[Am-info] Bill Gates the Knight?

[Erick Andrews]

On Thu, 03 Mar 2005 07:45:57 -0500, John J. Urbaniak wrote:

>
>
>Geoffrey wrote:
>
>> !
>>
>> Dare we revive this list! :)
>>
>> I find it absolutely amazing that anyone continues to see Bill Gates as
>> anything other than what he is.  A criminal, monopolist, who continues
>> to stifle innovation.
>
>He's a "Knight Commander of the British Empire." ( I can hardly keep from
>laughing)
>
>I am just curious, are there any responsibilities that come with this title?
>Like, if England were invaded by barbarians or something, do knights have to
>defend the Realm?
>
>Is there something written somewhere as to what a Knight, or a Knight
>Commander is supposed to do?
>
>John

Not that I'm aware of, at least for a non-UK citizen.  Possible exceptions
might be "Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod" who whacks his rod on
the door to open a Parliamentary session, and some other citizens who 
attend ceremonial pageantry like a coronation.

Although *I* never made the Rolls, I think it's just an honor system with
a long history, today not much more than getting a gold, silver or blue star
on your forehead like maybe you got in grade school for neat penmanship.

It's mostly "Look at me!"

The Order of The Garter would be best for men, I think, because you might
do something exciting with it at a wedding ceremony!

The only interesting description I found of honors and peerage is here...

http://www.answers.com/topic/british-honours-system

...and if you can stomach it, there's a lot of bio stuff about BG here:

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Bill+Gates&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1

BTW, John Cleese is among many who didn't accept his honor,
listed here:

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=List+of+people+who+have+declined+a+British+honour&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1


Erick