October 29, 2007
Top five politics moments on Youtube
Nicolas Sarkozy is shaping up well as the politician who provides best value on YouTube. In an earlier entry, I posted the video of Sarko’s giggly press conference at an EU summit. Now the French president has surpassed himself by walking out of an interview with CBS’s "60 Minutes" programme, because the interviewer asked him about his divorce.
Well done, indeed. This interesting footage, got me thinking about a hit parade of political moments on YouTube. I think Sarko’s walk-out goes straight to the top.
2. The moment when John Prescott - then Britain’s deputy prime minister - assaulted an egg-thrower:
3. An important moment in the evolution of YouTube as a political medium; this is the footage of Senator George Allen blowing up his presidential chances, by using an obscure racial slur.
4. A splendid film of Boris Yeltsin dancing
5. I have been searching unsuccessfully for really good footage of Paul Keating, the former Australian prime minister, in full flow. He was (is) is a true master of political invective. Here, instead, is a compilation of 10 greatest moments from Australian politics, featuring a snatch of Keating:
6. The ultimate diplomatic faux pas as George Bush senior vomits on the Japanese prime minister
7. And finally, a compilation of fighting in the Taiwanese parliament - helpfully put together by CBC in Canada
Nominations for slots eight, nine and ten are more than welcome.
Thank you Gideon, had a great laugh! I think you’re bringing this medium to new heights. Hope world leaders are watching…
Posted by: RCS | October 29th, 2007 at 5:07 pm | Report this commentShrub is in a league of his own
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVMbtSOkhSA&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk2W4170mws
and so on….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whhbPVrb5KM
P
Posted by: Pacifist | October 29th, 2007 at 6:08 pm | Report this commentPacifist,
As the Gipper used to say: Well…
The Gipper himself, while definitely not an intellectual, was one of the greatest presidents in history. He had stamina, wit, intuition - and he was a natural leader. These are much more important; in fact, high intelligence might even be a hindrance.
As for Shrub, I reserve my judgement until he leaves office: It ain’t over till it’s over. Great clips, though.
Posted by: RCS | October 29th, 2007 at 7:42 pm | Report this commentWHATABOUTISM
The following reminds me of some of the discussions here:
http://www.economist.com/daily/diary/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10049754
Posted by: RCS | October 29th, 2007 at 8:02 pm | Report this commentThe 60 Minutes interview aired last night…much worse than his abrupt departure was the beginning…he was verbally abusive to his staff for even setting it up!…not a good sign that he is a “staff basher”!…it’s usually linked to an obsequious personality. He is very talented, very bright, I love his energy …let’s hope he has the temperment that is needed for real leadership…fawning over those with money, titles, power and prestige and kicking around those that serve you is not impressive and it is a big sign of insecurity.
Posted by: Lisa-Helene Lawson | October 29th, 2007 at 8:48 pm | Report this commentRCS - great article from the economist. As for the Gipper, while he was certainly one of the best loved presidents in history and inspired the overwhelming love of hordes of followers, I suspect that there many like me who look at his legacy (economic near-disaster, massive escalation in arms race, cold war won at the cost of setting the scene for rebirth of Russian fascism, etc.) and take a sharply opposing view to the “one of greatest presidents in history” tag.
Posted by: David Karlin | October 29th, 2007 at 11:20 pm | Report this commentHi RCS,
Re Whataboutism
“So you object to Soviet interventions in eastern Europe? Then what about the American assault on the Nicaraguan Sandinistas?” “You mind about Soviet Jews? Then what about blacks in South Africa?”
Here’s one more I can think of:
“So you object to the treatment of Palestinians by Israelis? Then what about Hitler’s murder of 6 million Jews?”
OR MORE HILARIOUSLY (used by Chen and Johnny right in this forum):
“So you object to the eviction of Palestinians from their own homeland by Israelis? Then what about the Roman Empire’s treatment of Jews?”
By the way, I have now let my subscription to the Economist lapse. They have become NeoCons useful idiots.
Best,
P
Posted by: Pacifist | October 30th, 2007 at 10:30 am | Report this commentHow about Australian Labour leader Kevin Rudd…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQ8YiIV1AI
Posted by: jay | October 30th, 2007 at 12:21 pm | Report this commentFormer Slovak PM, Mr. Vladimir Meciar, used to be a boxer in his young age. Now, he practices some of old skills on journalists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePivlieVa-8
[the journalist asks about the origin of money spent on Mr.Meciar’s renowned villa. There was a lot of rush about it since Mr. Meciar claimed that he had left the office with an old flat and old Opel Corsa and than he bought former hotel and had it renovated into a private villa with market value about 1 mil Euro (which is
more than he could ever earn as a prime minister and MP before). The reply of Mr. Meciar is “You’ll ask once again and I will kick your ass (in the most obscene form possible)”. ]
Another one is very recent - after being asked about current policy issue, he replies: “F**k you!”
Posted by: Michal | October 30th, 2007 at 12:47 pm | Report this commenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GChhvGVQwAs
The sarko clip is prob more about how the French media treats French politicians, than Sarko himself. The French media has always been quite reverrential: questions are agreed beforehand virtually for every live TV/radio interview. A few years ago, Chirac rebuffed a journalist at the live tv address following his bastille day garden party because the journo had dared enquiring about a scandal while Chirac was mayor of Paris.
French polititians should probably take a look a British polititians who are constantly bombarded with difficult/probing questions. (sometimes, unreasonably so).
In France, there are topics that simply are not to be discussed. So basically, the polititian agree to interviews but sets the boundaries. But of course, with Sarko’s more open style and his constant courting of the popular media (Paris Match, Hello etc.. + his regular live tv appearances) is the changing the rules of engagement. Just like celibrities flogging their wares are fair game to personal questions by the media, polititians are probably becoming fair game too.
Posted by: French_in_London | October 30th, 2007 at 1:42 pm | Report this comment“(Gideon Rachman has)been the FT’s chief foreign affairs columnist since July 2006, after spending 15 years at The Economist. This blog covers a wide range of topics, from US foreign policy to the European Union and the “war on terror”. You can read more in my first blog post.”
So, how does this help your readers form opinions or insights relating to how Turkey’s generals will handle 1) their new US neighbours to the south; 2) the sweetners Washingont and Israël are extending for their “good” behaviour; or 3) their restless Turkish and Kurdish publics? Should we believe all that is projected in the US-centric media in the name of Benazir Bhutto? Are China’s and India’s discussions with private equity of any relevance to the international order?
Are you taking your job seriously?
No apologies for my rudeness.
Posted by: WCM | October 30th, 2007 at 11:32 pm | Report this commentI noted earlier the Dr Pizza response to my post above. Something about being “fooled twice” and “shame on you”. As it has been deleted, I suspect Dr Pizza or the FT recognised a mistaken identity. No matter for me. Just for the record, I’m am fully independent of any professional or personal relationship with the FT or any governmental or NGO foreign-policy concern.
My concern is that I pay €3 per day for the pink sheets and many times more for the full online subscription charges. Given the expertise that Mr Rachman has built, i find it discouraging that he seems to be tracking websites younger members of my household frequent. Perhaps I should invest more time reviewing Youtube. Better yet, Youporn has caught my fancy on more than one occasion, and it has spawned so to speak many new streaming video sites that seem even more worhtwhile than opening some of the FT’s recent offerings.
I’ll quit as I sense I’m beating a dead horse now.
Posted by: WCM | October 31st, 2007 at 1:56 pm | Report this commentThis is exactly why the French should never be taken seriously. Their political leaders (Sego, de Villepin, Le Pen, Giscard–the whole crew) tend to come off as overgrown, spoiled children. At least we yanks have a sense of screen presence. Do you really want to elevate your alliance with these yay-hoos over that with the US? (I know neither option is terrific, but come on!)
Posted by: Dave the American | November 1st, 2007 at 12:29 am | Report this commentSorry, I missed the W clips. Never mind.
Posted by: Dave the American | November 1st, 2007 at 12:46 am | Report this commentJust a thought. But internet video can offer things above idle amusement. This is an example:
Cody’s Books
Berkeley, CA
Jun 21st, 2007
The Secret History of the American Empire with John Perkins, author of Confessions of An Economic Hit Man.
Perkins zeroes in on hot spots around the world such as Venezuela, Tibet, Iraq, Israel, Vietnam and others and exposes the network of events in each of these countries that have contributed to the creation of the American Empire and international corruption in “The Secret History of the American Empire: Economic Hit Men, Jackals, and the Truth About Global Corruption” - Cody’s Books
Longer Version:
http://fora.tv/2007/06/21/Secret_History_of_the_American_Empire (1 hour, 22 minutes & 4 seconds)
Shorter Version:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e0JCJ4pIFEw&mode=user&search = (5 minutes & 30 seconds)
Best,
P
Posted by: Pacifist | November 1st, 2007 at 10:14 am | Report this commentThe French polititians should probably take a look a British polititians who are constantly bombarded with difficult/probing questions.
Posted by: sunny | November 2nd, 2007 at 12:06 pm | Report this commentsunny
day
Gideon
Having now seen the uncut version of the end of Sarkozy’s CBS interview, I realise that we have all been fooled by whomever posted this clip on You Tube. The reality seems to be that, although he ended the interview, he did so politely and calmly; not in a fit of pique as we are lead to believe.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/26/60minutes/main3416097.shtml
Posted by: Alastair Ross | November 20th, 2007 at 11:42 am | Report this comment