Enjoy this with your first cocktail of the evening.
When I was young I thought this man was mad.
Now I am approaching advanced middle age I can see that it's everybody else who is mad.
National Treasure
Wish I'd listened more closely 30-40 years ago
Still....it's not too late.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqq3a0c_ROk
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Can you spare 10 minutes?
(29 posts) (19 voices)
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Gerontius
offlineMemberPosted 5 months ago # -
Thanks for putting that up, Gerontius. I was lucky enough to meet TB in about 1967. I was visiting a friend in Bristol, whose dad had recently become a Labour MP and who should walk in but the man himself. He has not changed one little bit, nor has his brilliant 10-minute introduction to politics. He looked me in the eye and gave me the benefit of those wise words, almost verbatim with those in the video. I found him truly inspiring and will always remember that chance meeting, which changed the direction of my life.
Posted 5 months ago # -
antharrison
offlineMemberI agree. He is a genius with an incredible knowledge of history. He was on Newsnight a few years ago and someone started arguing with him. The demolotion of his adversary was swift and intellectually powerful. I also used to think he was a left wing nutter, but I never listened to what he had to say until a few years ago.
Posted 5 months ago # -
waylandsmithy
offlineMemberHe talks complete bollocks, but he says it beautifully.
Posted 5 months ago # -
medici2471
offlineMemberAs a student I read the papers, watched TV and accepted the received wisdom that Tony Benn was a nutcase. Maggie had crushed the miners and won the Falklands War, I was a young white, healthy, aspiring professional; that was our time, the world was ours for the taking, fuck the rest. Then I found myself on a train to London sitting across the aisle from Tony Benn and his 'interns' for a couple of hours. I just listened, to an intelligent, articulate man. Clearly not mad, just with a different view. How could I have been so stupid, so naive? He opened my eyes, not to accept his views but to realise that there are other valid opinions...
Posted 5 months ago # -
dvo4fun
offlineMemberSeen him 'live' a couple of times. Once at a lunchtime free gig in Uxbridge; amongst various topics covered tears ran gently down his cheeks as he offered an alternative to the mass media take on numbers of uninvolved Iraqi casulties of 'precision bombing' of Iraq during GulfWar1.
Then many years later on stage [he was prmoting his autobiography I think) TB on stage with a Ronnie Corbet style set; a comfy chair and thermos flask of tea, taking questions from the audience.Hugely impressed both times, with his wit, compassion and analysis.
Hold on which thread is this? He hasn't died has he?
Posted 5 months ago # -
Tripod
offlineMemberI'll no more mourn him when he goes than I will Thatcher.
As far as I'm concerned, he's one of the 'good guys'. I'm not sure that there's any room, in the politics of today, for people like him (or, indeed, for anyone who attempts to see further than the next election). The government of the day always seems to be reacting to events rather than offering genuine, long-term leadership. I suppose that's the price we pay for democracy...
Posted 5 months ago # -
sigmund
offlineMemberSorry to wee on the firework, but my dad was an active labour supporter in the 60’s; he was so disappointed when this class warrior arrived at the edge of town in his Bentley and transferred to my dad’s Hillman, so as to arrive at the party meeting in a ‘suitable' fashion. Hypocrite.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Oxbridge
offlineMemberOK, I didn't spot that Blair wasn't joking until a bit too late. But the point stands. Benn's antics wrecked what was already the most left-wing mainstream party platform ever put forward in this country. That the lurch back also went too far isn't totally down to him, but might not have happened quite so drastically but for him.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Ironduke
offlineMemberIt would be nice if politics was full of ideals rather than soundbites, and Benn is an idealist.
I would pay good money to listen to him and Tebbit have a ding-dong around a fireside.
If politicians would break the mould and stand up for genuine principles rather than the current haggling of £50 a year up for this couple versus a penny in the pound off for this chap, then electoral turnout would soar as people actually felt there was a choice before them.
Posted 5 months ago # -
Gerontius
offlineMemberThat's a fair point Oxy.
He probably did as much as anybody to bring in the Thatcher era.
But I do think the average 'man-in-the-street' is a bit more politically savvy than he/she was back then.
They don't vote because there is nothing to vote for.
You couldn't get a fag-paper between the two main parties anymore
The current Labour are clearly terrified of advocating anything even vaguely leftist.
It will take a brave leader to take them down that route.
But I do think there is an appetite for it once again.
UKIP are gathering momentum with their right-wing agenda.
If Labour were brave enough they could do the same by heading in the other direction.
Tom Watson please.Posted 5 months ago # -
beau-jolly
offlineMemberBlair/Brown's "New Labour" were in power for quite a while. The actual Labour party has had sod all time in power since its inception. The founder and first leader used to pop over to the states for a sex holiday as often as possible and died of a sex related illness (or did I just make that up?) Wilson was supposedly in Moscow's pocket during the 60s. Who else was there? Oh yes Callahan. No one had a long tenure in those days until Mrs. T.
I once plotted a sort of barcode timeline of all the occupants of No10. It is mainly orange.Like many since, the Right Honorable Anthony Wedgewood-Benn had the great good fortune to be sufficietly privileged and well educated to be able to afford to be a socialist. Most people have to work for a living.
Posted 5 months ago # -
beau-jolly
offlineMemberQuite proud of this. Any ideas about how I can exploit the pattern gratefully received (and possibly shared although it remains my copyright and registered design)
The title is such because there have been a few coalitians and until the 1900s the term "Prime Minister" was derogatory.
Posted 5 months ago # -
beau-jolly
offlineMemberYeh, I did concider a scarf or tie. I just think its a nice design and a good talking point - if you want to talk politics. Title needs some work - see edit above
Posted 5 months ago # -
waylandsmithy
offlineMemberB-J, maybe you could overlay a chart over your graphic, that shows when all our money got spunked up the wall?
Posted 5 months ago # -
Gerontius
offlineMemberNice scarf BJ...I'd be in for one.
BTW...have you got any irresistible offers on at the moment...claret wise?
I'd love one of your Havana cigars but I dare not.
That's how I got back on the ready-rubbed last time.
In answer to Wayland's enquiry, I rather fear the poor scarf would be covered in spunk.Posted 5 months ago # -
beau-jolly
offlineMemberGero: I had a cigar a few years ago and was back on 40 Marlboro within the week. All or nothing I'm afraid. At the moment its nothing.
wrt Claret. Lots of lovely stuff all at outrageous prices!Posted 5 months ago # -
Gerontius – No. No I can’t, not right now. But thanks for asking.
Posted 5 months ago #
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