I am neither a Brit or a royalist, but this Diamond Jubilee celebration does seem to be doing wonders for the mood of the entire country. It seems that everyone in England is enjoying the party and it appears to be taking people's minds off of the sad state of the economy, at least for a few days. With all of the people flooding into London for the celebration, I am sure this is giving a big boost to any businesses that is even somewhat related to tourism. The estimates were for close to 800,000 people coming into London for the four day celebration. That should put a few hundred million pounds into their economy, which will be a nice shot in the arm for the local economy. Add to this the upcoming Olympics and tourist related businesses in London should have one hell of a good summer.

I AGREE WITH YOU!!!!!

I like the British Royal Monarchy---especially, since Kate married Prince William.

It is a real Distraction from the Mess Europe is in---and it is a time to be "Jolly".

The US should have some relief from the worries most people have here. Maybe not a Monarchy, but big Celebrations for occasions other than Holidays--People unite when there is Community.

Our real Monarchy are the Presidents and their First Ladies in the White House---No fun, just more Politics to annoy everyone.

Eminence's a front!

Ahhh..big difference for royal leaders in different countries...the Brits give all out and happy to celebrate for their Queen's 75th.

Mean while in Egypt..some celebrate a 25 year prison sentence for their leader of 31 years...some happy some not.

wow the sick part about these english retards is that they believe in royalty that is not earned; and it is the year of 2012!

I honestly like Normal Brits you know regular folks. I just wish they would declare their Independence from the Royal family. And it has always struck me as odd how some of our American folk. Just love to revel in the Royal families crap.

We did kick their ARSE twice. Proud USA citizen.

Well, Kevin, I hate to tell you this, but no royalty is "earned." You either are born into it, or YOU assume it, as it is not something that most countries grant. You may, by some accident or other, marry into royalty, but that doesn't make YOU royal at all.

For joeyfromcali, we have had our share of near royalty, even though they never sought that title, and would have refused it if offered, I am talking primarily about the Kennedy family, primarily Jack and Jackie. Ask someone with a bit of age about the American Camelot and see what you find out.

me too...

Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl,
but she doesn't have a lot to say
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl
but she changes from day to day

I want to tell her that I love her a lot
But I gotta get a bellyful of wine
Her Majesty's a pretty nice girl
Someday I'm going to make her mine, oh yeh,
someday I'm going to make her mine.

Paul McCartney

Bill--Queen Elizabeth drove an ambulance in bomb blasted WWII. She has lived her whole adult life in a fish bowl, without complaint, and done so with dignity. She stands for decency and patriotism, and if you think that is worthy of your scorn, it sure tells me more about you than about you.

MOmaid You are sooooooo right. The future Queen did her duty and worked alongside the people fighting for their country. She was a brave woman and she showed what she was made of. I excuse people like bill because they don't remember that war and how brave were so many. They haven't a clue. The history of the Royals keeps the historians busy. I feel privileged to live in the time of The Royals. It will be gone one day.

Tell that to the Irish and the Scots

I think we should be happy for the Brits= remember 9/11 the first country to stand by us was England.

God bless England her people the royals and America

They should! We saved them during the war or they would be speaking GERMAN!

And who really cares in this country...didn't we fight a war to get rid of the British and their "royalty?" You wouldn't know it today, though, with all the press the Brits get...since they own a great deal of our media and, of course, BP! What is that saying...it is easier to conquer a country from within than from without...there are enough Canadians and Brit loyalists now living in America...and they own our Fed so seems to me we are nothing but "subjects" of the crown once again. What's this about 9-11 and their "loyalty?" For heaven sake, people, we are fighting THEIR WAR!

I think we need to throw a bigger Independence party to show that royalty SUCKS. And freedom belongs to the common person.

Actually most Americans weren't anti monarchy. George Washington and his men even toasted to the health of the King in the early years of the revolution. They were anti taxation without representation.

Where are the non white citizens of UK ?

Didn't any of them celebrate the jubilee ?

Reed : Do you know what the rest of the world calls people like you ?

That's right - dumbass nazi racist son of a bitch mother@!$%#ers !!!

Reed, congratulations on winning the dumb ass award of the year, for being such a stupid, ignorant, biased, fool. For their sake, let's hope that you are not a reflection of your parent's parenting skills. If you are, they are indeed some stupid redneck hicks. You are an embarrassment to every white person in this country. I'm sure you are very proud of yourself.

I am born and raised in the south Reed. Southerners do not call people that racist hicks do.

getyourfactstraight--AMEN. My dad's family was all born and raised in AL. Not a racist among them.

But then, they had all their teeth, and went to school.

Yes, scary isn't it? All the Brit loyalist that live in this country....including those Tories in Washington!

William D. Perry--sorry, I guess you are happier with the slavish coverage of the Kardashians.

And the Masterpiece Theater series sure beats the Big Brother.

And the Queen says;

"what economy, oh.........my yacht gets .18 kilometers per gallon when cruising at 9 knots per hour, not bad I do say considering the size of the old girl".

Well, the Scots and Irish are not too happy still begin part of the British Empire...since they are into empire building, and have fought more wars for dominance than any country in the world. Must be that insecurity...a little island, cold and rainy most of the time, and vulnerable to boot. It's that "small dog" syndrome that gets them into so many wars...I just wish they would stop dragging us into their wars, or making our country clean up their messes and thus then making our country also vulnerable in the process. And their "royalty" and "highnesses" have a horrid history of oppression, and using the people to increase their own personal wealth...

If Bill is your typical average American, he does not need any stinking lessons in history, science, climatology, international diplomacy or finance before spouting off ignorant dumbass opinions on message boards all over the internet.

Then tell her to tell the parliment to give Scotland back to the Scots, and thanks for all the rapes and murder.

It is not so much that we are being negative. For the most part, we are being practical. This behavior is without logic.

There's nothing cynical about being abhorred by the spectacle of a whole nation of people making obeisance to a group of fellow humans made of flesh, bone and blood. What makes these people so special? Were they descended from heaven with the blessing of the Almighty? No. They are just ordinary human being, and this bowing and scraping to them borders on idolatry. Let's treat people according to their merits and not according to which lineage they've come from.

My mum was there during the Silver Jubilee. She won a bike decoration contest in her town. Why not let the festavities be just that, festivaties? I don't know why every one is complaining over a little bit of fun! It is far more newsworthy than what the celebraties are eating for breakfeast, which is all news seems to be these days.

Tyrone E. and Olutoye, I rest my case. It is people like you who over-analyse and bring everything down to its lowest level that create such a cynical world that we live in. It seems to be the norm nowadays to break everything down. The reality is that we don't live in a world where everyone is judged by their merits, but to live by this rule that we have to sneer at people having some harmless fun and enjoying the country and traditions that they grew up with is wrong.

You know what, Firehorse: some of the things we place on a high pedestal are really very low. We need to bring those things down to their real level and stop pretending that they what they are not. If that is being cynical, I plead guilty. But I will never be convinced that God made super beings whose every word and action ought to captivate and enthrall the rest of us.

When my Grandfather was there, King James lost a bet on a polo match to my grandpa. The bet was for Wales, or a night with my grandma. King George welched on the bet so technically, I am the heir to Wales.

Tell the Queen that I will settle out of court for $4,500,000,000 or I will see her in court. I still have Georges signature with the royal seal in my safe deposit box.

Tell her I will knock off $500,000,000 for a month alone with Kate in the Falkland Islands, otherwise I will expect either Wales or the money no later than Thursday.

and how do you suppose the people of great Britain demand the monarchy be dissolved? Most British citizens do not support the Monarchy, like most Americans dont support Democrats or Republicans but basically there is no choice, until somebody starts a revolution.

Poverty is the world over my friend including America, but if the Queen was gone tomorrow (which by the way wouldnt bother me) the world isnt suddenly going to change for the better.

Actually all the surveys undertaken on just this issue show that the British overwhelmingly support the Monarchy and those campaigning for a Republic or a miniscule minority.

For those mystified by the names. England is one of 4 countries - Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland being the others. England, Scotland and Wales form the Island of Great Britain and together with Northern Ireland and the other nearby islands as a whole make up the kingdom of The United Kingdom. Long title United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Brook- Thanks for saying that because I was about to.

I'm British and adore the Queen. In fact I'd prefer her to lead the government over the politicians who have shown themselves to be self-assuring, greedy ar*eholes. The Royal Family brings in so much wealth to the Kingdom- People visit because of the history, and that history is tied to the monarchy. You don't hear of people going to Paris to visit the lost monarchy there. They go for the other cultural elements. However London has become a metropolis, like NYC, where it's difficult to see a singular culture. The monarchy holds what is British to the UK. Her Royal Majesty the Queen and her family generate the most interest and the most wealth to the country. Look at the Wedding. Look at the jubilee. Look at all the past celebrations. Even the funeral of Princess Diana was a massive draw.

And also- to all those who think we're a bunch of pomp & circumstance fools, check the inauguration. It's a little oversold, is it not. Also, your graduation/commencement ceremonies for not just college but also for high school...middle school...elementary school... You have those kind of occasions in every day life. When I finished high school we had a gathering and that was it. My university graduation will be minimal in comparison to the three/four-hour long American ones. We celebrate these big things and we do it grandly because we don't do it on a regular basis. If you don't like the ceremony then change the channel/turn off the computer. Look elsewhere and focus on other things. I'm in NYC on an internship and I have not encountered any jubilee obsessive behaviour so I don't quite see how some of you are complaining about it being "everywhere".

God Save the Queen. God Bless America.

Well, what's so different about us here in the US? There are more fat cats here than you can shake a stick at, and there are the poor and uneducated as well. The Monarchy is a SYMBOL. I for one would love to have a symbol like the Queen rather than the selfish, immoral, blowhards that run this country!

Britain cannot begin again. Let's not pretend that the monarchy is illegitimate. It has ruled (with exception) over England for a little less than a thousand years.

And the survey says--you DO know that for the most part, what the people of England pay for is to staff and maintain the CASTLES? You know, those enormous tourist attractions that is what most people come to England to see? Queen Elizabeth is one of the wealthiest women in the world IN HER OWN RIGHT, and she owes that to an AMERCIAN who found it disgraceful that Elizabeth' great grandmother, Victoria, had to beg to parliament for extra CANDLE money, so he left her his entire fortune. She invested it wisely, and also bought up many of the crown jewels of different monarcy dynasties that fell out of favor or money in Europe.

IF the Brits were to decide to do without Elizabeth, she could WALK with much of what is in the crown jewel collection in the tower, and many of the other priceless things that do NOT belong to ENGLAND, but to the Royal family.

But that is the point! They don't belong to the Royal family they are held in trust for the people of the UK. George III gave up ownership of the Royal Estate to the Government in 1760!

So you are all for taking personal property from people who are responsible for its upkeep, among other things, and giving to people who can barely afford the rent on their second floor walkup. Makes a LOT of sense, as it wouldn't be long before said property was sold to some developer who could care less about the history behind it. After that, it would quickly become another bunch of big box stores and high rent homes that would do the poor who were supposed to be HELPED by all this no good at all.

Brook72, that George gave up ownership of what HE controlled, which has nothing to do with what has come to Elizabeth through other sources than his original royal property. Essentially you are saying that because your great grand dad walked away from his home and let the state have it back that anything any of his descendants have is also property of the state because he gave up what HE had control of. I know a lot of people who would love to put that idea into practice, as it would bring into question ownership of ninety per cent, or more, of the real property in, not only the United States, but the world.

Me to.

that because Tyrone too many people whether in Britain, America, India or China are walking around like Zombies!! All mind controlled by media propaganda.

Totally agree tracifrost.

Tyrone E, in your post 21, you say that there is something about the (dog) picture that makes you wonder about the owners' mentality. Alas, Tyrone, I must say that there is something about (most of) your posts that makes me wonder about YOUR mentality! You show a great bitterness toward people. Do you realize that in this post (18), you have referred to people as "stupid" at least 3 times? Another pointed word you used is "illogical", and many other not-so-complimentary words.

Referring to the Royal Family and the British, you have called them parasites, non-functional, "an entire nation of brainwashed people," and used many more negative expressions.

You also say about the Royal family, "If they existed on their own wealth it would be a little easier to digest." There were a number of such comments thrown about at the time of Will and Kate's wedding, too. However, at that time it was demonstrated that the Royals bring in much-needed tourist dollars, as people are fascinated by not just the family, but also by Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guard, and many other activities (and castles) of the Royal family. It was shown that they bring in more money than they cost the country, and therefore financially the country would definitely not be better off without them. In addition, they are extremely generous, and support many large and small charitable organizations that might not exist without their help. Note: Please don't ask for statistics, because I don't have the energy to sift back and find those studies. I did observe at the time--and it impressed me, because I hadn't known it to be true--that without the Royals the UK would be in much worse financial shape.

You also state:

Often many you becomes angry with me for expressing this observation, but every slightly intelligent person knows this to be true.

I am not angry for your expressing your opinion, but I think it does show something about you when state that every "slightly intelligent person" would agree with you. You don't say much about the more than slightly intelligent folk. I am considerably more intelligently than "slightly," and I do NOT know this to be true. It doesn't feel to me like you were as much expressing your opinions as trying to insist that everyone else should agree with you.

You not only bashed the Royals, the British public, the US Congress, and the US public, but you couldn't stop there. You proceeded to bash God for producing inferior beings. Good grief!

You should have stopped while you were ahead. Oh, no, that would have meant not posting this vitriol at all! Yes, that would definitely have been better.

I was surprised to read (also at the time of William's wedding) that the Royal Family at most costs their citizens maybe 1 pound a person. That's nothing. And I agree, they bring in tons of money to the country. Their existence is a big reason people go to Great Britain. It's a beautiful kingdom on its own but the history makes up so much of it. I have taken issue with certain members of this current Royal family but the Queen rocks and most of her grandchildren seem pretty decent, too.

Kirigami, I am totally convinced that most people are blind, ignorant, followers. When I look at our country, and realize that most of our problems have simple solutions, I have no one to blame but the people who refuse to solve the problems. If we were to unite as American citizens, compromise on important issues, and bring America back from the brink of financial ruins, I would give people a little credit. However, when grown people are too ignorant to put their personal feelings and biased views aside for the sake of their country, they deserve, and will get, no respect. This is my country, and it is the ignorance of others that's allowing her to decline. A united people can resolve our every problem. If we chose not to unite, either we hate our country, or we are ignorant. Indeed I am very frustrated by this stupidity, because it is unjustified. The people allow your government to treat them like idiots, and deny them the opportunity of a quality education and meaningful employment. They just accept whatever comes along and refuse to demand justice. How would you describe such behavior? I'll give respect when respect is due. People are ignorant, and that is the obvious. I know we can do better than what we are doing. Your opinion is based on your inability to understand my love for my country and compassion for humanity. I expect nothing more from your or most other people.

I could respond to your every comment, but this is what I want you to understand about me. I am who I am. What more can I say.

Kirigami, I would like to add this. Based on some of your comments, I think you are somewhat of a passive person who believes that, if we just wait, things will get better. If you are not frustrated by the condition of your country, and the behavior of the divided, illogical people who allowed it to become this way, you may be an extremely complacent person. I want a strong, united America for my children and grands to enjoy. Not a country controlled by cooperate America and a sold out government. It seems that you believe in your failing government, the naive American people, and the corrupt corporations and wealthy people who controls them both. I believe that we will only get that in which we demand from those who control. Put aside that which divided us, unite as Americans, and rebuild our potentially great nation. We are being abused by our government and those who bought them. Maybe it's time you quit be a doormat, and fight for your country's future.

The Royal Family reminds me of the extremely wealthy in our country. I despise them as they are nothing more than greedy, selfish, immoral, people. There is absolutely nothing special about them, and they diserve no special treatment.

Tyrone--see, my problem with your whole premise is that the solution to this country is to GIVE people more that they do not have the GUMPTION to work for. You cannot GIVE people an education. They have to WANT it. My son taught English in China for two years to kids whose families gave up EVERYTHING to get their kids a decent education, and the kids KNEW that it was EXPECTED of them to work hard and behave, and to LEARN, in order to better their family's chances for a better life.

UNTIL people get off the couch and MAKE their kids do their homework (and DEMAND that more homework be issued, until those people care enough to go to each and every 'event' at the school that is offered, be it teacher's meetings, open house, ball games, concerts, or whether it be to work with the guidance counselors to get their child special help, PARENTS have to demand it THEMSELVES, not just blame some overworked teacher for THEIR kid's lack of success in school.

And I TOO want a strong America for my kids and grandkids, but I KNOW FULL WELL that a nation that has as much debt as our spendthrift pols want to spend will be even more of a disaster than it is now.

And you know--you deserve the government that you elect.

Congratulations, Tyrone! You actually gave me a super laugh! And yes, I was really laughing out loud. Your entire analysis (psychological and otherwise) of me is so full of, well, baloney. You say that I believe this, or I think that. All I can say to that is you think wrong!

Another of your prize comments: "Maybe it's time you quit be(ing) a doormat . . ." All I can say is that anyone who knows me would certainly disagree with you. No one has ever called me a doormat before, and with good reason--I'm far from being a dormat!

You would be surprised how much I agree with you on many of your ideas. You said, "Put aside that which divided us, unite as Americans, and rebuild our potentially great nation." Of course, you are 100% right.

If you would reread my posts, you might notice that I did not disagree with your factual points (excluding your comments about the Royals). What I have a serious problem with is your attitude! I object to the negativity, bitterness, and holier than thou attitude. I find it very difficult to get through to the real message when there is so much of this.

I am sorry that you interpreted my posts as you did, because you entirely missed my points.

You are correct, but does it have to be a lifelong expense?

Brits adore their dogs. They even honor them, I'd say. Thus, for them, it's quite natural to include the dogs in their celebrations--they are an important part of their family!

I understand. My family feels the same way about starving children around the world. That's why we raised out children to contribute to the then forty eight, now twenty two thousand children who die each day of curable diseases and starvation. Don't remember seeing anything in your bible about giving to the dogs will forgive your sins.

Once again you've totally twisted my comment. People loving their dogs has nothing whatever to do with whether they help others in need. What's with that--why is it so important to you to twist things?

It's wonderful that you support starving children around the world! I wish it weren't with such a "holier than thou" attitude, though. There are many people who believe it is better to give in secret, without telling other people what you've done. I am one of them.

Why do you refer to "your bible" and previously "your God"? I don't know what it is that you're trying to get at? What do you refer to as your Bible? And who is your God?

I think you can answer most of the questions you presented to me yourself. It is obvious that I resent people supporting stupidity when there are real issues in our country to resolve. By the way, I don't like pets. For the most part, they are worthless. We should have never domesticated many of them. They were doing fine on their own. It is the unnecessary stupidity of people that has made me bitter. I am a solution oriented person.

Tyrone, so sorry to hear you are an animal hater as well as a people hater. Who DO you love? For sure you have no love for yourself, or you would know that pets have and do provide far more to their owners than it costs to keep them. Truthfully, you are hardly worth YOUR keep, or so it sounds from the way you keep putting the average American citizen down. Have you ever done ANYTHING to help the country in any way other than pay your taxes?

You haven't yet answered my questions, and I don't ask ones I already know the answers to--waste of bandwidth, waste of my brainpower.

As for your attitude about pets, there are many, many studies which prove you wrong. Pets are valuable as not only hunting and shepherding animals, but they are also great companions. In addition, they are valuable as guide dogs, therapy dogs, sight and hearings dogs, police dogs, search and rescue animals, and . . . the list is very long.

Don't let your bitterness destroy your life! Perhaps you need a dog (not a pit bull, thanks) to help you work through some of your issues. You can't really know the value of having a dog unless you experience that companionship and love directly.

I too seriously dislike stupidity. Maybe it's not stupidity, but just a lack of common sense. My Mom always said: "Common sense isn't very common any more." She was right.

Actually it is quite the reverse. A MORI Poll published on 28th May 2012 show that 80% of the British public support the Monarchy and only 13% would prefer a Republic.

those Polls are fabricated Bull, if I know at least 100 people who do not support the monarchy, so those figures dont ring true.

nobody believes polls anymore.

Unfortunately, traci, my English relatives disagree with you! They ARE having street parties and enjoying the Jubilee. And they aren't the upper crust, by any means, but just ordinary folks.

You also are mistaken about polls. Properly done, polls can be extremely helpful! And I guess, because this one doesn't support you, you just blow it off. Sorry, life doesn't work that way!

She (among many others) has served her country to the bankers on a platter.

How has she served her country well. She holds no real position of power. Nevertheless, there country, let them do as they please. Americans are constantly doing stupid things.

She served during World War 2 @tyrone

Purerocker, your an idiot. The queens has no governmental decision powers, it's all up to the British parliament who for the last 6 years have been the liberal party that screwed up the commonwealth.

The Queen's governmental role includes "the right to be consulted, the right to encourage and the right to warn". The UK has been governed since 2010 by a Conservative/Liberal Democrat Coalition. Before that it was The Labour Party.

This "huge, expensive party" hasn't cost the British Public a penny. As for being allowed to "do as she pleases" I can't for one moment think many of us would be happy to live a life so restricted by protocol, rules, regulations and in the full glare of the media as she has done for over 80 years.

She has fulfilled her promise of over 60 years ago to serve her country, with grace and dignity and is much loved by the majority of people in the UK.

Beautifully put, Brooke. Thanks!

Tyrone--what does the Queen do? For 60 years, she has served primarily the same function as Obama, Bush Clinton, Bush, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy and Eisenhower.

As a figure head. A person who people look up to, (and yes, down on, depending on their beliefs), who performs such acts as laying wreaths on military tombs, recognizing heroes, etc. She also opens Parliament, Makes speeches, and sponsors a WHOLE bunch of Charities (which OUR presidents don'e do while in office). Most importantly, she offers Britain a sense of continuity, and an example of duty and patriotism, while enabling herself and her family to be made into tourist attractions.

And yes, I know. Our presidents can sign laws and declare law. Many would say THEY aren't worth the money we expend on THEM either.

Big Frigging Deal, the queen has been the top figure head for the UK for 60 years!! She has no governing powers or say so in the countries laws! She is just "A figure Head" being kept up by the UK's taxpayer money.

Sit on the throne ... why, to do what?