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quijote1303

Listed below are comments made by quijote1303 between Tuesday, 19th May 2009 and Tuesday, 10th November 2009.

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Spotting a red flag 09:19am on 10 Nov 2009 September 11th was a defining moment.

We had a world appalled, absolutely shaken to the foundations, in horror at the slaughter of innocent men and women with no regard or shame.

Rather than uniting in fury and contempt our political establishment actually turned it into a recruitment drive with the cynical invasion of Iraq. Who, in their honest opinion, now believes Iraq was either involved or a threat to us?

Afghanistan was harbouring the directly responsible people involved in the incident.

At that defining moment we allowed our political establishment to perpetrate the most damaging and divisive policy possible and it was done in the name of patriotism. I know, particularly in the States, that people find my suspicion of patriotism to be unattractive to them. However, look what it has brought us. A world even more thoroughly divided by race and religion, a world it is very unsafe to travel around and so many people dead that I doubt we can count the fatalities.

There is a direct line fromo that moment to this, the latest atrocity in the "war on terror".

And the evil, twisted, murderous people who dreamt up the attack on New York that day must really believe that the Politicians handed them a far greater victory than they could ever have imagined.
Not so special? 08:46am on 24 Sep 2009 Is the reason for this spat really about belittled Britain feeling hurt at not being invited to the party. Or is it really about Race?
Rumblings of discontent 3:49pm on 01 Sep 2009 Brian, I have conducted no poll but I do know that in the many chats and discussions I have had - very few people were "hostile" to the decision. I find the suggestion that negative sentiment is widespread quite mystifying - do I just happen to know a large number of "unusual" people?

Also, how dare we scots criticise the English over 1966 - can we ever have debate without dragging up ancient history! What on Earth led us into a discussion on the finer hostorical points of William Wallaces campaigns?
The prime minister is safe - for now 10:31am on 09 Jun 2009 The expenses trauma shall become less of a factor - in 12 months things will have calmed a lot from now.

Personally, I felt it was always more than the expenses. They were the straw which broke the camel's back.

It felt as though people were angry about lack of representation from their representatives. Also, there is a lot of anger amongst Labour supporters at so much promise and trust given to Labour in 1997 which has been squandered.

Iraq may seem like history - but it is like a family member who nicks something when they visit - you have to get on with them but the trust has evaporated. We have seen promises and lies throughout this term. And hypocrisy. A Prime Minister in the shape of Blair who smiled as he lied. His only saving grace - at least he made decisions. Brown - for all his gruff intensity - seems unable to decide on anything without a rush to his aide's for what will "look" best. His gut instinct for people is missing. Blair would have sensed the anger at the injustice over the Gurkha settlements.

Brown is looking at being a Labour equivalent of John Major. Seen as the decaying end of a period of Politics dominated by his predecessor and unable to shake the feeling he never really deserved it.

And to add insult to injury - he has even lost his towering and lofty claim to being "Iron". His plaudits for financial management are now almost embarrassing given what it led into. And he seems to have trampled, manipulated and bullied his way to the top and never realised that achieving power and being able to wield it are not automatic bed-fellows. He seems to have made too many enemies and you sow what you seed.
Three extraordinary personal decisions 11:17am on 05 Jun 2009 Nick, I agree with you on this occassion.

I also think that the current environment would be disastrous timing for a general election. I realise there is no such thing as a perfect time - but now I feel would suit nobody.

Everything seems so fragile, the attitude of many in the "public" (all of us) - the economy and the worldwide shivers going on.

I know it is easy to blame them - but I hope the media start acting responsibly. Recent coverage - and I include many in the BBC as well - has been abysmal and almost tittle-tattle.

In one day I heard report of 3 different email accounts - hotmail and googlemail - where people should "sign up" to oust Brown and I honestly think there were questions to be asked about who really set them up. Honey-pots?

The media has seemed to want to be the news and not report the news. And as any spin-doctor will tell you - that is bad news.
Living the high life in Monaco 10:18pm on 24 May 2009 Nice blog Jake, sounds a tough regime but very exhilirating.

Enjoy it!
We need windows as well as doors 09:25am on 20 May 2009 ikamaskeip - I hate to defend politicians - but how can you say that all 650 MP's, to quote: "knew perfectly well that the MP Expenses Claim system was being misappropriated at best and criminally misused at worst"

I am very cynical of politicians and my personal experience of all politicians leaves me disppointed with them as a species.

However, I would draw back from accusing them all of duplicity in a criminal misuse of expenses. That was the system in place and many - maybe the majority - used it for what it was meant to be. Many abused the rules - maybe technically their claims were not illegal but they used it in a morally questionable way.

I think over-reaction and hyperbole detract from the serious issues needing addressed - it just leads to a witch hunt and is both counter-productive and injust.

Wow - how self-righteous I sound!
He failed to lead 7:27pm on 19 May 2009 Mark_WE replied:
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Considering the performance of some of the Scots in power at present it seems to be more of a case of people being promoted above their ability!
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I would not disagree with you, Mark_WE. My response was not really intended to defend the poor performance of the people in question. It was more a response to trying to make it a Race issue.

There are as many bad MP's fom outside of Scotland as within it. There seem to be too many bad MP's full-stop.

But descending to silly comments calling for devolution simply irritated me. I find it increasingly common on political and sports discussions - in both directions - and I am getting tired of it. I notice you did not rise to the bait and thank you for it! Makes an argument far more persuasive when it is not backed up by bigotry - no matter how "slight" and "humorous" it may seem.

Anyway - one outcome of all this - and I am being completely serious - is that devolution may not be so far away any longer. Given total disillussionment in Westminster and the City - a General Election soon would almost certainly result in obliteration of any Scottish support of the Westminster system. And that is not intended to belittle anyone.

Much talk exists of UKIP and BNP as well as small parties benefitting fom the current state of Politics. That would be as nothing compared to the support SNP would receive north of the border.

And their first act in the current crisis - get well away while the going is good.

Which would disappoint me - personally.
We need windows as well as doors 6:24pm on 19 May 2009 Mark,

It is refreshing to see a Journalist recognise your own profession is coming out of this very badly indeed.

Some are going around saying how Journalism has revealed this situation. It might be more honest to say - "how did we act so complicitously for so long and never make any noise?".

Politics and finance being so unstable and undermined is very frightening to the people of the country. I actually think that - as ever - things in Westminster are being reacted to out of proportion, too late and badly. Nothing changes - it never does.

The same short term and "not me, guv" reflexes are being seen in every news bulletin.

Personally - I think the media have a lot of questions to be asked and to answer. However, I think that they will be the last to properly declare expenses and leave the bar. And why should they - standards only apply in public life, after all.
He failed to lead 5:18pm on 19 May 2009 Personally I would like to see a bigger end to the frivolity with Tax-payers money.

End the monarchy.

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