OK. I’ll admit it. Call me an ignoramus but I didn’t even know that Spain had a Queen. I mean, I know that they did at one time because she sent Columbus to America and all that but I didn’t know she was still alive.
But on top of that I was even more shocked to find out that I like the Queen of Spain. Look, this is a big admission for me. I’ve got an anti-authoritarian streak a mile wide but I’m now officially hoping the Queen takes over Spain. Here’s why from a Reuters report:
The Queen of Spain drew criticism Friday after she was quoted as condemning gay marriage, gay pride marches and abortion in an upcoming biography.
“If these people want to live together, dress as grooms and get married, they might have the right to do so or not, depending on the laws of their countries. But they shouldn’t call it marriage, because it isn’t,” Queen Sofia was quoted as saying.
Of course, all the elected officials are all condemning my favorite queen now.
So, if Obama wins here in America, maybe I’ll head off to Spain and attempt a coup along with my new favorite Queen. Hey, look, Europe can’t get much worse, can it?
November 2, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Buzz me when the queen calls for a new reconquista. Then, I’ll be more than happy to join you!
November 2, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I know. I’ve been thinking a constitutional Catholic monarchy is the ideal form of government.
November 2, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Sofia / Sophia means wisdom, and in this matter of the Queen it is so.
— Mack
November 2, 2008 at 3:03 pm
For altar and throne!!
IMHO, however, feudal monarchy is better than constitutional monarchy.
November 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Of course Spain has a queen. Its one of the only real Catholic monarchies left in the world and it is certainly the greatest (much better than those schismatic, sorry excuses for royalty in England. ) Viva el rey Juan Carlos! Viva la Reina Sofia! Viva el Principe Felipe!
November 2, 2008 at 6:00 pm
God Bless the Queen of Spain. But if Barack Obama (God forbid) is elected we need you right here. Kit
November 2, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Europe can’t get much worse ? Neither can the US of A.
November 2, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Hehehe.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the descendants of America’s founding fathers were first in line to lead a revolution to return to Monarchism?
November 3, 2008 at 12:25 am
It’s so funny you mentioned this! Just yesterday at a pro-life Mass our priest joked he would ask for a transfer to Spain if the election went poorly – maybe you could go over together! 馃檪
November 3, 2008 at 3:05 am
Some parts of Europe are fine, flee to Poland, one of the few places in Europe where the majority of Citizens spend Sunday Mornings at Mass, abortion is illegal, the seminaries are full, etc. I hear good things about Malta too.
November 3, 2008 at 4:54 am
Yes, but since Spain elected that Zapatero guy as PM (he looks like Mr Bean) after the Madrid bombings, the place has gone to the dogs. You can marry someone with the same plumbing, chimpanzees have been given legal rights, and they have the Obama abortion policy.
So the King and Queen have to preside over that. I bet some days their Majesties regret being midwives to the transfer to democracy after Franco died.
November 3, 2008 at 5:56 am
Sadly, she was “Misquoted”, but even secret comments are better than nothing!
November 3, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Matthew, there’s a LONG history of cause in effect at work here. Spain’s monarchy was reinstated after the death of Francisco Franco in the 70’s. They were essentially a “concession” to the far right who knew a left-leaning government would follow Franco’s dictatorship. So, they are in essence one of the checks and ballances.
This is especially true and pertinent given the Spanish government under Zapatero and his closet lesbian debuty minister Maria Fernandez de la Vega is as far left as Spain has ever been.
However, I would not say Europe couldn’t get any worse. Italy is doing quite well under Berlusconi. At least the Mohammedans won’t overrun the country while he’s in power.
November 3, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Sorry to pee all over your fireworks but I am afraid there is not that much to be merry about. Saying that Spain is a catholic monarchy is probably wrong on the two counts of “catholic” and “monarchy”.
The only thing in Europe that possibly resembles such a concept is Belgium where the late King Balduin actually resigned in order not to have to sign the abortion laws in that country, and then once the law was passed went back into the throne. Sadly, Juan Carlos here has signed the abortion laws and a a number of other not very catholic things as well.
The words from Sofia have to be understood in the context of Spanish politics, where her husband is seen by the political right (particularly by catholics that are not too happy about, for instance, his less than fully faithful married life) as far too close to the left. The last year or so has been particularly bad on this front. Hence Sofia has come out (23 years too late, by the way)to “defend” traditional values.
If you are looking for a nice place to migrate in case Obama wins, my suggestion is Malta, the last (along with Liechtestein) state in Europe that is confesionally catholic. Plus it has nice beaches and they speak English.
November 3, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Embajador, I agree with most of what you said. Personally, I have no illusions about the Spanish monarchy being models of morality or faith. I DID get a nice smile when Juanca told Chavez to shut up last year in Chile.
Monarchies were much better when no one knew who they really were. Now with mass media, we see they are really just people, and many times sub-par at that.
November 3, 2008 at 7:43 pm
Deusdonat- I am no fan of Juan Carlos and, frankly, I thought the exchange with Chavez was pretty pathetic. When someone who is supposedly a king has to go down to those levels……
Having said that my guess is that people are not happy with Juan Carlos’ unfaithfullness not so much due to its sinful nature but due to the sympathy that mostly everyone feels towards Sofia, including myself.
The private life of Spanish monarchs has been pretty public for a few centuries. One just has to have a look at, for instance, XIX century illustrated newspapers. They were pornographically clear about the private life of kings and queens.
Personally I don’t consider that to be such a big issue. If you look at the number of monarchs that have been canonised (not to speak about the ones that should be canonised) over the total number of monarchs I bet the proportion is not bad at all. Just compare that to bishops or -gasp- priests.
November 3, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Yes, it’s just a matter of fighting to be saints. And this is unknown stuff for Juanca and all the “trouppe”.
PS: I totally agree with eo nomine’s comments, specially in what refers to a new reconquista. 馃槈
November 3, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Embajador – I guess that’s the difference here; I simply don’t expect much from royals. They are simply born into their entitlements and can choose to act accordingly or not (most of the times, not). But honestly, Juanca saying, “驴porqu茅 no te callas? was hardly pathetic (unless you are referring to what Chavez was saying). Not a fan of Juanca either, just saying it was nice to see him put Chavez in his place. Kind of like Godzilla vs Mothra or something.
November 3, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Deusdonat- I liked the “Kind of like Godzilla vs Mothra or something.” bit. XDDDD.
But I like more the Magneto vs Charles Xavier struggle. “Charles” Xavier eh?.
November 5, 2008 at 5:19 am
And we have Francisco Franco to thank for it. Demonized today, I consider him the greatest statesman of the 20th Century. Catch up on your modern Catholic history (not that I’m not deficient in many other areas).