By Carol Lucas
I think I have always been fascinated by British culture. Perhaps this emanates from my teaching English, and in doing so, researching background for every work.
As for Charles and Camilla, my fascination was somewhat less enthusiastic. The whole thing with Diana, what he was said to be doing, the estrangement and her untimely death, caused me to see him in a different, yes, negative light. That was until his recent visit to the United States.
Don’t misunderstand, dear reader. In no way do I look lightly upon extramarital “flings.” That is personal choice, and reflective of the individual in many ways. Rather, I am choosing to look at his appearance before our Congress, and how he handled himself in the political arena.
British humor is, in many cases, droll to the point of being non-existent. One has to listen closely or miss it entirely.
The same is true when making a point. And this was precisely the case as I listened to Charles deliver what was a subtle yet shattering observation of the present United States governmental institution, and more importantly the condition of that institution.
Oh, he was polite, and he was diplomatic as only the British can be. But in that very controlled manner he reminded the President and Republican Congress about issues they have chosen to ignore, or worse, vilify.
These issues included NATO, and the fact that the organization was there for our country when 9/11 occurred. He also mentioned that British troops fought alongside Americans in Afghanistan, and he stated firmly that Ukraine needs help now.
Charles moved on to the topics of protection and preservation of our natural beauty and resources. It might be worth noting here that I read just the other day that No. 47 has yet to visit one of our national parks. Yes, that can be seen as a digression, and a purposeful one as well. In this same vein, Charles spoke of melting ice caps and how we must pay attention to global warming for the sake of coming generations.
Perhaps the issue that really grabbed my attention as well as my gratitude was his speaking on the subject of checks and balances, and how the executive branch should act. Whoa, I thought. It may get a little dicey here regarding the response from Congress.
I had no doubt that the Democrats would provide a rousing cheer for his Majesty’s courageous venture, but Republicans? I couldn’t believe my eyes when both the Vice President and the Speaker stood in applause. Oh, boys, do you really know what you are doing? And for everyone, including your master, to see?
I do not have room here to include the entire speech King Charles III gave, but it is available online, and I urge you to visit and read it in its entirety. Instead I will present a few passages that I feel support my contention that he came to the Congress with a plan, and that he executed it beautifully.
Let’s begin with part of his opening: “So, I come here today with the highest respect for the United States Congress, this citadel of democracy created to represent the voice of all American people to advance sacred rights and freedoms.”
The last thing 47 and his cult want is “representation of all.” Think deportation of the legal residents who happen to be Hispanic. Think of the deaths of those in Minnesota who were fighting for those legal immigrants.
Then there was this: “Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the United States. In both of our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.”
One has to be totally devoid of understanding or maybe willfully ignorant, not to see the implications of this. Not by the will of one? Diverse and free societies providing collective support for those with less?
I have to think that if the creators of Project 2025 were watching, they had to be clutching their pearls, wiping their brows, and reaching for their guns.
I’m surprised that No. 47 didn’t send ICE to crash the session and take Charles away in handcuffs!
What a contrast this was to what we hear from our “wannabe king.” Daily posts of hateful rhetoric; calling people low IQ, castigating our allies around the world, insulting the Pope, overt racism. The list is endless.
It was Brian Cobb who wrote this: “King Charles delivered a well-crafted diplomatic speech, appealing to the ideals of Democracy, the Constitution, Pluralism, Human Rights and the ties of our shared histories. He did not insult our intelligence; he did not deprecate or threaten anyone based on gender, race, party or ideology. Charles spoke the truth. He did not lie.
“I repeat, he did not lie.”
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”