[oclug] [OT]What is the world coming to?

[Mark Harrison (Groups)]

Frank Stratton - VE3YY wrote:

>Hi,
>Since Bill Gates is now a KBE, I suggest we begin a write-in campaign to
>have Linus Torvalds made a Knight of the British Empire.
>
>  
>
Right, on a small technical point, KBE doesn't actually stand for 
"Knight of the British Empire". It stands for "Knight Commander of the 
Most Excellent Order of the British Empire".

It's the second highest honour in that particular order (GBE is highest, 
then KBE/DBE (male/female versions), then CBE, then OBE, and finally the 
entry-level MBE.)

... and technically, Bill isn't one, he's an "honorary KBE" which is 
subtly different. (For example, he's not a "Sir", and doesn't count 
towards the limit of 845 KBEs living at any given time.) Only 
Commonwealth Citizens can be full members.

Ironically, if Bill were to apply for British Citizenship, then, were he 
accepted, he's be entitled to be called "Sir". However, as I understand 
things, while the British Government is happy with people having dual 
citizenship, the US government isn't, so he'd have to give up his US 
Citizenship at that point :-)

However, the idea of nominating Linus for a British Honour isn't stupid 
at all. Tim Berners-Lee got a full (ie - non-honorary) KBE in 2003, 
having been awarded an OBE earlier.

As a non-commonwealth citizen, Linus could only be "honorary" member 
(unless he wants to become British, or for that matter, Canadian.)

Technically, all such honours are handed our directly by the Sovereign. 
As a Commonwealth Government, the Canadian Government could recommend 
that Linus receive something...

... alternatively, if we could, genuinely, get a groundswell of support 
together, and he's accept (!) then it may be that nominating him in the 
UK would be more effective. If this is genuinely a goer, then I'm happy 
to spend some time researching the "proposal" process (which the latest 
UK government made a bit more transparant a few years ago.)

Regards,

Mark