"a young person who hasn't yet come to realise that the media is all about fuss with no substance" This is a common trope of some members of the middle classes in liberal democracies. It is quite erroneous. You would certainly miss the media if they were shut down by the authorities, as they routinely are in many countries. There is also a recurring theme here about signifiers and signifieds. I'm no expert in postmodernism, but because humans are essentially social animals and language is an innate skill, to say that the words you use change nothing is simply naïve. There may be 'spin' applied (I think that's what you mean) instead of a more 'natural' use of language. But if you make the effort to learn about, say, linguistics or sociology, the 'spin' itself suddenly becomes semantically rich. The post-industrial world is chock-a-block with professional communicators who apply 'spin' to various types of event or issue. However, the better-equipped members of the middle classes are able to 'see through' or 'unpack' the spinned texts. Some people are not, but members of this list will be. Rather than blaming the media or politicians, I think that we need to look at advanced education as an enabling tactic. Matthew ________________________________ From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Hallett, Michelle Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2007 6:18 PM To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Re: The Queen's English? - now OFF TOPIC Not sure I agree with you there Christine. I can understand that any 20 year old woman had stars in her eyes about marriage, even an aristocratic one. Add to that the media fuss and a young person who hasn't yet come to realise that the media is all about fuss with no substance. I think Charles didn't have the guts to challenge mummy and daddy when he first met Camilla and they said she wasn't suitable to be Queen. So they all took advantage of naive 20 year old Diana. It took Diana's death to make changes to all of them and I think both Charles and Camilla owe her. Michelle ________________________________ From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Christine Kent Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2007 2:39 PM To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Re: The Queen's English? - now OFF TOPIC My God!!! You girls are Sooooooo nasty. There is nothing funny in abusing a woman who does not stimulate stereotypical male fantasies. My respect for Charles went UP over the Camilla thing. A man saw virtue in a mature age woman who was his emotional and intellectual equal, and was bored witless with the silly little "princess" who failed to understand what everyone else knew, that she was no more than a brood mare. She was brought up as a aristocrat so had no excuse for not understanding how the royals have always conducted their marriages. Poor little Mary is discovering that little truth now too - but she has more excuse for believing in the fairytale princess myth than Dianna had - at least she was not raised in those circles. It's good that one man one earth has some depth. Gives us hope that there may be some more. Ahhh, Charlie, the man of my dreams! ck ________________________________ From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Hope, Debbie Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2007 4:23 PM To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Re: The Queen's English? - now OFF TOPIC Thanks Matilda-- You summed it up perfectly with one word - 'adulterer'. I was actually going to add 'cow' in there somewhere as well. Debbie ________________________________ From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of MATILDA REICH Sent: Tuesday, 22 May 2007 4:18 PM To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Re: The Queen's English? It's not harsh, it's funny! Everyone knows bonnie Prince Charlie loves his horses, even two legged ones. The demise of Diana had more to do with her brain, emotional stability, marrying an adulterer at such a tender age, than her looks. Poor lass. >>> slb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 22/05/07 4:04 pm >>> Jeez, Debbie, that's a bit harsh. Would you say that to her face? To anyone? I have zero interest in things royal, but Diana Spencer was good looking and look where that all ended up. Stuart Debbie Hope said: > Camilla the Fugly ************************************************** No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.6/814 - Release Date: 21/05/2007 2:01 PM ***************************************************************************** This email, and any files transmitted with it, are confidential and intended for use by the addressee only. 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