(V):  So you can't really offer any examples then. 

Artful Dodger: I can, but it'd be more easy just to look on theyoungturks channel. I'm a bit concerned about posting actual links to them, as.. as most people do.. they swear from time to time.

I'm sure, you finding "idiot" as a 'bad' insult, you can understand my suggestion just to look.

(V):  Then you should have no trouble showing several examples of where Beck played the race card.  Go for it.

Artful Dodger: Over here.. 1000+ construction companies conspired to defraud public, private and charity building projects. We can play the '''''fraud''''' game all night. Madoff..... 50 billion... gone.

What is the conservative principle?? I find it confusing seeing as so much change has gone on in that in the last 100 years!!

And Beck does play the race game. He plays many games to 'get a reaction'.. including fake crying.

Come on Art, it's pointless saying the guy doesn't do this, they do that when Beck's stuff is all on youtube.

(V):  Glen Beck doesn't play the race card.  I doubt you really understand what that even means.

(V):   I back up my "they are idiots" with facts and logical arguments.  Dismissing someone as an "idiot" but offering no reason is name calling.   Case in point:  A leading "idiot" democrat was quoted as saying that he didn't read the bills he voted for because they are a: too many pages; and b: too difficult to understand.

They guy's an idiot.  Do the math.  He's voting YES on bills he's NEVER READ and he justifies never reading those bills saying they are too difficult to understand.

BTW, they are idiots on both sides of the isle.  In the final analysis, Bush was an idiot.  Why?  He violated nearly every Conservative principle.  He's responsible for the huge government as it started with him.  Huge government systems spell fraud, incompetence, waste, and inefficiency.  

You'd have to be an idiot not to see the difference. 

Artful Dodger: As Glen Beck does??

Artful Dodger: I'm not people... I'm me.

I expect now that next time you disagree with Obama and/or Washington you'll drop the use of "idiot"..... Seeing as you feel so strongly about the use of the word. And that I hear Beck treating people like idiots and implying as such.

... Look, you can't have one rule "Republicans can do this, Democrats can do that." .. It's not real, just theatrics.

Übergeek 바둑이:  All nonsense.  Beck doesn't like Obama's policies.   Obama's being black has nothing to do with it.  You play the race card and I've no respect for that.

You have to be blind to suggest Van Jones was "smeared."  HOW exactly did Beck accomplish this?  All Beck did was to quote Van Jones, play tapes of Van Jones's own speeches and ask questions. 

You don't have your facts straight about ACORN.  There is no doctored video.  You have no evidence of that.  You are just parroting some nonsense you've read.  You will see.  ACORN will lose in this suit.  Odd that for a doctored video all the people involved on ACORN's side were fired by ACORN. 

Get your facts straight.  ACORN has been caught in election fraud, over 30 of their people have been charged in election fraud, one of it's founders is now under investigation for embezzlement, and on more than one occasion, ACORN officials assisted in getting housing for the sole purpose of under age prostitution.

Wise up.

Artful Dodger:

I can see some signs of intelligence in Glenn Beck's comments. However, when he becomes stubborn about something it seems that he has no control over what he says. The time in which he called Obama a "racist" seems to me a veiled way to put forth his own racism and dislike of an African American president. It seems to me that Glenn Beck dislikes Obama, not for well thought-out political reasons, but because Obama is a black Democrat.

Beck sunk too low when he carried a smear campaign against Van Jones, the former White House Council for Environmental Quality. Glenn Beck accused Jones of being a communist. However, I find it interesting that Beck carried a vendetta against an African American who had called on advertisers to remove ads from Beck's show after he called Obama a racist.

I am trying to find some examples of his uncovering corruption. I found references to ACORN corruption. I am not that familiar with all the issues surrounding ACORN but it seems to me that Fox news published a doctored video made in Baltimore. There is a pending defamation lawsuit against Fox and the "conservative activists" who made the video. I am just curious: Was Glenn Beck this enthusiastic during the Bush administration or are his efforts entirely partisan? I imagine that he understands that the press is supposed to be impartial.

(V):  Nonsense.  It's name calling.  People who have a problem with Beck always resort to name calling.  They rarely offer rational reasons as to why they disagree with his positions.  Name calling, sarcasm, mocking, those are the trademark responses of Beck's opponents when they can offer no real counter argument. 

I mean Art.. you've used the word "idiot" quite a few times to describe various people.. especially your own government.

Artful Dodger: As you say people like theatrics, and Fox's editorials are good at that. And btw... he like all 'faces' has researchers.

And saying someone is an idiot is not an insult, it's using metaphorical description. I heard worse being said of a 'nazi-elitist' by his defence lawyer in crown court.

As you said.. "It would be boring to watch Beck if he didn't get a bit theatrical at times."

(V):   People like theatrics.  It would be boring to watch Beck if he didn't get a bit theatrical at times.  But there's a message in his madness.  He is brilliant.  Calling him names reflects on you, not him.

(V):   Yeah, that must explain why Fox is number one in every time slot and burries the other new outlets.  Oh, and it must also take an idiot to uncover corruption and bring it to the attention of the American public.  Because that's what Beck has done.  And what about the other networks?  Silence.  Even cover-ups. 

Artful Dodger: Aye.... but media likes over the top guys. helps advertising revenue.

Pedro Martínez: I would have to say that Fox news is carrying on the English tradition of having a 'village idiot'. Fox nEwS being a 'village' of sorts of the Murdoch empire..

I guess O'Reilly was losing his .... attention grabbing potential.

(V):  We're all opinionated. 

Übergeek 바둑이: He sounds ... opinionated from youtube. Basically paid to be 'better than life'..

Media

Übergeek 바둑이: Vikings modified my post in which I quoted gogul and replaced the word that had caused the removal of gogul's original post with “idiot”. But Vikings missed the last occurrence of that word, so go back to my post and I'm sure you can find it. Then you can also post a reference link to Wikipedia for those who don't know what it is.

For those who don't know who Glenn Beck is, Wikipedia has some more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck

Having seen videos of the man in YouTube I think Gogul's comments were warranted. I see no reason why Gogul was banned, other than calling the man a donkey orifice.

For those who don't know, Gogul posted this word: "Otterngezüchte", which in English translates as "Brood of vipers". It is a biblical reference to Luke 3.7.

In English:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=lucas%203&version=NIV

and in German:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lukas+3.1-9&version=LUTH1545;

I imagine it was not the German word that got him banned, but the expletives he used to describe Mr. Beck. Well, censorship in BK was argued about a long time ago.

Bernice: lol..kinda like the Democrats gag order against Humana!! lol

Übergeek 바둑이: over moderating by someone who thinks they know better ROFLMBO

What happened to Gogul's two posts? Did they vanish into thin air!

Pedro Martínez:  Glen Beck is my hero. 

gogul: Everybody who's able to develop reason knows that Glenn Beck is an idiot. Even he knows it himself. Somebody who acts like an idiot is an idiot and deserves to be titled as idiot. Who thrown the first stone, Otterngezüchte!? What's worse? To act like an idiot like Glenn Beck or to call Glenn Beck an idiot. Now figure, we read you.

Are you serious? I love him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA7-BvVDV10

***Modified again to fix the last expletive. LOL

About time to clean up with the Friedman/neocon/pseudofreemarket/repub BS idioty. Criminal energie, that describes the Bush tendencies and all this crap. I need to start the thing again. The American republicans are low life and nothing else. The american democrats are no better. The US is a ridiculous country owned by criminals. Lets go on with this, reason proves my point of view. Switzerland is no better. Even worse.

Snoopy: It's not that she broke the law that gets me.. but that no-one working for her spotted the error.

That I find implausible.

its one law for the already haves and another law for the have nots
and this woman created the law she broke

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8268101.stm

"Some of the UK's leading building companies have been handed big fines by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for rigging bids for contracts.

The OFT has fined a total of 103 firms £129.5m for colluding with competitors on building contracts. It said the firms colluded among themselves during the bidding process, leading to customers, such as local authorities, having to pay too much.

The ruling comes at the end of a five-year investigation by the OFT.

.... Adam Aldred, competition partner at law firm Addleshaw Goddard, which represents five of the firms investigated, said the OFT was the first competition authority in Europe to rule against building firms for the practice of cover pricing.

'Price distortions'
In 11 instances investigated by the OFT, the body found that the lowest bidder faced no competition because all other bids were cover bids. It also found six instances where successful bidders had paid an agreed sum of money to the unsuccessful bidder. These payments were between £2,500 and £60,000 and were made using false invoices. "

The best bit..................

"....The UK Construction Group, which represents 29 contractors, called the decision to penalise the firms "unfair".
Deborah Jones, OFT: "It's a breach of competition law"

"Everybody knows - including the OFT - that cover pricing was widespread in the industry in the past," said the body's director Stephen Ratcliffe. "

Übergeek 바둑이: .. don't forget the sumo suits and mud wrestling .. much more entertaining then watching the Parliament channel as it is!!

(V):

I think boxing gloves would be an expense that politicians could justify in the budget. Gloves, a spit bucket and a jockstrap with a cup, just in case of low blows.

Bwild: It would be nice if they did.. But I imagine there would be a lot less wars. It's easy to send to war someone else.

Übergeek 바둑이: lol
all government leaders should lead the charge into battle.

Übergeek 바둑이: Hey... Don't forget the detail in the construction of Parliament...

Benches were placed so no sword from either side could reach.. and the politicians had to stand behind the line to avoid sword crossing.

(V):

> It's as fake as wrestling!!

At least politicians in the US are not quite like those in Taiwan. Talk about fighting for the issues!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY68au9Rztk

I could see the Democrats going at it with the Republicans, like they do in Bolivia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjMeQoIq36c

Mexicans are just as good. There is something very entertaining about some guy who looks like Pancho Villa throwing punches to another politician.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUZsVLoA_kQ

More nice examples.

Japan, that was a nice Judo throw!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djdy_fhvZuM

South Korea, I figured they might use Tae Kwon Do, but I was rather disappointed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4wn70xPxzc

I think India has them all beaten. These guys actually drew blood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DF8xYDzLk8

This woman in Nigeria used $5 million in government funds to renovate her home and buy 12 cars. No wonder their parliament broke into a fight. I think it would have been nice to see London politicans throw a few real punches over the spending scandal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcroSnd8XW8

Compared to all these the fight in the Alabama Senate was so mild. I think American politicians are too civilized. Either that, or they are too afraid of public opinion. Well, more brawls would make politics more entertaining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlXKBribICs

I think I could go on all night. There are a lot of these videos. My favorite is the Japanese one. That guy would get my vote, just because of the awesome Judo throw!

Mike Tyson would make a great politician, not only because he can box, but because he can bite and fight dirty too!

Artful Dodger: Bush.. I thought comparison was part of metaphoric language!!

As to Wilson... he apologised. Manners, it appears at least are still respected in your houses. But as to talking... they always do. This image of being bitter enemies that is portrayed by the press of hate is just a farce.

It's as fake as wrestling!!

(V):  lol, they clearly aren't working together.   But I do like what Jay Leno suggested.   After hearing that a Republican yelled out "You lie!" during an Obama speech, Leno said, "Well, at least the two sides are talking to each other." 


Who cares about Bush?  Obama is the Prez. 

Bernice: No way... Registration is compulsory, but to force people to vote. Horrible idea.. That's more then people here will take, to make a choice to vote or not is still a vote. The politicians know what it means.

Artful Dodger: Yes, it's lower.. Politics can be a dirty game. But not as low as Bush's lowest.

And it seems six in ten still think Obama is working with the Republicans on Healthcare.

That both elected parties are working together, speaks loads.

it sounds like it is about time the UK made voting compulsory as it is in australia....that would definately change the outlook on your "parties" and give a truer indication of what the people want, surely.

Obama's health care plan is now at it's lowest level of approval.  His little bump didn't last.  And finally he spoke up regarding Acorn.  I'll bet some of the Dems try to save that corrupt organization.  I hope it goes the way of the dinosaur.  

Übergeek 바둑이: People in the UK have been getting pretty much tired of the major parties for a number of years. Technically, no government has had a majority for years, seeing as the voting level has dropped to 50% or there about's of the adult population.

Before, it was how MP's always agreed on good pay rises for themselves despite Joe Public having to settle for half or less of the %.

As for the Liberal Democrats.. not clean, but not as dirty as the main two. Labour came of the worst, yet the whole system has taken a bash and the necessary show of humility that needed to settle us voters fell far short of being acceptable.

The Conservatives will not commit in essential areas (troop safety) which does not lie well with me, and Labour are not listening to the Army chiefs.

I think the Liberal Democrats, minor parties and Independents will do very well. Especially in seats where current MP's have shown little or no remorse.

"It was within the rules" is a line that does not stand well here at all.

(V):

It is interesting with the UK because the dirty laundry is now being washed in public. I think at this point the UK finds itself in politically interesting times. On the one hand a lot of people have a bitter aftertaste of the many years of the Conservatives. There are bitter memories of the Thatcher years. Many people also have a bad impression of the Labour politicians and their handling of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is also all this mess with MP expenses.

I think smaller parties have better chances this time around. I don't know if any of the Liberal Democrats have been dragged into the recent scandals but if the local elections of 2008 are a sign, they could unseat a lot of Labour and Tory MPs. Over the last 10 years the Liberal Democrats have made steady gains in vote percentages and I think the next time around they will win big if they can convince the public that a change is needed in the House of Commons.

Here in Canada we have a some dirty politics going on now. The Liberals (similar to Labour in the UK) are trying to unseat the Tories and the National Democratic Party (more or less similar to the Liberal Democrats of the UK) are promising to hold off a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister if the ruling Conservatives agree to some concessions in Parliament. People here are really fed up with the mess and I think that if the Liberals insist in forcing an election then the public will react by voting for the Green Party instead of them. We could see the Green Party rise from a small party to one of the big contenders.

Übergeek 바둑이: I wondered why I found it as being a 'rare' occurrence. Yet the make up now seems to be a 3 way split regarding votes and political allegiances.

It's gonna be interesting next general election here, many independents will be running against the established two parties. And thanks to the expenses scandal, alot will get in. The papers made a field day of how MP's reacted to the news of the public's distaste at the way they'd been creaming it. And that some tried to bring criminal prosecution against the details been paraded.. they had no chance.

They live by the press, they die by the press.

(V):

I think the Us has not needed coalition governments since the mid 19th century. The Republicans were founded in 1854. The Democrats trace their roots back to 1792. Both parties have dominated American politics since the mid 19th century and for this reason the US did not need coalitions or had any other two political parties in power since then

Übergeek 바둑이: ?? Are coalitions not legal in the USA? I would have thought (as has happened in the UK) that those who are roughly on the same side would club together and form a government.

Interesting politics when that happens.

Bwild: ROFL @ yomama

Übergeek 바둑이: Nader refused lobbyist campaign money. in fact was strongly against lobbyist, and vowed to abolish the practise.

Soros invested heavily in Brazilian oil....then guess our man yomama..decides to do the same, diverting U.S. funds from U.S. soil...funds our country could surely put to better use.
Soros was a large campaign contributer for the yomama team.