NOW THAT WAS A PARTY!  Did you watch the coronation?  I got hooked.  No one does that stuff better than the Brits.  The ceremonies.  The processions.  The costumes.  The hats! They have the greatest hats.

And I'm convinced, based on the sheer size of the affair, that London must have more dry cleaners available than any city in the world.  Why didn't I invest?

Compare, please, to us.  We hold an outdoor inauguration in bitter cold January, some compromise candidate reads a brief oath with his left hand on what he tells us is a family Bible, they have a parade in the same bitter cold, then all the guests go to a party in a run-down hotel open to anyone who gave more than a million bucks, and that's it.   Oh, I did leave out the vice president, who wanders around wearing a button saying "one heartbeat away."  Aren't you embarrassed?

I know that some people think the British monarchy is outmoded, and a drain on the British treasury.  I disagree.  As for the treasury, the monarchy is Britain's biggest tourist attraction and brings in vastly more than the cost of a coronation, even with the cleaning bills.  As for being outmoded, it is that very "old" tradition that makes the monarchy so valued.   It gives the English nation a sense of  its grandeur, its style.  Britain is reminded of what it has contributed.  I am not opposed to national pride when the proud nation is on our side.  The monarchy also gives Britain a sense of permanence, that there is something larger than the politics of the moment. 

I wish we had something like a coronation, or a national day, with readings of our great documents and concerts of our greatest music, accompanied by a major military parade down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington.  We need reminding, too.

May 6, 2023