And who says politics are boring?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:51 am

Oh well, for those of you who have missed the show, theres cooking a show that makes some SMS messages sent to a bimbo blonde pale in comparison. The "there is no corruption" Finland is getting its first copup of the "my dear brother" gang which might result in all kinds of things.

The thing rotates around election funding and the MP's having been slightly vague over the donations. The genie got out of the bottle and now it seems the vizier who wants to be the caliph instead of the caliph will get his head in a basket... Now who was giving these donations, and to whom were they giving them.and now the question remains was there any effect.

The interesting part is, if the opposition can get a question in parliament, which means a vote of confidence and the government falls. But, the question is that it wasn't ministers who were getting the election funding, but the MP's... so there has been calls to have the legislation on election funding set in stone and have new elections. But, dissolving the parliament that could have happened in a snap in Kekkoslovakia, is a bit harder to pull these days after the amendments in 1991. As the prime minister must propose it, and the president must listen to the parliament group chairs. If tarja pulls that one it would be the first time under the new constitution and first one in... 33 years. (well, third in my lifetime)... but this presents quite an interesting scenario. And everything must happen shortly, before the parliament goes on summer vacation, as it can only be dissolved in session.

This was a public service about "things everybody knows but nobody tells you" - your Finnish colleagues and acquaintances might just look at the newspaper with sardonic smiles and coffee table discussions might have somewhat serious animated disccussions if this scenario happens as it is... quite unusual.

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Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:03 am

It woulden't change much because the Finns still think this is the best what they can get and 'father' Vanhanen gives a lecture and everyone is quiet and continues the same way. The myth of corruptless Finland makes you start to think how it is in other countries. It is amazing however what the politicians can pull before anyone starts to shout here (as long as the economy goes well I think)

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:42 am

Oh, they didn't shout that much when the economy was in the pits...

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:06 am

Well than we get the SDP again I think

Well hope that it does not disturb their holiday too much, it is already soo short

I am not going to buy a sofa from Masku anyhow, pay already too much taxes

Jukka Aho · Post by **Jukka Aho** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:57 am

Rick1 wrote:It woulden't change much because the Finns still think this is the best what they can get and 'father' Vanhanen gives a lecture and everyone is quiet and continues the same way.

President Halonen was just interviewed on YLE TV1’s Lauantaiseura morning show. She does not believe that the current situation would be serious enough to lead to any dramatic actions, such as premature elections, or whatever it is that the opposition is currently demanding. (According to Halonen, for there to be premature elections, the Prime Minister should first receive a vote of no-confidence and then formally request for the elections to be held, but she does not really see those things happening.)

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:29 pm

It will certainly change election campaigns in the future (starting with the municipals after the summer) and I think it is "a wake up call" that will make the Finnish voter a tad more sceptical about all things political... which is probably not such a bad thing. I have been discussing it with my students for several days now and nobody (so far) seems excessively excited, surprised or even infuriated over the whole thing. In fact some of them were perhaps rather "happy" in a smug kind of way. Few thought it actually had any measurable impact on the outcome of the Parliamentary elections and others were even starting to find the whole media circus a bit OTT. I guess there are winners and losers but the biggest threat - IMO - could be an implosion of the coalition if all the backbenchers organise some kind of a mutiny at the imminent party congresses. I think the biggest rows will be inside the parties and it's certain individuals who will come off worst. Stubb is - of course - squeaky clean...

Anyway, its the SDP party congress next week and the election of their new leader, which may change the focus for a few days...

(BTW, to respond albeit pedantically to Hank's original question.... "And who says politics are boring?" the answer should be "Nobody" because : "...politics is boring" )

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 9:47 pm

Well in some countries these kind of things means night work but I guess here they just leave before or at four especially on friday. Sorry but I do not have much respect for these men and ladies, the few days they are working they are sick or depressed. Or promoting their image in the tabloids. There are exceptions ofcourse but all those miss finlands, skieers, presenters, golddiggers,entrepeneurs etc. (mostly keskusta) please go home .

But if mama Halonen says it is all ok, we all can go peaceful to sleep. I would do to because SDP does not have a good leader yet

And a discussion with Finns has got something like a discussion with chinese, they or say nothing or seem to agree. Or they all agree with me or they do not say it otherwise. I hardly hear: I think you are wrong because:

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:44 pm

Depends how you ask the question. My tactic is to make out I am the ignorant foreigner who doesn't speak a word of Finnish and knows nothing about the system... "so would you please explain to me all these articles in the press about blabla because I don't understand". And then I keep asking questions like "I'm confused, what do you mean by...?" and "er... well...er... why would someone do that...?" sort of questions and sooner or later the interrogation develops into a discussion. (But, that's what I do all day and am (trained and) paid to do it!!!). It is true that rarely do our discussions develop into passionate debate with arms flailing in the air and voices trembling. But then again, this is Finland. (France was a trifle different in that respect but sometimes infuriating as the French so often resorted to personal insults or "humour" (their version of) to make a point.) Anyway... such generalisations.

BTW, I disagree about politicians promoting their image in the press. I think the vast majority would rather not be in the press at all (especially the tabloids). Imagine not being able to cross the road on a red light, smoke a cigarette when you feel like it, have a meal with a friend etc etc without it being splashed on the front pages. Gets tiring after a while.

So who will win the SDP leadership race.... nine to choose from if I remember correctly?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:49 pm

Oh, they're all trying to tone it down. I'm waiting for a carpet bombing by kauppatori seagulls next week.

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:03 pm

penelope wrote:.

BTW, I disagree about politicians promoting their image in the press. I think the vast majority would rather not be in the press at all (especially the tabloids). Imagine not being able to cross the road on a red light, smoke a cigarette when you feel like it, have a meal with a friend etc etc without it being splashed on the front pages. Gets tiring after a while.

So who will win the SDP leadership race.... nine to choose from if I remember correctly?

Come on Penelope you know how it works I hope? The more publicity the more possibility they vote for you. That example of smoking a sigarette is one of them who has always been using the press and is still doing it with all her interviews and book. I suspect her even of faking a divorce

Do you know btw why this coalition might fall? Because they used the money they received to get more famous. Hitting a papparazi might also do the trick

Mr Masku even send money to greeny merikukka which got so happy with it that she became kokomus, nice if you voted for her

I hope btw that that Maria Guzen-Richardson will get higher. I have not seen anyting 'strange' from her and she seems sympathetic. I heard that she was presenting at MTV but at least she did not try to get attention after that. Maybe Heinaloma can pick up his career in undertaking

,btw in some countries they have good humor

Jukka Aho · Post by **Jukka Aho** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:23 pm

Rick1 wrote: hope btw that that Maria Guzen-Richardson will get higher. I have not seen anyting 'strange' from her and she seems sympathetic. I heard that she was presenting at MTV

Guzenina-Richardson was an MTV Europe VJ back in 1993 – 1997... she was based in London during that time. She has also worked for several Finnish radio channels.

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:28 pm

Jukka Aho wrote:
Rick1 wrote: hope btw that that Maria Guzen-Richardson will get higher. I have not seen anyting 'strange' from her and she seems sympathetic. I heard that she was presenting at MTV
Guzenina-Richardson was an MTV Europe VJ back in 1993 – 1997... she was based in London during that time. She has also worked for several Finnish radio channels.

Thanks Jukka, the second time you make the correct corrections

You have a good memory or large database. Is there something bad to say about her or what is your alternative? As you might see from my mails it is very difficult for me to identify with any party, was also in my home country.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:32 pm

Rick1 wrote:
Come on Penelope you know how it works I hope? The more publicity the more possibility they vote for you.

True. I can't believe that in a country which ranks Number One in the PISA survey, people are still so gullible they will vote for beauty queens and skiers etc. If 16 year olds get the vote, we'll have rappers, goths and who knows what else in there too

Stupid system though: soooo complicated. No one has been able to explain it to me (another one of my favourite discussion questions... "could you explain the local electoral system to me.....

" ) Only the comprehensive school grade average for the Joint Application System is more complicated than that

Rick1 · Post by **Rick1** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:35 pm

[quote="Hank W."]But, the question is that it wasn't ministers who were getting the election funding, but the MP's... so there has been calls to have the legislation on election funding set in stone and have new elections. But, dissolving the parliament that could have happened in a snap in Kekkoslovakia, is a bit harder to pull these days after the amendments in 1991.

At least one minister got it; Paula Lehtomäki. Further good input

otyikondo · Post by **otyikondo** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:41 pm

Spot the difference

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and

Suomen toivo

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