Like Father Like Son?

Agree Helen, to applaud and cheer over such a serious issue as bombing - no matter what their politics - was sick .

I'll tell you what I found distressing, the clapping and cheering of some politicians when the result of the vote was declared. Whatever their political stance on the issues, they could have shown some gravitas for the reality of the outcome.

Bags I do wish I could rise to your lofty heights
It's irritating when some posters jump to hackneyed conclusions about other posters and the sarcasm can be wearing as well.
So true

I'm sure. And then there would be a mix of interpretations and reactions. However I am content to just agree to disagree on some aspects of this complex and difficult situation.

For the record most days I read at least three newspapers and The Guardian is not my (secular) bible.

It's irritating when some posters jump to hackneyed conclusions about other posters and the sarcasm can be wearing as well.

Ah! The Guardian, that fount of all knowledge.
You had to listen/watch the whole debate to get the true meaning of what was said, and how it was said.

Article in the Guardian Pogs

Petalus

Cameron has said many times this is not going to be easy nor some sort of quick fix prior to the debate and subsequent vote and during the debate.

Did you have the opportunity to hear any of the debate to know what was and what wasn't said .

Alright already!

I was a big fan of Tony Benn although I didn't agree with everything he said, his position on Europe was one, and I'm a supporter of Hilary, but don't agree with everything he believes. Both are/were sincere, principled men and wonderful orators. I remember when he gave a talk at our local bookshop and told us, among many fascinating anecdotes, how he once won the Queen in a raffle when she was still Princess Elizabeth! Tony would have been proud of his son as he respected people's different views. It's encouraging to see these men of principle, Jeremy Corbyn, for better or worse, being one of them, coming to the surface.

Hilary Benn sounding like Hitler is one of the most idiotic things I've ever read! Presumably 'friend' has never listened to a Hitler speech. To say that they are even remotely comparable is absurd to the point of ridicule.

Good post Alea.

Well nearly always

petallus I am assuming you have actually watched old film of Hitler's rants? And understood his use of language? There are many who say he was a gifted orator but I can't share that opinion. His use of rhythm and repetition, his linguistic crescendos were certainly what whipped the crowds into a frenzy, but the words are no more than rabble rousing. It's like saying The Sun produces compelling rhetoric. His hectoring style was perhaps more that of some old fashioned preachers, or politicians like the late Ian Paisley . Nowadays I think that would be anathema to most thinking UK citizens.
No, Hitler and the Fascist leaders of the 30's such as Mosley in this country were rabble rousers, not orators. Hilary Benn has the same facility with language that his father had, he also spoke with conviction and intelligence as did Tony Benn in his day. In that respect he showed himself to be "his father's son" - they are an intelligent and talented family.
I am afraid your friend made a snap judgement petallus and I wonder whether that was on an informed basis. I don't think it is an opinion I should care to repeat it unless I were sure of my understanding of its foundation.

Bags of course I wasn't suggesting you found the present situation in Syria amusing.

Some comments, some speeches, I have found disturbing rather than amusing. In fact I have felt very little amusement at most of the comments on the various GN threads on the topic of Syria.

I assure you, I always strive to 'get it right'.

Actually bemusement is probably a more accurate description.

I feel strong emotions about the situation as well, pet. My 'intellectual, amusement is about certain comments on this thread, not The Political Situation. Get it right.

Bags I do wish I could rise to your lofty heights I do struggle to keep my intellect in control of my emotions when forming opinions but admit I don't always manage it.

In this present situation I find I feel upset and angry more than amused.

Bertrand Russell.

Good point, jamjar.

It amuses me how people want to parade their dislike of certain politicians. It isn't about the personalities for me, but about the issue of how to deal with fascists. I can sympathise with both sides of the arguments. I don't believe I'm the only one who does this, but perhaps these threads get dominated by people with very certain and unchangeable viewpoints.

I'm hardly ever certain. Somebody famous said about that how the wise are full of doubts.

Not that I'm claiming to be wise, just illustrating my point. I'll look up the quote's provenance.

My feeling is both are conviction politicians, but although I watched HB sit respectfully for hours next to the leader of his party IMO that wasn't reciprocated when it was time for his speech.

Benn didn't shout. He spoke with feeling and his voice was sometimes louder than at other times but it was well modulated.

Hitler? Nonsense.

Now it is being admitted that the fight to rid Syria of IS will take at least two or three years, if not longer.

I can't remember Cameron saying that before he won the vote.

rosequartz I didn't say Benn was a fascist, I said my friend said he sounded like Hitler (he meant his style of oratory).

Oh, and now it's a minority of three!

I'll answer your question, nightowl. Yes, I do think Jeremy Corbyn is a conviction politician. I think Hilary Benn is too.

Margaret Becket was another who spoke with conviction in favour of more airstrikes. She and Benn tipped it for me. I still don't know if it's the right thing to do, but I never felt not supporting France with more airstrikes was the right thing to do either. Such situations as this are never clear cut. It's a judgment call and I think we should give credit to people on both sides of the issue that they have given it long and good thought and come to a decision based on good motives. I don't think there is a 'right' way in situations like this; there's only the choice of trying to decide what will deal with the evil most effectively. If MPs are mistaken in their decisions, they have done it with the best of intentions.