Like Father Like Son?

Good point, jamjar.

Bertrand Russell.

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.

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.

Actually bemusement is probably a more accurate description.

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'.

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.

Well nearly always

Good post Alea.

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.

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.

Alright already!

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 .

Article in the Guardian Pogs

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.

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.

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'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.

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

Could it be relief that a decision had been made? I should think tension was high.

The clapping and cheering took place after Hilary Benn's speech , BEFORE the vote had taken place so the clapping was NOT because they had voted for action in Syria.

When the vote was announced by the Speaker it was heard in total silence!!!

Labour MP Jess Phillips put's it best.

"Just for the record of history which is being misrepresented. No one cheered when the result of last night's vote was announced. NO ONE"

SNP MP Mhairi Black for example tweeted " Will never forget the noise of some Labour and Tory MP's cheering together at the idea of bombs dropping". This in turn caused a twitter storm and when she later pointed out she had NOT meant the vote itself the damage had been done. I think she meant the cheering after Hilary Benn's speech which was not cheered for glorifying war as some believe but I think the MP's understood how much guts it took to make such an excellent speech knowing he would suffer a backlash from some people , even in his own party but he spoke honestly and with conviction and it was a speech will be rembered for a long time. Others obviously feel differently but there was definitely no cheering when the vote was announced.

There was laughter but it was not in anyway connected to the vote announcement. The Speaker John Bercow ,not a favourite of mine usually, had sat through the entire almost 11 hour debate without removing himself from the chair, not even for the loo.

After he announced the vote result he shouted " Order , we come now to the petition -" meaning there was still yet more busines for MP's and himself in the House to be carried out straight away after they had just been through a gruelling debate for 11 hours. He was not complaining, he was not being disrespectful but yes he did pull a joke face as much as to say 'Heeeeeeelp' it was a human interaction. I do not like John Bercow but I would never accuse him of being disrespectful nor lacking in understanding of the brevity the day had required.

Thank you, pogs, for that true account of what happened after the vote.

Thank you POGS.

Lowering the tone somewhat... I neither like nor dislike the Speaker of the HoC. I am indifferent to his personality. I admire his ability to sit through eleven hours straight and I admire his stickability. I could not do that. I'd have to wear a nappy if I could not go for a wee or several, not to mention needing refreshment in the form of food and drink. Even if I could do the sitting part, there's no way I could concentrate for that long without a break.

Well done that man.

Which reminds me of reports at the time that soldiers who took part in the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony were issued with nappies because they were not allowed toilet breaks - and that was only for 6-7 hours!