Guest 658- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 660
The association of ex MPs now want a medal issued for services to the country. If they want a medal enlist and serve, have they no shame at all?
beer the food of the gods
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Quite a number of ex MPs joined a gravy train, some going up North to the upper house, some going to Brussels plc, and one made it (from PM) to international adviser of governments lol
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
While it is true as the English poet Milton had it in 1655 that..."they also serve who only stand and wait"*. Those who are awarded medals generally have to have done something tangible...other than missing out on ennoblement.
[I take this from a story in the Mail about Barack and Dave dishing out burgers a while back...]
The well-known quote 'They also serve who only stand and wait' is taken from John Milton's Sonnet XIX: When I Consider How my Light is Spent (published in full below).
The poem, believed to have been written around 1655, is about the English poet's thoughts on his blindness.
Milton's reference to light is a literal one since he had lost his eyesight completely when he composed the piece.
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
'Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?'
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: 'God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.'
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I agree that MPs serve their constituents and their country, but they are very well rewarded for doing so. Many serve very well, some do not, so no, I do not agree that they should be given a medal.
Soldiers, sailors and airmen serve their country and they have no say in where they serve and fight for their country and they are rewarded far less, but pay a much higher price for doing so, so yes, they DO deserve a medal.
Roger
This is the same group of people who won't give recognition to those who served in the Artic convoys. They have their fingre on the pulse of public opinion as usual.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
This is a bit like the ex-mayor badges.
I have to agree the idea is a total nonsense.
It is Barry , I don't care if it where a sticker similar to those dished out by doctors to small children after a visit to the surgery. This is indicative of the lack of awareness of the real world in the House. Just not acceptable
Guest 710- Registered: 28 Feb 2011
- Posts: 6,950
Ignorance is bliss, bliss is happiness, I am happy...to draw your attention to the possible connectivity in the foregoing.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Yes quite so, but we must remember though mentioned as members of this organisation it does not necessarily mean that they are in favour of this daft idea.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
Or making an ex Cllr a freeman?
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
ludicrous idea, john adds his bit too.
basically we are talking about time serving being rewarded, at the moment we have them sent off to the european commission which is bad enough.