Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything green or wonderful about an election for the top spot here in the US, nor for precious few spots down the entire ladder to state and county positions. The "cowpats" as Good Dog put it, have grown to truck-sized (pardon, lorry-sized) dung heaps. Compared to the vitriol that passes for political discourse here, I listened to the last debate there via the BBC Online and was struck by two simultaneous and diametrically opposed thoughts: a) I wished our broadcast political debates had more civility like yours (yes, that was civility, believe it or not), and b) your poor guys really need to take lessons from us in how to avoid a question without looking like you're avoiding a question!
If only voting were as simple as "Marmite, you either love it or hate it"! We in Belgium have decided we don't want to be left behind you lot, so we're voting on 13th June. Not many of us are quite sure what the whole point is either, so I shall probably decide on my cowpat the very morning... PLus we in Belgium have the magnificent benefit of compulsory voting on a SUNDAY morning... not bad for a Catholic country eh? dectr: the name given to a political party that can't decide which side of the fence to sit!!! (guess who I'm thinking of!)
CHUCK MUNSON - Yep! Avoiding the question is an art and, you're right, our guys have really not mastered it. There were several occasions, during the debate, when I longed for one of them, when confronted by the demand: "Just answer the question: 'Yes' or 'No'?", to do just that and see what happened next!
SUZANNE - I think I'm in favour of compulsory voting, although interfering with your Sunday relaxation (or religious observations) seems a bit harsh!
But when one remembers the selfless efforts of those who fought long and hard in the UK for universal suffrage (from the Chartists to Suffragettes like Emily Wilding Davison) I believe we have a duty to exercise that hard-won democratic right - even if we chose to 'spoil' our ballot paper in protest.
Well I'm just sorry that there aren't many Monster Raving Loony Party candidates about nowadays.
I'm with Suzanne about us having a moral duty to vote - even if it is a case of saying that you want it registered that you don't believe any of the candidates/parties to be worthy of your vote.
I'm not a Marmite fan, but love the spoof broadcasts.
The countess of Murillo (I never knew that Esperanza Aguirre is countess, thank you Brian) would be a future prime minister of Spain... like a Mrs. Thatcher...
From the cowpats on the South Downs sprang the Green Party. Brighton's choice, love it or hate it, a Marmite result! I agree with Suzanne's view, it's a vital duty to vote- perhaps we wouldn't run out of ballot papers if it was compulsory!
EUDORA - Well, as you know, here in the UK, we waited years (and long after other countries) to have a female first minister and have never got remotely close to having one since. If she is good at the job and good for your country (I don't know the answer to those caveats) then good luck to her!
JEN- And talking of women in politics... Good for Caroline Lucas, Britain's first Green Party Member of Parliament. I have heard her being interviewed on several occasions and she seems like a good thing. Well done Brighton Pavilion!
Okay, I'm an American, but can somebody explain why PrimeMinister Brown changed career fields and his name, from Terry Jones to Gordon Brown, so late in the game... If you ask me, he should have stuck to comedy.
Ah, election day!
ReplyDeleteIt's like walking barefoot across a wonderful green pasture and having to decide which is the best cowpat to step in.
Great analogy!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately there doesn't seem to be anything green or wonderful about an election for the top spot here in the US, nor for precious few spots down the entire ladder to state and county positions. The "cowpats" as Good Dog put it, have grown to truck-sized (pardon, lorry-sized) dung heaps. Compared to the vitriol that passes for political discourse here, I listened to the last debate there via the BBC Online and was struck by two simultaneous and diametrically opposed thoughts: a) I wished our broadcast political debates had more civility like yours (yes, that was civility, believe it or not), and b) your poor guys really need to take lessons from us in how to avoid a question without looking like you're avoiding a question!
ReplyDeleteIf only voting were as simple as "Marmite, you either love it or hate it"!
ReplyDeleteWe in Belgium have decided we don't want to be left behind you lot, so we're voting on 13th June. Not many of us are quite sure what the whole point is either, so I shall probably decide on my cowpat the very morning... PLus we in Belgium have the magnificent benefit of compulsory voting on a SUNDAY morning... not bad for a Catholic country eh?
dectr: the name given to a political party that can't decide which side of the fence to sit!!! (guess who I'm thinking of!)
CHUCK MUNSON - Yep! Avoiding the question is an art and, you're right, our guys have really not mastered it. There were several occasions, during the debate, when I longed for one of them, when confronted by the demand: "Just answer the question: 'Yes' or 'No'?", to do just that and see what happened next!
ReplyDeleteSUZANNE - I think I'm in favour of compulsory voting, although interfering with your Sunday relaxation (or religious observations) seems a bit harsh!
But when one remembers the selfless efforts of those who fought long and hard in the UK for universal suffrage (from the Chartists to Suffragettes like Emily Wilding Davison) I believe we have a duty to exercise that hard-won democratic right - even if we chose to 'spoil' our ballot paper in protest.
British fellows, how do you think about an spanish "first lady"???:)
ReplyDeleteEUDORA - Do you mean this one?
ReplyDeleteWell I'm just sorry that there aren't many Monster Raving Loony Party candidates about nowadays.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Suzanne about us having a moral duty to vote - even if it is a case of saying that you want it registered that you don't believe any of the candidates/parties to be worthy of your vote.
I'm not a Marmite fan, but love the spoof broadcasts.
Oooops no!!!, I mean a british "first lady" I mean this one:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nortecastilla.es/prensa/noticias/200712/19/fotos/080D3VP1_1.jpg
The countess of Murillo (I never knew that Esperanza Aguirre is countess, thank you Brian) would be a future prime minister of Spain... like a Mrs. Thatcher...
From the cowpats on the South Downs sprang the Green Party. Brighton's choice, love it or hate it, a Marmite result!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Suzanne's view, it's a vital duty to vote- perhaps we wouldn't run out of ballot papers if it was compulsory!
EUDORA - Well, as you know, here in the UK, we waited years (and long after other countries) to have a female first minister and have never got remotely close to having one since. If she is good at the job and good for your country (I don't know the answer to those caveats) then good luck to her!
ReplyDeleteJEN- And talking of women in politics... Good for Caroline Lucas, Britain's first Green Party Member of Parliament. I have heard her being interviewed on several occasions and she seems like a good thing. Well done Brighton Pavilion!
Okay, I'm an American, but can somebody explain why PrimeMinister Brown changed career fields and his name, from Terry Jones to Gordon Brown, so late in the game... If you ask me, he should have stuck to comedy.
ReplyDelete(yes, I am joking)