Back in the day…
It will soon be the new year, and here in the UK that means the queen’s New Year honours list, handing out awards to the ‘Great and the Good’.
In theory, there’s nothing wrong with this, except that lots of the recipients get these things because they are either rich or else some sort of useless preening celebrity.
But I digress.
The problem I do have is with the OBE and MBE. Just to remind everyone, OBE stands for the Order of the BRITISH EMPIRE and MBE stands for Member of the BRITISH EMPIRE.
Surely, the time to scrap these insulting and redundant ‘honours’ is long overdue!
Mick Canning 
I remember many products made in the UK had this – By appointment to HM Queen stamped on them. Looks like a different world, now!
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It’s certainly a different world, and one where Britain no longer has an empire, thank God!
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🙂
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Hear, hear… Time to move on. To a foreigner, it sound rather ridiculous
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Exactly, and more than ridiculous, I think. Insulting.
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Well, it is a tradition. Sometimes, something’s value has disappeared, but we continue the practice for the sake of tradition.
But I am an American, what do I know about this,.
Have a good day,
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Thanks. I’m all for tradition, but I think the use of the phrase ‘British Empire’ in an award that is given out today suggests it’s something that still exists. Although I’m English, I feel it is insulting to everyone living in countries that were once part of that empire. Like the US, for example…
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Yes, your logic makes perfect sense.
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Thank you!
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I’m absolutely with you on so many levels. ‘British Empire’ is Victorian, dated and frankly pompous considering the issues this country currently has. I also think that just because you’ve stayed in your chosen career for fifty years doesn’t necessarily mean that you should receive an award (perhaps my in-laws should get one for being married for that long!). Rant over, but suffice to say I agree with you!
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Thanks, Katie. I just can’t understand why this has never been properly addressed.
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Ditto!
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Being from almost Iowa, I wonder if I could qualify for a MFBE (Member of Former British Empire).
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Maybe a MFABE? (Member of Former Almost British Empire)
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Mmm. Tradition. Maybe the name could be changed to Order of the British Commonwealth? Except nowadays the Commonwealth is usually just referred to as, um, the Commonwealth.
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It would sound better, yes. Anything to get rid of that word ’empire’.
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Tradition is so very important and its what makes our country special but they really need to drop the ‘Empire’ reference and replace it with something new and more relevant.
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They do indeed.
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You are right!
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Thanks, Shail.
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