Milliband

[bpoolrover]

Please can someone tell me why everytime he speaks he ends up with a sad puppy dog look?

[BillyStubbsTears]

I dunno. But then again, it doesn't really have anything to do with his ability or lack of ability to be PM.

Consider. Bush II won in 2000 primarily because he came across as a genuine guy while Al Gore was a stiff. That turned out well...

[The Red Baron]

But Al Gore was and is a stiff. Given how close it ended up (remember the hanging chads?) it is a pity the Democrats couldn't have fielded an even slightly better candidate.

[Yargo]

Drugged?

[bpoolrover]

Not at all billy was just annoying when he have his speech today,but much worse things happen in life

[Glyn_Wigley]

Ed can't help how he looks any more than 'Call Me Dave' can help looking like a smarmy sanctimonious toff, Farage can help looking like a pub bore who's had several too many and Clegg can help looking like a eunuch who doesn't realise he's had his balls cut off.

[BillyStubbsTears]

I am beginning to despair of democracy.

We have a system that allows us, to some extent, to hold leaders to account. Peacefully, sensibly. After fair discussion.

We are slowly and carelessly pissing that away. We are apathetically disconnecting from detailed thought and making stupid decisions about who has the right facade.

Go and look what happens when you stop caring about detail and just want someone who gives the aura of authority. Go and look at what Putin is doing. Last night, yet another of his political opponents shot dead on the streets.

We should treasure the system that we have. It doesn't work perfectly, but f**k me it's better than it might be.

[IC1967]

I am beginning to despair of democracy.

We have a system that allows us, to some extent, to hold leaders to account. Peacefully, sensibly. After fair discussion.

We are slowly and carelessly pissing that away. We are apathetically disconnecting from detailed thought and making stupid decisions about who has the right facade.

Go and look what happens when you stop caring about detail and just want someone who gives the aura of authority. Go and look at what Putin is doing. Last night, yet another of his political opponents shot dead on the streets.

We should treasure the system that we have. It doesn't work perfectly, but f*** me it's better than it might be.

Democracy is a crock of shit. Give me a benevolent dictator any day of the week.

Look at what's happened with democracy in Iraq, Libya, Egypt etc.  A benevolent dictator (such as me ) would have been a lot better solution.

[BobG]

Care to suggest how long benevolent stays benevolent Mick?

BobG

[IC1967]

Care to suggest how long benevolent stays benevolent Mick?

BobG

That depends on how long the religious nutters behave themselves.

When you've got different medieval religions competing for power then sometimes it needs the dictator to crack down to put them back in their boxes. Not ideal but far better than the mass killings and brutality that goes on when a strong man is not in charge.

Iraq would have Saddam back like a shot. Libya would be much better off if Gadaffi was still in charge. I could go on.

[BobG]

Perhaps you didn't understand the question. How long before benevolent turns to despot? It always does. It happened to Domitian 2,000 years ago, it happened to our erstwhile Chairman 3 or 4 years ago and it's happened to countless others in between. Power corrupts and all that you know? It's perfectly reasonable to believe that it's happened to old Vlad Putin too - though maybe you see him as still being benevolent given that he's no threat to anybody in your world?

BobG

[IC1967]

Perhaps you didn't understand the question. How long before benevolent turns to despot? It always does. It happened to Domitian 2,000 years ago, it happened to our erstwhile Chairman 3 or 4 years ago and it's happened to countless others in between. Power corrupts and all that you know? It's perfectly reasonable to believe that it's happened to old Vlad Putin too - though maybe you see him as still being benevolent given that he's no threat to anybody in your world?

BobG

It depends on the dictator. Some will turn into despots quicker than others. I know for a fact that I would always remain benevolent if given the opportunity. That does not mean I wouldn't crack down on religious nutters if the need arose.

The world isn't perfect. Most dictators turn into despots because they need to crack down on religious nutters. Iraq, Egypt, Libya etc. have all got rid of so-called despots. Be in no doubt that things were a lot better in these countries when they were ruled by a dictator. There are countless examples throughout history that show dictatorship has prevented many wars than would otherwise be the case.

Give me dictatorship over democracy in most countries in the world any day of the week.

[bobjimwilly]

Do you think a dictator would be allowing you to post the crap you do on public internet forums Mick?

[IC1967]

Do you think a dictator would be allowing you to post the crap you do on public internet forums Mick?

I think you'd find a dictator would be very appreciative of my comments as they could quite easily see that I am generally pro dictatorship. As for me posting crap, you are entitled to your opinion. I beg to differ. I am not known as the voice of reason for nothing you know.

I do know this. For someone who is often accused of posting crap I have an unblemished record. I have won every single debate with every leftie that has ever gone up against me. It's even got to the point where silly Billy has even thrown in the towel. He has been far and away your best fighter but even he has had to admit total abject failure.

I'm just hoping someone else from your ranks will rise to the challenge. At least silly Billy was a little bit of a challenge. Since he's stopped debating with me I'm finding it extremely easy to take you lefties apart.

[RobTheRover]

I am not known as the voice of reason for nothing you know.

You could have just put the full-stop after the word "reason", Mick.