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Yeah, been trying to think of something based around "Truth and Reconciliation" for five minutes, I got nothing. It's a toughie, isn't it? I've already used up the "short walk to the crematorium" one in the Drop 40 notes. The angles are oddly difficult: his name, his other name (Madiba), Robben Island, ANC, "Free Nelson Mandela" (The Special AKO?) Apartheid, I'm Soweto-ing on this, I don't mind telling you... Departheid?

Dekafirnated? ( Bit too much? )

I must admit that the level of debate on this site is wonderful and goes to show what an erudite bunch the Deathlist attracts. I know a lot of Republicans (on both sides of the world) seems to be of the opinion not to do anything until QE II dies but but in my opinion that will be too late because the atmosphere will not be right for the debate and the juggernaut of tradition will swing into action and King Charles III will be crowned before they have had chance to open their gobs. However I am a supporter of the monarchy but think that it is better to have a reasoned debate about the choices rather than follow a blind path through tradition. This is the view of a Brit and I do not pretend to have an understanding of what the average Australian would think of the matter.

Okay, here are my thoughts on the Republican debate: basically it was created by former Prime Minister Paul Keating as a distraction when Australia was going through a severe recession in the early 1990s. It is a bit like gay marriage debates occurring in many countries right now: an issue that raises passions and polarises the entire community but has little direct impact on the on the lives of the vast majority of people being used as a distraction during a period of economic crisis. That said, up until recently I would have agreed with Body Snatcher that it is better to remain a monarchy. The Queen keeps the role above politics and it is largely a symbolic position: the Goveenor-General basically rubber stamps legislation and acts as a figurehead. Since the Whitlam dismissal fiasco, it is extremely unlikely a G-G will sack a government again. In the proposed minimalist model for a republic, the president would simply be the new name for the G-G, with no change in powers and appointment by parliament. Hence, the only change would be a symbolic one. It is the symbolism that nationalist types care about though, feeling we need to cut the strings with England, otherwise, we will 'look like an immature nation in the eyes of the world' (ie, America.) Hence, a lot of this is driven by a national inferiority complex and people wanting to get the notice of our 'big brother' America. Look up "cultural cringe" on Wikipedia for more on this aspect of the Aussie national psyche. Of course, Americans couldnt care less about us or our form of government and their influence over this nation is such that most thinking people are very much aware they are the real masters as per our previous discussions above. The other model proposed would be a directly elected president which has the benefit of wrestling control from the hands of the politicians but politicises the whole office of president even more. A lot of people have expressed distaste at the thought of having US-style presidential elections with all their razzamatazz and associated bollocks. Anyway, because there were these two models, when it came to the referendum, then-Prime Minister John Howard (a hardline conservative and monarchist) was cunningly able to exploit divisions in the republican camp about which approach was best and the whole thing fell apart. It is possible the debate will arise again when QE2 dies, if it is politically opportune for whoever is in power by then. At the moment, it isn't on the radar at all though. Now, as I said, I was a monarchist previously as I felt the whole thing was a waste of time, a blatant political distraction and appealed to the basest nationalistic impulses. I still feel all of that but I guess what has really made me dislike the royals are the Wikileak revelations about Prince Andrew and the antics of William and especially Harry. I don´t think such revolting people should be heads of state. Of course, the role is bigger then the personalities that fill it and having a politician as president will probably mean we end up with people who are as bad or worse but at least there would be more turnover. There are a few other factors involved as well which I won´t go into here. Ultimately, though, it just isn´t that huge an issue unless the powers are associated with the role are changed or expanded, which would need an enormous amount of scrutiny.

Don't you lot have your own forums you can go to?

I'm spending the weekend with the in-laws,last time I did that Maggie Thatcher died,Nelsons gonna go this weekend

Bollocks! I dropped him from my line-up this year If he gets orbit and Mandela dies I will have reached my target of getting more hits than last year . Which is f##king hard considering i only got 3 hits .lol

Yeah, been trying to think of something based around "Truth and Reconciliation" for five minutes, I got nothing. It's a toughie, isn't it? I've already used up the "short walk to the crematorium" one in the Drop 40 notes. The angles are oddly difficult: his name, his other name (Madiba), Robben Island, ANC, "Free Nelson Mandela" (The Special AKO?) Apartheid, I'm Soweto-ing on this, I don't mind telling you... Grave Robben? Nah, that's terrible.

I hope not, I enjoy Antiques Roadshow

He's not the man he used to be. In fact he's only a half Nelson.

Fall Nelson?

Free Nelson Mandela (Whilst stocks last)

Power of the Daleks would be my choice. Troughton's debut story as the first "new" Doctor...

Ultimately the distractions fooled no-one. I would just like to clarify, I'm not really a monarchist - although I do have a healthy appreciation for the history behind centuries old institutions and I would like to be knighted someday I don't have an opinion on them either way (unless of course one of them dies). I consider myself to be more of a constitutionalist when it comes to this matter anyway. I too fear an Americanisation of Australian political system; although I do enjoy the company of Americans and consider the ones I know to be good friends and people of substance. In political terms I believe the US is starting to wane - partially due to the fact that Obama, who won two landslides, has had an uphill battle with every single thing he tries to do. Ultimately we can discuss this until the cows come home (as dear old dad used to say) and as Davey rightly says it seems more useful as a political trump card to distract rather than enact upon. Personally I don't trust them enough to allow them to change the rules so significantly when they can't even produce a cohesive budget surplus or are too afraid to legalise same-sex marriage.

New balls please As federer is 2-1 down in sets I don't care. This is a man, who when asked "what is the biggest plus about being Swiss?" , replied... "the flag".........

Well thank god for that to be fair the BBC has been on its last legs for a long time .

It sure is. Goodbye guest

I want to know why Bill Wyman has not been called to account by opperation Yewtree for historic underage sex? From his wiki page... On 2 June 1989, aged 52, Wyman married 18-year-old Mandy Smith whom he had been dating since she was 13 and he was 47 years old. According to Smith, their relationship was sexually consummated when she was 14 years old. Their relationship was the subject of considerable media attention. The marriage ended in spring 1991, although the divorce was not finalised until 1993. How can that 30 year old teacher get 5 & a half years jail for a week long relationship with a 15 year old yet nothing is done about Wyman's over 2 year long grooming of his 14 year old "victim"?. Maybe it's because... Politically, Wyman has supported Britain's Conservative Party.

We do have our fair share of music threads, don't we? Apart from myriad individuals and bands there are (deep breath) folk, country, pop stars, opera, jazz, blues, hiphop, reggae, Eurovision, songwriters, psychedelic warriors, minimalists, drummers, rock/metal, gigs in the sky, festivals, best gigs, funeral and general music (aka Jacques Brel and his jelly jewellery). * Have I missed any? * data supplied by St Asperger, patron saint of internet fora

Willi is happy again

Jane plays with willi

Lotte plays Jane.

Hans plays with lotte????

Strange. That report says she broke her collar bone. i don't think that guest poster cares about facts .lol i have broken 3 fingers horse-riding very dangerous in fact it put me off riding horses for life. I can see how that would put you off. I got thrown from a horse when I was 10. Thankfully I only ended up with a bruised hip. It would have been a nice gesture if they had told me in advance why the horse was called Thunder and that the previous 3 people that had ridden him were also thrown.

You do know that some criminals specialise in perusing the death announcements for information, then go and burgle the homes of the deceased and chief mourners during the funeral? We've always made sure that someone is in the house during family funerals for this reason. There's always someone who asks if there's "anything I can do", or someone who is glad of an excuse not to go. Don't forget the other group of people who ransack the homes of the recently deceased looking for valuables. - What are they called? ....... ........ Ah Yes - Relatives