'ten - shun!!
October 6, 2009 11:54 AM Subscribe
The Guardian Good to see the British class system is alive and well. Reacting to attacks on private schools in England, the chairman of the very posh Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference, Andrew Grant, is reported as defending these appalling, divisive and anachronistic institutions on the grounds that "the army would not have enough officers without them". Astonishingly, he's absolutely serious. My reaction? - a mix of disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair. The interesting twist here is that, by tradition, generally only the more dim-witted of the British upper crust go into the army. Explains a lot.......
This post was deleted for the following reason: so much editorial that you should probably put this on your personal blog. -- mathowie
My reaction: take your op-ed elsewhere.
Damned proles, cluttering up the front page.
posted by atrazine at 11:57 AM on October 6, 2009
Damned proles, cluttering up the front page.
posted by atrazine at 11:57 AM on October 6, 2009
posted by MajorDundee
That's not an editorial post THIS is an editorial post.
posted by DU at 11:58 AM on October 6, 2009 [3 favorites]
That's not an editorial post THIS is an editorial post.
posted by DU at 11:58 AM on October 6, 2009 [3 favorites]
What's all this then?
posted by stinkycheese at 11:58 AM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by stinkycheese at 11:58 AM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
GYOB- Get your own .... Booyah!
posted by There's No I In Meme at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009
posted by There's No I In Meme at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009
The interesting twist here is that, by tradition, generally only the more dim-witted of the British upper crust go into the army.
posted by MajorDundee
This is one of them eponysterical thingies, innit?
posted by ook at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by MajorDundee
This is one of them eponysterical thingies, innit?
posted by ook at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
Probably could do with less op-ed, more linkage.
For a sneaky counterpoint you could include that link about the Guardians own class issues.
posted by Artw at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009
For a sneaky counterpoint you could include that link about the Guardians own class issues.
posted by Artw at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009
Most importantly, these schools are crucial because the Ministry of Magic would not have enough aurors without them.
posted by dersins at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by dersins at 11:59 AM on October 6, 2009 [5 favorites]
Your post is almost longer than the Guardian article. GYOB please.
posted by HumanComplex at 12:00 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by HumanComplex at 12:00 PM on October 6, 2009
more like MajorDUMBdee, amIright?
(I always wanted to do that before a bad post gets deleted)
posted by wendell at 12:00 PM on October 6, 2009
(I always wanted to do that before a bad post gets deleted)
posted by wendell at 12:00 PM on October 6, 2009
Needs more Garth Ennis comics about WWII. Because everything needs more Garth Ennis comics about WWII.
posted by Artw at 12:01 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Artw at 12:01 PM on October 6, 2009
I thought in England "public" and "private" schools had the opposite meaning. Upon Googling I find plenty of support for that idea. But this article isn't using the words that way. I'm very confused. Hope me?
posted by Perplexity at 12:02 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Perplexity at 12:02 PM on October 6, 2009
Seriously, If you're not reading Battlefields and you've not read War Stories you're missing out.
posted by Artw at 12:02 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Artw at 12:02 PM on October 6, 2009
My reaction? - a mix of disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair.
I'm not British, so maybe I'm missing something, but I shudder to think how you would react to something more terrifying than a tone-deaf comment by an industry spokesman.
posted by brundlefly at 12:02 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm not British, so maybe I'm missing something, but I shudder to think how you would react to something more terrifying than a tone-deaf comment by an industry spokesman.
posted by brundlefly at 12:02 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
I like class.
posted by Free word order! at 12:03 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Free word order! at 12:03 PM on October 6, 2009
Private schools are appalling? Go retune your outrage meter, Nigel.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 12:03 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 12:03 PM on October 6, 2009
Probably could do with less op-ed, more linkage.
Probably? :D
posted by zarq at 12:04 PM on October 6, 2009
Probably? :D
posted by zarq at 12:04 PM on October 6, 2009
Please go back to your first post for an example of how to do one of these things. Also, consider another source besides the Grauniad. Pip pip, cheerio.
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:06 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Halloween Jack at 12:06 PM on October 6, 2009
I thought in England "public" and "private" schools had the opposite meaning. Upon Googling I find plenty of support for that idea. But this article isn't using the words that way. I'm very confused. Hope me?
They mean the same. Public schools are particularly grand private schools. Both are private in the American sense.
posted by atrazine at 12:06 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
They mean the same. Public schools are particularly grand private schools. Both are private in the American sense.
posted by atrazine at 12:06 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
This post is like school in the summer time: no class!
posted by photoslob at 12:06 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by photoslob at 12:06 PM on October 6, 2009
What's with single linkers who don't put some break between their link and the rest of their post? Did they not preview their post? Do they not like punctuation? Who is this The Guardian Good?
[Appallingly bad (or appropriate) Seinfeld impression]
posted by filthy light thief at 12:07 PM on October 6, 2009
[Appallingly bad (or appropriate) Seinfeld impression]
posted by filthy light thief at 12:07 PM on October 6, 2009
My reaction to this is a mix of disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair, too.
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:07 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:07 PM on October 6, 2009
Try again LMGM.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 12:07 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 12:07 PM on October 6, 2009
All I know about British class is that I have a friend who "posh-voices" difficult tradesmen. Apparently that works?
posted by infinitewindow at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by infinitewindow at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009
My suggestion for future posts: Summarize the link in a neutral way, and allow us to figure out the disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair on our own.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
Based on your two tags I was hoping this about the Dils.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009
I'm not British, so maybe I'm missing something, but I shudder to think how you would react to something more terrifying than a tone-deaf comment by an industry spokesman.
This is a bad Mefi post and will be deleted, but Grant's comments are pretty extraordinary, in tone and content. Private schools get massive tax breaks under charity law for achieving the charitable goal of... providing an education to those who can afford to pay vast fees. They're not achieving a charitable goal, and shouldn't have charitable status.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
This is a bad Mefi post and will be deleted, but Grant's comments are pretty extraordinary, in tone and content. Private schools get massive tax breaks under charity law for achieving the charitable goal of... providing an education to those who can afford to pay vast fees. They're not achieving a charitable goal, and shouldn't have charitable status.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:08 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
(granted "posh-voicing" is probably less humiliating than threatening lawsuits)
posted by infinitewindow at 12:09 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by infinitewindow at 12:09 PM on October 6, 2009
Probably? :D
Well, definitely. In fact I'd really like to see a decent re-do of this. I'm hoping MajorDundee will have a go at it again despite the savaging.
posted by Artw at 12:09 PM on October 6, 2009
Well, definitely. In fact I'd really like to see a decent re-do of this. I'm hoping MajorDundee will have a go at it again despite the savaging.
posted by Artw at 12:09 PM on October 6, 2009
I thought in England "public" and "private" schools had the opposite meaning.
They mean the same. Public schools are particularly grand private schools. Both are private in the American sense.
Actually it's a little anachronistic now (but only a little). The words "state" and "private" as the distinction is becoming more common.
posted by Sova at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
They mean the same. Public schools are particularly grand private schools. Both are private in the American sense.
Actually it's a little anachronistic now (but only a little). The words "state" and "private" as the distinction is becoming more common.
posted by Sova at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
is it appropriate for me to ask who likes pancakes?
posted by dismitree at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by dismitree at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
another source besides the Grauniad
I've never understood that jumble. Does "grauniad" sound like something in British?
posted by DU at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
I've never understood that jumble. Does "grauniad" sound like something in British?
posted by DU at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
I am not lisning to your rules. Bacon is good for me!
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by PeterMcDermott at 12:10 PM on October 6, 2009
DU they are famous for their typos.
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:11 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:11 PM on October 6, 2009
Does "grauniad" sound like something in British?
Abundance of typos, apparently, like the Sanford town newspaper in Hot Fuzz.
posted by infinitewindow at 12:12 PM on October 6, 2009
Abundance of typos, apparently, like the Sanford town newspaper in Hot Fuzz.
posted by infinitewindow at 12:12 PM on October 6, 2009
This is a bad Mefi post and will be deleted, but Grant's comments are pretty extraordinary, in tone and content. Private schools get massive tax breaks under charity law for achieving the charitable goal of... providing an education to those who can afford to pay vast fees. They're not achieving a charitable goal, and shouldn't have charitable status.
Possibly. Under the tax laws of most countries though (am familiar with Dutch and American) something can be tax-free if it "not for profit" even if it is not charitable.
posted by atrazine at 12:13 PM on October 6, 2009
Possibly. Under the tax laws of most countries though (am familiar with Dutch and American) something can be tax-free if it "not for profit" even if it is not charitable.
posted by atrazine at 12:13 PM on October 6, 2009
I guess you don't like private schools -- especially boarding schools. AMIRITE?
posted by ericb at 12:13 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by ericb at 12:13 PM on October 6, 2009
Really? No one's going to do it? Fine.
MetaFilter: a mix of disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair
posted by brundlefly at 12:14 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter: a mix of disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair
posted by brundlefly at 12:14 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
allow us to figure out the disgust, incandescent rage and utter despair on our own.
We're good at that here. In fact, I usually got the utter despair covered before I even get out of bed.
posted by marxchivist at 12:15 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
We're good at that here. In fact, I usually got the utter despair covered before I even get out of bed.
posted by marxchivist at 12:15 PM on October 6, 2009 [1 favorite]
And I have digust to spare, though my rage is the green kind.
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:16 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by CunningLinguist at 12:16 PM on October 6, 2009
I have no problem with private schools or even tax-free charity status, as long as those who send their kids there are still ponying up their share of public education taxes.
posted by rocket88 at 12:17 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by rocket88 at 12:17 PM on October 6, 2009
Go far young man, go far.
posted by Antidisestablishmentarianist at 12:17 PM on October 6, 2009
posted by Antidisestablishmentarianist at 12:17 PM on October 6, 2009
All I know about British class is that I have a friend who "posh-voices" difficult tradesmen. Apparently that works?
I have a marvellous little man who reads Metafilter for me and writes my comments. Occasionally I do have to have sharp words with him, but by and large he's a gem. He lives in the gatehouse, with his son, who works in the shrubbery.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:18 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
I have a marvellous little man who reads Metafilter for me and writes my comments. Occasionally I do have to have sharp words with him, but by and large he's a gem. He lives in the gatehouse, with his son, who works in the shrubbery.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 12:18 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
Did everyone forget to flag this post?
Well, old chap, vacapinta's asleep, cortex is on holiday, jessamyn's at tea and mathowie's on a hunt, so there isn't anyone who could possibly do anything about the post.
Now then! Who's for conkers?
posted by infinitewindow at 12:19 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
Well, old chap, vacapinta's asleep, cortex is on holiday, jessamyn's at tea and mathowie's on a hunt, so there isn't anyone who could possibly do anything about the post.
Now then! Who's for conkers?
posted by infinitewindow at 12:19 PM on October 6, 2009 [2 favorites]
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