Friday, August 18, 2006

That's Why We Call You People Subjects

Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation Chief Irvin McIvor received an absolute discharge in court Tuesday after pleading guilty to unsafe storage of a firearm.

A second charge of unauthorized possession of a weapon was stayed by the Crown.
By the "Crown"?

What did Mr. Paine have to say about "nobility"?
Because the idea of hereditary legislators is as inconsistent as that of hereditary judges, or hereditary juries; and as absurd as an hereditary mathematician, or an hereditary wise man; and as ridiculous as an hereditary poet laureate.

But the message is clear: Subjects are ruled.

3 comments:

E. David Quammen said...

Consider how judges and chief executives are treated here in this country.

If a chief executive enters a public arena isn't there pomp and circumstance? Aren't they cheered, waved at, and people go into a frenzy?

Or the judge, when they enter a courtroom, "All rise! You may be seated" (After the judge has been seated of course).

We've been told it's a sign of 'respect and honor'. Is it? Or, has it become obligatory to show 'respect', like one would a mafia 'don'? (Me thinks the latter, but I'm not kissing ANYONE'S ring).

Is that not somewhat simular in nature to a title of nobility?

Do these people remember that they are OUR servants? It certainly doesn't seem like it....

Anonymous said...

You might want to reconsider that not kissing rings thing - there's a lot of evidence it started as an excuse to breath on the ring so you could tell if it had a hidden compartment or not. Such compartments were commonly used for poison so it was worth a check.

If only it were so easy to see who might mean you harm these days.

Anonymous said...

When was the last time you hired a maid, a gardener or a contractor? At that time, did you throw them a hiring or inauguration party? Did you give them benefits far beyond what you receive at your workplace? Did you lavish them with gifts, regale them with fine poetry? Strike up the band? They clearly do not think they are our servants, quite the opposite in fact, and they act accordingly. I just wish we could take the smug, pompous usurpers down a few pegs.