Petition to disallow Trump from meeting the Queen or Prince of Wales

[Magnus]

One thing I learned from meeting Japanese people (generally in Hawaii`i) is never, NEVER respond to a bow of greeting in the hotel lift/elevator, or you spend the next 6 floors banging your heads together to try to "out-polite" the other. Lovely, but a little bruising.

[Alisoncc]

Whilst Liz and Betty as such are unacceptable, Aunty Betty is different. I have no hesitation in referring to my time in Aunty Betty's Flying Circus as some of the happiest I have experienced.

Alison

[Cacophonix]

I am rather vexed that many citizens of the United Kingdom (many of whom were not born here) are so impolite as to use their leisure hours to make such a commotion in the streets.

As a foreign born British citizen who had to take an official oath of allegiance to Her Majesty, I was happy to take time out this week to exercise my right to protest as befits a fully functioning and engaged citizen of Great Britain.

The vexation of others in these matters is to be regretted but as we all know vexation, real or imagined, counts as little in the practise of democracy as humorously noted by Stoneboat when he winked at the irritation of some on the Left with reference to Trump's visit to this sceptred isle.

Perhaps you might feel inclined to set up a protest and march in favour of Trump. Such an exercise is your prerogative and right as a citizen, wherever you were born, and whilst I might not support your cause I would applaud your industry and the practise of your democratic rights.

Caco

[BenThere]

Conservatives aren't generally given to marching and protesting, a notable exception being Tea Party rallies a few years ago and the Trump rallies this past election. I think it's mostly because they tend to have jobs and family responsibilities.

[Cacophonix]

Conservatives aren't generally given to marching and protesting, a notable exception being Tea Party rallies a few years ago and the Trump rallies this past election. I think it's mostly because they tend to have jobs and family responsibilities.

As a more liberal minded soul with both a job and family responsibilities ranging from a current partner, an ex wife, children, two dogs (not to speak of current and ex mistresses) and a goldfish, may I suggest that some conservatives are just too slothful or perhaps too unimaginative to march or protest!

Caco

[om15]

may I suggest that some conservatives are just too slothful or perhaps too unimaginative to march or protest!

We have nothing to protest about, everything is going our way,
A superb Tory Prime Minister, a Labour Party in shreds, Brexit Article 50 well on it's way, and now to cap it all, the very best President of the United States that one could imagine.

Socialism is being consigned to the dustbin of history, the leftie liberal shower that have had it all their own way are being challenged and they don't like it, so please, protest as volubly as you wish, it doesn't make any difference, it's happened.

My point is that if foreigners choose to come to the UK they should follow our ways and understand that shouting about on street corners is no substitute for democracy, it's not what we do.

[Cacophonix]

While not a socialist I certainly am left of the opinions espoused by many here and will do whatever it takes within the law to bring this country back to some sort of balance. As for not demonstrating and fighting for rights here in the UK, om15, you clearly understand very little about the history of British democracy, which is a real shame but not surprising given the lack of a good education amongst many in Britain these days.

Do some reading and come back and tell me that democracy here was not predicated on blood (a lot of it), sweat and tears.

Caco

[om15]

Do some reading and come back and tell me that democracy here was not predicated on blood (a lot of it), sweat and tears.

Indeed, but now we have democracy there is no need for street gatherings, they perform no useful purpose and make driving in urban areas more dreary than it needs to be.

[OFSO]

Socialism is being consigned to the dustbin of history

And also in France. It seems as if with every issue of Le Canard Enchainé the money which socialist candidate Fillon fraudently paid to his wife and two of his children for 'working for him' increases. Now almost a million euros, I believe. Strange what a love of money the socialists have. He is of course not going to withdraw. Or for that matter, repay the money. Mme Le Pen is playing the attack from the EU on her payments so strongly (and successfully) it might almost have been a set-up. Didn't Brussels see that one coming ?

In Germany however the Social Democrats are experiencing a rebirth with their new super Eurocrat Martin Schultz lifting them back into power: mind you I would be VERY surprised if the Merkey creature doesn't win again in September.

Italy is in total confusion. One cannot say the socialists are any more so than the others. Fuori Roma, niente di nuovo.

May we all live in Interesting Times.

[Cacophonix]

they perform no useful purpose and make driving in urban areas more dreary than it needs to be.

Very droll! .

The Latin poet Catullus spake of the irritation in the streets of Rome because of the sound of collapsing buildings!

Something like that I guess.

Caco

[Cacophonix]

Trump is obviously 'very popular' in the Houses of Parliament!

Not often that I agree with the poisoned dwarf!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 65651.html

[bbvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8hA5RciqDw[/bbvideo]

Caco

[Boac]

Yes - an amazing delivery. Mrs May May be soon reviewing her party invite.

[om15]

I have always thought that Bercow and his wife did not have the gravitas for the position that he holds.

[Cacophonix]

I have always thought that Bercow and his wife did not have the gravitas for the position that he holds.

You are right, of course, he has a very low centre of gravitas but vertically challenged as he is 10/10 for this diatribe Mr Bercow!

Caco

[BenThere]

We're awaiting President Trump's determination as to whether the House of Commons is worthy of his time. I think it is, though I would have preferred a more general acceptance of the US head of state, considering we have been steadfast allies for some time.

[Cacophonix]

We're awaiting President Trump's determination as to whether the House of Commons is worthy of his time.

We are all hoping not!

Caco

[BenThere]

We are all hoping not!

Of course, you are 'hoping not' since you detest America as you have previously posted.

But be careful what you wish for. The US has been a stabilizing force since the end of WWII.

You want us to vanish from the world scene, focused solely on our own defense? If so, then by all means ridicule and insult all you like as our head of state visits the UK. I am increasingly of the same accord, coming around to the view that our focus should be on our own defense. Then you can insult us once again for abandoning you, Caco.

[Alisoncc]

The US has been a stabilizing force since the end of WWII.

Sorry Ben but I cannot allow that to go unchallenged. Do please tell me where the US has been a stabilising force.

Korea - which is still effectively at war ? Vietnam ? Laos and Cambodia? Libya? Iraq ? Afghanistan, where they armed the Taliban in their fight against the Russians? The Philippines with it's US bases, and now the South China Sea uncertainty? Israel/Palestine ? Is Syria ever likely to be more stable with US involvement ?

In truth cannot think of anywhere in the last half century that has become more stable as a function of US involvement. It is even said in some circles that US support for the Shah of Iran is what led to their revolution and the present incumbents in Tehran. Who knows?

Are any of the US's closer neighbours, where there has been evidence of US involvement, more stable. Thinking here of Central and South America. Thankfully they haven't got involved in Canada which has been able to retain it's stability.

Unlike those supposed contributors I do not detest America. Far from it, have spent the bulk of my working life employed by American companies, even living there for three months, but I do not have a simplistic view of the world many there have. It is far more complex than any of your compatriots could ever imagine, and it is my belief that US dabbling has done little good, because invariably it's all short term. "Go in, shoot up all the bad guys and then leave".

[Cacophonix]

Of course, you are 'hoping not' since you detest America as you have previously posted.

Oh no BenThere, I detest Trump and his minions who are truly the American hating ones. I love the American way much more than Trump who wants to destroy it!

Don't try and bring alternate 'facts' from your dystopian pipedream into this argument. Such nonsense will not stand in much the same way as Trump's won't either.

You thought you had played a blinder there! Accusing somebody of hating America when he doesn't but we have seen that modus operandi before and it just won't wash. It makes your Kung fu look very weak indeed Johnny!

I am truly surprised about how little you and Trump seem to know about checks and balances and how little you all seem to understand about the nature of the law and justice. In fact how very little you seem to value your own country!

Caco

[om15]

It is odd that we appear to delight in inviting mass murderers, people representing the most vilest of regimes to address the House of Parliament, but the freely and democratically elected President of the free world has to endure the insult of being snubbed by a nondescript shabby clerk like Bercow.
Why have we ended up in this position, and why is Bercow still there?
The last speaker ( a Glaswegian riveter) was bad enough, but this unsuitable egomaniac is equally bad, shouldn't retain his job.