howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
our new prime minister seems to have set a new record.
i would have thought it impossible to have a nation burn effigies after less than 3 months in office.
the banner i saw on the box today said "cameron loos mouth", what did they mean?
were they inferring that he did not think before he spoke or that he had a toilet mouth?
#2
Yes, our friends on another continent were yet again burning effigies of someone, who happens to be a respected British leader, with a different opinion to themselves. I note that their hands are still open, though, for the aid we are giving them in times of disaster, famine, whatever, for which their own government has failed to provide. This is uncharacteristically harsh and generalised coming from me, but frankly I have had enough of tolerating being trashed by other nations, fleeced by other continents, trodden on by our european neighbours and abused by my fellow countrymen (cue: infamy, infamy - altogether now - they've all got it in-for-me.......)
#3
Got it wrong again Howard, as did ALL the press and media.
Our DC did and said nothing out of place, the problem was caused by an African nation. If you read the banner again all is explained as it actually says, "CAMEROON, LOOS MOUTH".
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
try to see their point bern, they are the worst victims of terrorism, yet dave slags them off to their sworn enemy in order to curry favour with them.
made me laugh when a british asian used that term on the news today.
#5
Sorry Howard (although that did make me laugh..!) they burned effigies of an british leader. Nuff said. They make themselevs appear as grade A Nutters and eejits to the world by their actions, and certainly don't encourage me to warm to them or embrace their culture and (more importantly to them) their imports. NB - please not the word "appear" in my posting.
#6
The reality Bern is this is yet another attempt to smear the current government by making something of nothing. Some are scared thay may be making progress in returning this nation to one of pride and backbone.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#7
sid
you know very well dave is making gaffes, the foreign office has been working overtime to smooth things over.
the visit of the pakistan intelligence service has been cancelled, leaving our people with less information to feed to our commanding officers.
it is big news around the world, certainly not "something out of nothing".
what would you have said if it was gordon doing the same thing?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#8
DC is speaking the truth and may he carry on doing so. A refreshing change of tune that reflects reality.
#9
Well, at the end of the day, both Gordie and DC are only human, and to err is human. DC allegedly made a gaff after a few weeks in power, Gordie made his 'bigot' gaff after 13 years, which says somthing eh?. It is to be hoped DC is a better learner of how to play the game than Gordie.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#10
I guess it comes down to do you believe in diplomacy and double-talk or honesty and straight-talking.
I did think though, that some of what DC said could have been unfair, as Pakistan have also been fighting (and suffering from) terrorism for quite some time - maybe some can say, not fighting hard enough.
Roger
#11
Probably only fighting until the Western money runs out.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#12
The burning of the effigy was over the top in this instance and as with all these things generally it is usually a stage managed thing.However diplomacy is called for at international level, thats why these guys go on such trips. You dont go to offend everybody if at all possible.
That affable face of the BBC John Sergeant sopke of new broomism on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show yesterday and said
"David Cameron is unlikely to be talking this way in a years time"
Oul John has been around a long time as a journalist and has seen them come and go.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#13
PaulB - most commentators are wrong. What you are seeing here is a repositioning and a different view of how things should be done.
This was no gaffe, this was deliberate - his standing by his statement being all the evidence that you need for this.
I read the following in The Times by Rees-Mogg. I cant provide a link due to their paywall...
""""What Mr Cameron said was not an indiscretion or a "gaffe". It was part of a policy of telling the truth, as a calculated way of bringing awkward issues closer to the point of decision. Many people seem to believe that diplomats, including prime ministers, should in all circumstances avoid giving offence to other nations, even when there is an open sore in existing relations. Mr Cameron has taken the opposite line, as he showed in his recent reference to Gaza.""""""""""
He has really set the cat amongst the pigeons in Pakistan. It was well known that there are splits in Pakistan, with a small element in the government and security services supporting the Taliban. By speaking what was previously unspoken and exposing this we might see a more determined action by Pakistan to deal with their extremists.
As far as Israel is concerned, I am personally prone to be supportive towards them but lets face it, they are far from being on the side of the angels. Once again DC is speaking the truth and while it may jar the sensibilities of the more traditional diplomats perhaps this more honest approach will be more effective.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#14
was that clever to make reference to gaza as a prison?
the jewish lobby in the states is all powerful and there is nothing that the state of israel can do wrong in their eyes.
i my view israel and iran are the major threats to peace in that region, despite that we wage war in iraq and afghanistan.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#15
Howard - what has the Israeli lobby in the US to do with Cameron's comments? He is clearly not bothered too much about that lobby in the UK or USA. This is part of the repositioning of the UK foreign policy - time a world leader told the truth to the Israelis (and I speak as someone prone to be supportive of them in most cases).
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#16
barry, he was trying to butter up the americans the previous week, the subject of gaza was not brought up.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#17
Butter up the Americans? Gaza was mentioned on his visit to Turkey.
Howard - he held his ground on a number of issues with Obama and certainly won concessions over McKinnon for one thing.
I hardly think his comments on Gaza will have endeared him to much of the US Congress.