The Wit and Humour of Prince Philip

[Idriel]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Well, try as I might, there's only one animal species I can come up with that pulls this sort of stunt, and it's H. sapiens.

Exactly! It always makes me smile when serial-killers or those Nazi butchers are called inhuman. Those behaviors are typically human. I can't think of any other animal specie who tortures, kills for the sake of killing or hunt when not hungry.
And Beatrix-fan, using words like 'wog' or 'nigger' is not calling a spade a spade! But thank you for re-posting Philip's quotes. Most are hilarious.
Anyway, I don't see all the fuss about Philips' quotes. From what has been posted, I see nothing that could been condemned as invitation to hate before a jury if there was to be a trial.
The only offensive comment I see would be the: "and you manage to not be eaten". That was just plain stupid.
I am surprised so much people get warmed up over slitty-eyed comment. I though it was a well- known characteristic of Asian eyes? The joke was not funny, that's my only critic. Ronaldo made a more offensive 'joke' right in front of Korean people (picture).

[azile]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

As Smilla said, Prince Philip, in his public life, shouldn't be going around belittling other cultures and races in public unless it really is UK government policy to do so. What he believes and says in private is his own business, of course, bearing in mind that his private life is somewhat less private than most people's simply because of the large number of people in the royal household.

I agree- I just find it VERY ironic that in recent years, one of the most popular themes in the Queen's public speaking has been the importance of multi-culturalism and all the benefits this brings to British Society. Most of Philip's comments imply a belief to the opporsite!

Eliza

[BeatrixFan]

But the Queen doesn't write her own speeches. Her 2004 speech on multi-culturalism caused outrage. It looked as if she didnt believe what she was saying and what she was saying most people didn't agree with at all.

[Elspeth]

Not to derail the thread too far, but do you have a link to the text of the speech, Sam?

[Smilla]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

But the Queen doesn't write her own speeches. Her 2004 speech on multi-culturalism caused outrage. It looked as if she didnt believe what she was saying and what she was saying most people didn't agree with at all.

I've read that the queen never says anything in her speeches she doesn't agree with whole-heartedly. She doesn't lie, either, or so I read. I read this in an article about Diana and how the queen phrased her speech in such a way that she didn't have to present Diana as someone she liked very much and still didn't hurt the feelings of the mourners.

[BeatrixFan]

Well that may be so. If she did believe what she was saying then God help us.

The Queen's 2004 Speech was;

Christmas is for most of us a time for a break from work, for family and friends, for presents, turkey and crackers. But we should not lose sight of the fact that these are traditional celebrations around a great religious festival, one of the most important in the Christian year.

Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others.

For me, as a Christian, one of the most important of these teachings is contained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus answers the question, 'Who is my neighbour?'

It is a timeless story of a victim of a mugging who was ignored by his own countrymen but helped by a foreigner - and a despised foreigner at that.
The implication drawn by Jesus is clear. Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences.

Most of us have learned to acknowledge and respect the ways of other cultures and religions, but what matters even more is the way in which those from different backgrounds behave towards each other in everyday life.
It is vitally important that we all should participate and cooperate for the sake of the wellbeing of the whole community. We have only to look around to recognise the benefits of this positive approach in business or local government, in sport, music and the arts.
There is certainly much more to be done and many challenges to be overcome. Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures.

They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.
We need also to realise that peaceful and steady progress in our society of differing cultures and heritage can be threatened at any moment by the actions of extremists at home or by events abroad. We can certainly never be complacent.

But there is every reason to be hopeful about the future. I certainly recognise that much has been achieved in my lifetime.

I believe tolerance and fair play remain strong British values and we have so much to build on for the future.

It was for this reason that I particularly enjoyed a story I heard the other day about an overseas visitor to Britain who said the best part of his visit had been travelling from Heathrow into central London on the tube.
His British friends were, as you can imagine, somewhat surprised, particularly as the visitor had been to some of the great attractions of the country. What do you mean they asked? Because, he replied, I boarded the train just as the schools were coming out.

At each stop children were getting on and off - they were of every ethnic and religious background, some with scarves or turbans, some talking quietly, others playing and occasionally misbehaving together - completely at ease and trusting one another. How lucky you are, said the visitor, to live in a country where your children can grow up this way.
I hope they will be allowed to enjoy this happy companionship for the rest of their lives.
A Happy Christmas to you all.

From BBC

[Elspeth]

Thanks.

Well, if multiculturalism is what the government is striving for, someone perhaps should let Prince Philip know!

[BeatrixFan]

Oh don't worry. He'll be locked up when he next says anything against anyone. New laws and all that.

[azile]

Here is a link to speeches over the last few years

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page3948.asp

Here are some of the things she has said about multiculturalism:

Opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, 25 November 2005
"....The world we live in is marked by diversity, and through being accommodating, compassionate, tolerant, and respectful of others, the Commonwealth can exploit its diversity as a source of great strength. We are a colourful spectrum of nations, faiths, cultures, and people. Individually, we are different and distinct; collectively, we can be strong and effective."

Christmas Message to the Commonwealth, 25 December 2004
"...Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others. For me as a Christian one of the most important of these teachings is contained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus answers the question "who is my neighbour".

....Most of us have learned to acknowledge and respect the ways of other cultures and religions, but what matters even more is the way in which those from different backgrounds behave towards each other in everyday life. It is vitally important that we all should participate and cooperate for the sake of the wellbeing of the whole community. We have only to look around to recognise the benefits of this positive approach in business or local government, in sport, music and the arts.

There is certainly much more to be done and many challenges to be overcome. Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.
We need also to realise that peaceful and steady progress in our society of differing cultures and heritage can be threatened at any moment by the actions of extremists at home or by events abroad. We can certainly never be complacent."

[Elspeth]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Oh don't worry. He'll be locked up when he next says anything against anyone. New laws and all that.

I'm really looking forward to the headlines in the Express and the Mail when that happens...

[azile]

And another:

Commonwealth Day message 10 March 2003

"...What we have in common makes the choice of this year's theme for Commonwealth Day, 'Partners in Development', so fitting. We are reminded daily that we live in an interdependent world. And yet there exist great global inequalities, with millions living lives of deep poverty and deprivation, which present a great and constant challenge to the notion of the Commonwealth.

Under these conditions, peace is often more difficult to sustain while precious natural resources and the environment are threatened, economic growth and activity may be impeded as well as the benefits of modern technology denied to many.

Working in partnership is essential if the nations of the earth, whether they be developed or developing, are to build a better, more secure and more sustainable world. Only together can governments and peoples create just, open and democratic societies.

And through a sense of partnership and mutual respect we should be able to recognise that we all share a common humanity, regardless of who we are or where we may be from."

[BeatrixFan]

Notice that it's only within the Blair period. She wouldn't have said anything of the kind in the Thatcher years.

[susan alicia]

also if cameron becomes the next pm, consider the events in the world re a cartoon, philip be minding his p's and q's in the future and will not be saying anything that might insult anyone in the world, it will cost the economy millions (one danish firm loses that a day at the moment).

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Notice that it's only within the Blair period. She wouldn't have said anything of the kind in the Thatcher years.

[lilliegal]

I don't believe it is a basic human principle.
With all due respect, I am not surprised by the above.

Am I to automatically give my respect to suicide bombers because they are of a different race?

LOL, what a nice dance. I believe that everyone on this thread has made the premise of respect very clear. No one should be disrespected because of their race. So to answer your question, your disgust for terrorists should have nothing to do with his/her race. Yes, you should respect their race but not their actions.

I'm gay myself and I don't expect anyone to respect, agree or disagree with my lifestyle. Why should anyone respect me because they're told to? If they disagree with what I do, why should they respect me?

So you would not complain if some hateful individual called for violence against you? A person who does not respect you would call for such horrible actions you know.

Prince Philip shouldn't have to respect anyone who hasn't earned his respect. Look at the comments he made about the Russians - "The bastards murdered half of my family". Should he respect them?

LOL, again, that was a nice dance. Philip's remark was disgusting. Why? His wording alone lumps an entire nationality in with the work of a few. Does that make him a horrible person? No. We have all made disgusting remarks at one time or another. The problem comes when we rationalize them and blame others for being offended. No one has the right to disrespect others because no one is perfect.

[lilliegal]

Just for the record, I do not mean to be harsh with my remarks. I apologize if it appears as such. I am simply a "get to the bottom of this type of person."

[BeatrixFan]

So you would not complain if some hateful individual called for violence against you? A person who does not respect you would call for such horrible actions you know.

They do. But I IGNORE it. I rise above it. I don't make it a huge issue, I don't call for their freedom of speech to be taken away. I don't call for violence against them. Yes he lumps together a nationality which the Russian comment but what is he supposed to say? Bolsheviks? Eastern Europeans? I will point out, the comment was made at the time of the Soviet Union.

[Idriel]

Originally Posted by BeatrixFan

Well that may be so. If she did believe what she was saying then God help us.

What exactly offends you in this speech?
As a side note, I hope it's not the Queen writing. It's horribly badly put together.

[BeatrixFan]