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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 7/8/2010
Posts: 4,249
Points: 12,712
Location: iceland
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There is a famous comedian and actor in Iceland called Jón Gnarr. (full name Jón Gnarr Kristinsson but a lot of people use only first names) like a lot of people, he got fed up of politicians, especially after the financial crisis here. So, he started a party, called the Best Party, with the election promises of a Polar bear, free towels in the swimming pools and to break all his election promises. His party was his fellow musicians, artists, writers and ordinary people. They got 35% of the votes, the most of any party, and he is now mayor of Reykjavik. He has made some controversial decisions, but he is not a joke mayor, he take his job very seriously. He just wants a change in attitude, that politics can be fun. here is a feature on him and his party (in English) Jon Gnarr mayor of Reykjavikand in more comedic form at an interview: (funny, but also interesting!) Jon Gnarr interviewthis is a more factual article. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,759333,00.htmlThese links are quite old, and since then a new political party is being formed, joining another politician with the Best Party, and may run for national elections. Gnarr has lost some support, but that is only natural for any mayor in office in a time of serious austerity. so, what do you think? should politics be left to the professionals or is there room for fun, anarchy, amateurism? Currently politicians are either despised or revered with unrealistic expectations. So is it time to inject a little fun, engage more with people?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/12/2011
Posts: 2,180
Points: 6,568
Location: Scotland (via Earth, Sol system)
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That's great! The professional politicians have not made such a good job of it. A bit of 'fun' in politics is refreshing. A 'working class lad' type of 'People's hero' candidate, who is actually a graduate of Public Relations from the London School of Economics, is a bit of a paradox to me.  However, as you (I think) imply, you can't treat the job as a joke - you have to work at it once elected! Monty Python did an 'Election Night Special' some years ago. Since then, several candidates for the 'Silly Party' have stood for real elections - but get very few votes (probably a bit too silly!)
Though lovers be lost, love shall not, and Death shall have no dominion. - Dylan Thomas
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 8/3/2009
Posts: 1,895
Points: 5,709
Location: Columbia, SC, United States
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In the USA, we have Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. They do newscasts that are funny and clever. Stephen Colbert is actually running for President this season.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/21/2009
Posts: 19,902
Points: 59,712
Location: Helsinki, Finland
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From the Loony Party home page: 10/12/11 Economic Explaination regarding the Eurocrisis
EVERYONE PLEASE PAY ATTENTION AND READ: HOW THE GREEK & ITALIAN BAILOUT WILL WORK IN VERY SIMPLE TERMS:
It is a slow day in a little Greek Village.
The rain is beating down and the streets are deserted.
Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.
On this particular day a rich German tourist is driving through the village, stops at the local hotel and lays a €100 note on the desk, telling the hotel owner he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one to spend the night.
The owner gives him some keys and as soon as the visitor has walked upstairs, the hotelier grabs the €100 note and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher.
The butcher takes the €100 note and runs down the street to repay his debt to the pig farmer. The pig farmer takes the €100 note and heads off to pay his bill at the supplier of feed and fuel.
The guy at the Farmers’ Co-op takes the €100 note and runs to pay his drinks and food bill at the taverna.
The taverna owner slips the money along to the local prostitute drinking at the bar, who has also been facing hard times and has had to offer him “services” on credit.
The hooker then rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill to the hotel owner with the €100 note.
The hotel proprietor then places the €100 note back on the counter so the rich traveller will not suspect anything. At that moment the traveller comes down the stairs, picks up the €100 note, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the money, and leaves town.
No one produced anything. No one earned anything. However, the whole village is now out of debt and looking to the future with a lot more optimism.
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how the bailout package works!!
I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/12/2011
Posts: 2,180
Points: 6,568
Location: Scotland (via Earth, Sol system)
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 9/12/2011
Posts: 2,180
Points: 6,568
Location: Scotland (via Earth, Sol system)
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A recent policy publication from the Official Monster Raving Loony Party   : Quote:The Loony Party are advising the British Board of Film Classification the that the new film “The Iron Lady” starring Meryl Streep which is about the Life of Margaret Thatcher, should be made a definate P.G rating.
It is definitely not suitable for miners.
Though lovers be lost, love shall not, and Death shall have no dominion. - Dylan Thomas
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 8/31/2011
Posts: 1,086
Points: 3,136
Location: Canada
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PBS had a show in 2006 called the Amazing Mrs. Pritchard - who painted herself into a corner .
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard was a British drama series that aired on BBC One in 2006. Produced by Kudos, it was written by Sally Wainwright and stars Jane Horrocks in the title role of a woman with no previous political experience who becomes Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Sally Wainwright stated her motivation for writing the series was the realisation that:
"During the last election I found that I didn't really want to vote for anybody because they all seemed as bad as each other. I thought it would be great fun to write an epic story with a central character who was prepared to stand up and point this out. Mrs Pritchard is bold enough, or some may say daft enough, to stand for parliament on the assumption that she can do just as badly as any of them but at least she will be honest".
Wikipedia
Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts. Bernard M. Baruch 1870-1965
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 2/13/2010
Posts: 3,098
Points: 9,315
Location: United States
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Here's some fun, courtesy of Stephen Colbert.
Now, however you may feel about Mitt Romney, this description is hilarious from the other day:
"A robotic plutocrat that couldn't excite a room full of cats with an open can of tuna".
I about hit the floor laughing. The man is a comic genius and a true wordsmith!
There's always room for humor.
"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless, and do no wrong". (Knight's Oath, Kingdom of Heaven)
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 10/21/2009
Posts: 1,449
Points: 4,342
Location: Pakistan
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I know the thread was raised in the forum to change the typical taste of politics. But the question "why..." has sadened me 
*It's wonderful to know that all languages are Greek if not understood. *
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