Originally posted by slimjimYou're so over the top it's hard to believe you really exist.
Come on down to Texas Tony and I will fill you up on good BBQ and cold beer. Thank you for your undying support and God Bless you and your family. You are living proof that England is our staunchest ally.
I bet you're an alternative left-wing comedian or something.
Originally posted by shavixmirTommy Cooper would always act like his magic was crap, he genius was the way he would "accidently" slip in some great magic whilst deliberately being stupid.
You're so over the top it's hard to believe you really exist.
I bet you're an alternative left-wing comedian or something.
Dimjim still has to learn about slipping in the clever stuff, to be a great comedian. I do laugh at him a lot though.
Certainly he could get a job as a recruitment officer for many terrorist organisations.
He would do better than Paisley did for the IRA.
Although I'm well to the left of New Labour, I must admit that I'm quite looking forward to Gordon Brown, and I do think Tony Blair has been a good PM, at least in terms of his domestic record and when judged against the parameters of what any party politician operating under our parliamentary system can realistically achieve: the problem is that the Left is too prone to disillusionment with something which is institutionally conservative - in his own terms, and in the context of some pretty crappy PMs this century (only Attlee and Wilson are really notable after WWII, and most of Wilson's administration despised him) he did redistribute effectively (yes, the overall gap between top and bottom is wider, but the gap between the middle classes and the working classes is narrower), although PFI is appalling, emergency services have improved (I used to work in a horrible prefabricated hospital - ten years later it looks like a palace and local cardiac units are terrific), waiting times have descended dramatically, the minimum wage has boosted both the working class and women in particular, and devolution and the Freedom of Information Act have been great steps forward. On the downside, faith-based comprehensives stink, and independent schools retain their charitable status, which is nothing short of a scam.
The truth is that if you want a fairer society, tactically it makes as much you work for it outside of parliament and do your best to get an able social democrat who can capture the centre elected; if you want a republic, join Republic; join a trade union and see if it affiliates around the world (which seems to be an interesting new trend); join the Co-Op or do something else. I'm sure a move towards STV will change things a little, but I don't see this pattern changing in my lifetime - even in Scotland the supposedly left-wing nats decided that they could best win power by offering to slash corporation tax, which is hardly the stuff equalitarian dreams were made of.
Originally posted by AmauroteI will..... really miss Tony. He was..... and I say this sincerely..... a very good man. What he did.... it seems...... was encapsulate a New Britain..... no not like the travesty that was that TV show.... no..... a New Britain..... where everyone.... could understand what was being said..... because their leader..... took the time.... to pause for emphasis...... and allow the gravity... of what was being said...... to really sink in.
Although I'm well to the left of New Labour, I must admit that I'm quite looking forward to Gordon Brown, and I do think Tony Blair has been a good PM, at least in terms of his domestic record and when judged against the parameters of what any party politician operating under our parliamentary system can realistically achieve:
It is unusual to say the least..... that anyone..... in the public eye..... would take the pains that he did..... to craft his ideas...... to convey his thoughts..... with so much care..... and delivered with such a rare sense of timing... that would elicit the response..... of having his audience.......hanging on to everything that he said. To see him speak....was a bit like.....watching the little engine that could. You were never sure.... if he would make it to the next sentence....and you would silently urge him on.... hoping he would get to the end of every line.
Originally posted by kmax87Yes, his mannered speeches (wipe tear, halting voice, our hearts go out) did get annoying towards the end - but I remember watching some of his early speeches (Clause 4, some of his New Britain set-pieces, "The forces of conservatism", and later his response to July 7) and being genuinely impressed. What he did lack was a sense of humour - in parliament he was very funny at times (just look at his destruction of Oliver Letwin last week), but the only times he ever delivered an intentionally funny line were his "From Bambi to Stalin" speech and the "Tally-ho!" retort to the Countryside Alliance.
I will..... really miss Tony. He was..... and I say this sincerely..... a very good man. What he did.... it seems...... was encapsulate a New Britain..... no not like the travesty that was that TV show.... no..... a New Britain..... where everyone.... could understand what was being said..... because their leader..... took the time.... to pause for emphasis.. ...[text shortened]... sentence....and you would silently urge him on.... hoping he would get to the end of every line.