British Expatriate Network

I thought some of you would find this amusing.

http//www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=00NBJH22I2UXXQFIQMFSFFOAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2006/10/14/nbaa14.xml

"It has taken more than 12 months and cost about £10,000 but a council is finally on the verge of discovering the identity of a man who kept saying "baa" during a planning meeting. After a wide-ranging investigation, Havering council, based in Romford, Essex, has prepared a 300-page report, according to the Romford Recorder newspaper. Unfortunately, the downside is that the prime suspect is no longer a councillor and is, therefore, beyond the scope of any punishment that it might want to mete out. The incident has it roots in a planning meeting in September last year when an application was being heard to put a mobile home on a farm housing rare breeds of horses and sheep. The solemnity of the debate was, apparently, interrupted by a male councillor making unhelpful "baa-ing" noises."


I noticed that McZippo said he really enjoys US politics as a spectator sport. Since being back here I have to say UK character-politics seems unnervingly dull. That's probably a good thing of course but I am still surprised by the level of dreck that we tend to elect into politics. So I was wondering a few things - why do you think so many political candidates are so bad? If they're not clearly dumb they usually end it all in some scandal where they're caught on camera molesting a cabbage. Or as is so often the case, far worse. Why is it that so many at the top are shown up to be ethically and morally bereft? And do you find a higher level of dreck when you look at someone elses politicians?

Why would it be an offense to say "Baa" in a planning meeting?

If the guilty party had followed Roberts' rules or UK equivalent, would it be ok then?

Because the fundamental nature of politics is simply a phantom. There is nothing there except the mechanics of supporting the distribution of resources.

To sort of paraphrase Lenin, politics is the bad breath of economics.

Baa.

)

Politics is just about who is the best liar.

If it had been Powys county council the guy would probably been elected mayor.

I think the standard of politician has been declining because it's become more and more of an unpleasant job.

The media scrutiny on both your public and personal life is so intense, you can't really speak from your own convictions any more, which rules out the motive many good politicians used to go into politics for. You can't say what you think. You're beholden to your party, trough politics, special interest groups or political correctness.

In comparison to the private sector or even lobby groups and PR, it's actually quite badly paid (which gives incentives for those who do it to search through the nosebag for perks, incentives, pensions, etc.)

So the people you are left with are mediocre or corrupt or extremists who still have enough conviction to stay in the game, the religious right or the odd member of the loony left, (although most of the latter have also gone into PR or lobbying or documentary making).

We're often left with the dregs.

l that interest on the politican career wise and private is well and good but it stems from the fact the politics here is big bisiness the foundling fathers didnt mean for it to be a life time career they just wanted it to be a SEVICE to your country ( where is hte service now ) now it a plum job with more benefits and priviges then a job in the private sector would get you .

over the year politicans of both parties have steadily and sometimes secretly inhansed there power ., remunaration, benifits , and the public has let it happen .


the rules have changed the job is not what can i do for you fellow citizen ,
its what can
i get from you poor taxpayers in terms of money , good health coverage , very generous pension , and pay raises every year which are over the norn and i dont have to get you the taxpayers approval for them .

I also (the politican that is ) declare im not to be held responsible for my job performance . charactor flaws , etc and i can lie and cheat while telling you im you friend and WORK FOR YOU ....teliong you promises to get your vote which i never intend to keep

the only profession anywhere near as currupt as politcans are those who get piad to represent the many religions that run a cash ( no refund ) bisiness also wth promises that they cannot forfill .

lawyers well they are close but hte real bad ones are politicans anyway .


both religion and politics are the same thing a device to contral the masses while getting the goodies for yourselfs

Baa.

Now that's a tea-spitter right there. :lol:

There is a body known as: "Standards Board for England" that has jurisdiction over misbehaviour of political office holders. It is a PC enforcement body, and the councillor was definately non-PC. However, he is no longer a councillor so they cannot touch him.

A councillor on one of my English boards has been referred a few times, but they reject ed the referals because her statements could be answered directly to the public.