stinglikeabee (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
stinglikeabee) wrote2008-05-20 10:08 am
stinglikeabee) wrote2008-05-20 10:08 am
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David Miliband on PBS's Charlie Rose 19/05
I usually don't watch the talk shows on PBS, except for the occasional Travis Smiley. But last night as I was trying my best to fall asleep, I came across the UK's Foreign Minister talking with Charlie Rose and found myself engrossed. Not with what Miliband had to say, that shite was pretty irritating, but with the fact that the Foreign Minister is articulate. It's worlds universes away from President Bush and his sub-standard elocution.
It's comforting to know there are still politicians who can parry the questions they cannot answer forthright and make diplomatic statements that can satisfy the interviewer, instead of sounding like a broken record. Of course, it doesn't excuse the government's stance but as a former MUN-er, I'm concerned with these sorts of things. The other part that allows Miliband to stand out from the stateside politicians? He sounds as if he believes of what he speaks, and not just in soundbites.
It's comforting to know there are still politicians who can parry the questions they cannot answer forthright and make diplomatic statements that can satisfy the interviewer, instead of sounding like a broken record. Of course, it doesn't excuse the government's stance but as a former MUN-er, I'm concerned with these sorts of things. The other part that allows Miliband to stand out from the stateside politicians? He sounds as if he believes of what he speaks, and not just in soundbites.
Particularly in the case of America's role. Rose brought out the Financial Times and quoted a headline where Miliband was seen as warning the Democratic presidential candidates from turning to isolationism in their stance against globalisation of jobs. Miliband then took the paper and read on for his exact quote, and expounded on his firm belief the world needs the US still in all major issues. Rose asked if the leadership of the US has been tainted, and the minister firmly does not accept this (1:10 in the youtube video).
Miliband also spoke sense regarding the Burma situation (not in video), and the sort of aid that may be achieved through diplomatic means. There was a moment where Rose tried to pin down the minister on exactly what the international community want with Burma where I thought Miliband would say something along the lines of 'we want the junta to collapse'. Alas, he did not and spoke about humanitarian concerns first before anything else. However, there is some understanding for France's push at the UN for other measure to make sure aid reaches the survivors -- the conversation quickly veered into speaking about China, and that line of thought wasn't continued.
Miliband spoke briefly about his father, a refuge from Belgium to the UK in the 40s, a man who became a Marxist Theorist professor. The elder Miliband passed away in 1994, before he could 'see the highs and lows' of the Labour government. It made me wonder how much of the socialism held by the elder generation is continued to be served by New Labour. As an outsider looking in, I could make the snap judgment and say very little what with the UK government's recent public woes, yet I won't and will keep an open mind. If Cherie Blair can consider herself a Socialist, perhaps the term itself needs revision for the 21st century.
Miliband also spoke sense regarding the Burma situation (not in video), and the sort of aid that may be achieved through diplomatic means. There was a moment where Rose tried to pin down the minister on exactly what the international community want with Burma where I thought Miliband would say something along the lines of 'we want the junta to collapse'. Alas, he did not and spoke about humanitarian concerns first before anything else. However, there is some understanding for France's push at the UN for other measure to make sure aid reaches the survivors -- the conversation quickly veered into speaking about China, and that line of thought wasn't continued.
Miliband spoke briefly about his father, a refuge from Belgium to the UK in the 40s, a man who became a Marxist Theorist professor. The elder Miliband passed away in 1994, before he could 'see the highs and lows' of the Labour government. It made me wonder how much of the socialism held by the elder generation is continued to be served by New Labour. As an outsider looking in, I could make the snap judgment and say very little what with the UK government's recent public woes, yet I won't and will keep an open mind. If Cherie Blair can consider herself a Socialist, perhaps the term itself needs revision for the 21st century.