State Banquets and Unwelcome Trumpets
Interesting article in the East Anglian Daily Times this week, by a journalist called James Marston. It’s an article entitled “Corbyn's refusal to take tea with Trump shows why he can never be Prime Minister” and seems to be a case of James’ “I-don’t-like-Corbyn” agenda overriding his logic.
Whilst I understand the central point…that dialogue is essential to resolving conflict (James references the Good Friday agreement) there were one or two little points that I felt might require some challenge.
The articles states (emphasis mine):
“If Jeremy Corbyn comes round mine for tea I wouldn't boycott him. I'd want to hear what he has to say, if the opportunity arose that is. I don't know about you but I don't think much to his latest protest of snubbing the state banquet IN HONOUR of the US president.”
There does seem to me to be quite a big difference between (1) sitting down with someone for a constructive chat over a cup of tea and (2) attending a banquet in their honour. I suppose I might, conceivably, have a sit down with Tommy Robinson and try to convince him that his informal reporting of criminal trials does more harm than good…but that’s quite different to attending his birthday bash down at the Rose & Crown on the off chance that we might get to have a chat in the toilets.
It also states:
“Mr Corbyn seems not to know this basic fact of human and political relationships. Where would we be if we didn't deal or talk to the oil sheikhs or China or the European Union? How can we raise our concerns or get our point across if we haven't got the decency to sit down and talk?”
(This little paragraph could also be entitled “Money talks.”) But yes indeed, where would we be if we didn’t do deals with oppressive regimes or sell arms to dictators or appease those countries who abuse their own citizens…? (We’d be poorer probably but that’s the way the world works.) And the idea that anyone would stand up at a state banquet, ting their champagne glass with a spoon, and say, “Mr President, I wonder if you would just say a few words about that pussy grabbing business…and then perhaps I could reconsider…”
And lastly:
“Mr Corbyn seems to be relying on what other people say about Mr Trump while eschewing the opportunity to meet him and come to his own conclusion.”
Imagine a 1940s version of James Marston, receiving a posh invitation from Goebbels: “…we’re having a little bash in honour of Adolf and we’d love you to be there.” “Oooo,” thinks James, “people don’t seem to be saying very nice things about this fellow…but I better pop along and see for myself…”
OK, that last bit might be a bit of a stretch…but these aren’t…genuine Trump quotes.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best. They’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bring crime. They’re rapists… And some, I assume, are good people.”
“You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass.”
“You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything….Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”
Whilst I understand the central point…that dialogue is essential to resolving conflict (James references the Good Friday agreement) there were one or two little points that I felt might require some challenge.
The articles states (emphasis mine):
“If Jeremy Corbyn comes round mine for tea I wouldn't boycott him. I'd want to hear what he has to say, if the opportunity arose that is. I don't know about you but I don't think much to his latest protest of snubbing the state banquet IN HONOUR of the US president.”
There does seem to me to be quite a big difference between (1) sitting down with someone for a constructive chat over a cup of tea and (2) attending a banquet in their honour. I suppose I might, conceivably, have a sit down with Tommy Robinson and try to convince him that his informal reporting of criminal trials does more harm than good…but that’s quite different to attending his birthday bash down at the Rose & Crown on the off chance that we might get to have a chat in the toilets.
It also states:
“Mr Corbyn seems not to know this basic fact of human and political relationships. Where would we be if we didn't deal or talk to the oil sheikhs or China or the European Union? How can we raise our concerns or get our point across if we haven't got the decency to sit down and talk?”
(This little paragraph could also be entitled “Money talks.”) But yes indeed, where would we be if we didn’t do deals with oppressive regimes or sell arms to dictators or appease those countries who abuse their own citizens…? (We’d be poorer probably but that’s the way the world works.) And the idea that anyone would stand up at a state banquet, ting their champagne glass with a spoon, and say, “Mr President, I wonder if you would just say a few words about that pussy grabbing business…and then perhaps I could reconsider…”
And lastly:
“Mr Corbyn seems to be relying on what other people say about Mr Trump while eschewing the opportunity to meet him and come to his own conclusion.”
Imagine a 1940s version of James Marston, receiving a posh invitation from Goebbels: “…we’re having a little bash in honour of Adolf and we’d love you to be there.” “Oooo,” thinks James, “people don’t seem to be saying very nice things about this fellow…but I better pop along and see for myself…”
OK, that last bit might be a bit of a stretch…but these aren’t…genuine Trump quotes.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending the best. They’re not sending you, they’re sending people that have lots of problems and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bring crime. They’re rapists… And some, I assume, are good people.”
“You know, it really doesn’t matter what the media write as long as you’ve got a young, and beautiful, piece of ass.”
“You know, I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything….Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”
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