How to run the House like a boss

[sy2502]

Not meant to be a political thread, so mods please don't banish it to the deepest bowels of hell, also called the General Misc. This is meant to be funny.

Every time the news mentioned the latest Brexit related vote, they'd show this guy (John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons) beet red and bellowing "ORDER!!!". So I looked him up and it seems he's quite the character and most of all, runs the House like a boss. There's nothing funnier than watching politicians being put down with a nice English accent and the guy can be quite witty when he does it, so here's some gems. I have no idea what his politics are, or what his party is. I just think he's funny as chit.

PS: I think we need someone like him over here too. Please English brahs send clone.

[Mark1T]

Our UK friends in politics are very entertaining, sy

No doubt they see us equally as entertaining

[sy2502]

"You either undertake now to be quiet or I strongly advise you to leave the chamber and take some medicament."

I mean that's so much more effective than "either you shut the phuk up or you get your azz out of here until you take your phuking meds".

[DuracellBunny]

The guy is an asshat who has brought shame on the role of speaker.

Speaker is supposed to be an impartial role. This guy plays favourites, loves the sound of his own voice, has multiple complaints of bullying and sexism and is currently playing fast and loose with the rules of the house, as he is ardently anti-brexit.

He is also a literal cuck. His wife humiliated him in front of the nation. That, when combined with his small man syndrome, is probably responsible for him being such a pillock.

The public should have no idea whether he is pro or anti brexit (or pro or anti any other political topic), but he is too full of his own self importance, to keep his mouth shut.

If you want to see how a speaker should behave, look up Betty Boothroyd.

[startingat56]

The U.S. could take a lesson from the U.K. and Canada, as we both have a Question Period.

Unless I'm mistaken, there is no equivalent in the U.S.
It gives the Opposition Party an hour to ask any questions of the Government, under parliamentary privilege. The government does not control what the public has access to hear.

The White House press briefing allows the media to ask questions, but the media is at a disadvantage compared to the opposition party

My three top shows to record are the Canadian House of Commons, Provincial Legislature, and the U.K.'s Question Period

the best comedy and best drama on TV .... not to mention more informative than CNN or Fox


Bercow is animated and pushes past the protocol of his position .... but it's refreshing

[OldFartTom]

He's entertaining and a real character, but when you look more closely you'll see he's also a notoriously nasty bully. You really wouldn't want to work for him.

[Keltron]

PS: I think we need someone like him over here too. Please English brahs send clone.

Did you move to the US as an adult or did you grow up here from an early age?

[sy2502]

He's entertaining and a real character, but when you look more closely you'll see he's also a notoriously nasty bully. You really wouldn't want to work for him.

I think I made it very clear in my opening post that I didn't know the guy, didn't know what his politics were, etc, I just thought the way he run the House was funny as chit. I am sure he has his supporters and his detractors, and being a politician he has his own political persuasion, which will always leak into one's function no matter how impartial that function is supposed to be. The fact he's been reelected to his post 3 times tells me he must be doing something right.

Did you move to the US as an adult or did you grow up here from an early age?

Not sure what that has to do with the thread but I moved to the US as an adult.

[Keltron]

Not sure what that has to do with the thread but I moved to the US as an adult.

it may or may not be relevant... I just get a kick when people who are newer to the US make suggestions on how it could be better. Well, I wouldn't say I get a kick but I do question the practicality of their suggestions. And when I say "question", that doesn't mean I invalidate them. I just speculate a bit harder on the idea that their suggestions might not be the best.

[Mark1T]

it may or may not be relevant... I just get a kick when people who are newer to the US make suggestions on how it could be better. Well, I wouldn't say I get a kick but I do question the practicality of their suggestions. And when I say "question", that doesn't mean I invalidate them. I just speculate a bit harder on the idea that their suggestions might not be the best.

sy has a Black Belt in Verbal MMA.

[sy2502]

it may or may not be relevant... I just get a kick when people who are newer to the US make suggestions on how it could be better. Well, I wouldn't say I get a kick but I do question the practicality of their suggestions. And when I say "question", that doesn't mean I invalidate them. I just speculate a bit harder on the idea that their suggestions might not be the best.

I have been here 22 years, so I am not "new" to the US.

[OldFartTom]

I think I made it very clear in my opening post that I didn't know the guy, didn't know what his politics were, etc, I just thought the way he run the House was funny as chit. I am sure he has his supporters and his detractors, and being a politician he has his own political persuasion, which will always leak into one's function no matter how impartial that function is supposed to be. The fact he's been reelected to his post 3 times tells me he must be doing something right.

Understood.. was just mentioning as some background on the guy

Not sure what that has to do with the thread but I moved to the US as an adult.

Can't comment on US myself but in case of UK I've found people originally from outside the UK have often questioned things or made insightful observations on things which were so everyday (for me) I'd not even noticed, until they'd pointed it out. That's also why there are so many comedy films where a central character is an alien (metaphorically or literally) as they can provide a new perspective on what the residents don't even think to question.

Not being from the UK would probably make you extra qualified to point out oddities of UK politics IMHO (or maybe too US for that matter? But I'll let you fight that with Keltron )

[sy2502]

U

Can't comment on US myself but in case of UK I've found people originally from outside the UK have often questioned things or made insightful observations on things which were so everyday (for me) I'd not even noticed, until they'd pointed it out. That's also why there are so many comedy films where a central character is an alien (metaphorically or literally) as they can provide a new perspective on what the residents don't even think to question.

Not being from the UK would probably make you extra qualified to point out oddities of UK politics IMHO (or maybe too US for that matter? But I'll let you fight that with Keltron )

I wasn't judging or criticizing anything or anyone. I am pretty sure Parliament gets rowdy pretty much everywhere in the world. I have seen people come out of the Italian Parliament with bloody lips and black eyes, so I know THEY need a John Bercow to smack them down and put them in their place once in a while. I just enjoy watching it done with wit and a cool accent.

[Keltron]

I have been here 22 years, so I am not "new" to the US.

I said "newer". Not new.
That's why I asked if you came here at a young age or as an adult. You're newer to the US than if you had been here at a young age like 5 or 6.

[sy2502]

I said "newer". Not new.
That's why I asked if you came here at a young age or as an adult. You're newer to the US than if you had been here at a young age like 5 or 6.

Also an American age 25 is "newer" to America than another American age 30. What a profound statement.