Isn't Question Time (UK version) incredibly scripted, with questions submitted in advance so everything appears gentlemanly and (relatively) calm?
For (mostly) unscripted fun, tune into Question Period in the Canadian House of Commons or any of its provincial counterparts. Questions from opposition parties often elicit spur of the moment responses and test the ability of politicians to think on their feet. Sure, little is done from a governance perspective, and often it's a given what questions are going to be askedbut it's great theatre and that means it makes it on TV and spurs commentary and debate. It also publicly showcases the constitutional role of the opposition (also known has "Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition") to hold government's feet to the fire, something that doesn't officially exist in the American system as I understand it -- though the media does a great job. Chris On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 7:55 PM, Kevin M. <[email protected]> wrote: > On Wed, Feb 3, 2010 at 6:37 PM, M-D November <[email protected]> wrote: > > I would LOVE to see Question Time cross the Atlantic. PMQT is > > fantastic, hysterical, and a little frightening all at once. > > I can't help but think of the "House of Cards" trilogy, with its > sinister but extremely eloquent Prime Minister Francis Urquhart. > Question time is merely theater, a show where nothing resembling > governing takes place. I freely admit it is entertaining, but I am > edging closer and closer to siding with the Supreme Court, which has > long held the belief that cameras lead to too much speechifying. > > My suggestion to make the government more accessible is to do away > with all political press secretaries and spokespeople. At the very > least, we should refuse to have the jobs on the government payroll (I > feel the same way about political speechwriters, too -- if a > politician can't form a sentence without help, the very least the > politician can do is go out-of-pocket for the wordsmiths). If a > politician wants to announce something or field questions, have the > politician do so instead of sending out a paid hack. > > With no cameras in Congress, there would be far less grandstanding. > And with no spokespeople to hide behind (and no speechwriters), we > would be moderately more assured that we would get information from > the proverbial horse's mouth. It also increases the likelihood of a > politician speaking his or her own mind. > > Presidential question time would be fun, but I would hope the > president would have better things to do with his time. > -- > Kevin M. (RPCV) > > -- > TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "TV or Not TV" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected] > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en > -- TV or Not TV .... The Smartest (TV) People! You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TV or Not TV" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/tvornottv?hl=en
