Our media does a lousy job of holding anyone's feet to the fire. If it did, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report would look very different. The British media does a better job, but it also makes our tabloids look polite.
I'm pretty convinced that a regular question period in the U.S. (which wouldn't take place in Congress since it's too uptight about anything demonstrative - the hooting found in the U.K. or Canada would not be tolerated) would pretty quickly become a tightly managed, if not scripted, affair. Better that it be an irregular, unannounced affair that could be taped for later broadcast. David ________________________________ From: Chris Neuman <[email protected]> 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 -- 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
