Read other letters about this article

• Wednesday, January 14, 2009 07:00 AM

  @LondonLad, more French lessons? Yes we happen to have heard of Lester Piggot, the famous

  jockey. His daughter, Tracy, who, fortunately for her did not inherit her Daddy's looks, lives in Ireland and does broadcastin work on horse-racing and rugby football.

  Now, London Lad, how can you put up with living in a country reeking with hypocrisy such as England? Your Prince Harry calls a much older man "Sooty" because the man (a polo manager?) seems to be of Indian origin. I burst out laughing with shock, but not awe, when I heard the latest about the gauche (French, I'm afraid) princeling who got one GCSE of all the subjects available to him in the history of art; even in that one achievement there were the bones of a court case, the litigation that you associate with America. Harry was said to have cheated and passed off his teacher's input as his own. Result of court case: Harry was completely innocent, naturally enough and teacher left the stage with what can be reckoned to be a considerable amount of dosh, discreetly delivered you can be sure. Next step: Harry, being definitely officer material, is a cadet at Sandhurst, his application having been approved solely on merit, of course. Now the royal lackeys and crawlers are out in force telling anyone who'll listen that the dusky-skinned man called "Sooty" by Harry actually loves that name and that it's a term of affection! Well, yes, if you're a black cat. The English learned to play polo from the Indians of the highest caste but Harry, despite all or because of all that Hanoverian blood, still thinks it's a merry jape to refer to a person's colour even though his own over-red, florid complexion is nothing to write home about. London Lad, I don't think you British are getting good value for your money in the collection of royal clowns to which you're always tugging your forelock.

  If Harry's antics weren't enough to show you in a bad light, the news that two immigration officers had been suspended because of their membership of the BNP added to the aura of utter hypocrisy. For the Americans who can't be expected to know this, the British National Party is actually able to put up candidates for election and membership is legal, except if you're in the police, the immigeation service and a third category which I can't remember right now. A list of BNP members was posted on the Internet which has caused all sorts of huffing and puffing, hissing and spitting. So now you have a situation in which a prince of the realm thinks that "paki", "raghead" and "sooty" are terms of endearment when he uses them about his social inferiors and two of the plebs get into trouble for belonging to a political party which, though unpleasant in attitude is still a legally-recognised party.

  OK now, London Lad?

  —maureenodonnell Read maureenodonnell's other letters
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel