South Korean democracy in action...literally...

The South Korean legislators broke out into an all out brawl yesterday at the National Assembly. Here an excerpt of the Associated Press report:

Hundreds of competing lawmakers screamed and wrestled in South Korea's parliament Wednesday as a rivalry over contentious media reform bills descended into a brawl that sent at least one to a hospital.

Lawmakers from the ruling Grand National Party occupied the speaker's podium in a bid to quickly pass the bills aimed at easing restrictions on ownership of television networks. Opposition parties responded by stacking up furniture to block ruling party members from entering the main hall of the National Assembly.

The parliament plunged into chaos, as lawmakers scuffled and shouted abuse at each other. Women lawmakers from the rival parties joined in the melee, grabbing each other by the neck and trying to bring opponents to the floor.

This is not the first brawl at the South Korean National Assembly, nor is South Korea the only country that practices this form of physical democracy. The News York Times News Blog has a good piece looking into some of the previous brawls, both in South Korea and elsewhere. This piece also includes some great video clips of these brawls.

I am going to save the big, long, philosophical rambling about how things should be and such...don't think much of any discussion is really needed. I would just say, go to the New York Times Blog and watch the video clips...if nothing else, the video clips make for good entertainment.

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