Watching Canadian House of Commons on C-SPAN

whatever4

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Tue Nov-22-05 02:44 PM
Original message

Watching Canadian House of Commons on C-SPAN

Edited on Tue Nov-22-05 02:45 PM by whatever4

is really pretty fun.

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Spazito

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Tue Nov-22-05 02:46 PM
Response to Original message

1. LOL, it is anything but sedate during question period, that's for sure!

It is 15 minutes of raucous uproar.

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whatever4

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Tue Nov-22-05 02:51 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Why, they all walk around talking like they've got the right or something.

Like, a constitution or some such

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Spazito

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Tue Nov-22-05 02:54 PM
Response to Reply #2

3. Yep, it is a hoot to watch and it does, very definitely, call the

government and the PM to account, albeit loudly, and, at times, comically. I value the parliamentary process whereby the PM MUST face the opposition and answer questions rather than the U.S. system where the President is never forced to face his opposition politicians.

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HillDem

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:01 PM
Response to Reply #3

4. Yeah I love how anyone

can call out the PM at any time

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napi21

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:08 PM
Response to Reply #3

6. I've always enjoyed watching the Parliament, either Canada

or the Brits. That's what our House reminded me of last week when they went after the Dumb Pug and her nasty comments.

Can you even imagine Shrub being able to handle all the stuff Blair has to deal with?

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Spazito

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:29 PM
Response to Reply #6

8. I don't watch it as a regular routine, only when I know it is going to

be particularly hot and, I agree, watching the CNN coverage of the House re Iraq on Friday night, it was very much like our House of Commons except the country's leader was allowed to escape any accountability. I have this vision of bush, were he to have to speak extemporaneously and all I hear is: "Bu, Uh, terra, terra, terra, partisan politics, uh, uh, uh, lol.

You probably already know this but just in case you don't, each of our Provinces have the same process, 15 minutes of question period and they are often just as raucous.

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Lisa

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Tue Nov-22-05 05:13 PM
Response to Reply #3

14. "Would the Honourable Member from Crawford please answer the question?"

And another thing -- most of the cabinet would, by tradition, be serving MPs themselves -- so they'd have to be accountable in at least some way.

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Hand

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:08 PM
Response to Original message

5. "Like the British House of Commons with a two-drink minimum"

Somebody on DU came up with that. Great! :rofl:

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whatever4

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:17 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. That's good! lol ;) nm

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jim3775

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:36 PM
Response to Original message

9. One thing is important to remember when watching Canadian parliament

The MP's have parliamentary immunity which means that they cannot be prosecuted for what they say in session. The Conservatives especially and to a much lesser degree the Liberals will make broad-brush false statements which they will never say outside the chamber because they will be sued for libel. You will often hear people say "I dare you to say that outside".

Another thing to remember is whatever Stephen Harper is saying the opposite is true.

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jim3775

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:38 PM
Response to Reply #9

10. I also recommend watching how they vote

It it so much quicker and easier than the ridiculous way the US senate votes.

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CatBoreal

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Tue Nov-22-05 03:39 PM
Response to Original message

11. You're missing the good old days....

when Brian Mulroney's Tories were in power and the Liberal Brat Pack was at its finest.

Tequila Sheila was the best!

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Spazito

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Tue Nov-22-05 05:00 PM
Response to Reply #11

12. ROFL! Too true, thanks for the reminder!

Those days have yet to be beaten in terms of must-watch tv!

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Lisa

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Tue Nov-22-05 05:11 PM
Response to Original message

13. and then there's the "press scrum" outside

The media rush up to a politician (even the Prime Minister) en masse, and start yelling questions.

Apparently, when George W. Bush saw one of these, he was shocked -- thought the reporters were being "rude" -- and was even more amazed when then-PM Chretien stepped up, took some of the questions, and didn't run away and hide.

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