Why didn’t you tell us, Tony? Yes, Beyond the Pews is Tony’s very own blogsite where he even has some funny stuff. (Don’t get confused by the fact that Tony calls himself Faz over there, OK? That’s what the rest of the blogging world knows him as. It’s just here at this table we get to call him Tony.)
Anyway, Tony/Faz has done me the great honour of putting my blog on his (very short) blog roll, so it would be churlish of me not to add Beyond the Pews to mine.
I propose that
1) We replace the absentee monarch of Australia (who is also the Monarch of Great Britain) with an elected Australian monarchy.
2) The elected monarch exactly replaces the current monarch in the current constition.
3) The elected monarch has exactly the same powers, duties and responsibilities as those of the current absentee monarch. All the monarch's functions are carried out by his/her personal representatives (as is currently the case): federally by the Governor General, and in the states by the State Governors.
4) The Governor General and the Governors continue to be selected and appointed as they currently are, that is, by the premier with the approval of the monarch.
5) The monarch is elected to sovereignty over Australia for life, but his/her sovereignty is strictly non-hereditary.
6) The elective body is the "college of electors" comprised of the state governors and federal governor general.
7) The election of the monarch must be a unanimous decision on the part of the college of electors.
Thanks David.
As I mentioned below, the (very short) blogroll reflects a humble ‘table’ of box cartons for seats, and SA shiraz in vegemite glasses.
Thus far, I have not had to show the door to any visitor. Even Gareth, who keeps telling me how much he doesn’t want to talk to me, has dropped in for a sip.
Beyond the Pews was set up in reaction to being booted off CathPews — can you imagine anyone doing that to little ol’ me? — so that I could still have my say without being subject to the Pewmeister’s free-swining axe (well it was at the time … it’s all gone a little quiet now).
Since then, however, it doesn’t seem to fair to have a go at others from a distance, especially as (and this is hard to imagine too) they may not even read it! — so I tend to not to be too reactive to my online ‘alma mater’.
I was thinking that you and Gareth could just start your own blogspot together where you both had posting and commenting rights. It would be interesting, to say the least…
I could foresee two possible outcomes, David:
1. It would get very boring, very quickly, and/or
2. It would do my head in very quickly.
The close-mindeness of some people that I am up against…
[bites virtual tongue … soothes with port]
No comment.