Wednesday 9 January 2019

Behaviour

Folk complained that the government had the fortnight's recess for Christmas when the Brexit debate was ongoing.   Well at least we had a fortnight when Brexit was barely mentioned - Gatwick with its drone scares more or less took over.

But of course it couldn't last.   Today the whole shebang was headline news again.    This time it was mainly because of the protesters outside the
Palace of Westminster - the abusive language and the argument on whether or not the protesters had abused the Public Order Act.

I have no wish to get involved.   At my age I really don't care which way things go (yes, I know that is a selfish view taking into consideration my grandchildren and great grandchildren ) I just want it all to be over and done with so that we can all get back to normal.

But I couldn't help thinking this morning as I saw the Protesters and the Politicians on Breakfast television that to some extent the pot is calling the kettle black.   These days when I see Prime Minister's Question Time or debates in the House the abuse being hurled from one side to the other, the mayhem constantly caused so that really no sensible debate can be taking place, I cannot but despair of the way our country is moving towards 
 something I don't like.   Am I right or is the right for Free Speech paramount above all else?
.

23 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

You're right comparing PMQ's with the protesters outside, the only difference being the lack of physical threat within the house. I guess the one thing that worries the MP's the most outside is a repeat of the Jo Cox murder.
I imagine that the whole country just want a decision one way or another now, instead of the constant stalling that is going on. Let's have a vote and bite the bullet which ever way it goes and get it over with.

Heather said...

You are so right Pat. Free speech is a good thing but a noisy slanging match is counter-productive and gets none of us anywhere. I feel sorry for our great-grandchildren and the mess that they will inherit. I just hope the pendulum will swing back again to some sort of normality where we find ourselves in a more intelligent and caring world, but I'm not holding my breath. Old and synically yours!

Gwil W said...

Those MPs are not representing British values. They're acting like a cage full of angry monkeys. Cut their pay in half. They'll soon behave then.

thelma said...

That is what Paul said, pots and kettles, the behaviour inside parliament makes you want to weep sometimes. Everyone is so argumentative nowadays, Anne Soubray walked the walk through the far right hecklers with good grace, I am not sure of the police's motive not to escort her, has politics pushed them even further on the sideline.

Rachel Phillips said...

At the 11th hour the EU will yield and there will be a deal.

Sue in Suffolk said...

PMQs is just awful to watch. Were they like that before TV cameras?

Barbara Anne said...

What happened to good manners? I blame the disgusting and disgraceful example set by the embarrassing Mr (and I use that term loosely) Trump.

Heaven help us all.

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Free speech is fine if they've got something constructive to say, otherwise they should shut up, listen and hope to learn something. (In answer to the question posed in your comment on my latest post Yes, it's the same Burwell).

diana said...

We have the same trouble here in the US. Our worst enemy is ourselves. We can't agree on anything and when we disagree it is with such hate. If we put our energy into working together we could do amazing things.

Jan said...

Yes! I'm so tired of everyone in Washington. I don't think any of them care about us, they only care about their own political careers.

Simon Douglas Thompson said...

Modern day TV and media enables these sort of underclass folk a platform. He is so desperately trying to get arrested and look like a martyr for patriotism it's hilarious. It isn't 1940 any more!!!

Rachel Phillips said...

Bad behaviour in Parliament is nothing new. Look at Lord George Gordon 1790 MP and No Popery and the Gordon riots for but one.

Joanne Noragon said...

I have no television. I must search out my news.

Living Alone in Your 60's said...

Perhaps their wages should be withheld until the situation is sorted. We are all sick and tired of each politician being self centred. If they don't execute what was voted in, then democracy is dead.

EM Griffith said...

Barbara Anne, a newly elected Democrat congress woman--on camera--used profanity after she was sworn in and defends her choice of words staunchly. ALL leadership has discarded dignified language and behavior. Not just in the U.S. or U.K., but news coverage in both countries inundates viewers/readers with the worst examples on a daily basis. Or so it seems. I have to limit my "news" intake. It feels soul-draining if I don't.

Librarian said...

It was headline news in my country last night, too. Like you, I just wish we'd finally have some clarity.
As for abusive language, that was definitely NOT meant when the idea of free speech was first developed!

Rachel Phillips said...

As has been said many times before, I don't know why you watch the news on tv. I don't and I know many people who don't.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Free speech has been sent to its room without dinner. It is ridicule or worse if someone speaks up, and others don't agree.

Here in America, a news reporter's brain jumbled a name, as the human brain can do, and now, he's not only been fired, the station is standing by their decision. Free speech nowadays requires a body guard, lawyer, and a good public relations person just in case you burp a word out of tune.

Alphie Soup said...

Everything will return to normal - whatever that means- after March 29.
Or maybe not.
Alphie

the veg artist said...

I have to admit that I'm starting to not care so much as well. It's not about the particular issues, more seeing one mess after another, endless broken promises, and realising that there will always be one mess after another, and more broken promises. Call it age/experience, but I tend to let it all wash over me these days.
As far as the free speech issue goes, is there some sort of inverse ratio at play here, which allows those in the minority to claim more air time with louder voices? Or are most of us too accommodating?

jinxxxygirl said...

I'm not sure some of the things they spew out there can be classified as 'speech'... I've long since stopped paying attention to politics... Whatever is going to happen whether i pay attention or not.. i just try to keep my head above water.. Hugs! deb

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Free speech is obviously a very good thing, and one would not wish for that principle to be abrogated in any way. However, I think it should stop at hate speech, or incitement to violence, and certainly the level of discourse has degenerated appreciably. People don’t seem to realize that the fouler their language the less effective they are. The English language is full of wonderful adjectives to achieve the same goal as vulgarity, with greater liklihood that others will pay attention and respect the source.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for so many replies. It seems that although your views vary somewhat we are all agreed on the basic principle that (as they say in the UK) strong words butter no parsnips (or something like that.)