Fox News, which I check at least once every day as the most reliable and objective of the traditional news gatherers, lured me in the other day to paying attention to Prince William and Princess Kate and their baby boy.
I already admired dad for being a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy. The late Princess Diana’s eldest certainly didn’t have to venture into that particular danger. Nor did his younger brother, Harry, have to fight in Afghanistan. I also liked Bill’s self-deprecating remark that his new son (bald as babies usually are) has more hair than he does.
Katie seems nice enough. Although a commoner (like the rest of us) whose ancestors actually include coal miners and laborers, her beauty, ever-present smile and flamboyant hats help her fit right in with the other swells.
Why do we (and me) care about these folks? I’m not sure. America wouldn’t exist if our predecessors had not been anti-monarchists who kicked out the old royal’s troops, including their German mercenaries.
Nevertheless, says Spengler: “…the [endurance of the British monarchs reflects] a longing for something more permanent, more reverential in the character of the state.” Lord knows I’d rather look at William and Catherine than our ever-mendacious president and his sour-faced wife. But Bill’s father, Charlie, is a bit of a dork.
Spengler says it all goes back to ancient Israel, the combination of monarchy and religion, that is. The Brit monarchy, you see, upholds the Church of England even as its parishioners dwindle in an increasingly secular country.
But Bill and Katie are just plain refreshing. They seem more wholesome than some of the usual dweebs who clamor for attention. Even if their royalty is dated (going on a thousand years) and, just like our latest occupants of the White House, they get their goods by sponging off the taxpayers.
They probably don’t smile near as much in private. I expect Katie does not cook and I’m sure she doesn’t clean. But Bill, who is after all a military pilot currently stationed in Wales, might use the refrigerator now and then without waiting for a servant to misunderstand and bring him something he doesn’t want.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 