Thu. Oct 12th, 2023
My respects to Queen Elizabeth, and the power of symbolism
My respects to Queen Elizabeth, and the power of symbolism

The BDN Opinion section doesn’t set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing in other newspapers or on bangordailynews.com.

I received a text from my brothers-in-law asking me to keep them in my thoughts. What’s the reason? They need to learn a new song.

One of them is Australian and the other is Scottish.

I thought the request had something to do with their immigration status. I was not aware that Queen Elizabeth II had died.

Something went wrong.

News stations have been covering all aspects of Elizabeth Mary’s funeral since she died. There was no mention of the public drama between Princes William and Harry and their wives.

I think it’s great. Hate it.

The concept of monarchy is offensive. People are given power and station because of who they are. It is nonsensical.

You don’t have advantages based on your family. One of the best predictors of a child’s success is the presence of two parents. It’s not the same as getting an office through birthright. The odds that Hunter Biden will become president are zero regardless of what you think about him.

It’s possible that Beau Biden had a different story. He would have needed to reach the finish line on his own merits, even though his father gave him a head start.

The monarchy has a certain beauty to it. It’s powerful to know that many of the traditions that have been broadcasted around the world date back hundreds of years. Many people will see and hear the rituals of centuries past. Our past is connected to it.

The significance of symbolism is underscored by it. Queen Elizabeth was aware of that.

She ordered her guards to play the Star-Spangled Banner after the 9/11 attacks. The emotional response from those who witnessed it was very strong.

She passed near the 21st anniversary of the attacks.

Emotions can be awakened by symbolism. One of the most powerful symbols after Sept. 11 was the interaction between the destroyers of the US and Germany.

Two ships arrived in England in September. The crews were friendly with one another. After the twin towers fell, the Churchill put to sea and prepared to drill.

Shortly after, the Lutjens left. Permission was granted for them to say goodbye alongside the man.

As the German ship approached, it became obvious to the American crew that the German sailors were manning the rails. The Germans showed a white bed sheet. It wasn’t surrendering. They wrote in English, “We stand by you.”

The playing of the anthem is a relatively small act, but the meaning is significant. Americans were fighting against Germans in the 60’s. In the Declaration of Independence, King George III was declared a tyrant.

You can appreciate the beauty of the various ceremonies that have taken place as King Charles III begins his reign and lays his mother to rest. The idea of monarchy is absurd.

Regardless of one’s beliefs about royalty, you can empathise with the people who need to learn a new anthem. The symbol of their nation was lost.

Queen Elizabeth I.

The governor said that Queen Elizabeth served with dignity and grace.

The Bangor Daily News had a front page devoted to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.