Re: New Years Honours.
 

Well no, but around 20 to 2 ratio is a bit overkill really;)

Re: New Years Honours.
 

In my opinion....and it is only my opinion, I do not think that TV stars, sports celebrities and the like, should be eligible for honours unless they have done something truly outstanding....something that really makes a difference to the sick, the poor, the disadvantaged......they should not get honours for just doing their job...it debases the honours system.
Honours should be given to those who have selflessly served and given their time to their communities. Made day to day lives more bearable.

And yes Cashy, you are right....it doesn't matter who trashed the honours list by seeling the honours...or by giving them to seedy/sleazy/dishonest characters.......it is wrong, full stop.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Totally agree Margaret - they only get the honours because they bring kudos to the country, with Olympic medals etc, not because they do anything out of the ordinary in their field.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Yes, and they are already well known, they do not need to be brought into the public gaze, for something that they are already well paid to do. We already see enough of their preening and courting the press......I would like to see honours confined to those who work tirlessly for a cause, or a community.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

I object strongly to the preponderance in the Honours List of Civil Servants and Quangocrats. Why must they be offered medals just for turning up to do a job for which they are already well, some might say over, paid?

Re: New Years Honours.
 

spot on A-B.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Surely its BECAUSE they bring kudos, that they get the award?

I agree completely about the bureaucrats who don't deserve an award. I once knew a civil servant who got an MBE simply for reaching a certain grade. It devalues the system.

But sportsmen who bring glory to the UK, like Darren Clarke and Rory McIlroy, deserve a reward for boosting the national spirit. IMHO.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Well said!

Sport requires an immense amount of sacrifice to reach certain levels and to compete and win at international level is good for the country's image. I wonder if those who are against awards for sport's personalities were against the Olympics coming to Britain this year.:rolleyes:

Re: New Years Honours.
 

No! I think the Olympics are a good thing despite all the whingers. I know that to do well at sport is hard work but so is anything if you do it properly.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Winning an Olympic medal or World Title IS the top in a sportsman's field. You are talking years of sacrifice leading up to one moment of glory - if it was that easy and just required doing something properly they would all be winners, surely?

On another tack, i didn't realise that it was possible for people from overseas and Non-commonwealth to gain honours. Saw on a quiz show here yesterday that the Italian Director Federico Fellini had been knighted in 2004. I think there are others this year too -don't know if it is very common and what the criteria are.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

In the main, yes. The olympics are an unnecessary expense and although you are going to tell me that they will bring in much needed tourist revenue, it won't make a profit.
We, the taxpayers will be footing the deficit.
Hasn't sport had it's own share of sleaze and double dealing recently?
As far as sacrifices being made, to reach certain levels, the sportsmen are doing what they choose to do, they have sponsors and are given handsome rewards........they do not clock in....it isn't exactly working down the mine...and they get recognition.....they do not need the extra recognition that these honours bring with them. Their reward is in being able to represent their country.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Oh...perhaps I should say that I am not a fan of sport at all...and am looking for a quiet cave in which to spend the time that the olympics will be 'wall to wall' on TV.

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Don't forget the European Football Championships are on prior to the Olympics, better get that cave well stocked Margaret:D

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Busy year all round - don't forget Wimbledon Twice this year as it's the Olympic venue also, sport, sport and more sport, then The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and at some point perhaps Lady Thatcher's funeral:rolleyes::D

Re: New Years Honours.
 

Oh, Hell and damnation! New Years Day is not a favourite of mine.......I always think that the new Year has lumps of stuff in it that I am not going to like......Dianne, you have just confirmed a whole wedge of the year with stuff in it I absolutely detest.
I think I might just go and find myself a nunnery....a silent order.