Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Monday, December 23, 2019
Order!
Unlike most of the civilized world, I actually watched (on Youtube) some of the impeachment hearings conducted in recent weeks. In case you think you missed history in the making, you didn't. I found many of the witnesses impressive, but was turned off by the partisan guttersniping and grandstanding by nearly all the House members. There certainly are no future Sam Ervins or Howard Bakers in that bunch.
In stark contrast to what I see from Congress, I love exchanges in the British House of Commons. There debate is lively, intelligent, spontaneous and actually quite entertaining. Overseeing it all is the Speaker. This role is currently held by the very likable Sir Lindsay Hoyle. But his predecessor, John Bercow, and his penchant for saying "Ordair," was always a delight.
The "Speaker" of Northampton County Council is Ron Heckman, and boy does he speak. He also has more county knowledge than the others, with the possible exceptions of John Cusick and Peg Ferraro. Since the latter two are Republican, they have no chance at being elected President when Council reorganizes in January. Heckman should keep the gavel.
17 comments:
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What is his stance on the voting machine problem in the county?
ReplyDeleteYes, British government meetings are very different and entertaining. However, representatives there have (until recently) allowed their nation to be harmed by unchecked radical liberalism. The long-delayed Brexit matter, if completed, will rejuvenate their national sovereignty and economy. Will also mean good things for America.
ReplyDeleteMaybe they'll ordair voting machines that work? Happy Festivus.
ReplyDeleteAs my Gramma used to say "He was vaccinated with a "Victrola needle". That's our Ron Heckman. He should learn to shut up once in a while and maybe he'll get higher ratings and respect. He talks for the sake of talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and talking and more talking.
ReplyDelete"he should learn to shut up once in a while and maybe he'll get higher ratings and respect."
ReplyDeleteI first met Ron in 1998. Yeah, he's garrulous. But you should understand he has a mind both reasonable and acute, and has always endeavored to serve the best interests of the public. Most who have worked with him hold him, like I do, in the highest regard. and i suspect he gives not one flaming fuck what some anonymous commenter "rates" him
I got to know Ron in 1990 when he was new in government. He told me some years later he was stunned by all the BS even in local government.
ReplyDeleteI think he enjoys sniffing out the bull that as he put it the "power players" like to spew.
OK - so what Democrat official would you send out there to defend these machines and assure voters everything will work correctly?
ReplyDeleteJohn Bercow, a conservative member of the House of Commons, was known to be highly fair amongst the rabble, including taking down Boris Johnson a peg or two, when needed. If only American lawmakers were made of the same stuff.
ReplyDeleteCSPAN has long carried the British Prime Minister’s “Question Time” with the House of Commons. Years ago, I remember John Major, upon being challenged with a question that started with “Can I appeal to the Prime Minister to recognize that his policies…”
ReplyDeleteWithout skipping a beat, Major shot back “I can think of no circumstances under which the gentlemen from xyz would appeal to me!”
Gotta love that British debating tradition.
Just in case you didn't garner from polosi and it's constituents, Trump is still winning. Polosi has a son in the mix just like the former vice prez Alzheimeient's that think there winning.
ReplyDelete5:22, You are off topic, unable to spell and smeared someone 100 times better than you. No wonder you like Trump. You're just like him.
ReplyDelete"Gotta love that British debating tradition."
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff! And we have people like 5:22.
"Yeah, he's garrulous. But you should understand he has a mind both reasonable and acute, and has always endeavored to serve the best interests of the public."
ReplyDeleteI agree 100%.
"What is his stance on the voting machine problem in the county?"
ReplyDeleteIf you read this blog, you should know.
Don’t remember him commenting...what did he say?
ReplyDeleteIf you read this blog, you should know.
ReplyDeleteI must say he is both respectful and fair to members of the public that want to address Council. He doesn't attack or cut them off with insults. Given how many politicians love themselves and their egos, that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteAs a person with common sense the only question I would have is how can he reman a democrat?
I thought people like that left the democrat party years ago and came to the party of common sense Americans!.