wait til i'm in america again to drink some southern comfort.

[Variable]

Gross.  You can do better than that for your first bourbon experience. 

I'm a big vodka drinker.  But lately I have really been getting into wine

[blixa]

but i saw norman reedus drinking southern comfort on the walking dead and i became intrigued.

[Frequency_Chemist]

Yeah it's definitely not my drink of choice. I usually drink beer, margaritas, or whiskey. I can't believe you've never had whiskey...that just seems crazy to me lol.

[Variable]

but i saw norman reedus drinking southern comfort on the walking dead and i became intrigued.

lol it's cheap.  It's the stuff that you drink in high school

[blixa]

i've had scotch whiskey but i've never had bourbon whiskey.

in australia we just drink goon.

[Frequency_Chemist]

Yeah drink some Jack Daniels

[Variable]

i've had scotch whiskey but i've never had bourbon whiskey.

in australia we just drink goon.

It's all close enough to the same

[Frequency_Chemist]

i've had scotch whiskey but i've never had bourbon whiskey.

in australia we just drink goon.

Ok that's definitely more understandable.