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[JoshuaFH]

I like hearing about Australian politics, it sounds really interesting. I hear Australia is a nice place to live, just with crazy politics.

[G-Flex]

I don't get why anybody cares that Joe Biden accidentally said a swear word when the mic was on. It's not like what he said was strange or offensive in any way beyond that, and it wasn't even directed towards anyone in that sort of manner. This is all just really, really silly.

If you feel like, you can compare this to our last vice president, who actually told a senator "go fuck yourself". Slight contrast there.

[Grakelin]

Noted Republicans (Cheney, McCain, Mrs. Bush) have all been caught on camera telling people to fuck off at some point or another. I guess the media was really excited at the prospect of mixing it up and ignored the fact that Biden wasn't insulting anybody, but just commenting on how important to American history the passing of the bill is.

[RedKing]

It's cheap political theater. Either side can fake outrage and harrumph about the other side's uncouthness and vulgarity, while the "offending" side basically says "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it."

Frankly, it cracked me up when Cheney dropped the F-bomb too, because it was so what I would expect from him. Biden's was more like Shaun White's coach at the Olympics--it was done out of excitement at knowing you're about to pull off a victory.

[Neruz]

I like hearing about Australian politics, it sounds really interesting. I hear Australia is a nice place to live, just with crazy politics.

Pretty much, our politicians are certifiably nuts most of the time, but fortunately not too nuts to be a serious issue.

I suspect this may have something to do with the Australian approach to politics; we don't elect new Governments, we kick old Governments out. Rudd didn't get into office because Australia wanted Rudd in office, he got into office because Australia didn't want John Howard in office.

[Leafsnail]

It feels like Britain has a different problem with the opposition.  The two main parties just seem... so damn similar, at least on the service.  Sure, one is funded by the unions and one is funded by tax dodgers, but their policies on most issues are EXACTLY THE SAME.

[Jackrabbit]

Anyone remember John Smith and Smith Johnson, or whatever their names were from Futurama?

[Untouchable]

I like hearing about Australian politics, it sounds really interesting. I hear Australia is a nice place to live, just with crazy politics.

Pretty much, our politicians are certifiably nuts most of the time, but fortunately not too nuts to be a serious issue.

I suspect this may have something to do with the Australian approach to politics; we don't elect new Governments, we kick old Governments out. Rudd didn't get into office because Australia wanted Rudd in office, he got into office because Australia didn't want John Howard in office.

Oh we've had some hilariously insane pollies. Paul Keating was a bit of a right ole bastard.

And that's why Australians love him.

[Bauglir]

-snip-

[Neruz]

I like hearing about Australian politics, it sounds really interesting. I hear Australia is a nice place to live, just with crazy politics.

Pretty much, our politicians are certifiably nuts most of the time, but fortunately not too nuts to be a serious issue.

I suspect this may have something to do with the Australian approach to politics; we don't elect new Governments, we kick old Governments out. Rudd didn't get into office because Australia wanted Rudd in office, he got into office because Australia didn't want John Howard in office.

Oh we've had some hilariously insane pollies. Paul Keating was a bit of a right ole bastard.

And that's why Australians love him.

We do so love our bastards.

Keating even got a musical made about him; and it was a pretty good musical too.

[Jude]

But that's the GOOD thing about Australian government! The opposition is *expected* to oppose! It's their job! They even have their Shadow Government with little shadow cabinets and shadow titles and stuff.


Whereas here, the opposition is essentially expected to whine, bitch and moan but in the end accede to the majority party's demands, otherwise it's "obstructionism". (And yes, I realize the irony of me saying this considering I've slagged the GOP for obstructing the health care bill.)

Opposition by the opposition party in the US government is seen as so unpatriotic, that the only way to justify it politically is to make the majority party seem so diabolic that you can cast yourself not in the light of an opposition party, but a resistance movement. Which leads to all sorts of batshit craziness like Oklahoma City fun.

You're acting like what the Republican party is doing is usual for a minority party. I sure can't remember anything remotely like it. They're beyond just "opposing" and into the territory of failing to act like grownups. Just refusing everything the other party wants to do, simply because they proposed it, and not coming up with anything of their own.

[Grakelin]

They're not failing to be grownups, they're just slowly reforming into the Canadian Parliamentary system.

[Euld]

And Bush threw up on the Chinese Prime Minister's lap.  I think.  Don't forget Carter's killer bunny either.  Er, what am I talking about again?...

[Ampersand]

I don't get why anybody cares that Joe Biden accidentally said a swear word when the mic was on. It's not like what he said was strange or offensive in any way beyond that, and it wasn't even directed towards anyone in that sort of manner. This is all just really, really silly.

If you feel like, you can compare this to our last vice president, who actually told a senator "go fuck yourself". Slight contrast there.

Well, no one is really offended by what Biden did. It's pretty much par for the course for him. In the words of my father, Biden keeps it real.

[Creamcorn]

I'm too lazy to go back to page two, when did this big fucking deal turn into a big fucking discussion?