IRISH WRATH: Obama Destroyed & Called A War Criminal In Irish Parliament

[enlightenment]

109. Parliaments can be a rough and tumble places.

The kind of things that we frown on in Congress (members commenting during another members speech, trying to shout down another member) are often seen in Parliamentary debates. Not always, but when things heat up, certainly.

Some prefer the sterile environment of our legislature - not that it was always that way, but even the chambers are designed to encourage sticking to the rules of order. Seating like an theatre, so no eye-to-eye contact with the opposition - attention is supposed to be directed at the person speaking and, like a theatrical performance, the audience is encouraged to listen politely.
Look at the chambers of England and Ireland. Not all parliamentary systems use this style chamber, but most do. They are facing each other - some, like England, are squared off and others look more like the Irish horseshoe arrangement. The opposing "sides" tend to sit on opposite sides of the aisle - so you look your opponent in the eye. The speakers are in the middle, not in the front, which removes the theatre aspect and encourages involvement.

I prefer passion in my politics, even if it isn't always civil.