Friday, October 29, 2004
QUESTION TIME FLORIDA!
Excellent edition of QT last night - although the audience was a little more unruly than we're used to! My opinion - Richard Littlejohn was suprisingly good, although he did go to peices on the religion/stem cell question. Michael Moore was, well, Michael Moore - although he argued quite well. David Frum was probably the most composed, and looked the most professional - clever by bigging up Kerry, making the sleaze look like democratic sleaze, but did do the old trick of mentioning 9/11 and Saddam in association. Sidney Blumenthal I thought was rubbish. Didn't really challenge anything, and never answered questions straight. Lisa Rodrguez Tassef was suprisingly good, even though she brought EVERY issue round to the mechanicas of the election.
What did everyone else think?
I think that a lot of the questions were missed in electioneering.
Audience question: Who do you think Bin Laden would like to see become president?
I thought that this was a rubbish question becuase Bin Laden probably doesn't give a shit. Both administrations are going to deal with the war on terror.
Audience question: Should President Bush apologise for invading Iraq now that no Weapons of Mass Destruction were found?
This question really annoyed me. the question wasn't should Bush apologise for going to war, which is the question most of the panel answered. Should Bush apologise for convincing the public that WMD's existed when they didn't. Blair (kinda) did.
Audience question: This election is expected to be extremely close. What assurances are there that the vote count will be accurate?
I think that Frum's point was one of the best ones I've heard either side say all election. The campaign should start out with mutual respect from both sides, and the debate should be civilised. I think the animosity between Republicans and Democrats is ultimately hurting democracy in America.
Audience question: In a country which allows us freedom of religion, should a president make decisions regarding such crucial topics as stem cell research, abortion, and marriage based on personal religious "faith"?
Really interesting question! Should have spent a whole hour on this one alone. Frum basically said that Bush consults scientists, but basically makes his decision based on his christian ethics. He went on to say that no one can cut that part out of themselves, but I think that my point is that they should. Decisions should be made objectively - and not based on faith. Faith by definition a lack of facts, and this is what religious arguments are based on. Ethics and faith should not be confused.
Audience question: How do you feel the 2004 presidential election could affect Prime Minister Tony Blair's public standing if the outcome was a democratic victory?
Yawn. He'll keep doing his thing. It may embarras him for about 5 minutes, but I think he'll carry on as before.
Comments please?!
What did everyone else think?
I think that a lot of the questions were missed in electioneering.
Audience question: Who do you think Bin Laden would like to see become president?
I thought that this was a rubbish question becuase Bin Laden probably doesn't give a shit. Both administrations are going to deal with the war on terror.
Audience question: Should President Bush apologise for invading Iraq now that no Weapons of Mass Destruction were found?
This question really annoyed me. the question wasn't should Bush apologise for going to war, which is the question most of the panel answered. Should Bush apologise for convincing the public that WMD's existed when they didn't. Blair (kinda) did.
Audience question: This election is expected to be extremely close. What assurances are there that the vote count will be accurate?
I think that Frum's point was one of the best ones I've heard either side say all election. The campaign should start out with mutual respect from both sides, and the debate should be civilised. I think the animosity between Republicans and Democrats is ultimately hurting democracy in America.
Audience question: In a country which allows us freedom of religion, should a president make decisions regarding such crucial topics as stem cell research, abortion, and marriage based on personal religious "faith"?
Really interesting question! Should have spent a whole hour on this one alone. Frum basically said that Bush consults scientists, but basically makes his decision based on his christian ethics. He went on to say that no one can cut that part out of themselves, but I think that my point is that they should. Decisions should be made objectively - and not based on faith. Faith by definition a lack of facts, and this is what religious arguments are based on. Ethics and faith should not be confused.
Audience question: How do you feel the 2004 presidential election could affect Prime Minister Tony Blair's public standing if the outcome was a democratic victory?
Yawn. He'll keep doing his thing. It may embarras him for about 5 minutes, but I think he'll carry on as before.
Comments please?!
// posted by Chase @ 10/29/2004 08:39:00 am 
