Democracy is not easy

[Stepbrow]

The BBC posted this video about a brawl in Taiwan's Parliament. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8466516.stm

 

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

[Yuanyang]

The BBC posted this video about a brawl in Taiwan's Parliament. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8466516.stm

 

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

You mean 1856.

 

Such actions in Taiwan have been not uncommon over the years. Here's the "cat fight" from a few years back.

[Daviation]

It may come to that again if they keep ignoring the American people and continue pulling shenanigans in secret. Amazing how they can simply ignore their own tanking approval ratings.

[Stepbrow]

The BBC posted this video about a brawl in Taiwan's Parliament. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8466516.stm

 

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

You mean 1856.

 

Such actions in Taiwan have been not uncommon over the years. Here's the "cat fight" from a few years back.

 

 

Yes, Sorry for the typo: 1856.

[Yuanyang]

The BBC posted this video about a brawl in Taiwan's Parliament. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8466516.stm

 

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

You mean 1856.

 

Such actions in Taiwan have been not uncommon over the years. Here's the "cat fight" from a few years back.

 

 

Yes, Sorry for the typo: 1856.

 

I couldn't find it but I remember the news carrying a story about our late Ralph Yarborough going after someone (in the '60s) and finding himself in a head-lock.

[Guest Pommey]

The UK house of commons has 2 lines painted on the floor that members cannot cross (I believe 2 swords lenght apart) civilised debaters them Brits

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

Some famous quotes about democracy.

 

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either [aristocracy or monarchy]. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. John Q. Adams

 

A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

Thomas Jefferson

 

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

Winston Churchill

 

It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.

Winston Churchill

 

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.

Sydney J. Harris

 

You get fifteen Democrats in a room, and you get twenty opinions

Patrick Leahy

 

{Edit} Removed the messy "�" from post.

Edited January 25, 2010 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[Stepbrow]

Some famous quotes about democracy.

 

Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either [aristocracy or monarchy]. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. John Q. Adams

 

A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.

Thomas Jefferson

 

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

Winston Churchill

 

It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.

Winston Churchill

 

Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.

Sydney J. Harris

 

You get fifteen Democrats in a room, and you get twenty opinions

Patrick Leahy

 

 

I like #5 the best

Edited January 25, 2010 by dnoblett (see edit history)

[weiaijiayou]

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

And let's not forget arguably the most famous example in which the vice president (Burr) shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel! Fascinating and weird. Apparently there used to be a lot of duels...

[Guest Pommey]

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

And let's not forget arguably the most famous example in which the vice president (Burr) shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel! Fascinating and weird. Apparently there used to be a lot of duels...

 

 

Gosh.... I would have loved to see Chaney and Gore duelling at 30 paces, one shot each

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

And let's not forget arguably the most famous example in which the vice president (Burr) shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel! Fascinating and weird. Apparently there used to be a lot of duels...

 

 

Gosh.... I would have loved to see Chaney and Gore duelling at 30 paces, one shot each

Cheney would have missed because Gore would have dodge the bullet to hug a tree.

[Guest Pommey]

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

And let's not forget arguably the most famous example in which the vice president (Burr) shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel! Fascinating and weird. Apparently there used to be a lot of duels...

 

 

Gosh.... I would have loved to see Chaney and Gore duelling at 30 paces, one shot each

Cheney would have missed because Gore would have dodge the bullet to hug a tree.

 

 

umm... walking away from this one

[Guest Tony n Terrific]

In early US history we had violent confrontations too. In May of 1956 Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, made an insulting and inflammatory speech on the Senate floor. Two days later he was beaten with a cane by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.

And let's not forget arguably the most famous example in which the vice president (Burr) shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel! Fascinating and weird. Apparently there used to be a lot of duels...

 

 

Gosh.... I would have loved to see Chaney and Gore duelling at 30 paces, one shot each

Cheney would have missed because Gore would have dodge the bullet to hug a tree.

 

 

umm... walking away from this one

I agree and a real good idea.

[Jeikun]

Although, if I understand correctly, Thomas Jefferson was referring to direct, or "pure" democracy. Which IS probably one of the worst forms of government.

[Guest Pommey]

Although, if I understand correctly, Thomas Jefferson was referring to direct, or "pure" democracy. Which IS probably one of the worst forms of government.

 

 

 

"pure democracy" defined by whome ?