Showing posts with label debate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label debate. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Burqa & Sharia Court Ban: UKIP Unveils New Agenda ahead of Snap Elections (Debate)
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
What Makes for a Revolution? Debate - BBC Newsnight
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Donald Trump: Is Democracy Under Threat? Debate - BBC Newsnight
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Thursday, May 03, 2012
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FRANCE 24: In the first and only televised debate ahead of Sunday’s vote, incumbent French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist rival François Hollande traded barbs as they faced off on a number of issues ranging from economic policies to immigration.
It was billed as “The Final Confrontation” and that’s exactly what millions of TV viewers across France got Wednesday night as incumbent French President Nicolas Sarkozy squared off against his Socialist challenger, François Hollande, in an intensely contested face-off, the only debate of the 2012 campaign.
With just four days to go before Sunday’s final round of the presidential poll, the stakes were high as Hollande kicked off the debate with a ferocious attack on what he called Sarkozy’s track record of dividing the French people, adding that if he were elected, the Socialist politician would be a “president for justice”.
In a quick rebuttal - the sort that characterised the contentious tone of the debate - Sarkozy shot back: “Bringing people together – what a beautiful idea. But it’s not just words, it’s facts that matter,” before noting that during his tenure as president, Sarkozy managed to implement controversial policies such as pension reforms without massive street protests.
The much-anticipated debate kicked off at 9pm local time at a TV studio north of Paris with the two candidates facing each other across a table mounted with two digital clocks to monitor the speaking time of each candidate.
Moderated by leading French TV presenters, David Pujadas of France 2 and Laurence Ferrari of TF1, Wednesday’s debate was broadcast live by several French TV stations, reaching roughly half of France's 44.5 million voters.
In a wide-ranging debate that included economic policies, immigration issues as well as foreign policy initiatives, the two candidates repeatedly clashed as they reeled out statistics, frequently accused each other of citing incorrect figures, and were not above taking the occasional personal jabs at each other. » | France 24 | Thursday, May 03, 2012
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Friday, February 24, 2012
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My comment:
A theist believes God exists; an atheist believes He doesn't exist. Neither has proof; they are merely belief systems. So why should it surprise anyone when Richard Dawkins says he can't be sure God doesn't exist? Nobody, however erudite or clever can be sure about God's existence or non-existence. And I believe it is true to say that Richard Dawkins has consistently stated so in his talks and writings. – © Mark
This comment also appears here
Wednesday, April 06, 2011
THE NEW YORK TIMES: PARIS — France’s governing party pressed ahead on Tuesday with a controversial debate on the nature of secularism and the challenges of Islam, an exercise criticized by some in the government and numerous religious leaders and ridiculed as cynical by both the Socialist opposition and the far-right National Front.
Held at a Paris hotel in the presence of some 600 religious leaders, legislators and journalists, the debate was shunned by prominent members of the government, and its title was altered to remove any reference to Islam, resulting in the anodyne “Secularism: To Live Better Together.”
It was three hours of debate after two months of fierce political squabbling.
Initiated by President Nicolas Sarkozy, the debate was organized by the leader of his party, the Union for a Popular Movement, Jean-François Copé. But the prime minister, François Fillon, quietly refused to take part, fearing that it would push the party too far to the right and might lead to “a stigmatization of Muslims,” he said, leading Mr. Copé to accuse him of “not being a team player.”
The concern is to help along a Westernized version of Islam that fits within the behavioral and cultural norms of France, which accept gender equality and the private nature of religious belief.
Mr. Copé said the debate was “controversial but necessary,” saying that “the values of France are like the Three Musketeers: liberty, equality, fraternity.” He would add a fourth, he said — secularism. » | Steven Erlanger and Maïa de la Baume | Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Monday, April 04, 2011
REUTERS AFRICA: PARIS - France's ruling conservatives are pressing ahead with a public debate on Islam and secularism on Tuesday despite criticism that it is an excuse to pander to far-right voters ahead of a general election next year.Sarkozy's UMP party said in December that it would host a public forum to address fears about Islam's role in French society, following controversy over Muslim street prayers, halal-only restaurants and full-face Islamic veils.
But a hail of criticism from religious leaders and some party members has forced the UMP to downsize the event and fight off accusations that a focus on Islam will provide cover for the airing of anti-Muslim prejudices among the French.
"They can't cancel it now," said Jean-Francois [sic] Doridot, an analyst at the Ipsos polling agency. "It's a sort of trap that is closing around the UMP, and they are trying to get themselves out of it one way or another."
Amid sharp criticism from religious leaders, party officials have bickered over the need to hold a debate at all, France's largest Muslim group has announced a boycott, and Prime Minister Francois [sic] Fillon declined his invitation to attend.
The guest list for Tuesday's debate has yet to be confirmed, but Interior Minister Claude Gueant -- who came under fire recently for saying the French "no longer felt at home" -- will attend, as will party spokesman Jean-Francois Cope [sic].
With France's controversial ban on full-face veils going into effect next week, Gueant defended the debate by saying that some Muslim practices were problematic and needed to be addressed. » | Nick Vinocur | Monday, April 04, 2011
Monday, August 02, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has invited Barack Obama, his US counterpart, to face him in a televised one-on-one debate to see who has the best solutions for the world's problems.
The provocative proposal came as Iran dealt with a new wave of international sanctions - driven by Washington - aimed at pressuring the Islamic Republic over its nuclear programme."Toward the end of summer we will hopefully be there for the (UN) General Assembly and I will be ready for one-on-one talks with Mr Obama, in front of the media of course," Mr Ahmadinejad said in an address broadcast live on state television. >>> | Monday, August 02, 2010
Friday, April 30, 2010
TIMES ONLINE: David Cameron and Nick Clegg ended up neck and neck in the final debate, leaving Gordon Brown trailing well behind in third place, according to a Populus online poll for The Times.
The poll, of 1,929 voters who watched last night’s debate, confirms that the Tories have the initiative in the campaign, but the Lib Dems will be delighted that Mr Clegg has held up his level of support for the second week, following his victory a fortnight ago.
Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg were seen as winners by 38 per cent, similar to last week’s 37/36 per cent margin. Mr Brown was seen as the winner by just 25 per cent, against 27 per cent in the second debate. The figures have been rounded up to the nearest point.
The dead heat contrasts with other polls which show Mr Cameron as the winner over Mr Clegg by 2 to 9 points. Mr Clegg is ahead as the leader most of those questioned would most like to see as Prime Minister, by 38 per cent, just ahead of Mr Cameron on 37 per cent. The two were level last week. The Lib Dems may benefit most, with 15 per cent saying they are more likely to vote for the party. Some 16 per cent say they are more likely to vote Tory, and 9 per cent to vote Labour. Mr Clegg remains the most likeable of the three leaders, >>> Peter Riddell | Friday, April 30, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
TIMES ONLINE: David Cameron scored a narrow victory over Nick Clegg in the second leaders’ debate last night after an impassioned contest turned personal.
The Tory leader scraped a win — on 37 per cent to Mr Clegg’s 36 per cent — according to a Populus poll for The Times. Some 27 per cent gave the verdict to Gordon Brown as the pressure of tightening polls saw the trio trading ill-tempered barbs.
A series of aggressive exchanges over Trident, Europe, the expenses scandal and election tactics replaced last week’s more consensual style as all three responded to the Liberal Democrat surge by taking their performances up a gear.
Mr Clegg, who took the election by storm last week, gave an edgier performance, playing it anything but safe. “You’re the boss,” he told voters as he urged them to seize the opportunity to change British politics. >>> Roland Watson, Political Editor | Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
TELEGRAPH - DEBATE: Europeans are divided over Turkey's proposed membership of the EU. It is a largely Muslim nation, while the 27 other states are not. And while Turkey's huge economic potential is attractive, its human rights record falls well short of EU standards. Should this record bar it from joining the EU? Join the debate >>>
THE TELEGRAPH: The Liberal Democrats have overtaken Labour in a new poll after enjoying a 14 per cent surge on the back of Nick Clegg's performance in last night's TV election debate.
A unweighted poll of 4,000 people's voting intentions has dramatically propelled the Liberal Democrats into second place in the election campaign.
The poll by ITV/ComRes put Liberal Democrat support at 35 per cent, up 14 per cent. However it has not been adjusted to ensure it is representative of the electorate as a whole.
The Conservatives were at 36 per cent, down 3 per cent compared to before the head-to-head studio debate.
Labour was at 24 per cent, down 3 per cent, and others were at 5 per cent, down 8 per cent.
The poll increases the likelihood of a hung Parliament. >>> | Friday, April 16, 2010
BNP: Last night’s Tweedledee Tweedledum TV debate between the leaders of the three old-gang parties ignored every single issue vital to Britain’s future, including the EU, multi-culturalism and the erosion of British identity through mass immigration, said British National Party leader Nick Griffin.
Reacting to the debate, which drew only slightly more TV viewers than the BNP’s appearance on Question Time, Mr Griffin said all three participants went out of their way to avoid discussing any of the real issues.
“Although the very first question was on immigration, all the public were given was more meaningless platitudes about points-based systems and yet more immigration,” Mr Griffin said.
“No-one discussed the figures, which show that given current immigration levels and birth rates, British people are destined to become a minority in Britain within the next 50 years, and most likely within 30,” he said. >>> | Friday, April 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy's controversial "national identity" debate has been blamed for helping the far-right to reestablish itself in French elections.
Opponents said the president's decision to start a high-profile discussion about issues including immigration, the burka and social cohesion led voters to back Jean-Marie Le Pen's National Front (FN).
The near-bankrupt FN had been written off after a disastrous showing in the 2007 presidential elections, but on Sunday scored almost 12 per cent in the first round of regional elections.
Martine Aubry, leader of the Socialist opposition, said Mr Sarkozy was guilty of "reopening a door for the FN" by organising a "debate on national identity aimed at opposing [native] French with French from elsewhere, or foreigners".
And Francois Bayrou, former presidential candidate and head of the centrist MoDem party, said: "It's a worrying moment. The National Front is back at a level not seen in years." >>> Henry Samuel in Paris | Monday, March 15, 2010
Friday, February 05, 2010
SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: A small Muslim community in a western German town would like to build a minaret on its mosque. But the plan has triggered passionate opposition from locals, many of whom rely on rhetoric from the extreme right in railing against the "symbol of Islam's quest for power."
"Willkommen," reads the stencilled print on the wall along the riverside boardwalk in the small town of Völklingen. Not content to just welcome its German guests, however, the message is translated into a number of languages. "Bienvenue ... bienvenidos ... velkommen," it reads. And "hosgeldiniz," a nod to the city's substantial Turkish population.
Elsewhere in the city -- particularly in the quarter known as Wehrden -- Muslim immigrants may not feel quite as welcome. A small mosque on the banks of the Saar River there has applied for a permit to build a small minaret on its roof -- triggering a wave of at-times vehement protest reminiscent of the fuss surrounding the November 2009 referendum in Switzerland to ban minarets in the country.
"I am against the Islamification of our fatherland!" reads a message, posted by "Tommy" on the Web site of the local paper Saarbrücker Zeitung. "Islam is the greatest threat facing humanity," he adds. >>> cgh | Friday, February 05, 2010
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