Find out what you had to say about Question Time on Thursday, 30 November, 2006 from Belfast.
The topics discussed were:
The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received:
Russia
Audience questions: With Kremlin control of the Russian media, the country's national resources and the poisoning scandal, can Russia be trusted as a superpower?
You said:
Text: The cold war never finished, it was just in hibernation.
Mick, Devon
Does anyone really believe that if the Kremlin wanted to import radioactive material into the UK or anywhere else to carry out an assassination that they would use a commercial passenger airline, when they have the diplomatic bag at their disposal?
Rob Stevenson , Nottingham
Text: The difference between Russia and the Western world is that Russia got caught out this time.
Maisy, Sedgefield
I think that it is laughable that Britain cry foul for the murder of the Russian spy, after all Britain has been involved in numerous dodgy and messy things for the last number of years.
Neil Murray, Derry city
Text: Putin is intent on dominating Europe by controlling gas supplies
Greg, Preston
Text: It's not the Russian people - like all countries it's the leaders you can't trust
JG, Kent
The official statements say that there is no cause for concern and that radiation levels are a minimal risk to public health. This is the same rhetoric that followed the Chernobyl incident in the 1980s as the cloud tracked across Northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. No public outcry followed even though there was a 500% increase in thyroid cancers in the area that the cloud passed over. As radiation is an invisible menace, it is comparatively easy to play to people's apathy and down play the dangers as was done in the late 1980s. This public health scandal was never exposed and the lives of many people in Britain are still affected. This incident is reminiscent and dangerous.
Margaret Jellema, Dundee
Gay equality
Audience question: Should Bed and Breakfasts be allowed to refuse rooms to gay couples?
You said:
B and B's are guest houses and usually family homes as well. As a Christian, bringing up my children to be Christian, I stand by my belief that homosexuality is wrong. If I were running a B and B, I could not teach my children to behold Christian views and then condone something that is clearly wrong, according to the Bible which I believe is the word of God and which my Christian beliefs are based on.
Lara, Callander
I am so angry that such a small minority of homosexuals are able to dictate to the rest of us whether or not we may allow them, for instance, to share a bedroom in a hotel or guesthouse obviously run as a Christian establishment. When we ran our hotel & an unmarried couple wanted a double room we were very happy to offer 2 singles. They then had a choice - we weren't turning them away, simply making it clear that for the sake of the other guests we were expected to keep to a high moral standard. Presumably there won't be this choice in future - our human rights as Christians will not even be considered.
Molly Hawkins, Bognor Regis
I am outraged by Peter Hane's comments. I am black and British born. There is nothing in the Bible that makes being black an abomination. The Bible is clear on same sex relationships... it is Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. He should apologies immediately for his inflammatory comments and slur to the entire black community in Great Britain.
Cass Wright, Reading
A bit late now but... I don't think the Bible does ban homosexuality. The Old Testament may do but didn't Jesus say that all the old laws are replaced by just one - Love God etc and your neighbour as yourself? Jesus never said anything about homosexuality and all of St Paul's rantings were about male prostitutes. And yes it was Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve but what about David and Jonathan who kissed and decalared their love for each other was better than that of women!!
Tony, Hull
When the abortion law and the laws permitting homosexual acts between consenting adults were passed in British Parliament, those who acceded to these changes in the law removed the fear of God and his laws from before the faces of the people. The consequence of these has been the ever increasing sexual immorality among ever younger members of families in this nation. To make legal and condone a sin is seen to be contrary to the welfare of those concerned. If you love your neighbour as yourself, you do not ignore these issues of life and death, for it is evident that sexual immorality does have very negative effects on those concerned.
Elaine Charnley, Lancaster
It was deeply depressing to hear the attitudes towards homosexuality expressed by many of the audience and some of the panelists. Would any audience in the rest of the UK express such views? I don't often feel sympathy for Peter Hain or Martin McGuinness, but I did tonight. Not a great advertisement for Northern Ireland.
Ian, Welwyn
Sexual minorities should be free to practise their sexuality, however others must be free to voice disapproval of their lifestyles. Freedom of conscience is crucial to a liberal society.
Maria Harrison, London
Text: Surely landlords have the right to refuse entry to whoever they choose?
Penny, Brighouse
How dare Jeffery Donaldson attempt to drag Christians into his own bigotry opinion. His diatribe is awful - so what if me and a (male) friend turned (neither gay) up to a B&B - would we be turned away or if we were dressed as the Village People would it make it easier for the idiot?
Alan Walker, London
Text: Love the sinner, hate the sin
Pat, Hull
On the equality issue, we do NOT have to respect religious views on Homosexuality. We cannot decide issues like this based on fairytales!
Mike Gee, Belvedere, Kent
Text: Would straight people be welcome in a gay bar?
Barry, Wickford
Barry from Wickford asks whether straight people would be welcome in a gay bar. In my experience, yes - and I often bring straight friends to gay venues. Why should I be treated any differently?
Matt, London
Text: At the end of the day it's still your own home, even if you are a bigot
Emma, Blackpool
Direct rule of Northern Ireland
Audience question: Is the process of peace in Northern Ireland being rushed for Tony Blair's legacy?
You said:
Text: How is peace being rushed? NI has never known peace!
Louise, London
Governments in the 1800's argued over the issue of Irish home rule. Democracy is supposed to sort out the problems. If the Irish can't get a government together then why should we prop them up? Let them have their own rule and watch the fiasco that is Irish politics bring down whatever government they try to set up!
Scott Stevens, Leeds
Text: The peace process being rushed. What a joke!
David
It is a bit rich for Peter Hain to be going on about self government in Northern Ireland, when it is a right that the government he represents is refusing for the English.
Tony, Gt Langdale
How refreshing to see the two sides of Ireland together in debate. Democracy at its best, now lets see the NI parliament forge ahead, everybody wants it apart from the old traditional few.
Brian Butler, Oldham
Text: Blair is trying to do three terms' commitments like I did my college essays - the night before deadline!
Bill, Penryn
Text: McGuinness, unlike the others, appears willing to work for peace
Jon, Bucks
Text: Talk, talk, talk, but nothing ever seems to happen in Northern Ireland
Bill, York
Tony Blair's comments on slavery
Audience question: Is it right for the Prime Minister to apologise for slavery but not for his handling of the Iraq war?
You said:
Text: People shouldn't have to apologise for what happened before they were born!
Paul, Dursley
Text: Can the Italians apologise for the Romans invading Britain?
Duncan, Newport
On the question as to was the prime minister right to apologise about slavery. Yes he was, but not only the prime minister but the whole of Europe. Britain would never have become "great" but for the trade of my ancestors, not thousands, but millions of humans traded like cattle for four hundred years, land owners left Britain to settle in the new colonies, these then became the bankers who then insured the ships and crews who sailed to Africa to steal people.
Hugh Pomells, London
Where is the apology from the Africans who rounded up and sold their own compatriots into slavery?
Chris Bartlett, Lancaster
Britain should, as we expect Germany and Japan to do, apologise not only for slavery but also for the crusades, concentration camps, slavery, colonialism et al. Yes, we may be the country we are now, but once again we are still in need of what other nations have to offer. Oil from Iraq, gas from Russia. With the former we simply invade...with the latter we tread oh so very carefully.
Mother Shipton, Hartlepool
If there is to be apologies for slavery and possibly Iraq, should there not also be an apology for the hideous treatment of Ireland for hundreds of years!
Chris Gabbitas, Lincoln
A replacement for Trident
Audience question: Is Charles Clarke right in describing the Trident replacement as an expensive new weapon for the last war?
You said:
Text: Trident is simply jobs for the boys stuff
Shirley, London
If it is morally and legally acceptable (to them) for government to wage war using weapons of mass destruction and to hold nuclear weapons - why does that same government deny its own citizens the right to hold any weapon in defence of home and family?
Frank Dennis, Wolverhampton
It is unacceptable (almost racist) for some people to claim that they are responsible enough to have these weapons of mass destruction, while others are not. Why do they need them over others? Is it so they can intimidate and control the ones who don't have? This is very outdated, dangerous, discriminatory, undemocratic, and not even effective.
Andrew, London
Of course we need a replacement for Trident. An important plank of our security in the 21st century must be an effective deterrent against nuclear attack. The cost for something so important is miniscule compared to the tens of billions the government splashes on far less important projects, like the EU.
Stuart Coster, London
Text: I hope Livingstone and Jowell haven't costed Trident
Steve, Liverpool
On the question of replacing Trident Nuclear Missiles; isn't it wrong to be pressuring Iran to abandon their nuclear research, while at the same time going many steps further? I think it's the wrong message to send and at the wrong time. The right thing would be for the British government to call for total & verifiable destruction of all nuclear weapons in the world. That way no one anywhere in the world has to worry about genocide at the press of a button.
Andrew, London
General comments
You said:
Text: Text: Depressing questions tonight. Cheer up, it's Christmas!
Jean, Wetherby
Where were the women? The panel was all male, and David Dimbleby repeatedly selected men, from the audience, to voice their opinions. As presenter and chairman it is David Dimbleby's responsibility to ensure that all groups are equally represented and given the opportunity to speak. There was a question about discrimination. Perhaps the programme should be putting its own house in order first.
Diane Mahoney, High Wycombe
Why would anyone ask Northern Ireland politicians how they could possible give a view on how any conflict will be resolved
Carole Grant, Shifnal
I find it very ironic that Martin McGuinness champions the rights of people such as gays or coloured people when he along with his criminal cohorts denied so many people the most basic right which is the right to life, or did they ensure that the people they killed were only white Anglo-Saxon protestant?
Eddy, Belfast
I stopped watching last night's programme before it ended, because I couldn't believe how childish the Northern Ireland panel behaved. They are like school children squabbling in a playground. Why can't they just grow up and let the rest of us get on with our lives? Why should the people of the mainland have to put up with these people?
Keith Johnson, Bolton
Question Time from Belfast was like going back in time. No women on the panel, no women asking questions in the audience. Do women have the vote over there? They need more women in politics, then their Parliament will work together. There should always be 50% women on the panel on Question Time, even in Northern Ireland.
Dianne Stokes, St. Neot, Cornwall
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