Brits: How would opposition act? re: Bush, SOTU

[Guynemer]

Just so you're aware Sava, Clinton's speeches were even worse re: incessant clapping. Add to that the fact that his speeches were typically 20-30 minutes longer than Bush, and you have some mind-numbing political idiocy.

[MikeH]

I much prefer Clinton to Bush but he spouted a lot of heckleworthy twaddle as well.

[Sava]

Originally posted by Guynemer
Just so you're aware Sava, Clinton's speeches were even worse re: incessant clapping. Add to that the fact that his speeches were typically 20-30 minutes longer than Bush, and you have some mind-numbing political idiocy.

wow thanks for illustrating you are even more immature than me... political idiocy? if you had brain one reading skills you would know that I "DID NOT SEE THE CLINTON SOTU'S" AND CLEARLY SAID THAT IF SHI WAS RIGHT ABOUT CLAPPING THAT IT WAS WORSE.

Learn to read...

and the RedWings suck

[Guynemer]

Wow Sava.

I was just trying to add to what Shi said, particularly the fact that Clinton droned on and on for far longer than Shrub.

Do we have a problem?

[JimmyCracksCorn]

If UK parliament is anything like Canada's, its just one big yelling match between parties and everyone calling everyone else a liar.

[Sava]

Originally posted by Guynemer
I was just trying to add to what Shi said, particularly the fact that Clinton droned on and on for far longer than Shrub.

Do we have a problem?

perhaps I misinterpreted what you said, if so, I apologize... but it sounds as if you were trying to call me an idiot, not make a point about Clinton.

[East Street Trader]

UK parliamentary procedures involve many conventions and traditions. And some of them, as in the case of your state of the nation speech, involve being much more polite than normal.

So, for example, it is the tradition that when a minister gives a resignation speech those who have been busily doing their utmost to bring him down will listen with politeness and those who make speeches in response - government and opposition - look for whatever there is that is good which can be said about the person.

It is also conventional that the maiden speech of any newly elected member of the house of commons will be about his constituency - whatever the subject under debate when he gives that speech. Again this will be politely greeted and party politics will be given a (brief) rest.

In the Lords debate is conducted with almost exaggerated good manners. And in the commons, while that is far from true, it is the convention, enforced by the Speaker, that all members, of whatever party, are "honourable members". So it would be a solescism to call a member a liar and the Speaker would require an immediate withdrawal or would suspend the offender for a period. It is very rare for him or her to have to do so.

Shouting and heckling does go on. A rather nice little touch is that there are parallel lines running down the carpet one on each side of the central division and it is the convention that these lines cannot be crossed. They are fractionally further apart than two swords lengths.

[Imran Siddiqui]

but it sounds as if you were trying to call me an idiot

Only an idiot would have thought that . Seriously, HOW in the Hell can you think he was calling you an idiot?! Really!

[JohnT]

Originally posted by Guynemer
Wow Sava.

I was just trying to add to what Shi said, particularly the fact that Clinton droned on and on for far longer than Shrub.

Do we have a problem?

Don't worry about Sava... his use of oversized letters and ALL CAPS is just training for his dream job of tract-writing for Chick publications.

https://www.chick.com

[SpencerH]

For those who are unaware, the Queen gives the 'Speech from the Throne' (written by the government) to parliament which is the equivilant to the presidents 'State of the union' speech.

[Sava]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

but it sounds as if you were trying to call me an idiot

Only an idiot would have thought that . Seriously, HOW in the Hell can you think he was calling you an idiot?! Really!

I'm extremely reactive and impulsive... I'll start a thread about my mental health soon. I had a brain-spec-scan done. It was quite interesting.


JohnT, does Chick publications have anything to do with hot women? if so, I'm down for it

[East Street Trader]

I am not very knowledgeable about US politics. But I am doubtful that you are right, Spencer.

The Queen's speech has a particular function. It is indeed written by the government. It is delivered at the state opening of parliament and in it is set out that programme of legislation which the government intends to introduce into parliament during that session. The speech gives a brief description of the main points which will be included in each bill.

I stand to be corrected about the state of the nation speech but I had thought it involved standing back for a moment from the press of affairs so as to attempt a summary of how the US stands. If that is right it is a different thing from setting out a specific legislative programme.

[Sandman]

The Queen doesn't usually get heckled. Although it has been known.

[Whaleboy]

He would have been absolutely destroyed by the houses of parliament, but absolutely plastered by the media, making parliament look like the results of a valium competition.

[DanS]

The Queen's speech has a particular function. It is indeed written by the government. It is delivered at the state opening of parliament and in it is set out that programme of legislation which the government intends to introduce into parliament during that session. The speech gives a brief description of the main points which will be included in each bill.

Yeh, the State of the Union sounds similar to that. The executive branch actually writes the State of the Union. Each department drafts its part, which is then passed to the White House for inclusion (or not, mercifully). The difference here lies in the fact that the executive government does not legislate, but can only propose.

We should go back to the time where the president just mails it in, rather than giving a long, boring speech. The networks should refuse to air it.