In a democratic forum let's us discuss royal parasites (Elizabeth II & the pope)

[UTUSN]

?w=790&h=550&fit=max&fm=jpg&q=65 [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] [/FONT]

I like my news with some actual – je ne sais quoi – oh, could it be TRUTH?! – to it. So (my elderly nun-like sister) and I were discussing the meeting of the pope & the royal parasite ( :my words/characterization) Elizabeth and their exchange of gifts. I mentioned the bottle of whisky. She said the significance was that all the simple things – eggs – had been produced at Lizzie’s home digs, delivered in a simple wicker hamper. I said, “Oh, yes, because she’s SO rustic!” Like, Marie Antoinette, too, had parties dressed as a shepherdess. Then I brought up HIS gift as not exactly reflecting his message of looking out for the poor. She said she hadn’t seen it. So here ‘tis, along with some text details behind the smiles. I also said something about “funny looking” or Jeffrey TAMBOR or something.

Pope Francis handed the queen [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] a precious stone globe with a cross on it[/FONT] for Prince George, who is about to depart on his first overseas trip to Australia and New Zealand.
[FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] a blue orb[/FONT] made out of stone, [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] with a silver cross on top[/FONT]. The orb was [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] set on a silver base[/FONT], which was inscribed: “Pope Francis to His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.”

Queen Elizabeth’s response: “That’s very nice, he will be thrilled.” Then, as an afterthought, “When he’s a little older.”

I like my "news" mixed with "TRUTH"!1

The queen was given [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] an antique parchment[/FONT], which dates back to May [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] 1679[/FONT] with an “Urbi et Orbi” message by Cardinal Cesare Facchinetti.

the pope made an apparent symbolic overture with his gift to the queen -- a copy of a [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] 1679 decree[/FONT] from pope Innocent XI that [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] extends the cult of[/FONT] Anglo-Saxon Saint [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] Edward the Confessor to the Universal Church[/FONT].

The visit comes [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] amid resentment in Britain [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] over the Vatican's move[/FONT] to include into the Catholic Church conservative [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] Anglican priests who dissented from the Church of England over female ordination[/FONT].

Another potentially divisive issue was the [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] Falkland Islands[/FONT] -- referred to in Argentina as the Malvinas -- to which [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] Latin America's first pope[/FONT] has shown he is sensitive by once [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] referring to them as "ours"[/FONT].

He [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow"] also said Britain had "usurped" the islands[/FONT].

[malaise]

1. I detest them all

the original oligarchs who prey on class divisions.

[UTUSN]

2. *thank* you - & our Supreme court legitimizing oligarchy

[Nye Bevan]

3. Ah yes, the Falklands.

The islands that the descendants of people from Spain want to grab from the descendants of people from the UK. Because indigenous peoples, or something.

[UTUSN]

4. You *do* know that the Falklands/Malvesas are the basis for O'LOOFAH's being a "war correspondent"

[UTUSN]

5. Thank you, snappyturtle, because an R doesn't give a K!1 n/t

[Jenoch]

6. At least the pope did not give the queen an iPod.

[ucrdem]

7. Many a cleric has profited handsomely from being nice to old ladies.

Just sayin' . . .

[Spider Jerusalem]

8. interesting choice of highlighting.

Those conservative Anglicans and female ordination? They're against it. The Church of England is moving into the 21st century, slower than the rest of society but much more rapidly than the Church of Rome.

And the Pope's opinion on the Falklands is completely irrelevant; the islands were totally uninhabited when occupied by Britain, the current population wish to remain part of Britain. Argentina's claim on the Falklands is approximately as legitimate as a Canadian claim on Alaska would be.

[UTUSN]

9. l knew light would be shed (not sarcastic)

[bravenak]

10. Should have given them both ipads.

What a stupid gift for a child. The kid would get more use out of a big cardboard uhaul box or a refrigerator box from sears.

What did she give him? Whatever it is i hope he sells it to feed some kids.