You Can Never Keep A Devil Down - Part 2 of 'The Devil's Dictionary' by Ambrose Bierce - E-M



Now that we have moved on, in the Multicultural calendar from Halloween to Thanksgiving, (and don't you just love the family photo of the Skeleton family celebrating Thanksgiving?), and in the warm after glow of this week's past visit by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, I thought that I might start off this second installment of my guide to 'The Devil's Dictionary', by reinforcing the idea that we have our own political turkey in Australia, Tony Abbott, that we can give thanks for.

We must see that, in the spirit of turkeys everywhere, he is not as stupid as he looks and behaves. In fact, he is willing to go where no political turkey has gone before. As we have seen this week. There is no political convention that he is unwilling to rip to shreds with his sharp claws, such as this week's effort to keep his name in the news by abandoning bipartisan protocol relating to the speeches given by Opposition Leaders to visiting Heads of State. Just so that he may remain the story, and not the government. As he appears to go by the Post Truth Politics political dictum that, 'No publicity is bad publicity.'

Anyway, let us continue to give thanks to Tony Abbott, Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal, Always Opposition:




ECCENTRICITY, n. A method of distinction so cheap that fools employ it to accentuate their incapacity.

I've heard it said that Tony Abbott is a very eccentric character. EDITOR, n. A person who combines the judicial functions of Minos, Rhadamanthus and Aeacus, but is placable with an obolus; a severely virtuous censor, but so charitable withal that he tolerates the virtues of others and the vices of himself; who flings about him the splintering lightning and sturdy thunders of admonition till he resembles a bunch of firecrackers petulantly uttering his mind at the tail of a dog; then straightway murmurs a mild, melodious lay, soft as the cooing of a donkey intoning its prayer to the evening star. Master of mysteries and lord of law, high-pinnacled upon the throne of thought, his face suffused with the dim splendors of the Transfiguration, his legs intertwisted and his tongue a-cheek, the editor spills his will along the paper and cuts it off in lengths to suit. And at intervals from behind the veil of the temple is heard the voice of the foreman demanding three inches of wit and six lines of religious meditation, or bidding him turn off the wisdom and whack up some pathos.



O, the Lord of Law on the Throne of Thought,

A gilded impostor is he.

Of shreds and patches his robes are wrought,

His crown is brass,
Himself an ass,

And his power is fiddle-dee-dee.

Prankily, crankily prating of naught,

Silly old quilly old Monarch of Thought.

Public opinion's camp-follower he,

Thundering, blundering, plundering free.

Affected,

Ungracious,

Suspected,

Mendacious,

Respected contemporaree!
—J.H. Bumbleshook


An hilarious Ode to News Ltd Editors Everywhere, I thought.

EDUCATION, n. That which discloses to the wise and disguises from the foolish their lack of understanding.

A fact which is exemplified by the knowledge that, despite his stellar education, Mr Abbott just doesn't seem to understand much.

EGOTIST, n. A person of low taste, more interested in himself than in me.



Megaceph, chosen to serve the State

In the halls of legislative debate,

One day with all his credentials came

To the capitol's door and announced his name.

The doorkeeper looked, with a comical twist

Of the face, at the eminent egotist,

And said: "Go away, for we settle here

All manner of questions, knotty and queer,

And we cannot have, when the speaker demands

To be told how every member stands,

A man who to all things under the sky

Assents by eternally voting 'I'."


ELECTOR, n. One who enjoys the sacred privilege of voting for the man of another man's choice.

ELOQUENCE, n. The art of orally persuading fools that white is the colour that it appears to be. It includes the gift of making any colour appear white.

Which proof is in the pudding of Tony Abbott's creation.

ENCOMIAST, n. A special (but not particular) kind of liar.

Politics in Australia has never before seen the like of Tony Abbott, a self-confessed liar that the category 'Post Truth Politics' seems to have been created for.

ENVY, n. Emulation adapted to the meanest capacity.

ERUDITION, n. Dust shaken out of a book into an empty skull.



So wide his erudition's mighty span,

He knew Creation's origin and plan

And only came by accident to grief —

He thought, poor man, 'twas right to be a thief.

—Romach Pute


EULOGY, n. Praise of a person who has either the advantages of wealth and power, or the consideration to be dead.

We see him here, we hear him over there, we see and hear Tony Abbott giving eulogies to the wealthy and powerful everywhere.



FAITH, n. Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel.

FASHION, n. A despot whom the wise ridicule and obey.



A king there was who lost an eye

In some excess of passion;

And straight his courtiers all did try

To follow the new fashion.



Each dropped one eyelid when before

The throne he ventured, thinking

Twould please the king. That monarch swore

He'd slay them all for winking.



What should they do? They were not hot

To hazard such disaster;

They dared not close an eye — dared not

See better than their master.



Seeing them lacrymose and glum,

A leech consoled the weepers:

He spread small rags with liquid gum

And covered half their peepers.



The court all wore the stuff, the flame

Of royal anger dying.

That's how court-plaster got its name

Unless I'm greatly lying.

—Naramy Oof


I am a Republican for this reason. I can no more tug the forelock than jump off a cliff because someone tells me to.

FIB, n. A lie that has not cut its teeth. An habitual liar's nearest approach to truth: the perigee of his eccentric orbit.



When David said: "All men are liars,"
Dave,
Himself a liar, fibbed like any thief.

Perhaps he thought to weaken disbelief

By proof that even himself was not a slave

To Truth; though I suspect the aged knave

Had been of all her servitors the chief

Had he but known a fig's reluctant leaf

Is more than e'er she wore on land or wave.

No, David served not Naked Truth when he

Struck that sledge-hammer blow at all his race;

Nor did he hit the nail upon the head:

For reason shows that it could never be,

And the facts contradict him to his face.

Men are not liars all, for some are dead.

—Bartle Quinker


FLESH, n. The Second Person of the secular Trinity.

FLOP, v. Suddenly to change one's opinions and go over to another party. The most notable flop on record was that of Saul of Tarsus, who has been severely criticised as a turn-coat by some of our partisan journals.

The brother of Flip. Might I also observe that politicians these days don't even bother to change parties or resign when they obviously flip-flop.

FOLLY, n. That "gift and faculty divine" whose creative and controlling energy inspires Man's mind, guides his actions and adorns his life.



Folly! although Erasmus praised thee once

In a thick volume, and all authors known,

If not thy glory yet thy power have shown,

Deign to take homage from thy son who hunts

Through all thy maze his brothers, fool and dunce,

To mend their lives and to sustain his own,

However feebly be his arrows thrown.


Someone needs to write a book called: 'The Folly of Tony Abbott'.

FOOL, n. A person who pervades the domain of intellectual speculation and diffuses himself through the channels of moral activity. He is omnific, omniform, omnipercipient, omniscience, omnipotent. He it was who invented letters, printing, the railroad, the steamboat, the telegraph, the platitude and the circle of the sciences. He created patriotism and taught the nations war — founded theology, philosophy, law, medicine and Chicago. He established monarchical and republican government. He is from everlasting to everlasting — such as creation's dawn beheld he fooleth now. In the morning of time he sang upon primitive hills, and in the noonday of existence headed the procession of being. His grandmotherly hand was warmly tucked-in the set sun of civilization, and in the twilight he prepares Man's evening meal of milk-and-morality and turns down the covers of the universal grave. And after the rest of us shall have retired for the night of eternal oblivion he will sit up to write a history of human civilisation.

FORGETFULNESS, n. A gift of God bestowed upon doctors in compensation for their destitution of conscience.

It is also the same gift Tony Abbott thinks God bestowed upon him too.

FREEDOM, n. Exemption from the stress of authority in a beggarly half dozen of restraint's infinite multitude of methods. A political condition that every nation supposes itself to enjoy in virtual monopoly. Liberty. The distinction between freedom and liberty is not accurately known; naturalists have never been able to find a living specimen of either.

FRIENDSHIP, n. A ship big enough to carry two in fair weather, but only one in foul.



GENEROUS, adj. Originally this word meant noble by birth and was rightly applied to a great multitude of persons. It now means noble by nature and is taking a bit of a rest.

GEOLOGY, n. The science of the earth's crust — to which, doubtless, will be added that of its interior whenever a man shall come up garrulous out of a well. The geological formations of the globe already noted are catalogued thus: The Primary, or lower one, consists of rocks, bones or mired mules, gas-pipes, miners' tools, antique statues minus the nose, Spanish doubloons and ancestors. The Secondary is largely made up of red worms and moles. The Tertiary comprises railway tracks, patent pavements, grass, snakes, mouldy boots, beer bottles, tomato cans, intoxicated citizens, garbage, anarchists, snap-dogs and fools.

GRAMMAR, n. A system of pitfalls thoughtfully prepared for the feet for the self-made man, along the path by which he advances to distinction.

Included for the Grammar Nazis. :)

GRAPE, n.

Hail noble fruit! — by Homer sung,

Anacreon and Khayyam;

Thy praise is ever on the tongue

Of better men than I am.



The lyre in my hand has never swept,

The song I cannot offer:

My humbler service pray accept —

I'll help to kill the scoffer.



The water-drinkers and the cranks

 Who load their skins with liquor —

I'll gladly bear their belly-tanks

And tap them with my sticker.



Fill up, fill up, for wisdom cools

When e'er we let the wine rest.

Here's death to Prohibition's fools,

And every kind of vine-pest!

—Jamrach Holobom


For those who like a drop of fermented grape juice, to sing next time they are 'in wine'.

GRAVE, n. A place in which the dead are laid to await the coming of the medical student.

Included for Ad Astra. :)



HABIT, n. A shackle for the free.

HAND, n. A singular instrument worn at the end of the human arm and commonly thrust into somebody's pocket.

HAPPINESS, n. An agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another.

I guess that's why we see Tony Abbott smile so much.

HARANGUE, n. A speech by an opponent, who is known as an harangue-outang.

Too often occurring via Tony Abbott Censure Motions in federal parliament.

HATRED, n. A sentiment appropriate to the occasion of another's superiority.

See above. In fact, you just have to tune in to the Opposition any day of the week to see this on open display.

HEAVEN, n. A place where the wicked cease from troubling you with talk of their personal affairs, and the good listen with attention while you expound your own.

HISTORIAN, n. A broad-gauge gossip.

HISTORY, n. An account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.

Remember John Howard's 'History Wars'?

HONORABLE, adj. Afflicted with an impediment in one's reach. In legislative bodies it is customary to mention all members as honourable; as, "the honourable gentleman is a scurvy cur."

HOPE, n. Desire and expectation rolled into one.



Delicious Hope! when naught to man it left —

Of fortune destitute, of friends bereft;

When even his dog deserts him, and his goat

With tranquil disaffection chews his coat

While yet it hangs upon his back; then thou,

The star far-flaming on thine angel brow,

Descendest, radiant, from the skies to hint

The promise of a clerkship in the Mint.

—Fogarty Weffing

HOUSE, n. A hollow edifice erected for the habitation of man, rat, mouse, beetle, cockroach, fly, mosquito, flea, bacillus and microbe.

HYPOCRITE, n. One who, professing virtues that he does not respect, secures the advantage of seeming to be what he despises.



IDIOT, n. A member of a large and powerful tribe whose influence in human affairs has always been dominant and controlling. The Idiot's activity is not confined to any special field of thought or action, but "pervades and regulates the whole." He has the last word in everything; his decision is unappealable. He sets the fashions and opinion of taste, dictates the limitations of speech and circumscribes conduct with a dead-line.

IDLENESS, n. A model farm where the devil experiments with seeds of new sins and promotes the growth of staple vices.

Now, back to work and stop reading this!

IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about.

ILLUSTRIOUS, adj. Suitably placed for the shafts of malice, envy and detraction.

Is this why they put the illustrious on a pedestal?

IMAGINATION, n. A warehouse of facts, with poet and liar in joint ownership.

IMMODEST, adj. Having a strong sense of one's own merit, coupled with a feeble conception of worth in others.

Sigh. Tony Abbott.

IMPARTIAL, adj. Unable to perceive any promise of personal advantage from espousing either side of a controversy or adopting either of two conflicting opinions.

IMPOSTOR, n. A rival aspirant to public honours.

The biggest imposter in Australian politics is Tony Abbott. I guess I didn't really need to say that, it was self-evident.

IMPROBABILITY, n. 



His tale he told with a solemn face

And a tender, melancholy grace.

Improbable 'twas, no doubt,

When you came to think it out,

But the fascinated crowd

Their deep surprise avowed

And all with a single voice averred

'Twas the most amazing thing they'd heard —

All save one who spake never a word,

But sat as mum
As if deaf and dumb,

Serene, indifferent and unstirred.

Then all the others turned to him

And scrutinized him limb from limb —

Scanned him alive;

But he seemed to thrive

And tranquiler grow each minute,

As if there were nothing in it.

"What! what!" cried one, "are you not amazed

At what our friend has told?"
He raised
Soberly then his eyes and gazed

In a natural way

And proceeded to say,

As he crossed his feet on the mantel-shelf:

"O no — not at all; I'm a liar myself."


IMPUNITY, n. Wealth.

INCOME, n. The natural and rational gauge and measure of respectability, the commonly accepted standards being artificial, arbitrary and fallacious; for, as "Sir Sycophas Chrysolater" in the play has justly remarked, "the true use and function of property (in whatsoever it consisteth — coins, or land, or houses, or merchant-stuff, or anything which may be named as holden of right to one's own subservience) as also of honours, titles, preferments and place, and all favor and acquaintance of persons of quality or ableness, are but to get money. Hence it followeth that all things are truly to be rated as of worth in measure of their serviceableness to that end; and their possessors should take rank in agreement thereto, neither the lord of an unproducing manor, howsoever broad and ancient, nor he who bears an unremunerate dignity, nor yet the pauper favorite of a king, being esteemed of level excellency with him whose riches are of daily accretion; and hardly should they whose wealth is barren claim and rightly take more honour than the poor and unworthy."

INCUMBENT, n. A person of the liveliest interest to the outcumbents.

INDIGESTION, n. A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the western wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: "Plenty well, no pray; big bellyache, heap God."

INEXPEDIENT, adj. Not calculated to advance one's interests.

INFLUENCE, n. In politics, a visionary quo given in exchange for a substantial quid.

INNATE, adj. Natural, inherent — as innate ideas, that is to say, ideas that we are born with, having had them previously imparted to us. The doctrine of innate ideas is one of the most admirable faiths of philosophy, being itself an innate idea and therefore inaccessible to disproof, though Locke foolishly supposed himself to have given it "a black eye." Among innate ideas may be mentioned the belief in one's ability to conduct a newspaper, in the greatness of one's country, in the superiority of one's civilization, in the importance of one's personal affairs and in the interesting nature of one's diseases.

It seems that, even 100 years ago, people were wise to the ways of the Newspaper Editor.

INSURANCE, n. An ingenious modern game of chance in which the player is permitted to enjoy the comfortable conviction that he is beating the man who keeps the table.

A lot of people in Queensland found this out the hard way this year.

INSURRECTION, n. An unsuccessful revolution. Disaffection's failure to substitute misrule for bad government.

An unsuccessful 'People's Revolution'?

INVENTOR, n. A person who makes an ingenious arrangement of wheels, levers and springs, and believes it civilization.

IRRELIGION, n. The principal one of the great faiths of the world.

ITCH, n. The patriotism of a Scotchman.

Or A West Australian.



JESTER, n. An officer formerly attached to a king's household, whose business it was to amuse the court by ludicrous actions and utterances, the absurdity being attested by his motley costume. The king himself being attired with dignity, it took the world some centuries to discover that his own conduct and decrees were sufficiently ridiculous for the amusement not only of his court but of all mankind. The jester was commonly called a fool, but the poets and romancers have ever delighted to represent him as a singularly wise and witty person. In the circus of to-day the melancholy ghost of the court fool effects the dejection of humbler audiences with the same jests wherewith in life he gloomed the marble hall, panged the patrician sense of humour and tapped the tank of royal tears.

I couldn't have described Tony Abbott better myself.

JUSTICE, n. A commodity which is a more or less adulterated condition the State sells to the citizen as a reward for his allegiance, taxes and personal service.



KINDNESS, n. A brief preface to ten volumes of exaction.

Or, the performance Tony Abbott puts on before he bares his teeth, yet again, during one of the interminable number of Censure Motions in federal parliament, which have become just another debased tool in his box of political tricks, wholly without substance or meaning any more.



LANGUAGE, n. The music with which we charm the serpents guarding another's treasure.

It has been said that Tony Abbott uses language very well.

LAUGHTER, n. An interior convulsion, producing a distortion of the features and accompanied by inarticulate noises. It is infectious and, though intermittent, incurable.

A better description for the maniacal cackle that Tony Abbott emits I have yet to read.

LAWYER, n. One skilled in circumvention of the law.

LIAR, n. A lawyer with a roving commission.

I'll just add this note to the effect that Tony Abbott studied Law and Economics at Sydney University. His Chief of Staff, Peta Credlin, has just finished a Masters of Law. Which does not mean that either of them use the law to the best effect. In fact, they obey the letter of the law with respect to prevarication.

LIBERTY, n. One of Imagination's most precious possessions.



The rising People, hot and out of breath,

Roared around the palace: "Liberty or death!"

"If death will do," the King said, "let me reign;

You'll have, I'm sure, no reason to complain."

—Martha Braymance


LICKSPITTLE, n. A useful functionary, not infrequently found editing a newspaper. In his character of editor he is closely allied to the blackmailer by the tie of occasional identity; for in truth the lickspittle is only the blackmailer under another aspect, although the latter is frequently found as an independent species.

LITIGATION, n. A machine which you go into as a pig and come out of as a sausage.

LOGIC, n. The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding.

LOGOMACHY, n. A war in which the weapons are words and the wounds punctures in the swim-bladder of self-esteem — a kind of contest in which, the vanquished being unconscious of defeat, the victor is denied the reward of success.

LONGANIMITY, n. The disposition to endure injury with meek forbearance while maturing a plan of revenge.

I think Julia Gillard is adept at this.



MACE, n. A staff of office signifying authority. Its form, that of a heavy club, indicates its original purpose and use in dissuading from dissent.

MACHINATION, n. The method employed by one's opponents in baffling one's open and honourable efforts to do the right thing.



So plain the advantages of machination

It constitutes a moral obligation,

And honest wolves who think upon't with loathing

Feel bound to don the sheep's deceptive clothing.

So prospers still the diplomatic art,

And Satan bows, with hand upon his heart.

—R.S.K.

Look, I don't even have to make plain who this description applies to, to a 'T'.

MAD, adj. Affected with a high degree of intellectual independence; not conforming to standards of thought, speech and action derived by the conformants from study of themselves; at odds with the majority; in short, unusual.

I'll be equal opportunity commenter here and say, draw your own conclusions about who is, and isn't, mad in our parliaments. I'd like to hear your suggestions.

MAGIC, n. An art of converting superstition into coin.

The Climate Change Deniers say it about the Climate Change Believers, and the Climate Change Believers say it about the Climate Change Deniers.

MAGNIFICENT, adj. Having a grandeur or splendour superior to that to which the spectator is accustomed, as the ears of an ass, to a rabbit, or the glory of a glow worm, to a maggot.

MAGPIE, n. A bird whose thievish disposition suggested to someone that it might be taught to talk.

MALEFACTOR, n. The chief factor in the progress of the human race.

MAMMON, n. The god of the world's leading religion.

MAN, n. An animal so lost in rapturous contemplation of what he thinks he is as to overlook what he indubitably ought to be. His chief occupation is extermination of other animals and his own species, which, however, multiplies with such insistent rapidity as to infest the whole habitable earth and Canada.

Now, this was written 100 years ago, when Americans detested Canadians with a passion. And nothing's changed in 100 years!

MANICHEISM, n. The ancient Persian doctrine of an incessant warfare between Good and Evil. When Good gave up the fight the Persians joined the victorious Opposition.

Our Opposition just joined the opposition from the get-go.

MARRIAGE, n. The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.

Which makes the case for Same Sex Marriage very simply.

ME, pro. The objectionable case of I. The personal pronoun in English has three cases, the dominative, the objectionable and the oppressive. Each is all three.

MEEKNESS, n. Uncommon patience in planning a revenge that is worthwhile.

MENDACIOUS, adj. Addicted to rhetoric.

:)

MERCHANT, n. One engaged in a commercial pursuit. A commercial pursuit is one in which the thing pursued is a dollar.

I like to refer to the ways of the Oligarchs and Kleptocrats in the 21st Century as, 'The New Mercantilism'.

MERCY, n. An attribute beloved of detected offenders.

MESMERISM, n. Hypnotism before it wore good clothes, kept a carriage and asked Incredulity to dinner.

Julie Bishop should just change her nickname to 'Mesmer', as she follows her leaders so slavishly.

METROPOLIS, n. A stronghold of provincialism.

MILLENNIUM, n. The period of a thousand years when the lid is to be screwed down, with all reformers on the under side.

MIND, n. A mysterious form of matter secreted by the brain. Its chief activity consists in the endeavour to ascertain its own nature, the futility of the attempt being due to the fact that it has nothing but itself to know itself with.

MINE, adj. Belonging to me if I can hold or seize it.

MINISTER, n. An agent of a higher power with a lower responsibility. In diplomacy and officer sent into a foreign country as the visible embodiment of his sovereign's hostility. His principal qualification is a degree of plausible inveracity next below that of an ambassador.

As of today I'm going to start using the term, 'plausible inveracity' instead of 'plausible deniability'. It's much more apt under the circumstances we find ourselves in in politics at this point in time, with the Leader of the Opposition that we have.

MINOR, adj. Less objectionable.

Is that what people mean when they talk about 'Minor Miners'? As I would not say that Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest is less objectionable than the Major Minors, I think he is more so.

MORAL, adj. Conforming to a local and mutable standard of right. Having the quality of general expediency.

MOUTH, n. In man, the gateway to the soul; in woman, the outlet of the heart.

MUGWUMP, n. In politics one afflicted with self-respect and addicted to the vice of independence. A term of contempt.

MULTITUDE, n. A crowd; the source of political wisdom and virtue. In a republic, the object of the statesman's adoration. "In a multitude of counsellors there is wisdom," sayeth the proverb. If many men of equal individual wisdom are wiser than any one of them, it must be that they acquire the excess of wisdom by the mere act of getting together. Whence comes it? Obviously from nowhere — as well say that a range of mountains is higher than the single mountains composing it. A multitude is as wise as its wisest member if it obey him; if not, it is no wiser than its most foolish.

'Convoy of No Consequence', or the 'Occupy' protests? I guess it depends who you ask.

MYTHOLOGY, n. The body of a primitive people's beliefs concerning its origin, early history, heroes, deities and so forth, as distinguished from the true accounts which it invents later.

Well, that's enough for now. Half of the alphabet and plenty to chew on. I'll pore over the other half of the alphabet for next week. I'm pretty sure it will provide just as much amusement and edification.

What do you think?

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nasking

21/11/2011[quote]do you think the US troops in Darwin are a good idea, and also do you agree with this article by Ben Eltham? [/quote] Hi Lyn. thnx for the beaut links. As I wrote on the previous thread, I have no probs w/ the American troops bein' stationed in Darwin on a rotational basis. Provided we don't get another GW in the White House...and Obama proves he can walk the walk...not just talk. Particularly when it comes to universal rights & a fair-go...and protectin' the vulnerable. The help w/ training, including other country's troops, will be beneficial... and considerin' the problems w/ floods & earthquakes & tsunamis & fires in this region, most I believe off the back of climate change (pollution, mining extraction & missile blasts, previous nuke experiments, deforestation, use of fossil fuels, increase of heavily populated heavy mass buildings in fixed locations...it's all contributing to the already volatile nature of our planet) the increased American naval & air presence could come in mighty handy...as it did durin' the Asian tsunami & Pakistani flood emergencies & cleanup. In regards to Eltham's piece: [quote]Our great and powerful friends, Ben Eltham, The Drum [/quote] It's a useful assessment. The fact that China has done little to deal w/ the human misery producing Nth. Korean regime has given me pause. As has the too oft aggressive approach in Tibet. As has the use of weaponry related to satellites. As has China's contribution to cyberwarfare: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberwarfare As have these kinds of reports: [quote]A liver-transplant registry system was established in Shanghai, in 2008, which allows the monitoring of the after-care of liver recipients; at the same time a nationwide proposal was announced that would allow people to note on their driving licence that they wish to donate their organs. Despite these initiatives the China Daily newspaper reported in August 2009 that approximately 65% of transplanted organs still came from death row prisoners[/quote] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_transplantation_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China As has: [b]China to step up social media censorship[/b] [quote]Communist party responds to growing boldness of microblog users with threat to 'punish dissemination of harmful information' Tania Branigan in Beijing, and Reuters guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 26 October 2011 [/quote] [quote]China has vowed to intensify controls on social media and instant messaging tools, in the highest-level official response to the extraordinary surge in microblogging in the country. The communique from the Communist party central committee follows growing boldness among users, who have discussed sensitive topics, highlighted scandals and attacked official abuses or inefficiency. This summer's high-speed rail crash in Wenzhou led to an outpouring of fury on microblogs about the handling of the disaster. That spilled over into mainstream media.[/quote] As has this: [b]Odd patterns in Chinese desert? Spy satellite targets [/b] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45323827/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/odd-patterns-chinese-desert-spy-satellite-targets/ And, I have been worried about disputes in the South China Sea... however, this sounds more like an improvement, a less aggressive posture: 21 Nov, 2011, 03.01AM IST, PTI [b]China softens tone on South China Sea row[/b] [quote]BEIJING: On the back foot after most Asean countries pressed for a discussion on the South China Sea disputes at East Asia Summit, China has said it is willing to work out a code of conduct with them pending settlement of the row. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who earlier warned other countries not to meddle in its disputes with Asean countries, told the summit in Bali on Saturday that China is willing to work together with Southeast Asian nations for a code of conduct. Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported from Bangkok that China has proposed to set up a 3-billion-yuan ($472 million) fund to develop a "maritime connection network" with Southeast Asian nations. The topic has been a thorny issue, with China laying claim to all of the resource-rich South China Sea, while several Southeast Asian nations claim parts of it. The summit was attended by leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and their eight partners, including China, India and the United States. [/quote] http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/china-softens-tone-on-south-china-sea-row/articleshow/10809961.cms ---------------- Lyn, I hope people read the speech from the 1920s I put up last thread from Sun Yat-sen. I do hope that as China deals w/ its major economic & social problems durin' this transition period it will be able to deal w/ the plague of corruption & shadow financing... and will use an appropriate justice system to ensure the criminals who have destabilised their country, ripped off the people, damaged their valuable heritage & environment, created an unsustainable & irrationally exuberant boom in property & finance & fast trains & gambling...whilst leaving many many many behind...are dealt w/ in a firm & swift manner... and does not take the easy way out and revert to extreme nationalism & [i]common enemy [/i]fingerpointing & a huge focus on military buildup leading to conflict...in order to avoid dealing w/ the systemic problems & failures. I see a positive future for China...if it continues to build harmonious bridges to its neighbours & the rest of the world...it could be an innovative, exciting, imaginative, wise & skillful player during this transition era... as evidenced by the amazing effort displayed during the Olympic ceremonies. It may even be able to lead the way on the clean energy front, maybe new generation nuclear energy, if it decides to show the Americans up... The last thing I would like to see eventuate is yet another global conflict... and see another Nixon/Kissinger-like team appear in the White House...backed by Neo-Cons, Texas oil barons, mad as a war-monger on steroids types like Tony Abbott, gung-hoers like Cheney & Rumsfeld who probably wouldn't hesitate to use tactical nukes if they deemed it necessary...all allied w/ a democratic party & many an American citizen...and their ANZUS & NATO partners...thinkin' they had NO OPTION. As a former boy scout I have learnt to ALWAYS BE PREPARED... I prefer we prepare for peaceful growth in the region... and deal expertly & efficiently w/ climate change & other, more natural, disasters... and make our socio-economic systems more sane...and fair-go. It's time to care for our HOME. TOGETHER. -------------------- [b]China fears lasting worldwide recession[/b] By Jamil Anderlini in Beijing http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e0b044a2-1382-11e1-81dd-00144feabdc0.html?ftcamp=rss#axzz1eIPi2I5j TOGETHER N'

nasking

21/11/2011[quote]MERCHANT, n. One engaged in a commercial pursuit. A commercial pursuit is one in which the thing pursued is a dollar. I like to refer to the ways of the Oligarchs and Kleptocrats in the 21st Century as, 'The New Mercantilism'. [/quote] Good stuff Feral. Lotta bloody work. Well done! I refer to them as the [i]corporate aristocracy[/i]. Some say [i]robber barons[/i]. Screwin' over the planet & its people & other species...too often. N'

Casablanca

21/11/2011Windsor & Oakeshott giving a press conference as I type. Both will support the MRRT but have wrung some concessions from the Government.

Casablanca

21/11/2011Wilkie will front the cameras at about 1.30pm

Casablanca

21/11/2011Wilkie will also support the MRRT but still has some concerns. The Government now has the numbers to pass the MRRT.

Ad astra reply

21/11/2011FS Thank you for another set of cleverly composed definitions. My favourite was: [i]FOOL, n. A person who pervades the domain of intellectual speculation and diffuses himself through the channels of moral activity. He is omnific, omniform, omnipercipient, omniscience, omnipotent. He it was who invented letters, printing, the railroad, the steamboat, the telegraph, the platitude and the circle of the sciences. He created patriotism and taught the nations war — founded theology, philosophy, law, medicine and Chicago. He established monarchical and republican government. He is from everlasting to everlasting — such as creation's dawn beheld he fooleth now. In the morning of time he sang upon primitive hills, and in the noonday of existence headed the procession of being. His grandmotherly hand was warmly tucked-in the set sun of civilization, and in the twilight he prepares Man's evening meal of milk-and-morality and turns down the covers of the universal grave. And after the rest of us shall have retired for the night of eternal oblivion he will sit up to write a history of human civilization.[/i] It reminds me of several politicians, ever some leaders.

Casablanca

21/11/2011WATCH THIS SPACE: [b]'The Herald is launching a campaign today to restate its commitment to journalism without fear or favour, to journalism which is above political influence and to journalism which serves the community with the utmost integrity.'[/b] We can but hope that this is a new beginning for journalism in Australia.It would be fantastic if Limited News matched this pledge. [b]A letter to the Reader from the Editor.[/b] [i]Dear Reader In 180 years of publishing, The Sydney Morning Herald has never wavered from its core values and promise to its readers – to deliver journalistic integrity and independence. The Herald is launching a campaign today to restate its commitment to journalism without fear or favour, to journalism which is above political influence and to journalism which serves the community with the utmost integrity. The line between trusted sources of journalism and unmoderated noise has become blurred. We appreciate that readers need information they can trust, information that assists them to make sense of their world. In the first issue of the Herald, the publishers declared the publication would be so stridently independent that all sides of politics would come to view it as an opponent. We remain committed to this ideal. We work in the public good. The Sydney Morning Herald is neither a recipient of government funding nor a mouthpiece for a media magnate. We do not take your trust for granted. We know we have to earn it every day. The Herald’s commitment to journalism with integrity and independence has never been so important as it is today. We hope you agree and we thank you for your support. Peter Fray Publisher and Editor-in-chief [/i] Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/a-letter-to-the-reader-20111118-1nn3p.html#ixzz1eIwVUsXW

nasking

21/11/2011Rand Paul likes to Tea Party...he enjoys handin' around the mind & vote alterin' brew that helps you believe in horsesh*t. One sip of that toxic brew and you start votin' against your own interests. Another sip and you start thinkin' that it's fine to vote each & every time for The Republicans provided they serve tea & Fox News/Rush Limbaugh patriotism. Three sips and yer barkin' mad...wavin' abusive signs...and cheerin' on [i]debt debate[/i] and supercommittee crashes that will see your country spin out of control... hit and partially demolish the forest of working poor...badly dent the middle class & college graduate job prospects...smash into small business rocks leavin' them shattered...unstable...tear up the fragile beds of the disadvantaged...crushing the seedlings...and eventually hittin' the edge...teeterin' on the edge...of the pit of eternal serfdom... so keep drinkin' that TEA. You'll get what they deserve. [b]Rand Paul: 'The Rich And The Middle Class Are Paying Their Fair Share' [/b] Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday that the richest 1 percent of Americans are taxed fairly. [quote]"We hear that over and over again, 'The rich are not paying their fair share,'" Paul said in response to a question from ABC's Christiane Amanpour about whether Congress should raise taxes on the rich to reduce the deficit. "The top 1 percent, the millionaires in our country, pay on average 29 percent of their income," Paul said. "That's what they pay on average. If the average carpenter who makes $50,000 to $75,000 a year pays between 15 and 18 percent. The top 50 percent of wage earners pay 96 percent of the income tax. The rich and the middle class are paying their fair share." Paul's statement is a common Republican talking point. It omits the fact that while the rich pay a hefty share of income taxes, the tax system is more favorable to them than it used to be. The Congressional Budget Office reported in October that after-tax income has grown faster for the richest of the rich than it has for any other group over the past few decades.[/quote] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/20/rand-paul-taxes_n_1103826.html Drinkin' Tea Party brew can make you talk & vote like you have yer EYES WIDE SHUT. Particularly when served by Republicans. And their corporate media supporters. Who act like peeping Toms...observing you from their Neo-Conartist cupboards. N'

Michael

21/11/2011And here was I thinking that Judith Sloan had written the most bubble-headed and broadly risible article in the news today! How wrong I was. Check: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/why-alan-joyce-should-be-named-australian-of-the-year-20111120-1np97.html?rand=1321792380517 by that esteemed and even-handed political commentator (aren't Parliamentary pensions enough for these people???) Amanda Vanstone. Note the headline: "Why Alan Joyce should be named Australian of the Year". If Judith Sloan and Amanda Vanstone stood navel to navel... no, that train of thought leads nowhere but a place I don't want to be. (Wow, a double negative! What a perfect metaphor for the two stout ladies.)

nasking

21/11/2011Indeed: [b]Last week hundreds of students massed in Sproul Plaza to protest proposed fee hikes of 81 per cent that would bring UC tuition from $13,000 to over $22,000. The students pointed out that the banks caused the financial crisis, which in turn caused the budget crisis. So the banks, not the students, should pay for it.[/b] The students set up their own small encampment on the lawn outside Sproul Hall. An eyewitness, Michael Levien, described on this site what happened at around 9.30 pm this Monday night: [b]“A phalanx of police in riot gear turned the corner of Sproul Hall and rapidly charged, thrusting their batons with violent force into the crowd. Chanting ‘non-violent protest’ and ‘stop beating students,’ student after student took fierce baton thrusts to their chests and limbs.[/b] “Then the police started swinging, brutally beating people’s chests, arms, knees, and backs. They were swinging to hurt. With the crowd behind and the police in front there was no way for people to leave even if they wanted to. A few people tried to escape in the narrow gap between the students and police. They were savagely beaten. Throughout what can only be described as a terrifying physical attack that has left many with serious injuries, the students stayed entirely non-violent.” Enter Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, who often likes to reminisce about his Freedom Rider days. At the fortieth anniversary of the founding of FSM, they had a mock police car and platform and Chancellor Birgeneau spoke from it, reminiscing warmly about the birth of FSM and the importance of free speech. I spoke at the same anniversary, giving measured praise for subversive free speech in an event organized by Lenni Brenner, “FSM and the Sixties: Lessons for Today.” Chancellor Birgeneau seems to be a man changed from the freedom rider of the mid-1960s or even the man perched on the platform in 2004. Last week he emailed the campus, defending the administration’s response by saying that it was necessary to remove the encampment for “practical” considerations of “hygiene, safety, space and conflict issues”. He remarked: “It is unfortunate that some protesters chose to obstruct the police by linking arms and forming a human chain to prevent the police from gaining access to the tents. This is not non-violent civil disobedience.” [b]So Rosa Parks prevented a white person from sitting in the seat reserved for them on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Club her to the ground![/b] [b][b]The early 1960s Civil Rights Movement prompted the Civil Rights Act, and Medicare, the latter being effectively socialized healthg insurance for the senior crowd. Pushed by the popular movements, President Johnson and a Democratic Congress passed a flood of laws.[/b][/b] As the historian Alan Nasser pointed out here last week, “In less than four years, Congress enacted the Truth In Lending Act, the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, the National Gas Pipeline Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, the federal Meat Inspection Act and the Child Protection Act. [b]“Business-government relations had never before seen such an avalanche of legislation limiting the freedom of capital in the interests of working people. Between 1964 and 1968 Congress passed 226 of 252 worker-friendly bills into law. Federal funds transferred to the poor increased from $9.9 billion in 1960 to $30 billion in 1968. One million workers received job training from these bills and 2 million children were enrolled in pre-school Head Start programs by 1968.”[/b] [b]Resistance to the war in Indochina was fierce.[/b] In Vietnam the troops mutinied. Units shot their officers in the back or threw grenades into their tents. In 1971 the Pentagon counted 503,926 ‘incidents of desertion’ since 1966 and reckoned that more than half of US ground forces in Vietnam openly opposed the war. At Christmas 1971, Vietnam Vets [b]Against the War seized the Statue of Liberty for 48 hours and draped it with a banner demanding ‘Bring our Brothers Home’.[/b] On the home front, people fought the draft or simply fled it. Major American cities were torn by riots. The anti-war movement, coming on the heels of the civil rights movement, transformed a generation. In the end, Congress simply denied Nixon the money for the war in Indochina. [b]To evoke those stormy times is to underline that whereas America was at the peak of its economic power in the late 1960s, whereas today Moody’s warns the world that US T-bills are a risky investment, American corporate capitalism is infinitely better protected in its perquisites than it was 45 years ago when those worker-friendly laws shot through Congress. These days corporate lobbies own the President and the US Congress and the regulatory agencies. National economic policy is laid down by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, an errand boy of the banks. He took over from Hank Paulson, also an errand boy for the banks.[/b] If Obama is not re-elected in 2012, another errand boy will be waiting in the wings. [b]In the 1930s Roosevelt developed his New Deal program in part to head off mass movements to his left. In the 1960s Kennedy and Johnson similarly responded to the challenge of mass movements. Today, the OWSers have registered a presence and won considerable public support, which should not be surprising because America is in poor shape, the rich unpopular and politicians despised. But, as yet, there is no sign of any material political consequence deriving from this popularity.[/b] [b]Four years ago a candidacy was gathering momentum, declaring that the time had come in America for a moral awakening, for a change in national consciousness, a rising above self-interest and partisanship. Young people rallied to the call.[/b] Obama swept into the White House and promptly stuck a ‘Business As Usual’ sign on the door of the Oval Office. [b]On October 1, 2008, the US senate voted 74 to 25 for the unconditional bank bailout, with eight Democrats voting No, among them Dorgan, Feingold, Wyden, and Landrieu. Sanders also voted No. (Dorgan always had a healthy mistrust of Obama. In his recent book Confidence Men, Ron Suskind writes that at a December 2008 meeting during the transition, after Obama had announced his appointments of Geithner and Summers – thus making absolutely clear where his priorities would lie – Dorgan told him bluntly, “You’ve picked the wrong people. I don’t understand how you could do this. You’ve picked the wrong people!”)[/b] http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/11/18/are-drum-circles-protected-under-the-constitution/ Time to walk the walk Geithner OUT Holder OUT Duncan OUT N'

nasking

21/11/2011[quote]HAPPINESS, n. An agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another. [/quote] Feral, I imagine these people are very [i]happy[/i]: [b]Kim Jong-il [/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong-il [b]Bashar al-Assad[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashir_al-Assad The leaders of this: [b]Egyptian Armed Forces[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Egypt This man & his President: [b]Ali Khamenei, Supreme leader[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Leader_of_Iran [b]Mahmoud Ahmadinejad[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Iran This man not as [i]happy[/i] as he once was: [b]Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Cheney Obviously some Egyptians, Bedouins & other monsters were crazily happy when they thought about African refugees they could capture...and open up: [b]CNN International: 'CNN Freedom Project: Death In The Desert'[/b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrghEkRH77U Too many happy people if you ask me. This one [i]not happy [/i]at all anymore: [b]Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muammar_Gaddafi nor this one: [b]Saif Gaddafi[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saif_al-Islam_Gaddafi I'm sure he knows many more [i]happy[/i] people... N'

Ad astra reply

21/11/2011Folks I wonder what prompted [i]Club Troppo’s[/i] reference to ‘the silly brigade at The Political Sword’. What was Ken Parish’s point? By placing [i]TPS[/i] in the category of ’prominent local left-leaning equivalents’ and using the word ‘prominent’ might give us some satisfaction, comparing our ‘tribalism' with the likes of the Tea Party and Abbott and Bolt followers is hardly complimentary. I don’t know why Parish bothered with this attack, and I don’t care. I found that piece boring, like most of what he writes, which is why I don’t visit [i]Club Troppo[/i]. Let’s not concern ourselves with what he thinks.

Casablanca

21/11/2011New tally. Anthony Albanese just announced in the House that the Government has passed 235 pieces of legislation. That includes the Plain Packaging Legislation. Well done.

Gravel

21/11/2011Feral Skeleton Thanks for all your hard work on this, I bet you'll be pleased to have a bit of a rest when you've finished the lot. I for one appreciate it. Question time was pretty boring today, or maybe my expectations were too high. As it is the last week of question time this year I'll watch it, but I think I look forward to a break. 235 bills passed, that is amazing, and there are a lot of silly people in voter land that will have no clue to all the good stuff that has been done. I was browsing through twitter before, someone has pointed out the tony backwards is Ynot. If only a certain person could say, ynot a MRRT, ynot a fairer Australia, I could go on but I won't.

jane

21/11/2011[quote]I wonder what prompted Club Troppo’s reference to ‘the silly brigade at The Political Sword’.[/quote] Jealousy, Ad astra. Plain and simple. Casablanca and Gravel, one in the eye for all those naysayers and ne'er do wells who accuse the government of doing nothing! BTW, Gravel I like Ynot and all it could mean, like Liealot doing his job properly for the good of the country.

nasking

21/11/2011Ad, Blog envy? Parish is up himself. Ignore him. When judgemental snobs like Ken Parish dominated blogs the ALP sat lickin' its wounds...on the opposition benches. A few more people who are full of themselves: [b]Michelle Malkin[/b] [quote]Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor. During an appearance as a news analyst on the roundtable segment of ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos on August 2, 2009, she explained why she opposed another 13-week extension of unemployment benefits: "if you put enough government cheese in front of people they are going to just keep eating it and kicking the can down the road... people will just delay getting a job until the three weeks before the benefits run out."[/quote] [b]Karl Rove[/b] [quote]Since leaving the White House, Rove has worked as a political analyst and contributor for Fox News, Newsweek and The Wall Street Journal. On May 22, 2008, Rove was subpoenaed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers to testify on the politicization of the Department of Justice. However, on July 10, Rove refused to acknowledge his congressional subpoena citing executive privilege as his reason.[/quote] [b]William (Bill) Kristol [/b] [quote]an American neoconservative political analyst and commentator. He is the founder and editor of the political magazine The Weekly Standard and a regular commentator on the Fox News Channel. He was a vocal supporter of the 2006 Lebanon War, stating that the war is "our war too," referring to the United States. In the 2010 affair surrounding the disclosure of U.S. diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks, Kristol has spoken out strongly against the organization and suggested using "our various assets to harass, snatch or neutralize Julian Assange and his collaborators, wherever they are".[/quote] [b]Grover Norquist[/b] [quote]president of a taxpayer advocacy group, Americans for Tax Reform. He was described by Associated Press reporter Charles Babington as "the driving force in pushing the Republican Party toward an ever-more rigid position of opposing any tax increase, of any kind, at any time." He attended the Leadership Institute in Arlington, Virginia, an organization that teaches conservative Americans how to influence public policy through activism and leadership. He worked with a support network for Col. Oliver North's efforts with the Nicaraguan Contras. Working with eventual Speaker Newt Gingrich, Norquist was one of the co-authors of the 1994 Contract with America, and helped to rally grassroots efforts, which he later chronicled in his book Rock the House. In 2004, Norquist helped California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with his plan to privatize the CalPERS system.[/quote] [b]The California Public Employees' Retirement System [/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CalPERS [b]Rick Perry[/b] [quote]the 47th and current Governor of Texas. A Republican, Perry was elected Lieutenant Governor of Texas in 1998 and assumed the governorship in December 2000 when then-governor George W. Bush resigned to become President of the United States. On August 13, 2011, Perry announced in South Carolina that he was running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2012 presidential election.[/quote] [quote]In 2001, Perry proposed the Trans-Texas Corridor, a $145+ billion-dollar project that would build multi-lane highways, rail lines and data lines from Oklahoma to Mexico, and from east to west in southern Texas. Instead of paying for the project with taxes, Perry proposed that it be partially financed, partially built and wholly operated by private contractors, who would subsequently receive all toll proceeds.[/quote] Above info sourced from Wikipedia. N'

2353

21/11/2011FS - love the photo although you all look wirey. Hope steel cancer doesn't get you :) "Merchants of Doom" continues to impress. The book is currently linking tobacco Smoke, DDT, Acid Rain, the Ozone Hole, Climate Change and 2nd Hand Tobacco Smoke to a failure of the free market - something that is valued by conservative politicians generally. Got me thinking that Abbott's promises to "assist" various groups are no more than attempts to curry favour. However I did have a slight chuckle when reading above the Government has passed 235 pieces of legislation (a free marketeers nightmare). By my reckoning, at least 200 of them weren't even reported - so much for full and frank reporting as promised today by Fairfax.

2353

21/11/2011The free market is "Valued" - not the failure! Should preview first!omergra CPI

TalkTurkey

21/11/2011Ad astra said [i]I don’t know why Parish bothered with this attack, and I don’t care. I found that piece boring, like most of what he writes, which is why I don’t visit Club Troppo. Let’s not concern ourselves with what he thinks.[/i] This was in response to the link pointed out by Early-Bird Lyn who spotted it for us, boy o boy Girl, not much gets past you like someone once said, I suppose you are one of the main reasons why this Parish pump person seems so sour and envious. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have seen it. And what a curmudgeonly and gratuitous comment it is. So earlier I said [i]Something up Ken Parish's ( * )? . . . what's biting KP, don't worry I don't really care.[/i] Snap Ad astra, I remind you of your own words again: [i]I don’t know why Parish bothered with this attack, and I don’t care. . . . Let’s not concern ourselves with what he thinks[/i] But the thing to notice (apart from the haunting association of Abbott and Bishops and Parish) is how quickly one may make one's mind up about what sort of person some persons are. That indeed is my point in reiterating as I have my in-verse descriptions of the many journalists I described in less than glowing terms last year in The Maid Of Yarralumla: viz., with many people a skin-deep perception is all you need, or putting it another way, first impressions are more-than-often typical, and it's comforting to me to see that I really reckon my comments on them then seem to me quite spot-on when viewed in the rear mirror. Which makes me pretty confidnet I neither need nor want to know much more about the supercilious Mr Parish. Because if he weren't a turd why would he be stinky like that? Bye Mr Parish. And why would I not cross CT off my list now? I got me own tribe and lots and lots of other Lyn~Links. I guess you might always offer TPS a decent apology for what seems to have been a particularly gormless comment. I won't hold my breath, no. But short of that, [i]you lose![/i] ;-)

D Mick Weir

21/11/2011Hi FS, another interesting collection - thanks. I seem to recall that a little while back you bemoaned not being being able to engage in euridite conversation like the esteemed NormanK and my humble self. Given: [b]ERUDITION[/b], [i]n. Dust shaken out of a book into an empty skull.[/i]

, perhaps, a rethink on your desire for the erudition that NK and I often have? :)

nasking

21/11/2011Greenwald is spot on here: [b]The roots of the UC-Davis pepper-spraying[/b] [quote]Sunday, Nov 20, 2011 By Glenn Greenwald (1) Despite all the rights of free speech and assembly flamboyantly guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, the reality is that punishing the exercise of those rights with police force and state violence has been the reflexive response in America for quite some time. As Franke-Ruta put it, “America has a very long history of protests that meet with excessive or violent response, most vividly recorded in the second half of the 20th century.” Digby yesterday recounted a similar though even worse incident aimed at environmental protesters. The intent and effect of such abuse is that it renders those guaranteed freedoms meaningless. If a population becomes bullied or intimidated out of exercising rights offered on paper, those rights effectively cease to exist. Every time the citizenry watches peaceful protesters getting pepper-sprayed — or hears that an Occupy protester suffered brain damage and almost died after being shot in the skull with a rubber bullet — many become increasingly fearful of participating in this citizen movement, and also become fearful in general of exercising their rights in a way that is bothersome or threatening to those in power. That’s a natural response, and it’s exactly what the climate of fear imposed by all abusive police state actions is intended to achieve: to coerce citizens to “decide” on their own to be passive and compliant — to refrain from exercising their rights — out of fear of what will happen if they don’t... The genius of this approach is how insidious its effects are: because the rights continue to be offered on paper, the citizenry continues to believe it is free. They believe that they are free to do everything they choose to do, because they have been “persuaded” — through fear and intimidation — to passively accept the status quo. As Rosa Luxemburg so perfectly put it: “Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.” Someone who sits at home and never protests or effectively challenges power factions will not realize that their rights of speech and assembly have been effectively eroded because they never seek to exercise those rights; it’s only when we see steadfast, courageous resistance from the likes of these UC-Davis students is this erosion of rights manifest... 2) Although excessive police force has long been a reflexive response to American political protests, two developments in the post-9/11 world have exacerbated this. The first is that the U.S. Government — in the name of Terrorism — has aggressively para-militarized the nation’s domestic police forces by lavishing them with countless military-style weapons and other war-like technologies, training them in war-zone military tactics, and generally imposing a war mentality on them. Arming domestic police forces with para-military weaponry will ensure their systematic use even in the absence of a Terrorist attack on U.S. soil; they will simply find other, increasingly permissive uses for those weapons. Responding to peaceful protests and other expressions of growing citizenry unrest with brute force is a direct by-product of what we’ve allowed to be done to America’s domestic police forces in the name of the War on Terror (and, before that, in the name of the War on Drugs)... 3) Beyond the light it is shedding on how power is really exercised in the U.S., this UC-Davis episode underscores why I continue to view the Occupy movement as one of the most exciting, inspiring and important political developments in many years. What’s most striking about that UC-Davis video isn’t the depraved casualness of the officer’s dousing the protesters’ faces with a chemical agent; it’s how most of the protesters resolutely sat in place and refused to move even when that happened, while the crowd chanted support (this video, taken from a slightly different vantage point, vividly shows this, beginning at 4:15). We’ve repeatedly seen acts of similar courage spawned by the Occupy movement. It was the NYPD’s abusive pepper-spraying, followed by Mayor Bloomberg’s lawless destruction of the Zuccotti Park encampment, that prompted far more people than ever to participate in the next march across the Brooklyn Bridge. A tear gas attack on Occupy Oakland was followed by a general strike of 20,000 people. And this truly extraordinary, blunt and piercing open letter demanding the resignation of the heinous UC-Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi was written by a young, untenured Assistant Professor — Nathan Brown — who obviously decided that his principled beliefs outweigh his careerist ambitions. This is the most important effect of the Occupy movement: acts of defiance, courage and conscience are contagious.[/quote] much more here: http://www.salon.com/2011/11/20/the_roots_of_the_uc_davis_pepper_spraying/ The corporate aristocracy use the police state & political parties to slowly erode yer courage, yer rights, yer labour power, yer democracy, yer principles. They're like a wasting disease. N'

D Mick Weir

21/11/2011Ad @ 3:37 PM interesting responses to a 'throwaway line' in the article on Blog Tribalism. Some in the tribe here chose to take offence, others took it as just another comment. Some in the tribe here chose to jump to this tribes defence, others let 'the water flow off the ducks back'. Those taking offence and jumping to defend rather proved the point about the rise of [i]blog tribalism[/i] methinks.

Jason

21/11/2011DMW, "Those taking offence and jumping to defend rather proved the point about the rise of blog tribalism methinks." But you would! I guess if you're ever in trouble no one from your tribe/blog tribe should come to your defence? Suits me fine! I and many others on this blog don't go out of our way to bad mouth "other blogs" if ever! I wait for your explanation on how since human eveloution "tribalism" has never existed! Or is this just another episode of DMW and his technicolour dream coat?

D Mick Weir

21/11/2011Hi Jason, I guess it depends on if you think that 'tribalism' is a good thing or a bad thing or, then again, it is something that 'just is'. In the context of the Kevin Drum quote: [i]When I started out, there was much more of a tendency to engage with the other side. Liberals and conservatives would attack each other, but we’d also engage with each other in at least a moderately serious way. Today, you get almost none of that. There’s very little engagement between left and right. And what engagement there is tends to be pure attack. There’s no real conversation at all. That’s a difference that I think professionalization has brought about. The political blogosphere has become more tribal.[/i] and Tyler Cowens comments on it see: http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2011/11/making-it-in-the-political-blogosphere.html that 'inspired' Ken Parish to write his take on it, I am saddened that often there is [i]no real conversation[/i]. Often when someone with a slightly different point of view enters 'the fray' it is no better than the slanging match that is Question Time that some view as demeaning of our parliament and its' inhabitants. I, and I don't think I am alone in this, would rather have a discussion and debate around the ideas and thoughts, sometimes to be shown my thinking is 'wrong', sometimes to confirm I am 'on the right track'. While the cut and thrust and jibes of a question time type blog conversation can be entertaining in the end end it does nothing to further anyones understandings and thinking around the issues that we may consider important. My comment in no way intended to say that those who jumped to this tribes defence were 'wrong' for doing so or that those who felt that their noses had been put out of joint were 'wrong' for feeling that way. It is 'interesting' (to me) that some took offence at what was just a Question Time type jibe and that some felt that the tribe needed defending against a minor point of view of another blog commenter. [i]I wait for your explanation on how since human eveloution "tribalism" has never existed![/i] Humans and the tribes they wish to join will continue to evolve or die out. I have some hope that people and their tribes would recognise that all tribes on this planet are interdependent and that we are all better off when sit around the campfire and have a chinwag rather than wage war. You may well be right, this could be [i]just another episode of DMW and his technicolour dream coat[/i]

Jason

22/11/2011DMW, I wrote on Club Troppo "Jason said: Ken, Yet when I last posted on this site, you asked because my surname is “Hand” was I a relative of the former “Keating” minister “Gerry”! I’m not as I said, but even if I were related,so what? I would like to post my thoughts not his! Posted on 20-Nov-11 at 5:28 pm | Parish can kiss my arse!

Jason

22/11/2011DMW, Parish replied with the following! , ? . ! , . I guess it's easier to tag others of being tribal than answer questions yourself?

nasking

22/11/2011[quote]Those taking offence and jumping to defend rather proved the point about the rise of blog tribalism methinks.[/quote] D Mick Weir, rather than using contributors' comments to paint all w/ the same brush...perhaps you'd be better off askin' yerself why a major blogger at another reputable blog would attempt to ridicule & diminish the reputation of another blog that has not, in way shape or form, gone out of its way to compete, denigrate or challenge said blog? Frankly, if you don't choose to respond to my comments...and vica-versa, I don't give a toss...I don't lose sleep over it...havin' contributed on many blogs over the years that all have their own unique style, approach to moderation, contributors and so on. I'm not interested in conforming to the demands of those who should know better...this is not a fckn fashion show. If you judge my response to Parish's inappropriate, obnoxious, ill-conceived criticisms & labelling as an example of tribalism then yer way off the mark...my response was based on past dealings w/ this too oft unmotivatin' character...and an attempt to boost the general morale of the hard workin' contributors here who deserve a damn site better. As yer probably aware of by now, I don't have a great deal in common w/ many of the contributors here, bein' a vego, occasional loudmouth when it comes to promotin' animal rights, not locally born, originatin' from a primarily conservative/business-related family...and bein' a blog nomad...who tends to go walkabout when he gets the urge. Regardless, I have found the main blog posters & moderator to be kind, wide thinkin', polite & friendly w/out bein' too obsequious...welcoming...and placin' few demands on me...unlike some blog masters w/ authoritarian, control freakish, bloody know-it-all pontificatin' attitudes & approaches. The same goes for most of the contributors. Add a half-decent sense of humour now & then. And I have yet to come across a blog that hasn't seen mockery, "pile-ons" and [i]chearleadin'[/i] moments. Some blog masters however, bein' so competitive & defensive, will take a [i]holier than thou [/i]approach if feelin' the least bit slighted when visitin' another blog...some may even decide to exaggerate due to ulterior motives. This blog is unique enuff for me right now...welcomin' enuff...w/ the occasional useful feedback. If I don't think it I wouldn't be here. And trust me, I've contributed to plenty of blogs. And this one does not deserve a kickin' based on vague notions of [i]tribalism[/i]. Might add, I've come across more than a few that could be defined as enablin' pomposity, elitism & cliqueness. Anyway Mick, feel free to keep tryin' to box us in...I have enuff verbal scissors to cut my way out...as I'm sure many others on here do too. N'

Lyn

22/11/2011 [b]TODAY’S LINKS[/b] [i]When the bubble bursts, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i] Labor isn't improving because Gillard "seems more Prime Ministerial", as the press gallery would have it ("Waiter! Another jug of Old Prime Ministerial, put it on my tab!"). Labor is improving because they've stopped with the announceables and have something to show for them at long last. This isn't a game of competing vacuums any more http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/2011/11/when-bubble-bursts.html [i]Gillard’s Renewal and her Golden Day, Dylon Caporn, The Body Politic Australia[/i] The Australian revealed that Queensland MP, Peter Slipper, might be shown the door from the party,after not attending a state campaign launch with former PM JohnHoward, rather opting to show former PM Kevin Rudd around a local school. Secondly, reports of disunity within the Liberals over their opposition to the mining tax were brushed aside by Tony Abbott in a press conference today. The rumours stem that the MPs are questioning the stance even when a majority of Australians and mining companies support the tax. http://bodypoliticaus.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/gillards-renewal-and-her-golden-day/ [i]The Australian Newspoll: Julia Gillard Will Improve, Tony Abbott Will Fall Further, Peter, Aussie Views News[/i] Julia Gillard has definitely gained from Barack Obama’s visit. What ever else you might say about him he is a great orator. And some of that charisma has reflected positively on Julia. The decision on US bases is bad, but on balance will not loose Julia any support. China will object but any economic impact will be delayed. This remains a threat for the future. http://www.aussieviewsnews.com/2011/11/21/the-australian-newspoll-julia-gillard-will-improve-tony-abbott-will-fall-further/ [i]The world of lobbyists, Matthew Knott, The Power Index[/i] The truth is that, while there are still a few shonks in the game, lobbying today is about more than just opening doors and cashing in old favours. It's an increasingly sophisticated industry involving everything from polling to economic modelling to media manipulation."As the industry gets bigger it is becoming more professional http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/list-overview/the-world-of-lobbyists [i]News Corp is Bad News, Jay Rosen, The Drum[/i] It also has to somehow surmount the culture of denial that has helped to create The Australian. A culture of denial would be a troublesome beast in any company. In a newspaper it is menacing, and this is why The Australian is such a menace. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3683736.html [i]Are you illegal or are you Kamahl?, Min, Café Whispers[/i] This morning’s news.com brought forth some factual information about The Illegals. One might add in the descriptor ‘finally’ because for an extremely long time now, those who sought to provide some balance in the debate about asylum seekers would attempt to point out that the problem of boat people was decidedly underwhelmed by the numbers of other ‘illegals’. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/are-you-illegal-or-are-you-kamahl/ [i] Abbott: ‘incorrect assumption’ basis of carbon tax, David Twomey, Eco News [/i] These forecasts are based on an assumption that all major economies will have a carbon price by 2016,” Mr Abbott said in Sydney yesterday.“This means cost for consumers will be much higher than the government is forecasting, which means that the compensation just won’t be enough,” he added. http://econews.com.au/news-to-sustain-our-world/abbott-incorrect-assumption-basis-of-carbon-tax/ [i]Uranium, gay marriage and papal non-proliferation, Mungo MacCallum, The Drum[/i] The diehards of the left will mount a last-ditch stand against Gillard’s move at next month's ALP National Conference, but it is clear that they don't have the numbers. Indeed they have not had the numbers since 1984, when the federal conference removed the existing blanket ban against uranium mining http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3684426.html [i]Media inquiry predictions and observations, Jonathan Holmes, The Drum[/i] But not once, so far as I'm aware, did the inquiry discuss the fact that some of Australia's biggest and best-funded news and opinion websites - far richer, with far more hits, than Crikey or any other web-only news outlet - are not currently regulated by anybody outside their own organisations.I'm talking about the news websites run by the big broadcasters http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-21/holmes-media-inquiry-predictions-and-problems/3683330 [i]Abbott plays down Coalition mining tax friction, Jeremy Thompson, ABC[/i] Asked twice about the rumblings within his own party, Mr Abbott this morning would only say "this is a bad tax from a bad government."After the second question, Mr Abbott told reporters to change the subject."I've made it very clear what our position on the mining tax is - if there are other issues we want to deal with today, that's great. "http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-21/abbott-plays-down-internal-disputes-over-mining-tax/3683780 [i]Carbon, on the uptake, Anthony Watts, Watts up with That[/i] “The difference between glacial and pre-industrial carbon stored in the terrestrial biosphere is only about 330 petagrams of carbon, which is much smaller than previously thought. The uptake of carbon by vegetation and soil, that is the terrestrial productivity during the ice age, was only about 40 petagrams of carbon per year http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/11/21/carbon-on-the-uptake/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog [i]Sydney Morning Herald rebrands in a toxic media climate, Dan Cass and Co[/i] If the Herald becomes more powerfully independent, then this is good for the planet because it is almost impossible to have an intelligent debate about climate and energy in Australia, because of The Australian’s truthy, shouty campaigning. http://dancass.com/blog/post/sydney-morning-herald-rebrands-in-a-toxic-media-climate1/ [i]Last week of parliament for 2011, Amber Jamieson, Crikey[/i] There are problems with this mining tax, but there’ll be major budgetary problems if the Coalition rolls it back if elected, argues The Australian’s editorial: http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/11/21/last-week-of-parliament-for-2011/ [i]New 1150km Broken Hill Broadband Backbone Link now "open for business", Media Release, Stephen Conroy[/i], The Broken Hill RBBP link, built by Nextgen Networks, extends from Gawler in South Australia to Broken Hill, NSW, and Shepparton, Victoria. It includes around 1150 kilometres of new fibre optic build and connects towns including Mildura, Swan Hill, Echuca/Moama, Kerang, and Renmark. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2011/291 [i]Conroy and his NBN steamroller ,Angela Priestley, Technology Spectator[/i] He's a talented politician for starters. One half of the leadership behind the "Short-Cons" faction of the Victorian ALP (the other is Bill Shorten) he is a natural-born deal maker and numbers man who learnt his tricks during his time at the Transport Workers Union from the legend of political fixing: Robert Ray.Then there's his style. He's aggressive, direct and has the http://technologyspectator.com.au/nbn-buzz/conroy-and-his-nbn-steamroller?utm_source=Technology+Spectator+List&utm_campaign=813d8cc01b-TECH_SPEC_DAILY&utm_medium=email [i]Uranium sales – unpopular but right - #ALP #Auspol, Darin Sullivan, The Left hack[/i] India needs nuclear weapons equality with China. In the long run that will preserve peace in the region – perhaps an uneasy peace – but still better than the alternative.And Australia needs to do its bit to support its democratic friend as it works to bring a greater degree of prosperity and economic freedom across the sub-continent http://lefthack.net/uranium-sales-unpopular-but-right-alp-auspol [i]Palm oil giant misled the public on violent conflict with local communities,Mongabay. Com[/i] Wilmar is the world's largest palm oil trader and controls some 600,000 hectares of oil palm plantations around the world. The firm is represented on the Executive Board of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which is meeting this week in Malaysia for its annual conference http://news.mongabay.com/2011/1120fpp_asiatic_persada.html#ixzz1eL9D3fOp :):):):):):):):)

Ad astra reply

22/11/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Gravel

22/11/2011Nas at 2.05am Well said. I like how you come up with your theories and how well you articulate them. Keep them coming. Lyn Your links will keep me going all day, during a bout of housework here and there. Thanks heaps.

Ad astra reply

22/11/2011Folks So far I haven’t seen any comment here about the latest [i]Newspoll[/i], which suggests that [i]TPS[/i] bloggers don’t place much store on opinion polls two years out from the next scheduled election. This is wise as they are meaningless in as far as voting preferences go. Whether Julia Gillard’s rise in the PPM stakes is significant, only time will tell. I note that it is that piece of data that has taken precedence on ABC radio over the TPP figure. Tony Abbott was on 774 Melbourne radio briefly just now spruiking his latest foray into economics at the Sydney Institute yesterday. He used his usual weary slogans and, as usual, said little that was positive. What was interesting though was that the text message feedback after his appearance on Jon Faine’s show was all negative. Thanks Lyn for another great set of links. I'll be out and about most of the day celebrating a relative's birthday. I'll be back this evening.

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011Well! Well! Well! And there I was thinking that because I was unable to contribute any ongoing comments yesterday when the post was put up, due to it being Year 12 Formal Day and all that that entailed, I am thus pleasantly surprised to see you all getting along well without me. :) (Note I didn't say, 'pleased to see' ;) ). So, a lot to respond to, and I will attempt to catch up with my usual sparkling wit and repartee(or, is that 'silly' wit and repartee?), as time allows(have to take back Formal Wear across town at some stage). Firstly, to the 'Parish Pump' that has continued to receive a workout. Might I just say that I can't understand, and this applies across the broad swathe of the media, as I read it, why it is that, when supporters of the Centre Left of politics are criticised, by a pompous academic git like Ken Parish, or the media, and we try and defend ourselves and fire back a bit of buckshot across their bows...WE are piled upon? Why is it that everyone is allowed to criticise us, and call us 'silly' names, that's OK, but we can't attempt to defend ourselves? Especially when we never take the multitude of opportunities and forums, like this one, to do the same back to them? I genuinely believe in 'live and let live', and 'there's room enough for all of us'. However, it seems that some sort of petty jealousy pervades other blogs, most especially in this instance, and because the MSM appears to be a lost cause for justice, fairness and real balance(you only get the Orwellian sort any more). Such that they feel the need to engage in a pissing contest in a very small pool. To what end? It's just that I can't fathom why Ken Parrish chose to misrepresent this, as far as I can see it in comparison with the myriad other blogs that I peruse, thoughtful and considered blog, as 'silly'? And, by association with the word, everyone who posts and comments in it. Especially when, and I'm thinking of Acerbic Conehead's contributions here, magnificently satirical that they are, the general opinion of 'The Chaser Boys' is that they are the epitome of 21st century Australian Noel Cowardism. And that's OK. But somehow we here are 'silly'? Or, maybe it's that the 'erudite' stuffed shirt, Mr Parish, has adjudged our commentary as lightweight and trivial? So, silly and pointless? Or, is it that he sneeringly assesses our faith in the federal Labor government's judgement, through the thick and thin times, as we attempt to dodge the slings and arrows of their outrageous fortune, as we think it to be, at the hands of an ungrateful electorate(after all this government has done for them), and a carping dismissive media, on their behalf, is 'silly'? I sure would like to know. Direct from the horse's mouth. However, Mr Parish would probably consider it beneath his dignity to respond to the 'silly brigade at The Political Sword'. Maybe D Mick Weir would like to do it on his behalf? And, while he's at it, let us know why he can respect the blogs and newspaper articles of Centre Right bloggers, like DragOnista and Chris Berg, but not the erudite work of Ad Astra? Who has more real achievments in his life, and is only now finding the time to blog as he has retired from a career of stellar achievment, unlike DragOnista, who, while still quite young, appears to have given up work for the life of a blogging dilettante, and Chris Berg, who is an IPA shill, of which there appear to be an increasing number in this opinionated world. Except, that is, if you are trying to put about a Centre Left opinion, wherein the naysayers just can't help themselves from alternately pitying us for our, to their eyes, blind faith, or mercilessly enjoying the sport of denigrating us and grinding us under their verbal heel, as the trolls do. Such as our own 'Hooray Henry' troll, 'Sir Ian Crisp'. Plus their confreres in the media. I. Just. Don't. Get. It. Do you? (Or, maybe I do. ;-) )

Patricia WA

22/11/2011FS, I should have thanked you earlier for the family photo followed by the feast of Part 2 of the Devil's Dictionary. But whenever I come here I get so absorbed by this luscious lexicon I need your reminder to wake up and go about my every day business. I've been coming back at intervals though. This morning's favorites which seem particular apt to use when writing about the LOTO: [i]HARANGUE, n. A speech by an opponent, who is known as an harangue-outang. IMPOSTOR, n. A rival aspirant to public honours. INCUMBENT, n. A person of the liveliest interest to the outcumbents. [/i]

Patricia WA

22/11/2011PS to mine above. When I finally dragged myself away from the DD this morning and started following Lyn's Links - I thought this was a brilliant definition from Mungo McCallum re the conscience vote suggested by the PM for the gay marriage issue. [quote]Conscience, in the usage of the Australian Labor Party, is determined by the Roman Catholic Church and the aim of a conscience vote is to allow members to vote against moves for equality, fairness and social justice if the Pope doesn't like them.[/quote]

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011PatriciaWA, Yes, it's an absolutely delectable feast of wordsmithing by Mr Bierce. One thing I noticed, and I'm not sure about the veracity of it, but I got to thinking, after reading the book closely, that some of the authors of the accompanying pomes, were indeed just Ambrose Bierce himself in another guise. And he had the most amazing life, by all accounts: [quote]Bierce was born at Horse Cave Creek in Meigs County, Ohio to Marcus Aurelius Bierce (1799–1876) and Laura Sherwood Bierce.[2] His mother was a descendant of William Bradford. His parents were a poor but literary couple who instilled in him a deep love for books and writing.[2] The boy grew up in Kosciusko County, Indiana, attending high school at the county seat, Warsaw. He was the tenth of 13 children whose father gave all of them names beginning with the letter "A". In order of birth, the Bierce siblings were Abigail, Amelia, Ann, Addison, Aurelius, Augustus, Almeda, Andrew, Albert, Ambrose, Arthur, Adelia, and Aurelia. He left home at age fifteen to become a "printer's devil" at a small Ohio newspaper.[2] At the outset of the American Civil War, Bierce enlisted in the Union Army's 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment. He participated in the Operations in Western Virginia campaign (1861), was present at the "first battle" at Philippi and received newspaper attention for his daring rescue, under fire, of a gravely wounded comrade at the Battle of Rich Mountain. In February 1862 he was commissioned First Lieutenant, and served on the staff of General William Babcock Hazen as a topographical engineer, making maps of likely battlefields. Bierce fought at the Battle of Shiloh (April 1862), a terrifying experience that became a source for several later short stories and the memoir, "What I Saw of Shiloh". In June 1864, he sustained a serious head wound at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain,[3] and spent the rest of the summer on furlough, returning to active duty in September. He was discharged from the army in January 1865. His military career resumed, however, when in mid-1866 he rejoined General Hazen as part of the latter's expedition to inspect military outposts across the Great Plains. The expedition proceeded by horseback and wagon from Omaha, Nebraska, arriving toward year's end in San Francisco, California. Journalism In San Francisco, Bierce received the rank of brevet major before resigning from the Army. He remained in San Francisco for many years, eventually becoming famous as a contributor and/or editor for a number of local newspapers and periodicals, including The San Francisco News Letter, The Argonaut, the Overland Monthly, The Californian and The Wasp. A selection of his crime reporting from The San Francisco News Letter was included in The Library of America anthology True Crime. Bierce's twelve-volume Collected Works were published in 1909, the seventh volume of which consists solely of The Devil's Dictionary, the title Bierce himself preferred to The Cynic's Word Book. Disappearance In October 1913 Bierce, then aged 71, departed Washington, D.C., for a tour of his old Civil War battlefields. By December he had proceeded through Louisiana and Texas, crossing by way of El Paso into Mexico, which was in the throes of revolution. In Ciudad Juárez he joined Pancho Villa's army as an observer, and in that role he witnessed the Battle of Tierra Blanca.[/quote] Wow! And, finally, another quote I couldn't resist, but which wasn't in 'The Devil's Dictionary': [quote]'A man is known by the company he organizes.'[/quote] :)

TalkTurkey

22/11/2011Gravel I endorse your comments about both Nasking and Lyn. DMW IMO Ken Parish's comment is the blog equivalent of walking past Ad astra's tribe's tent, opening the (tent) fly and farting in inside, and walking on casually, apparently anticpating no response from us. As Nasking said "D Mick Weir, Rather than using contributors' comments to paint all w/ the same brush...perhaps you'd be better off askin' yerself why a major blogger at another reputable blog would attempt to ridicule & diminish the reputation of another blog that has not, in way shape or form, gone out of its way to compete, denigrate or challenge said blog?" And as Jason Obelix said to you DMW "I guess if you're ever in trouble no one from your tribe/blog tribe should come to your defence? Suits me fine! I and many others on this blog don't go out of our way to bad mouth "other blogs" if ever!" And you DMW came back with this: "Hi Jason, I guess it depends on if you think that 'tribalism' is a good thing or a bad thing or, then again, it is something that 'just is'. " No it [i]doesn't[/i] depend on whether I/we think that. It depends on whether I/we think that Parish's comment was boorish, uncalled for, unwarranted, gratuitous, insulting, haughty and I could keep going, but that'll do. Well Ad astra mused: "I wonder what prompted Club Troppo’s reference to ‘the silly brigade at The Political Sword’. What was Ken Parish’s point? By placing TPS in the category of ’prominent local left-leaning equivalents’ and using the word ‘prominent’ might give us some satisfaction, comparing our ‘tribalism' with the likes of the Tea Party and Abbott and Bolt followers is hardly complimentary." jane told Ad that it was "pure jealousy", I agree it seems to be that, unless it was even simpler, just mere [i]nasti[/i]ness. 'Blog envy' was Nas' term. But as the first one to have reacted I will proudly accept as my own Eagle Feather your jibe about our collective preciousness. And that it was Lyn who first brought Parish's comment to our attention means that she thought it was significantly offensive. Yep. My tribe, if that's the word OK, we hunt information, and consider it thoughtfully and individually, with those other aspects like Nasking mentions, e.g. humour and gossip and passion and humanity, always to the fore. Sure I'll defend Ad astra's mob, because he always has set the tone and it is that tone which appeals to me, and to Us, or of course we wouldn't be here. The Political Sword is an outward-looking and comradely Leftish publication without pretence of extreme erudition, nor of a 'balanced' pov if that is to mean giving equal or indeed any time to haters and deniers. We wear our loyalties on our cyber sleeve. We don't go insulting others gratuitously. It's fair to expect reciprocally-decent forbearance on the part of others. When someone like Parish sends malodorous gaseous anal emissions our way, he can expect a shower of more substantial matter in return. He wants insults, I'm happy to oblige. And I won't bother about going to CT any more unless Parish fronts an apology. Not that I did that very much ever before, but now Parish has brought that blog into disrepute, I hope it was his own site because I wouldn't want a decent host to suffer because his site is all covered in scorn caused by a non-involved mere boorish poster.

Patricia WA

22/11/2011Hear! Hear! TT! Here! Here! I say again.

jane

22/11/20112353 @6.45pm 21/11, I'd say it's closer to 230 pieces of legislation largely unreported by the msm. Wouldn't like to make the government look like they've done anything, would they? Doesn't tie in with the do nothing, disaster prone, incompetent meme. A thought has just occurred. The PM took time out of what must have been a frantic week to meet with the Independents to discuss their views about the MRRT. Most people would have postponed those meetings until after the POTUS left, but not the PM. She must be a bundle of energy; a bit like FS. Nas @10.14pm 21/11, the Occupy movement and the extreme over reaction to it by the bastions of power in the US, strikes me with a strong feeling of deja vu. This was how US government responded to the protest movement in the 60s (and here, to a lesser extent). To protest against the Vietnam War was regarded as tantamount to treason, culminating in the shootings at Kent State University. The similarities are marked; peaceful demonstrators are being treated as though they're armed insurgents. Of course it doesn't help that the US has been in a turmoil since 9/11, with the powerful thinking that their grip on power is being challenged. Which is precisely what is happening. Ordinary citizens are challenging the status quo and the wealthy don't like it and are sending the storm troopers out to nip this rebellion in the bud! FS, wrt Sir Ken of Parish, I frankly don't give a toss about his opinion of TPS. Something has obviously crawled up his nose and died-probably his own high opinion of himself. However, I think we should treat him with dignified ignore and let him deal with the stench. Even writing these few sentences will be feeding his undeserving bloated ego. This is a damn good blog which suits us down to the ground. If some character whose inflated opinion of himself is not matched by reality, disdains it, I can only think that envy is at the bottom of the disdain. Pshaw to you Sir Ken of Parish! We laugh at your limp lettuce leaf of criticism and f@rt in your general direction! Begone, sir and gnaw your leg off at your leisure!

jane

22/11/2011BTW, FS love Part 2 and am looking forward to part 3. Long may you reign etc.

Min

22/11/2011Thank you Lyn for the link..the topic was run up at very short notice :) I don't know whether you good folk at TPS have spotted this, but it's a worthy read: http://mindmadeup.net/2011/11/21/prejudice-and-myths-cloud-view-of-asylum-seekers/ [quote]“We know it takes time to get prejudiced people to accept the truth so it is vital that the media – where most of them get their information from – present the facts accurately,” she said.[/quote]

Gravel

22/11/2011Ad Astra Forgive me for my sins, I too was listening to774 this morning. Had a bit of a giggle at Ynot's tirade. He got lettuce leaf treatment from Faine as usual, and the shock of Faine when he mentioned all the text condemning Ylot was equally as funny. I've found if anyone rings up and either praises Labor, or criticizes Ylot, or Baillieu he asks them if they are a Labor voter. In reverse, he never asks the caller if they are a Liberal voter. I have gone past my dislike of him and tune out unless there is something I'm interested in and most of the time I can tell how he will respond. As for the polls, I am over them as well. I am just sitting back and smiling at all the good legislation that our Government is getting passed. No matter what, nobody can ever take what Labor is doing away from them, even if they try. I know many people will not appreciate what Labor has done in the last four years, and what they will do in the next two years, but that is their loss.

nasking

22/11/2011Cheers Gravel & TT. [quote]IMO Ken Parish's comment is the blog equivalent of walking past Ad astra's tribe's tent, opening the (tent) fly and farting in inside, and walking on casually, apparently anticpating no response from us. [/quote] ROFL TT, you are really somethin'. Evokes an hilarious image, like somethin' from [i]Carry on...up the Khyber[/i]. [quote]As for the polls, I am over them as well. I am just sitting back and smiling at all the good legislation that our Government is getting passed.[/quote] Same here Gravel. Tony Abbott has been such a success. :) N'

D Mick Weir

22/11/2011What an interesting lot of feedback I am not sure where to begin in response. One point woud be on November 20. 2011 @ 5:42 PM when FS wrote: [i]They're good, aren't they, DragOnista and Chris Berg, warm and cuddly Righties who ineluctably suck you into their vortex without any pain.[/i] then @ 7:42 PM an obviously unwise response: [i]To me it doesn't matter if they are 'righties' or 'lefties' or any of the pejorative lables that could be stuck onto any and all of us. What matters is that someone is able to put a coherent and reasonable argument for their point of view and is prepared to engage in a reasonable discussion on it.[/i] Then two links to discussions on blog tribalism. Then @ 7:53 PM Lyn wrote: [i]different opinions are fine, debate is fine, but it's [b]a bit insulting[/b] when other bloggs call us all The entire silly brigade[/i] My emphasis added to [i]a bit insulting[/i] Yes, mildly insulting. Nowhere up to the standard of an Albo's [i]Convoy of no consequence[/i] for which many gave Albo metaphorical hi-fives and definitely pales ito insignificance when compared to any of PJK's lesser barbs. For me I took the paragraph as a whole and looked past the fact that that Parish thinks the Sword brigade silly and went off and investigated Agonism (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agonism) a word I had not come across before in relation to politics. As a result I became a little more edumified. To me being labled silly didn't matter a fig and while Lyn seemed a bit miffed I didn't think she thought it worthy of a writ for defamation. @ 8:16 PM, 2353 summed it up well: [i]If being part of the "silly brigade" at TPS is the worst thing I'm ever accused of - I've had a pretty good time.[/i] Well written 2353. So what that someone thinks that I am silly because I comment here, crumbs, you can call me silly anytime you like just don't call me late for a beer. I have no idea whether any of those that get labled as 'rightoids', 'empty-headed airheads', 'barbarians' or the more personal 'Slagabella' or 'Lieallot' get offended and I really don't care that much. Just words thrown around in the cut and thrust of the argy bargy of red tribe vs blue tribe, elitist tribe/s vs the lumpen proletariat tribe/s. Nasking @ 2:05 AM, [i]... rather than using contributors' comments to paint all w/ the same brush...[/i] Did I paint everyone who comments here with the same brush? Don't recall doing that. In my comment to Ad I am sure i used the word 'some' a few times. [i]perhaps you'd be better off askin' yerself why a major blogger at another reputable blog would attempt to ridicule & diminish the reputation of another blog ...[/i] I don't particularly care why Parish thinks we are silly - his opinion, not mine and he is entitled to an opinion no matter how misguided or ill-concieved. [i]... that has not, in way shape or form, gone out of its way to compete, denigrate or challenge said blog?[/i] No-one here, ever, ever has denigrated another blog or its' contibutors? Not even Club Troppo? Hmm, I suspect that we wouldn't have to go far back to find a jibe or two. FS @ 10:16 AM [i]Maybe D Mick Weir would like to do it on his behalf? And, while he's at it, let us know why he can respect the blogs and newspaper articles of Centre Right bloggers, like DragOnista and Chris Berg, but not the erudite work of Ad Astra?[/i] On what basis do you accuse me of not respecting the work of Ad or, for that matter, yourself, AC, Lyn, NormanK, or any commenter here? While there are times I disagree and have a different point of view, to the best of my knowledge, I have shown no disrespect too anyone here. Sure I have questioned the thinking behind some comments but, disrespected?, FS, I am not offended that you write that just a little curious as to why you have. If anyone here feels that I have disrespected them, then I most deeply and humbly apologise for no disrespect has ever been intended or as far as I can recall given. I feel no obligation to answer for Parish nor would I attempt to. I have no need to find out why he thinks what he does it is of complete imbuggerance to me. [i]... unlike DragOnista, who, while still quite young, appears to have given up work for the life of a blogging dilettante, and Chris Berg, who is an IPA shill ...[/i] I take it that there are no 'insults' intended in those descriptions, and they are accurate, reasonable and polite observations of those people. TT @ 11:26 AM, [i]We don't go insulting others gratuitously...[/i] Uh-huh, I'll take your word on that. [i]... It's fair to expect reciprocally-decent forbearance on the part of others...[/i] Quite so. [i]... When someone like Parish sends malodorous gaseous anal emissions our way, he can expect a shower of more substantial matter in return. He wants insults, I'm happy to oblige.[/i] Interesting, I guess waging a war of insults can be fun. [i]... I won't bother about going to CT any more unless Parish fronts an apology.[/i] Your privelege to go, or not to go wherever you like, I wonder though why there needs to be an apology and how many apologies would have to swirl around the intertubes for every perceived offence taken and despite your claim that 'we don't insult' how many apologies would be owed from here. I will repeat a question I asked previously ... was it Voltaire who said something like [i]I will defend to the death your right to type utterly stupid things on the interweeby thingo but that doesn't mean I have to agree with you'?[/i] and make the observation that: [i]Often more harm is done by taking offence than there is done by supposedly giving it[/i] I don't know who said it but for me, at least, there is more than a kernel of truth in the statement.

nasking

22/11/2011[quote]the Occupy movement and the extreme over reaction to it by the bastions of power in the US, strikes me with a strong feeling of deja vu. [/quote] Indeed jane, I was watchin' CNN this morn & they had a segment on the brilliant Harry Belafonte...a reminder: Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. (born March 1, 1927) is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. Belafonte is perhaps best known for singing "The Banana Boat Song", with its signature lyric "Day-O." Throughout his career he has been an advocate for civil rights and humanitarian causes and was a vocal critic of the policies of the George W. Bush Administration. From 1932 to 1940, he lived with his grandmother in her native country of Jamaica. When he returned to New York City, he attended George Washington High School after which he joined the Navy and served during World War II. In the 1940s, he was working as a janitor's assistant in NYC when a tenant gave him 2 tickets to the theater as a gratuity. He fell in love with the art form and also met Sidney Poitier. The financially struggling pair regularly purchased a single seat to local plays, trading places in between acts, after informing the other about the progression of the play. At the end of the 1940s, he took classes in acting at the Dramatic Workshop of The New School in New York with the influential German director Erwin Piscator alongside Marlon Brando, Tony Curtis, Walter Matthau, Bea Arthur and Sidney Poitier, while performing with the American Negro Theatre. Music career Belafonte started his career in music as a club singer in New York to pay for his acting classes. The first time he appeared in front of an audience, he was backed by the Charlie Parker band, which included Charlie Parker himself, Max Roach and Miles Davis, among others. At first he was a pop singer, launching his recording career on the Roost label in 1949, but later he developed a keen interest in folk music, learning material through the Library of Congress' American folk songs archives. With guitarist and friend Millard Thomas, Belafonte soon made his debut at the legendary jazz club The Village Vanguard. In 1952 he received a contract with RCA Victor. CalypsoHis first widely-released single, which went on to become his "signature" song with audience participation in virtually all his live performances, was "Matilda", recorded April 27, 1953. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) became the first LP to sell over 1 million copies Many of the compositions recorded for Calypso, including "Banana Boat Song" and "Jamaica Farewell", gave songwriting credit to Irving Burgie, Belafonte and his team, but were really previously recorded Jamaican mento songs sold as calypso. The original Jamaican versions can now be heard on the "Jamaica—Mento 1951–1958" CD released in 2010. He was one of many entertainers recruited by Frank Sinatra to perform at the inaugural gala of President John F. Kennedy in 1961. That same year he released his second calypso album, Jump Up Calypso, which went on to become another million seller. During the 1960s he introduced several artists to American audiences, most notably South African singer Miriam Makeba and Greek singer Nana Mouskouri. His album Midnight Special (1962) featured the first-ever record appearance by a then young harmonica player named Bob Dylan. His involvement in USA for Africa during the mid-1980s resulted in renewed interest in his music, culminating in a record deal with EMI. He subsequently released his first album of original material in over a decade, Paradise in Gazankulu, in 1988. The album contains ten protest songs against the South African former Apartheid policy and as of 2011 was his last studio album. In the same year Belafonte, as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, attended a symposium in Harare, Zimbabwe to focus attention on child survival and development in Southern African countries. As part of the symposium, he performed a concert for UNICEF. A Kodak video crew filmed the concert, which was released as a 60-minute concert video entitled "Global Carnival." It features many of the songs from the album Paradise in Gazankulu and some of his classic hits. Also in 1988, Tim Burton used "The Banana Boat Song" and "Jump in the Line" in his movie Beetlejuice." Following a lengthy recording hiatus, An Evening with Harry Belafonte and Friends, a soundtrack and video of a televised concert were released in 1997 by Island Records. The Long Road to Freedom, An Anthology of Black Music, a huge multi-artist project recorded during the 1960s and 1970s with RCA, was finally released by the label in 2001. He was also a guest star on a memorable episode of The Muppet Show in 1978, in which he performed his signature song "Day-O" on television for the first time. The episode is best known for Belafonte's rendition of the spiritual song, "Turn the World Around", which he performed with Muppets that resembled African tribal masks. It became one of the series' most famous performances. It was reportedly Jim Henson's favorite episode, and Belafonte reprised the song at Henson's memorial in 1990. Belafonte was offered the role of Porgy in Preminger's Porgy and Bess, where he would have once again starred opposite Dandridge, but he refused the role because he objected to its racial stereotyping. Dissatisfied with the film roles available to him, he returned to music during the 1960s. In the early 1970s Belafonte appeared in more films among which are two with Poitier: Buck and the Preacher (1972) and Uptown Saturday Night (1974). In 1984 Belafonte produced and scored the musical film Beat Street, dealing with the rise of hip-hop culture. Together with Arthur Baker, he produced the gold-certified soundtrack of the same name. Belafonte next starred in a major film again in the mid-1990s, appearing with John Travolta in the race-reverse drama White Man's Burden (1995); and in Robert Altman's jazz age drama Kansas City (1996) In late 2006, Belafonte appeared in the role of Nelson, a friend of an employee of the Ambassador Hotel played by Anthony Hopkins, in Bobby, Emilio Estevez's ensemble drama about the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy. Political and humanitarian activism Belafonte's political beliefs were greatly inspired by the singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson, who mentored him. Robeson opposed not only racial prejudice in the United States, but also western colonialism in Africa. Belafonte's success did not protect him from racial discrimination, particularly in the American South. Belafonte refused to perform there from 1954 until 1961. In 1960 he appeared in a campaign commercial for Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy. [b]Kennedy later named Belafonte cultural advisor to the Peace Corps.[/b] Belafonte gave the keynote address at the ACLU of Northern California's annual Bill of Rights Day Celebration In December 2007 and was awarded the Chief Justice Earl Warren Civil Liberties Award. [b]The 2011 Sundance Film Festival featured the documentary film "Sing Your Song", a biographical film focusing on Belafonte's contribution to and his leadership in the civil rights movement in America and his endeavours to promote social justice globally.[/b] Civil rights activist [b]Belafonte supported the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and was one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s confidants. He provided for King's family, since King made only $8,000 a year as a preacher. Like many other civil rights activists, Belafonte was blacklisted during the McCarthy era.[/b] He bailed King out of the Birmingham City Jail and raised thousands of dollars to release other civil rights protesters. [b]He financed the Freedom Rides, supported voter registration drives, and helped to organize the March on Washington in 1963.[/b] Belafonte was at the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C with Sidney Poitier and Charlton Heston. [b]During "Freedom Summer" in 1964 Belafonte bankrolled the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, flying to Mississippi that August with $60,000 in cash and entertaining crowds in Greenwood. [/b] In 1968 Belafonte appeared on a Petula Clark primetime television special on NBC. In the middle of a song, Clark smiled and briefly touched Belafonte's arm, which made the show's sponsor, Plymouth Motors, nervous. Plymouth wanted to cut the segment, but Clark, who had ownership of the special, told NBC that the performance would be shown intact or she would not allow the special to be aired at all. Newspapers reported the controversy, and when the special aired it grabbed high ratings. Belafonte appeared on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and performed a controversial "Mardi Gras" number with footage intercut from the 1968 Democratic National Convention riots. CBS censors deleted the segment. Humanitarian activist [b]In 1985, he helped organize the Grammy Award winning song "We Are the World", a multi-artist effort to raise funds for Africa. He performed in the Live Aid concert that same year.[/b] In 1987 he received an appointment to UNICEF as a goodwill ambassador. Following his appointment Belafonte traveled to Dakar, Senegal, where he served as chairman of the International Symposium of Artists and Intellectuals for African Children. He also helped to raise funds—alongside more than 20 other artists—in the largest concert ever held in sub-Saharan Africa. [b]In 1994 he went on a mission to Rwanda and launched a media campaign to raise awareness of the needs of Rwandan children.[/b] [b]In 2001 he went to South Africa to support the campaign against HIV/AIDS. [/b] In 2002 Africare awarded him the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award for his efforts to assist Africa. In 2004 Belafonte went to Kenya to stress the importance of educating children in the region. Belafonte has been involved in prostate cancer advocacy since 1996, when he was diagnosed and successfully treated for the disease. On June 27, 2006, Belafonte was the recipient of the BET Humanitarian Award at the 2006 BET Awards. He was named one of nine 2006 Impact Award recipients by AARP The Magazine. On October 19, 2007, Belafonte represented UNICEF on Norwegian television to support the annual telethon (TV Aksjonen) in support of that charity and helped raise a world record of $10 per inhabitant of Norway. Belafonte was also an ambassador for the Bahamas. He is on the board of directors of the Advancement Project Opposition to the George W. Bush Administration Belafonte achieved widespread attention for his political views in 2002 when he began making a series of comments about President George W. Bush, his administration and the Iraq War. [b]"What do you call Bush when the war he put us in to date has killed almost as many Americans as died on 9/11 and the number of Americans wounded in war is almost triple? [...] By most definitions Bush can be considered a terrorist."[/b] When he was asked about his expectation of criticism for his remarks on the war in Iraq, Belafonte responded: [b]"Bring it on. Dissent is central to any democracy."[/b] In another interview Belafonte remarked that while his comments may have been "hasty", nevertheless he felt the Bush administration suffered from "arrogance wedded to ignorance" and its policies around the world were "morally bankrupt." In January 2006, in a speech to the annual meeting of the Arts Presenters Members Conference, Belafonte referred to "the new Gestapo of Homeland Security" saying, "You can be arrested and have no right to counsel!" During the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day speech at the Duke University in January 2006 Belafonte said that if he could choose his epitaph it would be, "Harry Belafonte, Patriot." (wikipedia) One heckuva life. N'

2353

22/11/2011So some (I assume) bloke on the internet claims we are silly for commenting on TPS. So what - haven't we examined the tealeaves enough? I'm sure we all have better things to do than worry about. Jane - I take your point about the number of bills passed. Either way "our" point is the same, this Government hasn't been sitting there twiddling their thumbs waiting for Abbott or the media to tell them what they should do next. AA - Abbott hasn't offered anything new for a while, it seems that while radio announcers haven't necessarily worked it out yet - apparently the audience have.

D Mick Weir

22/11/20112353 yep and once again I am guilty of letting my fingers run off at the keyboard Will I ever learn to let go of a bone?

nasking

22/11/2011Gracias for the links Lyn, good job. From: [b]Gillard’s Renewal and her Golden Day[/b] Dylan Caporn @ The Body Politic – Australia [b]Opposition Disunity[/b] [quote]...reports of disunity within the Liberals over their opposition to the mining tax were brushed aside by Tony Abbott in a press conference today. The rumours stem that the MPs are questioning the stance even when a majority of Australians and mining companies support the tax[/quote]. Abbott has the [i]downward spiral [/i]look about him...he sounded desperate & bloody silly addressin' the Danish royals today. Started fartin' on about [b]marathons & monarchists[/b]...I was expectin' him to pop out his c*ck and start crowin' about how the opportunity to talk about [b]the m&ms[/b] gave him a record stiffy. Abbott: "Does the same happen to you , sir?" N'

TalkTurkey

22/11/2011Professor Skeleton, This is wonderful stuff, Bierce is his own whole genre, like the humour in, variously, Catch-22, The Far Side, Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy etc. (There aren't many, they are genius insights, rare and special.) His verse, for his own they mostly obviously appear to be, are some of the cleverest interweavings of thoughts and words I've ever seen. Its excellence gives me a reality check about my own pomes, :$, but at the same time I'm not too put down because FS you do give TalkTurkey a chance to flaunt a bit of verse long ago in my [i]other[/i] Big Book Of Verse*, [i]NEW WORLDS![/i] Chapter [i][u]None[/u][/i], [i]A Pen Upon A Pun[/i], is all about fun with English witty stuff, Spoonerisms and tongue twisters - (you know some people play "Second Fiddles"? OK what about those who play "Sixth Zithers" eh, [i]say that[/i], I bet you can't!),- - and onomatopoeia and wordplay and unusual rhymes and stuff. Just for fun. Well I see that [i]fools[/i] are under consideration here. (And Hooray for Us! At last! I been fighting for recognition all my life. I been hailed a Prime Example by experts!) Anyway that chapter ends up: There's something that I mean to say - - (how should I say it best?) I guess it's sort of serious, but if so, only jest - If you understand the Tarot - I'm not saying that I do - That FOOL card tips a barrow on us all, Folks - Me and You! I sing in praise of Fools through Time - The Jesters/Clowns in word and mime - They bring more wisdom to the masses Than assemblages of academics, sitting on their Glasses! [i]"Go to! Thou art a dry fool!"[/i] (She meant, "Clear off! Your jokes stink!") [i]"Too right!" [/i]he said -(he kept his head) - "[i]I'm dry! I need a DRINK!"[/i] But [i]moi[/i], I [i]love[/i] dry humour - I don't need Grog ;-) to Joke! - If [i]my[/i] wit seems a bit too dry, p'raps [i]you[/i] should try a Soak! 2B ? or not to 2B ? One day I [i]won't[/i] be, anyway ! When outworn as utensil, pencil just gets thrown away. All I want from you is just a jester-fool's bouquet - But like a tumour, [i]spread this rumour[/i] - [i]HUMOUR RULES[/i]! - [b][u][i]O.K.?![/i][/u][/b] That's the end of the chapter but the explanatory footnote goes: [u]Olivia[/u]: [i]Go to! Thou art a dry fool![/i] (Quick reply): [u]Feste[/u]: [i]Give the fool a drink, then is the fool not dry![/i] There's only ever been one better answer to such sods: [u]Jesus[/u]: [i]Render Caesar Caesar's gold - and give God God's![/i] First quote from Shakespeare, Twelfth Night or, What you will (Olivia is a rich countess, Feste is the Jester aka Clown) Second quote from Jesus, somewhere in the Gospels. "and after that they durst not ask Him any more questions" I think is the words after that. "They" were the Pharisees trying for the ultimate gotcha question, [i]Is it legal to give tribute to Caesar?[/i] Either way Yes or No Jesus answered could have cost him his life there and then. Jewish law said it [i]wasn't[/i] legal, (they paid it under protest), it would have got him killed by the priests if he'd said it was legal. Their Roman occupying masters demanded tribute and would have killed Jesus for opposing it (and thus sounding subversive). So basically he shone the coin right back at them. It's the nattiest bit of repartee in the whole dam book afa I'm concerned, to the nastiest double edged gotcha. Swordies didn't probably expect to get a Bible lesson from TT eh! :) *The other is called [i]The Breeze in the Blue~Gums.[/i]

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011D Mick Weir, 'Barbarians', an example of an offensive aspersion cast in the direction of the Conservative wing of politics? Oooo...Kkkk... Still, while your explanation and explication of your point of view is appreciated, my point still stands, and nothing that you have said so far has caused me to demur from my belief that Ken Parrish trivialised the efforts of this blog, by calling us 'the silly brigade of Centre Left blogging', or wtte. I found it offensive then, and I still find it offensive. Over and above the 'argy bargy' that occurs every day in the blogosphere. Some casual insults are just more tawdry than others. As I didn't take his use of the word 'silly' to be the innofensive kind that 2353 referred to. Which is the last word I'll be saying about it.

Gravel

22/11/2011Question time was boring again today. Didn't anyone tell the opposition that the Carbon Price has gone through the senate, is now law and will be started July 2012? Talk Turkey You and Nas do say a lot of the same things only in different ways. I enjoy reading what both of you write.

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011Talk Turkey, Anyone who can wrangle the English language into the shape of a poem, has my undying respect. When they are as entertaining and relevant as yours and PatriciaWA's are, I tips me hat to you as well. :)

TalkTurkey

22/11/2011Coalons got no cannon balls left. They back on Carbon Tax whinges. As me mate Jason says [i]The dogs are barking but the caravan has moved on.[/i] The Government has moved out of range.

Ad astra reply

22/11/2011Folks I’m back and have taken half an hour to delight in the comments you have made in my absence. There are many thoughtful, well-informed and cultured bloggers here; the dialogue over the Ken Parish comment illustrates this nicely. I think we have reached the point where we can let it lie. Turning to the now-being-revved-up Abbott campaign, what astonishes me most is its sterility. He and his advisers must know that most of what he utters is simply vacuous repetition with little authenticity, yet it continues day after day. This must be deliberate. There must be a belief that repeating the same old and now tired mantras that bear little resemblance to the facts is a more promising strategy than presenting alternative, properly costed policies with which Government policies could be compared. They seem to be relying on the mesmerizing effect of the mindless mantra in preference to a well-argued proposition. I find this exasperating yet can see that this is all we can expect from Abbott and the Coalition, as this is their chosen way. We will see no carefully argued policy positions, no properly costed propositions, no logical comparison of their policies with those of Labor. We have been assured that all will be revealed ‘well before the next election’. I do not believe this will be so; instead we will get recycled policies from the Howard era and the last election, and costings of doubtful validity with no way of having them validated. It will be a smoke and mirrors performance, such as we see on the ABC’s program ‘Penn and Teller’, where we know were are being conned, but can’t see clearly how they have done the trick. Thinking people will know it’s an illusion, and hopefully treat it as such, but the unthinking will not see the deception, or will accept their sleight of hand as a legitimate opposition strategy. The latter are the rusted-on supporters and are beyond convincing; it is those who know they are witnessing confidence tricksters at work who we need to encourage to call the cons for what they are, and vote for a party that is upfront, trustworthy, and through its performance has shown that it knows what it is doing. I am talking to myself as much as you the reader. I am suggesting that we recognize the ‘rationale’ of the Coalition’s approach, (one they think works best for them) even though we regard it with disdain, and not become exercised about the dishonesty and cynical deceitfulness of it. I know it’s like watching a boxing match where one boxer plays by the Marquess of Queensberry rules while the other is hitting below the belt, holding, tripping, pushing, biting, and spitting. This is the new ‘norm’ for Coalition politics. Unless we get used to it, we will be perpetually overcome with indignant anger. If you are still wondering what I’m getting at, read carefully Tony Abbott's speech on economics delivered yesterday at the Sydney Institute. You will find it tedious, but it exhibits all the characteristics of a con man trying to convince us that he has the answers, and that it’s really as simple as the country living within its means, just like households should, and that he can spend more, hand out more and give more benefits while taking in less revenue by rescinding tax measures already passed or to be passed tonight. Like Penn and Teller, we know it’s a con, but we can’t yet see what sleight of hand he will use. And I suspect he doesn’t either. http://australianpolitics.com/2011/11/21/tony-abbott-speech-to-sydney-institute.html

2353

22/11/2011AA - there are some enormous leaps of faith in Abbott's speech. The living within your means mantra is funny coming from someone who had to borrow $700,000 soon after Rudd was elected because he couldn't live on a backbencher's pay. I also know Abbott is religious. For those that don't he demonstrates it in this speech (or he believes in Santa Claus). How else could you promote that you can do the "the loaves and fishes" story - cutting taxes in general but improving service delivery? To improve service delivery you need the money to either pay the people providing the service or to make the payment. You've gotta wonder how many people REALLY believe he can do half of what he promises (but some will vote for him anyway).

Lyn

22/11/2011Hi Ad Somebody said yesterday that Tony Abbott's speech was contradictory to his speech in London . I wouldn't be surprised , but I can't be bothered reading them, 2 in London and the Sydney Institute you mentioned. Somebody else might like to compare:- Tony Abbott Speech on the Economy to The Sydney Institute http://australianpolitics.com/2011/11/21/tony-abbott-speech-to-sydney-institute.html Remarks at the International Democrat Union Leaders Meeting, London Posted on Friday, 11 November 2011 http://www.tonyabbott.com.au/LatestNews/Speeches/tabid/88/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8447/Remarks-at-the-International-Democrat-Union-Leaders-Meeting-London.aspx Address to The Policy Exchange, London Posted on Thursday, 10 November 2011 http://www.tonyabbott.com.au/LatestNews/Speeches/tabid/88/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8448/Address-to-The-Policy-Exchange-London.aspx Nice type isn't he? Looks like he is frightened to go on holidays over Christmas in case he misses a dress up chance for the camera's [i]Abbott links PM poll boost to 'stalking', Sky News[/i] the bounce for the prime minister had come through her 'stalking world leaders in search of a photo opportunity', he said. Mr Abbott urged colleagues to take only a brief Christmas break, saying he expected all of his team to 'work bloody hard' to hold the Labor government to account. http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=688157&vId= Cheers:):):):):)

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011Those two speeches of Tony Abbott deserve a 'Compare and Contrast' and a Mash up. So, if no one else does it, I might over the long break from parliament. If Tony Abbott can tell his 'troops' to "work bloody hard" over the break, does it not behove us to Shadow Box with them?

Lyn

22/11/2011Hi Feral That's a great idea, you mash the three up. Be interesting to see the result. Cheers:):):):)

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011lyn, I'll put it on my Bucket List. :)

D Mick Weir

22/11/2011[i]The Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott delivered a broad ranging speech to the Sydney Institute last night. It covered many issues, but one issue Mr Abbott noted was: “Less borrowing means lower interest rates.” This throw away line is dreadfully wrong.[/i] In about 200 words you can find out why [b]The missing link between debt and interest rates[/b] Stephen Koukoulas http://stephenkoukoulas.blogspot.com/2011/11/missing-link-between-debt-and-interest.html

Ad astra reply

22/11/2011Hi Lyn, FS A mash up of Abbott's speeches on economics would be both amusing and breathtaking, redolent as they are with contradictions, non sequiturs, and zombie economics. I'll leave it to you FS. Have fun!

Ad astra reply

22/11/20112353, DMW Abbott is a recognized illiterate in economics, and his speeches verify this over and again. The Koukoulas comment starkly exposes one of Abbott's errors - that there is a positive relationship between Government borrowing and rising interest rates; recent history shows the opposite.

Feral Skeleton

22/11/2011Waited around for this. Ladeez and Gentlemen, we have a Mining Tax(MRRT)! Phew! How the electorate cannot support the ALP after they have done so much for them in government, I cannot fathom.

BSA Bob

22/11/2011A mash up of Abbott's speeches, could anyone tell the difference?

Jaeger

23/11/2011[b][i]Abbott links PM poll boost to 'stalking', Sky News[/i][/b] Abbott stalks PM after poll boost. [b][i]Abbott likens Govt's economic management to eurozone[/i][/b] Economic understanding always lower under a Coalition government: Abbott.

Lyn

23/11/2011 [b]TODAY’S LINKS[/b] [i]The missing link between debt and interest rate, Stephen Koukoulas[/i] The Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott delivered a broad ranging speech to the Sydney Institute last night. It covered many issues, but one issue Mr Abbott noted was:“Less borrowing means lower interest rates.”This throw away line is dreadfully wrong http://stephenkoukoulas.blogspot.com/2011/11/missing-link-between-debt-and-interest.html [i]Tony Abbott is Groucho Marx, The Preston Institute[/i] this video sums up Tony Abbott’s tactics as Opposition Leader like nothing else. Right down to the “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”, the beard pulling of important people (just think of his “farting in church” performance when Obama was in town) and the repetition of “I Always Get My Man”. In Abbott’s case, of course, it’s a woman he is “trying to get”. http://prestoninstitute.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/grouchoabbott/ [i]You Wouldn't Read About It, Ben Eltham, New Matilda[/i] The recent public performances of Hywood and Hartigan show that, when it comes to self-delusion and denial, few industries are as richly endowed as the media. If you to read about the Media Inquiry in the Herald Sun or Daily Telegraph, you would think it is all just a political scape-goating exercise. If you’ve followed it in the online media or the ABC, you’d probably just be confused about what it’s actually supposed to be doing. http://newmatilda.com/2011/11/22/wouldnt-read-about-it [i]Who's next on Greg Smith's media hit list?, Tom Cowie, The Power Index[/i] "I'm not aware of Crikey publications being of the nature where anybody would bother asking who was the source of that information," Smith retorted."I had a subscription to Crikey for a while and I didn't continue it. There was some useful stuff in it, but it's largely gossip." http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/head-to-head/who-s-next-on-greg-smith-s-media-hit-list/20111121743 [i]Australia - Smart Energy - The Carbon Price Scheme, Paul Budde, Budde Com[/i] The government would also set up loan guarantees for electricity generators through a new Energy Security Fund, to help the industry refinance loans of between $9 billion and $10 billion over the next five years. It will also fund the shut-down or partial closure of the dirtiest generators and remove up to 2,000 megawatts of capacity by 2020 http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Australia-Smart-Energy-The-Carbon-Price-Scheme.html [i]To state the bleeding obvious, more mining tax revenue is better than less, Dr Richard Denniss, Crikey[/i] Imagine if the government announced a crackdown on tax evasion but said that it was going to ignore the revenue being lost in some sectors because tax cheats in other sectors had agreed to help them with their inquiries. http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/11/22/to-state-the-bleeding-obvious-more-mining-tax-revenue-is-better-than-less/ [i]Flannery: Hadley concocted story on my waterside home, Jason Whittaker, Crikey[/i] The experience has taught me several things about the hate media in Australia. First, as they seek to slur those they hate, they do not hesitate to manufacture a story if one does not exist. Second, as the story is picked up by other opinionists, they are prone to weave ever more scandalous fictional tidbits from the blogosphere into the story. http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/11/22/flannery-hadley-concocted-story-on-my-waterside-home/ [i]Has the mining boom given us ‘too much luck’? Hardly, Stephen Kirchner, The Conversation[/i] Australia will share in the process of increasing global supply through greater output and export volumes, employment and productivity growth. Cleary’s suggestion that Australia will in future become “like Nauru today, but on a continental scale” is ridiculous hyperbole. http://theconversation.edu.au/has-the-mining-boom-given-us-too-much-luck-hardly-4376 [i]Australia Threatens China with Agreement to host us Troops,Greg Barns, Independent Australia[/i] Australia has exported around $A70 billion worth of iron ore, coal and other products to China. In fact, it is China’s thirst for Australian commodities that has enabled Ms Gillard and her government to trumpet the fact that the Australian economy is still buoyant despite the meltdown in Europe and the recession ridden US. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/australia-threatens-china-with-agreement-to-host-us-troops/ Snow_CrashMeta Starostin Tony Abbott’s Ministerial record: A record that shows he can’t be trusted by working Australians. http://t.co/IWcuTqLF #auspol #liar [i]US Debt Panel: Political Theater that Abandons Democracy, Peter, Aussie Views News[/i] The debt panel was charged with reaching a set of monetary reforms that would begin to get US debt under at least some type of control. The totally inept alternative is to wait until 2013 to bring in some changes that, in reality, no one likes http://www.aussieviewsnews.com/2011/11/22/political-theatre-closes/ [i]Birmingham- How journalism business models failed, Mark Bahnisch, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] What is not reflected on, it seems to me, in this ongoing stream of talk, is the precise way that the current business model collapsed, and why previous online fixes failed. At CIO, Andrew Birmingham has provided the necessary story for such a reflection, arguing in great detail that the news industry has cannibalised the vehicle it hoped to hitch a ride on. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/11/22/birmingham-how-journalism-business-models-failed/ [i]ALP National Conference 2011 needs to Clear the Way for Genuine Reform, Tristan Ewins, Left Focus[/i] There is desperate need for more funding for Aged Care - where our most vulnerable are facing degradation, loneliness and untold suffering. And the National Disability Insurance Scheme will cost many billions if it is genuinely to serve its purpose. http://leftfocus.blogspot.com/ [i]Commonwealth moves to ensure coal seam gas projects are subject to scientific evidence - but will, WaterDragon, North Coast Voices[/i] Because this federal government does not have the outright constitutional power to ban coal seam gas mining or significantly limit its expansion and its current plan is dependent on state co-operation, now is the time to pressure National Party MPs on the NSW North Coast to support this panel. http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com/2011/11/commonwealth-moves-to-ensure-coal-seam.html [i]We Are Up Against The Scientifically Illiterate, Steven Goddard, Real Science[/i] Yes David, the amount of carbon on the Earth is more or less fixed – except for the occasional carbonaceous chondrite meteor which makes it to the Earth’s atmosphere.Matter is neither created nor destroyed. The whole point is that vehicles and humans and cows and power plants burn reduced carbon, and release CO2. http://www.real-science.com/scientifically-illiterate [i]Australian newspaper closures, Guardian UK[/i] In what is being described as the first systematic closure of Australian paid-for newspapers, a publisher has announced the end of two long-standing but unprofitable titles — the Tweed Daily News and the Coffs Coast Advocate.The Tweed title will survive only on Saturday, for just 50c, and the Advocate will continue to be distributed free on Wednesdays and Saturdays. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2011/nov/22/downturn-australia?CMP=twt_gu [b]Newspapers[/b] [i]Facts count, because what's mined is yours , Ross Gittins, National Times[/i] By far the biggest development in the economy in recent years is the mining boom, and it's likely to roll on for at least the rest of this decade. But Australians are having a lot of trouble getting their minds around the boom's implications. The area abounds with worries and misperceptions http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/facts-count-because-whats-mined-is-yours-20111122-1nsqo.html#ixzz1eTEmWSr9 [i]Coalition brochure sent to Labor MP ,Simon Benson, The Telegraph[/i] A COALITION attack plan against the federal government was embarrassingly emailed to a Labor MP. It contained all attack points for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior ministers, but went astray a week before being approved and popped up in the MP's inbox.The final colour brochure was believed to have been sent to Coalition MPs on Sunday as well as 25,000 subscribers to the Liberal Party's website. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/coalition-brochure-sent-to-labor-mp/story-e6freuzi-1226203028530 [i]Coalition numbers threatened if Peter Slipper goes , Michael McKenna The Australian [/i] If Mr Slipper loses the mooted December 17 preselection it is feared the former Nationals defector would move to the crossbenches and deprive Mr Abbott of a crucial vote in the hung parliament where Labor and the opposition hold 72 seats each.Mr Abbott and Mr McIver were last night expected to hold a telephone hook-up over the clash, with federal Liberal director Brian Loughnane unable to quell LNP anger in recent days over Mr Slipper's conduct. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/coalition-numbers-threatened-if-slipper-goes/story-fn59niix-1226202966297 [i]Australian MP refers to US policy as 'naive and destructive', Telegraph UK[/i] An international affairs analyst at the Lowy Insitute, Rory Medcalf, said in a piece on the *Foreign Policy* website that the reference sounded a “jarring note” and that Mr Abbott may not have appreciated the message he was conveying. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8907006/Australian-MP-refers-to-US-policy-as-naive-and-destructive.html [i]A Dane in the life of Tony Abbott, from Joh to whoa, Tony Wright, The Age[/i] But Mr Abbott outdid all, declaring the former Mary Donaldson's marriage to Crown Prince Frederik was a pretty good effort for a girl from Taroona High School in Hobart, a rather better achievement, he said, than that of fellow Taroona graduate, the opposition leader in the Senate, Eric Abetz. Mr Abbott did not mention that Senator Abetz was a gift to Australia from his birthplace in Stuttgart, Germany. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/a-dane-in-the-life-of-tony-abbott-from-joh-to-whoa-20111122-1nsy2.html#ixzz1eT6LERs7 :):):):):):):):):)

Ad astra reply

23/11/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

TalkTurkey

23/11/2011Gracie Fields Command performance for Antony Abbortt http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=dead%20but%20he%20wont%20lie%20down&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB0QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6ISPeSWHcgg&ei=TxjMTo3jPOqhmQW2hby5DQ&usg=AFQjCNGcsNBg2lU3BzSiKLgi1nonzwfTiw Check her very last words . :)

TalkTurkey

23/11/2011Sorry Listeners, guess I got the wrong disc! Just let me blow the fluff off the needle . . . So here now is *Gracie Fields*, who probably would be more than a hundred and three were it not for the fact that I suppose she has probably been 'lying down' for some time now. http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=dead%20but%20he%20wont%20lie%20down&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCMQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlLg8IrNSdps&ei=TxjMTo3jPOqhmQW2hby5DQ&usg=AFQjCNGhz64r9x0xSWLeMOdecx2e5zUuEQ

Lyn

23/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody Bushfire Bill's opinon to share again, Compliments of our friend Mark Shove. [quote]@markjs1Mark Shove Bushfire Bill has a cautionary tale for "Golden Boy" Abbott..ignore it at your peril #PhoneyTony [/quote]: http://bit.ly/sdInpE#Mediafail #NBN [quote]Bushfire Bill Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 7:24 am Comment 1270[/quote] I saw Joe Hockey performing similarly yesterday in the MPI. The easy arrogance of the man was sickening as he got up to speak about nothing really and played to his own side with Coalition in-jokes. He’s another who seems to think his party can just breeze into power with a quick segue between Labor and Liberal after the election. Maybe they won’t even need an election? Maybe Julia will be so embarrassed by the force of the Coalition’s arguments she’ll just resign and hand over to the Joe and Tony show? Whoever called out “57-43!” last night in the MRRT vote is suffering from the same sickness. The moral of the story? Don’t ever fall for your own publicity. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2011/11/21/newspoll-57-43-to-coalition-3/comment-page-26/#comment-1093963 Cheers:):):):):)

2353

23/11/2011TT Said [quote]So here now is *Gracie Fields*, who probably would be more than a hundred and three were it not for the fact that I suppose she has probably been 'lying down' for some time now.[/quote] You could say decomposing instead of lying down. Sorry, I couldn't resist :)

Ad astra reply

23/11/2011Hi Lyn Thanks again for your links and the one to BB's comment. Hubris may lull the Coalition into thinking that the next election is already a cakewalk, even although it's not scheduled for another two years. But I hear this morning, (could someone please check it) that the Government has now passed 250 pieces of legislation. Not bad for a 'do-nothing' government!

2353

23/11/2011There is also something on PB about Bill O'Chee (failed Nats Senator) and the Media Enquiry. Could be the smoking gun???

2353

23/11/2011^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Found it. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/investigation-of-political-favours-against-news-ltd-20111122-1nszb.html

Gravel

23/11/2011Good to wake up and find the MRRT has gone through the Parliament. Pity about the Greens trying to make up stories about health, education and welfare will be cut because of a loss of $20 million a year. They don't seem to understand that none of this super profit tax is not being spent on on-going expenditures. Are they really that thick? And I reckon that money will be taken out of the amount allocated to infrastructure that wouldn't happen at all with out the multi-billions that will be gained from the MRRT. I mean, $20 million out billions, you'd laugh if it wasn't so stupid. Almost something the opposition would come up with.

psyclaw

23/11/2011This ditty may be a bit premature, but I did enjoy the Newspoll result that Abbott the fool’s preferred PM rating has gone from a 9% lead to a 5% deficit since September. The many creative Swordster poets/lyricists will recognise that the tune is Bye Bye Blackbird. [quote]Dr No is out the door Threat to us he is no more Bye! Bye! Rabbott Dressing up is his forte On the news grabs every day Bye! Bye! Rabbott To get the Lodge is all that he did scheme for Lies deceits mistruths we’ll suffer no more All those “no”s All those lies He’ll spit the dummy till the day he dies Rabbott, goodbye Dr No’s out on his ass Waste of space, what a farce Bye! Bye! Rabbott Got no ethics that’s quite clear Thrives on lies, sells us fear Bye! Bye! Rabbott All he’s got to give is verbal punches Policy void, incompetent number crunchers All those “no”s All those lies He’ll spit the dummy till the day he dies Rabbott, goodbye Small L liberals, heads in sand Placed all hope in this foolish man Bye! Bye! Rabbott Now they’re eating humble pie All he had … great skill to lie Bye! Bye! Rabbott Ms Gillard slowly trashin’ this redneck rightie All good folk say thanks to Dog Albitey* All those “no”s All those lies He’ll spit the dummy till the day he dies Rabbott, goodbye [/quote] * Thanks to TT

Feral Skeleton

23/11/2011I think that the government are starting to utilise the blogs and Twitter for inspiration ( :) ) more effectively now. Just in the last couple of days I have heard Anthony Albanese refer to the Opposition as the 'No-alition', which I noticed on Twitter first a few days ago. Secondly, and, I sorta claim ownership of this one(well, if I don't blow my own trumpet, who will? ;-) ), Craig Emerson referred to Tony Abbott as 'One Trick Tony'. Another one that has come into usage recently, is 'The Nopposition'. :D The government needs to do more of it, because this 'Bumper Sticker Slogans' political rhetoric has been utilised by the Conservatives for yonks and works well to stick onto people's minds as well.

Lyn

23/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody [quote]But I hear this morning, (could someone please check it) that the Government has now passed 250 pieces of legislation. Not bad for a 'do-nothing' government![/quote] Regarding the Bills that have been passed, here is some comments for you :- [quote]AlboMPAnthony Albanese [/quote] It's taking the Libs a long time to say no no no no no no no no no no no to the 11 Mining Tax Bills #longestdummyspitinpoliticalhistory mfarnsworthMalcolm Farnsworth The Mining Tax bills have now been passed by the House of Reps. [b]Albanese says 250 bills now passed [/b]and moves the adjournment. alexanderwhiteAlexander White Great hashtag. Good work Albo. RT @AlboMP #Noalition voting no to the very end - but all 11 Mining Tax Bills carried :) 1 hour agoFavoriteRetweetReply » CarbonTaxFanCarbon tax fan @juliagillard is becoming the Sir Don Bradman of Austn politics with [b]passing of 250+ bills[/b].Does anyone know what the record is? #auspol #alp z3n_digitalZen Digital The DOalition have done done done 235 + bills and counting , Abbott's NOalition have gone gone gone but so has Abbott #auspol AlboMPAnthony Albanese #Noalition voting no to the very end - but all 11 Mining Tax Bills carried :) z3n_digitalZen Digital @fmome 235 plus bills passed .. Abbott blocked 0 that is good government from all parties #auspol Cheers:):):):):)

TalkTurkey

23/11/2011The Parliament of Australia is a one-way valve. Things [i]do[/i] happen and get through to the future, e.g. the formation of *J*U*L*I*A*'s Government, or they [i]don't[/i], e.g. the Abbortt Government that never was and never will be. The Government has squeezed a great deal through Time's portal into the future. The Coalons can never force it back. Not the NBN. People LOVE it and DEMAND it. Amazing that the Coalons are wrong-footed here. The Fools. Not the Carbon Tax. Not the MRRT. The Government has not merely scrambled the egg, they have made a fine souffle for the People. How the Coalons hate that eh! But they will never uncook it now. And Philip Morris can do their worst, cigarettes' future in the Wide Brown Land is in dull green packets. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Speaking of green . . . In the increasingly unlikely event that the Coalons, under whatever leadership, should win the next election, the Greens in the Senate would be the final sphincter that would [i]anyway[/i] prevent any of the above ever being reverse-peristaltified [ooh that's pretty tortured image Turkey!], [imagines Abbortt as mangy athletic dog sicking up MRRT NBN etc . . . PJK's haunting image . . . thanks Paul :)] Which would mean [i]an absolutely unworkable Parliament[/i]. Constitutional crises, plural, and potentially very serious. Divisions and hatreds bubbling up as from a witch's cauldron, all the work of the Rabid Right. [i]Does anyone else turn their own Eye of Time to that possible scenario?[/i]

Feral Skeleton

23/11/20112353, The other good thing about the Bill O'Chee story is that it involves allegations about corrupt practices at News Ltd Australia. And I thought John Hartigan said that nothing untoward happened here, unlike in the UK? Which also ties in with evidence put forward in the Leveson Inquiry in the UK about the newspapers' practices and standover tactics. Such that, they wield their influence with the electorate like a Sword of Damacles over the heads of politicians and celebrities.

Michael

23/11/2011Bad Abbott PM "stalking world leaders". http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abbott-links-pm-poll-boost-to-stalking-20111122-1ns4s.html Seriously, the man needs psychological help.

Ad astra reply

23/11/2011Hi Lyn Many thanks - I remember now - it was Albo. What great collection of twitters you have gleaned!

Feral Skeleton

23/11/2011Michael, The 2 interesting things about that vile misogynistic comment by Abbott are: 1. He blithely ignored how far up George W.Bush's nostrils John Howard always was. 2. He has a female Chief of Staff, who obviously is so consumed by her own hatred of Julia Gillard that she was unwilling to stop him saying it. Who knows, she may have even suggested it. Either way she should be ashamed of herself for allowing him to say it.

TalkTurkey

23/11/2011Gravel ( (K) ) said [i]They don't seem to understand that none of this super profit tax is not being spent on on-going expenditures.[/i] Erm . . ? . . The ol' triple negative gets me every time! The most famous example is "not unmeaningless". ;-) As in, "It isn't what you say that is so unmeaningless, so much as what you desist from not saying . . . " Shut up Turkey. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Just in case you hadn't noticed, our Labour-led, Independent-supported Government has now passed [i]every major piece of legislation it wanted to![/i] [b][i]*Yay*! [/i][/b] That is some record! No wonder the Coalons are bouncing off the walls now. [i]NO NO NO NO NO [/i]has taken on a new meaning. It used to mean NO NO NO Whatever it is I'm against it and I'll stop it! Now it means Oh [i]NO!!![/i] [u]What are we to [i]dooooo???[/i][/u] NO NO NO I can't stand it I won't accept it I'll just [b][i]DIE![/i][/b] [i]BWAAAHHHHHHH![/i] :'( Don't'cha just love it! [i]Chick-a-Boom![/i] HoR idiots calling quorums time after time. Shows how they got their noses out of joint. Albo reckoned yesty that they only call divisions so they can sit for just a few seconds in the Government benches. :) He's good company in the trenches eh Feral!

Jaeger

23/11/2011[b][i]Tony Abbott testy as MPs want say[/i][/b]: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/tony-abbott-testy-as-mps-want-say/story-fn7x8me2-1226202957738 Interesting comments for HS readers; Abbott's goose is well and truly cooked. Bring on the leadership challenge!

Lyn

23/11/2011 Hi Ad and Everybody Here is some information from The Australian:- [i]Mining tax passed in marathon session , James Massola, The Australian[/i] Julia Gillard is in Canberra. She'll have a spring in her step today when she attends Question Time following the passage of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax (report). The PM will host drinks for Labor MPs at an end-of-year function at the Lodge this evening Wedge: Liberal Senate leader Eric Abetz will move a motion today that supports uranium sales to India and calls for the ALP's National Conference to approve the policy shift, flagged for debate by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The motion is a carefully designed wedge targeting members of the Labor left who oppose the sale, such as Senator Doug Cameron. The Labor senator and colleagues will have to choose between staying true to their position on uranium exports or backing the PM. Diary: After passing its mining tax last night, Labor will introduce [b]16 pieces of fresh legislation into the House today[/b]. The legislation, which covers everything from the Australian Research Council, the Antarctic treaty, illegal logging to road safety, will be tabled ahead of the summer. The joint standing committee on migration continues its inquiry on multiculturalism today, as does the joint standing committee on the National Capital Authority. The inquiry into fly-in, fly-out workers continues too. ALP head office is ramping up its attack on Tony Abbott, releasing a "Book of No" yesterday in the press gallery boxes that highlights the Coalition's opposition to Labor initiatives. Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos has been pencilled in to deliver his maiden speech at 5pm today. Farewell to Channel Nine's Jayne Azzopardi, who is leaving the station's Canberra office and heading back to Sydney at the end of the week. Peter Darch, Rhonda Galbally and Paul Brock are at the National Press Club [quote]today to discuss the National Disability Insurance scheme. Labor staff are holding their end of session party on Thursday night[/quote] The Sydney Morning Herald reports: TONY ABBOTT is under fire from his own party, as unhappy Liberal MPs take him to task over the behaviour of the Nationals and the decision of the Coalition leadership to support an increase to compulsory superannuation - despite having no way to fund it. The Daily Telegraph reports: THE Gillard government's mining tax passed crucial step in parliament after last night winning the support of key Greens MP Adam Bandt. The Herald Sun reports: TONY Abbott has slapped down a Liberal MP who challenged him over policy consultation. The Courier Mail reports: TONY Abbott has been forced to slap down criticism from Liberal backbenchers about his decision to keep Labor's planned superannuation boost if he wins the election. Kelly writes: THE Gillard government is engaged in the politics of scramble while Tony Abbott is master of the knock-out punch -- yet on the mining tax Labor's scramble is prevailing against the Coalition's best blows. Dennis Atkins writes: WHEN you are a federal politician and you awake to a national poll that shows your side has a lead of unprecedented proportions, the last thing you'd do is wander into your weekly Parliamentary meeting and have a whinge. Peter Costello writes: WHEN the American president addressed joint Houses of the Australian Parliament back in 2003, Senator Bob Brown interjected. In fact so worked up was he that the Speaker ordered his removal from the chamber. He was yelling about Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. David Feeney writes: PEOPLE such as my colleague Senator Gavin Marshall, who want to retain Labor's policy of refusing uranium sales to India, need a powerful justification to persist with a policy that restricts trade and reduces our export income. David Uren writes: THE new mining tax is so compromised by its bastard birth that it puts the commonwealth budget at risk and cannot be considered an economic reform. Ross Gittins writes: By far the biggest development in the economy in recent years is the mining boom, and it's likely to roll on for at least the rest of this decade. But Australians are having a lot of trouble getting their minds around the boom's implications. The area abounds with worries and misperceptions. Annabel Crabb writes: It's nearly over. After 18 months of epic wrangling, only one final round of bunnies-in-a-basket stands between the Labor Government and its mining tax. Jacqueline Maley writes: One of the unpleasant facts of high-level public life is that you are forced to spend enormous amounts of time with your nemesis. Ewin Hannan writes: ALAN Joyce's pursuit of arbitration is designed to quarantine Qantas from further strike action and have Fair Work Australia quash what he regards as a damaging and unjustified bid by unions to interfere in the airline's commercial operations. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/capital-circle/mining-tax-finally-passes-the-house/story-fn59nqgy-1226203148171

TalkTurkey

23/11/2011Jaeger @ 11.07 That article was what prompted Gracie Fields to come out of 'retirement' to sing "He's Dead But He Won't Lie Down". My betting he's not going to lie down for some months yet though - a few days ago I prognosticated August. By which time the Coalons ought to be bouncing around like microscopic colloidal carbon particles in Indian Ink . . . It's called Brownian Motion . . . But the carbon particles have more sense of order . . . The video animation only shows plasticky things of the same size. In Indian Ink as in the Coalons you got the fat Sloppies and the skinny MaryJo Thugfish, the poor little old ARobbs and the long evil-looking Duttons, they all bounce really differently and so they will next year and they're already doing it. I can't find an Indian Ink one, this'll have to do. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VdMp46ZIL8

Lyn

23/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody Does this remind anybody of somebody: [quote]Mixed Martial Arts Fans Boo Putin, Moscow Times, 22 November 2011[/quote] Pro-Kremlin officials scrambled Monday to explain away an embarrassing chorus of boos Prime Minister Vladimir Putin faced from a crowd of 20,000 mixed martial arts fans in what was likely the worst public reception of his political career. He has been actively boosting his popularity this year through [b]publicity stunts, including diving for ancient amphoras in the Black Sea, riding a three-wheeled motorcycle with bikers and posing on skates in an ice hockey uniform[/b]. But this was the first time that such a show went visibly wrong, which prompted famous whistleblower and Kremlin-basher Alexei Navalny to [b]proclaim it "an end of an era. [/b] http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/mixed-martial-arts-fans-boo-putin/448295.html#ixzz1eUJ1j3Cx The Moscow Times Cheers:):):):):)

Feral Skeleton

23/11/2011Talk about 'duplicitous hypocrites'. lyn linked to James Massola's precis of the news & opinion in politics. One of the articles was this one: [quote]David Uren writes: THE new mining tax is so compromised by its bastard birth that it puts the commonwealth budget at risk and cannot be considered an economic reform.[/quote] Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it the case that the 'tax is so compromised' because the usual suspects, such as The Australian, David Uren et al., the Mining Council and their associated advertising agencies, and last, but not least, the Opposition, led the charge to get rid of the much better at 'economic reform', RSPT, and were spectacularly successful at it?

Casablanca

23/11/2011FS Here is another nice line that I came across in comments from 'Finger in the Dam' following an article by Geoff Gallop: [b]Abbott and his A team - A. Bolt, A. Jones, A. Joyce (ring-in)[/b] Good one http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/has-labor-gone-from-confusion-to-strategy-20111121-1nqft.html#ixzz1ePOWiOV7

jane

23/11/2011[quote]There must be a belief that repeating the same old and now tired mantras that bear little resemblance to the facts is a more promising strategy than presenting alternative, properly costed policies..[/quote] Obviously Liealot subscribes to the "stick with what you know and hope to God it keeps working" school of campaigning, Ad astra. [quote]So here now is *Gracie Fields*, who probably would be more than a hundred and three were it not for the fact that I suppose she has probably been 'lying down' for some time now.[/quote] TT, I believe her last words were "I think I'll have a little lie down, now." FS @10.51am,I believe you have the wrong orifice. Re the delightful J Bishop, Perhaps it's more a pissing contest, or just extreme jealously of the PM for getting the top job in the very blokey ALP, when all Jules can ever hope for is deputy LOTO. Actually, I wonder. do you think Jules would make a reasonable fist of LOTO? She couldn't possibly be worse than the 3 Stooges, could she? [quote]How the electorate cannot support the ALP after they have done so much for them in government,...[/quote] Because they are fed a daily diet of lies, obfusctions, misrepresentions and innuendo, by the likes of shock jocks and Hartigan's Heroes, FS @1.58pm, how many times do you have to be told.? [b]Never[/b]let the facts interfere with a good bullshit campaign.

Patricia WA

23/11/20112353, thanks for the memory of Gracie Fields! psyclaw - you should be writing lyrics for the Hamster Wheel! Lyn! What an amazing range of pro-govt or at least objectively reported topics covered in one day's edition of the OO! Looks like the worm is truly turning maybe unearthed by some effective dirt digging recently here downunder. The Hartigan exit starts to make sense as the Chee revelations emerge.

Casablanca

23/11/2011Abbott moved for the suspension of Standing Orders at about 2.52pm and of course ABC1 ended its broadcast before the Leader of Government Business, Anthony Albanese made his reply. ABC24 also seemed to have left the House so I watched it all on the HofR channel. The PM started to gather her papers together as LOTO rose to speak and she promptly left the Chamber as he called for the suspension of Standing Orders. This is starting to get to Tones because after the Division he rose to ask the Speaker to direct the Clerk to go back through the history of the Lower House to ascertain if any other Prime Minister had shown such disrespect to the LOTO. Harry Jenkins told him to sit down. Anthony Albanese also seems to get under Tony's skin. Albo can be quite devastating in his characterisations of Tones. He got a very big scowl when he said that the [i]'LOTO cannot wait for Christmas because, Mr Speaker, he is hoping that Santa Claus will bring him a policy!'[/i]

Lyn

23/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody I have collected these tweets for you or anyone who missed Question Time today. Funny I got these all together and I see "The Wall" collected them too, on Question Time today, 8 pages of them, here is the link:- Parliament of Australia: Question Time (23/11/2011) The Wall Hot Topic Last updated: an hour ago http://thewall.com.au/topics/58881-parliament-of-australia-question-time My Collection:- GrogsGamutGreg Jericho Woot! I knew it was going to be early! #qt BernardKeaneBernard Keane you're kidding me #qt 2.26? earliest ever? bow_and_arrowLe Grace I can't stand Abbott. Can't stand him. I need a punching bag with his face on it. conceravotaConcera Vota TA about to do his rant for the day. Very early -- no tactics at all. purserjpurserj TAbbott to Gillard: "Take it! Take it this time!" #qt mfarnsworthMalcolm Farnsworth Suspension time, Gillard packs her papers, Abbott taunts with "take it this time, take it." #qt crazyjane13Marian Dalton bbott up to suspend standing orders - yells 'take it, take it' at the government. #qt KarenMMiddletonKaren Middleton Opposition censure motion after only 5 questions. Close to a record truncation of #qt... And it's only Wednesday. mishaschubertMisha Schubert Labor MPs walk out as Abbott gets to his feet #qt mfarnsworthMalcolm Farnsworth Abbott: "Show some ticker - I move..." - Gillard leaves chamber to shouts of coward. #qt DanJCassDan Cass Why doesn't TAbbot just leap over the bench and start punching people like he wants to? #qt farrm51Malcolm Farr Not even half an hour of QT and the censure bus is revved up. Another ride to nowhere. Simon_CullenSimon Cullen Gillard walks out of Question Time before Abbott even finishes his first sentence in his censure motion KarenMMiddletonKaren Middleton Tony Abbott is accusing the PM of non-consultation. WOnder if Kellie O'Dwyer will speak in the censure motion? #qt mishaschubertMisha Schubert Labor MPs return now that Abbott is finished. Libs erupt. @AndrewLamingMP is booted. Why him? #qt SpaceKidetteSpace Kidette Tony looks a very deranged. His body movement is weird to watch. #qt #noalition paddybtspaddy bts This is really all a bit embarrassing. Watching Joe make a fool of himself with mutilated metaphors. #qt esseeeayeennSéan Hawkes How can someone who has always sat in parliament as a member of a coalition attack the concept of deals between parties? #qt Paul_MJPaul J Thats right Abbott was pissed on the Stimulous vote and asleep last night on the MRRT #qt #auspol #runaway judyvw2judy woodman Albo on fire, stick it to them crazyjane13Marian Dalton Albo: Abbott's 'hoping for Christmas - because he's hoping Santa will bring him a policy'. #qt Paul_MJPaul J @alboMP Tipping burning coals on Abbotts head quoting Menzies #qt #auspol MisdaMagooMr. Magoo The Noalition ...........so very right. #QT AlboMP destroying Abbott here. #auspol GrogsGamutGreg Jericho Albo in full flight here #qt gordongrahamGordon Graham there we go! Albo mentions that Abbott was asleep on the vote ... "He only woke up to say no" ROTFL #qt #censure #auspol SpaceKidetteSpace Kidette This Censure Motion was a great idea, don't you reckon, Tone? #owngoal #arsekicking #noalition #qt #auspol tony_ryuudragon "Abbott thinks he can sleepwalk into office" @AlboMP #qt gordongrahamGordon Graham got to hear the replay of Albo. He's on fire #qt #censure #auspol MisdaMagooMr. Magoo Classic performance by AlboMP in #QT --- completely dismantled Abbotts obfuscations & hypocrisy. #auspol NOALITION = DESTROYED. conceravotaConcera Vota I don't get why Abbott demands divisions - rubs salt into his won wounds! SchtangSchtang I think Albo ripped every Coalition member a new one - devastating performance. Haven't seen anything like that since Keating. #auspol davidlen2david Magnificent speech @AlboMP After the disgust felt with the performance of Abbott, you turned the light back on well done, one of yur best. bow_and_arrowLe Grace I wonder if Abbott is regretting that censure after Albanese ripped him apart. #qt geeksrulzGeek Powered Abbott smarting badly after having his arse handed to him by Albo in #qt #auspol ScottyFreakScottyFreak AlboMP, that was sublime. Abbott has been catapulted into next week with a nice size 10 bootmark on his arse Cheers:):):):):):)

Gravel

23/11/2011Talk Turkey :$ the second not should not be there. I have given myself a good talking too. Lyn You are a very brave Tweety Bird going into that nasty Sylvester's lair. Thank you for you courage and the time you have taken to do it. Well after watching question time, what there was of it, the nopposition were a bit fired up. Lucky it was taped for me as I had to go out, so I could just fast forward Liealot and Hockey, and didn't Albo dish it up to them really good. He got a lot of good sound grabs, not that they will be played on the MSM. I think they maybe unhappy about the MRRT passing. It could be interesting times ahead, what with a few of the nopposition leaking now.

Catey

23/11/2011I'm sorry I missed QT today. Seems like it was quite a show. I am such a computer illiterate I don't know how to provide a link - just wanted to highlight the excellent piece by Greg Jericho on The Drum today. It outlines everything the government has achieved this year along with the cr-p the PM has so valiantly endured. What a year and what a woman!

Lyn

23/11/2011Hi Catey If you would really like to know how to do a link, Norman K will explain for you, in down to earth easy instructions. NormanK has taught quite a few of us how to do links. This link is for you: [i]Well that went quick didn't it?, Greg Jericho, The Drum[/i] Carbon Tax became Abbott's Tourette's. In the time since then he has given 147 doorstop interviews. Many of them involve him standing in some small business in Queanbeyan having just gone through the paces of laying a brick, stacking some fruit, slicing some meat, tightening the screws on some doohickey, all the while wearing a bright fluro vest with either the ever-nodding and parroting Sophie Mirabella, or the ever-shaking-his-head-and-sighing Joe Hockey by his side. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3688494.html Cheers:):):):)

Jaeger

23/11/2011So the one trick Tony tried another censure motion; you would think he would have learnt from his past failures: "... it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing." And one for FS's dictionary, courtesy of Albert Einstein: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

nasking

23/11/2011[quote]AlboMP, that was sublime. Abbott has been catapulted into next week with a nice size 10 bootmark on his arse[/quote] LOL Many thnx to Lyn for the tweets...I forgot to watch QT today, so caught up in the American Repub debate & other overseas news. Sounds like I missed yet another Abbott hysterical rant...more mocking of anybody & everything by the Coalition benches, forgetting they aren't in school anymore...and a top feisty performance by Anthony Albanese who has had a splendid & gutsy year...firin' off like a pitching machine...Abbott & co. plenty of swings & misses of late...not long before Tony strikes out for the last time I reckon. N'

Feral Skeleton

23/11/2011PatriciaWA, John Hartigan has hit back at Bill O'Chee's accusation already: http://www.smh.com.au/national/hartigan-hits-back-at-exsenators--special-relationship-claim-20111123-1nul5.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter I wouldn't believe a word of it though. Nor Colless, always a faithful manservant to the Conservative Murdoch.

nasking

23/11/2011My assessment of the US Republican debaters: Gingrich & Huntsman stood out. Both threw a bit of red meat to their blut & boden, guts & glory (provided its someone else's guts & their glory) audience... Newt Gingrich takin' a [i]go for it WW2 style[/i] when it comes to Iran approach...callin' for enuff local oil drilling to ensure sanctions bite the Persians whilst oil prices plunge globally - a fairly suss, fairytale approach as shown on CNN considerin' how long the drilling, and establishin' enuff refineries, would take...considerin' the clock is runnin' out when it comes to Iran gettin' a bomb, based on some experts/alarmists' views. Jon Huntsman, the intellectual diplomat w/ useful experience related to China who uses his attractive daughters as an advertising weapon, was far more aggressive & confident in this debate...less like a wafflin' enyclopedia salesman. The Israel lobby will be pleased to know he hearts their country... he sees joblessness & economic fragility at home as a top threat...and I'd have to agree w/ him. More economic sabotage by corporations & politicians from his side of the fence and you'll see a mess in America that I'm sure China, Russia, Venezuala, Iran & others will want to take advantage of... ...and a few cynical, conspiracy-headed returned soldiers gone loopy through trauma..Timothy McVeigh style. Newt brought McVeigh up...and the possibility of a terrorist bringin' a nuke into an American city. This enabled him to hug, justify the Patriot Act...possibly a strengthenin' of it...soundin' like a cross between GW Bush & Reagan he talked about using "all the tools necessary" to preserve American security... whilst revealin' an oft hidden compassionate side, makin' a sober plea for illegal immigrant families who'd been there for 20-25 years to be given an opportunity to legally join the home team by way of a special visa... sensibly attemptin' to pull in the Latino community & others whilst appealin' to the wee bit of rationality & empathy left in Republican ranks (don't forget this lot don't mind booing the President's wife at a NASCAR race & a gay returned soldier) by askin' if anyone would really feel comfortable about breakin' up the family of someone they'd known for 20 odd years. Frankly, I reckon they wouldn't if they could get some moolah & cheap work out of them...but would if they could grab ownership of their business or their partner...or both. Some might say this was a dangerous approach by Newt considerin' the response Perry received in a previous debate related to providing education for the children of illegals...but he's been around the traps, and knows he has to win over more than the extremists like the "no compromise" Tea Party & gun totin' vigilantes on the border. Plenty of farmers who have used the same illegals to pick their crops for yonks will probably find this appealing too...and it does put the protectionist unions in a corner. Rick Perry attempted to come across as the firm, gung-ho Texan governor w/ a quick mind & quick draw...but failed. The way he waffled over a "no fly zone" for Syria demonstrated the man really does lack confidence at this point...one moment assertive...the next unsure if the approach is the way to go...just one of many possibilities. As I've predicted before, Perry is terminal. As for Herman Cain. Vague, confused when it comes to Wolf Blitzer's name, fartin' on about Syrian oil, wantin' to check any plan Israel had to bomb Iran (perhaps he could supply the pizzas and use an extra extra large one as a map of Iran?). Cain is as distracted as Clinton durin' the impeachment proceedings...but not half as swift. Mitt Romney comes across as authentic as a dandy in cowboy gear. Michelle Bachman sounded half-sensible when it came to the issue of aid to Pakistan...but displays a terrible fear of the creeping unknown...as in Pakistani nukes...and China...and Iran. Her kooky smile gives one the impression that if that 3am in the mornin' call was to come...she'd yell out: THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO Ron Paul sounded like a pacifist...understandably fed up w/ overseas wars & the bloated, economy destroyin' costs of them...suspicious of the Patriot Act...in fact suspicious of anyone w/ power, a badge, a gun, taxpayer's money, who has a shadow that falls on his white picket fence. As for Santorum. I think he made some sensible comments that did not involve family values, overly religious claptrap...but he lost me years ago. So, I give the debate to gutsy Gingrich for wavin' the blue [i]kinda amnesty for established illegals[/i] rag... apparently the Bachman camp immediately grabbed the bull horns outa their toolbox and charged at Newt, smiling like the Joker on steroids. Huntsman gets one thumbs up for combinin' Patriot Games w/ Stand By Me... and a nod to Ron Paul for his convincin' role of a determined Isolationist on the eve of Pearl Harbour. N'

nasking

23/11/2011[quote]Ron Paul sounded like a pacifist...understandably fed up w/ overseas wars & the bloated, economy destroyin' costs of them...suspicious of the Patriot Act...in fact suspicious of anyone w/ power, a badge, a gun, taxpayer's money, who has a shadow that falls on his white picket fence[/quote] I shoulda said, suspicious of anyone w/ a gun unless it's a friend, family member, neighbour or regular heartland folk defendin' the land & their rights from the government & their dark dark agencies. Particularly those evil ones from the EDJEECASHUN DEEPARTMEANT...and COMMIE-LIKE TAXIN US TO DEATH AGENCY N'

Feral Skeleton

23/11/2011Alan Jones found guilty of breaching the radio code of conduct by ACMA: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/alan-jones-breached-radio-code/story-e6frg996-1226203402962

2353

23/11/2011Hartigan claiming "it wasn't us" and Jones being found guilty (again???) by ACMA. Although Albo didn't make the news that I saw - neither did Abbott. It's been a good day. I'm with FS - I don't believe Hartigan. Me thinks he protests too much.

Ad astra reply

23/11/2011Folks Having seen Tony Abbott's attempt to suspend standing orders, and Ablo tearing him to shreds, I can but assume that Abbott enjoys the punishment handed to him over and again on such occasions. For a person who enjoys handing out punishment, why does he invite it? He must have learned this sadomasochism in his early days. I'm calling it a day after a tiring day cleaning up the property.

Feral Skeleton

23/11/2011Ad Astra, I'm not so sure that Tony Abbott doesn't get a return for his Censure Motions. The reporting I saw today began with wtte: "Tony Abbott moved to criticise the government in parliament today for...". Then there is the clip of Tony Abbott criticising the government for ... Which gets the point home to Joe & Josephina Citizen, in a perverse way, because they are only half-listening as they get the tea at 6PM amid the hubbub of daily family life, that the government have been criticised today for...Therefore they get the message, whether there is any verifiable veracity to it or not, that the government deserves criticism for...Well, they must, because, why would the Leader of the Opposition stop parliament to launch one of these Censure thingys, otherwise? And so it goes. That Anthony Albanese tears strips of Tony Abbott as a result becomes merely incidental, really, in the larger scheme of how these things play out in the community. Between you, me, and the fence post, Tony Abbott deserves every scintilla of criticism directed at him, however, the bigger picture is why the government has deserved the criticism he's meting out to them. Which becomes the take-out that has the most resonance, IMHO. I also think that this phenomenon helps to explain why the government's poll ratings are still so stubbornly low, despite the objective viewer being able to enumerate many reasons why it shouldn't be. That is, Tony Abbott and the Coalition are winning the war of perceptions management and are using the tools at their disposal to effect it, well. However, all is not lost for the government. I believe they are starting to get it themselves, and are starting to employ some novel tools of their own to get their messages across. Their 'Tony Abbott's Book of No', distributed to the Press Gallery specifically, this week, was a plus. They need to do more of that sort of thing. Also, they need to figure out how THEY can exploit the Rules of Engagement in parliament the way that the Opposition have with their constant resort to Censure Motions and Matters of Public Importance(MPIs). Can the government Censure Tony Abbott? He sure deserves it if anyone in that place does! Even if it leads to criticism that the government are 'abusing' parliament, the Opposition have already set a bad example there and so would seem like hypocrites if they complained. And, if Question Time is foreshortened as a result, so what? The Opposition already treat it with contempt, and the government would not need to do it half as much as Tony Abbott. They don't need to! Also, if it works for Abbott, for the reasons outlined above, then it might just have the same beneficial effect, in the run-up to the next federal election, and on the polls, for the government. :)

Casablanca

23/11/2011Abbort opened question time today by berating the PM for 'doing deals in the dead of night' or WTTE and for not consulting her Cabinet. Not for the first time he has projected his own misdeeds onto the PM. Where there is smoke in the Government's camp there is always fire in the Libs camp. Phillip Coorey reports Abbort’s latest display of [i]displacement[/i] as follows: [i] After being questioned on both the logic and the process involved,[in his decision to support an increase in the superannuation guarantee][b] Mr Abbott grew testy and shut down the debate.[/b] He said the party room was sovereign and had a right to change policy at any time "but that doesn't mean that every policy comes to the party room for discussion".[/i] So I hope that the ALP and the public have got that sorted out. It's OK if Tony wants to by-pass his party room but if the PM appears to do something similar it is a capital offence. http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbott-victim-of-friendly-fire-as-liberals-criticise-coalition-leadership-20111122-1nsvw.html

TalkTurkey

23/11/2011jane said [i]TT, I believe her last words were "I think I'll have a little lie down, now." [/i] Do you mean that was her real last comment in real life? On the record she says wtte [i]I think he'll stay down now.[/i] I'd quite like [i]my[/i] last words to be "I think I'll have a little lie down, now." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lyn you have excelled yourself yet again, this time with a rundown of QT tweets you painstakingly collected yourself. What a worker you are! If you were being paid by a big company to do for them what you do for us you'd be worth well up in the six figures. Dog should I have told you that? Don't CEOs' salaries make you sick Folks eh. Just by comparison. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What a fighter Albo eh, You gotta love him more and more. :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Does anybody know what happened when Abbortt 'slapped down' one of his own who apparently questioned him? Please?

jane

24/11/2011FS @6.54pm, do you think the execrable Jones will get any more than a slap with a limp lettuce leaf? Having watched the Chaser boys list the appalling things said about the PM by that creature and his familiars, I hope his punishment starts with a 6 figure fine and banishment from the airwaves for 6 months at the very least. You could only hope that having his toxic presence removed from the airwaves might allow his brainwashed listeners to kick the Jones Habit. 2353, I think all Ltd News execs have a mandatory weekly Liar serum injection as a condition of their employment. [quote]He said the party room was sovereign and had a right to change policy at any time "but that doesn't mean that every policy comes to the party room for discussion".[/quote] Casblanca, what a refreshing change to see that the Nopposition may actually have a policy, although what it could possibly be is a mystery to me. TT, I cannot tell a lie. I made it up after you observed that she would have been lying down for some time. It seemed such an apt remark, I couldn't help myself. They would be rather good last words, though. Perhaps accompanied by "so you can all get your own sodding tea!"

psyclaw

24/11/2011FS 10.42pm That's a great suggestion FS, that JG shuts down QT at 1410hrs each day to censure Rabbott the fool. I wonder do the rules of engagement allow the govt to do this. What a scream would ensue from the Colonition and the press gallery ..... "JG uses dirty tricks to avoid the accountability of QT!!!!" That's exactly what Abbott is doing. QT, [b]the[/b] aspect of parliament which is most widely broadcast and from which so many 6 o'clock news grabs come is a daily embarrassment for the Colons. JG and most ministers eat them up daily ....no matter what question is asked, they are all easily turned into an effective attack, so poor are the actual questions. So Abbott uses the censure motion to shut it all down and allow his mob to talk and scream to the censure motion. Whilst you and us all understand this, as you have said, Joe and Mrs Public do not, and they are treated to an attacking clip of Abbott on the news, rather than a view of him sitting and looking like a goose being carved by great answers to silly questions for an hour. Abbott (or Credlin) is very adept at this stunt and uses it effectively. I'm going to email Albo about this right now. Cheers

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011Obama has officially 'pardoned' Liberty and Peace, two white Turkeys, from the annual capital 'punishment' orgy that will see the beheading and scourging and bizarre dismemberment of millions of my feathered comrades in the next days. Thanks a lot. What did they did wrong anyway? Trusted Yank imperialists, that's what. When will us Turkeys ever learn?

Lyn

24/11/2011 [b]TODAY’S LINKS[/b] [i]Well that went quick didn't it?, Greg Jericho, The Drum[/i] Carbon Tax became Abbott's Tourette's. In the time since then he has given 147 doorstop interviews. Many of them involve him standing in some small business in Queanbeyan having just gone through the paces of laying a brick, stacking some fruit, slicing some meat, tightening the screws on some doohickey, all the while wearing a bright fluro vest with either the ever-nodding and parroting Sophie Mirabella, or the ever-shaking-his-head-and-sighing Joe Hockey by his side. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3688494.html [i]TONY’S DUG A BIG, BAD BLACK HOLE, Ann Summers, The Hoopla[/i] Run a naysayer against a negotiator and what do you get? A functioning government that, against all predictions, has delivered in spades, with more to come, and is starting to get grudging recognition for getting on with the job. http://thehoopla.com.au/tony-dug-big-bad-black-hole/?cpg=2 [i]Mining tax deal raises parliamentary tensions, Jeremy Thompson, ABC[/i] He cut short Question Time to move that Parliament "censures the Prime Minister for the deceptive, dysfunctional, and directionless government she leads which doesn't trust the people... but which is always driven by Bob Brown and the Greens"."Bob Brown wanted a dirty deal in the dead of night on the mining tax, and so what did this Prime Minister do? The Prime Minister that has just shamefully scurried out of this chamber... she delivered. "http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-23/mining-tax-deal-raises-parliamentary-tensions/3688766 [i]Attack dog Albanese unleashes on Abbott's Noalition, Jeremy Thompson, ABC[/i] But even Mr Abbott looked amused by the counter-attack on him by House leader Anthony Albanese, usually a snaggle-toothed, knock-em-down drag-em-out street fighter not usually noted for a sense of humour.But someone in Mr Albanese's office has been busy and the boss was armed to the teeth when he approached the dispatch box. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-23/albanese-launches-attack-on-abbott/3689660?WT.svl=news3 [i]Hacking scandal overblown in newspaper wars, Jonathan Holmes, The Drum[/i] In my view, the story was a bit of a beat-up. The information revealed just wasn't sufficiently personal, and the voters concerned weren't sufficiently outraged, for it to be worth a page one splash. Nevertheless it was clearly asking pertinent questions about databases kept by both major parties which are perfectly legal but http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-23/holmes-hacking-scandal-overblown/3687192 [i]Tony Abbott's strange Obama speech, Sam Roggeveen, The Interpreter[/i] In that first sentence, Abbott seems to be referring to fascism and communism. But insofar as the former goes, the Russians and other members of what was the Soviet Union, who suffered in excess of 20 million deaths fighting the Nazis, might contest Abbott's claim that the US 'saw off' the threat. http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2011/11/23/Tony-Abbotts-strange-Obama-speech.aspx [i]Alan Jones guilty of two breaches of code , Paul barry, The Power Index[/i] It's the first time in ACMA's history that such a judgement has been handed down. So Jones can be proud of setting a new benchmark.In layman's terms, Jones's spray against the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) in December 2010 was judged by ACMA to be factually inaccurate and unbalanced.The shockjock's tirade was sparked off by a farmer whose life and business had been "destroyed"—according to Jones http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/power-fail/alan-jones-guilty-of-two-breaches-of-code/20111123748 [i]Why So Surprised-, Bill, Billablog[/i] Sandilands and “O” do what they do for the same reason Alan Jones does: it pulls the punters. If you have to blame someone, don’t just blame Sandilands for behaving the only way he knows how, blame those who encourage it by producing the show or by listening to it. Also, ask yourself how disgraceful the program has to be before Miss O’s self respect finally kicks in and she decides she’s better than that. http://the-billablog.blogspot.com/ [i]Can Do’ Campbell is a Moral Black Hole, Body Politic – Australia[/i] Why is it, then, that Campbell Newman, unseated leader of the LNP in Queensland, has not only refused to disendorse the apologist for rape, but in fact released a measly three sentence ‘statement’ outlining why he would continue to endorse an apologist for rape.This is not to say that everyone in the LNP agrees with the actions of both King and Newman, but it would seem that people who should be applying pressure to http://bodypoliticaus.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/can-do-campbell-is-a-moral-black-hole/ [i]Either Way, Labor Wins, Art Neuro[/i] I’ve been thinking a bit about how awful it would be if and when Tony Abbott should become Prime Minister of Australia. Yes, Tony Abbott, he of the strident Monarchist position, the aggravatingly negative Opposition leadership, the un-costed, retrograde policies, the morbid fear of progressiveness, the dodgy accounting. That Tony Abbott. I often imagine other blue-blood Liberal Party http://artneuro.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/either-way-labor-wins/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog [i]Premier Snubs Gas Opponents, Kate Ousburn, New Matilda[/i] Referring to the recent successful blockade against Santos by Liverpool Plains farmers, Hutton said industry and government could expect continuing "respectful civil disobedience". He said, "Every time the gas companies try to come on to our land we will blockade them, we will block the gate to lock the gate." http://newmatilda.com/2011/11/23/premier-snubs-gas-opponent [i]Open forum: has Abbott lost his media shine?, Miglo, Café Whispers[/i] For 18 months his backflips, brain farts and childish Parliamentary behaviour have been hailed as brilliant political manoeuvres. But such praises are slowly disappearing from the media landscape. In their place – as reflected from the many links provided on this blog lately – those aforementioned hard, critical questions are being asked. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/open-forum-has-abbott-lost-his-media-shine/ [i]Dollars and sense, Michael’s Space[/i] So, why the volatility in between the quarterly businesses reports (in Australia not sure of tax laws in most other countries) on profit? It is a good question that can be worked out the following way. Forbes and other publications that show the wealthy peoples stock portfolios. http://mickoh27.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/dollars-and-sense/ [i]Mr. David Palmer Explains The Problem, Willis Eschenbach, What’s up With That[/i] Whoever who took the Climategate emails from the Climate Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia (UEA) are certainly playing the long game. Two whole years they waited before publishing the second group of 5,292 CRU emails, now known as Climategate 2.0. Impressive. I’m mentioned in 17 of the emails, because I made the first http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/11/23/mr-david-palmer-explains-the-problem/ [i]Wild Rivers, the LNP and combating poor policy debate, Mark Bahnisch, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] Part of the problem here is that positions are taken, and attempts made successfully to shape them, in the absence of any understanding of the facts. Too many complex political issues are now subject to such positioning, and to a deliberate avoidance of fact and truth, and so debates proceed without the real effects of policy and the actual interests at stake being exposed to view. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/11/23/wild-rivers-the-lnp-and-combating-poor-policy-debate/Roger Jones Professorial Research Fellow at Victoria University [i]Spinning uncertainty? The IPCC extreme weather report and the media, Roger Jones, The Conversation[/i] Disaster risks have two levels of attribution. The first level separates the physical hazard from the exposure of people and places, and their underlying social and physical vulnerability. The second concerns the anthropogenic contribution to changing extremes that influence those physical hazards. http://theconversation.edu.au/spinning-uncertainty-the-ipcc-extreme-weather-report-and-the-media-4402 [i]Australia’s electric transport future – powered by sun and wind, Antinuclear[/i] Imagine an Australia with fast trains linking the major capital cities, diesel/electric trucks equipped with pantographs following overhead wires like trams in the inner city, electric vehicles dominating the passenger vehicle market, and 40 per cent of our electricity coming from renewable energy. Imagine, also, a smart phone-style “mobility manager http://antinuclear.net/2011/11/23/australias-electric-transport-future-powered-by-sun-and-wind/ [i]Obama in Australia: China’s reaction – Video, Posts by luiggi berrospi, Politics and Law and Opinion[/i] CCTV’s Dialogue host, Yang Rui, says Australia facilitating an increased US military presence in the region sends a mixed message to China. WATCH VIDEO HERE: Sky News Australia – Video. http://lawonlineau.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/obama-in-australia-chinas-reaction-video/ [i]GPs are getting older and working more intensively. And what about their patients?, Melissa Sweet, Croakey[/i] GPs managed about 37 million more problems in 2010-11 than ten years earlier. Of course there are more GPs than there were ten years ago, to deal with the increasing population and help absorb the extra number of problems needing management. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2011/11/23/gps-are-getting-older-and-working-more-intensively-and-what-about-their-patients/ [i]Journalism at the Crossroads crisis and opportunity for the press e-book only, Margaret Simons, Scribe Publications[/i] Simons considers the role of the journalist in this new media landscape, why we still need quality news reporting, how new technologies can enhance traditional reporting, ways in which journalists and citizens can work together to break stories, and how media organisations can reinvigorate their newsrooms by engaging directly with the community. http://www.scribepublications.com.au/book/journalismatthecrossroads [i]Turnbull secretly “loves” the NBN, claims Internode, Renai LeMay, Delimeter[/i] Despite Lindsay’s belief, Turnbull has also recently confirmed the Coalition would halt the NBN project if it took government in the next election — noting construction would be stopped while a cost/benefit analysis was conducted and a variety of other measures taken http://delimiter.com.au/2011/02/16/turnbull-secretly-loves-the-nbn-claims-internode/ [i]PaulHealthcare monitoring for the elderly, Budde, The Budde Blog[/i] Wireless body sensor network (WBSN) is a new concept developed by the Technical University of Munich, involving wearable or ambient sensors, combined with wireless communication technologies for remote monitoring of physical activity in elderly in and outside their homes. http://www.buddeblog.com.au/news-and-views/healthcare-monitoring-for-the-elderly/ [i]Australia Post and the Digital Economy, David Havyatt, Anything Goes[/i] Post is in the collecting and delivering business. To do that they've had to have shopfronts. They have leveraged the shopfronts to generate agency fee revenue and to sell products to create demand for the collecting and delivering business - presents, stationary etc. These activities bear some of the fixed and common costs incurred in running stores. The agency business in part grew by accident - http://davidhavyatt.blogspot.com/ [i]Murdoch's News Corp accused of trying to bribe Australian senator, The Guardian UK[/i] The allegations are embarrassing for News Corp, whose ownership of 70% of Australia's newspapers has raised criticisms from within the government that Rupert Murdoch's empire has too much control over the country's media.The government has opened an inquiry into potentially increasing newspaper regulation in Australia http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/nov/23/murdoch-news-corp-senator-bribe :):):):):):)

Ad astra reply

24/11/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011O MY DOG! Harry's resigns! I just cued in to the HoR [i][b]What's to happen now?[/b][/i] Slipper takes Chair. Noisy Chamber. Abbortt speaking. Astonished. *J*U*L*I*A* speaks. Sounds very respectful. All quite quick. The House moves on. Harry seeing Gov.gen presently. ie right now. Careful what we wish for. Hope it works out well for Us. I didn't hear why Harry is resigning. Anyone please? Anyway it'll be rebroadcast. Stay posted and posting.

D Mick Weir

24/11/2011Hot off the presses: @latingle Laura Tingle jenkins resigning 19 minutes ago via web @latingle Laura Tingle jenkins resigns as speaker. parliamentary numbers ...... 18 minutes ago via web

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Breaking News! Harry Jenkins has resigned as Speaker of the House of Representatives!!! Now, who was it that suggested he needed to go? I think it was me. Glad he took my advice. ;-)

psyclaw

24/11/2011TT Sincere regrets that Thanksgiving has again returned. My sincere advice ....keep your head down, walk quietly, and carry a big stick! Isn't PJK a true classic. Here he is, a lad who left school at fifteen and went on to love Mahler, antique clocks, Zegna suits, and ended up as PM. And if that's not enough here he is on Lateline giving an erudite assessment of history as he describes the dangers of nations attempting to contain a particular emerging nation. Regarding WW1, in plain language he described how in the latter 19th century, Russia and France (I think) tried for years to contain the emerging Germany. His great understanding of the dynamics and consequences of containment is extraordinary ie that tensions build up to an extent that a minor incident ("the assassination of some duke") is blown out of proportion and stimulates the Great War. Hence he disavows what he sees as the USA's attempt to contain China. He particularly believes that Obama's speech in our parliament was inappropriate use of that forum to make a speech to domestic USA. Of great concern to him was that the announcement of extra US troop numbers for Darwin was formally made in that speech ..... he saw that as an element of US pressure towards China. He argued that if that announcement had been appropriately made by Rudd and Clinton a while back when it was decided, it would have been of no import to China and would have solicited no Chinese protest. As well he argued that Obama's statement that the US interest in SE Asia was "new" is false, and was merely a rehashed statement which when stated with the the troop message in our parliament said to all yanks "trust me to contain China". Implicitly he said that Obama conned us. It is hard to argue against this view when the Hamster Wheel a half our earlier had flashed up TV excerpts of Obama over the last 12 months proudly telling the leaders of France, UK, Canada, S Korea (and a few more) that they were each "America's closest and trusted ally" as he told us in his speech. PJK's ability to present such commentary in plain, logical language is unsurpassed. Unfortunately there was no opportunity in Lateline for him to repeat his classic of a few weeks back that Abbott needs "a judo chop to the head". Tony Jones seems to possess my awe of PJK ..... he fawned over him throughout and asked no analytical questions. It was really an unpaid advert by PJK.

Lyn

24/11/2011Good Morning Ad and Everybody Harry Jenkins resigns. The twittrsphere has gone into a frenzy, I like the comment; "how many censure motions was he going to endure" Abbott's speech, was awful. thebirdman1010Chris Reynolds Bet Abbotts just started to realise the implications of having Slippery Pete as speaker.Methinks this is the start of the end for Abbott. andrew_hedgeAndrew Hedge Think so. MT @purserj: so Harry goes to the back bench, giving the Govt an extra seat, Peter Slipper steps up, denying the Coalition a seat SpaceKidetteSpace Kidette You can understand Harry resigning. I mean how many Censure motions can one man listen too? #harryresigns z3n_digitalZen Digital Harry was [b]inspired by Albo [/b]yesterday #AusPol Thought4rceThink Big Harry Jenkins is an honourable and decent man. It's a shame that he had to put up with the childish antics of the #NOalition tools z3n_digitalZen Digital [b]Rudd gave slipper the pep talk [/b]#auspol gordongrahamGordon Graham given the river of shit coming his way regardless, it would make logical sense for [b]Slipper to take the speakers role #auspol[/b] crazyjane13Marian Dalton @@AshGhebranious Slipper's seat is under pressure from his own party. [b]Mal Brough said he'd challenge [/b]if early pre-selection called purserjpurserj Right, so Harry goes to the back bench, giving the Govt an extra seat, Peter Slipper steps up, [b]denying the Coalition a seat[/b] Cheers:):):):):):):):)

psyclaw

24/11/2011No doubt Harry J's departure will be explained by "personal reasons" (which could rightly include that he's had the jack of Pyne, B Bishop, Dutton and the other hardcore obstructionists and misbehavers). But given Rudd's recently reported meeting with Slipper it might eventuate that he accepts a promotion from deppity speaker. Such would be a strategic coup, giving the government an extra buffer and Abbott the fool the loss of one vote. We'll wait and see.

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011So THAT'S what was on the agenda when Kevvy met Peter? :D Got it out of the way before the ALP Conference next weekend. It's all good. Can't wait to go! I'm going to be there the whole 3 days! :D

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody Doesn't take the bootstrappers long: [i]Speaker's shock resignation may change balance of power, Phillip Coorey[/i] Mr Jenkins' resignation could change the fine balance of the hung parliament. If a Liberal is appointed, such as the Deputy Speaker and Liberal Peter Slipper, [b]Tony Abbott could lose two numbers on the floor.[/b] http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/speakers-shock-resignation-may-change-balance-of-power-20111124-1nvn8.html#ixzz1eZUaskRo Cheers:):):):)

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011psyclaw, Harry said he wants to jump back into the fray. Not 'personal reasons'. I suspect it was a bit of a coup(if you'll pardon the pun), organised last weekend when Kevin went to Slipper's seat. If Slipper does take the job for the rest of the term I bet Abbott will be apoplectic. :D

nasking

24/11/2011[quote]Tony Jones seems to possess my awe of PJK ..... he fawned over him throughout and asked no analytical questions. It was really an unpaid advert by PJK.[/quote] psyclaw, Keating's views on Obama's speech in our parliament are welcome...bein' a functionin' democracy. Some might argue that it is America that is bein' contained by its massive IOU to China & some Gulf States. I noticed Jones brought up the term [i]appeasement[/i]: The term appeasement is commonly understood to refer to a diplomatic policy aimed at avoiding war by making concessions to another power. Historian Paul Kennedy defines it as "the policy of settling international quarrels by admitting and satisfying grievances through rational negotiation and compromise, thereby avoiding the resort to an armed conflict which would be expensive, bloody, and possibly dangerous." Kennedy's definition has been widely cited by scholars. Appeasement was used by European democracies in the 1930s who wished to avoid war with the dictatorships of Germany and Italy, bearing in mind the horrors of the First World War. The term is most often applied to the foreign policy of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain towards Nazi Germany between 1937 and 1939. His policies of avoiding war with Germany have been the subject of intense debate for seventy years among academics, politicians and diplomats. The historian's assessment of Chamberlain has ranged from condemnation for allowing Hitler to grow too strong, to the judgement that he had no alternative and acted in Britain's best interests. At the time, these concessions were widely seen as positive, and the Munich Pact among Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy prompted Chamberlain to announce that he had secured "peace for our time". (wikipedia) Now, if memory serves me...wasn't it PM Gillard who went straight from Obama's visit to Bali and had amiable talks w/ the Chinese & Indonesians... and wasn't it Tony Abbott who got so excited about the US troop deployment he wanted more? I note that Keating felt Obama's speech from Australia would have little impact on our trade relations... surely China would recognise that Aussies are renowned, like many middle powers, for gettin' starstruck when a charmin' bigwig from a superpower arrives... even royalty for that matter. Be interestin' to see Tony Abbott visit China. Perhaps he could wear his ALL THE WAY WITH AMERICA cap? He could arrange to meet Rupert Murdoch & Wendy Deng Murdoch there. I'm sure PM Gillard will be invited to China soon enuff...and be treated w/ respect...clearing up any confusion. BTW, what an interestin' doco on Kissinger via SBS the other day. The trip to China left him in awe. One helluva history. I hope Hillary Clinton has seen it. N'

Jaeger

24/11/2011Interesting times - hopefully not in the Chinese curse sense. Will the change in numbers prevent Abbott from calling pointless censure motions in future?

Ad astra reply

24/11/2011Folks The Harry Jenkins return to ranks of Labor in House debates raises all sorts of fascinating possibilities, most of them positive for the Government, and negative for Tony Abbott. Exciting days and times are ahead, as your tweets suggest Lyn. I'll be out on the property most of the day cleaning up. Back later. I'll return for QT; it should be fun to watch.

nasking

24/11/2011BTW, my wife remarked that she found Tony Abbott's "take it" yell offensive...came across like an ocker sports bully...or someone forcing themselves on someone else. Bloody disgraceful. N'

Jaeger

24/11/2011psyclaw - Unfortunately, it appears that censure motions of the Opposition "are not consistent with the traditional parliamentary convention": http://www.aph.gov.au/house/pubs/practice/chapter9.htm#censu On the bright side, Peter Slipper may have more freedom to act against the Opposition without the perception of partisanship - though I'm sure the Opposition will attack him just the same.

NormanK

24/11/2011Gee you lefties delude yourselves with endless spin. It is as plain as the nose on your face that Harry Jenkins' resignation is a further indication of how dysfunctional, incompetent and complacent this Labor government is at the moment. If further proof is required just let me quote a senior MP who has his finger on the pulse: [quote]"One must assume that something extraordinary is happening inside the Labor Party at the moment for the Speaker to resign his office to go back into those debates."[/quote] The Right Honourable Tony Abbott is right there on the spot so no amount of gilding the lily by the left-wing media in this country is going to disguise the fact that if Slipper steps up to Speaker then Labor will have a two vote buffer when parliament resumes next year and they will no longer be quite so beholden to the Independents and Greens. What a bunch of losers! Oh wait! Does that mean the Coalition is down two votes? Oops. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/harry-jenkins-resigning/3690850 (Contains video of Harry's speech)

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011Folks somehow I skipped several posts yesterday. Sorrrry. Psyclaw bursting over the Rhyme horizon like the first rays of the sun! Beaudy Cobber! Yes Abbortt's gone eh. Just like that. Lame duck or roadkill, who cares. He has led his Party far ashtray, now they have to work out their way back. I say this sort of stuff and Psyclaw I'm sure you do too in the certain conviction that nothing succeeds like ridicule, like jeering when your jibes go home by being true, for raising one's own morale and lowering the opposition's. It works in every situation, and across species. It is not hubris pure-and-simple, it is much more importantly a winning stratagem. I wouldn't try to turn black into white, but I will steadfastly talk Us up and Them down whenever and wherever opportunity permits, as a matter of fighting attitude. Our sort of jeering was always going to be an important part of the Aborting of Abbortt. And let it be a lesson to us. We have a little power here, only straws maybe but there's lots of us in the political blogosphere. Straws to blow in the wind and staws to start spotfires and straws to break camel's backs. Mony a mickle mecks a muckle. Abbortt looks forward to a dreary long recess and a dreadful New year. Can he last until August? And WHO will be his "successor"? S/he'll suck cess all right trying to become credible. As if. Trying to make a pearly purse from pigpoo. Ooh that's a good image for the Coalons I reckon :) hee hee hee hee hee ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One Trick Tony Good one FS Dumb Prick Tony One Trick Pony Scum Hick Phony Tony Gone Away Lifted from LYRICSFREAK, thank you very much, Paul Simons' words are so-o-o-o-o aposite! [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/paul+simon/one+trick+pony_20105901.html ] www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfv3kBzJZgU He's a one trick pony One trick is all that horse can do He does one trick only It's the principal source of his revenue And when he steps into the spotlight You can feel the heat of his heart Come rising through See how he dances See how he loops from side to side See how he prances The way his hooves just seem to glide He's just a one trick pony (that's all he is) But he turns that trick with pride He makes it look so easy He looks so clean He moves like god's Immaculate machine He makes me think about All of these extra movements I make And all of this herky-jerky motion And the bag of tricks it takes To get me through my working day One-trick pony He's a one trick pony He either fails or he succeeds He gives his testimony Then he relaxes in the weeds He's got one trick to last a lifetime But that's all a pony needs (that's all he needs) He looks so easy He looks so clean He moves like god's Immaculate machine He makes me think about All of these extra movements I make And all of this herky-jerky motion And the bag of tricks it takes To get me through my working day One-trick pony, one trick pony One-trick pony, one trick pony One-trick pony (take me for a ride) One trick pony

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Everybody More News on the Speaker bombshell: Slipper deal sealed a week ago, Bil Hoffman, Sunshine Coast Daily Party sources expect that current deputy speaker Peter Slipper, the LNP member for Fisher, will defy Mr Abbott and take the job in a deal believed to have been stitched up a week ago. It is believed that last week's controversial visit by former Labor leader Kevin Rudd to Mr Slipper's electorate at the same time Labor icon John Howard was launching John Connolly's state campaign in Nambour was a deliberately contrived piece of theatre leading up to today's events. http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/11/24/slipper-deal-sealed-week-ago/ valburgeVal Burge Straight from the horse's mouth, almost :) http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/11/24/slipper-deal-sealed-week-ago/ Slipper Deal Sealed a Week Ago. Clever Ruddy #auspol 3 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply Retweeted by geeksrulz Cheers:):):):)

nasking

24/11/2011Just watched Abbott w/ the sound muted. His eyes give away his desperation, anxiety & worry. This is a leader on the [i]downward spiral[/i]. The autocratic bully must now lie in the bed of his own makin'. Thnx to Harry Jenkins for his brill efforts as Speaker...I enjoyed his sense of fairness & humour. I'm pleased he will be able to participate more politically. He deserves applause for puttin' up w/ the likes of that annoyin' prat Christopher Pyne...and prissy, pushy, domineerin' Bronwyn Bishop....and pugilist negabore Abbott...a man who always puts "win at all costs" above dignity & honour & sense of decency. Yet another win for Julia Gillard...first female prime minister...demonstratin' how strong female leaders can be...what useful negotiators they are...if provided an opportunity...if they grab said opportunity w/ both hands. Abbott's bluster & spin demonstrates everything wrong w/ the Coalition. All raging horn & no common sense. N'

nasking

24/11/2011Thumbs up to Ruddy too. Quite the diplomat. Middleman. Very useful. N'

nasking

24/11/2011This from Miglo @ Cafe Whispers: [quote]has Abbott lost his media shine? After a very long period where the media treated Abbott as though he was sacrosanct we are now seeing them ask some hard, critical questions. He has cracks, so it seems. Or has he cracked? For 18 months his backflips, brain farts and childish Parliamentary behaviour have been hailed as brilliant political maneuvers. But such praises are slowly disappearing from the media landscape. In their place - as reflected from the many links provided on this blog lately - those afforementioned hard, critical questions are being asked.[/quote] Indeed. N'

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Nasking, 'Our' Julia seems to have made up with Kevin, especially going by the look on his face yesterday during the latest Censure Motion by Tony Abbott. He was beaming! Knowing, of course, what was to come. You'd have to agree, Julia is silent but deadly.

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Seems like the 'as useful as tits on a bull' Press Gallery, missed another big story.

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody Mumble writes his opion:- [i]What is it about Queenslanders?, Peter Brent, The Australian[/i] As I press the “post” button it remains the general belief that Harry Jenkins’ resignation was part of a deal made with Slipper, the MP for Fisher on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. But he’s going to be the subject of extraordinary of abuse. In 1997 Labor “Rat” Mal Colston altered the balance of power in the upper house and copped a sustained mouthful. But that was just the Senate; the emotion surrounding this hung parliament, particularly from Coalition supporters praying for an early election, is already intense. It takes a certain type of person to do what Slipper, Colston and before Please keep comments civil. There are libel laws about these things. http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/mumble/index.php/theaustralian/comments/slippery_peter/ Cheers:):):):):):)

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Ad Here is more tweets for you:- [i]@TonyAbbottMHRTony Abbott [/i] The Speaker's resignation reflects a government that is in chaos. The Govt has lost its way, lost its majority and now lost its speaker. 23 minutes agovia webFavoriteRetweetReply Andy_DownundaAndrew Watson RT @henraah: @TonyAbbottMHR [b]the govt now HAS a majority[/b]. you are really bad at numbers. #auspol #NOalition 8 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply misseagleMiss Eagle No longer a hung Parliament. [b]Gillard has a greater majority [/b]than Ted Baillieu in Victoria. 10 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply Cheers:):):)

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011Oh Check the lyrics, YUM YUM YUM :) *BEATLES FOREVER!* www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOTKrnBtDg0 I'm a loser I'm a loser And I'm not what I appear to be Of all the love I have won or have lost there is one love I should never have crossed She was a girl in a million, my friend I should have known she would win in the end I'm a loser And I lost someone who's near to me I'm a loser And I'm not what I appear to be Although I laugh and I act like a clown Beneath this mask I am wearing a frown My tears are falling like rain from the sky Is it for her or myself that I cry I'm a loser And I lost someone who's near to me I'm a loser And I'm not what I appear to be What have I done to deserve such a fate I realize I have left it too late And so it's true, pride comes before a fall I'm telling you so that you won't lose all I'm a loser And I lost someone who's near to me I'm a loser And I'm not what I appear to be It doesn't even need to be altered. YIPPPEEEEE!

psyclaw

24/11/2011Jaeger Thanks for the link and your sentiments. But my reading of what you provided suggests that censure motions against Opposition leaders is possible and has been done. It may be academic now anyway, if Slipper steps up. It'll be a great blow to Abbott the fool, but just watch him scream blue murder about it ...... so enjoyable and worth waiting for. I can't wait to get on the Drum later and serve my enjoyment up to some of the well known Colonition trolls there TT I agree. I know we've all got our points of view and that "the truth" is a fairly malleable and changing thing, but in the case of Abbott, the "truths" are pretty unassailable .... he evidences them daily. He's self interested not nation interested, he fights rather than discusses, he's a wrecker not a builder, he looks back not forward, and he's dogma driven and not open minded. Given these things, truth is on our side and truth will out. Like you, I'm highly motivated to ridicule, jibe and jeer Abbott when he's up and especially when he's down. My conviction that he is both a danger and embarrassment to us all is totally solid.

Ad astra reply

24/11/2011Folks If Peter Slipper takes the Speaker job, that will be as good an end to the year that Labor could wish for. It's just been announced by Peter Slipper that he will accept the Speaker job! It's high time Julia Gillard and Labor had some good fortune and Tony Abbott a downer

nasking

24/11/2011Feral, Came outa the toilet & heard a bee buzzin... turned out to be Pyne. Pyne & the Coalition's behaviour at this present time gives ya a good idea of how the Coalition would behave in government. Pushy. Anythin' goes. Loudmouthed. Constantly over-reachin'. Wastin' the public's time. Disrespectful towards those who don't agree w/ them. Mean-spirited. Sneaky. Desperate. Bullying. Mocking. Threatenin'. Howard & Murdoch taught them well. N'

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Ad Look what Pyne is doing: AntonyGreenABCAntony Green Pyne allowed to give same speech over and over again with each nomination #auspol 4 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply @AntonyGreenABCAntony Green No rules on Speaker election. Opposition can nominate Speaker after Speaker for hours #auspol AntonyGreenABCAntony Green Parliament can conduct no business until it elects a new Speaker 6 seconds agoFavoriteRetweetReply Cheers:):):):)

nasking

24/11/2011LOL Tony Windsor called out that "the member for Stuart" PYNE should be nominated. "Might be the only way to shut him up" Pyne...thou doth protest too much. Bad/sore loser. N'

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011Abbortt: "We have killed the Goose that laid Golden Eggs And all we'll get now Is squirts of s*it" SUCK IT UP ABBORTT I said earlier that it behoves all of us to be careful what we wished for - because it could have broken either way as far as I knew at the time, but this good way was what I hoped and thought to be the outcome. And it was really Abbortt whose wishes got granted, to his UTTER DISMAY !

Gravel

24/11/2011What a day eh! I will miss Harry but he did make me mad sometimes when he tried to reason with the Nopposition instead of stating his point of view. I don't know much about Slipper but he is not as pretty to look at as Harry is, glad the cameras don't spend much time on him. Sorry if that sounds nasty, I don't mean it to be. I laughed myself silly with Whyne Pyne's antics of nominating so many people, the said this was a farce. Acerbic Conehead, I think he outdid any of your satirical pieces.

nasking

24/11/2011[quote]He's self interested not nation interested, he fights rather than discusses, he's a wrecker not a builder, he looks back not forward, and he's dogma driven and not open minded. [/quote] Psyclaw, I agree wholeheartedly. Add paranoid. And a weathervane on some issues. Opportunistic. Overly competitive. The type who make awful leaders. I don't know how Turnbull, Hockey, Kelly O'Dwyer and others put up w/ him. No compromise means havin' little effect on legislation. Must piss some business people off. N'

nasking

24/11/2011It's kinda creepy how Abbott can shift so quickly from Mr. Angry Ranter & Autocrat to Mr. Softly Spoken Sincerity. Creepy indeed. N'

nasking

24/11/2011[quote]I laughed myself silly with Whyne Pyne's antics of nominating so many people, the said this was a farce. [/quote] Gravel, notice Abbott was eggin' him on...tellin' him what to say? Abbott in retreat, tryin' to look softer, more compassionate & rational...plannin' his next broadside campaign...tryin' to charm the people in his ranks, shore up his position after over-reachin'...gettin' others to do the rantin'. Rather they look more foolish & agro & bullyin' than him eh? It's a pattern of behaviour. No foolin' the people tho. They see him for the desperate dogmatic loop he is. N'

nasking

24/11/2011From Lyn's Guardian link: [quote]O'Chee, a former senator for the state of Queensland with a track record of voting against his National party's wishes, alleged the executive told him that while voting against the digital TV legislation would be criticised, "we will take care of you". The executive "also told me we would have a 'special relationship', where I would have editorial support from News Corp's newspapers, not only with respect to the … legislation but for 'any other issues' too," O'Chee reportedly told police in his statement. "I believed that (he) was clearly implying that News Corp would run news stories or editorial content concerning any issue I wanted if I was to cross the floor and oppose the …legislation." O'Chee said that a week after the lunch he called the executive to say he had decided to vote for the legislation. "After this conversation it became almost impossible for me to get anything published in the Queensland newspapers which News Corp controlled, even though I had been able to do so before the lunch meeting," O'Chee reportedly said in his statement.[/quote] Imagine how Peter Slipper will be treated by News Ltd now he has pissed off their political choice/horse of the moment...the Coalition. As fairly as they've treated The Independents & The Greens. ----------------- Talk about an opportunistic, grotesque expression of sentiment...Abbott & J. Bishop FEELING for both Harry Jenkins & Kevin Rudd. What a joke! Bishop sounds hysterical. Hoarse. N'

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Everybody We would all agree with this first tweet, I am sure: geeksrulzGeek Powered No matter how much unhinging, huffing and puffing, faux outrage etc, [b]nothing will change the number on the floor of the house 76-73 #[/b]qt 2 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply BernardKeaneBernard Keane Out they go! Dutton turfed. Slippery on fire #qt FavoriteRetweetReply conceravotaConcera Vota Dixon gone https://twitter.com/#!/wombat1974 crazyjane13Marian Dalton Member for Casey gone under 94A. It's a massacre. #qt ryanmoore3Ryan The Member for Dawson is gone. Number 4. #qt bow_and_arrowLe Grace This is fantastic! #qt AngelaLoRossoAngela Lo Rosso Haha #Abbott will resume his seat, omg I swear best session ever. #qt mishaschubertMisha Schubert Slipper warns Julie Bishop. One false move and she's out virag064rachel polanskis Slipper's revenge is sweeeeet. #auspol #qt 43 seconds agoFavoriteRetweetReply Cheers:):):):):)

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011O boy the Unhingement! Abbortt doing the Brownian Motion for all to see. The Government has it all now. And has earnt it. At last the BS storm may abate. Abbortt speaking to his stupid motion almost whimpering, wheedling, Coalons trying bravado but 'we wuz robbed' is rising like smelly diarrhoea stink all over their benches . . . and it turns to rose water as it crosses the floor . . . Oh now here's Mesma in full hoarse cry . . . Voice cracking up . . . [i]I can hardly stand it [/i].. . . "Machiavelli would've been proud of the web she weaved , slippery and slimy and " . . . Oh every word gives me a thrill. Now *J*U*L*I*A* is paying Them out for Abbortt's bizarre conspiracy theories. THEY HAVE LOST AT LAST and at last they know it. Slipper ousts Member for Somewhere, now Member for Dixon. Slipper will take no prisoners. HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA! Now Member for Casey! This is a New Regime. It will not be a Goodwill to All Members sort of a Crispmess!

Jaeger

24/11/2011I disagree, Lyn; the new Speaker has just demonstrated that bad behaviour on the part of the Noalition can change the numbers from 76-73 to 76-72, 76-71, 76-70 etc. :-D

Lyn

24/11/2011HI Jaeger Good one. The new Mr Speaker might have a few pay backs up his sleeve too, just saying. Cheers:):):):):)

nasking

24/11/2011I noticed Sky News felt compelled to show Abbott's "matter of public importance" speech...more fire & brimstone preaching...yet cut off the government reply...once again demonstratin' their bias. I'll be glad to dump Foxtel once I get thru the shows I have recorded. It's obvious that the Murdoch & Nine Entertainment Co hands will continue to have an iron grip on them...and we know where they stand politically. I'll just watch Daily Show, Colbert Report, CNN & BBC World News on-line. Never even got MSNBC on Foxtel. Pretty slack. SKY NEWS' David Speers always tryin' to get Tony Abbott's negative views across, he reminds me of a younger Brit Hume of Fox News/Faux News...tries to come across as balanced but his bias rarely fails to reveal itself. N'

jane

24/11/2011Woo! Hoo! Julia Gillard wins the Master Manipulator and Negotiator Award of the Millenium! Go Jules! No wonder she hustled off while Liealot was playing his dopey censure motion stunt. She had the Peter Slipper deal to stitch up! So that's why Kevin was in Slipper's electorate giving the Nopposition a serve. I just thought it was Slipper's revenge for Mal Brough. The Liars now have their own Mal Colston. But as soon as I read that Harry Jenkins had resigned, I understood everything! It's another lovely Godwin Grech moment! She's neutered the bastards!!!!!! Liealot is stuffed! Deny pairs, you pile of dog droppings! Start ranting and raving, you cretin! Mr Speaker will be only too happy to send you to oblivion! She's got stamina, guile, skin like porcelain, hair like the flame of truth on the hill, an intellect like a finely ground Samurai sword! She's a wonder! No wonder Kevin was enjoying himself so much during Albo's brilliant assault! Lyn @11.18am. Just read the tweets you posted! Sweet revenge for Slipper and why Kevin was there. I just thought it was Slipper's revenge. I never sniffed the real reason. Sweet revenge for the government. Suffer in your jocks, you Noalition swine! Nas @1.13pm, and that's their good points! rofl! @2.32pm, Slipper knew he wouldn't be pre-selected, so couldn't give a toss about what Emperor Rupert thinks! He'll retire at the next election, I imagine. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he's cheeky enough to stand as an Independent. If you remember, he put his hand up for the Speaker's job after the election. He and Somlyay were canvassed, but ultimately both toed the party line. I love the faux sympathy for Harry Jenkins and Kevin Rudd. When all the behind the scenes stuff comes out, I wouldn't mind betting we'll find out that this piece of prestidigitation has been in the pipeline since the election. Julia and Kevin must have been courting Slipper for months! What hutzpa! I bet the two of them sleep soundly tonight, secure in the knowledge they've pulled off a political coup that will be written about for years to come!. Sounds like Tony Windsor got rid of a bit of emotion pent up over the last 12 months! He must have been itching to give Little Prissy Whynne a serve for months! Well, who hasn't? TT, FS, Ad astra, Lyn, AC Casablanca, Jason, everyone! This even surpasses the Sweetest Victory, for mine. Who will be erecting the gallows at Liars HQ? And who will be LOTO tomorrow? Who f*ckn cares atm? Julia, you champion! ReCaptcha-(ai)latent discords Bwwwaaahahahahaha!!!!

BSA Bob

24/11/2011By tomorrow's editions the Murdoch papers will have the safety valves screwed down tight & the throttle wide open. Almost worth buying one. Almost.

Sir Ian Crisp

24/11/2011[quote] Folks So far I haven’t seen any comment here about the latest Newspoll, which suggests that TPS bloggers don’t place much store on opinion polls two years out from the next scheduled election. This is wise as they are meaningless in as far as voting preferences go. Whether Julia Gillard’s rise in the PPM stakes is significant, only time will tell. I note that it is that piece of data that has taken precedence on ABC radio over the TPP figure. Ad astra reply [/quote] You’re wrong there AA. Only a short time ago one of the TPS myrmidons who out-Herodded Feral Skeleton wrote the following: [quote] The polls haven't merely moved from catastrophic to disastrous. They have moved from 59-41 two months ago in a consistent manner to the current 53-47. Ain't you familiar with the processes of momentum! The tide has turned and there is no doubt that the faceless men of the Colonition and Peta Credlin will have noticed. [/quote] The tide may well have turned but it has turned back on itself. The latest poll shows that: [quote] Labor's two-party-preferred vote took a hit in the poll, falling to 43 per cent from 47 per cent a fortnight ago, while its primary vote also fell to by two percentage points from 32 to 30 per cent as the Coalition vote rose from 44 to 48 per cent. [/quote] So the bearer of good tidings is now sotto voce when it comes to poll announcements.

nasking

24/11/2011Regarding the US Republican debate yesterday & the greatest threats, I was surprised none of the candidates mentioned [i]share market manipulation, insider trading & the potential for economic sabotage[/i]: [quote][b]Rajat Kumar Gupta [/b](RUH-juth kuh-MAHR GUHP-tha; Bengali: রজত গুপ্ত; born December 2, 1948) was the managing director (chief executive) of management consultancy McKinsey & Company from 1994 to 2003 and a business leader in India and the United States. He was arrested in late 2011 by the FBI on insider trading charges stemming from the Raj Rajaratnam Galleon Group case. In his capacity at McKinsey, Gupta was recognized as the first Indian-born CEO of a global corporation. After retiring from active practice, while maintaining an affiliation at McKinsey, Gupta served as corporate chairman, board director or strategic advisor to a variety of large and notable organizations... [b]corporations including Goldman Sachs[/b], Procter and Gamble and American Airlines, and non-profits including The Gates Foundation, The Global Fund and the International Chamber of Commerce. Rajat Gupta is additionally the co-founder of four different organizations: the Indian School of Business with Anil Kumar, the American India Foundation with Victor Menezes and Lata Krishnan, New Silk Route with Parag Saxena and Menezes again, and Scandent with Ramesh Vangal. [b]On October 26, 2011, Gupta was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on charges of securities fraud and conspiracy as part of an ongoing and wide-ranging insider trading case in which Gupta's close associates Raj Rajaratnam and Anil Kumar were convicted and pled guilty, respectively.[/b] [b]The Securities and Exchange Commission sued Gupta the same day.[/b] [quote]Gupta entered a plea of not guilty and was released on $10 million bail. Previously, from March to August 2011, the SEC had filed administrative suit against Gupta, been countersued by Gupta, and then dropped those charges. During that period, Gupta's conversations on tape with Rajaratnam, particularly those made while Gupta was a board member of Goldman Sachs, were played during Rajaratnam's trial and attracted widespread attention and notoriety. In the lead up and wake of the original SEC charges, Gupta resigned the majority of his corporate and philanthropic positions.[/quote] b]Gupta and Rajaratnam were also connected through Goldman Sachs.[/b] [b]From 2006 - 2010 Gupta served on the board of the bank, by which point Rajaratnam's Galleon Group "paid hundreds of millions of dollars a year to its Wall Street banks and in return regularly received market information that would not have been disclosed to most investors."[/b] [b]Gupta and Rajaratnam also used their Goldman Sachs relationships to market New Silk Route[/b].[/quote] (wikipedia) ----------- And regular folk across the world & governments are supposed to TRUST the markets & finance companies to do the right thing. Whilst corporate righties such as The US Republicans call for less regulation. But of course, it's the social security system, the welfare state, the teacher unions, the public service, the wasteful spending centre-left governments that are all to blame. BS. It's the swines w/ their heads in the troughs feeding like there's no tomorrow that are some of the main contributors... and the banks [i]too big to fail [/i]that allow them to feed and their contacts who remain silent...get a bit on the side for lookin' the other way... rogues my arse...corporations too busy bein' greedy fillin' shareholders/CEOs/execs pockets... buyin' favours from pollies... corporations...the breedin' ground for the sharks & swine. [b]MF Global[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MF_Global [b]Madoff investment scandal[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madoff_investment_scandal [b]Government intervention during the subprime mortgage crisis: Northern Rock Bear Stearns IndyMac Bank Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Merrill Lynch Lehman Brothers AIG Washington Mutual Citigroup Wachovia[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_intervention_during_the_subprime_mortgage_crisis [b]Arthur Andersen[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Andersen_LLP_v._United_States [b]Enron scandal[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron_scandal [b]Barings Bank[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barings_Bank [b]Jérôme Kerviel & Société Générale [/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A9r%C3%B4me_Kerviel [b]The Clearstream affair[/b] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clearstream_Affair#The_Clearstream_affair The list goes on & on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_corporate_scandals TRUST US DEREGULATE UNTIE OUR HANDS CUT THE RED TAPE WE'RE HERE FOR YOU N'

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Hi Everyone! Back home again after doing the weekly shop. :) I won't add much to what has already been said about today's political machinations, except to convey to you my eldest son's observation. He's very direct and succinct(He's a Taurus, for those who subscribe :) ), and he just came out and said, "So I suppose the Opposition will be re-instating Malcolm Turnbull into the leadership soon. Now that Tony Abbott's ineffectuality & incompetence has been laid bare today. It won't work though. He's damaged goods and has been dumped by his own side once already. So, you know, what would that say about them?" :D

nasking

24/11/2011Speakin' of heads in troughs: [b]Newt Gingrich Tells Occupiers To Take A Bath [/b] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGze9xojg94 Perhaps the occupy wall st. types should ask Newt for advice on how to get rich...which contacts to make. Oh that's RIGHT...Newt likes to be paid handsomely for his advice. N'

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011I just sent Harry Jenkins an e-mail expressing my thanks for his service as Speaker: [quote]Dear Harry, You would have been an ideal Speaker in a Parliament that behaved in an adult way. Sadly, with Tony Abbott as Opposition Leader, that was not to be. You soldiered manfully on but this Opposition was prepared to throw caution, and every parliamentary convention, to the wind, in defiance of the Westminster traditions and conventions. So, it is with great sadness, but understanding, that I see that you are going. Fare thee well, sir, and maybe your first task, now, as a humble backbencher, may be to update your webpage to say, 'Former Speaker of the House of Representatives'. :) Thank you for your service to Australian democracy, Victoria Collins(elector in the seat of Robertson).[/quote]

nasking

24/11/2011Checkin' out some of the 99% http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/23/occupy-gainesville_n_1110084.html Fox News, part of the massive News Corporation, will be referrin' to them as ENEMY NO. 1 soon. They're already tryin' to label them as [i]antisemitic[/i]. Surprise surprise. Beware the protestors They're an American health & safety hazard [b]They're too small to be bailed out[/b]. [b]Yet large enuff to be targetted...ripped off.[/b] November 21, 2011 [b]Commodifying Education The Corporatization of the American University[/b] by STEVEN HIGGS http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/11/21/the-corporatization-of-the-american-university/ N'

Lyn

24/11/2011Hi Jane You little ripper, brilliant post, always are, but this one takes the cake:- 4.05pm: [i]Julia and Kevin must have been courting Slipper for months! What hutzpa! [/i] I bet the two of them sleep soundly tonight, secure in the knowledge they've pulled off a political coup that will be written about for years to come!. Sounds like Tony Windsor got rid of a bit of emotion pent up over the last 12 months! He must have been itching to give Little Prissy Whynne a serve for months! Well, who hasn't? TT, FS, Ad astra, Lyn, AC Casablanca, Jason, everyone! This even surpasses the Sweetest Victory, for mine. Who will be erecting the gallows at Liars HQ? Chers:):):):):):):):):):):):) :):):)

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011jane said "Ad astra, FS, Lyn, AC Casablanca, Jason, TT, everyone! This even surpasses the Sweetest Victory, for mine." Better'n' group sex I'd say . . . Not that I'd know . . . Yes a great moment in the annals of schadenfreude, of entrees of revenge ice-cold dating from 1975 and main courses piping hot from a long year's hatred by the Rabid Right. Now is the time the Government needs to tread with caution, not too much triumphalism even if that's how we feel, just get on with the job of educating the People as to which side their bread is buttered. You'd think it would be easy eh, not so, but we have still two years for dessert! Mesma having a tough time swallowing her bile as she valedicts. Yes jane revenge is as sweet as bile is bitter, funny I really feel for losers in sport, but I feel only glee at the horrible Rabid Right's discomfiture, may it last forever. "The House stands adjourned" . . . until ??th February 2012, I missed it! Congratulations Swordies and all Labor friends, simpatico Greens and Independents too, this is a great retributive day for all fair-minded People. And a personal win for all who have so much as raised their voices in support of *J*U*L*I*A*s Government and against the Rotters of the Right. What a fairy-tale ending to the Parliamentary year eh.

psyclaw

24/11/2011SIC [quote]The polls haven't merely moved from catastrophic to disastrous. They have moved from 59-41 two months ago in a consistent manner to the current 53-47. Ain't you familiar with the processes of momentum! The tide has turned and there is no doubt that the faceless men of the Colonition and Peta Credlin will have noticed.[/quote] As the writer of this quote let me say that the latest Newspoll was quite equivocal. Whilst the 2PP went back in the Colonition's favour, the preferred PM in contradiction, went JG's way. Abbott led the preferred Pm by 9% in September and now he's 5% behind. He's obviously going well!!!! JG's greatest threat is that Abbott the fool is put out the back door by his rabble too early. He will continue to be a great asset to Labor as leader. (Though Dog only knows who in hell they can next put in as leader, other than Turnbull, and many of them hate him.) But to get to today's main game Sir Ian, isn't it just so enjoyable to sit back and revel in Abbott's discomfort and rage and squeals. Money couldn't buy such a fantastic sight as presented on TV in QT ..... the looks on all the Colonition front bench faces was a joy to behold. Stunned! Indeed stunned mullets! Shocked! In utter disbelief! Their faces unambiguously screamed "we're stuffed". And the Poodle especially was redfaced and stressed out of his mind. Sir Ian, don't forget to read Jane's bit just above yours .... [quote]Deny pairs, you pile of dog droppings! Start ranting and raving, you cretin! Mr Speaker will be only too happy to send you to oblivion! She's got stamina, guile, skin like porcelain, hair like the flame of truth on the hill, an intellect like a finely ground Samurai sword! She's a wonder![/quote] What a delightful word picture she has created! As a true Swordster Sir Ian....enjoy!

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Can anyone tell me why Peter Reith has become the ABC's go to guy for all things Coalition pov? He is a repellant snake-in-the-grass.

2353

24/11/2011^^^^^^^^^^^^^ FS - maybe he doesn't cost much?

Feral Skeleton

24/11/20112353, Hmm. Maybe PR offered to sell his arsk, in the new Liberal tradition begun by Tony Abbott, and the price was so low the ABC could afford to pay? ;-) I win ReCaptcha Bingo for today! 'etsGov' :D

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011SIC SIC SIC Dumber than a [i]tick[/i] [or choose your own assonant rhyme] He's lost the plot And lot the lot He just can't take a trick. Because *J*U*L*I*A* has taken a Grand Slam today. Congratulations to all who courted Slipper. May he be a good and true speaker, and kick the living crap out of PooPoo and Vampirella. And bring the house back into some kind of order which has been impossible in a hung parliament. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This next number is to ease the pain of all those suffering from his accession to Speaker today. Especially spare a thought for those poor Brothers and Sisters less fortunate than ourselves, those on more than $150K to whom the carbon tax will actually [i]cost[/i] several dollars, who may at any moment find themselves homeless, perhaps sleeping under a bridge, perhaps even with Limpy himself. www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcROWLqv8Ik Oh my golden slippers Am alaid away, Kase I don't 'spect to wear 'em Till my wedding day, An' my long tail'd coat, Dat I lov'd so well, I will wear up in de chariot in de morn. An my long white robe Dat I bo't last June, I'm gwine to git chang'd Kase it fits too soon, An de old gray hoss Dat I used to drive, I will hitch him to de chariot in de morn Refrain: |: Oh, dem golden slippers! Oh, dem golden slippers! Golden slippers I'se gwine to wear, Bekase dey look so neat. Oh, dem golden slippers! Oh, dem golden slippers! Golden slippers I'se gwine to wear, To walk de golden street. :| 2. Oh my ole banjo Hangs on de wall, Kase it ain't been tuned Since way last fall, But de darks all say We will hab a good time, When we ride up in de chariot in de morn. Dar's ole Brudder Ben And Sister Luce, Dey will telegraph de news To Uncle Bacco Juice, What a great camp meetin' Dere will be dat day, When we ride up in de chariot in de morn. Refrain: 3. So it's good-bye, Chillun, I will have to go, Whar de rain don't fall Or de Wind don't blow, An' yer ilster coats, Why yer will not need, When yer ride up in de chariot in de morn. But yer golden slippers Must be nice an' clean, An' yer age must be Just sweet sixteen, An' yer white kid gloves Yer will have to wear, When yer ride up in de chariot in de morn. Refrain: *Fun*With*Trolls*! Abbortt being actually grilled by OOman. Who is suddenly very brave asking him things. Still letting him run on though. Nope. OOman asking him about MONEY questions, Abbortt is #*cked! Because there's 2 years now to exorcise Voodoo Economics, (and with it Snotty Joe too.) He's a lot deader even than yesty though eh! And he was dead yesty!

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011Bushfire Bill's beloved 14-y-o Dog Bob had many teeth removed today. A very big operation. I don't go on other blogs so I'll just make a little keening sound to yarp to Dog that Bob's OK and leave it as a message on the Dog Post.

BSA Bob

24/11/2011Just saw Abbott on 7.30. I thought Chris U. could've been a bit harder on him, letting Abbott get away with a fair bit. But Abbott reminded me of Howard in the last months of his Government. Just get on the screen & talk & talk & recycle the same points & slogans again & again. He said something about judging him by what he has & hasn't done, so I will. Interestingly, he said that today is the fourth anniversary of this Government. It isn't of course, this Government was elected last year. The election he lost is now a non event.

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Tony Abbott looked and sounded absolutely impotent in his interview with Chris Uhlmann on 7.30 tonight.

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Perceptive words about Tony Abbott, by Malcolm Fraser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L66KhP0jYg&feature=share

Feral Skeleton

24/11/2011Tony Abbott sets another record: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/abbott-works-the-phones-records-show/story-fn3dxity-1226205257986

Catey

24/11/2011All I have been reading your posts with tears running down my cheeks. Your hilarious comments and the events of the day have given me the best laugh I have had in years - isn't euphoria a great sensation?

Michael

24/11/2011The Liberal National Party in Queensland set out to use pre-selection rules and bylaws to sink the Slipper. Instead...

Acerbic Conehead 2

24/11/2011FS, Another great installment of your alphabet soup. Keep 'em comin'!! Oh, and when you get to 'S', what about this: Tones, if you can't stop the Slipper, you get done like a kipper...heh...heh...

NormanK

24/11/2011So, based on Mr Abbott's remarks on [i]7.30[/i] tonight, if you are a member of the Liberal Party and you have had Mr Abbott's personal assurance that your preselection is in the bag because he is going to go in to bat for you, you might feel a little let down at the moment. Apparently Mr Abbott does not interfere in the affairs of local branches or state jurisdictions, preferring instead to leave it up to the individual candidates (incumbent or otherwise) to sort out any contests for preselection. Pull the other one Tony. Tony Abbott was dealt a fatal blow today but like Python's Black Knight he will go on insisting it is just a flesh wound. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhRUe-gz690 It is not just a question of a new two vote differential in the parliament - Abbott can now be plainly seen as incapable of keeping his troops happy and therefore loyal. Any thought that he can offer protection or dispense favours has evaporated. How many other members of the Party are nursing grievances? All-be-it perhaps not as grievous as Slipper who has been right royally shafted (warranted or otherwise) by his leader, his federal party and his local and state LNP. It will soon be every man and woman for themselves as the chairs get re-arranged and, based on past experience, someone who will already have a Plan B (and C) is Julie Bishop. The first sign of disloyalty from her to her erstwhile leader will be a direct indication that the rats are about to desert. I look forward with great anticipation to having someone spell out for me just how this move by Labor is going to 'come back to bite them'. What a pity [i]The Australian[/i] is behind a paywall because no doubt tomorrow's opinion pieces will answer all of my questions. It has been a good day at the end of a good couple of weeks after a good ten or eleven months. To Hell with the polls. Well done Ms Gillard & Co (Albo was Braveheart yesterday - instead of leading the troops over the dispatch boxes to rout the opposition, I'm sure he would have had no trouble instigating some lusty singing of ribald classics by the members behind him who were clearly entertained and enlivened by his antics). They are starting to look more and more like a team, with everyone rowing in the same direction. Now we just need to beat the Kiwis in the 1st Test next week.

TalkTurkey

24/11/2011Tony Wormtongue Jones is a creep and a Liberal stooge imo. Interruption after interruption to Albanese - all attempts at gotchas, getting him nowhere - and Albo's use of Noalition really nettled him. He really is a nasty piece of work, a snake-in-the-grass I'd say except I really like snakes.

jane

24/11/2011[quote]Especially spare a thought for those poor Brothers and Sisters less fortunate than ourselves, those on more than $150K to whom the carbon tax will actually cost several dollars, who may at any moment find themselves homeless, perhaps sleeping under a bridge, perhaps even with Limpy himself.[/quote] We can only hope, TT. 2353, Reith's certainly not worth much! FS @8.46pm, a spent force, gibbering on about Parliamentary practices, by which I suppose he means parliamentary conventions like pairs. Your eldest son sounds like he is very astute, like his mum. He is so right about Turnbull, and highlights the dilemma the Liars have got. Who the hell have they got to replace the reptile? I enjoyed it when Uhlmann accused him of espousing voodoo economics. You could see Liealot trying to work out whether to do the noddy thing or the stare. He must be wondering what has happened. He's being asked questions, answers are required and he's got none. Thanks to everyone who enjoyed my comment; it was written from the heart, like all your wonderful witty comments. I've been lingering over them, savouring each word with delight and laughter. As Catey says, euphoria is a great sensation, possibly better than group sex, TT? :D

Jaeger

25/11/2011Chris Uhlmsnn actually asked the LOTO a question?! (Apart from "How high?" of course.) I'm impressed! (No, not really. :-/)

Jaeger

25/11/2011Sorry, wrong avatar again.

Jaeger

25/11/2011To the Pell phone! http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/abbott-racks-up-biggest-parliament-phone-bill/3693244

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Interesting comment on ABC News Breakfast's facebook page this morning, bringing the question to the fore about whether the Westminster convention of parties not standing a candidate against a sitting Speaker will be observed in Peter Slipper's case by the LNP?

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011AcerbicC., You are a card! :) Maybe you could turn your prodigeous talents to writing 'The Nopposition Dictionary' for us? :)

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Catey, Pleased we could all brighten up your day! Happy also to hear that the weather's become cooler after your recent heatwave and the attendant bushfires. I hated the dreaded Easterlies in Summer myself when I lived in WA for 15 years. You get used to them, but you don't have to like them. :)

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Jaeger, Chris Uhlmann was probably on notice from the 'Trouble and Strife' to go in a bit harder, or there'd be no Christmas presents for him. ;-)

Lyn

25/11/2011 [b]TODAY’S LINKS[/b] [i]The Elephant Men, Mr Denmore, The Failed Estate[/i] Elephant men like radio "personality" Sandilands, calling a female critic a "fat slag" and threatening to hunt her down. Or the biggest elephant hunter of them all, Alan Jones, Order of Australia, calling for our female prime minister to be stuffed into a sack and drowned at sea. http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/2011/11/elephant-men.html [i]Now the Slipper’s on the other foot, Laura Tingle, The Financial Review[/i] Despite all his bluster, Abbott has been unable to stop the passage of any of the legislation he opposed, and now weakly argues he will rescind it, putting himself and his party in an impossible position.But are the events of yesterday [b]all good for Labor?[/b] Jenkins’s resignation gives the government an extra number of its own, and it is therefore less reliant on every single crossbench MP. http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/now_the_slipper_on_the_other_foot_IkOgroReDTOn4J32xFCaPO [i]The slippery rat Slipper, Richard farmer, The Stump[/i] Well it didn’t take long. The Daily Tele is off and hunting http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2011/11/25/the-slippery-rat-slipper/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CrikeyBlogs+%28Crikey+Blogs%29 [i]Slippery When Wet, Ash, Ash’s Machiavellian Bloggery[/i] Abbott and Abbott alone allowed his numbers to fall from 74 to 73. And it was [b]Abbott and Abbott alone that allowed the government to increase their vote from 75 to 76[/b].No doubt the coalition will go all guns onto Peter Slipper. They will call him all sorts of names and make all sort of allegations on his character. No doubt they will also have to answer why knowing all this yet to be revealed ‘stuff’ about Mr Slipper, they elected to pre select him. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/slippery-when-wet/ [i]One last ‘Order!’ for Harry, The Concience Vote[/i] In his media conference, Abbott tried hard to turn Harry’s resignation into a cheap political stunt ‘to shore up its numbers’. ‘This is a government that lost its way, then it lost its majority, and now it’s lost its Speaker’, he said, invoking the spectre of the Whitlam dismissal to bolster his doomsaying. He followed that up with the incorrect assertion that it was the government’s responsibility to provide a Speaker from its own ranks http://consciencevote.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/one-last-order-for-harry/ [i]Lifting the veil of a hung Parliament, The Piping Shrike[/i] it is Abbott who is in the process of losing a member and ending his chances of bringing this Parliament to a speedy close. The lousy handling of Slipper will further contrast [b]Abbott’s people skills [/b]unfavourably to Gillard’s. It will reduce his ability to portray this as a Parliament in crisis and take away the momentum from an opposition leader who has little else to rely on. http://www.pipingshrike.com/ [i]A political manoeuvre to close off a turbulent year, Dylan Caporn, Body Politics – Australia [/i] a desperate and now increasingly [b]less powerful Abbott[/b]. Ever since the resignation, Abbott has come to the realisation that he is no longer an extraordinary Opposition Leader, rather he is among the ranks of regular Opposition Leaders, and regular Opposition Leaders have an expiry date, extraordinary Opposition Leaders win elections. Abbott’s performance on 7.30 yesterday evening was just another of negativity, and humiliation. http://bodypoliticaus.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/a-political-manoeuvre-to-close-off-a-turbulent-year/ [i]Huge win for Labor as Slipper takes the chair, Bernard Keane, Crikey[/i] [b]A furious Abbott this morning [/b]insisted the government was “in crisis” and said that Slipper had not attended a Coalition party room meeting at which attendees agreed anyone who accepted the speakership nomination would be asked to resign. The opposition appears to have again been outsmarted by Labor over the speakership as it was in September last year. This time around, http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/11/24/huge-win-for-labor-as-slipper-takes-the-chair/ [i]Speaker Jenkins gets boot for Slipper, Independent Australia[/i] The feral and unseemly behaviour of many on Abbott’s front bench is nothing short of a disgrace.The main offenders are the foul mouthed Sophie Mirabella; the crone of the House Bronwyn Bishop; the manager of Opposition Business, Christopher Pyne, whose mincing style is grating in the extreme; and last, but not least, there’s poor old Joe Hockey, who these days just doesn’t cut it. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/speaker-jenkins-gets-boot-for-slipper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=speaker-jenkins-gets-boot-for-slipper [i]Harry’s reasons, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i] the suspicion exists that the government has reached an arrangement with him. If so, the return of Jenkins to the floor would enable the government to win confidence motions [b]76-73 rather than 75-74[/b]. Stay tuned. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger [i]Friday on my mind: end of the political year, Min, Café Whispers[/i] I was reflecting on the way that parliament and politics has been evolving – although some might argue “devolving”, mostly due to Tony Abbott’s failure to do anything substantial other than to pursue his Tony For PM Campaign. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/friday-on-my-mind-end-of-the-political-year/ [i]Experts respond to Jenkins' bombshell resignation as Speaker, Matthew Thompson, The Conversation[/i] For months we have had Tony Abbott demanding an election and arguing that the minority government was unstable. Now it appears it is the Coalition which is unstable and unable to maintain its numbers in the House of Reps. Much will depend on who is elected to the speaker’s chair this afternoon but it is to be hoped that a chastened Opposition will be more accepting of a minority http://theconversation.edu.au/experts-respond-to-jenkins-bombshell-resignation-as-speaker-4451 [i]Harry Jenkins resigns as Speaker, Labor consolidates hold on Parliament, Kim, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] It’s incredible that Tony Abbott is so weak in relation to his own party machine that he’s been unable to prevent what is obviously a setback for the Coalition, and a great boon to the Gillard government in consolidating its numbers on the floor of the House. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/11/24/harry-jenkins-resigns-as-speaker-labor-consolidates-hold-on-parliament/ [i]Goodbye Harry, it’s been fun, Angela Priestly, The Power[/i] Index Prime Minister Julia Gillard was surprised: "A remarkable thing has happened," she said.As was Tony Abbott, who couldn't help but use the situation as an opportunity to have a dig. He said there must be something "extraordinary" going on in the Labor party for the speaker to resign http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/power-move/goodbye-harry-its-been-fun/20111123750?utm_source=The+Power+Index&utm_campaign=08014cea70-The_Power_Daily_23_Nov_2011&utm_medium=email [i]Video gallery: Harry Jenkins's time as Speaker, ABC[/i] As Harry Jenkins steps aside from the Speaker's chair in federal Parliament, this collection of videos looks back on his time keeping the House of Representatives in order http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/video-gallery-speaker-harry-jenkins-highlights/3691042 [i]Deal with renegade Liberal boosts Labor's numbers, Ben Atherton, ABC[/i] Mr Abbott then accused Labor of sacrificing Mr Jenkins to protect the Prime Minister's political life and tried to censure the Government for forcing Mr Jenkins to "walk the plank". Julia Gillard rejected the claims amid rowdy scenes in which Mr Slipper ordered four Coalition MPs - Luke Simpkins, Peter Dutton, Tony Smith and George Christensen - from the chamber for one hour. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-24/slipper-installed-as-new-speaker/3691680?WT.svl=news0 [i]BIG SHOES TO FILL- Peter Slipper to become Speaker, government to gain selfless Harry Jenkins’ v, Vex News[/i] By expelling Slipper now, the LNP bosses will look particularly vindictive and spiteful and they really should be directed by the federal party and leadership to step off.(UPDATE: Tony Abbott appears to have done their dirty work for them by saying Slipper should be excluded from the party room) http://www.vexnews.com/2011/11/big-shoes-to-fill-peter-slipper-to-become-speaker-government-to-gain-selfless-harry-jenkins-vote/ [i]Gillard Tightens Labor’s Grip on Parliament, Michael Health, Bloomberg[/i] Abbott said earlier today that Jenkins’ resignation as speaker underscored his argument that Gillard’s minority government is dysfunctional. He also warned opposition members against taking the role.“The speaker has resigned so that the government can shore up its numbers in the parliament,” Abbott told reporters in Canberra. “http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-11-24/gillard-tightens-grip-on-power-as-opposition-lawmaker-takes-speaker-s-role.html [i]PM with a Problem, Peter Brent, Inside Story[/i] Today, the numbers in the House of Representatives shifted with the elevation of Peter Slipper to the speakership. This may provide a small opportunity for Gillard to discover her authority mojo. But it would require political judgement and an understanding of the dynamics of leadership… http://inside.org.au/pm-with-a-problem/ [i]Babbling Brook Gives Murdoch Absolution, The Interpretor[/i] Poor little News Limited was being picked on according to those quoted by Brook. Famous boxer and former boss of News Ltd John Hartigan claims Julia Gillard was “looking for someone to blame.” Fairfax boss Greg Hywood while giving evidence at the inquiry was obviously mystified why we need an inquiry saying: “What is the issue?” http://theinterpretor.wordpress.com/2011/11/24/babbling-brook-gives-murdoch-absolution/ [i]The cost of not acting: Andrew Charlton on climate change, Andrew Charlton, Upstart[/i] Charlton, a former senior advisor to Kevin Rudd, was Australia’s senior official at the Copenhagen climate conference. He quickly pointed out that despite this sense of hope, /here was a negative dynamic behind closed doors.‘There was a clear division between two camps. Those who want to save the planet, and those who want to save themselves thttp://www.upstart.net.au/2011/11/24/andrew-charlton [i]The Parliamentary Budget office springs to life, crippled, Peter Martin[/i] I wanted it to be able to provide confidential costings during the election campaign.It won't now. And Hockey says he won't use it.Here's what I wrote last month when there was time to put things right http://www.petermartin.com.au/2011/11/parliamentary-budget-office-springs-to.html [i]NBN BUZZ: Outrunning the Coalition,Supratim Adhikari, Technology Spectator[/i] cited as a viable option to an expensive NBN and opposition communications minister Malcolm Turnbull said that Telstra’s decision to actively entice more customers highlights that the industry is starting to factor in more delays to the NBN roll out and a possibility that it will never be built. Either ways Telstra is sitting pretty. http://technologyspectator.com.au/industry/government/nbn-buzz-outrunning-coalition?utm_source=Technology+Spectator+List&utm_campaign=542cd3b6b8-TECH_SPEC_DAILY&utm_medium=email [i]Form NBN fibre-expansion policy: Oakeshott, ZDNet[/i] There was no dissenting report from the coalition for this second report, unlike the first. The only dissenting report was from Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, who objected to the report saying that the NBN was "expected" to be privatised, saying that the NBN may only be privatised if it is in the public interest. http://www.zdnet.com.au/form-nbn-fibre-expansion-policy-oakeshott-339326805.htm [b]Newspapers[/b] [i]Opposition Leader Tony Abbott working overtime on the phone , Herald Sun[/i] Mr Abbott spent more than any other parliamentarian on phone calls between January 1 and June 30 this year, according to a new report on MPs' entitlements tabled in the lower house.Mr Abbott racked up close to $28,000 in telecommunications costs - about $10,000 more than the second-ranked Barry Haase, a West Australian Liberal. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/opposition-leader-tony-abbott-working-overtime-on-the-phone/story-fn7x8me2-1226205325708 ::):):):):):)

Ad astra reply

25/11/2011Folks What a day! Already the conspiracy theorists are out in full flight certain that Labor engineered yesterday’s events well in advance. According to ABC radio this morning the [i]Herald Sun[/i] and [i]The Daily Telegraph[/i] have screaming headlines to that effect, and highlighting the treachery of Peter Slipper. The simple fact seems to be that whatever else has been said, Tiny Abbott and his advisers were astonished and seriously outmanoeuvered, and are fuming. I do not find it hard to believe Harry Jenkins’ reasons for resigning. To have to put up with the ravings of LOTO and Christopher Pyne, hour after hour, day after day, and have no right of rebuttal because of the Speaker’s neutrality, must have been agonizing. And if everyone, I mean everyone, says how honorable a man Harry is, how can anyone, within and hour or two, accuse him of being party to a shoddy deal with Labor? Moreover, everyone knew Peter Slipper was out of favour with his party and it was trying to eject him, and since he was already Deputy Speaker, his choice as Speaker should not have come as a complete surprise to anyone. That the move has given Labor a bigger vote buffer should be seen as smart politics by Labor and an indication that the Coalition has been caught by surprise, with no plan B for such a contingency. The anger of the Opposition was obvious. Christopher Pyne was literally livid as he proposed alternative nominations for Speaker; Tony Abbott was more rabid than usual in moving to suspend Standing Orders to censure the PM; Julie Bishop was almost frothing at the mouth with outrage; and front benchers showed their disdain as Peter Slipper was ‘dragged’ to the Speaker’s chair. The interviews last night were noteworthy in that Chris Uhlmann on [i]7.30[/i] seemed marginally more emboldened and asked some more than usually penetrating questions, but failed adequately to challenge the spurious answers offered by Abbott. Maybe he sees Abbott slipping in importance and the need to kowtow less pressing. Tony Jones seemed very agitated and irritable, often interrupting Albo’s replies on [i]Lateline[/i], as clearly they displeased him. I enjoyed Albo’s rejoinder when Jones accused him of repeating what he had already said: “If you ask the same question, you’ll get the same answer”. Jones behaved like a member of the opposition. He seem annoyed that Labor had pulled off this change of Speaker, had advantaged its position and had seriously outplayed Abbott and Co. in the process. Jones’ performance was unbecoming for a journalist who is supposed to be the epitome of the ABC’s balanced approach, and it did not look like just his usual pursuit of his beloved ‘gotcha’, but rather annoyance at Labor’s success and the Coalition’s loss. He is increasingly inclined to wear his political and personal allegiances on his sleeve – quite a disabling attribute for one who rates himself as top journalist. I’ll be out on the property today again cleaning up before the rain returns. I’ll be back later to post AC’s last piece for the year: [i]A Soldier of Ill-Fortune[/i].

Ad astra reply

25/11/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

debbiep

25/11/2011 @ Ad Astra, You share my view of Lateline, particularly last nights interview with Albanese. Was very annoyed that Jones told Albo 'enough of that' when he referred to the 'No- alition'. Hope Tony Jones does the same next Liberal MP says the word 'Bad'. Or 'Liar'. I'd understand if Albanese had said it a few times already beforehand in the interview.

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011jane, Exactly. Who have the Noalition got that could credibly replace Tony Abbott? As has been commented elsewhere in the blogosphere, they have burnt through their best talent, Costello, Nelson & Turnbull, and even Abbott, to the extent that he is a convincing liar and Meme artist. The only one I can think of with 'leadership potential', even though I would dread his ascension to the post, is Scott Morrison. Maybe there are some good eggs left hiding their light under a bushell, I don't know.

psyclaw

25/11/2011TT Yep, yet again Tony Jones couldn't get over himself with repetitious questions. The other day I emailed Albo to congratulate him on carving the Colonition up in that fiery speech. I also suggested that the government's stocks are raised when in interviews they take no crap. Specifically I urged that silly questions be answered by telling the interviewer that it was a silly question. Albo did this so well, and Jones just had to run up and down on the spot. Jones condemned himself as a poor interviewer with his own words. "I don't want to go into that ...I just want to get through all my questions" he said as he glanced down at his notes. Jane 24/11/11/ 11.44pm Totally agree with your sentiments although the last 5 words are a bit of a stretch! Jaeger Uhllman did ask a few searching questions about yesterday's events, to which Abbott answered in non sequiturs. It was a measure of Abbott's desperation that he appeared on 7.30 for a proper I/V for the first time in more than a year. Sadly Uhllman didn't ask him any questions about the mass of rot he's talked over the year. Lyn Thanks again for the many links. Interestingly not much support (any?) for Abbott's position. So many journos are at last getting his measure, or at least abandoning his cause. On Radio National about half hour ago, Fran Kelly I/Vd M Grattan and P Bonjiorno. Grattan was her usual vacillating self, but PB was right up Abbott, saying that he'd been taken for a sucker. He said that if Slipper is a sleaze, then he's been their sleaze for 21 years. Quite rightly IMO PB said that given all the circumstances, why wouldn't Labor do what they have collectively done. Abbott the fool has said on several occasions since yesterday that he "would never trash principles" like JG has done. What disgraceful hypocrisy from this self serving scumbag who lets no principle stand in the way of his do-anything-to-get-rid-of-JG actions.

Lyn

25/11/2011Hi Ad and Everybody Here is Mark again on time everytime, with a link to Bushfire Bill, thankyou Mark:- markjs1Mark Shove [i]More Bushfire Bill for his many aficionados.This time taking aim at Hewson (Another Liberal loser)[/i]: http://bit.ly/vNS6az #auspol #Abbottfail 9 minutes agoFavoriteRetweetReply [i] Bushfire Bill Posted Friday, November 25, 2011 at 8:09 am | Comment 1153[/i] Poor Hewson tentatively asks Abbott to produce “details” and “policy” as some sort of amazingly clever way to get into government. Why didn’t they think of that before? Policy! Only problem is Abbott doesn’t do policy. Ring a bell, put his mouthguard in, show him the red corner, and tell him to go out swinging. Tony does that OK. But a man who cannot stand tough questions without seeing them as some kind of mano-a-mano challenge, or an uppity bitch trying to emasculate him (in the case of lady journalists), and who walks away from every press conference now because Credlin has told him he must avoid spaz-outs a la Mark Riley at all costs, such a man cannot coherently discuss policy without melting down in the most embarrassing way. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2011/11/24/harrys-reasons/comment-page-24/#comment-1096038 Cheers:):):):):):)

Jaeger

25/11/2011You'd think that the "sporty" LOTO would understand that if you kick an own goal, the other side gets the points... Next he'll be asking for a do-over!

TalkTurkey

25/11/2011Abbortt's minions are a rabble and a rump and a disgrace. *J*U*L*I*A* reigns supreme. At last. No-one else could have delivered as she has. She has outperformed even my highest hopes and my belief in her. Congratulations Ad astra. I feel that this outcome - delivery of every major policy in the last one year, final security of tenure for the next two years, an improved outlook for re-election - must be a relief to you and a personal victory for you and for your dedicated site. Dedicated to Truth, to the fortunes of the sensible Left, to the service of this nation and Humanity. We have finally won the [i]last[/i] election! There is a great sense of righteous [i]Gotcha[/i] about this particular little coup. Payback for Remember Remember Eleventh November, The Kerr-Fraser Treason and Plot. Payback for Fascist-corrupted Dogs Sooled on to Australian Workers. Payback for Lies about Children Overboard Payback for The Quisling Quasimodo from Queensland Payback fo Refusal to grant pairs Payback for Disgraceful (un)-Parliamentary behaviour. Pyne, Dutton, Mirabella, Snotty, Chick-a-Boom! Doncha just love it? Payback for [i]ABBORTT!!!![/i] Shock Jocks! Bigoted know-it-all journalists (who didn't!) But let us not GLOAT! [i]BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAaaaaaaaa !!![/i] A thought for Harry. Ma-a-a-ate, I am glad for you. I could never have stood not being in there swinging, you have the patience of a saint but you were not the stuff to control that rabble of an Noposition. Especially since you never had the luxury of a majority when you wished to name someone! I'm sure you're not hurting financially, and I bet you feel like Gandalf the White now after being Grey so long - librated, powerful, respected and beloved [and lipserviced [i](now!)[/i] by [i]Them![/i]] Peter Slipper has the enormous advantage of owing no allegiance to anyone now, as well as the certainty of the numbers if he does want to name someone. He could be exactly what Doctor No didn't order. I seem to think that Slipper will permit none of the nonsense that forced Harry to vacate the Chair before - has [i]anyone[/i] mentioned that? And then the Coalons were [i]Oh so sorry Harry[/i], and the moment he came back they were worse than ever! Well done everybody, especially our few overworked [i]sous-les-ponts[/i] who keep us so amused and make this feeling so-o-o-o-o good. :) Erica Betz doing the Brownian Movement in the Senate as I post. Lyn your links are sweet and delicious and very filling today! High fives everyone.

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011The Barbarians certainly got shown the door yesterday. The guardians at the gates of democracy, the sentinels protecting the Light on the Hill from being snuffed out, can go home for Christmas, safe in the knowledge that Tony Abbott's planned electioneering over the holidays will look as hollow and devoid of meaning and substance, as he himself is. :)

Lyn

25/11/2011Thankyou Talk Turkey You are delightful, thankyou to Pysclaw too, Jane is a Movie Star. Nasking is a live encylopedia. So pleased Cathy had a good laugh yesterday. [quote]*J*U*L*I*A* reigns supreme. At last. [/quote] Massivespray has written a fantastic blog this morning, thankyou Massivespray: [quote]Government masterclass, Massivespray, Spray of the Day[/quote] The talking heads on the media are devastated because they no longer have that knife-edge in Parliament where one stuff up could switch things around…providing them with endless no-brainer leads about the “seriousness” and “tension” in every single thing that ever happens. Excluding of course the fact that all legislation is being passed and that Abbott repeatedly abuses the workings of Parliament with his ridiculously frivolous censure motions…on a daily basis. Then of course there is the stuntman himself. It wasn’t surprising at all that the first thing out of his mouth was the bleating of “the death of democracy”, when in actual fact it was a perfect example of Parliamentary democracy at work. Wouldn’t you normally expect the deputy to take over from the speaker in any other situation? http://sprayoftheday.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/government-masterclass/ Malcolm Farr's piece of opinion???? [quote]ON THE OTHER FOOT: 'Slipper is Julia Gillard's problem now', Malcolm Farr, News Com[/quote] Meanwhile, Mr Jenkins last night dined with Labor colleagues for the first time in 12 months without fears he would be accused of bias. The[b] Opposition is furious [/b]Mr Slipper has given the minority Government an extra buffer of votes in the House of Representatives and made it more likely Prime Minister Julia Gillard will go a full term until 2013. The Australian newspaper revived scuttlebutt of a film or video of Mr Slipper and another man. Nothing illegal was being done but the office of Prime Minister John Howard inquired into its existence, the newspaper said. Further allegations are expected with the Opposition determined to make the Government responsible for the actions of Mr Slipper when he was a Liberal. "Peter Slipper is Julia Gillard's man," said shadow treasurer Joe Hockey http://www.news.com.au/national/on-the-other-foot-peter-slippers-julia-gillards-problem-now/story-e6frfkvr-1226205707844#ixzz1efiT71k7 Liberals upset, Funny about that:- [quote]Furious Liberals sink boot into Slipper, Jeremy Thompson, ABC[/quote] Shadow Treasurer [b]Joe Hockey said Mr Slipper, a former Parliamentary Secretary to John Howard, was about to be sacked anyway[/b]. "We have never nominated Peter Slipper for a position since John Howard sacked him as a parliamentary secretary some years ago," Mr Hockey told Channel Seven. "We were in the process of removing him from the Liberal Party. This is such a fine person, such a man of upstanding character, that Julia Gillard has decided that she wants him to hold this high office." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-25/slipper-under-attack-after-speaker-coup/3694246 Cheers:):):):)

NormanK

25/11/2011Not to suggest that this is necessarily the case but not one account that I have read of the Jenkins/Slipper affair gives any credit to Harry Jenkins for perhaps doing the sums all by himself and deciding to resign in order to precipitate the events that subsequently unfolded. Sitting in that big chair above it all gave Harry a pretty clear view of the dynamics of the House. Not being bogged down by policy formulation or debate, he had plenty of time to contemplate what the ramifications might be if he stepped down. The Speaker must of necessity be a sharp, clear thinker and if the tributes flowing towards Harry are to be believed, he was a particularly good Speaker. It might only be one aspect of a multi-faceted sequence of events but it strikes me as a bit slack (and insulting) that no-one has suggested that perhaps Harry pulled off the masterstroke that saw his party and his leader finish the year in a position much more secure than it started with. I guess it is not as sexy as a back-room deal or tales of being forced to walk the plank. For what it is worth Harry, I will give you credit for being your own man and for instigating this clever move out of love for the party that you have been a part of for so long. Well done, sir.

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011I have just finished watching the Press Conference with Anthony Albanese, where the coals wwere raked over from yesterday with the Press Gallery(it seems to be taking them longer and longer to get with the program). Of course, the conspiracy theorists were out in force, they had come prepared with their 'Gotcha!' questions about when Harry met Slippery Pete to engineer the succession, or when Harry met members of the ALP to create the groundwork for yesterday's resignation; or even when Pete met Kevvy to get his riding orders from the ALP. Anthony Albanese stood there in front of them all, and with hand on heart, outlined time and again that he had not met Harry for any talks, nor had he been allowed to for the last 12 months under the 'New Paradigm' rules, so he knew nothing. What he did say he was aware of wrt Harry, was that as a former Convener of the Left bloc of the parliamentary Labor Party, and with some major ideological battles to come in the party in the near future, Harry was 'Pining for the fjords', I guess you could say, wanting to jump back into the fray. With the ALP National Conference next weekend, and with the last Sitting Day of parliament yesterday, I think Harry Jenkins was more than capable of figuring out it was then or never. So he came to the conclusion that the time was ripe. Also, Anthony Albanese did say that Harry had confided in Simon Crean probably the day before, when it had been noted by some in the Press Gallery(probably hiding in the bushes around Parliament House, which is all they appear to be good for any more-as ciphers of P.H. gossip). So, there you have it. A man's desire to feel mighty real again, and to reinvigorate his contribution to the party he was elected into parliament to represent trumped the trappings of one of the most powerful positions in parliament in this nation. So very, very Labor. :)

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011If anyone is interested in reading a reort on the NBN over the holidays, here it is: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jcnbn/report2.htm

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Um, that would be a 'report'. :$

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Pretty good point made bt Laura Tingle: [quote]Despite all his bluster, Abbott has been unable to stop the passage of any of the legislation he opposed, and now weakly argues he will rescind it, putting himself and his party in an impossible position.[/quote]

nasking

25/11/2011Useful link to NBN report Feral. Like the government, yer gettin' on w/ the positives...problem solving & future improvin' durin' this transition era. I've been thinkin' about the redevelopment of coal mining/steel areas/brownfield sites...wind energy/turbines & technocrats. I noticed the ABC examined the problems of Scranton, Pennsylvania lately...and it brought to mind the Ruhr district in Germany...both bein' former coal & steel areas: [b]Emscher Park: From dereliction to scenic landscapes[/b] [quote]The Ruhr district of Germany was once the heartland of Europe's steel and coal industries. Over the past 30 years, these heavy industries have been massively restructured, causing the abandonment and dereliction of many steel works and coal mining operations throughout the region. Consequently, Ruhr has been left with a legacy of high unemployment and the scars of environmental contamination as the old industrial workyards have slowly become brownfield sites in need of restoration. In the face of this abandonment and decay, the State Government of NorthRhine-Westphalia created a regional redevelopment plan entitled the "International Building Exhibition (IBA) at Emscher Park" in 1989. Over the course of a ten year period, IBA Emscher Park was to encourage the ecological, economic, and urban revitalization of the Ruhr Valley and the Emscher River through several collaborative partnerships with various agencies and, notably, 17 local authorities of the Ruhr district. Specifically, the two primary objectives of the IBA were to give the region a greener image and breathe life into the old industrial plants. After the IBA expired in 1999, a successor plan to promote redevelopment called "Project Ruhr" took over the task of management and, presently, the entire project series is in its final phase, which focuses on cleaning up the Emscher River. If all goes according to plan, this series will be completed in 2014. A crucial vision for the redevelopment under the IBA was an Emscher Landscape Park that would act as a "green connector" between the settlements of the Rhur valley, following the path of the Emscher River and using the abandoned industrial areas along it as a unique form of greenspace. In addition to connecting the 17 towns located along the river valley, this new east-west oriented green corridor joins seven existing but expanded north-south greenbelts. The park is composed of regenerated brownfields, reclaimed forests, and existing recreational areas that together provide a cohesive set of green infrastructure for the entire region. The specific projects that created the park system ranged from the development of large fallow land areas to small scale construction schemes to installations of biotopes to the simple planting of trees. Today, the Ruhr-Emscher district is enveloped by a beautiful green curtain that occasionally includes a historic industrial landmark standing just over the trees. The masterplan for the region specifically targeted abandoned industrial sites so as to improve the quality of the undeveloped areas surrounding them and to save money by making use of the existing infrastructure. Once active collieries, Coca-Cola plants and steel works, the region's massive and muscular structures are now filled with art, culture, housing, commerce and offices. Concerts are staged in the aging steel frames of former factories. Grassy recreational areas, complete with hiking trails and climbing walls, have been sculpted from the old hills of coal pilings. Paths through glades of trees linking the many different components of the park follow the former industrial roads and rail lines.[/quote] more here: http://sustainablecities.dk/en/city-projects/cases/emscher-park-from-dereliction-to-scenic-landscapes In regard to [b]brownfield land/sites[/b]: [quote]Innovative remedial techniques used at distressed brownfields in recent years include bioremediation and in situ oxidation. Often, these strategies are used in conjunction with each other or with other remedial strategies such as soil vapor extraction. In this process, vapor from the soil phase is extracted from soils and treated, which has the effect of removing contaminants from the soils and groundwater beneath a site. Some brownfields with heavy metal contamination have even been cleaned up through an innovative approach called phytoremediation, which uses deep-rooted plants to soak up metals in soils into the plant structure as the plant grows. After they reach maturity, the plants – which now contain the heavy metal contaminants in their tissues – are removed and disposed of as hazardous waste. A newer technology for remediating brownfields involves an in situ injection of an iron-embedded organosilica material that creates a permanent soft curtain barrier underground. Groundwater passes through the barrier, which absorbs toxins and solvents while the iron dechlorinates them to non-toxic products. Research is under way to see if some brownfields can be used to grow crops, specifically for the production of biofuels. Michigan State University, in collaboration with DaimlerChrysler and NextEnergy, has small plots of soybean, corn, canola, and switchgrass growing in a former industrial dump site in Oakland County, Michigan. The intent is to see if the plants can serve two purposes simultaneously: assist with phytoremediation, and contribute to the economical production of biodiesel and/or ethanol fuel.[/quote] (wikipedia) And it seems that Pennsylvania has already imaginatively begun redeveloping some of these sites: [quote]One of the most well-known areas in the United States for brownfield redevelopment is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which has successfully converted numerous former steel mill sites into high-end residential, shopping and offices. Several examples of brownfield redevelopment in Pittsburgh include the following: In Homestead, Pennsylvania, the site once occupied by Carnegie Steel has been converted into a successful commercial center, The Waterfront. In Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, a former slag dump for steel mills was turned into a $243 million residential development called Summerset at Frick Park. In the South Side neighborhood, a former LTV Steel mill site was transformed into Southside Works, a mixed-use development that includes high-end entertainment, retail, offices, and housing. In the Hazelwood (Pittsburgh) neighborhood, a former Jones and Laughlin steel mill site was transformed into a $104 million office park called Pittsburgh Technology Center. In Herr's Island, a 42-acre (170,000 m2) island on the western bank of the Allegheny River, a former rail stop for livestock and meatpacking was transformed into Washington's Landing, a waterfront center for commerce, manufacturing, recreation and upscale housing.[/quote] (wikipedia) Perhaps the ABC could send a reporter to check out their progress? Unemployment levels? In regard to [b]energy for malls & other commercial buildings[/b], I just watched a recording of [i]Horizons[/i] on BBC World News to do w/ sustainable energy... apparently Texas has a helluva lot of wind power...and one company I found innovative & possibly useful was Broadstar Wind Systems...the following link provides an example of their wind turbines: [b]BroadStar Wind Systems – The AeroCams[/b] http://alternativeenergy.ask-me-another.com/broadstar-wind-systems-the-aerocams/ [quote]“The AeroCam is based on one of the most basic and elegant principles of science—that of lift physics. Compared to a conventional three-blade turbine, the AeroCam has more wing area working to produce power, but in a significantly smaller package. This effectively generates more power from the same wind speed. Because the AeroCam packs so much efficiency into its compact configuration, it’s opening up opportunities to businesses and communities that could have never considered wind energy before. We believe it has the potential to completely redefine the market.” ~ Tom Stephens, Vice President of Research and Design www.broadstarwindsystems.com[/quote] I wonder if Australia has its own wind turbine companies? N'

nasking

25/11/2011[quote]She's got stamina, guile, skin like porcelain, hair like the flame of truth on the hill, an intellect like a finely ground Samurai sword! She's a wonder! [/quote] jane, I take it yer a fan. :) I suspect many will be in another year or so. This Slipper business is a storm in a teacup...a useful move for Slipper who, havin' made some mistakes over the years & misused his privileges on occasion lettin' power get to him, has been determined to redeem himself... but instead has been persecuted like a Jew in Germany durin' the late 20s, early 30s period prior to the establishment of the camps. Considerin' the Murdoch empire purports to be a believer in the holocaust & bigtime supporter of Israel, I'm surprised they don't recognise how much of their approach is similar to the NAZIs...basically bashing any group or persons that does not suit their agenda...creating common enemies, pumping up nationalism, constantly waving the flag & supermen of sports, pushing the family over others, fingerpointing at "others" including refugees etc. The front pages of the Murdoch tabloids today were a grotesque example of persecution as a campaign...and propaganda. A top example as to why we need this media inquiry. N'

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Nasking, Correctemundo. The Murdoch and Coalition bullies believe that their tactics of intimidation and standover will cow anyone determined to stand up to them into meek submission. Well, I take my cue from the frail-looking but powerful woman, Sienna Miller, who appeared at the Leveson Inquiry overnight, and whose initial pushback against the might of the Murdoch media empire caused his House of Cards to begin to fall. She, Hugh Grant, & Max Mosely, as well as latterly the Dowler family, along with The Guardian and Tom Watson, believed in themselves enough to think that Murdoch, even with his connections to the highest levels in the corridors of power, was not unaccountable. And, brought him to account they have. I hope they have the happiest of Christmases. They deserve it. And Murdoch deserves a lump of Coal. He has taken the best and brightest communicators that this world can produce and corrupted them, like a wrinkly old man grooming a young and innocent child. Starting with his own children. He is the epitome of the worst that a human being can become. His influence needs to be eradicated from the face of the earth. I will spend my every waking breath doing my bit to support the courageous actions of those mentioned above. As we all do I'm sure.

Feral Skeleton

25/11/2011Great distillation of 'The Abbott Effect': [quote]fran_b__ @MrDenmore It's easy to grasp when you consider the feral press & the fact that Abbott marshalls disaffection rather than policy support.[/quote]

Ad astra reply

25/11/2011Folks I have just posted Acerbic Conehead's last piece of satire for 2011; he will be taking a break over December/January. It is titled [i]A Soldier of Ill Fortune[/i]. http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2011/11/25/A-Soldier-of-Ill-Fortune.aspx AC has been [i]TPS's[/i] regular satirist every weekend all year, and has delighted us week after week with his witty and cutting pieces. So this is the time to say a heartfelt thank you for all the pleasure and good fun he has given us, and to wish him, his wife and family a happy and peaceful end-of-year break. Thank you so much Acerbic Conehead - we look forward to your return in 2012.

jane

26/11/2011FS @ 8.59am, I think these "good eggs" are hiding their very faint, guttering lights under about a million tonnes of earth in Central Australia! IMO, there's nobody in the Parliamentary party who either has talent or has a clean bill of health, let alone both. psclaw @9.04am, do you think Liealot actually believes the shite that constantly dribbles from his ghastly gob? His risible claim that he would never "trash principles" is clearly a mark of someone in the grip of severe self delusion. This outrageous tosh coming from a creature who has torn up and discarded every Parliamentary convention he could lay his grubby paws on, whose behaviour on the floor would make a two year old blush, who confided to the Independents that he would do anything, with the possible exception of selling his @rse, to get his hands on the Lodge, beggars belief! Lyn, love the links. Have relished every one of them. Sour grapes seem to be the nosh de jour in the Liars Party. lol Nas interesting links re wind power and right on the money wrt the Murdochracy and their thugs.
T-w-o take away o-n-e equals?