Originally posted by pegwinn
Personally I long for the days of brawls on the floor of the house or senate. Todays politicians are career oriented rather than passionate defenders. Most begin a career in politics with a fifty year run in mind. Watch the BBC and enjoy as the parliment wears each other out verbally on a regular basis.
"WASHINGTON In 1856 a House member from South Carolina took his cane to an abolitionist senator from Massachusetts, bloodying the Senate floor and leaving the man near death. Capitol attacks these days are not as dramatic, but lawmakers from both parties lament what has become another low point in political civility." -more- at source
I was watching live coverage of the House of Commons a few years back, when a member from Wales began a speech praising the Prime Minister ( it would have been Major, I believe ). He went on and on - to the point where it was becoming embarrasing - and then the catcalls began. Finally, someone shouted, " Why don't you just kneel down in front of the Prime Minister and get it over with? "
Now, that's what I call a lively, open debate!