Let's get the news

While the classic media tend to ignore what some people call “monarchism”, Monarchists set up their own publications. The International Monarchist Conference is putting a great effort into connecting the different national Monarchist organisations. And they make Monarchist publications in pdf-format available for everyone.

At SYLM you’ll find Monarchist magazines and newsletters in French, Italian, Brazilian, German, Serbian, but only a few in English. For instance the two main Australian publications (Defender, published by the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy [ACM] and Liberty published by the Australian Monarchist League [AML]) are not presented on the IMC’s website, probably because they are not available in a pdf-format.

And where is the Greek magazine Royal Voice (Βασιλική φωνή), also published in Australia by the Greek Royalist Association of Australia? Most likely, there are more Monarchist initiatives in Australia which should be made know to others.

British, Canadian, NZ or US Monarchist publications are equally missing, something that must be changed in 2010.

However, should you be able to read a little bit of French, download your copy of “Le Royal Démocrate” and get the latest international Monarchist news. Or start reading the German news-letter “Corona”, published every three weeks.

The most prestigious magazine is certainly “Brasileira”, an excellent and very professional Brazilian magazine of more than 20 pages each issue.

The variety of Italian publications is staggering and reflects the country’s political rifts.

I suggest, you find out for yourself, if there’s anything you’d like to read.

Have a royal 2010.

"Rabid Monarchists"

The Victorian Attorney-General and Acting Premier Rob Hulls has a problem. He does not like his actions being questioned. After his announcement two days ago of the replacement of the Queen with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from New Year's Day was received with blanket opposition, he hits back at his Monarchist critics inside Victoria and beyond her borders. He claimed "rabid Monarchists" were wrong to suggest the change was part of a conspiracy to undermine the Monarchy.

Oh yeah?

It is not as if Monarchists have no reason to see in his action an improper way of removing the Queen from our legal system and replace her by a government appointed DPP.

And all this was done in secrecy, announced a fortnight before it will come into force and before the Christmas holidays will stop all political action. Honi soit qui mal y pense, one could say with the motto of The Most Noble Order of the Garter ("Shame on him who thinks ill of it").

A fellow Monarchist remarked in a forum: “Mr Hulls’ justification suggests a poor understanding of the Australian and Victorian constitutions, the Australia Acts of 1986, and the role of the Australian Crown. Or perhaps it is just a blatant attempt to cover up a personal republican agenda? Either way it does not inspire much confidence in the State’s Attorney-General.”

Today The Age wrote on this matter:

“Mr Hulls, an avowed republican, hit back, saying Monarchists were inventing ludicrous conspiracy theories when all he was trying to do was modernise the state's justice system.

The Victorian convener of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy, Brett Hogan said, there were good reasons for criminal legal proceedings to be brought in the name of the Queen.

'Having legal cases go forward on behalf of the Queen or the Crown reflects the fact that the case against an accused is pursued on behalf of the state as a whole, not the person who currently happens to hold the office of Director of Public Prosecutions,' he said.”

You actually do not have to assume a conspiracy theory, just look at the actions of the Labor governments. For instance I find it appalling that the Victorian government made a deal with the private (!) consortium AquaSure to build a desalination plant and agreed to release law enforcement data – including images, audio, video and “data related to individuals” to AguaSure. That’s a new kind of public private partnership.

And the latest move of the Rudd government to censure the internet is equally boiling my blood. On Tuesday afternoon, the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, announced he would introduce legislation before next year's elections forcing ISPs to block a secret blacklist of "refused classification" (RC) websites for all Australian internet users.

The former High Court judge and ardent Monarchist Michael Kirby has criticised the Federal Government's internet censorship agenda, saying it could stop the "Berlin Walls of the future" from being knocked down. In an interview with Fairfax Radio Kirby said some circles feared the controversial policy would be "the thin end of the wedge of the Government moving in to regulating the actual internet itself".

"Once you start doing that you get into the situation of Burma and Iran where the Government is taking control of what people hear and what information they get," he said, adding that Australia's approach hadn't been attempted anywhere else in the world.

Is that really all “ludicrous conspiracy theories” or just fear of what may come up next that the control freaks in the Victorian and the Federal governments want to impose on us? Freedom wears a Crown, not a Phrygian cap.

Creeping republicanism

Without any public discussion Attorney-General and Acting Premier Rob Hulls yesterday announced a major change in Victoria’s legal system. The Age: "From New Year's Day, criminal prosecutions will be brought in the name of the Director of Public Prosecutions, rather than the Queen."

Mr. Hulk, oh pardon, Mr. Hulls: "Substituting the DPP for the Queen or Regina reflects the legal and political independence from the United Kingdom and its monarch that has been achieved by Australia."

From 1st January 2010, law lists will read "DPP vs Bill Smith" instead of "Queen vs Bill Smith".

What a progress! And what kind of legal argument is it to claim, this move would reflect “reflects the legal and political independence from the United Kingdom and its monarch”? Obviously the Attorney-General keeps ignoring the fact that he pushed aside not the Queen of the United Kingdom, but the Queen of Victoria and the Queen of Australia.

Could some one give repetitional lessons to the Attorney-General about OUR constitution, please?

"Referring to the Queen is outdated," Rob Hulls claimed. But Victorians may well have come to to the conclusion that the Brumby government is outdated and has passed its use by date long time ago.

It’s time to get rid of this failed government and its hypocritical methods of running this state.

Iran’s flirt with an Iraqi Prince continues

In Tehran Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki met Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein, the chairman of the Iraqi Constitutional Monarchy Movement and one of the claimants to the Iraqi throne.

The Tehran Times even published of photo of the Prince and Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki:

According to the newspaper, the Iranian foreign minister said that Iraq has been able to establish, what he called, "legal institutions" over the past seven years and added that Tehran has always supported these moves.

Sharif Ali said certain countries do not want to see democracy and the rule of law established in Iraq, but the Iraqi people are committed to democracy. If Tehran would tolerate a "Crowned Democracy" to use a term styled by King Constantine II of the Hellenes, remains an open question.

A royal relief for Kristina Keneally

Kristina Keneally must be relieved. Barely a fortnight in office as New South Welsh fourth Premier in as many years, she has good news to announce:

Prince William's visit to NSW next month will be an opportunity to showcase the state in foreign media, Premier Kristina Keneally says.

Ms Keneally on Tuesday confirmed the Prince would officially visit NSW in late-January as part of his first Australian trip as an adult,” reported The Age.

The royal visit of the 27 year-old Prince will not only draw international media attention to a member of the Australian Royal Family, but also distract attention from a dysfunctional government that has had little positive to report.

And what neither Ms. Keneally nor The Age said: The Prince's two days in Sydney and Melbourne will be privately funded by the Queen as it is not classed as an official visit.

It can be expected that a certain amount of money will be spent on security personnel and probably travel arrangements, which fierce republicans may bring up in a desperate attempt to boost their fortunes, however, republicans are very selective in their outburst of rage.

Or did you hear any complaints about Tiger Woods' taxpayer funded $A3.25 million visit Down Under in November 2009? Victorian Premier John Brumby has said the decision to entice the superstar golfer to Melbourne cements the city's position as the "major events capital of the world''. Did the world take notice for more than three days? After Mr. Woods left Australian soil, he attracted fame for other reasons than playing golf in Melbourne.

The Prime Minister's office stated that the visit originated from Prince William's request to visit the country to get to know Australia and its people.

"During his visit, Prince William will focus on his core interests of supporting servicemen and women, helping young people fulfil their potential and sustainable development in the light of climate change," it has said.

"The Prince will also use the visit to learn more about local indigenous issues and visit the bushfire-ravaged countryside in Victoria."

"Prince William will have the opportunity to meet a cross-section of Australians involved in a variety of projects of interest in both Sydney and Melbourne."

There are times, when one cannot help feeling that even republicans are happy to see royals in Australia - even if they actually don't invite them

Iran is playing funny games

When it comes to the Monarchy, that Iran lost 30 years ago, the regime and its media never fail to add a disparaging adjective to the noun “Monarchist”.

Therefore it was very surprising that today the English language daily newspaper Tehran Times published an article on the visit of Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein, the chairman of the Iraqi Constitutional Monarchy Movement and one of the claimants to the Iraqi throne.A stamp commemorating better times: Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi of Iran and King Faisal II of Iraq.

Prince Ali, a member of the Iraqi branch of the Royal Hashemite dynasty, who narrowly escaped 1958 the massacre, when King Faisal II and other members of Iraq’s Royal Family were brutally murdered, met Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani who presides Iran’s so called parliament, in Tehran.

The Tehran Times:

Sharif Ali thanked Iran for making efforts to help establish stability in Iraq after the overthrow of the Saddam regime, saying it is essential that the two countries increase their ties.

Sharif Ali said the recent terrorist incidents in Iraq were conducted by the remnants of the previous regime in order show that the government is incapable of maintaining security.

Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein

What game is Iran playing? Why did the regime invite a member of the Iraqi Royal Family,while on the other hand, the Mullah’s and their clerks sentence Iranian Monarchists to death by hanging?

From Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein’s point of view it is logical to hold talks with Iran considering that a majority of the Iraqi population are Shi’ite muslims. To improve his chances, the Sunni Prince must be seen to be on good terms with the Shi’ite neighbour.

But what does Iran gain from courting Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein?

The flag and coat of arms of the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq.

The modern Greek republic is bankrupt

The Age reported today: Greece hits $500bn debt crisis: "'The country's debt has reached 300 billion euros, which is the highest level in our country's modern history,' Deputy Finance Minister Filippos Sahinidis told MPs on Thursday."

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said that the country's financial crisis was a threat to its sovereignty.

"We are determined to do whatever is necessary to check the huge deficit, to restore stability in public finances, to promote development," Papandreou told his cabinet. "It is the only way to ensure that Greece does not lose its sovereign rights."

No King to blame
And the politicians can't even blame the Monarchy for their failures. After all, they sent King Constantine into exile.

As a Monarchy, Greece experienced an economic miracle after World War II, as The Jurist explains:

1953 was the starting point of the economic "Greek miracle". For twenty years, Greece had the highest growth rate internationally (after Japan). Despite the many political problems (which included a military junta from 1967 to 1974, the Cyprus problem and the outlawing of the Greek Communist Party from 1948 to 1974), Greece managed to transform itself, over a period of thirty years, from a destroyed (due to a long series of wars), underdeveloped small country to a country worthy of becoming a member of the (then) European Communities. Greece was accepted as the 10th member of the ECC in 1981. At the time, most of its economic indicators were better or equal to Ireland's (that was already a member), Spain's and Portugal's (which were to become members in 1986). The"Greek miracle", which was a textbook example, was basically the result of the policies of the Conservative politician Konstantinos Karamanlis who governed Greece from 1955 to 1963 and from 1974 to 1980, with a mix of Keynesian and Free-Market policies.

This is even acknowledged by Wikipedia:

Greece’s growth averaged 7% between 1950 and 1973, a rate second only to Japan's during the same period. In 1950 Greece was ranked 28th in the world for per capita GDP, while in 1970 it was ranked 20th.

What an obvious parallel: Greece's economic stability ended with the country's Monarchy!

35th Anniversary of another Greek Referendum
It seems, nothing has changed in Greece. DW published this news item on 7th December 2009:

Greece has seen another day of violent clashes that erupted over last year's police shooting of the 15-year-old teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos.

Greek riot police clashed with hundreds of stone-throwing youths in Athens on Monday as protesters took to the streets for a second day.

Security forces made 21 arrests after scores of stone-throwing youths separated from the throng of 5,000 demonstrators marching towards parliament.

Two youths were arrested earlier on Monday for throwing stones at a police station in Athens. Two other police stations in the suburbs of Agia Paraskevi and Kallithea were also attacked, police said.

In the northern city of Thessaloniki police fired teargas at dozens of violent youths, who broke away from a march of 2,500 people.

"The clashes are not significant overall, the protests went as expected," said a police official who declined to be named.

Today’s news from Greece is as disturbing as it was 35 years ago, when just another Greek referendum on the country’s Monarchy took place. Barely 18 months after the military dictators had forced the Greek people to sanction their decision to proclaim a republic, the Greeks were asked to go to the polls again.

The weekly magazine “To the Point International” covered the referendum:

“In spite of the low turn-out, the monarchy referendum brought all the Greek passions back into the political arena. The campaign was more lively than the general election. A few days before the vote, six policemen were slightly hurt, when a group of Maoists attacked a royalist headquarters …”

On 9th December 1974 German TV correspondent Günter Eder gave this report from Athens:

“When the first result came in and were displayed in the press centre the international and Greek journalists were hit by a shock: A village on the Peloponnese had voted with a two thirds majority for the King. But all following results demonstrated quickly that there would be a hefty defeat for the King.”

In the end 1,443,804 Greeks backed the Monarchy, while 3,236,345 rejected the idea of a “Crowned Democracy” as the King had called his concept of a renewed Greek Monarchy. 1,328,665 Greeks did not cast their vote in the polls.

Naturally Monarchists were disappointed by the result. In a declaration King Constantine said: “I have lost. I wish that the result of the referendum may be good for our country.” Even while in exile he served his country. For example, he was to play a leading and perhaps crucial role on the International Olympic Committee in the award of the 2004 Olympics to Athens.

He had been in exile since December 1967 and unlike other Greeks who had been forced by the dictatorship to live abroad, the Greek Royal Family was not allowed to return, when the regime collapsed. The referendum campaign took place without the main person, although it is unlikely that the King would have been like a political campaigner attending meetings and shouted slogans.
Instead, on 26th November 1974 he sent his people a message expressing his admiration for their fight and their sacrifices during the time of the dictatorship. “As you all know, I was forced to leave the country after my effort to liberate Greece from the dictatorship.”

In the British television programme, "Constantine: A King's Story", a Greek Orthodox priest explained that Constantine will always be King. Unlike many modern Monarchs, but as with Queen Elizabeth II, the King was anointed at his coronation, as were the Kings of the Old Testament. Although he accepts the referendum, The King has not abdicated.
The acclaimed six part TV series “A Royal Family” finished with this remarkable sentence: “Some countries have lost their Monarchy, yet, they still have a Royal Family.” That is certainly true for Greece.Queen Anne-Marie in a costume that was designed by the first Queen of modern Greece, Queen Amalia.

"I support the monarchy, always have, always will"

Today The Sydney Morning Herald conceded defeat by admitting, that the danger of "Australia becoming a republic any time soon have nosedived with Tony Abbott becoming the Leader of the Opposition.

"... In an interview with the Herald yesterday, Mr Abbott made it plain that he would never contemplate a republic, even after the Queen had left the throne.

"'That was Malcolm's position and I have no plans to revisit it, full stop,' he said.

"'I support the monarchy, always have, always will, not because I'm a royal groupie,' he said. 'It's a terrific system of government and I challenge anyone to come up with a better one.'

"In his office yesterday, Mr Abbott had a portrait of Her Majesty."

I may dispute other concepts of Tony Abbott and certainly do not like the idea of going nuclear in Australia, but I must admit that what he said on the Monarchy fills me with joy. The headline of this posting could be my motto: "I support the Monarchy, always have, always will ... It's a terrific system of government."

Quotes on Turnbull

When Malcolm Turnbull pushed aside the then Leader of Her Majesty’s Australian Opposition Brendan Nelson, the media welcomed him frantically:

Sydney Morning Herald, 16th September 2008: The rise and rise of Malcolm Turnbull

The Daily Telegraph, 17th September 2008: Australia's conservative opposition elects republican as leader

Australia's conservative opposition party has elected a staunch republican as its new leader in a move which increases the likelihood of the Queen being dumped as the country's head of state.

Republicans now head both of Australia's main political parties after multimillionaire former merchant banker Malcolm Turnbull was named leader of the opposition.

Mr Turnbull chaired the Australian Republican Movement from 1993 to 2000 and led the failed 1999 campaign to make Australia a republic in a referendum.

But very soon after his assuming of the new position, the honeymoon turned sour.

The Age, 23rd October 2008:
Turnbull's poor judgement puts the spotlight back on him

The Age, 20th February 2009:
Turnbull's authority takes a battering after a week from hell

Malcolm Turnbull had some tumultuous times when he led the republican movement but there could have been none worse than this week from hell. His Liberal Party turned cannibalistic. ... Turnbull can only be appalled at the havoc, especially as much of it is his own creation.

The Australian, 20th June 2009:

Malcolm Turnbull, the preferred candidate of everyone in the left-liberal commentariat from Phillip Adams to Michelle Grattan, is now ensconced as the least conservative leader to head the conservative side of Australian politics.

The Age, 18th September 2009:

Indeed, the week of Turnbull's first anniversary as leader has turned into a total disaster for him and a celebration of the man he ousted. Nelson, whose leadership was undermined by Turnbull over emissions trading, gave his successor a double blast on the issue - warning against any deal on the legislation before the Copenhagen conference, first in the party room and then in his last parliamentary speech. A deal is just what Turnbull is battling to get.

When he delivered his valedictory to a packed house on Wednesday, Nelson was treated like a hero. Turnbull was forced to sound gracious to the man who recently described him as having ''narcissistic personality disorder''. These farewells can often be surreal but this one was extraordinary. It was the same later at the party room drinks. The affection for Nelson was obvious. Turnbull knows that's not how his colleagues feel about him.

Sunday Herald Sun, 28th November 2009: Malcolm Turnbull's biggest mistake was joining the wrong party

Liberal Party members see Turnbull as brilliant, brash, multi-skilled and charismatic on one hand and arrogant, divisive and a spiv always looking for deal on the other.

The Age, 29th November 2009: When being the smartest man in the room is not enough

Turnbull's lack of political skills has let him down.

The Age, 2nd December 2009: A mad era best forgotten - along with Hewson and Latham

Turnbull inflicted more damage on his colleagues than Kevin Rudd ever did.

In November 2007, I [Peter Costello] conducted the ballot for Liberal leader that Brendan Nelson won by three votes. No sooner had I declared the result than Malcolm Turnbull disputed it. And told me that Brendan Nelson was not up to the job.

I suggested that Brendan had won fairly, that Malcolm should accept the result and that if Brendan was as bad as he said, then the party would turn to him. ''Put in an outstanding performance as shadow treasurer and you will win over your colleagues,'' I said.

Malcolm left the room and went down to Brendan's office to give him a free character assessment. The leaks and the backgrounding started from that day. Malcolm's supporters were ruthless in tearing down Nelson. Weakened by this campaign and suffering poor polls, Nelson called another ballot. Turnbull won by four votes. In total, only three votes moved. It was an ominous sign. He got there, but not by building support among his colleagues.

The past fifteen months have shown, how a darling of the media, a republican messiah even, fell from grace and is now seen - even by his republican mates - as a disaster!

Turnbull is gone - and Queen Elizabeth II is still Queen of Australia!

Prince Charles will be making a keynote speech Climate Conference in Copenhagen

HRH The Prince of Wales will be making a keynote speech on December 15th 2009 at the opening ceremony of the High Level part of the UNFCCC Climate Conference in Copenhagen.

This is the first day of the second week of the conference, when the Heads of State and Ministers participate. This invitation reflects the impact of the pioneering work carried out by The Prince of Wales in the environmental arena over the last thirty five years, of which The Prince's Rainforests Project has been the most recent example.

The Prince will use this opportunity to highlight that the future of mankind can only be assured if a consensus is forged on how to integrate economic development with a real understanding of the ecological carrying capacity of the planet. This is the fundamental requirement of any solution to climate change and must be built on a public, private and NGO sector partnership. HRH will stress the urgent need to find a way to live as part of, rather then apart from, Nature.

A transcript of the speech will be available on The Prince's Rainforests Project website later that day.
Chief Raoni Txucarramae of the Kayapo people in northern Brazil met The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall on their visit to the Amazon rainforst in March 2009.