[taesrom]

Do you really think you're qualified to make that statement? Surely at least 51% of the London electorate think he is the man for the job?

Instead of talking like a w**ked c**k, how about coming back with a decent argument?

For the record, I have no strong feelings either way on BJ. Apart from just realising his initials are funny.

You expect me to answer you in a serious manner? Try actually posting something worthwhile and grow up you immature waste of skin, btw, i'm a voter, so yes i'm as qualified as anyone else who has the right to vote, dumbass. [rolleyes]

[VomsVomaMew]

You expect me to answer you in a serious manner? Try actually posting something worthwhile and grow up you immature waste of skin, btw, i'm a voter, so yes i'm as qualified as anyone else who has the right to vote, dumbass. [rolleyes]

You've never had friends to discuss things with have you? Asking if you think you're qualified to make the blanket statement that someone is a joke is perfectly reasonable. If you came back and said "yes, I work for him" or "yes, I am a local MP" then I would have said agreed that you had the experience to back up your comment. As it is, you've dropped kicked your dummy out of your pram and sulked because I don't believe that as one out of 10,000,000 London voters (are you sure you're old enough to count as one) you speak for them all.

P.S - I'm not sure how your post could have been any more ironic.

[taesrom]

You've never had friends to discuss things with have you?

I discuss many things with many different friends, but my friends don't go around calling people pathetic childish names when you say something they don't agree with, well they used to, when we were 12. So perhaps you need to find some adults to talk to, instead of the other 12yr olds in your class. Boris is an educated idiot and his media coverage is what got him the mayors office, nothing more. As for the rest of your bile... [yawn]

[VomsVomaMew]

I discuss many things with many different friends, but my friends don't go around calling people pathetic childish names when you say something they don't agree with, well they used to, when we were 12. So perhaps you need to find some adults to talk to, instead of the other 12yr olds in your class. Boris is an educated idiot and his media coverage is what got him the mayors office, nothing more. As for the rest of your bile... [yawn]

I'm sorry for calling you a childish name, but I didn't think you'd understand any long words

[AnypecekceS]

I think diplomats everywhere should have to pay bridge tolls and penalty fines/tickets (speeding, illegal parking etc) when they live a considerable portion of their lives in said city (UN, Hague) and are aware of the laws by experience but a head of state visiting your city on your governments invitation having to pay a fee for simply having transportation to and fro visiting your heads of state is absurd.

Not to say you think differently, just pointing out that a lot of those diplomats that live in NYC and just go double parking ticket crazy because of diplomatic immunity are ass hats that should have to pay the tickets. They abuse the privilege. There is no abusing of privilege on the POTUS part, and the two parties do not equate.

I'd say ANY drivers in ANY country should be expected to face and pay any fines they receive for driving, parking and other offences - if you're going to be driving on the roads, you should be held responsible for knowing the rules and regulations! Heck, some hadn't even driven a car before!.
As I would interpret it, the original purpose was to protect envoys into often hostile countries, a safe passage so to speak, and it's been taken out of all context.

IMO, Boris was just trying it on for publicity more than anything, he's behaving like an idiot. Heck, when it comes down to it, I would the roads were closed for security reasons and, if so, he'd technically not being driving on public roads, anyway.

[Mjxhnapi]

While it is within their rights to ask foreign presidents to pay the congestion fee, publicly stating to the media that Obama must pay up instead of quietly handling it through other channels is bad diplomacy. It's like inviting a friend over to a dinner party and demanding he repay that $20 you loaned him the other night at the gastropub in front of other guests. It's bad form.

This.

I personally think it would not have mattered to them if they handled it behind the scenes. But publicly embarrassing the leader of your greatest ally is poor form... in fact it's almost juvenile.

[QHdy5Z3A]

You guys think a diploate/Leader pay fines, fees, and fallow the laws?
Shoot, Police Officers don't even obey the laws of the road. Do whatever they want really and they have this immunity as long as no one gets hurt.


London should actually be thanking us that the United States didn't close down all the roads like London did for the Pope. London wants their $16 per car, but if we had everything shut down, just think of all the missed revenue from all the other cars paying $16 and all the people not able to shop in the businesses along those streets. The extra money that businesses would have to pay for lost time on the job.
But no, the Pope gets immunity when he shuts down your roads and hurts business and revenue from all the missed fees due to no cars on the road.
If I was Obama, from here on out I would have all the traveling roads shut down, and many others for safety. Im sure that would piss off Londer's a heck of a lot more messing up their commute and business revenue then not paying a $16 fee.
Oh I would also make sure that they the vehicles taken have the largest motors, with no cats or any type of emission controls for that matter. Then don't turn the vehicles off, just let the idle constantly and let it be a high idle at that. Pollute as much as possible while we are there.


Sounds like the London Mayor is a douche.

[AnypecekceS]

You guys think a diploate/Leader pay fines, fees, and fallow the laws?
Stupid question - do you really think anyone should be allowed to do what they like, irrespective of the legality of it - just because they're in a position of power?
Shoot, Police Officers don't even obey the laws of the road. Do whatever they want really and they have this immunity as long as no one gets hurt.
No they don't - under some circumstances they're allowed to set aside some aspects of the Law, in pursuit of their duties - but they have to have a reason for it that justifies their actions. Or at least in 'civilised' countries they do.

London should actually be thanking us that the United States didn't close down all the roads like London did for the Pope. London wants their $16 per car, but if we had everything shut down, just think of all the missed revenue from all the other cars paying $16 and all the people not able to shop in the businesses along those streets. The extra money that businesses would have to pay for lost time on the job.
But no, the Pope gets immunity when he shuts down your roads and hurts business and revenue from all the missed fees due to no cars on the road.
If I was Obama, from here on out I would have all the traveling roads shut down, and many others for safety. Im sure that would piss off Londer's a heck of a lot more messing up their commute and business revenue then not paying a $16 fee.
It's already normal practice for the US President's security details to require the closing of the roads to be used and numerous associated roads - and, yes, it is a damned nuisance.
Oh I would also make sure that they the vehicles taken have the largest motors, with no cats or any type of emission controls for that matter. Then don't turn the vehicles off, just let the idle constantly and let it be a high idle at that. Pollute as much as possible while we are there.
You really are the Peter Pan of FM, aren't you? You've been posting like a petulant 10 year old since you've been here.

Sounds like the London Mayor is a douche.

You get a point for your last comment, though

[VomsVomaMew]

This.

I personally think it would not have mattered to them if they handled it behind the scenes. But publicly embarrassing the leader of your greatest ally is poor form... in fact it's almost juvenile.

Well, when you already have a 5.6 million $ loan with the house it's time to take drastic measures.

[juliannamed]

wasnt boris johnson voted in with PR? and no one made him first choice??

[oB8LI2kP]

It was fairly obviously done to make a point. Its been a talking point in the news now for a while about diplomats not paying congestion charge, parking fines etc and a bit up for debate about what the congestion charge *IS*, IFIRC diplomats don't have to pay taxes or fines, but they do have to pay tolls and charges under the Vienna treaty or whatever it is the governs diplomatic norms.

It seems to be the view of many that congestion charge should apply to diplomats and there seems to be some anger that of the £50million in outstanding congestion charges incurred by diplomats of all countries (Considering probably 90%+ have an embassy in London) that over £10m is owed by the Americans alone.

Personally? I think it's kinda bad form from both sides. Whats £10million to the US to gain some goodwill from the UK public and conversely what's £10million to London in the grand scheme of things. Boris probably should have just let the issue blow out of the news by itself.