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The new Anglo-American 'Special Relationship' ends the "Blair Doctrine"

Discussion in 'Politics, Religion and Ethics' started by Markham, Jan 27, 2017.

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  1. graham59
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    graham59 Banned

    As anticipated.... award yourself the PEDANT's medal. :rolleyes:
    • Agree Agree x 1
  2. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    If you keep spouting off spurious facts, I'll keep on being pedantic.
  3. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    The elected Government have made these petitions a part of the democratic process. They are not calling into question the legitimacy of the petition. The only people who are are those who are opposed to the sentiment of the petition.

    Whilst I cannot vouch that all 1.8m signatures are valid - I'm confident that the petition has passed the 100 thousand barrier.
  4. graham59
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    graham59 Banned

    No problem... you can go on ignore, then I don't have to read your drivel. :like:
  5. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    As has the contra-petition insisting that "Donald Trump should be invited to make an official state visit to the UK".

    I would actually prefer to think that such issues are decided by the Queen and the mechanisms of state, as indeed they are.
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2017
  6. DavidAlma
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    DavidAlma Well-Known Member

    That particular partition, which I have signed, is up to 300,000 as of this morning.
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    I doubt if the Queen has much of a say, although I'd be amazed if she wasn't consulted before Theresa Maybe flew out to hold Trump's hand.
  8. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    You are aware that Trump reportedly suffers from Bathmophobia - a fear of slopes, of losing one's balance.
    • Funny Funny x 1
  9. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    A little bird tells me that Buckingham Palace staff have pointed out to No.10 that the State Rooms are being refurbished and will not be available for the next four years.

    Another little bird says that Trump will not be invited to address both Houses of Parliament in Westminster Hall.

    And another says that Trump is demanding "more ceremonial than Obama got".

    All just rumours, of course. Probably put about by the liberal media.
  10. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    You certainly know a lot of little birds Andrew :)
  11. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Yes, you just can't trust these pesky Liberals!

    It's all a conspiracy, of course. Probably organised by the Bilderberg Group.
  12. Mattecube
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    Mattecube face the sunshine so shadows fall behind you Trusted Member

    Andrew I really enjoyed your 3 little birds post so with heartfelt warmth I dedicate this track to you

    Please accept it in the spirit it is given
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
  13. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Oh, I do - Bob Marley is K's favourite singer, although she liked him less after watching his biography.
  14. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    Yesterday John Bercow, the diminutive Tory MP who has been the Speaker of the House of Commons for the last nine years, gave an answer to a point of order question which has infuriated the majority of the House.


    In making this statement not only has he infuriated MPs of his own party but also the Speaker of the House of Lords, Lord Fowler, and Bercow now faces a vote of no confidence. As Speaker he is supposed to remain completely neutral and certainly not out himself above the elected government.

    The Tory backbencher Alec Shelbrooke accused Bercow of "grandstanding" and "student politics of the worst kind". Later he told reporters that the Speaker had effectively validated human rights abuses in other countries such as China - because their leaders had been welcomed to Parliament. "I do not support the attitude or some of the policies of Donald Trump but the Speaker must remain independent. I am concerned and upset that by declaring that Parliament is barring the democratically elected leader of our closest ally due to his "racism and sexism" that we have said that the human rights abuses in countries such as China and Kuwait are OK as he welcomed them to parliament. It is student politics of the worst kind interested more in grandstanding than a consistent approach of dealing with world leaders with whom there are many national policies in their own countries that go against our principles and values".

    Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi, who opposes Trump's travel, told reporters that Bercow should "think about his position" whilst Sajid Javid made clear this morning that Mr Bercow did not "speak for the government".

    In 2012, Bercow allowed the Emir of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to address Parliament and welcomed him with these words: "Your Highness it is my privilege to welcome you here to our Parliament for this important stage of your state visit. Your presence here today is a welcome reminder of the many intimate ties that exist between our nations and our peoples". And yet it is illegal to be gay in Kuwait and the country has a poor record for its treatment of women: according to Human Rights Watch "Women continue to face discrimination in many aspects of their lives, and large legal gaps remain in protections for women. Kuwait has no laws prohibiting domestic violence, sexual harassment, or marital rape".

    A year earlier, Bercow had representatives from the North Korean regime round for tea in the Speaker’s House. A Freedom of Information response shows Bercow hosted a party of four including the "Speaker of North Korea". Human Rights Watch says "North Korea remains among the world’s most repressive countries. All basic freedoms have been severely restricted".

    But in the House of Lords earlier today:

  15. Timmers
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    Timmers Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    I feel he overstepped the mark with his little impartial outburst :)

    I wonder if he hailed a black cab to go home afterwards, yes he is the one that submitted a receipt to the value of £172 for a 0.7 taxi ride.

    I question his integrity never mind about Trump.
  16. Markham
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    Markham Guest

    I don't think taxis can ply for hire inside the Parliamentary estate but maybe he's too posh to walk the few yards from his chair to his grace and favour apartments so has a chauffeur-driven golf cart to carry his self-important self. Apparently he charged the taxpayer £81 to serve a cup of tea in his apartment to a four or five visiting foreign dignatories.

    He was elected Speaker (upon Betty Boothroyd's retirement) by a Labour government and he has been repaying that favour ever since. Impartial he is not.
  17. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    There is no excuse for Bercows behaviour.

    He has potentially undone the good diplomatic relationship fostered by our Prime Minister during her recent visit to our friends in the states.
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  18. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    John Bercow is not a Tory MP! He is the Speaker and stands as such. Tradition dictates that he should stand unopposed for a Parliamentary seat, and he stands as Speaker.

    You also claim that he infuriated the majority the House - I must have missed that vote, but he was getting support from MPs on the Government benches today. The only complaint I heard (just before a 10 minute Bill) was about the SNP's habit of clapping.

    Bercow is quite right to talk about the integrity of the House. That's his job! Had he said Trump was welcome and what a great bloke he is - there'd be few people saying he overstepped his mark.
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  19. Bluebird71
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    Bluebird71 Well-Known Member

    If Trump is so easily offended, then it is only a matter of time before he throws his dummy out anyway. Who wants to foster a diplomatic relationship where we are constantly treading on egg shells?
  20. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Let's be honest, Trump is way above Bercow's childish behaviour, he doesn't give a damn what the little pipsqueak says or does.

    Bercow was well out of order.
    • Agree Agree x 1
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