tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post8436252849113849938..comments2024-01-24T11:41:28.022+00:00Comments on A Cuban In London: Living in a Bilingual World (The One About Politicians and Language)A Cuban In Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-77504183048758968122009-03-18T21:16:00.000+00:002009-03-18T21:16:00.000+00:00Welcome to the club, diva! Many thanks.Greetings f...Welcome to the club, diva! Many thanks.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-22926598167084542912009-03-18T12:18:00.000+00:002009-03-18T12:18:00.000+00:00I too, get frustrated while listening to politicia...I too, get frustrated while listening to politicians. Just answer the question!High Desert Divahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06612606483622054573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-43911719256661935612009-03-13T21:45:00.000+00:002009-03-13T21:45:00.000+00:00Thanks, fly, for your kind comment.Greetings from ...Thanks, fly, for your kind comment.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-19258632618238484292009-03-13T20:12:00.000+00:002009-03-13T20:12:00.000+00:00so true. here in the states it's no better. i thin...so true. here in the states it's no better. i think you're right on point with your 3 elements. <BR/><BR/>the last part has me laughing, but it's another good point!<BR/><BR/><BR/>great post.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04995683787366568554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-80595271040758493782009-03-12T15:21:00.000+00:002009-03-12T15:21:00.000+00:00Cierto es, agu. Muchas gracias.Saludos desde Londr...Cierto es, agu. Muchas gracias.<BR/><BR/>Saludos desde Londres.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-14106160918921719862009-03-12T15:11:00.000+00:002009-03-12T15:11:00.000+00:00:-) Chico, es que los políticos aprenden "diferent...:-) Chico, es que los políticos aprenden "diferente" el idioma. He oído que hasta tienen cursos de cómo responder o no en entrevistas...<BR/>Tú siempre con buenos temas, Cuban!Aguayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14700000302782215577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-83645727179098343272009-03-12T14:11:00.000+00:002009-03-12T14:11:00.000+00:00Many thanks, tessa, for your kind comment.Greeting...Many thanks, tessa, for your kind comment.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-42442630152948140602009-03-12T13:39:00.000+00:002009-03-12T13:39:00.000+00:00Ahh, politicians and their evasion tactics. Liste...Ahh, politicians and their evasion tactics. Listening to, or watching, those exchanges, my mind tends to wander in an effort not to go apoplectic with rage. I look at their various facial ticks or warts or untamed nose hairs or brushed over bald patches. I ruminate about how their wives/husbands could possibly put up with them, or whether they look like a pug dog or a piranha …or maybe a mix of both……<BR/><BR/>Another beautifully written, erudite and illuminating post, Cuban. Thank you.Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05233122532137654099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-16316088978665665972009-03-11T16:17:00.000+00:002009-03-11T16:17:00.000+00:00Quite right, yoli. Many thanks.Greetings from Lond...Quite right, yoli. Many thanks.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-74292224011592978522009-03-11T14:31:00.000+00:002009-03-11T14:31:00.000+00:00It is all in the small art of words.It is all in the small art of words.Yolihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06068063513978782703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-41320333921401684322009-03-11T14:12:00.000+00:002009-03-11T14:12:00.000+00:00Thanks, Sara, I am a New York Times suscriber myse...Thanks, Sara, I am a New York Times suscriber myself, and also I am into the Huffington Post.<BR/><BR/>Reya, you're quite right. What has impressed me about Obama the most so far is that he talks to people instead down to them.<BR/><BR/>Many thanks for your comments.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-72402134026850768882009-03-11T12:58:00.000+00:002009-03-11T12:58:00.000+00:00Though most American politicians continue to spin,...Though most American politicians continue to spin, rather than respond to questions, our president actually answers questions.<BR/><BR/>Obama would have scored very high in your high school English class. It still blows my mind every time I listen to him. I understand what he's talking about! Wow.Reya Mellickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-64194636607600108232009-03-11T12:14:00.000+00:002009-03-11T12:14:00.000+00:00What a fascinating post! Your observations on lan...What a fascinating post! Your observations on language are spot on as always. I’m especially interested in this topic because my husband is writing a book on media and politics in the US, UK and Japan. I’ll have to show this post and YouTube clip (classic!) to him. Paxman’s interview sounds like a comic skit parody. It would be more funny if it weren’t true.<BR/><BR/>I do like the BBC news and have it on my browser’s homepage, but on newspapers I prefer The New York Times for less slanted coverage. I did enjoy reading The Guardian in England and Private Eye especially. Ironically the US’s comic Daily Show with John Stewart does the best job of holding politicians accountable by playing back news clips of their own words. Sometimes Stewart gets in the real newspapers/TV news for his coverage.Sarah Laurencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00423008641739156182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-36645941573791198222009-03-11T09:38:00.000+00:002009-03-11T09:38:00.000+00:00Agree with the green custard business, Peter deser...Agree with the green custard business, Peter deserved it. I've never liked him, personally speaking. I think he epitomises what's wrong with politics today. Read his recent outing in The Guardian in regards to the attempt to half-privatise the postal service in the UK and you'll see what I mean.<BR/><BR/>Dancing, I agree with you wholeheartedly on Obama. I think he is pragmatic, which in my book has earned him a few kudos. Disagreed with the decision to bomb Pakistan so soon into his mandate, but this is the type of situation we will have to get used to, I guess.<BR/><BR/>Many thanks for your comments.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-25232468286826369482009-03-10T21:32:00.000+00:002009-03-10T21:32:00.000+00:00Politicians, I find generally have their own set o...Politicians, I find generally have their own set of realities which feed into their support base. They often seem to avoid the hard and fast rules of normal logic- leaving us all more cynical and yearning for the naive truths! I agree with Tara from Paris Parfait that people are done with the lies, when they no longer support the house of cards built on their collaborative delusions and their scams! Some people in the USA blame Obama for disclosing the truth, a truth they would rather forget than deal with!! I admire his focus and fortitude ! He is a rare leader much needed today for the world ,not just the USA!matihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272662214191754666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-24061203415920841812009-03-10T21:28:00.000+00:002009-03-10T21:28:00.000+00:00...intersting perhaps you can understand why polit......intersting perhaps you can understand why politicians in UK get green custard thrown on them.<BR/><BR/>They are not listening, they do not represent the people and more and more it's looking like the lunatics have taken over the asylum!Mother Sharon Damnablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16154801224040396559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-42513205717661530522009-03-10T16:27:00.000+00:002009-03-10T16:27:00.000+00:00Articulate and well written I enjoyed this. I find...Articulate and well written I enjoyed this. I find it hard to watch politicians on TV as they are completely uncontrollable, in terms of where their points are going. A politicians job hangs on what they say, as they are elected on words and promises. Its rare to find one who will happily take a mauling, running down the clock with waffle makes for good damage limitation. Especially when faced with Jeremy Paxman.Animated Magichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09864786462609225782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-83258646384590096532009-03-10T15:09:00.000+00:002009-03-10T15:09:00.000+00:00Many thanks, Lyn, for your valuable contribution. ...Many thanks, Lyn, for your valuable contribution. Have not heard of that show, funny enough. Will have to ask around.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-10693315149283849622009-03-10T13:38:00.000+00:002009-03-10T13:38:00.000+00:00Actors on a stage..people enter into certain profe...Actors on a stage..people enter into certain professions because their ego (sometimes intellect) demands it. Pundits and politicians can't just say yes or no. Any question becomes either a star turn for a pundit, or a patriotic platform for these bloviators. <BR/> Maybe my favorite TV show appeared several years ago on BBC..."House of Cards". Amazing!<BR/>LynLynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985979258848310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-69380445686186792032009-03-10T12:59:00.000+00:002009-03-10T12:59:00.000+00:00Thanks, Liza, for your kind comment.Greetings from...Thanks, Liza, for your kind comment.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from LondonA Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-13253207019810388122009-03-10T12:14:00.000+00:002009-03-10T12:14:00.000+00:00One has to be very good a reading or listening bet...One has to be very good a reading or listening between the lines.Liza B. Gonzalezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01972314916893907008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-50618522869311105362009-03-10T11:28:00.000+00:002009-03-10T11:28:00.000+00:00Many thanks, paris, for your lovely comment.Ah, th...Many thanks, paris, for your lovely comment.<BR/><BR/>Ah, the Gaza appeal, don't even get me started on that. And dishing out millions of pounds of MY money to Jonathan Ross, well, nobody's perfect, are they? Not even Auntie.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-53487120673745564192009-03-10T11:03:00.000+00:002009-03-10T11:03:00.000+00:00Bonjour a Paris! I agree with you. People are so t...Bonjour a Paris! I agree with you. People are so tired of being lied to, they no longer want to listen or believe anything they hear. It's fascinating to watch the government try to spin its own role in the current financial crisis (considering Gordon Brown's previous job). Alastair Darling has the unfortunate problem of appearing condescending every time he opens his mouth in a public forum. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes, listening to these politicians, I think they must have spent some time in the Middle East, as drawing a conversation out for ages without getting to the point is a particular aspect of the Arab culture. Having spent years living and traveling in the Middle East, I know it's always a mistake to ask a direct question and expect a straight answer. One must go through the dance of protocol, which can be quite frustrating if you're in a hurry.<BR/><BR/>All too often, I think the politicians simply don't have the answers, but are ashamed to admit it. So they try to draw out their responses in a flurry of words, hoping no one else will grasp that they don't really know the answers or won't accept responsibility for their actions.<BR/><BR/>The whole issue of government accountability needs to be revisited in the UK (and the US), in my humble opinion. I suspect my British husband agrees.<BR/><BR/>And I'm with you about the BBC. Despite their flaws (and the curious refusal to air an appeal for Gaza), in general they do a good job.paris parfaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05457437124988976587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-22392869953216837102009-03-10T09:15:00.000+00:002009-03-10T09:15:00.000+00:00Yes, cecile, you're quite right! In fact there's a...Yes, cecile, you're quite right! In fact there's a very funny clip (amongst hundreds) where Bush not only refuses to answer the question but also ignores the journalist altogether and tries to move forward on to the next question. All the time displaying his trademark stupidity.<BR/><BR/>Salva, see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Totalmente de acuerdo.<BR/><BR/>Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-80065396324424862292009-03-10T01:39:00.000+00:002009-03-10T01:39:00.000+00:00Curioso il post cuban ;) peró sempre diverso da c...Curioso il post cuban ;) <BR/><BR/>peró sempre diverso da come é usanza da noi in Sicilia. Li vale il linguaggio delle tre scimmie: <BR/><BR/>-non vedo <BR/>-non sento <BR/>-non PARLO <BR/><BR/>Quale linguaggio é meglio? dipende da dove si vive!<BR/><BR/>;) <BR/><BR/>un saluto da Colonia, <BR/>Salva :)Salvahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08234873019419598363noreply@blogger.com