I have been wanting to ask you britons..

[delanvital]

The paradoxical nature of the statements screams cover-up, yeah.

Speaking of cover-up and the US - have any of you read the article by Pinter? The nobel price winner in litterature?

http://nobelprize.org/literature/laureates...-lecture-e.html

Skip the first part with theather if you don't feel like reading such a big text. The content is not that new, but it does brings some thoughts up in you...

[big-paddy]

Originally posted by delanvital@Dec 13 2005, 02:12 PM
The paradoxical nature of the statements screams cover-up, yeah.

Speaking of cover-up and the US - have any of you read the article by Pinter? The nobel price winner in litterature?

http://nobelprize.org/literature/laureates...-lecture-e.html

Skip the first part with theather if you don't feel like reading such a big text. The content is not that new, but it does brings some thoughts up in you...

[post=105032]Quoted post[/post]

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Powerful reading. History does teach us a lot of things and of course history is taking place now. I would concentrate a moment if Pinters opening on truth. There are always many truths I would also quote MacMillan when quizzed by a journalist what can steer a governement off course - "Events, dear boy, events". So what Pinter gives us, and his examples, are his representation of truth. Whatever the truth, decisions are often not policy driven, but event driven - the truth kind of matters less?

So the anti-terrorism laws and indeed the killing of Manezes can be seen as reactions to events. A less eventful world may allow for better policy making, but the events seem to make events.

I dont know if any of this rambling makes sense to anyone - its is Friday afternoon.

A few closing questions.

Wouldnt you have to be mad to be a politician?
How mad must you be to want to lead a country?
Any volunteers?

Free speech seems to be at play here and we should value that also?

[suicidal_monkey]

Originally posted by big-paddy@Dec 16 2005, 02:49 PM
Wouldnt you have to be mad to be a politician?
How mad must you be to want to lead a country?
Any volunteers?

Free speech seems to be at play here and we should value that also?

Should those who want to be in power be the ones to whom the power is granted? If not them then how shall we choose? :unsure: Makes me think of Douglas adams and the guy who is in charge of the universe that they go and see

[big-paddy]

I do tend to think that with todays technology we could be better consulted on important issues than we are currently. I kinda like the idea of having a reprentative that we can constantly overrule if necessary. The politicians response of course is that people dont know enough to make decisions - but that also feeds dont tell them because they wouldnt understand. A virtuous circle huh!

[Carr0t]

Originally posted by big-paddy@Dec 16 2005, 03:59 PM
I do tend to think that with todays technology we could be better consulted on important issues than we are currently. I kinda like the idea of having a reprentative that we can constantly overrule if necessary. The politicians response of course is that people dont know enough to make decisions - but that also feeds dont tell them because they wouldnt understand. A virtuous circle huh!

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The thing is, who determins who can and can't have a say. I agree with you that *I* would like to be able to majority overrule my representative, but at the same time I really don't like the idea of the local Neighbourhood O' Chavs (every town has one) being able to do the same. And i'm sure there are some otherwise OK people who would overrule just for 'fun', for a laugh.

[big-paddy]

Originally posted by Carr0t@Dec 16 2005, 04:06 PM
The thing is, who determins who can and can't have a say. I agree with you that *I* would like to be able to majority overrule my representative, but at the same time I really don't like the idea of the local Neighbourhood O' Chavs (every town has one) being able to do the same. And i'm sure there are some otherwise OK people who would overrule just for 'fun', for a laugh.

[post=105595]Quoted post[/post]

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I have to admit that I have trouble with words like 'fun' and 'a laugh' used negatively. Fun for me is a long lasting experience, not a quick fix (hope not to offend). So sure we might get some idiots having short term 'fun', but they should soon learn responsibility. Britain dont do citizenship well. The counter might be that we have never felt the need to. One reason might be the maturity of our democracy. I dont think anyone here feels a revolution is necessary, but when you look across Europe many countries are within a generation of the last civil war or worse occupation.

The problems government deals with are massive. We only have a bit of the information, couldnt deal with more - check out MPs attendance at most debates - they have to divide interest areas. I dont know the answer, its just on certain issues I would like a voice. I voted for a party at the last election, not the individual. I've never met the chap, dont know what he thinks, what his background is - he does not represent me. That was my only choice.

[big-paddy]

BBC Radio 4 have been debating who runs Britain for two weeks. they have had loads of politicians on and some intellectuals. After two weeks they still havent reached a conclusion. That seems to sum up the problem for us here.

I know this is under Seriously.., but I did like the response of one of the women they interviewed today. She answered the question quite simply - Men.

[delanvital]

Originally posted by big-paddy@Dec 19 2005, 05:10 PM
BBC Radio 4 have been debating who runs Britain for two weeks. they have had loads of politicians on and some intellectuals. After two weeks they still havent reached a conclusion. That seems to sum up the problem for us here.

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That made me smile, yet it is so tragic. And then I have to ask: your pulling my leg, right?

[big-paddy]

Originally posted by delanvital@Dec 19 2005, 07:24 PM
That made me smile, yet it is so tragic. And then I have to ask: your pulling my leg, right?

[post=106008]Quoted post[/post]

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/vote/who...ain/index.shtml

Is the answer Benny?

[delanvital]

Originally posted by big-paddy@Dec 20 2005, 12:13 PM
Is the answer Benny?

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Schhhh...  :whistle: