Royal Visit to the USA

**Paul** · 5th March 10, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

I say steady on there! Some will find comments like that offensive. Me for one!

Jock, you must also accept that some people find such positions of power offensive.

**Chas** · 5th March 10, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Paul

Jock, you must also accept that some people find such positions of power offensive.

Paul, I think that if you look very carefully, you will find that the Earl of Wessex has no position of power at all. He does, on the other hand, have a position of privilege, into which he was born. Neither he, nor you, nor I could choose our parents. How can the accident of birth be offensive? It is like blaming a child for having the wrong colour of eyes or skin.

Regards

Chas

**Paul** · 5th March 10, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Chas

Paul, I think that if you look very carefully, you will find that the Earl of Wessex has no position of power at all. He does, on the other hand, have a position of privilege, into which he was born. Neither he, nor you, nor I could choose our parents. How can the accident of birth be offensive? It is like blaming a child for having the wrong colour of eyes or skin.

Regards

Chas

Chas, I realise my comment was a little intentionally vague, but I never meant that at all.
I was directing my argument to the state of privileges and how these can be refused, therefore this is very much different to someone being born with an inherited physical feature.

**Jock Scot** · 6th March 10, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by Paul

Jock, you must also accept that some people find such positions of power offensive.

I do indeed understand that and I have some sympathy for that point, however there are ways of voicing those opinions in a courteous way. I may also add that there are those of us who consider positions of power and privilege can, in the right circumstances, be used for good purposes. As in this case. Why be so grudging about it?

**McClef** · 6th March 10, 06:00 AM

The pros and cons about power and privilege etc. are not appropriate to this thread.

Most countries have a "first family" in one form or another. As Jock has hinted, ours has a concept of noblesse oblige and work hard in varying kinds of service.

Some of them wear the kilt in circumstances that are considered appropriate to the occasion. Some of us think that this particular occasion is very appropriate.