Friday, October 20, 2006

Jamaican Me Crazy...


Tom (the US-born Australian) and Seapea (the Korean-born Canadian) both mentioned that they had to ‘toast’ or ‘salute’ the Queen when they become citizens of their particular domains of her Majesty. But you may have noticed that Australia does not require this. Laurel certainly didn’t have to toast, salute or pledge anything to the Queen.

It would appear that Australia is being confused with:

A. Jamaica...

Of course, being in Jamaica is just like being in The Cotswolds. Here is what you say to become a subject of the Queen of Jamaica:
I, [name], do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Her Heirs and Successors according to law and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Jamaica and fulfil my duties as a citizen of Jamaica.
B. Or New Zealand...

New Zealand, as you know, is very close to England… a mere hop-skip-and-a swim across the ‘channel. To become a Kiwi, you say this:
I [name] swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of New Zealand, Her heirs and successors according to law, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of New Zealand and fulfil my duties as a New Zealand citizen. So help me God.
C. Or Canada.

My question, that Seapea might be able to answer, is “do they say Oui to this pledge in Quebec?” [Peut il jamais être ainsi -- I don't know what that means, but it's the best I could do with Babelfish.com !]. To live in the “United Kingdom of Canada,” you must affirm this:
I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the Laws of Canada and fulfill my duties as a Canadian citizen.
The sun appears to be setting...

Love, Justin.

PS Points for the location of the pic [Tom got almost all of the points last time].

12 comments:

byron smith said...

Broken Bay?

Anonymous said...

Justin,

The pledge is the same one we used years ago. The toast came after the pledge, and may have been peculiar to the particular Lord Mayor, who looked British to his bootstraps with the fur on the robe and etc.

We got either sherry or orange juice, and the mayor said "To the Queen!" and we said "To the Queen" and we all had a drink. To be fair, it was the only time she was mentioned the whole evening.

Mandy said...

You might not have to toast the Queen in Australia, but do you get a eucalyptus tree when you become a citizen of any of those other Commonwealth countries? My Mum did when she became an Australian citizen in the early 90's.

Justin said...

Bryon -- Indeed. You could get even more specific.

Tom -- Thanks. My tongue, you know, is firmly in my cheek with all this. Laurel's ceremony was a far more crowded affair, it would seem. I can't imagine how they would have raised a glass of sherry! Adrienne Ryan was the Mayor. Ironically, an English-person.

Safetygirl -- Yes. Laurel got a tree. It have been a eucalytus, or wattle. But that was kind of cool. It resides at my parents home, I believe!

seapea said...

i don't do quebecoise!!!!!

Anonymous said...

No loyal toast? shocking.

I didn't know you got a tree when you became an Australian.

When you become an American citizen, they give you a handgun. You have to buy the ammunition though.

Justin said...

Tom.

lol

:)

Benjamin Ady said...

I say--if you must own a handgun, buy blanks for ammunition.

Anonymous said...

J-man,

Peut il jamais être ainsi

...

May it never be otherwise.

Justin said...

Anon - Hello. Who are you?

I am not french. I was hoping for "May it not be so".

byron smith said...

Tom - very nice :-)

PS Jsutin, seems like you're starting again... ;-)

Justin said...

Byron -- Help me, buddy! You see Jsutin is unfair. Its obviously wacky. The consonants J and S do not ever go together. But

Byron
Bryon.

They both work...