Morality test

[barnum42]

The best I can come up with is the difference in how politicians get their jobs. In Britain, the Prime Minister isn't directly elected, but appointed by Parliament (this is how I seem to remember learning it, at least)

I'm afraid you have the wrong end of the stick.

There are two main parties that have alternated power for most of the last 100 years - Conservatives and Labour. There is a third which has gone through a few rebranding excericises - The liberals, plus additional Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Parties.

We vote our politicians in the same way as you - they stand for election in your home town/ city / region or area of city, depending on size. Each party elects it's own leader, Tony Blair happens to be the current leader of the Labour party. They could ditch him and pick a different leader who would then become the Prime Minister. This is what the Conservatives did with Margaret Thatcher. Maybe that is what has caused the misunderstanding.

As far as how the British humour in regard to politics is different - we are a far more cynical nation than America and this will reflect in our humour. It does in mine, but I'm proud to say that I'm not bigoted - in my eyes everyone has a equal right to have the ______ taken out of them

 

[ogryn]

The "leader" of each party goes on to be Prime Minister. The Deputy leader, deputy PM.

The party choose their leader via vote. The whole country then votes for a party that they agree with the policies of (or don't vote at all). The potential PM comes as part of the package. :wave:

...and...maybe we just don't care about politics as much as the US. We all know they lie, cheat and say whatever they want to get elected. I think "jaded" is a good word. We take our politicians with a pinch of salt (and try and hit the European parliament ones with a stick ). We also have a fair amount of satirical comedies here (and have done since at least the early 80's), which regularly take the wee out of politicians. Like this one and this one. It seems second nature. :wave:

edit: Barnum beat me to it... and said it better

 

[Wilt Dasney]

I stand corrected. Sleeping through social studies will do that, I guess. :wave:

 

[Legacy]

This is turning into a really good discussion.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

...and...maybe we just don't care about politics as much as the US. We all know they lie, cheat and say whatever they want to get elected. I think "jaded" is a good word.

I'm with you there. A lot of my countrymen seem to have some measure of faith in their elected leaders, however. Whatever is this nation coming to? :hammer:

 

[boywonder]

Canada has the same parliamentary system as England. Nobody appoints a leader. They are elected by each party in a similar way as the primaries in the states. Canada's Liberal Party has been the party of choice since 1993. Though lately it has been riddled with scandals left and right.
I think Canada has much the same views on politics as England. Never met a Politician that didn't lie, crooks r'them....very jadded....

 

[Nicole]

Well I admit that it's a funny joke but I think the wounds from the election are still open. This being a Disney forum it probably wouldn't have raised any controversy if the drowning man had been Michael Eisner.... (but think of the 15 minutes of fame you'd get if you used your camera's timer to take a picture of YOU saving the drowning man??)

 

[ACE]

While I respect the opinions of ACE and others, I don't think the joke was political and here's why: It would have been just as funny (or unfunny, if you prefer) with ANY politician's name inserted. If it were specifically aimed at the war or the economy or something specific to Bush's policies, then it would be political.

I also respect your opinion and the opinion of others but let's look at it this way. If I make a joke about someones ethnicity, it's a racial joke. If I make a joke about someone being gay, it's a homosexual joke. Therefore it would reason that if I make a joke about a politician, it would be a political joke.

If we follow the rules of this board I don't believe any of those are allowed. Believe me I like a good joke as much as the next guy. When I was in an improv group nothing was sacred. It's like I said before, if the moderators are gonna let it go then there's nothing I can do but join in and and have fun.

:wave: ACE

 

[ACE]

Well I admit that it's a funny joke but I think the wounds from the election are still open. This being a Disney forum it probably wouldn't have raised any controversy if the drowning man had been Michael Eisner.... (but think of the 15 minutes of fame you'd get if you used your camera's timer to take a picture of YOU saving the drowning man??)

I've read others posts where they spoke of "wounds". It was a Bush joke and he won. So what wounds are you talking about? It has nothing to do with "wounds". It has to do with the rules on this board. Of course they seem to be selectively enforced as of late so I'm not sure what the rules are anymore.

:wave: ACE

 

[barnum42]

I've read others posts where they spoke of "wounds". It was a Bush joke and he won. So what wounds are you talking about? It has nothing to do with "wounds". It has to do with the rules on this board. Of course they seem to be selectively enforced as of late so I'm not sure what the rules are anymore.

I think there is just a simple application of common sense being used. If if any mention of politics or politicians was totally banned we'd never be able to talk about The Hall of Presidents, Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, the American Adventure or the Main Stree Mayor.

 

[ogryn]

I also respect your opinion and the opinion of others but let's look at it this way. If I make a joke about someones ethnicity, it's a racial joke. If I make a joke about someone being gay, it's a homosexual joke. Therefore it would reason that if I make a joke about a politician, it would be a political joke.
:wave: ACE

I understand your reasoning behind this, but I disagree. Politics, by definition, is "The art or science of government or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs." Therefore, to be a political joke, surely it would have to be making fun of the way they govern (their policies)?

Example, Tony Blairs' wife, Cherie has a very large smile. On the TV last night, there was a joke about her teeth being played like a xylophone. Is this joke political because she is the PM's wife? No, it's a joke about her big smile. The same applies to the original post in my opinion.

 

[barnum42]

Example, Tony Blairs' wife, Cherie has a very large smile. On the TV last night, there was a joke about her teeth being played like a xylophone. Is this joke political because she is the PM's wife? No, it's a joke about her big smile.

Just to drift a bit more - do you think that when she smiles Cherie Blair is the spitting image of the original animated Cruella de-Ville?

 

[ogryn]

I hadn't noticed before, but now you have said....

 

[barnum42]

I hadn't noticed before, but now you have said....

It's the square mouth that they share does it.

 

[Shaman]

Of course they seem to be selectively enforced as of late so I'm not sure what the rules are anymore.

I'm sure if you address your concerns with the administrator of this fine establishment he will make the rules crystal clear for you...and set anything right that needs to be set right...

 

[ACE]

It's like I told wdwhoneymooner

The thing is it's not a morality test at all. The question at the end was what type of film to use. It was a foregone conclusion that you would let Bush drown. With that in mind and knowing how many people hate Bush I see it as polictical. But these are not my boards so I'm done with this topic.

Thank You and Have a Good Day,
ACE

 

[Erika]

Regardless of how we each view the joke, I think we can all agree that Barnum meant no harm. Time to move on?

It has to do with the rules on this board. Of course they seem to be selectively enforced as of late so I'm not sure what the rules are anymore.

:wave: ACE

As far as the rules appearing to be a little flexible at times, I think Steve runs things as fairly as possible. After all, religion is another forbidden topic and yet many of us have enjoyed participation in various Christmas threads without objection.

Peace to both sides of the fence.
:wave:

 

[MicBat]

It has to do with the rules on this board. Of course they seem to be selectively enforced as of late so I'm not sure what the rules are anymore.

This is bascially something that was trying to be said in a thread posted about a week or 2 ago... I dunno... Something about a poll?? :zipit:

But anyway... I've been thinking AND... Wouldn't you get more praise for saving the president's life?! I mean, in saving the life of the president, you're guaranteed glory. Whereas, someone might just take a better picture than you. Just a thought.

 

[ACE]

I'm asking forum members to please refrain from posting topics of a political nature. Yes this may be chit chat, but overall it is a forum dedicated to the discussion of Walt Disney World. Political debates are best left to political discussion boards.
Thank you

... :veryconfu

 

[dandaman]

Colour photo. I'd take lots, including a head shot of the top of his head just above the surface.:lol: Dubya better not learn how to use the Internet, he might find this...:lookaroun :lol: