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- cross-posted to:
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Summary
Australian senators censured Senator Lidia Thorpe for her outburst against King Charles III during his visit, calling him a colonizer and demanding land and reparations. Thorpe defended her actions, stating she would repeat them if Charles returned.
He is an extraordinarily wealthy man who has a platform that many will listen to. He can do a lot on his own to change things. Yeah, he doesn’t control the government, but do you think anyone has ever accomplished anything who doesn’t? Obviously havi g the government do what you wish on a whim is not the only method to get things done. Many have accomplished more good than him with less.
And he did quite some of that indeed before his coronation. Couldn’t shut up, some would say. Among other things, he’s never been opposed to Australian republicanism. Now he’s bound to protocol, and the protocol says that the King is not to voice any even remotely political opinion whatsoever. He can comment on how nice the food was, that’s about it.
Regarding wealth he’s something like the 2000th wealthiest person on earth. Theoretically, can’t find him on the billionaire list though he reportedly just about makes it. Lots of people have inherited more money and done way worse with it. I don’t think it should be possible to inherit that kind of fortune but that applies in general, not just to monarchs.
Your comment about wealth seems to be dismissive. Sure, many people have more and do worse. That’s not an argument saying he can’t do more. That’s only an argument that he could do less also. He can obviously do more. Saying one thing is worse than another thing doesn’t excuse either. Both can and should improve.
I don’t know about the laws surrounding him as monarch. Maybe you’re right that he can’t say anything. I don’t believe this is totally true because the monarchs platform people frequently. Maybe they aren’t supposed to, but they obviously can do more than just keep quite. He could invite this woman to a state dinner, for example, and give her more of a platform. There are many options available. He is not powerless to do anything.