I feel the whole process has been abused. Giving knighthood and Damehood to people who are undeserving or are celebrities is wrong. The whole reason for this I think was to honor people who have shown valor under adverse conditions. Just my thoughts.
This post has been edited by Aragorn on 19-Jul-2004, 10:27 AM
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What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. --Robert Louis Stevenson
I feel the whole process has been abused. Giving knighthood and Damehood to people who are undeserving or are celebrities is wrong. The whole reason for this I think was to honor people who have shown valor under adverse conditions. Just my thoughts.
I agree with Aragorn's comment. I would be the first to admit, however, that I am a bit idealistic, and the "real" world often differs from what I would like it to be.
This post has been edited by BluegrassLady on 19-Jul-2004, 08:51 PM
My feelings seem to be in the majority rule. Knighthood/Damehood should be honorary titled, but not just handed out. One should have something really extraordinary, or brave, or honorable before they should even be considered.
Dear Lord, lest I continue in my complacent ways, help me to remember that someone died for me today. And if there be war, help me to remember to ask and to answer "am I worth dying for?" - Eleanor Roosevelt
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)
Realm: Sweden, but me heart's in Scotland - An t-Suain, ach tha mo chridhe às ann Alba
I most agree with Kamchak - I don't think you should give it to sportsmen or Elton John-types, but to those who really has shown what agood person they are by fighting for human rights or saving lives.
If you think you can hold me down I beg to differ If you think you can twist my words I'll sing forever
Tha gach uile dhuine air a bhreth saor agus co-ionnan ann an urram 's ann an còirichean. Tha iad air am breth le reusan is le cogais agus mar sin bu chòir dhaibh a bhith beò nam measg fhein ann an spiorad bràthaireil
If you think you can hold me down I beg to differ If you think you can twist my words I'll sing forever
I would like to see the Brits keep the Knighthoods, I would also like to see as much notariety given to the medical/scientific/philanthropist as there is given to the celebrities. You have to remember that many of these celebs, Elton for example, were knighted not only for the contributions to society in entertainment but for the fundraising/advertising they do to fight diseases that threaten us all. I don't see Elton's knighthood as a waste of an honor. I do believe though that the media has skewed every one's thoughts on who does get awarded Knighthood and I'm sure the criteria for being awarded such is as stringent as it would be recieving a Presidential Award here in the US.
I think anyone that cites that only celebrities are awarded knighthoods really doesn't know what they're talking about.
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Senara-ism : Life is like a theatrical production only you get to be actor, director, and audience all at once. So break a leg, sit back and enjoy the show!
"When the waves are high and the light is dying, raise a glass and think of me..." -Gaelic Storm
Cha chòir dòrn a thoirt an aghaidh pòig. A kiss ought not to be met with a fist.
Thig crioch air an saoghal, ach mairidh gaol is ceòl. The world will pass away, but love and music last forever.
"I am a crazy, rabid squirrel! I want my cookies!" Hammy-Over the Hedge
I had to look it up to make sure I knew what a Knight really was supposed to be.
knight: - a mounted man-at-arms serving a feudal superior - a man ceremonially inducted into special military rank usually after completing service as page and squire - a man honored by a sovereign for merit - a man devoted to the service of a lady as her attendant or champion
knighthood: - the rank, dignity, or profession of a knight - the qualities befitting a knight
I see the words "service", "special rank", "honored for merit", "devoted to service", "dignity", and "qualities".
I also see, in the real world, knighthood being applied more with political correctness than honor or service. That said, I see some countries watering-down their knighthood to mere ceremony lacking in true merit.
There was a time, down here in the south, that the titles of Sir and Lady/Ma'am were earned and not given out freely.
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Clan Mac Cullaich: - Brewed in Scotland - Bottled in Ulster - Uncorked in America
voted no ... they are getting pretty cheap. i remember reading one of the requirments back in the chivalris days... was to stay up all night in prayer soul searching... before recieving it... back then it wasnt given lightly NOR recieved lightly... give them an honorary doctorate if they got do something.
...I do hereby swear By mouth and hand To be a good and worthy Knight To be a Lamp of Chivalry unto the Populace To be ever courteous and reverent To seek excellence in all my endeavours To be courageous and faithful To be always loyal and true To temper justice with mercy To defend my Crown and my liege To be temperate and humble To shelter the weak To help the needy To champion the right And uphold the good To teach what I know To learn what I can To be true to my Faith And to be faithful to my duties All this in each area of my life. So swear I...
I think apples & oranges are being compared. Pop figures such as Elton John & Bob Hope are honourary knights. Not true knights. The definition I found on states:
British honours system is a means of rewarding individuals' personal bravery, achievement or service to the United Kingdom.
I do think that many of the "choices" loosely follow these definitions & are highly politically motivated.
I think the fame tends to over focus the accomplishments of the celebrities because of the loose fitting into the definitions.
Overall a stricter standard could be set & better public relations set. The core intent is a good one, but time & depredation have left it abused.
well guess i'll put my two cents in on this one......knighthood should be earned, not bought or sold at any price!!! there is a sacred responsibility attached to them that should never be taken lightly!!!
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non nobis domine,non nobis sed nomini tua da gloriam.
OKAY, WHAT DID I DO NOW??
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