Originally Posted By Mr X and mauls the lions. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/obama-goes-to-the-gop-lio_n_442331.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...331.html</a> The video is an hour long but WOW...it's worth checking out! I have to wonder, why didn't Ex-President Bush ever go before the Democrats and accept their questions? That would've been something to see! Oh, side-note, "fair and balanced" FOX news cut the feed and went on to another program with 20 minutes left to go (apparently none of the other cable networks did so)...I can just imagine Karl Rove running around like a headless chicken screaming "turn those machines off! TURN those MACHINES off! For the love of God, PULL THE PLUG!", before dropping to the floor from a massive aneurism.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Yeah, I watched it all day X and I'm surprised not many people are talking about it. This is MAJOR stuff and to see Obama take on the entire Republican House and go toe to toe was a sight and showed how on his game Obama is. Of course, anyone who lives in a parliamentry system like U.K., Austraila, etc, thats done on a weekly basis. But to see it done in America, with cameras (at the White House request BTW) shows that Obama is serious and he wants to work these issues out. And he handled himself brilliantly. He didnt beat around a single question. And to give the Republicans credit, they were all 100% respectful and gave him the time to explain everything he wanted and I think they were able to get across their issues they have with him and Democrats in general. Obama said this would be a monthly thing and I think its needed. And I hope the cameras stays in. Like everything though, by the 3rd viewing, everyone will stop watching lol, but its the kind of transperancy and bipartanship everyone keep screamin for, well here it is. Your tax dollars at work . Hopefully though, real breakthroughs will actually happen with these meetings. And I'm sorry, but I KNOW I'm biased already, I dont know how anyone can look at FOX news and not see the clear bias? This thing was on several cable networks and ONLY FOX News was the one that A. barely showed it and B. Cut in half the time when they did and didnt just let the even speak for itself. Why not wait to just give all your one-sided commentary AFTER it was done?? But then again FOX news was the ONLY major network that didnt bother running the Haiti telecast last week with all the other networks. And its their perogative, but it just shows where their priorities are, since the network seems to think helping Haiti is a waste of time. I'm sorry I cant take that network seriously while I can also say there are some personalities and journalist there who are very good at what they do....they just shouldnt be there.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is good stuff. But you are right WD, here in the UK, the PM does it daily, and the cameras are on in the house all the time (we have a Parliament Channel on TV). It is a very important part of the democratic process. It is also why I get angry when Americans think the US is the only democracy. Good job by Obama, but we know he is a great man.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney ^^Yeah, I watched it daily in Australia as well since they had daily cameras for Paraliment sessions and to see PM Kevin Rudd take on the big bad Liberal party week in and week out was exciting to watch (I *loath* Malcolm Turbull, basically Australias answer to Newt Gingrich, but I admit he keeps it interesting on the floor ). And UNLIKE the U.S., the opposition there and in the U.K. is not NEARLY as respectful when their leader speak as the opposition tried to take Rudd down in every session like he was Satan. Every democracy, there is always a leader and a room half full of people who follows them with admiration and the other half who prays they are caught with a sex tape and resign ;D. Seriously, its amazing how universal this stuff is lol. I'm riveted to this stuff everywhere I live though. I still miss the battle royals that take place in Korean chambers. I'm just a political and news junkie I guess though ;P.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ya, sometimes I wish my life was focused on inane soap operas, gossip mags and pop music. Or maybe not ;-)
Originally Posted By Mr X Speaking of the sort of interviews done over in the U.K., here's an Irish reporter who actually dared to ask Ex-President Bush some hard questions (I'm not certain abut the U.K. part but I'm sure Dave could say whether she was officially from "the U.K.", as I'm unfamiliar with the situation and I know that *part* of Ireland is part of the U.K., and that's alls I knows). <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fze2J2Ve9is" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...2J2Ve9is</a> Seems this video never did show in the U.S.A., but that's probably because the White House proffered an official protest to the Irish Embassy for all that disrespect! (she tears him a new one, by the way...not surprising it was "banned" and "protested"...but in capable hands (in other words any President but him) I think it would've gone fine, tough questions and all)
Originally Posted By Mr X Upon further review, I noticed the comments section. It made me want to puke. PLEASE don't read it (anyone!), just watch the video of you want to but the comments section on this particular video is racist, disgusting, and plain vile. (so sad that's the commentary of the world (er...the right wing world anyway) these days)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Reading people's replies made me sick. BTW - she is Irish, not British. Ireland or Eire is a soveriegn state, with Dublin as the Capital. Northern Ireland with Belfast as the regional capital is a part of the UK. And is the one with the troubles and a legacy of terrorism.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But her journalistic style is very much of the standard of Europe. Here, the media show the pain of reality. And the journalists really ask hard questions. Watching this makes me sick though. Bush talked a load of crap. And funny, he felt sorry for the one handed Iraqi's, and yet is great with an internment camp, or the death sentance in the UK. Then he refuses to appreciate that the US foreign policy has totally made the US a more dangerous place.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That idiot keeps saying to let him finish, but does not let her finish her questions. I am so glad that jackoff is history.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo He says history will judge what he is about. I think history will view him as one of the most dangerous leaders of our time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Bush has an aweful interpersonal style. He is just an aweful, aweful person. I am still bitter the American people allowed him to steal the Oval office and then voted him in a 2nd time. In some ways, you could actually argue that Bush's tactics are a form of terrorism as well. Especially as he conducted an illegal war. Right now, Blair and other senior politicians are being taken through an official enquiry as the war on Iraq is deemed an illegal action. Is this being reported in the US or Japan right now?
Originally Posted By Mr X ***BTW - she is Irish, not British. Ireland or Eire is a soveriegn state, with Dublin as the Capital. Northern Ireland with Belfast as the regional capital is a part of the UK. And is the one with the troubles and a legacy of terrorism.*** Thanks for the confirmation...I'm never quite sure what exactly "the U.K." or "Great Britain" really means. (I suppose I should learn!) ***But her journalistic style is very much of the standard of Europe. Here, the media show the pain of reality. And the journalists really ask hard questions.*** That's what I thought. The journalists in America SHOULD be just like that (if not even harsher)...but sadly they are not. So we are left with Comedian Jon Stewart as the ONLY one who poses the tough questions. Sad, but true.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Is this being reported in the US or Japan right now?*** It's being reported on democraticunderground.com via international media. That's the only place I've seen in in the U.S. "media". Japan, I highly doubt it but more likely than the U.S. they picked it up (I'm often surprised at what is "news" in Japan vs. what is "news" in America...mostly to the credit of the Japanese press). I will follow up on the Japan end, I'm curious about that myself.
Originally Posted By Mr X This has gone WAY too off topic but I just want to add, watching Bush say "what the Irish people SHOULD be angry about is that brutal dictator Saddam Hussein" is just so beyond the pale, so ridiculous on the face of it...it really amazes me that he didn't have better handlers (or, they REALLY didn't give a flying crap what the world though...which is, sadly, much more likely). Okay, nuff about that. How about Obama! Who wants to see that Irish chick give an interview (no holds barred) to President Obama! I sure do.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Here is a lovely simple explaination of Britain/UK etc. <a href="http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/britain.html" target="_blank">http://www.woodlands-junior.ke...ain.html</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I am sure Obama would do very well in the European interviews. Both he and Michelle are very well recieved here.
Originally Posted By Mr X Okay, I can't let it go...one more point. This one deals with the "connect 9/11 to Saddam Hussein without connecting them" point that SuperDry and others have mentioned so often...this one is just so blatant it kills me... Bush; "On September the 11th, 2001 we were attacked in an unprovoked fashion. Everybody thought the world was calm. And then there have been bombings since then. Not because of my response to Iraq........." Yeah, he never equated to two or even tried to. Right.
Originally Posted By Mr X Great link on a simplified history of the region Dave, thanks to you from an uninformed guy! I really should understand better, 90% of my heritage is from those Islands!
Originally Posted By WorldDisney LOL, looked like I skipped on the party too soon . Oh well, but you guys said it all on my end anyway! I saw this interview years ago. Bush couldnt handle a single reporter without flusttering, his head would explode if he had to actually go in front of a Democratic Congress or anyone that was against him like Obama did. All he would do is fall on 'freedom', 'God', 'Sept. 11th', 'democracy' or a good mix of all four he always falls back on. That record skipped a long time ago.
