The day the Canberra Press Gallery believed it was governing the country

It’s not possible to pin down what day that was. Takeovers can be abrupt or ever so subtle. This one was subtle, at least initially. It probably derived from about the time that Kevin Rudd retreated from his response to climate change, his ETS, and put it on the back burner for a couple of years. Until then he was riding pretty high, although there were a few journalists ready to challenge him and subject him to forensic questioning; Kerry O’Brien and Tony Jones come to mind. About that time of retreat respect for the nation’s leader was irreparably damaged, and the journalistic jackals, salivating over the prospect of tearing into a wounded prey, bared their claws, armed their questions with poison barbs and flung them disrespectfully at their victim. From then on it has been all down hill.

I suppose the inflated egos of so many in the Canberra Press Gallery were always seeking to express themselves, even as far back as in John Howard’s time, and before, but the vulnerability of Kevin Rudd after his backtracking on his ETS, and that of Government ministers, gave expression to the worst in human nature, a readiness, even a savage desire to tear down someone in authority, someone in a high place, someone who many journalists had come to dislike. Like jackals in a pack they smelt blood and went in for the kill. Of course they would argue that Rudd deserved all he got, and that it was their job to hold him to account, a questionable role, but the relish with which they went about their savaging of the nation’s leader bespoke a primeval urge to humiliate, to destroy, to kill. And unedifying it was to see.

Since then Kevin Rudd has gone and Julia Gillard has come. With the smell of blood in their nostrils, they were not prepared to pull back. They gave Julia Gillard the shortest of honeymoons. They would argue she deserved no better. So they set about savaging her with arrogant questions, rude preambles, and disrespectful language. The questions reflected two things: gross disrespect for her, but even more dangerously a belief that the Canberra Press Gallery knew best what the Government should be doing, the right to insist that it did so, and the right to question, in the most arrogant way, why the Government was not doing what it ought to do.

Many commentators have written about the role that political journalists have assumed in recent times. How many times have you read that the journalists have made themselves part of the story instead of simply reporting it? Mr Denmore, himself an experienced journalist, in his blog The Failed Estate says in a piece End of Affairs: “The second problem with current affairs, as it has evolved, is the cult of the host. This is the idea, never expressed directly, that the program really isn't about the issues; it's about who's presenting them.”

This has two elements. First it assumes that journalists know their stuff so well that they are entitled to express their views and critique the views of politicians without question. Next it assumes that the reporter is integral to the story. They believe they are expert interpreters of what politicians say and do, adept at describing the ‘atmospherics’ surrounding the story, and able to interpret any numeric data that accompanies the story, such as poll results.

They are quite shameless in their interpretations, they seldom modify them with caveats that those of a more scientific bent might feel compelled to add, and lay their opinions on their reading and listening public as if they were handed down from on high on tablets of stone. Mr Denmore calls it ‘institutionalized innumeracy’ in his piece, Noise Vs Signal: “This institutionalised innumeracy is rather unfortunate and perhaps explains why an experienced journalist like Barrie Cassidy, appearing on a taxpayer-funded public broadcaster, can just sit mute as one of Rupert Murdoch's professional trolls [he’s referring to Andrew Bolt] is paid to come on the Insiders program and spray deliberate mistruths to support a far right political agenda.” Bolt ‘sprayed’ several bits of numeric data, all incorrect, but Cassidy failed to pull him up.

It is now commonplace for journalists to place their own interpretations on poll data even when the pollsters are more circumspect. For them there are no ifs or buts, they simply know, for example that Labor’s recent poor performance in the polls is directly attributable to ‘the carbon tax’ or ‘the broken promise’ not to introduce it, or Labor’s ‘alliance with the Greens’, or whatever enters their head. Of course some explanations are likely correct, but that does not absolve journalists from backing their assertions with evidence, or at the very least qualifying their conclusions with words like ‘possible explanations are…’, instead of their absolute and uncontestable words.

The other aspect of this focus on polls is that the polls become the story rather than reflecting what the people think. The way the questions are framed and sequenced influence the outcome, and the interpretation journalists place on the results fashion public opinion, not just reflect it. Newspoll in particular has cleverly positioned itself as the key indicator of public opinion, far above all others, without acknowledging that through the supplementary questions and the interpretation placed on the responses by the likes of Dennis Shanahan, public opinion is being shaped towards that desired by the journalist, editor or proprietor, or all of the above.

Today in a press conference about the rescue efforts by Australians in Japan, our PM was subjected to rude and arrogant questions, not related to this matter. One was on ‘Kevin Rudd’s Brisbane Bronco Declaration’. The latter was brushed away with: "I didn't know we now had press conference by rhetorical flourish" refusing to dignify the question with an answer. What right does Samantha Maiden believe she has to address such an irrelevant and pointless question when the PM is talking bout Australian personnel being exposed to radiation? Who does she think she is? There is an answer – she, like many, many others in the Canberra Press Gallery think they are surrogate rulers of the country, that they know what should be done, that they are entitled to ask any stupid, irrelevant, nasty, discourteous question of this nation’s leader, that they can harass and mock her with abandon with their infantile questions like cheeky schoolchildren, and still expect a considered, rational and unemotional response.

Well from today’s performance Julia Gillard is not going to take any more nonsense from this inconsequential self-opinionated clutch of journalists, and all except rusted-on Coalition supporters will loudly applaud as she slaps them down and puts them in their miserable place – lowly reporters of the passing scene.

Journalists are our servants. Too many seek to morph into our masters, to tell us what to think, what to believe, what is true and what is false, but all through their own biased optics. They believe they are governing the country through the thrust of their journalism. They feel entitled to question, confront, assail, even threaten those we have elected, because after all, they know best.

They had better get the message that we are fed up with their insolence, their arrogance, their inflated opinion of themselves, their misplaced self-confidence, and their disrespect for those WE THE PEOPLE have elected to be our leaders.

Let’s put them in their place – servants of the people, purveyors of the facts and figures, reporters of the truth, and supporters of the democratic process. We are not remotely interested in their opinions unless they can back them with verifiable evidence, not hearsay, and argue their position logically and with conviction.

Despite what it thinks happened those twelve months ago when Kevin Rudd went into decline, despite what entitlements it assumed it had to attack the nation’s leaders, the Canberra Press Gallery is not governing this country. We must imprint this message on their self-important skulls.

What do you think?

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tredlgt

16/03/2011Wow, that was bloody terrific to read . I agree with all you have written in this blog .

Bring Back Maxine

16/03/2011Hi AA You probably missed my post to the previous thread, as no doubt you were preparing to post the above blog. I believe the Fifth Estate needs to take action against the the anti-government bias in the ABC. I believe we need to directly petition the Senate to hold an Inquiry into the ABC. [b]To the Honourable President and members of the Senate in Parliament assembled: The petition of the undersigned shows: The perceived anti-government bias of the ABC. Your petitioners ask/request the Senate: To conduct a full Senate Inquiryinto such bias.[/b] http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/work/petitions/index.htm

D Mick Weir

16/03/2011BBM, I am sure if you can find only two other people to sign the petition that extraordinarily fine representative of the people of the ACT in the Senate Mr Humphries will table it.

Feral Skeleton

16/03/2011Hear! Hear! Ad Astra! However, if only the true dwellers in 'Ivory Towers', the Canberra Press Gallery, could be made to understand that we, the people who buy their work and read it, are getting cheesed off with them just as quickly as they appear to be getting with the Prime Minister and her government. Actually, I put a large part of the blame for the increasingly insolent approach to both the government of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, to the appearance in the Canberra Press Pack of Latika Bourke. She reminds me of one of those insolent schoolgirls who stand in front of a teacher they have just ignored and kept talking to their girlfriends in front of during a class he/she is trying to give, just staring at the teacher and chewing gum while he/she tries to discipline them and get some constructive criticism across to them. When you just know that all they are doing is planning their next line of attack for as soon as his/her back is turned. Incredibly frustrating, and incredibly rude. Not that they care about the feelings of the person in authority who they are showing disrespect towards as it's all about impressing their peers and reducing the person in the position of authority to a smoking ruin eventually. As you say, the Canberra Press Gallery have succeeded in doing just that to one ALP Prime Minister, they have tasted blood, and they like its intoxicating aroma. For they know that the politicians are in a Catch 22 situation. If they meekly try to let it all go through to the keeper, then the Press Pack will take that as a licence to print whatever baseless accusations and interpretations they want to in their newspaper, or say whatever they want to on the radio or TV. As they know that they will not be challenged. As Kevin Rudd never used to do. He just wanted to go along to get along with the Press Gallery. That modus operandi failed spectacularly. On the other hand, if the politician they are insouciantly challenging attempts to stand up to their aggression, THEY are the ones who become characterised by the Press Gallery as aggressive! The Press Gallery win both ways, and don't they know it. Also, now that we have media 'performers', such as Andrew Bolt, who have spread themselves, like a smear of cold germs across multi media platforms, we, the viewing public are infected with their point of view, even if we may deliberately choose to avoid them in one or another media outlet where we know they reside. As I said in the last blog, and there's not a lot we can do about them, either, because the media proprietors club is a very cosy little unit where back-scratching is the occupation du jour. They live, work and socialise together and decide what's best for us, together. Which just happens to be what's best for them. What can we do about it? Not a lot as far as it goes. I think that we are essentially stuck with the Canberra Press Gallery as it is at the present time. Especially when the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, a former journalist himself, knows all the tricks of their trade, and they conspire together to wreak as much havoc as possible with the ALP federal government because they both believe that their work is not yet done. They almost succeeded in bringing down the government completely last year, and so it is unfinished business for them to complete the task as soon as they can. And they'll just spend everyday dreaming up new ways to bait and needle, and then run off to misconstrue the outcomes. Like the petulant schoolgirl they resemble, they know that the authority figure cannot lay a glove on them and they hold all the cards. And what a disgusting state of affairs that is. Something is truly rotten with the state of the Canberra Press Gallery.

Feral Skeleton

16/03/2011Bring Back Maxine, So nice to hear from you again. :) Do you know who your Duty Senator is? As you now have a Liberal Member of Parliament(and hasn't John Alexander set the political world on fire? Not), you probably have to take your petition to them to present to parliament. Which is where it will disapppear, never to be seen again I fear. :(

Lyn

16/03/2011Hi Ad Ad, I can't thankyou enough for another brilliant article. Samantha Maiden really does get above herself, in fact she can be quite nasty, and certainly very sarcastic. I see a few of our reliable, respected blogg owners are calling the press club for what they have become, Mr Denmore, Tim Dunlop, John Quiggin, Jeremy Sear, Crikey, Andrew Elder, Greg Jericho, Ken Parish, Ash, Ad Astra, there are a lot more. Have a peaceful happy night Ad

Ad astra reply

16/03/2011Folks I'm sitting up in bed with the iPad responding to your comments First, I have just had the pleasure of speaking by telephone with two dear colleagues in Japan.  One is a professor of public health and is safe, well away from the tsunami.  The other is a professor of family medicine living in one of the worst affected areas, but safe in his hospital on the hill - you may have seen TV pictures of it. He now has the task of distributing iodine tablets to protect against radiation, and of course the immense task of helping his devastated community that has lost so many of it's citizens recover from this awful tragedy.  There is still worry about the safety of the nuclear plants, worsened by the belief that the authorities are not revealing the extent of the risk.  But it was good to hear their voices and to know that they and their families are safe.

Bring Back Maxine

16/03/2011Hi FS A point of clarification. I don't live in the Bennelong electorate. I use the blogger name of BBM and a photo of Maxine as my gravatar to show support of women (of Ms McKew's calibre) in public life. We need more women like her in Parliament. I'm in the electorate of Reid. So I need to present a petition through to my MP, John Murphy. I was hoping for suggestions on how to put up a more public petition (with a couple of thousand or more signatures).

Ad astra reply

16/03/2011tredlgt Thank you for your encouraging words.  It's good to see you are as worked up as I am. BBM Let's see if we can create a petition for an enquiry into the ABC.  I'll check this out tomorrow. FS It was your comment on the last post about Julia's press conference today that precipitated this post, one that has been festering in me for a long time now.  Thank you for your additional comprehensive comment that has added so much. You wonder what can be done; I share your frustration.  We know that journos read these blogs.  Any Canberra Press Gallery journalist who reads this post will rationalize by dismissing it as a rant, or will digest it and maybe take some notice, not much, but enough to feel a little uneasy.  If we can just begin to let them know how we feel, the disdain we have for them, it may begin to erode their confidence, to cause them to question their behaviour.  That may start the process of change.  Every little helps. I am optimistic that change is possible.  We just have to keep hacking away. Hi Lyn Thank you for your kind comments and for listing the other blogs that are expressing disgust at the behaviour of the Press Gallery.  It is more extensive than I had realized.  That is encouraging.  It would be a very case-hardened journo who could absorb this criticism and not be affected.

Ad astra reply

16/03/2011Folks I'm calling it a day Good night.

D Mick Weir

16/03/2011BBM as a starting point for the House of Reps: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/petitions/petitions.htm For the Senate: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/work/petitions/index.htm Above I commented that Senator Humphries (ACT) would be an appropriate person to lodge a petition with only three signatures. He tabled a petition from three NSW residents praying that 'Parliament will ban Muslim immigration for 10 years... ' Among many links about this, this one is interesting: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/17/3141018.htm I suggest it would be an 'informative' excercise to test Mr Humphries (and other coalition members) 'commitment to free speech' by lodging many petitions with only three signatures on them.

michael

16/03/2011I never thought I would say it, but there is one thing I believe we should do more like the US. In this land of politics gone awry, press secretaries give the vast majorities of news, especially from the White House. The President faces press conferences rarely, usually every few months. This leads to an understanding in the press room that haranguing the President or asking questions that don't live up to the gravitas of the office or the building will get you excluded from the next press conference. While I usually don't think we should follow the Americans in much, I think this at least would cut down on the number of journalists asking stupid, rude or disingenuous questions. Just my two bob

D Mick Weir

16/03/2011michael, like your thinking on press conferences but expect it just wouldn't cut the mustard in 'egalatarian orstalia'. Tall poppies are not popular here.

Feral Skeleton

16/03/2011Copy of the speech given by JG in Adelaide tonight: http://www.scribd.com/doc/50853610/Speech-to-the-Don-Dunstan-Foundation-Julia-Gillard Wonder how Jason and TT went? From all reports, there were only about 10 Anti Carbon Tax demonstrators, who were 'pretty sad looking' according to someone who was there. So, Menzies House talks a big one and walks it like a geriatric with a walking frame. :)

Feral Skeleton

16/03/2011Tony Abbott copying another John Howard tactic by making a spurious assertion 'That x country will be laughing at the ALP's policy y and you little people will be the one's who suffer in z way". http://covers.ruralpress.com/frontpages/258/49658.pdf (Remember the 'Al Qaeda will be cheering Barack Obama's election' line from Howard? None of it was true, of course. Didn't stop him seeking to whip up fear with the gullible.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011Ad astrafix! You been into a fresh batch of Magic Potion eh! Your manifestos just get better and better, the more you set your jaw for battle. It is a thrill to read this last post, as Prof.Skeleton has made clear. And FS your contribution is so staunch, and BBM your passion so vibrant, and yes Michael, your point is so good, we MUST find a way to bring these media bottom-feeders to book. Swordsfolk are getting restless and so are many many good-hearted bloggers on other sites. We need to find a way to centralise our energies somehow. I REALLY WANT SWORDIES' FEEDBACK ON THIS! (That's shouting, eh Lyn!) But yes, Lyn, you are our brainstem as I said before, I especially want to hear your thoughts as to how this might be achieved. So much good writing all around, so much better comment than Urghhh CRABBE tonight and so many of her smarmy smug little cliquey club, I am watching Lateline as I write, and it is crystal-clear by their choice of subject, editing of answers, gotcha questioning, spin, outright fabrication, and every other low trick they can think of, that they have deliberately and maliciously set their face against the very stuff of their charter. The bastards are out to bring down our Government! They were a hair's-breadth from achieving it last year, and it really is up to the 5th Estate to spike their guns. But we must develop a strategy. Lemme hear some idees eh! Did you hear what JG said tonight about who she'd rather have on her side, Bum-Bolt & Anal Jones & Pus Acridman on the one hand, or CSIRO and (and and and and and ) on t'other . . ? . . She actually named those three, (though not complete with my terms of endearment.) Didn' I tole yez all weeks ago, Let the Coalition and the lickspittle yellow media conspirators beware the Ides of March, Julia will get you on the steps of the Senate real soon, yum yum. I was right to the day really, and as it has turned out it was the Q&A on Monday night, and Anal Jones' disgraceful effort a few nights before, that has finally given our little Boadicea the chance to reveal her Gaelic steel. And Kevin Rudd too has shown his mettle, he is plainly now at last prepared to put stinking Toe-Rag Jones back in his place, dunno if you saw it tonight but the carnival is over for the yellow media. From now on, you watch, the Government will be on the front foot and on the high ground. A bas les batardes! VENCEREMOS!

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011FS Both Jason and I posted a comment on the last thread, right at the end, about the massive turnout (NOT!!!) of anti-carbon-tax protesters at Adelaide Uni tonight. Thanks for the copy of JG's speech, we were outside, not in her audience, so I'll listen to it now.

Roger

17/03/2011Wonderful article. Yes, it's way past time that we should be saying something to the media. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have an act like in Canada, where they can reject Fox's application on the grounds that it lies. It's all too easy for the ABC staff to say they are overworked and underpaid (that has always been the case). They have an obligation to report fairly and ACCURATELY, free of bias. We also need to get rid of the ludicrous, so called 'balance' criteria, where all you have to do is put any idiotic redneck up against reasoned argument to affect this criteria. We need one of TA's people revolts.

Casablanca

17/03/2011Michael@10.42pm I also think that the American style Press Secretary has merit. We need to run with that idea. Roger@12.47 Yes. Read in the Huffington Post that Canada's Radio Act requires that "a licenser may not broadcast....any false or misleading news." See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr/fox-news-will-not-be-moving-into-canada-after-all_b_829473.html The HP article has a link to the Canadian Radio Act. It can be found at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/statutes-lois.htm We just need to get this going with firstly a petition and then a co-ordinated campaign with like minded blogs ps My Captcha words are "Policy rtiedg" Can't make anything of word 2 but word one could be prophetic!

Casablanca

17/03/2011Talk Turkey@12.23am Like you I was listening with half an ear to Lateline when suddenly I realised that Tony had not interrupted with his usual almost metronomic regularity. Kevin Rudd was the interviewee and amazingly he was allowed to answer about 3 questions without interruptions. It made me wonder if some of the outrage at the plummeting standards at ABC had hit their mark. Did anyone else notice the same lack of butting in?

Feral Skeleton

17/03/2011Casablanca, I noticed it too! I was gobsmacked to hear Tony Jones politely ask his questions and then let Kevin Rudd answer them fully. I think KRudd was unused to the concept too as he rushed out his answers at first then seemed to slow down and relax a bit more as the interview wore on. Which is not to say that TJ didn't try a 'Gotcha!' moment over the 'No Fly Zone', but he let KR answer without butting in! Maybe Ad Astra's letter hit its intended target? I await with baited breath the next episode of Insiders now. Oh, but Samantha Maiden Tweeted mockery of the interview during and afterwards about KRudd's hand gestures. Fat toad she is.

Eve White

17/03/2011Thank you for your post. I am outraged by the discourtesy to the Prime Minister shown by professional journalists (who should know better) and then carried further by all and sundry. To me it is a question of respect. The nation has elected this person. While it is proper to hold her to account and to hold differing positions on issues, this does not licence anyone to treat her so rudely. Those who do so show contempt for the nation she has been elected to lead and to all its citizens.

Lyn

17/03/2011Hi Ad I found one picture of the tiny crowd at the protest in Adelaide last night, but I can't see Talk Turkey and Jason in this picture. Carbon tax now a jobs strategy ,Daniel Wills, Adelaide Now Protesters gather at Bonython Hall. Picture: Daniel Wills http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ipad/gay-rights-protest-at-gillard-speech/story-fn6bqphm-1226022755107

2353

17/03/2011Well written AA. "Frontline" (the ABC/Working Dog series of the 1990's) was right again. Who can forget the catchline "I'm Mike Moore, welcome to Frontline. The series was so good - even the Americans bought it despite having to redub it to remove all mentions of the word Frontline which was/is a US "Current Affairs" show. Can I suggest a petition not calling for balance in the media as there is no real definition of balance (for example Bolt probably feels he was quite balanced last weekend - and he obviously has some support for that position). The only way I feel an article is balanced is if both red and blue tribes are complaining. Instead a petition calling for the implementation of a law similar to the Canadian one that requires truth in reporting by the media (with sufficient resources to back the law up) would be a good outcome. The Greens may support it since they frequently claim to be "hard done by" in the media.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011Folks I have enjoyed reading the many comments that have arrived since I retired last night. Thank you. I will respond later in the morning.

Lyn

17/03/2011[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]What can you do, Greg Jericho, Grog's Gamut[/i] As Matt Price said, “Life is fragile, hug your loved ones”… and I would also add – Do what you can. Keep informed. But don’t forget how to laugh either. http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-can-you-do.html [i]Reforms and other Direct Actions, Ashghebranious , Ashe's Machiavellian Bloggery[/i] no socialists left in Australia and with the current political situation, they are not a party of the left, but the centre. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com:80/2011/03/17/reforms-and-other-direct-actions/ [i]Abbott's Bluff finally being called, Tim Dunlop, BSides[/i] The moment when Tony Abbott's bullshit about climate change collapses under the weight of its own contradictions is getting closer. When a journalist like Malcolm Farr starts calling http://tjd.posterous.com/abbotts-bluff-finally-being-called [i]Picking sides in the middle of a disaster, Dave Gaukroger, Pure Poison[/i] Andrew so determined to promote things that his perceived enemies of ‘the left’ dislike that he’ll put aside rational judgement to do so? http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/16/picking-sides-in-the-middle-of-a-disaster/#more-9407 [i]The incredible acrobatic Tony, Petermcc's Blog[/i] Happily, his little buddy Alan Jones doesn’t have the pull he thought he had http://1petermcc.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/the-incredible-acrobatic-tony/ [i]Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the internet…, Massivespray, Spray of the Day[/i] Carbon Tax response is that every single rightard troll has been pushing the same meme form day one…SHE LIED!. Absolutely no mention of the plan itself or the concept, http://sprayoftheday.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/just-when-you-thought-it-was-safe-to-go-back-to-the-internet/ [i]Japan’s nuclear crisis: the technical facts, Rooted, Crikey[/i] Research scientist and writer Michael R James writes: The earthquake offshore from Sendai began at 2.46pm (JST) Friday March 11. To clarify the nuclear incidents in Japan, http://blogs.crikey.com.au/rooted/2011/03/16/japans-nuclear-crisis-the-technical-facts/ [i]Japan nuclear situation: fear or fact? ,Gary Sauer-Thompson , Public Opinion[/i] The Australian which uses its op-ed page top fight the culture wars and destroy those on the left side of politics. Anything goes for them. http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2011/03/japan-fear-or-f.php#more [i]Why you should not be worried about Japan's nuclear reactor, Brian Hoover's Blog[/i] news services, who are in the business of making money from hyperbole and scaremongering. The sheep will vote for politicians who play on their fears, http://brian.hoover.net.au/blog/ [i]Not All Students Are Created Equal, Chris Bonnor, New Matilda[/i] they slammed the measure being used with some talking of a dark conspiracy — aided and abetted by Christopher Pyne who recycled the conspiracy line last week. http://newmatilda.com/2011/03/16/not-all-students-are-created-equal [i]Expecting a Rate hike this year? The market is expecting a cut, Peter Martin[/i] The Japan crisis has put paid to talk of a further interest rate rise in Australia with the futures market now pricing in a zero chance of a rate hike http://www.petermartin.com.au/ [i]Auntie's Q&A luvvies dance to Julia's tune, Paul Murray, TheWest[/i] Have you noticed that the giggle always has the same number of notes? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Always five. Sometimes with a charming gurgle at the end. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/opinion/post/-/blog/paulmurray/post/2517/comment/1 [i]Australian Politics TV[/i]Daily Fix http://australianpoliticstv.org/ [i]NSW Election: ABC, David Knox, TV Tonight[/i] compose, in 70 characters or less, a snappy (and obviously fictitious) election result headline. Let the puns be plentiful because the entries judged most creative will receive the invitation-only double passes. [b]Also, on the night there will be a prize for the ultimate winning headline![/b]http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/03/nsw-election-abc.html [i]NSW Election Minus 10 days, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i]On Monday, The Australian published further detail from last week’s Newspoll survey regarding election issues. This showed the Coalition best to handle every issue http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/

Mobius Ecko

17/03/2011[i]"...here is an answer – she, like many, many others in the Canberra Press Gallery think they are surrogate rulers of the country, [b]that they know what should be done[/b], that they are entitled to ask any stupid, irrelevant, nasty, discourteous question of this nation’s leader, that they can harass and mock her with abandon with their infantile questions like cheeky schoolchildren, and still expect a considered, rational and unemotional response."[/i] On the only time I've criticised George Mega in his blog it was over this point. He was railing on about what the Rudd government should be doing on some matter I can no longer remember. Thing is that on that same matter there were half a dozen or more other journalists and some opinion writers also telling the government what they should and shouldn't be doing, but not a single one of them was saying the same thing should be done, they were all demanding, not suggesting, that the government immediately take up their line of action. I stated in Megalogenis's that all these journalists and opinion writers can't be right so what made George think his was the correct way for the government to go whilst the others were all wrong, especially since they were being strident and demanding in their opinion that theirs was the correct way for the government to act. I was fobbed off for being conspiratorial and never had that question answered.

janice

17/03/2011Thinking about the behaviour of this nation's journalists, Ad astra, I look back and realise that journalists have ditched their ethics and, importantly, the book of etiquette that used to set the boundaries for respect for others. When did it become acceptable for journalists and even people asking questions directly from the floor in community forums, to address the Prime Minister of this country by his/her first name? During John Howards reign, journalists usually addressed him as "Prime Minister" or sometimes "John Howard". I don't remember any of them ever addressing him as "John". After the 2007 election, it started off that way but the use of Prime Minister lessened in favour of "Kevin Rudd" which I think came with his fall in popularity. IMO this blatant disrespect came into being when Julia Guillard became Prime Minister. Is it because she is female that people think it is Okay to be so familiar? My mother always impressed on her offspring during their growing years that familiarity breeds contempt and that it was rude and disrespectful to address one's elders by their christian name unless we were invited to do so. I wonder who chucked out the book of etiquette and decided to trash the simple rules that made our society respectful and tolerant of others. As a society, I think we should begin to insist that the book of etiquette be re-instated. We could begin by insisting that journalists desist in addressing their interviewees by their christian name and use instead Prime Minister, Minister or Senator. People asking questions in public forums should be briefed in the rules of etiquette when addressing a public figure and if they insist on the familiarity course their questions should be ignored. After all, it isn't the hardest thing in the world to be asked to show respect even if one doesn't feel it. Journalists should also be put through a training exercise on respect and be taken to task by their editors and the public if they cross the line. If there are clear rules laid down, then the interviewee has the power to ensure the rules are adhered to by ignoring the disrespectful and accepting only questions from those prepared to give due respect. I'm still angry and disgusted by the behaviour of the ABC, Tony Jones and whomever saw fit to air that piece of humour at the end of QandA the other night. To subject the Prime Minister of this country to watch herself being the brunt of someone's warped sense of humour was inappropriate to say the least. I wonder if Tony Jones would have been so gleeful had it been his wife or daughter and not the Prime Minister he and his ilk were keen to watch so closely for a reaction they might use at a later date? What have we become Australia that we allow, and even condone, this behaviour?

Jason

17/03/2011Good news, Talk Turkey and I braved the angry 15 plus two children, and survived! Lyn the photo you posted was of the other protesters the same sex marriage people who a least got a crowd!

Acerbic Conehead 2

17/03/2011Happy St Patrick's Day everyone...to be...sure...

Acerbic Conehead 2

17/03/2011...to...be..sure...

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011Eve White, Welcome, We all feel the same way about 'respect' for Prime Minister Gillard (and, like, Ken Henry, and all who merit it). We will turn the Rightards' disrespect back on them, the majority of Aussies don't think much of the way THEY address *H*E*R* and it will cost them dearly. Casablanca, FS, anybody else who saw Toe-Rag Jones (who has deliberately LOST my respect, so decency rules don't apply) last night with Kevin Rudd, he started to try to bully Rudd with a redundant question and Rudd with a terse motion flicked it back in his face, his own visage telegraphing the end of his patience with Jones, and let me predict, ALL the bottom-feeding sludge merchants. Jones knew it. That's why he stfu. He DURST not interrupt again. Sure, the "mediator/s" always get to have their gobble (sorry Bruce!) after the "guest" leaves the building, so they can still spin then, but watch with glee Swordies, No More Mr/Ms Nice Guy/Gal, our champions are about to put these creeps to the stake. *S*H*E* DID it at the Dunstan address last night - actually NAMED the Turdy Trio, Bum-Bolt, Anal Jones, and Pus Acridman, life will never be quite the same for them. They are BUT BUT BUT at the moment and forever, mark this well. The worm has turned, and turned into a Taipan. [Salivates with anticipation!] We WILL have OUR ABC back under control, and proper respect and journalistic standards WILL be restored. A BAS LES BATARDES! VENCEREMOS!

Patricia WA

17/03/2011Jason and Talk Turkey are to be congratulated for their courage in facing the angry hordes of revolting people! Well, they could have been hordes if Tony Abbott and got it right! <b>Revolting People</b> Abbott’s people are revolting, He claimed, as he made clear the facts Of their courage in assaulting The Greens’ and Labor’s Carbon Tax. The Peoples’ Revolt would not fail! They would rise up, protest and fight Against Julia Gillard’s betrayal Of all that’s valued by the Right. They’d fight this tax every second Of every minute of every day! They’d never give up, he reckoned, Cos that’s the Coalition way. Last Saturday hundreds turned out With banners, giving angry voice ‘Gainst thousands who came out to shout Opposing them with bands and noise. Last night’s demo in Adelaide Saw some fifteen brave souls appear Standing silent but unafraid Of hundreds of gays who came to leer. There are reports that Andrew Bolt Heads the next march. Yes, he’ll express The spirit of this great revolt Fired by the might of the Murdoch press!

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011Folks First, welcome Roger and Eva White to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Do come again. I'll pick up on your comments later. Lest this piece gives the impression that all journalists are like the Canberra Press Gallery, let us pay tribute to the courageous journalists who place themselves in harm's way to bring us up-to-date reports on events overseas, and during our own natural disasters, here in Australia. Their objectivity and lack of bias makes their reports informative and educational. They are to be commended for bringing us news from troubled zones. We respect their contribution. If only the Canberra Press Gallery would take a leaf out of their book. Even in the Canberra Press Gallery we acknowledge some fine journalists; Laura Tingle, George Megalogenis and Peter Martin come to mind. They reside at the superior end of the bell-shaped distribution curve of journalistic quality. At the inferior end we have appalling so-called journalists such as Andrew Bolt, Piers Akerman and Alan Jones. The majority though are mediocre and clustered around the centre of the curve. What is needed is a shift of the whole curve towards the quality end. If the mediocre were to behave like our overseas journalists, that could be achieved.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011The dopey ABC presenter om ABC24 just started an item thus: "Julia Gillard . . . . . . No we've dealt with Julia Gillard . . . " And then went on to something else with a er and no apology. Can you EVER remember ABC or ANY media outlet NOT prefacing the Prime Minister's name with his/her title? It's bloody outrageous. The bloke should be stood down. Melissa Clarke . . . Is she the blonde polliebimbo with the slanty ding in her forehead like she missed her mouth while feeding off a machete? Read all about her on Poll Bludger! Has anyone seen her lately? I haven't, I wonder if SHE's been pulled on account of her own (it seems) self-trumpeted support of THEM . . . Anyone know? I'm quite interested now . . .

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011D Mick Weir Thank you for your links related to a possible petition - I'll look at them carefully. michael You make an interesting point. I have not viewed many Presidential press conferences, but I must say those I have seen are respectful of the office of President. What too many of our journalists fail to exhibit is respect for the office, be it PM, minister or even shadow minister, instead allowing their personal feelings about the individuals occupying those posts to govern their questioning behaviour. FS Thanks for the link to Julia Gillard's Don Dunstan Foundation speech, which I shall enjoy watching. From the snippets on the news, she sounded forthright and convincing. Even Barrie Cassidy on Jon Faine's 774 Melbourne radio show this morning conceded, somewhat reluctantly, that she was 'on the front foot' this week and that Tony Abbott was struggling for 'oxygen', but was quick to excuse Abbott on the grounds of the overwhelming events overseas. He sounded rather subdued, made no mention of [i]Insiders[/i], but still managed to insist that the carbon tax was 'killing her'. No evidence for this assertion was advanced - it was offered as a statement of fact. I got the impression that Barrie might be feeling stung by the criticism that has been directed at him over the last [i]Insiders[/i], but of course I may be quite wrong. The proof will be seen over the next few episodes.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011Hi Lyn I'm having trouble with the LYN'S DAILY LINKS page this morning; I'll post your links to it as soon as it is accessible. I looked at your Adelaide link and couldn't make out what this tiny rally was about, but jason has explained it as a same sex marriage group, and that he and TT braved the anti-tax rally that mustered a whole 15 angry adults and two children. Tony Abbott must be wildly excited at this overwhelming show of support for his 'kill the carbon tax' push. Isn't it strange that so far I have heard no news report of this pathetic turnout, and equally strange that mention of the picture and the fact that there was a smaller anti-tax rally was not mentioned until the very end of the article - in fact I completely missed it first time.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011TT Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I did hear bits of Julia's speech on [i]Lateline[/i]. and was pleased to see her socking it to them with conviction. So Canberra Press Gallery she gave you her 'narrative' about her carbon tax. Please don't ask for it again. Mark it in your notebook, or iPad, or whatever you use now. I watched Tony Jones' interview of Kevin Rudd with fascination. Almost totally gone was the habitually interruption (he interrupted just once), gone were the repeated gotcha attempts (there was a small one over the No-fly Zone), and generally he let Kevin warm to the interview, whereupon his confidence rose so that by the end he was really in full flight and sounding very convincing. FS wonders if Jones has taken note of the feedback he got after [i]Q&A[/i]. It would be immodest to believe that my letter alone had an effect; I suspect he received many similar missives.

Ad astra reply

17/03/20112353 I like your idea of a Canadian-style no lies approach to broadcast journalism. It would be interesting to know how that legislation was framed. Do you have a link? Mobius Ecko You make a very telling point. If the political journalists are so individually sure of what is wrong and what needs to be done, why do they not coincide. They can't all be right. Yet I suspect that when they do exhibit congruence it is the product of groupthink, the subject of my very first blog piece back in June 2008. It was very obvious to me then, and nothing much has changed. They work together, socialise together, talk in the corridors, reinforce each other's views, and find deviating from the groupthink norm uncomfortable. This engenders the pack mentality that only mavericks can ignore, and there are too few of them.

Lyn

17/03/2011Hi Ad Our ABC has mentioned the Adelaide Rally on same sex marriage, but I can't see a mention of any Carbon Tax protesters at the same rally. I have read the column twice, seems the ABC see the poor attendance, as detrimental to the Coalition, so therefore, it can't be mentioned. [i]Gillard vows to prevent carbon tax job losses, ABC About 150 people protesting in support of gay marriage were earlier ordered away from the hall where Ms Gillard was speaking.[/i] http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/16/3165979.htm

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011janice I identify with all you have written. Common courtesy and respect for authority has faded so much that when it occurs it comes as a pleasant surprise. I suspect that some of the unruly behaviour we see on the streets is due to disrespect for authority and disregard of the common good. Journalists should be setting a good example, not fostering disrespect through their insolent questioning. But as the Canberra Press Gallery descends towards pack mentality that seeks to inflict damage, the people, and sadly younger people, will see their behaviour as the acceptable norm. You mention the cartoon at the end of [i]Q&A[/i]. I think it was Julia's good humoured acceptance of it that somehow took the nasty edge off it, but now that you draw attention to it, it was unbecoming and rude. That Tony Jones thought it was OK to broadcast is a telling reflection of his attitude towards her.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011The presenter's name is NICK (??????) 10.32 AM He talking to Hayden Cooper atm about Japan. He got a green tie, (St Pat's Day) and he's inept and dozey. I'd like to know his surname. What do they give these ABC journos? SOMA? HOW COME they are so controlled and so RW? Meantime Folks I know we are all watching Japan's nuclear disaster with dismay and horror and most of all DREAD. The worst case scenario just gets worse. For the people in the so-far-affected (by all 3 whammies) it must be absolutely terrible, but this goes way beyond those poor million or so. Tokyo itself (30 million!) seems likely to become uninhabitable at any moment, at the mere whim of natural forces plus of course our human-made unnatural ones, and it is hard to see what can be done at all to prevent it. People are fleeing the city in droves. I would too. Gross amounts of radiation are likely to be released, and over a long period, and no way to clean it up without workers dying of radiation. (Any volunteers? How awful!) And according to New Scientist, there is even the possibility of a self-generated nuclear chain reaction. This is now shaping as the greatest disaster for Gaia since a simian gene mutated into homo non sapiens. O joy.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011jason Good on you and TT for fronting up to the terrifying spectre of 15 angry anti carbon tax protesters, and two kids! What on earth will Tony Abbott do now? Will he press on in the hope that more will come to other protests? Or will he slink away, tail between legs, and concede the campaign has been a flop. Or as I suspect, he will just say nothing and hope the embarrassment will quietly go away, which is the likely outcome as the MSM will not show him up. Julia Gillard should not let up in her ridicule of him, for ridicule he richly deserves. Patricia WA What an appropriate piece of verse. I think Andrew Bolt would run a mile from any protest that portrayed them in such a poor light. He is a show pony who needs lots of adoring sycophants - just look at his blog respondents!

Lyn

17/03/2011Hi Ad So now we have another new word , missremembered was one, "unfriended" now. Look at Abetz's web page, honestly these people get more amazing everyday . 3 years ahead they will all go crazy and mental with sheer desperation. Mr Abbott in Brisbane today, Wollongong yesterday, Adelaide before that, he definately thinks, he is election campaigning, and so do the Press, they must do, because they are reporting every single move Mr Abbott makes, and every word he utters. Julia 'Unfriends' Bob Brown, Eric Abetz “If this is Julia Gillard’s view now, then why did she get into bed with the Greens in the first place?” Senator Abetz said. “Is this the same Julia Gillard who lied to the Australian people http://abetz.com.au/news/julia-unfriends-bob-brown

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011TT The situation in Japan is a tragedy of mammoth proportions that could lead to outcomes that would deserve the overused word 'catastrophic'. Massive loss of life and health could result. Some radiation damage is rapid, but as we know from Hiroshima and Nagasaki the long-term damage is just as devastating. No one in the world will escape the effects of this disaster - it may take a while to eventuate, but inevitable it will be. Hi Lyn I believe there is a deliberate attempt going on at the ABC to hide the pathetic turnout at the anti carbon tax rally. As Tony Abbott made such a feature of his 'people's revolt', surely it is as newsworthy to report it as a flop, as it would have been if it had been a roaring success.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011Hi Lyn Eric Abetz is pathetic. Funnily, Bob Brown doesn't feel 'unfriended'. He has passed off Julia's remark as inconsequential. But Abetz, hungry for any scrap of discord, has gobbled it down and regurgitated a brand new word - 'unfriended'. Great stuff Eric - your teacher would be proud.

Jason

17/03/2011AA, Apart from the dismal turn out for the carbon tax rally, there was not one I repeat not one coalition senator or member of the house there to lead the charge! Yet the venue where the PM was speaking had the full house sign up not sure how many it holds (TT may Know) with people paying $35 to go and hear her speak!

NormanK

17/03/2011Ad astra Thanks for a brilliant post on a deeply troubling trend. I fully concur with all that you have written but would seek leave to add a couple of things. Many in the Canberra Gallery would argue that they are only reflecting the mood of the people (the judges of said mood being the journalists themselves) and are not only entitled to seek the 'truth' in this manner but are indeed honour bound to do so. If we look at some of their exploits as being 'on behalf of the people' it explains a fair bit of their arrogance and impertinent questions. They have the people behind them. "Don't you know how angry people are out there", demands Neil Mitchell. The 'niceties' of their intercourse with politicians are swept aside 'in the public interest' in much the same way as many human rights are swept aside in times of war. This is not to condone their actions but in some cases I think it fits the bill. The most extreme example of this are the likes of Bolt and Jones who would tell you that they are only seeking the answers which their audience demand. No mention of course that their audience has been brainwashed into seeking this 'truth' - it is a self-justifying loop. Also, gossip has risen to new heights. Others have referred to it as reality TV starring politicians. Nevertheless, rumour, innuendo, body language and tittle tattle have been elevated to newsworthy status. How much have we heard in the last year about who said what about whom (often by unnamed sources), who has fallen out with whom and who can't sit in the same room as another particular person? There is much in your post that I can easily agree with and this in particular struck a chord with me : [quote]Next it assumes that the reporter is integral to the story. They believe they are expert interpreters of what politicians say and do, adept at describing the ‘atmospherics’ surrounding the story ...[/quote] What better example of that do we need than Chris Uhlman interviewing the PM and then 'interpreting' what she has just said, just in case we were fooled into believing her version rather than Uhlman's. In my dreams, I would love it if the PM was still on the line during Uhlman's dissection and was then given an opportunity for rebuttal and cross-questioning. Then some sparks might fly. Recent appearances by the PM lead me to being optimistic about partially reversing this trend towards disrespect if the Gallery are stood up to but as life teaches us time and again it is impossible to 'go back to the way things were'. Who knows what the new manifestation will look like. I have to disagree with the interpretation placed on Jones' interview with Kevin Rudd last night. Having just watched it, I really can't see much disrespect shown by Jones to Rudd. My take on that is that when the main topic of discussion is anything other than domestic politics, journalists tend to revert to the type of objectivity which we would like to see dominate the whole spectrum of reporting. This is generally true across the board. When the main focus is on overseas stories or disasters at home and abroad, the press tend to be even-handed and respectful regardless of who they are interviewing. It is only when they turn to domestic issues that they pursue a line of questioning which can be regarded as more personal, spiteful. gossip-driven and opinionated. Therefore, I would not read too much into Jones' more reserved demeanour. When next he has a chance to snipe at someone over a domestic issue he will almost certainly do so. I should stress that I say this as an adjunct to what you have written above.

janice

17/03/2011Ad astra, [quote]You mention the cartoon at the end of Q&A. I think it was Julia's good humoured acceptance of it that somehow took the nasty edge off it, [/quote] The Prime Minister had no option but to show good humoured acceptance or be shown to be wooden/ humourless/prudish or whatever other description they could think of to describe her. My own reaction to this piece of downright cruel, crude and inappropriate behaviour on the part of the ABC and Tony Jones was disgust and shame that we, the viewing public, allow this disrespect and insolence to be served up to the PM of this nation with barely more than token protest. Can you imagine the outrage if the victim of this type of humour was Tony Abbott's wife, Janette Howard or indeed, any female politician on the conservative side? No, it reeks of misogyny within our political system as well as a warped and cowardly sense of humour displayed by the author of the "humour", the ABC and its presenter Tony Jones. All of them should hang their heads in shame and offer the humblest apologies to our Prime Minister.

janice

17/03/2011Norman K, [quote]Also, gossip has risen to new heights. Others have referred to it as reality TV starring politicians. Nevertheless, rumour, innuendo, body language and tittle tattle have been elevated to newsworthy status. How much have we heard in the last year about who said what about whom (often by unnamed sources), who has fallen out with whom and who can't sit in the same room as another particular person? [/quote] Quite so, but once in the not so distant past, gossip was left to the gutter press where high profile people were slandered and pilloried at will. The vast majority of people looked down on the gutter press so that their audience/readership was low in numbers. It seems to me that it is the gutter press that has been elevated into revelance in today's society rather than the gossip, so that 90% of media is now teeming with the vermin that crawled out of the gutter to present themselves as pure and clean and working to present "what the people want".

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011jason It is telling that there were no parliamentarians at the protest rally to support the protesters. Obviously they have better things to do with their time! What a contrast with the turn up for Julia's speech. I get the strong feeling she is steadily getting on top of the situation she has to manage. She would have been heartened today by Ross Garnaut's support for her carbon tax as an interim measure before an ETS, and his unequivocal rejection of Tony Abbott's direct action plan. NormanK Thank you for your kind words and your thoughtful addition to this post. You put your finger squarely on the justification that journalists use so freely: that they are simply reflecting public opinion, what the people believe and want. But they never acknowledge that they themselves have a substantial influence on what people think and believe and want. Having brainwashed their audience to a particular viewpoint, as Alan Jones does as a matter of course, they cannot logically say they are simply reflecting public opinion. It is a circular argument that any class in clear thinking would demolish in a moment. So the 'we are just echoing public opinion', is a cop out that they use unashamedly. I often wonder whether they really believe their own rhetoric, or whether they use it knowing full well it's a fraud. Your comments about Tony Jones' performance last night make me realize that I may have been too generous in attributing it to a changed attitude occasioned by post [i]Q&A[/i] feedback. Time will tell. I will watch his next interviews with politicians on domestic issues with your comments in mind. Of course there will be the tendency for him to revert to his norm, no matter how much of a kick in the pants he got from his viewers. The ego strength of journalists like Tony Jones is immense, as is their self-confidence. They find it easier to reject criticism as an aberrant occurrence than to eat humble pie and change.

D Mick Weir

17/03/2011I suppose I am a bit warped, but there you go, **it happens. I got a few giggles out of the cartoon, the use of the Australian speech therapist to a pommy king teaching the PM to 'speak proper' was a good use of a popular movie theme tied in with a popular myth that the PM speaks funny. Ms Gillard has herself had a bit a joke, at her own expense, with the comments about her speech. I didn't rate it highly but it was well done. No different in some ways to any number of the commentary cartoons that appear in the daily rags (and online). If you took offence I suggest you go back a couple of posts and read what I have said about 'taking offence'. [i]'You gotta live a little, .. laugh a little ..'[/i] Don't know who wrote or sung it but either way just sometimes laugh a little

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011janice I cannot disagree with the sentiments you express, and like you I wonder how Tony Abbott would have reacted if it was his wife being lampooned, or even one of his female shadow ministers. We have seen how Abbott considers it OK for his shadow ministers to make Gaddafi comparisons to Julia Gillard, yet bridle at references to his behaviour as Goebbels-like, so I suppose he would see Julia as fair game, so long as he or his own were not subject to the same. But you are right - all at the ABC should be ashamed. Sadly, I doubt if any such sentiment would disturb their equanimity.

D Mick Weir

17/03/2011Politcal Commentary Cartoons have been part of the landscape [i]'like .. forever'[/i]. Taking the mickey out of anyone a position of authority is what they do best. We may not always agree but if we are reasonable we can see the humour and with the good ones understand the (often succinct) point of them. Bill Leak (who IMHO is very high in the top 5 aussie cartoonists) in a lengthy 'fireside chat' with Phillip Adams on Late Night Live told how Bronwyn Bishop (I think) loved his charactiture of her. So much so that she would buy the originals of the ones Bill usually thought were the meanest about her. If the PM needs me to defend her or 'shield' her from things like that cartoon then I am afraid to say, 'she ain't up to the job'

D Mick Weir

17/03/2011Speaking of cartoons [b]Fiona Katauskas @ New Matilda[/b] often comes with a good one. I liked this: http://newmatilda.com/2011/03/17/bad-news-0

ken

17/03/2011A terrific article. It seems that research in the Press Gallery ishaving a chat to the rest of the pack and then attcking in unison. It is a pity that Tony Ablott is not subjected to the same mindless attacks as the Prime Minister. As for the unspeakable Bolt.......

Casablanca

17/03/2011Ad Astra @March 17. 2011 11:48 AM while I was still sleeping you asked 2353 for a link re the Canadian “no lies” legislation. @ March 17. 2011 01:35 AM, while you & other sensible Swordians were sleeping, I kept vigil and posted a link to the Canada Radio Act and the Huffington Post article. Which brings me to saying that this blog has become a victim of its own popularity. It is extremely difficult, I find, to go back and follow some arguments/comments because of the lack of a numbering system. Indeed Ad, I could not find the comment from 2353 on the Canadian legislation to which you responded, but there was a post from a Roger@12.47 – are they one and the same person? I and others have been referencing previous contributions by including the contributor’s name and recorded time of the post but a numbering system would make it easier. Lavatus Prodeo and Pure Poison are two good systems. I know that you have already been through a major upgrade in recent times but as I pointed out success can bring complications. Look forward to your thoughts on the matter. Here again are the links concerning the Canadian “no lies” legislation: Read in the Huffington Post that CANADA'S RADIO ACT requires that "a licenser may not broadcast....any false or misleading news." See www.huffingtonpost.com/.../...er-all_b_829473.html The HP article has a link to the CANADIAN RADIO ACT. It can be found at http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/statutes-lois.htm We just need to get this going with firstly a petition and then a co-ordinated campaign with like minded blogs. ps My Captcha words are "Policy rtiedg" Can't make anything of word 2 but word one could be prophetic!

Catching up

17/03/2011 What I would like to see, is the practice of the ABC giving the MSM a platform to spread their message. There are too many panels sprouting up that consist of ABC journalists moderating forums of journalists from MSM. Journalists giving the views of journalists. This should cease in the ABC. Where it leaves shows like Insiders and many on ABC24 I do know, I do not care. If the MSM need a TV outlet for their journalists, let them create their own programmes on other free to air channels.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011REVOLT REPORT By an intrepid independent correspondent Last night a huge crowd of over a dozen furious protestors of the Anti-Carbon-Tax League and their allies the Pro-More-CO2 Brigade, with representatives from all walks of life, from 2 children as young as six to one silly-looking old fart in a Bushie hat, staged a memorable demonstration of mass solidarity outside the Bonython Hall, Adelaide, where the pointy-nosed redhaired "Prime Minister", JU-LIAR Gillard was scheduled to give an address to a fawning crowd of Labor Party hacks and sycophants. Undaunted, the staunch protestors were so enraged by the threat to their weekly latte that they stood silent and speechless, understandably keeping a safe distance from the disgusting display of garish clothing and threatening obscene signs brandished by the ridiculously tiny secondary crowd of less than 300 "Gay Rights" activists demanding the legal right to "marriage" with persons of the same sex. It is not thought that any of the anti-tax protestors were contaminated by life-threatening viruses during the encounter, but they may wish to seek trauma counselling as a result of the culture shock of this public display of lewdness at one of austalia's most respected educational institutions. The demonstration lasted for almost an hour until the day began to close in, but with typical cowardice, Gillard refused to confront the protestors, skulking into the Bonython Hall unnoticed, where she proceeded to make unfounded and slanderous comments about three of our most respected journalists, Mr Anal Jones, Mr Andrew Bum-Bolt and Mr Pus Acridman. It is understood that all three are now seeking psychiatric counselling for the psychological stress her diatribe has occasioned.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011NormanK, Sure, Toe-Rag Jones (whom I distinguish from Toe-Rag Abbortt and Anal Jones) didn't try too much disrespect or gotchas last night. Why? Because clearly Rudd had had quite enough aggravation and was ready, not for a dummy-spit, but a put-down of Jones that he would never live down. Jones didn't know, as I don't know, what Rudd would have said but you may be sure it would have been withering. Diplomats are better than lawyers at that, let alone Joneses, that's how they get to be diplomats. I was almost hoping for one more interruption from Jones, Rudd's face was set hard and hot and very determined. I say that while the bottom-feeders might blub blub blub for a while they are now SCARED of Rudd and Conroy and most especially, er, whats*H*E*R*name. Because SHE's Numero Uno.

janice

17/03/2011D Mick Weir, I think you missing my point. I have no objection to political cartoons even when they're a bit on the crude side. However, my point is that the ABC were inappopriately insensitive, rude and disrespectful to play this cartoon in the presence of the Prime Minister so that as many people as possible could watch her reaction. What did they want to see - a red-faced Prime Minister, a shocked or embarrassed Prime Minister? It is not the cartoons or even the content of them that I object to but rather that they put Prime Minister into the position of watching it in public as a 'surprise' segment at the end of the programme with the cameras carefully trained on her. The fact that Julia passed the humour test with aplomb has nothing whatever to do with the fact that the ABC and Tony Jones were insensitive and disrespectful in airing the cartoon in her presence. It would have been just as humourous if they had either waited for the PM to leave or, at the very least, refrain from pointing their cameras at her during the airing.

NormanK

17/03/2011D Mick Weir I can't leave you out on your ownsome regarding the Q&A cartoon. I too found little to be offended by in either its content or presentation. Political satire and lampooning are pretty much by definition disrespectful so if one were to describe that animation as disrespectful then one would just be stating the obvious. Okay I didn't find it particularly funny, mainly because I can't hear Ms Gillard's 'accent' but it was a halfway decent idea well executed. I gave her credit for responding in a good humoured way which should be the response of any public figure when subjected to lampooning (provided it stays within the realm of good taste). Good taste is in the eye of the beholder. janice Turning my comment on gossip on its head was very worthwhile. You are indeed correct - gutter journalism has been legitimised where once it would have been reviled by all but the basest of consumers. Has the audience lowered their standards? One wonders.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011D Mick weir said: "If the PM needs me to defend her or 'shield' her from things like that cartoon then I am afraid to say, 'she ain't up to the job'" Ay D Mick! Who said *S*H*E* did need you? Bet it wasn't *H*E*R* ! Sounded like something one of the Turdy Trio might've said! Wassa matter Bro?

NormanK

17/03/2011TT I'm afraid I really can't agree with you on Tony Jones (as much as I might wish to because I would love to witness his comeuppance). Apart from the no-fly zone, there was nothing in that interview which Jones could twist into a gotcha or 'at odds with' moment. In my observations, this is almost always the case when the dominant subject/s are anything other than domestic affairs. Where you may have a point is that if Jones did have a narky question regarding, say, the Broncos quote, he either didn't have time to get to it or as you say he read Rudd's mood and thought better of broaching the subject. You will notice that the stupid questions fired at Gillard the other day were centred on domestic affairs - no-one tried a gotcha on Japan. As I said above, I predict Jones will be back to his supercilious best at the earliest opportunity. I agree Rudd looked in a no-nonsense mood but so would I be if I'd just had the day/week he has just endured.

Patricia WA

17/03/2011I'm sure that everyone here feels overwhelmed by events in Japan, so much so that it's a relief to focus on the Get-Up campaign which seems to be helping coordinate some effective on the ground responses to the Carbon Tax issue. For me, being able to make fun of Abbott's revolting people is light relief. I'm not sure if it's planned or spontaneous but those two very positive and almost light-hearted gatherings at the same venues as the Carbon Tax rallies have been very effective. I hope we see more of it. I've just come from watching the Tony Jones interview with Rudd last night. I had switched off in disgust just before that because of Tom Iggulden's appallingly shallow report on the PM's address in Adelaide. I wrote a comment about it to the effect that I didn't want to watch his ugly face and listen to his speculations on her detractors or see footage of a Tibetan uprising. I wanted to see the PM at this meeting and hear what she had to say. So, is Jones doing a professional job with Rudd because that too gives air to what the press gallery likes to think is a putative rival to PM Gillard? I notice, by the way, that Mr. Rudd is more respectful in acknowledging the PM and the government than any of these so called journalists. And I'm sure he has been that way from the moment he took on the Foreign Minister role. Amazing how Neil Mitchell dreamed up the 'slight' to the PM from that ambush of Rudd over the Broncos jersey.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011Yanks and Aussies are advised to stay outside an 80-km exclusion zone around the nuclear power stations! This takes in MUCH of the MOST populated areas in Japan. For locals they have been only advised to evacuate within 30 Kms. . . . 'Course, they're not Aussies nor even Kiwis, . . . but MILLIONS of people who were amongst one of the world's most affluent societies a week ago are as we speak huddled in their homes, without power, without access to supplies, in freezing temperatures, officially advised to stay inside . . . For how long? . . . and . . . Then what? World's All Time Baddest Joke: Let us spray . . ! . . In case this sounds flippant . . . I'm in tears as I write.

Michael

17/03/2011Following up on the St. Patrick's Day reporting of Tony Abbott yet again trotting out the tale that he is possibly the love-child of John Howard and Bronwyn Bishop (do NOT try to imagine the moment of conception, do NOT!), we may well have cause for hope that he never has a fling with French far-righter Marine Le Pen. They seem, unfortunately, 'made' for each other. Both sides of the world, the Right keeps at it.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011D Mick Weir, NormanK I'm with janice over the cartoon at the end of [i]Q&A[/i] although Julia's good-natured acceptance of it blunted some of its impact on me. In fact I find myself offended by many of the cartoons that festoon our dailies, particularly Bill Leake's whom I find creates more that are offensive to me than most cartoonists. Indeed I believe that cartoons that lampoon or belittle politicians, and there are many of them every week, serve to create a belief that it is OK to do so, that the status of the individual makes no difference, even the leader of the nation that we have elected. In that sense some cartoons are an insult to we the electors. Some of course are clever and funny and pointed, but they don't have to be offensive or in poor taste. If we are ever to see more respect shown by journalists to our leaders, let's start with our cartoonists. It is possible to be clever and pointed without being offensive. By and large Jon Kudelka fits this description. Others should take a leaf out of his book. What I'm contending is that if we expect any lifting of the standards of courtesy of our political journalists, let's clean up our cartoonists as too often they set a poor example.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011ken Thank you for your kind words. Sadly you are right: "…research in the Press Gallery is having a chat to the rest of the pack and then attacking in unison." They call it groupthink, and jackals always prefer hunting in packs where they feel protected. Casablanca I wish I could comply with your request for comment numbering but this off-the-shelf freebie blog engine does not permit that. Yes, I remember your earlier reference to the [i]Huff Post[/i] article, the key sentences being: [i]Canada's Radio Act requires that "a licenser may not broadcast....any false or misleading news." [/i] and [i] As a result of that law, Canadians enjoy high quality news coverage including the kind of foreign affairs and investigative journalism that flourished in this country before Ronald Reagan abolished the "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987. Political dialogue in Canada is marked by civility, modesty, honesty, collegiality, and idealism that have pretty much disappeared on the U.S. airwaves. When Stephen Harper moved to abolish anti-lying provision of the Radio Act, Canadians rose up to oppose him fearing that their tradition of honest non partisan news would be replaced by the toxic, overtly partisan, biased and dishonest news coverage familiar to American citizens who listen to Fox News and talk radio. Harper's proposal was timed to facilitate the launch of a new right wing network, "Sun TV News" which Canadians call "Fox News North." [/i] I must say I missed the link to Canada's Radio Act, but when I searched through that link I couldn't find reference to 'false or misleading news'. I expect it is embedded in the arcane language of the legislators in the legislation, so if you can point me to where it is, I would be grateful. Catching up I think we would all be happier if the ABC did some decent political journalism of its own instead of echoing the MSM headlines, which are so heavily Murdoch influenced. Is the ABC short of cash, or decent political journalists, or is it happy to sponge off the MSM because that's easier? TT Thank you for your nice take on the anti carbon tax protest rally. I hope your assessment of Kevin Rudd is correct, that he is ready to give Tony Jones or any other aggressive interviewer both barrels if they come the raw prawn. I got the feeling last night that the message had gone out: 'Don't take any more nonsense from rude interviewers, cut them down to size with a withering comeback.'

NormanK

17/03/2011Ad astra It is interesting, refreshing even, that we have found a point of divergence. I'll have to give the subject more thought but I suspect part of our difference of opinion may stem from the angle from which we approach the question. For me, it is a matter of having no sacred cows when it comes to comedy (there are always exceptions but they are rare and exist at the extremities). Are our political cartoonists tasked with the job of making us laugh or are they meant to offer their own brand of insightful commentary on events? A combination of the two, I would suggest, with the very best of them finding a comfortable balance between the two imperatives but if a cartoon is not funny then it is a failure. If it is funny (to some) but not insightful then it is not so much of a failure. The Q&A animation was sort of funny but completely lacking in valuable insight - 2.5 out of 10. Journalists, on the other hand, are not employed to entertain me, with the exception of an occasional bit of satire. This is where Annabel Crabb annoys me - she is attempting to be a prose cartoonist and it satisfies neither humour nor insight as far as I'm concerned. Serious journalists do not have the excuse that they were only trying to be funny, that is not part of their brief. I would refer back to my comments regarding gossip and public opinion for my condemnation of the disrespect which is rampant in Canberra at present. Incidentally, Abbott & Co are doing no-one any favours in this regard by belittling their opponents in language better suited to the school-yard. The gerbils have been given their mission (they have no choice but to accept it) and if fresh insight is the end-product I will dutifully report. janice Our recent posts crossed in the ether. I do understand completely where you are coming from with regard to trying to catch Julia Gillard out by focussing on her reaction to the animation. However, it would be a very optimistic producer who believes that something like that would produce a Tony Abbott nodding head moment from Ms Gillard.

Patricia WA

17/03/2011Naive of me, I know, but I thought that donations to charity were not considered cash advances by credit card companies. With so many disasters and charities over recent months I find I have accrued an unpleasant amount of 'interest' on my ANZ Visa account which I am cancelling forthwith. I have always paid by due date and apart from one overseas absence have never missed a due date for payment. So I was surprised at the interest accrued for payment. Since they hardly need charity I am making sure that as many people as possible beware giving them a handout.

2353

17/03/2011AA, [quote]Canada's Radio Act requires that "a licenser may not broadcast ... any false or misleading news." The provision has kept Fox News and right-wing talk radio out of Canada and helped make Canada a model for liberal democracy and freedom. As a result of that law, Canadians enjoy high quality news coverage, including the kind of foreign affairs and investigative journalism that flourished in this country before Ronald Reagan abolished the "Fairness Doctrine" in 1987. Political dialogue in Canada is marked by civility, modesty, honesty, collegiality, and idealism that have pretty much disappeared on the US airwaves. When Stephen Harper moved to abolish the anti-lying provision of the Radio Act, Canadians rose up to oppose him fearing that their tradition of honest non-partisan news would be replaced by the toxic, overtly partisan, biased and dishonest news coverage familiar to American citizens who listen to Fox News and talk radio. Harper's proposal was timed to facilitate the launch of a new right-wing network, "Sun TV News" which Canadians call "Fox News North."[/quote] http://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/276-74/5123-fox-news-lies-keep-them-out-of-canada

2353

17/03/2011Sorry for the double post. I didn't read all the posts prior to ^

Jenny

17/03/2011I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I too wondered why no one questioned Andrew Bolts obvious deliberate confusion of numbers, 800 instead of 8000,really! Not only do these journalists think they are running the country they also seem to think their readers/listeners are idiots.

Lyn

17/03/2011Hi Jenny Thankyou for your comment, I'm really pleased you enjoyed reading Ad Astra's article. Ad Astra has many more enjoyable articles up his sleeve for this year, you just wait and see. Andrew Bolt tried to pretend 800 instead of 8000, because that looked better for the Liberals, Andrew Bolt had already, posted the correct figure of 8000 on his blog. Funny, how we have not had any reports, at all today about the Liberal anti carbon price rally, held last night in Adelaide. You guessed why, there were only 15 people turned up, some ferocious revolt eh! Cheers

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011jenny Welcome to the TPS family. Do come again. Lyn has addressed your question. Andrew Bolt knows that misinformation is easy to transmit. Even if you correct it later, many will remember only the misinformation. Accuracy is of no consequence to him. Sometimes no information is preferred. As Lyn has pointed out, there are almost no reports of Tony Abbott's failed protest rally last night.

Ad astra reply

17/03/2011Folks I think I'll call it a day. Good night

Casablanca

17/03/2011Ad Astra Broadcasting Act (1991, c. 11) is the enabling Act for a number of Regulations including Regulations Respecting Radio Broadcasting (SOR/86-982), short title of which is Radio Regulations, 1986 (SOR/86-982) http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/SOR-86-982/page-1.html The following is the text of PART I.1, Section 3 of the Radio Regulations, 1986. Section 3 (b) and (d) are relevant to our discussions. “Broadcasting Content 3. A licensee shall not broadcast (a) anything in contravention of the law; (b) any abusive comment that, when taken in context, tends or is likely to expose an individual or a group or class of individuals to hatred or contempt on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability; (c) any obscene or profane language; (d) any false or misleading news; “ The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission also provides the Broadcasting Decisions arising from complaints under the Act and Regulations: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2006/db2006-282.htm I searched under "false and misleading news" and found a series of judgements which I have not yet had time to read. Methinks that I for one need to look more closely at the Australian legislation. For all that I know it may contain a similar provision on false and mis-leading news. If it does it is clearly not being enforced at the moment.

Lyn

17/03/2011Hi Ad I know that Wot News have featured, "The Political Sword" previously on a couple of occasions, but I get a kick out of seeing TPS on their blog again: [i]The day News Limited Took over Our ABC, Wot News[/i] Mark the day – Sunday 13 March 2011, the day Andrew Bolt took over as compère of the ABC’s Insiders , bullied his way into the dialogue and eventually ruled .... Mon Mar 2011 01:03 (3 days, 6 hours ago) The Political Sword 169 articles in collection Read Full Article | Share with Friend http://wotnews.com.au/like/the_day_news_limited_took_over_our_abc/6401417/

D Mick Weir

17/03/2011Hi Swordsfolk, I've been out and about since my comment about 'that cartoon'. I don't really think I am 'The Boy that kicked Hornets Nest' but I did 'stir things up' a tiny bit. Oh well! [b]janice @ March 17. 2011 03:23 PM[/b] [i]' ... my point is that the ABC were inappopriately insensitive, rude and disrespectful ...' [/i] Fair enough. I didn't see it that way and it is OK with me that you did. I thought it showed another side of the PM that she could laugh at herself. Maybe not up there with 'Strippegate' but all the same a display of the human side we don't often see in our elected representatives. I am of the opinion that, at times, it can do us good to laugh at ourselves, and it showed me another of the many facets of our Prime Minister. [i]'The fact that [b]Julia[/b] passed the humour test with aplomb has nothing whatever to do with the fact that the ABC and Tony Jones were insensitive and [b]disrespectful[/b] ...'[/i] I have opined before that we are all prone to contradicting ourselves. We call others out for 'sins' that we too 'commit'. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of a ten year old for a moment [i] Daddy, how come your are telling Mr Jones off for being disrespestful when you type 'Julia' instead of the PM or Ms Gillard in your comments?[/i] Ok not totally fair but, [i]Is the pot calling the kettle black?[/i] [b]NormanK @ March 17. 2011 03:27 PM[/b] Gee's, you've done it again. [i]I wish I had said it like that.[/i] :) [b]TalkTurkey @ March 17. 2011 03:34 PM[/b] Didn't think I was implying that Ms Gillard had asked me to defend her etc. My (subtle?) point was that we don't need to worry on her behalf. There are bigger fish to fry. [b]Ad astra @ March 17. 2011 03:58 PM[/b] OK, I accept and understand you point of view. I will take [b]NormanKs'[/b] response @ [b]March 17. 2011 04:51 PM[/b] as appropriate and only add [i]'I guess we shall just have to agree to disagee.'[/i]

D Mick Weir

17/03/2011Oh dear. TT& Jason I add my thanks for your 'eyewitness' accounts of the 'peoples revolt' in Adelaide. Don't be alarmed or offended, but no lesser authority than Menzies House tells me you have 'misread' things. [b]The Desperation of GetUp![/b] http://www.menzieshouse.com.au/2011/03/the-desperation-of-getup.html [i]'Thank you for your support opposing the Gillard-Brown Carbon-Dioxide Tax Hike.Over 25,000 Australians have now signed our petition opposing this unnecessary and destructive tax, and we know that for every signatory there are over 1000 silent supporters.'[/i] So there! There were really 15,000 adults and 2,000 kids protesting (silently) last night. According to them you forgot to take your shoes and sox off to do a proper count! And please take note: [i]'This is just the beginning ... and our opponents are running scared. [b]GetUp, the multi-million dollar far-left professional advocacy group[/b], just sent a desperate, panicked email to their paid protestor base begging for more money to engage in paid rallies against us. ... In a desperate bid, they have resorted to defaming us, and are blatantly lying.[/i] If it wasn't so loony tunes it would be totally laughable! And they wonder why some people don't take them seriously. Then again it is a worry that some people do take them seriously.

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011DMW Cool. I hoped that was your meaning. And I like the fact that you give refs to each of those you reply to. It's one of the things that makes it hard trying to follow posts on Poll Bludger, where there are so many though they are mostly short. I have always put in the quotes (in quotes) to which I want to allude, but it's good just to be able to jump to the co-ordinates like Dr Who does in time. (NOT that I have watched that at all since Tom Thing with the scarf.) I thought that the animation at the end of Q&A was just crass. Not that *S*H*E* didn't handle it with dignity and at least a bit of a grin, but it was on the very low end of amusing, and not real well done neither imo. I like my humour funny. and it was a deliberate snide gotcha even more so than Assange's ambush. Toe-Rag Jones is to blame for both. He should be dumped forthwith. There's no need for this sort of crap. NormanK said, "TT I'm afraid I really can't agree with you on Tony Jones (as much as I might wish to because I would love to witness his comeuppance). Apart from the no-fly zone, there was nothing in that interview which Jones could twist into a gotcha or 'at odds with' moment." "NormanK, Sure, Toe-Rag Jones (whom I distinguish from Toe-Rag Abbortt and Anal Jones) didn't try too much disrespect or gotchas last night. Why? Because clearly Rudd had had quite enough aggravation and was ready, not for a dummy-spit, but a put-down of Jones that he would never live down." So NK, what don't you agree with? I only saw the take once but I saw the set on Rudd's face as he impatiently flicked back one question to Jones where he said wtte of "Why don't you read what we've already said on (whatever it was)?" And Jones was very, very respectful after that. He'd just been flicked, but he would have got a proper doing if he'd tried wasting any more of Rudd's time. We will watch Jones keenly in the future, and I'm betting he will be seriously chastened in interviews with ministers in days to come. The "serious" media characters will be distancing themselves like rats jumping a sinking ship from association with those JG named last night. And Jones sure counts himself serious. So do I, a serious annoyance. HI Jenny (My sister's lovely name.) Yes, Jason aka Obelix and I, as his faithful legionnaire Egotix, fronted the awesome might of Abborticus' marshalled forces last night, "more than a dozen" doesn't do them justice, it was nearer 15. And two little kids,pr obably being trained as Attack Dogs. Fortunately we had had a big dose of Ad Astrafix's magic potion earlier in the day and were able to hold them off . . . PatriciaWA posted this pome: <b>Revolting People</b> Abbott’s people are revolting, He claimed, as he made clear the facts Of their courage in assaulting The Greens’ and Labor’s Carbon Tax. (and more.) Good one Girl. You know I LOVE double rhyming and I know how hard it can be. Isn't it great when you pull it off perfectly!

TalkTurkey

17/03/2011D Mick Weir posted this from Menzies House: "Over 25,000 Australians have now signed our petition opposing this unnecessary and destructive tax, and we know that for every signatory there are over 1000 silent supporters." So . . . Every man woman and child in OZ, plus most of the Kiwis too . . ? . . Why, . . . it's almost . . . INCREDIBLE! 'Course as TA has noted, Kiwis aren't foreigners so I guess they're entitled to be silent supporters . . .

D Mick Weir

18/03/2011TT, Riddle me this if you can. GetUp emailed [i]their paid protestor base begging for more money [/i] Say What? So they ask for money from their paid base so they can pay their base? Am I missing sometning here?

Casablanca

18/03/2011Tony "Gotcha" Jones up to his usual tricks again tonight on Lateline with Ross Garnaut. Instead of cutting to the chase and questioning Prof Garnaut about his latest paper we were subjected to a lot of tedious nonsense with Tony trying to trap his quarry into an MSM headline-making criticism of both Abbott and the PM. Tony, Prof Garnaut is a highly intelligent, internationally respected economist and academic who is also media savvy. Just ask some intelligent questions next time please.

TalkTurkey

18/03/2011D Mick Weir, There's no riddle. GetUp pays us mercenaries $5000 for each No Carbon Tax Brigade Member we scare away from demonstrations, providing we first deposit with GetUp $5000 per person we claim on, then all we have to do is pay GST on each claim. Everyone's a winner, see, Obelix and me we got 15x$5000 to split, for only 15x$500 (GST) plus our original deposit of 15x$5000. So we walked away with $37,500 each, and GetUp got 15x$500 to continue their terror campaign. I'm only posting this for your eyes only DMW, others please refrain from reading it, because of course GetUp doesn't actually declare their GST takings to the Govt, like the criminal secret underground terrorist organisation they are. They are great people to work for. I'm hoping for more NCTB people to scare away next time, and we are going to claim double for children under 6 in future because you can never tell when they might bite our ankles. Obelix and me, we're offering $2000 for each NCTB person who turns up at future demos, if they first deposit $2000 in our Swiss bank accounts and pay us $200 each in Cash (GST). It's a wonderful system. Ah, high finance. See? Simple.

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011Has anyone else noticed that our new rating system is being trolled(probably)? The figure initially hovers around an understandable '4', then, as the blog wears on it goes down to about where it is now at '2.6'. I know it is of likely little consequence to Ad Astra, however I just thought I'd point it out.

janice

18/03/2011D Mick Weir, Although I feel reluctant to pursue the matter further, I cannot let this one pass through to the keeper: [quote]'The fact that Julia passed the humour test with aplomb has nothing whatever to do with the fact that the ABC and Tony Jones were insensitive and disrespectful ...' I have opined before that we are all prone to contradicting ourselves. We call others out for 'sins' that we too 'commit'. Let's put ourselves in the shoes of a ten year old for a moment Daddy, how come your are telling Mr Jones off for being disrespestful when you type 'Julia' instead of the PM or Ms Gillard in your comments? [/quote] If you go by the thoughts of a ten year old, whom I would think is in the process of a learning curve when it comes to etiquette, then of course you would see contradiction. It is, I think, entirely "proper" to REFER to dignatories and others by their christian but it is disrespectful and downright ignorant to ADDRESS that person in the same manner. The example I put to you is that people in a public forum who wish to put a question to a PM, Senator, Minister etc are stepping beyond the boundaries of good etiquette by using that person's christian name when addressing him/her. Again, a journalist if well-trained should know the rules of etiquette and should preface their question/comment to him/her by using his/her title of office. It seems to me that Australians appear to think that their PM does not deserve the respect they would afford the Queen of England or the President of the United States. Why? I am very sure that if a journalist addressed the Queen of England as "Betty" or "Elizabeth" the poms would run them out of the country. I don't think any journalist would dare address the President of the United States by his christian name either. The cartoonists have a free hand at lampooning everyone and that isn't a bad thing. It only becomes a bad thing when this sort of humour is used by stupid, arrogant and smart-arse journalists as a means to humiliate and denigrate.

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011Folks Many thanks for your comments overnight and this morning. I'll be back later.

Lyn

18/03/2011 [b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Carbon Price Catch 22, Greg Jericho, Grog's Gamut[/i] Sweeping generalisation, lies, half-truths, misleads. All parts of Abbott’s great cut through, and all things many in the media will criticise should Gillard do them. But here’s the catch – they’ll also criticise her for not doing them. http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/ [i]Reason out the window, Mungo Maccullum, Northern Rivers Echo[/i]Against Abbott, logic and reason will not prevail; they are a necessary start, but in the end only an all-in maul will suffice http://www.echonews.com.au/story/2011/03/17/reason-out-the-window-time-to-hit-hard/ [i]WashPo: Two types of people in the world, Jeremy Sear, Pure Poison[/i] no matter how many times she explained what a “multi-party climate change committee” meant – who FORCED her to change her mind on a http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/17/washpo-two-types-of-people-in-the-world/#more-9410 [i]Carbon price: Garnaut backs Labor’s scheme, Bernard Keane, Crikey[/i] contrary to the claims made by opponents of carbon pricing, the economic impact of a carbon price scheme in Australia is likely to be small http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/03/17/carbon-price-garnaut-backs-labors-scheme-but-switches-on-compensation/ [i]Is social networking a force for good?, Admin, Independent Australia[/i] For once, a multi-billion dollar privately owned enterprise has outwitted the ageing 80 year-old tycoon and he wants to offload MySpace before it burns up any more of his precious millions. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/media-2/is-social-networking-a-force-for-good-or-evil/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-social-networking-a-force-for-good-or-evil [i]It's Time To Fix The Internet, Ben Probjie, New Matilda[/i]If we want the internet to become a tool of tolerance and happiness, we have to stop it being a tool of cruelty and abuse, lest it become a tool of oppression and censorship http://newmatilda.com/2011/03/17/its-time-fix-internet [i]Gillard’s Failure to Inspire Confidence her Achilles Heel, Matthew Price, The Angle[/i] to have a real chance of winning the ALP need to replace Gillard before the next election, and probably sooner rather than later http://theangle.org/2011/03/17/gillards-failure-to-inspire-confidence-her-achilles-heel/ [i]Julia Gillard and the selling of a Carbon Price, Kim, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] Julia Gillard has been (mis)reported as characterising The Greens as “a party of extremists” in a speech in Adelaide last night. She’s also been scoffed at http://larvatusprodeo.net/ [i]Challenge issued to Mr Andrew Bolt through the Herald Sun, today,, Mangled Thoughts[/i] critic who disagreed with them as writing codswollop, strange and his arguments weird. This is what Andrew Bolt’s mates call a debate. http://mangledthoughts.rumcorps.net/?p=2866 [i]Carbon price fight on death ground, Leigh Ewbank, Unleashed[/i] taking the gloves off will involve making the case on policy details. Skilful and persistent communication is needed to expose these flaws in Abbott’s alternative. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/45206.html [i]Suddenly tax cuts are back,. Garnaut at the Press Club, Peter Martin[/i] The carbon tax on industry will fund big cuts in personal tax Here are his answers to the two crucial questions: http://www.petermartin.com.au/ [i]Nuclear power in Australia? ,Gary Sauer-Thompson , Public Opinion[/i] The nuclear lobby are whistling in the wind. Their current energies will be taken up in damage control as the poor public image of nuclear power has taken a battering. http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2011/03/nuclear-power-i.php#more [i]Seeking alternatives to nuclear and fossil fuels, Ken Parish, Club Troppo[/i] it appears that currently feasible non-nuclear and non-fossil fuel baseload power options (i.e. commercially deployable in the near future) are by no means obvious. http://clubtroppo.com.au/2011/03/17/seeking-alternatives-to-nuclear-and-fossil-fuels/ [i]No nuclear renaissance, John Quiggin[/i] Some claim, like Lord Monckton, that climate science is a plot to restore the fortunes of global communism.Others like Cardinal Pell, http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2011/03/17/no-nuclear-renaissance/#more-9594 [i]Scientists hold their breath on Japan's Nuclear disaster, Paul Barry, The Stump[/i] US politicians were warned last night that radiation levels at Japan’s crippled nuclear facility had reached ‘extremely high’ levels http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2011/03/17/scientists-hold-their-breath-on-japans-nuclear-disaster/#more-3956 [i]Japan Nuclear Crisis Worsens, New Matilda[/i] Last night Rudd explained the dangers facing Australians in Japan as "real problems with … power outages, water supply problems,transport infrastructure, as well as schools http://newmatilda.com/2011/03/17/japan-nuclear-crisis-worsens [i]Sanguine Bob takes Julia's slap in his stride, Barrie Cassidy, The Drum[/i] For a bloke who had just been called an extremist by the Prime Minister, Bob Brown cut a very relaxed figure when he fronted the media http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/17/3166701.htm [i]The Wit and Wisdom of Senator Eric Abetz, Reb Gutter Trash[/i]why do we, the humble taxpayer, subsidise these political morons who have nothing better to do than attempt to score mindless political points http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/2011/03/17/the-wit-and-wisdom-of-senator-eric-abetz/ [i]State of ignorance, Will Turner, Online Opinion[/i] Disaster coverage has plenty to do with the lack there seems to be in coverage of other consequential issues such as state politics. It seems the interruption to normal broadcasting to display "breaking news http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11766 [i]Nuclear crisis: Inside Fukushima's exclusion Zone Video BBC News[/i] The BBC has obtained footage from a local Japanese television crew who wanted to tell the story of those trapped inside the exclusion zone http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12765859 [i]Cracka of a visit to Washington, Friday Mash[/i] image of an Aussie by saying ‘g’day’ to everybody and talking about my experiences wrestling crocodiles http://www.fridaymash.com/first-blokes-blog/cracka-of-a-visit-to-washington

Casablanca

18/03/2011Janice@March 18. 2011 08:32 AM I agree with you wholeheartedly. Making the PM sit in front of an audience of 650,000 and watch an animation where she was portrayed taking "Menzies' Googlies" into her mouth was revolting. I got the references to The King's Speech but the animation just went too far into the realms of bad taste and personal insult.

TalkTurkey

18/03/2011Janice With you 100% on your comments re respect for people in positions of high dignity and responsibility (provided they've actually earned their positions . . . I actually would probably call the queen 'Lizzie' if ever I got to meet her, so I guess now I won't.) Did you see my post yesterday? "The dopey ABC presenter on ABC24 just started an item thus: "Julia Gillard . . . . . . No we've dealt with Julia Gillard . . . " And then went on to something else with a er and no apology. Can you EVER remember ABC or ftm ANY media outlet NOT prefacing the Prime Minister's name with his/her title? It's bloody outrageous. The bloke should be stood down." His name is NICK someone, does anyone know? And I haven't had ANY suggestions as to how to bring the various writers on blogs to a focus where we can actually INFLUENCE the MSM and community opinion directly. There's gotta be a way . . . Interesting about the "trolling" FS, and obviously you're right because that last post by Aa was one of the best ever. A 5 by me.

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011Hi Lyn Thank you once more for your fine collection of links. We are still having trouble with all the LYN'S LINKS pages in the left panel, getting an error message for every one of them. So until that is fixed, I can't copy your daily links to your special page. As soon as we can fix it, I'll catch up.

TalkTurkey

18/03/2011"Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in every way . . . " Yeah well, it's hard to be any other way when you read Grog's Gamut. Dog Greg's good. (Bet HE's got trouble staying humble!)If you haven't read his take on Catch-22 revisited - as usual pointed out to us by Lyn - well you should. Top of Lyn's Links today. It also reminds me just how incredibly devilishly clever the original book Catch-22 by Joseph Heller was. Greg has caught the cleverness and adapted it to today's political situation and passed it on wonderfully. Thank you Lyn, thank you Greg.

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011Talk Turkey, Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday with an answer to your question, I thought someone else would, and I was on the go from 8AM until 10PM pretty nonstop I just physically couldn't! Anyway, the person you are asking about is Nick Grimm. He cut his teeth on the NSW State political rounds and the NSW 7.30 Report. I guess, what with the way politics has been led into the gutter here, journalists don't have an inbuilt respect for the politicians they report on.

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011"Ignorant one day, knowledgeable the next. That's how I'd classify Tony Abbott." The ever-inscrutable Professor Ross Garnaut. :)

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011TT Greg's article is clever. It exposed how easy it is for an antagonistic media to argue whichever way it wishes, so that the Government is always wrong, no matter which approach it takes, no matter what it says. By drawing the analogy to Catch 22, Greg highlights starkly the media's strategy of catching out Julia Gillard and her ministers no matter what they say, or as his article points out, no matter what they believe is being implied. The media is on a winner every time. It is our duty to expose this disingenuousness whenever we see it.

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011Casablanca Thank you for ferreting out the actual words that I couldn't find. The part you quoted is pretty clear: “Broadcasting Content 
3. A licensee shall not broadcast 

 (a) anything in contravention of the law; 
 (b) any abusive comment that, when taken in context, tends or is likely to expose an individual or a group or class of individuals to hatred or contempt on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age or mental or physical disability; 
(c) any obscene or profane language; 
 (d) any false or misleading news; “ That would eliminate from the airwaves Alan Jones, Andrew Bolt, and Piers Akerman, and put others like Neil Mitchell under the microscope if we had law like that in this country. Where do we go from here? Please let us all know about your research into Australian laws on this subject.

janice

18/03/2011FS, [quote]"Ignorant one day, knowledgeable the next. That's how I'd classify Tony Abbott." The ever-inscrutable Professor Ross Garnaut. [/quote] Professor Ross Garnaut is being too kind, IMHO. I would classify him as such : Ignorant one day, obtuse and destructive the next. If there is any "knowledge" in his head he never displays it.

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Ad I put up 2 comments earlier, after "Today's Links" one was to you and one was to Talk Turkey. They are not there now, would they be in spam perhaps. Cheers

debbiep

18/03/2011(d) any false or misleading news ...You have to question how misleading our MSM is. When there is NO large print opening headlines telling the families of Australia that The Liberal Parties (In) Direct Climate Action plan will cost you much MORE than Labors. That Rudd is being proved right on both Libya and Japan.... [i]and much more[/i]

debbiep

18/03/2011 sorry ~ * will/ could :)

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Talk Turkey I am posting to you again because my other comment has gone. No, you didn't yell at me, I didn't hear you if you did anyway. I am nominating Talk Turkey and Jason for the Walkley Awards, for your scoop of the year, on the attendance of the anti Carbon Tax rally held in Adelaide. No other journalist was able do that "Gotcha". Talk Turkey you are my, Brucie the Bilby friend, I love your work, and am looking forward to many more enjoyable posts by you in 2011 and the years to come.

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Ad Well to be expected, the Liberals don't like their own polling numbers: Julie Bishop took her climate survey down, didn't like the support for #carbon tax? - #climate Here's a screenshot http://twitpic.com/4a9sbb

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011janice, D Mick Weir, TT, NormanK Clearly, we see some aspects of media behaviour differently. But we do seem to agree that the level of disrespect shown to our leaders by political journalists is too often beyond the pale, and ought to be challenged whenever we see it. There is a big difference between using a given name of a politician in a blog comment and addressing the politician that way in a face to face situation in a public forum. Curiously, I can't recall journalists often calling Tony Abbott by his given name. Did Mark Riley call him 'Tony'? Maybe he did, but I can't recall other instances. Where we seem to diverge in views is around cartoons. I guess I have always had an aversion to rude, disrespectful representations of our leaders, no matter from what side of politics, but enjoy clever pointed cartoons that are not rude. To me many cartoonists cross the line between decency and indecency too readily. janice however made another point, that exposing the PM to the gaze of hundreds of thousands of viewers while the video cartoon was played on [i]Q&A[/i] so as to let everyone see her reaction (remember her face was featured in one corner of the screen) was grossly over the top and unbecoming of a quality programme. Yet Tony Jones engineered it and revelled in it. That particularly deserves our condemnation. Perhaps we can explore this subject further by sharing cartoons/videos on this blog that we feel are unseemly, or the reverse. We may find we are not much in disagreement. Actual examples always trump the theoretical.

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011FS It does look as if our rating system is being trolled. What a compliment to [i]TPS[/i] and all who comment here. Frankly, I take little notice of it. The rating mechanism came with the new version of our blog engine. Like most online polling, it is likely unreliable. As Lyn points out though, some do take online polling seriously, but only when the results suit them. She has given us a screen shot from Julie Bishop's website that shows strong support for a carbon tax, but it's now been taken down. Presumably Julie didn't like the result. Amusing. Isn't it great that we have our super sleuth Lyn finding such gems.

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011debbiep I see you share my frustration that the media can print anything it likes, no matter how incorrect, and generally get away with it. The only counter we have is to call deceptive behaviour whenever we see it. Greg Jericho's piece on [i]Carbon Price Catch 22[/i] does that and highlights how hard it is for any government to get clear messages across when the media set out consistently to misrepresent these messages. FS, janice What a clever Garnaut quip about Tony Abbott: "Ignorant one day, knowledgeable the next." But as you point out janice, where is the knowledge; all we hear is destructiveness and obstruction. How much longer can/will the media let him get away with this? This man wants to be PM!

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011janice, Professor Garnaut meant it as a sideswipe to Abbott, I guess you had to see the twinkle in his eye when he said it to know that. I think what he was getting at was that Abbott is flaky. He tailors his message to suit his audience every step of the way. So, 'ignoarant one day, knowledgeable the next', without believeing a word of it himself, is how I'd characterise it. Mungo is correct in today's piece by him when he says: [quote]' Abbott’s unwavering line is that a carbon tax will push up the cost of living; well, it will push up the cost of carbon, but that is the point. His own, far more costly, alternative is to throw huge sums of taxpayers’ money at selected polluters and unproven carbon storage projects in the hope that they will achieve the same emission reductions as the government plan. Expert opinion is that they won’t, but that isn’t the point: Abbott does not need a genuine policy, just a political response. After that he can rely on the big polluters (pretending, dishonestly, to speak for the entire business community) to back him in what is a purely negative campaign. And he is winning it, and will continue to do so unless and until Gillard and her climate change minister Greg Combet, who is both smart and persistent and also his side’s best hope, get off their arses and take off the gloves.[/quote]

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011Folks I'll be out for a couple of hours.

NormanK

18/03/2011Lyn You are more adventurous than Indiana Jones. Ferreting out gems and fighting your way through snake-pits is all in a day's work it would seem. Congratulations on the [i]twitpic[/i] of Julie Bishop's less than successful poll - what a great find. I will have to maintain my consistency and put little faith in the poll itself but what an embarrassment for her. Tee hee. The recent links to [i]mangledthoughts[/i] leave me concerned for your well-being. The site is particularly aptly named. Douglas (the author) must be able to empathise with the ancient prophets shouting in the wilderness since he has nothing but derision for every contributor to the carbon debate except for a few very articulate like-minded authors. He even thinks Bolt has got it wrong! Douglas is the only one who sees what is happening and everyone else is wrong. The government : [quote]The government is not trying to shut down production. They are just too stupid to see where their policies lead.[/quote] The Greens (quoting from the [i]Brookenews[/i] site he cites) : [quote]A carbon tax, however, would only hit the coal-fuelled power stations because the tax is levied at the point of production. Make the tax sufficiently onerous and these power stations would be forced to close, which is what the greens want for Australia. That the greens admit that they intend to close down coal-fuelled power stations — which would cause a [b]massive reduction in the supply of electricity[/b] — is a fact that supporters of the tax conveniently ignore.[/quote] No mention is made of a time-frame for the phasing out of coal-powered stations or cleaner coal versions or gas-powered stations. What government in their right mind would instigate a [i]massive reduction in the supply of electricity[/i]? Answer? None. Therefore this government and the Greens are not in their right mind. But let's not stop there, let's turn CO2 into a nutrient : [quote]It doesn’t stop with power stations. Every firm that emits carbon dioxide — a nutrient that liars like Gillard and Combet falsely call a pollutant — would also be taxed. Obviously, the more of this nutrient a firm emitted the higher would be its tax bill.[/quote] http://brookesnews.com/?p=1180#more-1180 The Coalition (described as) : [quote]self-seeking lazy rightwing[/quote] and [quote]Liberal Party hacks[/quote] And even Andrew Bolt is barking up the wrong tree : [quote]Andrew Bolt, pick up the telephone and get the solid economic advice you need to run this accurately. You’re not getting it from your current sources at all – they are incompetent.[/quote] The more of Douglas's writings that I read, the more I realise he doesn't approve of anybody, Greens, Labor or Coalition. He must really hate watching the evening news.

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Ad This article is recommended reading for everybody: [i]Will Australia’s satellite TV service head Skywards?, Inside Story[/i] Australia’s history of international broadcasting is littered with mis-steps, writes Rodney Tiffen. [b]Will the government’s current tendering process see it turn its back on the ABC[/b], and embrace Sky, [b]just as Rupert Murdoch’s stake in that company is set to grow?[/b] If the Australian government did give the contract to Sky News, Australia would not only be outsourcing its international broadcasting to a private operator, but outsourcing it to an operator that is one-third owned by a company that has blurred the line between commercial interests and independent news in its international programming. http://inside.org.au/will-australia%e2%80%99s-satellite-tv-service-head-skywards/

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Norman K Oh! I am so delighted, you have just given me the loudest belly laugh I have had for years and years and years, it has made my cough flare up, tears pouring down my face. I am also delighted that you took the time to read Douglas, I have posted him once before and had no feedback comments. Norman K did you look at his archives at all. When I was reading Douglas's blog the para. you have highlighed made me just laugh and laugh, but honestly the whole article is funny. (What government in their right mind would instigate a massive reduction in the supply of electricity? Answer? None. Therefore this government and the Greens are not in their right mind). Look who's talking. I read Douglas at "Mangled Thoughts" fairly often and can never quite make him out, but I usually smile, I know for sure he doesn't like the Liberal party. Anyway Norman K, I am so thrilled out of my face, [b]for the way you have deciphered Douglas's mangled thoughts.[/b] You are right he must really hurl shoes at the evening news, he would need a plastic coated tv screen. Oh! well they say laughter is the best medicine, looks like I have had mine. Thankyou so much NormanK

Patricia WA

18/03/2011Yes, Norman K, I too really appreciate Lyn's sourcing not just broad and relevant comment for us, but also ferreting out details like Julie Bishop's site taking down that Carbon tax poll when the results backfired! Not wanting to be head in the sand at a time when the news everywhere is so depressing and crises the world over so dire and seemingly beyond one's personal control I've tried to limit my daily intake of current affairs to broad developments and comment from the few sources I trust. Lyn's Links are an invaluable help. Beyond donations to help in crisis situations overseas, at a national and local level I've decided that supporting Get Up's efforts to resist the revolting people and their anti-Carbon Tax campaign is another way to to do something constructive. PM Julia Gillard will be here in Fremantle at the end of this month so I imagine Abbott and Co. will be up to some sort of nasty antics and I trust Get Up to counter them as effectively as they've done so far. Using the revolting protests as an opportunity to present a positive campaign action for things like Climate Change Action or equality in marriage laws makes good sense. Seeing young and old with families out there gaily dressed and singing, with bands playing and genuinely hand crafted placards sending out messages about fairness and justice and hope for the planet lifts ones spirits. And it really shows up, by contrast, just how revolting Abbott's people are. Refugees and their incarceration are increasingly taking centre stage here in WA as the Northam centre nears completion. The security break-outs have caused alarm too. I'd like to see something positive come out of that. I really feel for Chris Bowen right now. What a lousy job he has.

nasking

18/03/2011[quote]Professor Garnaut meant it as a sideswipe to Abbott, I guess you had to see the twinkle in his eye when he said it to know that. [/quote] A top performance by Garnaut. I luv the tax cut proposal. I've always believed to sell a useful & equitable tax a government needs to offset it w/ other tax cuts or by abolishing a tax. [quote]I think what he was getting at was that Abbott flaky.[/quote] Feral, true...and a political opportunist who will prety well say anything, do anything to get power. Abbott's contortionist acts would be funny to watch if they weren't so dangerous. Flip flopping on such important issues as global warming damages essential progress and is the height of irresponsibility. Abbott will be seen in the future as a wrecker of the worst kind, a volatile party leader w/ few principles & vision offering fear & negativity & confusion, at a time when the world required REAL rational & responsible leadership. I think he battles w/ two personalities...that which is more rational, tho still crafty... and the one based in superstition deriving from his religious indoctrination as a younger person...as evidenced by sometimes unconscious use of Bible references... many of those who have problems w/ believing in scientists "majority opinion" often have their rationality undermined by their brainwashed beliefs in "God's hand" ruling over us...determining things. Must be a heckuva struggle for Abbott. I think he should have that struggle elsewhere...and not at the expense of the public interest. Another good example as to why we should be funding less religious brainwashing schools...and supporting secular & wider thinking, cognitive enhancing..."learning how to learn"...public schools. And less funding for chaplains and more for other kinds of supportive, guidance staff. Thumbs up to Ruddy for promoting early the "no fly zone" in Libya. And for requesting more info re: Japan's nuclear situation. The flip flopping opportunists who tried to damage him over his responsible approaches should be exposed for their lack of news reporting based on the public interest...exposed for their evident bias & possible allegiance to the Kingmaker Murdoch. As for the detention centre in Christmas Island...riots have gone on thruout history since refugees/asylum seekers were confined...including the Irish in America. However, there is something odd about the timing of this...and it seems to me not coincidental that some of the usual suspect media are attempting to blame not only Bowen & Gillard...but also Rudd, just as Rudd's push for a "no fly zone" was approved by the Security Council. It would be interesting to investigate the roots of those who incited this riot & see where they stayed before reaching Australian territory. It's possible some were promised future citizenship for their families...or paid...to infiltrate & incite. There are individuals w/ very deep pockets who have it in for this government because of their "redistribution taxes". Even my Mum who is a dyed in the wool conservative reckons the timing is suss. She likes Rudd, Hockey & Turnbull. In fact often says many a good thing about the "maverick" Rudd...interesting considering she generally dislikes Laborites. She's a QLDer. I think Combet's doing well...reminds you of a heroic, calm & collected officer willing to lead his troops from the front...prepared to take a few bullets for the right cause. I think the fact that Peter Reith was so shrill & over-the-top this morning reveals that the Coalition are worried. They've over-reached. I think Abbott is feeling the flames of his own destruction licking his back...and I can imagine there are more than a few calls from within & outside his party for a change before it is too late. The government can eventually win this carbon price debate. Good riddance to some old guard Laborites & Coalition members. If influence not ended or waning now...will be soon. BTW, where is Paul Keating? I always enjoy listening to his input on taxes, energy etc. He's old guard but not as intrusive. And one hell of a character. Long live the eccentrics. N'

nasking

18/03/2011[quote]Beyond donations to help in crisis situations overseas, at a national and local level I've decided that supporting Get Up's efforts to resist the revolting people and their anti-Carbon Tax campaign is another way to to do something constructive. [/quote] Agree Patricia. We will be doing same. Must remember to respond to that GetUp email: https://www.getup.org.au/campaign/ClimateActionNow&id=1589 Fortunately a number of my friends & family did respond positively to the "no fly zone" petition I sent them by way of link in email. Gadaffi you scumbag, feel the worry & powerlessness you inflicted on others for oh so long. N'

nasking

18/03/2011The detention centre riot timing also looks suss coming off the back of the "multiculturalism" announcements & just prior to the "Harmony Festival" in Lidcombe...and the NSW election. N'

TalkTurkey

18/03/2011Lyn You make me feel, is it humble or is it proud, I'm not quite sure, as Dry Ice (frozen CO2) can seem sort of hot and cold at the same time, or menthol can too . . . or as a little girl from Indonesia taught me once (as her teacher at the time) that Ginger can equally be used in savouries or sweets. There's not many things like that, and those there are are delightful. (Pleasure and pain sometimes feel that way too.) So Thank You ever so for your kind words Lyn, but let me tell you Lyn, the feeling is much more mutual on my side than it could possibly be on yours (as some animals are more equal than others) because what you do every day is for ALL of us, as so many people attest this very day. Your Links bring bloggers from everywhere, even those on the Right, and those out of sight. You make TPS my first port of call in the morning and the last at night. Your information is our inspiration. The blogosphere would be like a flowerbed of mostly closed buds to me but you peel back the petals just enough to let me peek inside. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ H,mmm. I said all this so much better, sweeter and pristiner, an hour ago; the above version is an attempt at recapturing the spontaneously-written version that I LOST as noted below the ****** line. It sounds sort of disingenuous in the rewriting, but you bet it's sincere anyway. ************************************************************ Dam(n). I just lost another post! I touch . ? . something, and WHOOPS it's GONE! CAN ANYONE HELP ME STOP THIS HAPPENING PLEASE? I hate it.

TalkTurkey

18/03/2011Nasking You are a Very Good Bear for keeping on keeping on. These last posts of your'n are the sort of thing that keep me interested. I too find the DC riots very suss. Very . . . SUSS. Miglo I'm sure you keep reading here, just to remind you that your posts too are valued and welcome. I like you both, see.

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011Nasking, I have zero sympathy for the rioters on Christmas Island, and also smell the same rat as you. For what my opinion is worth, I think that there may also be a conspiracy within the bowels of ASIO to slow down the security clearances which they give to the Asylum Seekers before they may be released into the community. ASIO is peopled with the hardest of the hard-nosed and they have many an established link with the Coalition, who have links with the Armed Forces, who have links with the Christian Conservative movement. Who all hate our non-warmongering, atheist PM-led, and ready to dismantle the cozy empire that exists on Russell Hill, secular federal ALP government. Ergo these snail's pace security clearances are gumming up the system and causing the backlog of unrelesed Asylum Seekers to grow until the top blows off the pressure cooker. What I also find suspicious about the whole series of rolling riots this week on Christmas Island, is that no journalist has probed where the Asylum Seekers got their hands on the ingredients to make Molotov cocktails? If they got their hands on petrol when some broke out earlier in the week, then how did they get it past the Serco guards at the Detention Centre? So many obvious questions which the brains trust in the Press pack have somehow failed to ask. Also when you speak of the religious aspect of the Climate Change Deniers armamentarium, Nas, it makes me remember another line that Professor Garnaut came out with last night about how some of the ignorant are that way because they cannot shake their faith in God's grand design, which then leads them to believe there is no such thing as this confected, scientific construct called Global Warming as whatever will be, will be in God's plan, and we mere mortals should not challenge it. So they will argue till they are blue in the face against the science, without saying specifically why. Finally, your mother seems emblematic of a lot of Queenslanders who backed Kevin Rudd to the hilt after he was replaced by Julia Gillard, Coalition or ALP voter. He was their boy and they were going to stand by him. Also he was almost an aprty leader, which I think a lot of people like amd which is why they like Malcolm Turnbull too. However, this false dichotomy that the press pack of jackals is trying to create, wherein Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd are supposed to be at daggers drawn 24/7 and going off on different tangents on policy, is just not right and people, especially in Queensland, shouldn't fall for it. It's just another way the partisan media have of trying to drive a wedge through the federal government. I mean, the Prime Minister has to give their imprimatur to whatever stance the Foreign Minister takes, and they have it within their purview to pull up the Foreign Minister and tell them to take a different line, if that is what the PM decides. So, no problemo between JG and KR as far as I can see it. Kevin's smart enough to realise he has his job as FM because the ALP changed horses midstream before the election. Tony Abbott had KR's measure, and KR was going south at the rate of knots in the polls. In other words, he would most likely have lost an election where everyone had had enough of him by then. IMHO. :)

nasking

18/03/2011On 'The Nation' Scott Morrison said somethin' like: "The gross amount of arrivals is not a problem" Even Spears picked him up on it. Apparently it's mostly about the government creating pull factors, showing weakness, and motivating secondary movements of refugees and asylum-seekers that gets Morrison & the public's ire up (including other migrants) because those who get here by boat are leapfrogging the patient asylum seekers waiting for visas. Well done David Marr...well argued, brave telling of truths re: asylum seekers. Countered Akerman & Morrison brilliantly...and w/ integrity. Discussed pull factor of being a UN convention signatory and how that makes us a decent country...and we should drop that...Morrison agreed. And Marr pointed out how Indonesia will not take refugees back and how bloody minded "stop the boats" approach was...and this processing of asylum seekers claims in places so far from the cities was creating problems & inhumane. It was actually a half decent, rational discussion between those three & Chris Bowen...w/ shades of honesty even from Morrison...tho, Akerman occasionally reverted to his "see see we gotya...we told ya so" accusatory, politically biased approach. N'

nasking

18/03/2011correction: being a UN convention signatory and how that makes us a decent country...and we should NOT drop that

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Ad Annabel Crabb wites an apology to Kevin Rudd, sort of sincere: [i]Kevin, um, it seems, ah, we (shuffle) sort of, ah, owe you an apology, Annabel Crabb, ABC[/i][quote] Okay: I'll be the first to say it. Sorry, Kevin. After all the fuss about the Foreign Minister flouncing in post-tsunami and imperiously demanding nuclear updates from the Japanese foreign minister, it's now pretty clear - after a horrifying week - that he was right to do so. I didn't write a massive amount about it, but I certainly committed thought-crimes on most days. Sorry Kevin. [/quote]http://www.abc.net.au:80/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167814.htm?WT.mc_id=newsmail [b]Nice apology, by Annabel, but ruined by this paragraph[/b]: [quote]And while evidence exists to support the contention that the Foreign Minister is a deeply, ornately strange human being, it's certainly fair to say that if ever global circumstances could suit the characteristic oddities of a man whose very favourite thing is to sit up all night phone-stalking the members of the UN Security Council, then these are they[/quote]

nasking

18/03/2011"I think that there may also be a conspiracy within the bowels of ASIO to slow down the security clearances which they give to the Asylum Seekers before they may be released into the community." I couldn't agree more Feral. As for Ruddy, we'll agree to disagree on whether he woulda won the election or not. As for the KR vs JG stuff...that's obvious to more than ya might think up here...a media beatup & hook-into-the-papers/radio/TV news that makes the Howard vs Costello tango look like amateur nite at the ballroom. It's just important to remember that many QLDers are proud of Ruddy and it's not about him taking over again but getting the respect some of us think he deserves on some issues & accomplishments. And recognising some of the reasons that the ALP disn't do as well here as they could've. And that doesn't exclude the responsibility of the bankrupt media and other state based cost of living factors we've discussed previously. BTW, excellent posts Aa...read both keenly today nodding head thruout. Tho, my respect for Cassidy on Insiders has diminished greatly over the years. They need another host sometimes. I'm turning off halfway thru most of the time. Or not even bothering to record it occasionally. The News Ltd obsession, invasion of the ABC is very worrying & inappropriate. I don't believe Mark Scott should've been given another term. He's done some good...but bolstering audience at the expense of factual & passionate reporting is not on...we don't want a TV version of the National Enquirer as our public news stations...the way Fox News has devolved. It's obvious to my wife & I that some in the ABC are sabotaging Aunty in order to benefit so called competitors. Off to make spinach & potato curry for a trip to Mum's tomorrow. Always tastes better is slowly cooked and served the next day. W/ raita, naan, salad & vanilla ice cream w/ sliced mangoes & rosewater syrup. Cheers Talk Turkey. I dig yer input too. Cheers N'

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Ad Sorry about the above link, here is a more direct one: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167814.htm

Patricia WA

18/03/2011FS, thanks for reminding us about the reasons for Rudd's demise. Just the other day I was looking at a pome I did at that time. It was an instinctive response on the very day. Looking back now at how the the Coalition and the media have been having a go at Julia but without the same response from her, or within her Party, one can see how wise she was in deciding she had to step up and take over leadership, difficult as I believe that decision to have been for her. [b][i]Mutatis Mutandis[/i] – Necesssary Changes Have Been Made[/b] We held our leader in high regard, Watched helpless as he was daily mauled By media and an opposition fighting hard And dirty, with no holds barred. And finally when he lay bleeding, Victim of press gallery canard, Yes, we killed him because we knew He was near dead, so battle scarred And bruised he could never rise again. So much his reputation marred Our cause, also dear to him, looked lost. No choice but for the old praetorian guard To take control and end a tragic farce. This was no assassination. It was an end to suffering; a [i]coup de grace.[/i] By the way, Janice, I came across this one again in the course of collating the 'pomes' for you into some sort of order with all the encouraging comments I received and now cherish. Encouraged by your request I've finally got them together on one site which can be Googled - http//polliepomes.wordpress.com I don't intend to blog there daily and seek comments, though feedback is always welcome, so much as to have them in one place where I can eventually get around to a simple narrative for the year 2010 which was amazingly significant for Australian politics. Although they were all seemingly recently 'posted' they are in chronological order since January, 2010, and are tagged accordingly. Along with the comments already made over that year I hope soon to develop a brief narrative to explain their context. There's still a lot of work to be done, particularly finding a banner and writing some background to explain the site's existence. I guess I'll get around to that eventually. Meanwhile, like cartoons or any other kind of satire, I think they belong with the site, post or comment which excited the verse orginally. So I won't so much publish on the spot with <b>polliepomes</b> but rather collect them there 'post-posting' as it were.

2353

18/03/2011Rudd also did well on Sunrise this morning. Kosh tried the tell us why you're not flying in to pick the Aussies up routine. Rudd's reply was textbook - "Koshie, lets put this in perspective" he starts, then list off four reasons why there is no extra planes on the way - apparently there is aleast 5 planes per day currently sheduled out of Tokyo to Australia - all of which have seats over the weekend. How did Rudd know this - because DFAT are checking hourly with the airlines, the Japanese Govt and others. Rudd seems to be on top of his brief, calm and enjoying himself. Kosh didn't know where to go and sat there like a stunned mullet. Beautiful to watch! P.S. I can do there , but how do I do Japanese characters on my Mac's English keyboard like the code wants me to? Ans - I changed the code, but really . . .

janice

18/03/2011Patricia WA, I am enjoying reading your poems at leisure and honestly cannot thank you enough for sending them to me. So pleased to learn you have them together on a site so that I'll be able to send interested friends there to enjoy them as well.

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Ad These Morgan poll results are not quite as depressing as Newspoll and Neilsen: Morgan phone poll: 51-49 to Coalition, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger Whereas last week’s survey gave the Coalition a thumping 56-44 lead – about 2 per cent above the overall trend – this week it has it at 51-49 http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2011/03/18/morgan-51-49-to-coalition/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CrikeyBlogs+%28Crikey+Blogs%29

nasking

18/03/2011I'd just like to add that I reckon Sky News is transforming into Fox News more by the week. Similar tricky dick stuff. Contrarians used this pathetic "sin bin" tactic to try and make it look like a staff member from The Australian was sin-binned because he stuck up for Rudd & Gillard. Just another pathetic attempt to try and create the perception w/ viewers that The Australian, and Murdoch empire generally, is "fair & balanced" when it comes to reporting about the government. The pathetic charade was revealed in all its glory as the sin-binned one returned and then laid down a barrage of the usual biased crap we hear from The OZ that seeks to put all the blame at the government's door...and xenophobic stirring stuff...over Christmas Island detention centre & boat people. Anyone who believes that Van Onselen as host isn't just another Murdoch hack playing the tricky dick role that the likes of Colmes did on Fox News needs to do alot more research on Faux News & the tactics they use. The ROT set in w/ the Murdoch corps long ago...and it has spread to the kids and every sap and greedster who works for them...the old man has alot to answer for. And how low could the Murdoch empire go in its desperate nuclear power sell & justifications? I was watching CNN today, whose reporting has vastly improved of late, headed by Anderson Cooper...and I decided to see what O'Reilly on Fox News's response was re: "no fly zone"...when lo & behold...not only has he allowed his show over the years to devolve into a National Enquirer style gossfest...but he brings in the asylum dwellers like Glenn BeckonLoops & Anne Coulter... and Coulter goes about trying to sell the viewers on the idea that higher levels of radiation is good for us based on a bunch of unrelated studies and some dopey group whose members pay to get radiation exposure in mines. Rupert...we get it...you & yer lot want nuclear. You wanted Abbott to introduce it here. Yer disappointed about the Japanese nuclear problems because they might damage you & yers interests. Perhaps you could send Anne Coulter, Beck and others to the Japanese nuclear plants and get them to relieve those radiated workers? Now, wouldn't that be BREAKING NEWS...? N'

TalkTurkey

18/03/2011Back in October I referred to "... the slyly-sidling Crabbe." Get this classic backhander in the last couple of sentence in this part of her "apology" to Kevin Rudd: "Okay: I'll be the first to say it. Sorry, Kevin. After all the fuss about the Foreign Minister flouncing in post-tsunami and imperiously demanding nuclear updates from the Japanese foreign minister, it's now pretty clear - after a horrifying week - that he was right to do so. After all the intrigue about Kevin being out of control and off the reservation and personally obsessed with establishing a Rudd-shaped no-fly zone over Benghazi, it might now be time to admit the possibility that it was the Foreign Minister who was right all along, and the Prime Minister who lost a little focus." Not her the Crabbe thing. Not THEM, her slimy mates. *S*H*E* of the pointy nose and red hair and long earlobes who says Negosiate insted of Negoshiate (or is it vice versa? It really does matter after all) - *S*H*E* was the one who had "lost a little focus" - whatever that might mean. Crabbe is smug and smarmy and unjustifiably self-opinionated (in myself's opinion!): current Queen of the Canberra Clique. If It happens with her at all I bet she thinks it don't stink. In fact, the fact that Gillard and Rudd were opposed on Libya's NFZ is imo a sign of strength in both. I'm glad and relieved that they are not all Yeah Yeah Yeah, and btw I'm not at all sure of the wisdom of this NFZ bizzo myself. I'm not at all sure there'll be a great deal of good coming out of it, but I am certain of a great deal of ill . . . anyway it's on now . . . ********************************************************** Dear Dog! What a lot of strife there has been since I started writing on this blog 9 months ago! There couldn't be a causal relationship there somewhere could there . . ? Nahhh . . .

Lyn

18/03/2011Hi Nasking Thankyou for your interesting comments, as always a very enjoyable read. I wish I could write as good as you guys, that is Ad Astra, Nasking, NormanK, Talk Turkey, 2353. Peter Van Onselen has always upset me, he is a Murdoch boy, told what to write, and talented at writing or saying something constructive about the Government, then in the next breath shooting what he just said, down in flames. Abbott is being evasive about nuclear, but I'll tell you what, I think, Nuclear was going to be Abbott's next, stir up an Australian frenzy subject, but now he is jiggered because of Japan. If my memory works, wasn't introducing Nuclear Power one of the Coalitions Policies, the only policy they had or have. I think you are so right Nasking, Murdoch does want Nuclear and he was using Abbott, well all that is blown to pieces now isn't it.

Ad astra reply

18/03/2011Folks I'm packing it in for the night - still trying to throw off this cough; now on antibiotics. Tomorrow I'll be posting a piece by Hillbilly Skeleton: [i]Is the Liberal Party guilty of ‘race baiting’?[/i]

nasking

18/03/2011"Peter Van Onselen has always upset me, he is a Murdoch boy, told what to write, and talented at writing or saying something constructive about the Government, then in the next breath shooting what he just said, down in flames." So true Lyn. Another devious Murdoch puppet playing games. I don't know how they sleep at nite? I guess the moolah helps. As for the Coalition & Murdoch pro-nuclear lot...include Paul Howes & a few Laborites...they (well, at least friends, allies & families) will have to sell most of their shares for the time being...I'm sure they'll all dive into gas, if they haven't already...regardless of those water polluting, earth cracking risks...gawd forbid we try anything else? Apparently Israels decided to head in that direction now post Japanese disaster according to Netanyahu. That's what I love about the present leadership of the world...so imaginative & visionary...so willing to do the hard yards to create a brighter, cleaner energy future. Whilst fearlessly pissing on the Green & environmental groups, writers, inventors, scientists and politicians who warned of these under-regulated, forced by over-populating, rampant capitalist impending catastrophes and problems years ago. I'm presently reading The Gaia Atlas of Future Worlds by Norman Myers from 1990. I know some of his work is controversial...but some of his writings make a helluva lot of sense considering this book was written 20 years ago. Amazing how corporations and governments and landowners have continued to destroy the world's carbon sinks after so many warnings & evidence of deletarious effects were put out thruout the 60s, 70s & 80s. Greed & stupidity seem to have no bounds it seems... and people still fall for the "populate or perish a slow death by taxes & overwork" arguments. What a conjob. The human race is about to over-populate & resource gobble itself into losing 15-20% of its population...and possibly extinction as the populace sleep walks. Maybe nuclear power will remain as essential for some countries...but the reliance will undermine research funding & rollout of other renewable alternatives...the same can be said for gas. And TRUST in government & corporations will only further fall to the wayside...as more disasters happen...creating more & more expensive BHP style cleanups & death tolls...leading more & more to wonder if there has to be a better way of creating change...unfortunately some falling into the hands of real extremists. It shouldn't have to come to that. And the idea that The Greens are extremists goes to demonstrate how incredibly brainwashed & thick many of the populace are today. If you want extreme look at some of the cults & xenophobe stirring deranged that the Coalition have supported or taken moolah from over the years...and the approach of some of the greedster top exec corporates...and tabloid papers...and shock jocks. Bloody nutcases. Money & power before the public & global interest. They're like a Christian crusade from the middle ages who got handed modern communication technology toys to express their myopic, backward & devious views. They should be sent w/ the Iranian regime, Saudi creepy dynasties, Russian top level crims, Gadaffi, Israeli extremists & various other Godheads & greedsters to some sinking island to do battle w/ pillows and balloons and paint guns...and we can all observe them on the show 'Big Asylum'...and eventually get bored of their silly games...as they slowly sink into the obscurity of their own making. N'

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011Nasking, Apropos of Anne Coulter, do you reckon s/he used to be Ian Coulter? I can't get past the Adam's Apple. Very large for a woman. Maybe someone should ask to see 'her' Birth certificate? :)

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011Line of the week: [quote]Even if Abbott were caught in a compromising situation with a goat and half a kilo of butter the media would find a way to blame the goat.[/quote]

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011[quote]And the butter.[/quote]

Feral Skeleton

18/03/2011Followed by: [quote]Some Labor weeny left the butter out and I tripped.[/quote] :)

Lyn

19/03/2011[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Caught by the best carbon catch there is, Grog's Gamut, ABC, Unleashed[/i] Julia was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/45260.html?WT.mc_id=newsmail [i]The teachable moment, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i]deserve our support: a no-fly zone is the least we can do, and disempowering autocrats and their toadies with awesome weaponry http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/ [i]The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire. Ash, Ash's Machiavellian Bloggery[/i] It’s hard to try and see the light at the end of the dark cave it seems we are in. But there will be one. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/the-decline-and-fall-of-the-human-empire/ [i]A task for keen-eyed readers, dave Gaukroger, Pure Poison[/i]it’s kind of a word game. I’d like you all to try to identify the “hateful rhetoric”* in the following paragraph: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/17/a-task-for-keen-eyed-readers/#more-9417 [i]AFP struggles to regain control of ‘violent’ Christmas Is protests, Tom Crowie, Crikey[/i] Bean bag bullets and tear gas were used for the third time this week, after detainees broke through the North http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/03/18/afp-struggles-to-regain-control-of-violent-christmas-is-protests/ [i]Garnaut reports on emissions trading, Brian, Larvatus Prodeo[/i]The article in The Australian points out that if Abbott wanted to unpick the scheme he’s have to take the tax cuts off people. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/03/18/garnaut-reports-on-emissions-trading/ [i]Missing Link Friday - Atomic edition , Don Arthur, Club Troppo[/i] The crisis in Japan has dominated the media over the past week. With the earthquake and tsunami over http://clubtroppo.com.au/2011/03/18/missing-link-friday-atomic-edition/#more-15093 [i]The end of Japan (as we knew it)?, Tessa Morris-Suzuki, Inside Story[/i] This is not just Japan’s disaster. It is East Asia’s and the world’s disaster. In a globalised world, Japan is not inhabited only by Japanese. http://inside.org.au/the-end-of-japan-as-we-knew-it/ [i]Atomised information fuels a media meltdown, Darren Osborne, ABC[/i] The last time the world experienced a nuclear accident of this scale was 25 years ago, when a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167818.htm?WT.mc_id=newsmail [i]Nuclear Power After Fukushima, Declan Kuch, New Matilda[/i] last week classified by the International Atomic Energy Agency as the third worst incident in nuclear history after Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. http://newmatilda.com/2011/03/18/nuclear-power-after-fukushima [i]A nuclear Australia?, Samia O'Keefe, ABC[/i] One thing is certain, with such strong opinions on either side, the debate does not look likely to end any time soon. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/18/3167990.htm [i]All necessary measures, John Quiggin[/i] the UNSC has now passed (10-0 with China among the abstentions) a resolution authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians from Gaddafi’s forces http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2011/03/18/m/#more-9598 [i]Liberal interventionism + Libya ,Gary Sauer-Thompson , On Line Opinion[/i] The UN has voted for a no-fly zone and air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Libya. It is the result of painstaking multilateral diplomacy. http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2011/03/liberal-interve.php#more [i]Guy Rundle, the 'anti-imperialist Left' and the calls for a no-fly zone in Libya, Dr Tad, Left Flank[/i] his intervention in the debate over whether the Australian Left should back calls for a Western-run no-fly zone in Libya http://left-flank.blogspot.com/2011/03/guy-rundle-anti-imperialist-left-and.html#more [i]No Fly Zone for Libya, Reb , Gutter Trash[/i] The vote comes as Mr Gaddafi told Libyan rebels that his armed forces were coming to their capital Benghazi tonight http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/2011/03/18/no-fly-zone-for-libya/

Feral Skeleton

19/03/2011Brilliant analysis of who the truth morphs into a lie by the time it gets to Andrew Bolt's blog: [quote]Bolt claims, IPCC boss says warming causes earthquakes Bolt copied The Times of India story which reported, Given that human actions are increasingly interfering with the delicate balance of nature, natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and tsunamis will occur more frequently, said Dr Rajendra K Pachauri Of course he actually didn’t say that but that didn’t stop Bolt from claiming this comment meant Pachauri, must be dismissed as a fool and rank alarmist who utterly discredits the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change” Pachauri was giving a presentation to Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University. No where in his presentation does he make any link to earthquakes. Amrita reporting on their event had Pachauri saying, “Human actions are interfering with the delicate balance of nature,” he added. “Floods, heat waves, water scarcity, tsunamis will become frequent in the future. The impact on agriculture and healthcare will be enormous And no tsunamis either in Pachauri’s presentation. But tsunamis in the Amarita report morphed into earthquakes and tsunamis in The Times report which in turn morphed into Bolt’s call for Pachauri to be dismissed.[/quote]

Lyn

19/03/2011Good Morning Ad Another large attendance at an "anti carbon tax Revolt" reported by Possum: Pollytics Apparently there was 8 people at the anti-carbon tax rally in Port Macquarie. about 9 hours ago via TweetDeck

Ad astra reply

19/03/2011Folks I have just posted a piece by Hillbilly Skeleton: Is the Liberal Party guilty of 'race baiting'? for your weekend reflection. www.thepoliticalsword.com

Ad astra reply

19/03/2011Nasking Thank you for your kind comments about recent posts. It is good to see you back blogging so vigorously. Hi Lyn If the turnout for Tony Abbott's anti-carbon tax protest rallies get much smaller, and they can't get much smaller than eight, they will have to use cardboard cutouts.
I have two politicians and add 17 clowns and 14 chimpanzees; how many clowns are there?