Clinton and Mandela Recommended for Ancient English Military Honour

[kskiska]

The honorary title of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports has been reserved for members of the country's nobility since ancient times, but that could be about to change.

The position has remained vacant since the death in 2002 of the Queen Mother, who served as the last warden to the association of 14 ports - including the original five ports of Sandwich, Dover, Hythe, Romney and Hastings.

Joe Trussler, the speaker of the Cinque Ports and the Mayor of Sandwich, has asked the Queen and the Prime Minister to consider a number of public figures, including Bill Clinton, John Major and Nelson Mandela, for the post.

(snip)

Mr Trussler said he recommended Mr Clinton for the post because of his American heritage and his love of golf. He felt that the appointment of the former president of the US would enhance Britain's relations with America, and his love of golf would sit well with the Sandwich landscape. The Royal St Georges Club at Sandwich was the venue for last year's British Open.

"We were asked who we would personally like to see as Lord Warden and I think I caused a bit of a stir when I said Bill Clinton," Mr Trussler said. "I was thinking about what such an appointment would do for the region. He plays golf and the Americans love British history, so he may draw in greater tourism."

more…
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=480359

[lebkuchen]

1. Hmmm, an English honor...because Clinton and Mandela can speak it so well?

As opposed to the Chimpanzee in Office?

[PartyPooper]

2. The Big Dog was a Rhodes scholar who attended university at Oxford!

He was the last legitimate American president who actually had any intelligence, too!

:toast:

:beer:

[madrchsod]

3. what george didn`t get the nod?

i thought they loved bush..boy was i wrong!!!

[chasqui]

4. Clinton better turn this down.

Aristocracy is, and should be, antithetical to the Democratic Party. An honorary title like this one, if accepted, only serves to impress on US, the Americans, that the ROYALTY of the UK, whom we fought and kicked out of our country, is above us.
They have no business seving our elected leaders with patronizing prizes.

[burrowowl]

5. I agree eom

[Bridget Burke]

7. Besides, it would really insult poor Bush*

He planned that state visit to Great Britain in hopes of pomp & circumstance. Things had to be scaled back considerably because of the protests.

For Clinton to be mentioned for this title indicates he's respected in the UK--from the highest levels on down.

[Robb]

9. I agree as well

...although if it's a title that gets a "sir" in it, I have to admit I'd be a little tickled by "Sir William Jefferson Clinton".

[Guaranteed]

6. His love of golf?

I guess that's supposed to be a joke. :)

[0007]

8. I love it! Dick Cheney is dying to see two of his favorite folks honored,

just might stop his elctrical system from working, if 'ya catch the drift.