I think its probably the latter. At a time when relations between Iran and the UK is strained, she goes and gives one of Iran's arch enemies, Salman Rushdie, a knighthood. He isn't even worth the title. I think this is probably a retaliation for the capture of British personnel by the Iranians in Iranian waters. Anyway, I think it was rather an insensitive thing to do as both countries should be trying their level best to make peaceful gestures. Neither of these occurances help, of course. If this is better suited to Politics and Religion, mods, please move the thread to that section. I have no way to make any alteratins as it has already been posted. Thanks!
Idiocy would be thinking it was the Queen's decision - sorry to put it so bluntly. She just rubber stamps the decision of the government and this government never fails to amaze me the depths it will stoop to. If she didn't there'd be constitutional uproar and the end of the Monarchy.
Actually, accroding to the British constitution, the monarch has absolute authority in that her decision is final. She can overrule legislation and decisions by the government. however, this is of nominal value since it is almost certianly will never be used. Yes, I agree that his name was put forward by Whitehall (Labour's office) and she just rubber-stamped it.
Iran's arch enemy? That is funny. A "civilized" nation put a death warrant on the man and you want to kowtow to their childish whims? Your position is weak and shows no conviction in the principles of freedom. You are more pathetic than I imagined.
I am 100% sure it was a tit-for-tat move by the UK. They just wanted some kind of reaction from Tehran, and they did get it. Anyway, there were far more deserving people than this guy. His choce came completely out of the blue.
Much like the nobel price is worthless, after giving it to a terrorist like Arafat, the act of Knighting someone is also worthless once England started giving it to "rock stars" like it was some MTV accolade. Who cares about either? Your position that England should even consider what Iran thinks of the issue is the absurdity. What about Pakistan - should England worry about how Pakistan feels about who is or is not called "sir". Seriously, if anything, you should be offended at people who WANT TO KILL others over this meaningless issue. Those people are the kooks who need to be called out. (Pakistan, do you hear me?)
Maybe the UK should make a peaceful gesture by capturing Iranian sailors inside Iranian waters then transporting them to the UK, parade them on TV, force them to write letters to their loved ones packed with lies, use them for propaganda then send them all home with a pork pie each.
Personlly, I don't care about this knighthood thing. But I think its perfectly OK for rock stars to get it because it is supposed to honor all walks of life. Anyway, I think someone like Mick jagger and Elton John are deserving of their knighthoods for what they have achieved.