Thank you, Kevin

Well, after a good night's sleep and a bit of a think, count me in on the Julia side.

It seems Rudd isolated himself, and treated the caucus and the cabinet with seeming indifference.

Why this is so, I don't know. 

Could this have been his personal nature? 

Maybe he thought the parliamentary party needed training wheels until the government matured enough to look after itself? (He did have a very good record of not shedding ministers, after all). 

Maybe he knew what the factions would - and still might - get up to once in power and, in a reversal of the usual secularizing process, tried to put God-Rudd in place of the Party in MP's hearts. 

Or maybe he just never learnt anything from his time with Goss, or perhaps learnt too much from studying Whitlam (who in Rudd's mind might have been not frantic enough).

Perhaps he worked too hard and lost his judgement, losing sight of the forest for the trees.

Perhaps he was an engineer who wanted to make his product so perfect it'd sell itself (like a Cham-Wow! wunda-wipe). Then he, not a great spruiker with ability to talk in sound grabs, wouldn't have to.

Perhaps he's shy, or arrogant, or too modest to speak up (why wasn't he giving yesterday's speech every Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock for the last 2 years?).

Or perhaps he just wasn't a politician, in the 'fully-rounded' sense of the word.

There are a thousand cliches that come to mind.

When he took over from Beazley I was about as disappointed then in losing Beazley as I have been over the past few days, losing Rudd. I'd personally gone into bat for Kim - as would have many here - for over three years. I worried that Beazley had been dealt a raw deal, that Rudd didn't have the oratorical skills to be a perfect attack dog, or the experience to get a drifting Labor Party behind him. In the most positive way possible, in turn I worried that Rudd was a nerd, more for his sake than testosterone's. I thought the macho Press Gallery (and that's just the women!) and cruel Labor hacks would tear him apart. Come to think of it, it all came true, of course, but with a famous victory to make it seem alright.

Rudd put iron discipline back into the Party, but the passion went AWOL. He used to tell us of the things he was passionate about, and he was, but it didn't come across as passion. It came across as bureaucracy, structure and politics by the numbers. Everything Rudd said - well, almost everything - sounded like someone had coached him, provided him with talking points. I know he was decent, hard-working, and yes, passionate. But towards the end we saw more of the former, and not enough of the latter. When David Marr wrote his piece I grabbed at it like a starving man. I thought to myself that at last someone else has seen what I wanted to see and had seen in Kevin Rudd: the anger, the fire in the belly. Maybe I wasn't fooling myself after all about Kevin, I thought.

But ultimately Rudd was someone whose passion was kept - had to be kept - always in check, almost as if he was scared to let it go off the leash. I'm the same with one of my dogs. If I let him go he'll get run over by a car for sure, in some mad terminal frenzy of street-crossing, trigged by seeing a cat (or thinking he does). He's his own worst enemy... as was Rudd.

Loyalty to the King is no bad thing. Loyalty, blind, excuse-making loyalty, where you argue until you're blue in the face for your man and his character... that's what politics should be about, or partly so. If we dumped our leaders as easily as we disposed of yesterday's newspapers, there'd be no continuity and no decency in politics, or in life. Perhaps Rudd was well-past his usefulness to the Party, but the Party owed him some momentum, some chance to get it right. I [i]do[/i] think they gave it to him. But it didn't do any good. As Kevin retreated into the PM&C [i]bunker[/i], access to him, advising him, imploring him to see what was happening, became next to impossible.

I agree with Marr that the most signal part of his now famous essay was where Rudd declared he would just "have to work harder" to achieve a victory in the election. I groaned when I read that sentence. I thought to myself that Kevin really didn't get it. No-one was questioning his work ethic. It was his direction (or rather lack of it) that worried them. He was leading Labor in grand circles, and when they arrived back where they started, they were more exhausted than when they started out. Labor MPs and ministers, unable to get to the boss to find out what was happening, had to finally get rid of him.

Rudd would have had a favourite anecdote, one where he illustrated the benefits of determination, grit and punishing attention to detail as helping him out of a seemingly hopeless situation. Perhaps it was in the 'off the record' section of Marr's piece, in that last conversation where Rudd let go at the essayist and told him what he really thought. We may never find out what it was. Whatever Rudd's favourite story about himself, one set of circumstances doesn't necessarily apply to all others as the ex-PM has just found out. Hard work when you've lost your direction doesn't always help. Sometimes it just means you've gone a little bit crazy. Over-work can do that.

Kevin should go home for a month and get a lot of sleep, reconnect with his family and with life and only then come back ready for whatever action Julia wants to give him. She shouldn't give him a task that will allow him to indulge himself too much. He'll only work himself to death, and in the process fail in the task. I don't know what the task will be but it should be simple and possess clear targets. That would be best for everyone, but most of all for Kevin.

In the end Kevin Rudd was the living embodiment of The Peter Principle: a person promoted beyond his level of competency. This doesn't mean I think he was an 'incompetent' person. It just means his skill set was no longer appropriate to the task. Whatever me might say today, of one thing I am sure... there was nobody else at the time - 2006 - suitable for the job (what would they have done to Julia if she had been elected leader in 2006... the thought is almost too awful to contemplate). 

Kevin had all the bullet-point attributes in spades - intelligence, charm, popularity, a good policy head, but came to lack a sense of perspective and a tolerance for other ideas. The more success he had the more he, and those in the immediate circle of staff around him, came to believe he was infallible. Still, despite the events of this week, there was no-one else more suitable in 2006 than Kevin Rudd. He got Labor over the line, despatched the hated Howard and all but one or two of his most egregious subordinates, and set down his Party's roots for the future.

In many ways, tremendously important ways, Rudd has been a successful Prime Minister. He won the election. He has preserved his ministry and seen it mature. He saw off a gaggle of Opposition Leaders and hangers on. He initiated ground-breaking policies, heading the country towards the 21st century and away from the backwards-looking Howard fantasies of Queen and Cricket. Indeed, many of these policies have succeeded and are now in place, functioning well. I won't list them. Anyone reading this will know what they are, the GFC triumph right at their head.

But there is someone suitable to take over now. Most importantly Rudd has prepared the ground for Julia Gillard. We have seen her blossom into a formidable politician. The rough edges are off her and she is a hard, tough, steely machine more than a match for any of her opponents... and more than a match for the Labor hacks who might think they have sway over her. 

Kevin Rudd held the line until the party caught up with him, morphing it from a loose rabble into a government. His mistake was to hold on too tightly and too long. I for one can forgive him easily and say to him, with love, "Kevin, job well done". It is up to him now to forgive us. 

I believe he's man enough to do it. There's an important bonus to it too. In doing so he will of needs be completing the most important task any person can possibly undertake: forgiving himself as well. 

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Augustus

25/06/2010Bushfire Bill, Well said, I firmly believe that Rudd was the crucible to a new era of Australian policy but he was never a politican, in my mind he was a consultant, a beaurocrat advising the Labor Party in the direction to take the country, and may be this was his destiny to sort out the party direction and move on and leave it to the political professionals to administer " Hi I'm Kevin, I'm from Queensland and I'm here to help" I think the quote went. And I think if can allow himself to look at it from that perspective he can and should be proud of his achievement and not see it as a failure. I certainly don't see Kevin Rudd as a failure.

fred

25/06/2010I've been a critic of the ALP government led by Rudd for failing to achieve in areas of need and where the fruit was low hanging, for caving in to vested interests and giving us less than we need [CPRS is the classic example, same sex marriage another]. But I've always been mindful that it also has solid achievements, the safe steering of Australia through the GFC being a prime example and not the only one. Yesterday Rudd's 'farewell' speech showed just how much his government has achieved in such a short time, in Cassidy and Uhlman's [reluctant] descriptions .."a long long list of achievements". He has much to be proud of. More than the media allowed us to be informed about. But Rudd left out one thing for which he should be proud, and for which Australians should be extremely grateful. He got rid of that horrible Howard led COALition govt that darkened this country for so long. Lets hope his replacement, Gillard, can ensure that it doesn't resurrect under Abbott. I reckon she can prevent that. Well done sir.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Bushfire Bill Bushfire Bill, thankyou for your wonderful piece, "Thank you, Kevin". Rupert Murdoch should say Thankyou, Kevin was abused big time, to sell his papers. Surely the Pensioners must be saying thankyou. As Fred says: [quote]He got rid of that horrible Howard led COALition govt [/quote]

Bushfire Bill

25/06/2010Shanahan is starting to realise that he's done it again: helped get rid of one Labor leader for an even more popular one... just as he did when he spruiked for Kevin over Beazley. Way to go Dennis! You got something right at last. The Dirt File won't work. The Lady will see to that. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/puppet-tag-and-past-errors-loom-for-leader/story-e6frg6zo-1225884045194 Am I mangling the metaphor when I suggest that Dennis Shanahan is the Glenn Milne of [i]The Australian[/i]? Or does that just mean there are [i]two[/i] of them now? (Hint: Walletgate... that was a Milne exclusive)

Lyn

25/06/2010[b]Today's Links Part 2 [/b] [i]Gillard Labor begins,Daily Wrap, Crikey[/i Australia’s first female Prime Minister and the ousting of a man who rescued the Labor party from more than a decade in the political wilderness. http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/06/25/gillard-labor-begins/ [i]Julia Gillard: day two, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i] “talk” that Tanner hopes to be succeeded in the seat by academic, commentator and occasional broadcaster Waleed Aly, http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2010/06/25/julia-gillard-day-two/ [i]Gillard's win a loss for feminists,Catherine Marshall, Eureka Street[/i] how the Labor Government operates, unsheathing the swords, wrenching power, cutting down a leader before he has had time to really prove himself. Imagine what it will do when that leader is a woman. [i]Julia Gillard, and a roll call of OZ Pundits chattering away into their coffee..., Dorothy Parker, Loon Pond.[/i] we turned to [b]The Australian [/b]for a guide to all the fair and balanced opinions doing the rounds. http://loonpond.blogspot.com/2010/06/julia-gillard-and-roll-call-of-oz.html http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=22105

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Ad Missing link from above: [i]Gillard's win a loss for feminists,Catherine Marshall, Eureka Street[/i] how the Labor Government operates, unsheathing the swords, wrenching power, cutting down a leader before he has had time to really prove himself. Imagine what it will do when that leader is a woman. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=22105

HS

25/06/2010B.Bill, Well done! Good to see you back at the top of the TPS page. Thank you also for aggregating the mass of thoughts that have flowed through all our minds over the last few days and nights. I know that, at various times and in various places I have said all those same things too, and boy didn't I cop it initially when the knives had been unsheathed and still had Kevin's blood on them, for advoacting that this was the right thing to do, at the right time, all exigencies considered. Sad, but true, politics is a blood sport, a gladiatorial fight to the political death at election time, and if the ALP wanted to win the flag this time they had to replace the captain of the team before the end of the season. It's been done before on the playing field, the Wallabies come to mind as a recent example. Now, we have to regroup and take the fight up to the Coalition and the Murdoch media. I'm sure Julia is more than capable of that. As a lawyer she can prosecute a case better than the bureaurocrat Kevin Rudd. Well, I hope so. Australia needs to be saved from the Conservatives(I can't bring myself to call them Liberals anymore). As you say, it would have been impossible for Julia to have won the 2007 election, Kevin was the right man for that job. However, as time and tide have exposed his weaknesses and Julia's strengths, the Shepherd's hook needed to be brought out before it was too late and he needed to be yanked off stage. I only hope Julia finds a good job for him to do now. I don't think Foreign Affairs should be taken away from Stephen Smith. I think shepherding the Education Revolution through the fields, and protecting it from the Coalition wolves that seek to tear it limb from limb, will be the best position to play the ex-PM in.

john

25/06/2010You're wrong, Bushfire Bill. This isn't a vctory for Gillard, it's a win for Arbib and his trained monkeys, and a loss for the party. If Gillard had kept her nerve, and stayed with Rudd, they could have finally finished with the factions. But she was greedy, and short sighted, and has paved the way for the Left to get ground back into the ground under a united Right.

Bushfire Bill

25/06/2010[i]"If Gillard had kept her nerve, and stayed with Rudd, they could have finally finished with the factions. But she was greedy, and short sighted, and has paved the way for the Left to get ground back into the ground under a united Right."[/i] I thought that too, for the first day or so. But seeing her answer questions directly on that subject, I'm no longer so sure. Some of the factional warriors do have talent, so expect some of them to be promoted on talent alone. But I wouldn't be surprised if some of the ones expecting high office from this are unexpectedly disappointed. Remember, many of the same factional hacks helped Rudd get to the top as well. If not the exact ones, then at least of the same ilk. Where are they now? Gillard has been formidable in the past couple of days. She's grown in the job already. I think she has a personal presence and power that could well transcend the path to her elevation. To see her bat away the barbs of Kerry O'Brien the other night was a joy to behold. She had him doing everything but getting down on all fours and licking her toes. She showed Kevin how it should have been done: with a combination of steel and charm. I think she'll go far. As for the Dirt File they have on her, what could it be? The BER? Her old student politics days? Press clippings (as Jason Koutsoukis reported way back in 2007 on the final day of Parliament)? Unless she's been off snogging schoolgirls, she's in the clear on Dirt. I fear Dennis Shanahan and his pals at the Australian have scored a double triumph: first to help elevate Rudd in 2006 (thereby getting rid of Howard), and now deposing Rudd in 2010 (to get rid of the Liberals for good, or until they come to their senses). Dennis is off desperately now, catering to the Gillard haters (linked above), but I suspect there aren't too many of them out there, or won't be after a week or two.

Bubba Ray

25/06/2010Kevin Rudd was my PM, the guy I voted for. I was a proud owner and wearer of a “Kevin 07” t-shirt. But I don't have a “Labor 07” t-shirt, and for good reason. And now through underhanded skullduggery the PM I voted for is gone. A decision of the faceless men of the backroom has decided who the PM should be. This rankles with me, for a lot of reasons. There is no single good reason to replace Rudd except for the factional powerbrokers deciding it was time to flex some muscle. And while I admire your work Bill, your latest merely reads as a very good exercise in devil's advocacy. A stint in opposition would do the party some good, maybe then they would realise that the Prime Ministership is the gift of the Australian people to bestow when earned by the party. Not a plaything for the factions to decide.

john

25/06/2010"Remember, many of the same factional hacks helped Rudd get to the top as well. If not the exact ones, then at least of the same ilk. Where are they now?" They're the ones that just led a coup against him.

Jason

25/06/2010HS, It's not only the captain of the team that needed to be replaced Swan Wong Garret Ellis Conroy etc have all been let off the hook for the moment if they explained in simple terms to the punters what they were trying to deliver maybe yesterday wouldn't have happend just because Rudd couldn't explain anything did the rest of them have Stockholm syndrome?. That said even though I don't belong to a faction I now get behind Gillard and the Labor party here in Adelaide. Thanks for the great post BB well done.

You must be kidding

25/06/2010BB I'm choking for I distinctly remember you pilloring me some months ago when I spoke against Mr Rudd and highlighted his faults which you now so virtuously eloquaintly extol. You basically said I didn't know what I was talking about and that I was biased. Yet now you use the same points to support your point. Now, how do we feel about such prophetic ramblings. The bottomline is this ... and this is important no matter who we politically support. We had a Prime Minister who was the prefered PM by a siginifcant margin; a two party prefered poll of 52/48 and we were moving into an election which he was likely to win ... no matter the currently polling. This was a Prime Minister in his first term elected by a majority of Australians and he deserved the right to face those Australians again. History said he would win. Unfortunately the disposable nature of our society now which is based mostly on brand and a quick fix determined that we should disrespect the office of PM. We have had some faceless men determine that we needed a different person to sell their message ... as Paul Howes said, "PM Rudd was a good PM he just couldn't sell his message, Julia can." I am not sure how you feel about that statement but I am affronted by it and the actions they took. An unelected Union Boy has the temerity to determine that a PM elected by the people of Australia can end his tenure so brutally within the PM's first term. This was an assassination and we sit back and accept it. It is no secret that I thought Rudd was a dud, and you all told me that I was wrong and you blamed the media and others for the dead smell that was growing from him. Unfortunately you are now faced with the "King is dead, long live the Queen." But you will all miss the unbelievable arrogance of the faceless men who have wrought this on an Australian Prime Minister in his first term if you do. Julia may or may not win ... indeed Kevin may or may not have won, we will never know. But if Julia looses blame the trashing of the Office of PM by these political underbelly for it. How anyone could support the actions of these thugs is beyond me ... it is a sad day for a nation that we can have 27 new members of Parliament that owe their seats and community status as a politician to Kevin Rudd to then vote against him some 32 months into his first term. Shame on these people; Shame on those faceless factional frauds that did it; and shame on anyone who thinks this was a good thing. The people of Australia made a choice in 2007 and they have been disrespected and probably tainted by these actions. The ramifications of these actions may not be immediately clear but I am sure they will last for a long long time.It's a sad day not just for partisan politics but truly for our democracy. My new predictions ... Labor still to win, but maybe not as clearly as Rudd would have. Election 16 October and Rudd to be Foreign Minister.

abstraktbiblos

25/06/2010I think that Kevin Rudd was the right man for the time. I could not imagine what Australia would have been like under Howard, Workchoices, and the possible wait and see attitude of the Coalition. Living in this country it is so easy to be overlook the effects of the GST. Just look at the pain being felt in Europe. If navigating this country successfully through the greatest financial crisis since the depression was all he did (and he achieved much more, I believe), then I say well done Kevin Rudd. It now remains to those who believe that they can do better to win the next election and I await the presumed lift in primary vote at the next major poll.

janice

25/06/2010Bushfire, [quote]Kevin Rudd held the line until the party caught up with him, morphing it from a loose rabble into a government. His mistake was to hold on too tightly and too long. I for one can forgive him easily and say to him, with love, "Kevin, job well done". It is up to him now to forgive us. I believe he's man enough to do it. There's an important bonus to it too. In doing so he will of needs be completing the most important task any person can possibly undertake: forgiving himself as well. [/quote] Wonderful piece Bushfire and for me, the last two paragraphs above says it all.

john

25/06/2010This is what Laura Tingle from the AFR thinks " Arbib is one of a new generation of “powerbrokers” behind this coup who seem to have no respect for the traditions of one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world, nor any apparent commitment to its values. Their only value is staying in power. Their only modus operandi is tearing down leaders. But is that any different to the party of old, in the days of “Richo” and Robert Ray and all the other colourful “key factional powerbrokers”? Yes, it is. For a start, in the olden days it was the caucus, whatever its factional groupings, that decided who would be the ALP parliamentary leader. This time around, Labor MPs watched appalled as the head of the Australian Workers Union, Paul Howes, told viewers of the ABC’s Lateline on Wednesday night that his union had switched allegiance from Rudd to Gillard and cheerfully explained why the prime minister would be losing his job. The leadership challenge was almost over without anybody making a phone call to any MPs. The coup occurred without the cabinet and the caucus knowing it was on and, from the public’s perspective, it was a play by the unions. In the olden days, prime ministers were only dumped after bruising contests about changing policy direction. Powerbrokers were also trusted by their colleagues. The new ones are not… NSW politics, of course, has been very different for some time."

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25/06/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

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25/06/2010abstraktbiblos Welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Do come again.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Bubba Ray A big welcome to you, thankyou for your comment on "The Political Sword" we do hope you keep coming back. [quote]A stint in opposition would do the party some good[/quote] I think our Government, the Labor Party are terrified of opposition, it was 11 years before 2007. The Liberal party have very powerful factions too, hence Phoney Tony now leader, Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull gone.

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25/06/2010Bubba Ray I thought you had visited here before but when I took a look at Lyn's list, I see this is your first visit. So welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Please come again.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi abstraktbiblos A big welcome to you, thankyou for your comment on "The Political Sword," we all hope you keep coming back. [quote]I await the presumed lift in primary vote at the next major poll[/quote]. I am waiting for the polls too with baited breath. Kevin Rudd was a good Prime Minister, and the country has a lot to be thankful for, especially after Howard's nasty mean miserable policies.

john

25/06/2010I just wanted to check: Am I alone here to consider not changing my vote if the ALP abandons or guts the RSPT, or runs to the right on refugees?

Min

25/06/2010I note that there is still some tugging at forelocks about Rudd who now as we speak is probably having a nice cuppa on the verandah with Therese. VIP of course is that Rudd immediately offered his services to a Gillard lead government which indicates that he is happy with the direction that Gillard will take. As much as we might like to dredge up a plot (unions, factions) and who doesn't love a good intrigue, the fact is that Rudd is likely to end up as Gillard's Foreign Minister. Bushfire. I agree absolutely and I am certain that Rudd would agree with you too. Youngest is at UQ and has met Kev on a number of occasions, he'll be back there and fighting..a good night's sleep and a cuppa. Nasking is on break away with his lovely missus and so I hope that it's ok that I provided Cafe Whispers with a link. I thought that Bushfire's topic was a very good read.

john

25/06/2010I meant "not consider changing".

sally

25/06/2010No.

BK

25/06/2010The grader has done its job. So now it's time for the bitumen to be laid.

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25/06/2010Rudd’s Final Morgan Poll was a ‘Good One’: ALP (53%, up 1.5%) cf. L-NP (47%, down 1.5%). http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2010/4517/

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Min Ad Astra and all of us appreciate you putting up "the Political Sword" link on Cafe Whispers, thankyou lots, excellent. You should put Cafe Whispers link up here too, whenever there is another piece written for us to enjoy.

john

25/06/2010"Rudd immediately offered his services to a Gillard lead government which indicates that he is happy with the direction that Gillard will take." @Min, If he had resigned, or quit his seat, there would be a massive swing against labor for forcing out a massively popular local member. If he had spoken out against Gillard, then she would be finished. All it means is that Rudd is more loyal to the party than is good for him. I think a lot of people who are saying he never understood the party, or was never liked, should look at his incredible decency, and his putting the good of the party before his own dignity, as he showed by staying on and even going to Question Time. Have some respect.

NormanK

25/06/2010Bushfire Bill Thanks very much for a sensible assessment and suitable tribute. I am a huge Rudd fan but probably the things I admired most were what contributed to bringing him down. Honesty, belief in the goodness of people and being rewarded for hard work and so much more. He was not a political animal and it cost him. It seemed gutless and unfair to bring him down but we may never know the full story. In the reflected light of Ms Gillard's recent performances, it is possible to see his shortcomings as a leader in a military or sporting sense. Better as a 2IC or as you say, senior advisor. John If you are suggesting that one policy change is sufficient reason to install an Abbott government and lose all of the good work done to date and let him take us back to the fifties, then there is no way I can agree. You are right that a swing to the right would be awful (although unlikely methinks) it would be as nothing compared to a Conservative government. As I said on the previous thread, an abstention or protest vote is the same as a vote for Abbott. And it will have no effect on faction leaders - it will be a wasted gesture and contribute to a far bigger swing to the right. Abbott is an extremist and should be feared.

Michael

25/06/2010Kevin Rudd was shafted, and with him Australian democracy. What voter will ever believe in the future that their vote counts for a thing?

john

25/06/2010Jesus, what is it with you people? If you even glance at Gillard's record, you'll realise that SHE WILL RUN TO THE RIGHT. She has caved to the left in everything since university, thatt's why Albanese and Tanner opposed her so fiercely. And didn't you wonder why Tanner was willing to recontest the election under Rudd, but under Gillard it's a different story? Tanner blocked her preselection TWICE because he DID NOT TRUST HER. And just look at who put her in power! I know I'm repeating myself, but she is beholden to Mark Arbib, who for years treated the electorate so badly in NSW that Labor will be crushed in the next election, and then tried to fix it by keeping the same shithouse policies, and changing Premier! And from Victoria, the great political minds that decided it was better to have Steve Fielding in the parliament than a Greens senator. These people CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. They will gut the federal party of all integrity, and I know Abbott is worse, but I also know that people will look at Gillard and say, oh, either way I vote, I'll elect a politician, and they'll vote Liberal in Queensland, because Abbott never did anything to them, but Gillard fucked over OUR PRIME MINISTER. I understand supporting the party, but you cannot have loyalty to a party that has no loyalty to it's leader or it's base, and especially not to the electorate. Stop mouthing the hack party line and THINK.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Ad and Bushfire Bill Here we go again. I mentioned this morning Sky News Agenda, had a guest called Mark Latham, a whole half hour interview. Like, why would they drag out Mark Latham after what, 5 years, I know why, so they can find anybody, somebody, to bash Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. Well they have ran the story all day on Latham comments, channel 9, channel 10 and Peter Van Onselen, again this afternoon on the contrarians at 4.30pm, with Paul Howes. Here are the bootstappers: Julia Gillard should watch her back, says Mark Latham , News Com. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/julia-gillard-should-watch-her-back-says-mark-latham/story-e6frfku0-1225884157470 Gillard may be next one for knife, warns Latham, Megan Levy, The AGE http://www.theage.com.au/national/gillard-may-be-next-one-for-knife-warns-latham-20100625-z4pz.html?autostart=1 Gillard must watch her back: Latham PAUL TATNELL, Sydney Morning Herald http://www.smh.com.au/national/gillard-must-watch-her-back-latham-20100625-z4lp.html?autostart=1 When adversity struck, leader was without friends MARK DAVIS , National Times http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/when-adversity-struck-leader-was-without-friends-20100625-z3vo.html [b]You will notice the ABC report is a copy of News. Com. report[/b] ABC working for Murdoch Latham tells Gillard to watch her back, ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/25/2937391.htm?section=justin

sally

25/06/2010NormanK What precisely do you mean by 'one policy change'? Read Uhlman's first hand account of what happened in the lead up to this political assasination. I'll be attacked for this but I'll be casting an informal vote at the election. If Labor loses then they deserve to. Perhaps the Party will understand that we are not all fools.

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25/06/2010BB Thank you for your perceptive analysis. I found your reference to The Peter Principle very apt. I’m wrestling with the whys and wherefores of Rudd’s trajectory and his current position, and am finding it disturbingly complex. I’m writing [i]The Rudd Phenomenon[/i] for posting after the weekend. Thank you for your recognition of Rudd’s merits and accomplishments; the MSM find it so easy to overlook them. As usual, your piece is attracting plenty of comments. Welcome back. Lyn The ABC is now an extension of the Murdoch empire. Don't worry too much about Latham references - he's thoroughly discredited in the eyes of most of the electorate, and is known for his hatred of Kevin Rudd and in fact most of his previous colleagues.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Ad, Bushfire Bill and everybody [b]Weekend Talk thread June 25 - 27, Tobias Ziegler, Pure Poison[/b] This Sunday’s Insiders (with thanks to Mike Bowers) will have Barrie interviewing Tony Abbott, a panel made up of Misha Schubert, Brian Toohey and Piers Akerman, and Talking Pictures has photographer Andrew Meares. Farewell to newmatilda.com, which ceases publishing today. Thanks to everyone who has worked there and written for the site – I, for one, will miss you. But they’re finishing up with some great content — go and check it out as they say goodbye. Enjoy your weekend, all. UPDATE: Lateline is on at 10:35 and has Chris Bowen vs Scott Morrison. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/

sawdustmick

25/06/2010John Jesus, what is it with you people? John I think that a lot of what you say has merit, however if you are a rusted on old Labor supporter like me there is not point making a protest vote against Gillard by voting for Abbott. “Stop mouthing the hack party line and THINK” Well what the fuck are you suggesting Labor voters do? Vote for vacuum head Abbott. You want to be pragmatic about whom one should vote for, then just THINK about the leadership and front bench of the Coalition and then you tell the rest of us if you truly believe that Abbott’s mob will make a better government that Labor. On the subject of treachery it was only a short time ago that this Coalition under Turnbull’s leadership attempted to put their foot on Rudd neck and dismiss the PM with false documentation by one of their spies namely Gordon Gretch. Now you can bitch all you like about the method of Rudd’s demise. However, I put it to you that this so called act of treachery by Labor would not come any where near the treachery displayed by members of the Coalition in particular Turnbull, Hockey and Abetz to discredit Rudd with forged documents.

Colen

25/06/2010You guy's are in a serious funk. You all look and sound like the Lib's after JH lost the 2007 election. Get some perspective. Labour was in trouble, Rudd was stuck on the RSPCA and could not drop the policy as he would have been seen as being weak. He needed it to bring the Budget that he and Swanny stuffed up into Surplus. They had to show that they could be better than the Lib's as economic managers. Gillard has just committed political suicide by not dropping the 2013 Surplus policy. There is no way she is going to get an RSPT. Labour backbenchers wanted to be re-elected and could not face being booted out. They crave the power of Politic's being the political hack's they are growing up in the Union environment. They could see the writing on the wall with Rudd so they bandied together to get rid of him. I foresee a close battle with Abbott and long may his Lib's reign. He will atleast clean up the last 2 and 1/2 years disasters. We survived the GFC because of the policies of JH and PC, they left money in the bank and China and the resources came to the party.

Augustus

25/06/2010Hi lyn, If you really want to know how latham thinks I found this little gem, I suspect it is what he based his diaries on, but be aware it uses colourful language http://markl.tblog.com/

Kersebleptes

25/06/2010Well, it's good to see you swimming in the new reality like a native, BB! I'm still a little bit stuck in the mud. This is from someone who could not have more admiration for Julia Gillard and was impatient for her to rise to the Prime Ministership... A whole collection of groups and people on all sides of politics found Kevin Rudd inconvenient, so they undermined him relentlessly. When that didn't work they used gelignite. I pay tribute to him here for his work, his achievements and his decency- all deployed unstintingly in the service of his country. I admire his conduct in victory and defeat, and feel fortunate that he still wishes to work for Australia. Something important is still torn, though.

You must be kidding

25/06/2010Saw Dust Mick Treachery is everywhere in politics ... Machiavelli wrote about it as did Shakespeare so we shouldn't be surprised, but do diminish the act we witnessed yesterday. Oppositions kill each other and try and kill the PM. Both sides do that when in Opposition and indeed the Labor Party had numerous leaders before they settled on Rudd, so treachery is everywhere. The point though is this ... the highest elected office in the land was trashed yesterday and that is a little sad for the institution of government and indeed politics. Keating took some time to get there and it was more bad management and stuff ups of some of Hawke's ministers that finally got him over the line. Who could ever forget John Kerin's presser. With Gorton, well he voted against himself which says a lot about him. Never before have we witnessed such political thuggery and let us hope for the sake of stable political government we never see it happen like that again. By the way, the ALP keeps making history. I have just learnt that Gillard is now the longest serving female PM in Australian history.

Kersebleptes

25/06/2010Lyn, I really hope that I'm not being appallingly rude here. But I found a version of your gravatar image that should look crisper, especially on the lovely large pics that TPS uses. If you want to use it, go ahead! <a href="http://s910.photobucket.com/albums/ac306/highlandclearance/?action=view&current=Tweety_b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac306/highlandclearance/Tweety_b.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> Again, sorry if I'm being forward. PS- I love ad Astra's new avatar. The old one made him look a bit like some sort of benevolent cult leader!

OzFrog

25/06/2010Colen, I'm not sure where you get the impression that the Labor supporters are all in a funk. Yeah we are very surprised and shocked at the events of yesterday, but unlike in 1996, we are still in power and we have come to terms with what has happened (and rather quickly, I might add). I personally feel that Kevin Rudd was a fantastic Prime Minister, and Julia Gillard will do just as fantastic a job, based on her performances over the last 3 years. And one other thing... did you not some time ago say that you were sick and tired of this blog and vowed never to come back again? And now you have reared your head in here in the last couple of days. Funny that... To Ad Astra, Lyn and the others here, I've lurked on here for quite a while now, and have loved the way that everything has been expressed quite straightforwardly and matter-of-factly. Many different opinions on this site, but much better and civil tone overall than some of the other blogging sites I have visited in the past 4 years. May TPS just get stronger from here :) OzFrog

Kersebleptes

25/06/2010Bugger. http://s910.photobucket.com/albums/ac306/highlandclearance/?action=view&current=Tweety_b.jpg That one, anyway.

NormanK

25/06/2010john "Stop mouthing the hack party line and THINK." Please don't presume to know my mind. I understand that you are passionate but under no circumstances must Abbott be allowed to take power. He is so far to the right that he can't even see Howard's footprints. Sally My 'one policy change' remark was in response to john's question - "I just wanted to check: Am I alone here to consider not changing my vote if the ALP abandons or guts the RSPT, or runs to the right on refugees?" (Plus correction.) To be blunt, Labor would have to start slaughtering kittens in the streets before I would see them as worse than Abbott. I have no wish to argue, but a protest vote which installs Abbott will not teach the Party anything but it will plunge us into dark days and punish our children and our parents. I rage against the sky for what was done to Kevin Rudd - it damages democracy, tarnishes our international image and is an injustice to him BUT .................... this is a black and white choice and non-participation is a vote for Abbott. Is education reform, health reform, better social services, the NBN and CPRS not enough for you? It is not realistic to expect any political party to offer up a complete set of policies with which any idiosyncratic individual can wholeheartedly agree.

Jason

25/06/2010Colen, You are right It was the Liberals who saved Australia from the GFC by not being in office when it hit. Had the Libs been in office there would have been NO stimulus and unemployment would have skyrocketed. The Libs would have protected their rich mates and used the massive unemployment to justify a reduction in wages. We all owe a debt of gratitude to the fine work of the Liberal Party in getting themselves thrown out and we must reward them by keeping them out for at least a decade.

BK

25/06/2010Jason That was a brilliant post.

sawdustmick

25/06/2010Colen “We survived the GFC because of the policies of JH and PC, they left money in the bank and China and the resources came to the party. “ I have heard that theory many times foisted by Coalition Hacks. However, there is a serious flaw it this statement and it is not that money was not left in the bank by Rodney and Smirk. The Fact is, to stimulate the economy in a serious economic down turn one has to be prepared to spend the money in the bank. No one in the Coalition was prepared to do this. We survived that GFC because Rudd and Co were prepared to spend OUR money to stimulate the economy. It may come as some sought of shock to you Colen, but governments do not need a policy to collect taxes that’s what they do. They do need a policy to spend money when needed to support jobs and the economy that’s what the Australian Tax Payers expect from our governments when a crisis in upon us. You Must Be Kidding. Maybe I could remind you of a time in a galaxy far, far away when a democratically elected Labor government was dismissed by the thuggery of an opposition party that decided that it was the party born to rule.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi OzFrog A very big welcome to you, thankyou for commenting on "The Political Sword" Ad Astra will be very pleased. we all hope you will keep commenting, now that you have given up lurking. [quote]Many different opinions on this site, but much better and civil tone overall than some of the other blogging sites I have visited in the past 4 years. May TPS just get stronger from here [/quote] Thankyou so much for your kind compliments, it is people like you that are helping The Political Sword gain strength.

Acerbic Conehead

25/06/2010BB, thanks for that heart-felt appraisal of the amazing developments over the last couple of days. Of course emotions are still running high and many raw nerves continue to jangle. So it’s important to take a deep breath and work out the best way forward, which will not compromise Julia’s chances, and will also give due recognition to the many marvellous achievements of Kevin Rudd. The following ditty is dedicated to Kev from all his admirers. It is to the airs of “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhdFe3evXpk&feature=related :- ( This mist covered Canb’ra Is a home now for Kev But his home is in Nambour And always will be Some day he’ll return to His valleys and his farm But til then he’s still with us Our comrade in arms :- ( Through the days of ‘07 A baptism of fire He led us at the hustings Never forgot his hair-dryer Even though they dubbed him A mate of Brian Burke He did not desert us Our comrade in arms :- ( In spite of his bad habits- Lickin’ his lips like a nong He’ll always be our hero For liberating Bennelong :- ( Now the back-bench beckons And Julia’s riding high Let us bid you farewell With a deeply-felt sigh So for tacklin’ the dreaded GFC And showin’ up old hairy-arsed Tony We're eternally grateful to Kev, our comrade in arms

vote1maxine

25/06/2010BB Good to read your insightful thoughts about the horrid (but necessary) last 24 hours. Let me make a few points: 1) Kevin Rudd will be judged by history as the first Great PM of 21st Century. He accomplished a great deal more in 2.5yrs than his predecessor did in 12.5yrs. He restored the Nation for all Australians by removing the atmosphere of fear and division perpetrated by the previous regime.He delivered Australia from the worst recession in 75 yrs virtually unscathed. He initiated many reforms and initiatives in health, education, infrastructure and the environment. I see Kevin Rudd in the ranks with Curtin, Chifley, Whitlam & Keating. 2) Whatever his faults and shortcomings he didn't deserve the anti-government hysteria & misinformation orchestrated by the Murdochracy & Big Dirt. 3)He and his numerous accomplishments certainly weren't appreciated by the shallow & fickle swing voters. What a miserable & self-centered lot they are. 4)PM Julia Gillard will ensure that Labor wins the next election comfortably. (Rudd too, would win, had Labor held its nerve albeit with greater difficulty.) a) Julia's honeymoon acts as a circuit-breaker to the anti-govt. hysteria & misinformation. b) The Gillard Govt. has a clean slate to modify policies (such as RSPT)to negate controversy before the election. c) Abbott's political modus operandi of the "attack dog" is completely undermined. A man bullying a woman is not a good look. Without his pugnacious veneer, Abbott will need to engage Gillard on policy which he hasn't got. Tone all smuggle and no budgie :)) d) Julia is a great communicator who can cut through. Her attack mode is cool, calm and concise with surgical precision. e) The election will have an undeclared referendum element of a woman for PM which Julia will carry with a majority of the female and progressive male vote. ii)

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Kersebleptes Thankyou for the link to http://s910.photobucket.com/albums/ac306/highlandclearance/?action=view&current=Tweety_b.jpg . [i][quote]I really hope that I'm not being appallingly rude here[/quote][/i] No, I don't think you are being one little bit forward at all, I think you are very nice. I have been to photbucket and changed to another tweety bird photo, do you think it is brighter and crisper ? and has more expression on my face. I do have a beautiful diamond encrusted tweety, presented to me by Ad Astra, she is kept in the vault: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx Tell me what you think. cheers

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Augustus Thankyou for the link to Latham. I can't stand the guy, but I got upset because Sky chased him up, just to get bile dumped on Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, then sell the interview to all the other news outlets, it stinks.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Jason You are wonderful, love your comment.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Ad Ad Bushfire Bill & Everybody Did anyone just see Kerrie O'Brien slaughter BUT BUT??? I loved every minute of tonight's 7.30 report, it's about time somebody started holding Whimpy, Phoney Tony to account.

Jason

25/06/2010Carroll B Merriman, I know I'm a dumb crane driver but WHAT THE F CK?

Snoozer289

25/06/2010TPS Bloggers, Yesterday, I suggested a tribute blog to Kevin Rudd as an acknowledgement of his contributions to the Labour party and more importantly the contribution of the Government under his stewardship. BB when I first read your title I thought that this was the start of such contribution, but unfortunately it was a justification of the action of the factions and as to why they decided to move against Kevin Rudd. With respect, some of your comments have justified the MSM commentary on Kevin Rudd and his leadership style. As this may be my last comments on this site, I feel that I may as well vent my spleen. The government would not be where it is if it wasn't for Kevin Rudd and his leadership style, it was this type of style that was required to unite and bring this party back into government. Kevin Rudd brought a new style of Government and Governance which was separate from the factions and the unions, which appeal to the everyday people. What changed, nothing other than the MSM, and some within the Government, were not able to understanding or appreciate that the politcal and politics of managering and running this country that had changed. It has always been a major critiscim of Kevin Rudd that he was not a very good communicator (bullshit), it was the MSM that did everything possible to distort or cloud over the message that he was trying to communicate. If Kevin was such a poor communicator, what does it say for the rest of the Minister such as Gillard, Swan etc, they had just as much responsibilty in presenting and promoting the Governments message as did Kevin Rudd. It my belief (unfortunately) that the move on kevin Rudd had nothing to do with poor internal polling, in actual fact I think to the contary, Kevin position in the community was strenghtening ( as the polls had showover the past month ( refer to Pollblugger analysis The Government were only behind in 3 of the last 24 pools) and the final oll of Kevin Rudds steardship the Morgan Poll show that the Government 2PP had increased by 1.5% to 53.5% 2PP in the last week. (any future increases will now be attributed to Gillards promotion rather that the trend upwards that was in place). This is a result of the Government getting it message through, and as a result of the introduction of a number of major policies such as Parental Leave etc. I also believe that the Government was starting to win the battle of minds over the RSPT. The reason the factions moved against Kevin Rudd had nothing to do with poor internal polling and more to do with, that they could see he was taking the ascendancy in the community and that Kevin was going to win the next election easily, which would have strengthen him and his style of Government and mangement style and would have weaken the influence of the factions within the party. They could not allow this to happen and this is the unfortunate part, we have again loss a true leader (in the scence) of a forward thinking reformist who along with many people with in the Government wanted to develop policies which would take this country forward and set this country up for the future. Will I continue to support the Labour party (probably) will I have respect for the Labour Party and the New PM (NO). This country and party once again has loss a true visionary who would have done more to improve and take forward the country. Kevin Rudd does not have to forgive himself as he has done the right thing, the party needs to forgive themselves (which will never happen) when you have self interested faction who want to control and have the unelected power of Government. I may be naive and lack the political nouce and understanding to achieve the power, but to often I have seen in business and Government people who shouldn't be in power, but achieve these goals not through commitment paaion and compassion but through sticking it to the real people who are more interested in getting the job done. I will finish this by saying as I did yesterday, we would not be on this site and similar site if it wasn't for Kevin Rudd bringing the party together and winning the 2007 election> We are here because we wanted to defend the right of the PM and Government to do their job and not allow the influence of the MSM, Mining Comapnies or other factor undermine the right of the elected PM and Government to run this country. As I asked yesterday, let's pay tribute to Kevin Rudd for the contribution he has made to the Party and country. As for anything else we all will have to decide for ourselves and accept that who ever leads this country will be influenced by factors/factions we cannot control and who do not really care about us other than when it comes to our vote. We are after all the people, but it seems our opinions do not really mean anything.

Johnny Button

25/06/2010Snoozer 289 Stunningly beautiful. You are of course right.

Ad astra reply

25/06/2010Snoozer289 Do continue to visit this site. We value your opinions. There is room for all views here. We, the people, can express our feelings here on [i]TPS[/i]. They do mean something and people read them. There are many more visitors than there are commenters; the number grows day after day. Most who comment here value what Kevin Rudd has done for this nation, and say so. We shall not forget.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Snoozer289 I agree with everything you have said, excellent well thought out comment. Your opinion is enjoyable to read and valuable on "The Political Sword" you will make me sad if you don't come back. We all have our bits and pieces to say, you are allowed to vent your spleen, this is what makes the Political Sword a good place to be, Ad Astra provides our place to talk, he values us all, I know because he says so.

Ad astra reply

25/06/2010Lyn When you see Tony Abbott under pressure as he was with Red Kerry tonight, he shows his true nature - shallow, devious and unfit for national office. He condemns himself out of his own mouth.

Ad astra reply

25/06/2010Snoozer289 There will be more about Kevin Rudd after the weekend - I'm working on it now. Come back and take a look then.

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Snoozer 289 See I told you, that's what Ad would say to you, we value your opinions. Ad's comment is at 9.31 mine at 9.34, they crossed over.

Augustus

25/06/2010Lyn, I saw the 7:30 report tonight and it was nice to see Kerry O'Brien questioning Abbott about his credibility, Abbott struggled all the way through the interview, he is not as cocksure of himself as he would like to think he is and it really shows now the air has been cleared, It is a pity that Kevin couldn't be concise and I am beginning to understand the reasons behind his downfall because Tony Abbott has the same problems, it became very clear to me tonight. I live in Kevin Rudd's electorate and he still has my vote. I wonder if Kerry O'Brien is wondering if he got caught up in the "groupthink". The events of the past few days has been quite a cathartic experience for a lots of people I would suggest.

Snoozer289

25/06/2010Ad astra and Lyn, thankyou for your comments and compliments. As a lot of people I feel that we have been let down and dis-empowered (spellings not good ye). I will continue to value this site, and maintain a presence, in the hope that our views and opinion will and really do mean sometghing. Thankyou

Ad astra reply

25/06/2010Folks Time to pack it in and watch [i]Lateline[/i].

Lyn

25/06/2010Hi Augustus and everybody ABC report on the 7.30pm reportland: Labor 'death squads' nothing like us: Abbott, ABC Updated 20 minutes ago [b]Mr Abbott also changed his story about words he used to his coalition colleagues earlier this week.[/b] [b]A Coalition spokesman told the media that Mr Abbott said a "famous victory" was within reach, but later that day Mr Abbott denied he had used that phrase. Tonight he has told the 7.30 Report he did say those words.[/b] http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/25/2937612.htm

gusface

25/06/2010I thank BB for his article I think alot of us are rightly feeling ripped off The revisionism of the Rudd legacy from some quarters disgusts me We do indeed live in interesting times

Miglo

25/06/2010This has been the most incredible 24 hours in politics that this country has witnessed in a long time, yet I'm lost for words in decribing it. Most people here are doing a good job of it for me. And Hillbilly, thanks for the invite at the Cafe yesterday to come over here and look at your description of the events. I'm sorry it took so long to get here. Yesterday was a an out of the ordinary day for me. Until yesterday, JG was my boss.

HS

25/06/2010This new meme from the Coalition upon JG's ascension to the Prime Ministership, 'Different leader, same dud policies' has to be exposed for the canard that it is. For if it is true of Labor, then it is just as true of the Liberals. They changed their leader 3 times already, but does it mean that, even so, their policies are still the duds they always were? According to the Liberals line of thinking, the answer is yes.

HS

25/06/2010Scott Morrison is a duplicitous dill. He says, "Labor is taxing and spending." Um, that's what I thought governments did, Scott.

HS

25/06/2010The sad thing about the Tony Abbott interview on 'The 7.30 Report' tonight is that the one good line he said is the one that will get played over and over again by the rest of the media for the next day or so. Like on Lateline tonight. Which exposes their true agenda-keep looking out for ways to bootstrap the Coalition and diminish the Abbott negatives. Actually, I want Julia to call parliament back for another couple of weeks so that she can put Abbott to 'The Political Sword'. :)

HS

25/06/2010Snoozer289, Please don't leave the TPS family just because you feel an immense heartache over the manner of Kevin Rudd's demise. I don't think it is fair to blame the ALP only. I think that they could sniff the breeze, and especially after the Penrith by-election result in NSW(the largest swing against the ALP ever, and due to Kevin Rudd in part, so the anecdotal evidence goes), plus the vicious stance the media had taken against him(as evidenced viscerally by the Tara Brown interview with the Rudds on 60 Minutes), they(all facets of the ALP around the country) decided that the only sensible course of action was to remove the cause of the vitriolic spleen that was being vented in the party's direction. Sadly, that happened to be Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister.

HS

25/06/2010lyn, Interesting that you say that TA told KO'B tonight that he did say the words 'a famous victory was within our grasp', when, just now on Lateline Scott Morrison was still denying the fact. Oh well, I guess that's because the Opposition don't believe they have to tell the truth anymore, just say whatever it takes to win in their minds.

HS

25/06/2010Miglo, JG is everybody's boss now! :)

Colen

25/06/2010Sawdustmick and Jason, Just to correct you the Lib's were prepared to spend but Just not as much. Who had a insulation problem and still is not revealing results and killed off an industry. Who paid out a stimulus to the dead and students overseas for Televisions made in Korea and China. "Oops" I forgot it was our own money coming back to buy our mines, houses and buildings. Who is rorting a BER programme and still alowing it to happen. Stick to Crane Driving.

HS

26/06/2010Colen, That's a lot of tommyrot and nonsense.

HS

26/06/2010Grog's out of the blocks again! http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/2010/06/half-of-what-i-say-is-meaningless.html

Jason

26/06/2010Colen, I just hope that if you want to correct sawdustmick and myself. You could answer this I am sure you are a strong supporter of the Thatcherite ('there is no society') sociopathic creed, but you forget that governments are elected to do the will of the people. If the people will that we have a society that respects humanity over profits for the wealthiest and market speculators, then government will build welfare and support higher living wages that better and more equitably distribute the wealth. The countries that have suffered the most through this downturn are the ones that subscribed most heavily to your sociopathic neo-classical textbook vision of The Economy over Society and Humanity. The welfare states of the northern EU and the welfare state that closet/election year Keynesian John Howard supported have done OK. The US, UK, Ireland, Iceland etc are down and will be down for years. How hard is it for neo-classical economists to understand the concept that caring for others makes a better society. Their vision leads to a divided society where the wealthy spend much of their wealth on defensive spending (private schools, health insurance, gated communities, security systems)

Chris Owens

26/06/2010BB, What you say about Rudd laying the ground work for Gillard is a good point. As much as I like and admire Rudd, I could never see him as a great PM. I can see it in Gillard. Lyn, I didn't see all of Abbott's 7.30 Reportland interview, though I did see the reference to death squads. It is quite despicable that Abbott compares what happened to Rudd to the use of actual death squads in South America. He is shameless and despicable. Interesting too that he admits to lying again, re the "famous victory", considering he has denied saying it before now. Here is an interesting fact. If you live in the City of Sydney, your Mayor is a woman, your Premier is a woman, your Prime Minister is a woman, your Governor is a woman, your Governor General is a woman, and you have the Queen. That's got to mean something. Doesn't make up for the fact that we still have Tony Abbott, Cory Bernardi, Fred Nile and the like in our various parliaments.

Patricia Lorimer

26/06/2010None of us have come through this week unaffected by the change of leadership. I have come to accept that because of the unrelentless attack on Kevin Rudd by the MSM and the ABC, Labor was vulnerable. Fortunately with Julia Gillard, I believe the Party is in good hands. It must be remembered that Peter Costello would have removed a Prime Minister in John Howard, if he'd had the numbers. There was play on many occasions, but he didn't proceed. No difference to what happened this week, except that a majority of parliamentary members supported a leadership change. I wouldn't be suprised to see Malcolm Turnbull challenge for the leadership role again if Tony Abbott's personal polling doesn't improve. I'm sure history will judge Kevin Rudd and his time as PM well, just as I do not believe history will judge John Howard well.

Bushfire Bill

26/06/2010I believe Rudd lost his job because he was not communicating with his subordinates and had taken over the running of the country himself. The rest of government was an ever more confused blur of reports, papers, submissions and futile attempts at communicating with his office. It had become a one-way street with buses and trucks parked across it, blocking the way forward. Like it or not Rudd was a poor communicator. I wrote a piece for this site many weeks ago outlining a mataphor I had in mind describing Rudd as an engineer, so afraid of selling his product through a normal sales management process that he tinkered endlessly with it until (he thought) it was perfect. He wanted his policies to sell themselves, which absolved him of the burden and embarrassment of having to. I've been down that path myself in the past and I understand it well. You have a particular policy baby. You thought of it. You developed it. You made it beautiful. You designed frameworks and governing bodies to facilitate it. When it comes time for the sales people to take over you are reluctant to let go, because you think they might ruin it, or detract from its perfection. So you hang on, and on. The important part (to the engineer) of the "brochure", the sales pitch, is not the fabulous photo, or the smart words that entice the prospective buyer. It's the tech specs at the back that prove what you have designed is better than anything else. If you are the CEO as well as the engineer, and can control everyone in the organization, there is a big chance that the product will languish, or even fail. I think there was too much of the engineer, reluctant to go out and sell his product, in Rudd. The product was so good he would not even boast about it, except in the empty vessel of QT. He assumed it was so good, so rational, that the voters would somehow naturally understand its superiority without needing to be reminded of it day-on, day-out. We never heard Rudd brag about the GFC Stimulus. He should have, loud and wide. As a result many millions of people thought his policies had actually [i]ruined[/i] the economy, not saved it. They still do to this day. It's the same with so many other Rudd policies. Buried in the myriad details was the key to why the policy worked. Rudd, the poor communicator, couldn't put the product's blessings into simple words. His answer to criticism was to "work harder", not work smarter. The more work he took upon himself, the less there was for the underlings to do. Really smart people with good ideas and amazing skills were left pushing paper clips around blank pieces of paper, while at the other end of the corridor, Rudd's office was a cacophony of activity. I believe this got worse as the polls got worse. Rudd retreated into the bunker and shut his government out of the game. It couldn't go on. Sure, the factions think they have had a victory. The rotten NSW virus thinks it has a toe-hold in the federal sphere now. It has destroyed it host in Sydney and has moved to Canberra. There's a lot in what people are saying about their solution to every problem being just to change leaders. But Gillard is strong and determined. I'm not so sure she'll let this disease fester. I hope not. She comes to the top job with strength, experience, and maturity, things she did not have in 2006 when she ran the famous unity ticket with Rudd. She is now powerful in her own right. She can see the dangers of a government run by developers and cheap spruikers... anyone can. She may well be a lot stronger and firmer than many who backed her think she is. Rudd no doubt saw the same dangers. He inherited a party that was aimless and disorganized, rent by factions, with a lifeboat mentality. He honed it into shape, cut out the factions and told them a new discipline would be needed, and they followed, having no choice. His prize (and theirs) was electoral success, but I believe his mistrust of his colleagues went on for too long. They had grown in their jobs, but he hadn't in his. I think he could have won the election, pretty easily, but at what cost? The stultification of government would only have become more entrenched. What is the point of winning an election if government grinds to a halt? If ideas are ignored? This is what faced the "faceless men". Electoral success for Rudd would only have made them more irrelevant to the process. They would have contributions to make, every bit as deserving of attention as those of the boss, but their thoughts and ideas would fall on deaf ears, shut out of the PM&C office by a large, soundproof door. In their minds they had to act. I never ended up publishing that post because I thought it was too harsh. It was written after the Jessica Return, when Rudd gave a speech at Sydney Opera House. I thought it was a terrible speech. It spoke in cliches, of "heroes", when he could have used the opportunity to speak of what ordinary Australians can do if they believe in themselves. In the context of the (then) new mining tax debate, with Australians bamboozled by a bunch of billionaires crying poor, it would have set out the true fight: Australians should shrug off the lack of self-confidence they feel in themselves and fight for what is theirs. It would have been not only in good context for the situation at hand, but it might have made a few think about how it was their fear of the unknown that was holding them back. I don't have and never have had contempt, as such, for Rudd's inability to sell his product. I don't think he's a wimp or a nerd. Or gutless. Or a liar. I feel I know exactly "who he is". I do believe he was treated shamefully by the media, full of testosterone and arrogance, self-appointed judges of who gets to run the country. But I also believe he is a shy man, brilliant as an engineer but no good as a salesman of his own ideas. He tried too hard to make his product perfect and in the process wasted resources, good resources that he had to hand. In the end he held office, but had no authority. It could only have become worse.

Grog

26/06/2010Agree completely BB.

Colen

26/06/2010Hi BB, Excellent post. One with which I whole heartedly agree. It is the type of post we should have seen while he was in office as well. There is no perfect leader whether from the Left or Right, Lib, Labour, Nat or Green. Leaders have to play to their audience to stay in power. Their is no one size fits all. This needs to be recognised and postulated wilst they are in office. It is all very well to criticise the messenger but we should look at the writer and he/she need to be fairly criticised as well. Jason glad to see you recognise the Keynesian in John Howard as well.

Lyn

26/06/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Half of what I say is meaningless, Grog, Grogs Gamut[/i] hell the Libs might even dump Abbott and put in Hockey – but I’ll put my money on Julia (and Hockey won’t change that). http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/ [i]AC Nielsen: 55 - 45 for LABOR, JJ Fiasson, The Daily Bludge[/i] Galaxy poll out, also showing an improvement in Labor’s primary from 37 to 41 per cent, for a two-party preferred result of 52-48, http://dailybludge.com.au/2010/06/ac-nielsen-55-45-for-labor/ [i]Nielsen says 55 to 45, Peter Brent, Mumble[/i] Fairfax, Green vote way down, Labor’s primary way up, Gillard v Abbott preferred PM up on Rudd’s. Something like this is par for the course; here’s me predicting anticipating it on Thursday., http://mumble.com.au/ Advantage Labor, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger delivering them a thumping 55-45 two-party lead. Numerous pollsters, some previously unknown, have swung quickly into action to record a very rosy view of Labor’s prospects under Julia Gillard. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ [i]Loyalty, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless [/i]To hear Liberals go on about loyalty is sheer gibberish. The strength of the Liberal Party had been its refusal to embrace "caucus solidarity". One of the weaknesses of the modern Liberal Party is the way that its members, mostly conservatives (and often ex-leftists) shriek that "disunity is death" and yearn for "one clear message", usually consisting of drivel. http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/ [i]To the Victor goes the fantasies, Peter Brent, Mumble[/i] Fair enough the plotters want to pretend there was no plot. Must the journos play along? http://mumble.com.au/ [i]A Liberal dose of bad news , Laurie Oakes, Herald Sun[/i] Tony Abbott and those around him had started to become very confident about beating Kevin Rudd, but now they fear a likely victory has been snatched away from them. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/a-liberal-dose-of-bad-news/story-e6frfhqf-1225884469556 [i]How The Media Welcomed Julia Gillard, Prime Minister, Darryl Mason, The Orstrahyun[/i]. A round-up of graphics from local and international online news sites announcing the results of the Australian Coup. http://theorstrahyun.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-media-welcomed-julia-gillard-prime.html [i]The Dead hand of the party rises, The Piping Shrike[/i] Rudd and Gillard came to power as a challenge to the factions, a challenge made possible because the old system was losing election after election. The need to destroy the faction system was set out by Gillard after yet another one of those defeats, http://www.pipingshrike.com/2010/06/the-dead-hand-of-the-party-rises.html [i]Back In Control Of The Game, Malcolm Farnsworth, New Matilda[/i] To borrow her words, if she disappoints more than she delights, the union and factional apparatchiks won’t be needed to remove her. And if she succeeds, she will have more power in the Labor Party than Kevin Rudd could ever have hoped for. http://newmatilda.com/2010/06/25/back-control-game [i]Send off the clowns, the Rudd dumping, and collapsing mainstream politics, Guy Rundle, The Stump[/i] Abbott remains an object of suspicion and dislike outside the News Ltd op-ed rooms, http://blogs.crikey.com.au/thestump/2010/06/26/send-off-the-clowns-the-rudd-dumping-and-collapsing-mainstream-politics/ Gillard puts Labor back in the black,ABC Mr Abbott is determined to keep the focus on the power-brokers who convinced Ms Gillard to move against Mr Rudd, likening his ousting to a "death quad execution http://www.abc.net.au:80/news/stories/2010/06/26/2937691.htm [i]Pathetic performance by Tony Abbott last nightPosted: June 26, 2010 by Neil in Australia, Neil's Second Decade[/i]Tony Abbott is well pissed off about the Labor leadership change. On The 7.30 Report last night this led to one of the worst disingenuousness attacks I have ever witnessed.http://neil2decade.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/pathetic-performance-by-tony-abbott-last-night/ [i]What will happen in Melbourne? Jeremy Sear, An Anoymous Lefty[/i] it’ll be interesting to see who the ALP puts in his stead to try to recover progressive votes from the Greens http://anonymouslefty.wordpress.com/2010/06/25/what-will-happen-in-melbourne/

vote1maxine

26/06/2010Jason All your posts on this thread have been spot on. Colen You forget that "drivers" can proudly count Ben Chifley amongst their ranks. Stick to playing the ball and not the man. To those Swordians who rightly feel distressed at the manner of Kevin Rudd's demise. Let us follow Kevin's example and ensure that we do all we can to have this this great Labor re-elected. I can think of no greater tribute to Kevin Rudd other than to follow his example.

vote1maxine

26/06/2010oops *great Labor Government re-elected.

Lyn

26/06/2010Hi Ad Mumble again, "rel no follow upstairs: To the Victor goes the fantasies, Peter Brent, Mumble Fair enough the plotters want to pretend there was no plot. Must the journos play along? http://mumble.com.au/

HS

26/06/2010Bushfire Bill, I think the Labor Party needs you. For it's my humble opinion that, as you say, Kevin could never sell his product to the people very well. One of the reasons, as you correctly identified, was that he was no salesman, probably hadn't seen an episode of 'The Gruen Transfer' in his life. In fact, when you look at the Rudd family, it was Therese who was the absolutely fabulous saleswoman and businesswoman, and Kevin was the diplomat with the perfect grasp of Mandarin. Nevertheless, over and above that, one other factor that I identified as contributing to his downfall, was the same one that hobbled Howard, he wanted to write all his own speeches. He would not let a piece of paper go to a speechwriter, except out of his cold, dead hands, I imagine. Strangely, he did have a speechwriter on the payroll, John Button's son, James, and I have an inkling that Rudd used him to help craft the 'Sorry' speech. But only in collaboration. As you say, he would never completely let go of any situation that was under his purview. Suffice to say, I believe Julia is both more than capable, as a Trial Lawyer in a former life, to write her own words better than Kevin, and also come up with them on her feet, but also well aware of the power of delegation, and the co-option of a bloody good speechwriter as and when necessary. Hopefully James will get some more commissions from her in the run-up to the election.

Bushfire Bill

26/06/2010Thanks Grog. To be even blunter: I don't believe that the deposing of Rudd was only about the election. I think the thought of another three years of Rudd shutting himself away, refusing to communicate with his own government was a big part of it too, as it should be. We have seen an immediate change in Gillard, just in the last few days She has become more sombre, has more gravitas and is more, well, Prime Ministerial. She knows that the old days of the giggling Julia, chiding Tony Abbott, reciting mindless focus-group based catch phrases, attack dog, darling of the media... they are gone. She has shown she is serious about her job and has grown into it. She would have been crucified if she had taken over from Beazley. Now it's [i]she[/i] who has the hammer and the nails in her hands. Most gratifying of all is that Dennis Shanahan has done it again: lobbied for the installation of someone who will wipe the floor with his preferred party. There is a God. Thank you Dennis.

Ad astra reply

26/06/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx Lyn, I do like you new Gravatar.

Gravel

26/06/2010Thank you BB, in this article you have said, as we in this house both believe, and will forever be very grateful for the many things that Kevin has done for each of us, and the rest of the country. Your comment at 8.32 this morning has also helped cement a lot of my confused thoughts. Like many we got (and rightly so) so disillusioned and angry at the media and failed to see what others were seeing, although the MSM were doing it in a very nasty way, virtually giving the Opposition "smart" onliners and head lines that it blinded at least myself to actually get a feel for what was going on. I was watching with much disappointment the polls going down very quickly, and had come to the conclusion that all was lost, but couldn't accept the reason why. I am trying to be very positive about these latest polls, it has got very confusing, but agree that Julia (whom we have admired) will do a great job by being able to communicate much better as she has already shown she can in the last day or two. HS Just a quickie, I agreed with what you said when it was all unfolding and was sorry a few of the fellow comentors on this blog got a bit testy with you, but was thrilled to find that some of them were gracious enough to apologise. Like all of us, there is not one of us here that have felt hurt, angry, upset.... and it is good that most are starting to take a deep breath and look again to the future. I will do all that I can to help the Labor cause in this election. Lyn again thank you for you wonderful diligent work with your links. I have read many good writers that I would not have ever known about because of you. I have boycotted many of the MSM big names that I used to admire, and needed to fill a hole in my almost daily reading. Can I say on a personal note: Julia has shone a light in Australia for many women. A lot of girls can now aim much higher than I could ever dream of in my youth, 40 years ago or more. May era of, if you are girl, grow up, get married, have children and live happily ever after and that's it, begone!!

Gravel

26/06/2010Oh and BB, an apology to you. You have said some things in the past that I vehemently disagreed with and found I was reading some of your remarks with trepidation. I will no longer ignore your wise words that in some ways have turned out to be prophetic.

janice

26/06/2010Absolutely agree, Bushfire Bill. Whilst I was shellshocked and even angry when Rudd was so brutally cut loose, as soon as Julia began delivering her speech, it was brought home to me exactly what went wrong for Kevin Rudd. It also became evident to me that Julia Guillard is not a back stabber and I firmly believe she made Kevin Rudd aware of her decision to oppose him, and her reasons for doing so, before she informed those of her party supporters that she was ready to step up to the plate. Of course, we do not yet know what part Kevin Rudd will play in the Guillard/Swan Government but I'm absolutely positive that Julia will use every ounce of Kevin Rudd's talents and the Government will be even stronger for it. The ALP and this nation owe Kevin Rudd a huge debt for ending the Howard era and for the long list of achievements that occurred in his two and a half years at the helm. Julia Guillard will build on those achievements.

Bilko

26/06/2010 I have been interstate attending a funeral away from my computer only to return to a political funeral. When I first heard the news I felt ill and my thoughts were that the AlP heavies had completed the work for Murdoch and his cabal. I have used comments in the past here and elsewhere that Kevins office needed to get working on getting out his messages using the KISS principle. Even the adverts lacked something and the most effective was the union "weel be rooooned" Yes Kevin had his faults and micromanageing everything was a major one. I am sorry this event happened and I wish Kevin all the best for the future. Keeping Abbott out is now more important than ever. My Liberal next-door neighbor is even up in arms and he did not like Kevin or Labor for that matter, but he is using Abbott’s assassination expression however when Turnbull went no comment whatsoever typical of a coalition supporter. I hope and pray that Julia exceeds our expectations and flogs the mad monk. Kroger started already blaming her for BER problems which I expect will be the new line from Abbott etc. I thing the Government should blacklist every company that has rorted the program and place the blame squarely on the shoulders of these ar**h**es. The contractor's employing the batts death employees are being prosecuted get these others for fraud.

Sam

26/06/2010I must say I agree with Snoozer 289 comments re Kevin Rudd Reading some the MSM commentary to-day, especially Peter Hartchers comment denying that the leak re Gillard and loyalty was from Jordan. This eakk supposedly was a trigger for her to make a challenge, I wonder about her judgment giving she's always banging on about the misinformation of BER complaintts in the OZ in QT. However she readily believed this artcle in the SMH. It looks as though it was a plant by someone who knew Gillard would be upset by the so called questioning of her loyalty. If she was a so caleed loyal deputy why didnt she go to Rudd when Shorten visited her a week or so prior to this week. I think Kevin Rudd has been the fall guy for the dumping of the ETS when it appears that Gillard and Swan along with Bitar and ARbib wanted the scheme dumped. I moved and joined Labor because under Rudd, one could see that Labor didnt need to be beholden the the unions and factions. Unfortunately this appears not to be the case. When will Labor realise that they need to broaden their base and appeal. I will vote labor whilst Rudd runs in Griffith, but should he not, I will not be voting labor.

Ad astra reply

26/06/2010Sam Welcome to the TPS family. Do come again. There will be much written about how all this came about. Truth is difficult to find, and each of us has our own version. Whatever the truth, as Bilko indicates, it is our hope that this turn of events will ensure that Tony Abbott's extreme positions get no chance to damage our nation.

Lyn

26/06/2010Hi Sam A big welcome to you, thankyou so much for your comment, we appreciate your opinion very much. Please keep coming back to "The Political Sword", Ad Astra our Chief Executive Officer "CEO" will be very pleased. [quote]leak re Gillard and loyalty was from Jordan[/quote]. Sam I don't believe any of that stuff about collecting numbers, it's a media beat up. They have been playing the "up themselves" Liberal conference on Sky all day today. Brian Loughnane interview and Alexander Downer, they are a miserable bunch, Longhnane's speech, all about how dirty The Labor campaign is going to be. I had visitors so didn't watch for 4 hours, but from the little I saw this morning it was just a [b]hate fest against labor[/b].

Lyn

26/06/2010Hi Bilko Remember Kroger a few months ago "stop him, OMG somebody please stop him. [quote]I hope and pray that Julia exceeds our expectations and flogs the mad monk.[/quote] Don't worry, Abbott will feel intimidated by Julia, he won't put much over her, you wait and see.

Bilko

26/06/2010thanks Lyn this blog Gamat and possum are still the sites to visit, I know Julia has Abbott's measure I just hope the general public see him for the dropkick he is.

HS

26/06/2010Seen this? http://twitpic.com/1zzna8

You must be kidding

26/06/2010Jason I think most human beings believe in humanity. I suspect we all want to care for those who can't care for themselves. I find it just a tad strange though that you think it is only those that vote Labor that care ... given history doesn't support that case. I also find it amusing that you think that caring for someone means that you get the credit card out and spend on it ... without any thought as to who pays that bill as if it is an entitlement. Who do you think will pay the debt off in Australia ... would that be taxpayers? And that would be all of us not matter who we vote for .... suffice to say this class war thing you've got going is an interesting concept. let's get the bankcard out and spend spend spend ... someone will pay it off. Don't gove a damn as to who might be responsible ... I susepct the folks of greece and England are asking that very same question ... where did the money go and why do I have to forego a wage freeze to pay for it .... perhaps we should tell them Jason it was folks with an attitude like you some years ago that incurred the debt these poor folks now have to pay for. The other issue folks with similar thoughts to you have a struggle with .... if wealth is not created then there is no tax ... and if there is no ta then there is no money to pay for the humanity that you want the government to pay for ... vicious cycle I know but the risk takers who build businesses are the ones we should be supporting don't you think ... otherwise your crane is put into storage ... and what then. You'll probably want the government to pay you ... but with what with less tax? Class wars don't exist and if you have a hatred for those that build things then perhaps you should try it and see how easy it is.

Lyn

26/06/2010Hi Gravel Your a Sweetie pie, I am so pleased you enjoy the links, there sure is plenty of quality writers on the blogoshpere, certainly proves we do not need the newspapers with their trumped up baseless gossip columns. Gravel, I love your comments, you are an enjoyable source of information yourself. Julia Gillard is to admired, from a females point of view, because I am sure to get as far as she has, by whatever means, it has not been easy for her. We have all been sad about Kevin Rudd, but we must now get behind Julia and make our efforts here on "The Political Sword" count, even if we only talk to each other. We can't stay silent and let Scarey, Phoney take over our Country, then it would be a [b]"Great Big OMG"[/b] cheers!

Lyn

26/06/2010Hi Hillbilly Thankyou for the twitpic, wonderful isn't it (not) Wonder if this is one of the 12 policies in writing, that Phoney has announced at the Liberal Party, Labor hate fest conference today. [b][quote]That’s why I today signed my Contract for real action for Australia - 12 realistic, modest and prudent election commitments that are achievable and deliverable over the next three years.[/quote][/b] http://www.liberal.org.au/

jason

26/06/2010You must be kidding, Your wrong the only line you left out of my class war was we must socialise the losses and privatise the profits,we have three levels of government in this country who have only one thing on their mind the next election, not what might we need in the next 5, 10 years as I said these people are there to do the will of the people.Why do we ask the government to provide anything then? to your way of thinking so long as we have a massive budget surplus it doesn't matter that everything around us is falling apart, god help us if Abbott gets in I'll have to use morse code, smoke signals or semaphore flags to reply to you. Class wars don't exist you say thats why howard wanted to destroy the unions with dogs on the warves, work choices the ABCC and the other favorite dog whistle politics on boat people etc

Lyn

26/06/2010Hi Ad Thankyou for liking my new gravatar, she is up to minute, a bit brighter and sharper I thought, did you notice the eyes and the look she has, it says "Oh Well"

Rx

26/06/2010I don't think there's anything I can say that hasn't already been said better by other posters. Kevin Rudd has my undying admiration and gratitude. It's been a profoundly moving ride, from his takeover of the leadership in 2006 to his loss of the leadership this week. I believe strongly he is a fundamentally decent man, and that fact was a primary motivation for the Coalition and the vile media to work so concertedly to discredit him. If there's one thing that bewilders yet galvanises the right-wing noise machine it's a good-intentioned leader who wants to do only the right thing by all, not just some. He stands in utter contrast to themselves and their putrid ideology, so his destruction at their hands was therefore imperative. Our loss as a country, something I will never forget or forgive. As I'm sure Kevin himself would agree, the common threat remains, as always, the conservatives. Hence I wholly support Julia Gillard as the new leader as we take the good fight to the forces of darkness. We shall prevail.

Miglo

26/06/2010Hi Lyn, Don't underestimate the power of the blog. I understand that in New York, more people read the independent blogs than people who read the New York Times. The independent blogs, such as TPS and that lovely Cafe over yonder only exist because they offer a reliable alternative to the blogs controlled by the MSM. Also in America, a survey found that a large percentage of people consider the independent blog sites more honest than the MSM blog sites. We are citizen journalists (which will be an up and coming post during the week at the Cafe). With Nasking on a well-earned break I've popped up a topic on an issue that I am quite passionate about: Aboriginal Australia. Feel free to wander on over if this subject interests you. Migs. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2010/06/26/what-do-aboriginal-problems-tell-us-about-the-history-of-australia/

Bushfire Bill

27/06/2010[b]NOTE TO CONTRIBUTORS[/b] Just a note to fellow bloggers. I think we might desist with the use of the F-word (and worse forthwith, please. I've deleted and re-edited one recent post because it was recent. Any further back can stay, because I can't be bothered looking for them. But from now on if I see the word in a comment on one of my blog pieces, I'll just delete the whole post.

Bushfire Bill

27/06/2010[b]Originally posted by Daisy May. Deleted by me and Re-edited with the F-word removed. Future uses will result in the post just being deleted (without the re-editing)[/b] Said I wouldn't but here goes. Never in my life have I felt so betrayed and disillusioned. An agonisingly painful time has passed without sparing the victims (us and Kev) from the the most babaric barbs imaginable. The people who hate us and have always wanted to see this moment gloat as obnoxiously as possible and good on them. No one can defend this act of spitefulness and cowardice without resorting to a statistical trawl of the gutter that only a cruel punt could make. Many on the left and right of labor politics have shown themselves to be little better than the left and right of right wing politics. My beef is not with the labor warriors who always speak so winningly about everything but somehow manage to alienate the people who can win elections for them, but to the the factional XXXXX can i say that power without broad support is an erectional dick without any support at all. You always exhort your opponents to get behind you but how on earth can you when you display such bastardry? Daisey May

Marilyn

27/06/2010http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2010/4517/ I hope you lot don't take too long to note that Gillard is far right of Ghenghis Khan and a boot licking zionist shill to boot. Seen this? What a waste by our disgusting hacks. I have never in my life seen a hatchet job done on someone as was done on Rudd. Don't believe everything the shills tell you, instead listen to Patrick Weller in discussion with Peter Mares and then weep.

janice

27/06/2010Marilyn, Your first line is enough to cause me to disregard your opinion. Sorry.

Lyn

27/06/2010[i]TODAY'S LINKS[/i] [i]When to Call the Election, Grog, Grog's Gamut[/i] advantages of October are that it will allow Parliament to come back for at least two weeks (the last week of August, and first week of September). http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/ [i]First Gillard Polling, Possum Comitatus, Pollytics[/i] We’ll have to wait for a week or so for the phrase “Prime Minister Gillard” to sink into the public brainspace before we can start to get a confident grip on the voting intention fallout. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollytics/2010/06/26/first-gillard-polling/ [i]The decline and fall of the Rudd Labor Empire?, Webdiary[/i]God help us all if a dimwit like Britain's Cameron- Abbott- gets in and sets about the same sort of policies as Cameron- robbing the poor to pay for the mistakes of the wealthy. http://webdiary.com.au/cms/?q=node/3065 [i]LOOK WHO'S CRYING, Wah, Groupthink[/i] Liberal Prime Minister John Gorton, who was dumped by his own Party in 1971, mid way through his first elected term as Prime Minister.. http://www.groupthink.com.au/ [i]Why the Labor Leadership shows our Political system is broken, Mark, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] the relentless drum beat of the always on media cycle make it nigh on impossible for any political leader truly to address the diabolical problems we all face. http://larvatusprodeo.net/ [i]Assessing Julia Gillard as PM, Mark, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] which way those decisions go will be the true test of Julia Gillard as Prime Minister in the lead up to an imminent election. http://larvatusprodeo.net/ [i]The Young Men in Kevin Rudd's office could get old, Peter Martin[/i] Harris, at 30, is chief warden on the prime ministerial prison block, except his weapon is a BlackBerry, not a baton http://petermartin.blogspot.com/ [i]Julia Gillard PM, John,Australian Politics,[/i] [b]we voted for more Labor MP's than Liberal-National MP's. Rudd became PM because he was the leader of the party with the most representatives in Parliament.[/b] http://truepolitik.blogspot.com/2010/06/julia-gillard-pm.html [i]Why Kevin Rudd is sticking around By VEXNEWS ⋅ June 26, 2010 [/i] Rudd is staying and has every intention of being Labor leader again according to those in his circle. http://www.vexnews.com/news/9840/lazarus-why-kevin-rudd-is-sticking-around/ [i]Miranda devine, Tony Abbott, Dorothy Parker, LOON POND.[/i] Abbott should simply avoid exposing himself on the 7.30 Report and stick to exposing himself in his biking and his budgie smugglers (transcript here of Abbott on his new opponent)., http://loonpond.blogspot.com/2010/06/miranda-devine-tony-abbott-uglification.html [b]DISGUSTING ONLY READ TO BE DISGUSTED: [/b] I got rid of Rudd, Abbott boasts , Stephanie Peatling, Brisbane Times the greatest thing an opposition leader can - you have secured the collapse of a prime minister,'' he told a meeting of the federal council of the Liberal Party http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/i-got-rid-of-rudd-abbott-boasts-20100626-zatm.html

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Ad "Rel no follow" is following me Larvatus link again ( 2 stories): http://larvatusprodeo.net/

Macca

27/06/2010Dear Mr. Rudd, A man of honour and courage can fight a corrupt media, avaricious international mining cartels and putrid political operators. Unfortunately he cannot fight them all at once...alone. The Australian people, from all walks of life, allowed them to do this to you, and we should stand shamed for our cowardice. We have handed over our much vaunted Aussie sense of the fair go to lesser people such as Murdoch and his henchmen to be moulded into an unrecognizable shape. Much as a child moulds plasticine. The lessons from this, when we become mature enough to recognize and accept them, will be painful and humiliating. The pundits, corporate elitist weasels that they are, are saying that you didn't communicate with the electorate well enough...I say you talked to us like mature adults. We reacted like spoilt children. They also say you didn't know how to play politics. I say that given the the past week where faceless backroom and boardroom thugs can collude to destroy the Prime Ministership of a sovereign nation, and devalue the legitemacy of the successor, not playing the political game is badge of honour that should be worn with both pride and conviction. Now Sir, some questions? Do you know of another leader of a political party, sitting on the backbench, who has been executed by the backroom machinations of the party political machine?. One who had the courage to negotiate with the govt. in landmark policy, aimed at improving the nation?. One who has the proven ability to think outside the square? A perfect fit for your ability to develop process? One who, while politically opposite, appears to be philosophically similar to yourself? Would you consider, with such a person, starting a political movement to fill the void in Australian politics that so desperately needs to filled by a third party? The confluence of two such men in a parliament, at a time such as this, is mind blowing in what could be achieved for, and on behalf of, the Australian nation and her people. Please give it some thought. Finally Sir, thank you for your service, courage, vision and sheer hard work. It was one hell of a ride and I enjoyed it. I'm sorry we let you down at the end. Macca

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010Folks I'm solidly with BB on the issue of not using the F-word on this blog site. I've noticed it creeping in quite unnecessarily in recent times. Surely we can express any view strongly without having to resort to that word.

sandy

27/06/2010Macca Your comment reduced me to tears because that is exactly how I feel and have been thinking. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Have you been able to send your comment to Kevin Rudd? Or indeed to MT? Somehow I do not feel that we are alone. There must many others that share these thoughts. Heres hoping. TPS I have been lurking (as you call it) for some time and untill now have not taken the step to comment. I thank you for the wonderfull site that you offer and have recommended it to my friends and family. Sandy

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Sandy A very big welcome to you, very nice of you to come in and give us your valuable opinion "The Political Sword" would you keep coming back for us please. Thankyou so much for your wonderful compliment to The Political Sword, Ad Astra will be very pleased.

janice

27/06/2010Ad Astra and BB, I am in complete agreement re the F word. The use of this type of language is completely unnessary yet seems to be increasingly accepted in these modern times. Your stand BB, and your concurrence Ad astra, means I don't have to feel that I'm a prude because I find it distasteful.

Bushfire Bill

27/06/2010[i]Your stand BB, and your concurrence Ad astra, means I don't have to feel that I'm a prude because I find it distasteful.[/i] I don't think my "stand" will have to be a fight to the death. Not wishing to sound like a school teacher, but it's just a matter of what's permissable. Once certain words and phrases are allowed, then what's the [i]next[/i] boundary to be breached? It can go on and on and finally the blog becomes a hate fest with everyone slagging expletives at each other. It becomes useless for serious commentary. There are plenty of other sites where contributors can mouth off to their hearts' content. Please go there if you wish to continue in that vein. Unfortunately this blog's engine does not allow editing of individual posts in situ, i.e. in order of posting. The only way ot edit a post is to first delete it and then re-post it, after re-editing. This, along with the extremely tedious deletion of spam posts is too much of an ask for moderators. Hence, from now on, whatever offends just gets deleted in totality. This does not include polarised political views. The policy here is for eveyone who comes along to be welcomed and to have a fair go at saying what they think. Lively debate is not part of this rule. 99.9% of the time the decorum around here is excellent. As members of a civilized society you should all know the boundaries of what's acceptable. Strong, even extreme views can be expressed without resort to flame wars, foul language or pointless, boring slanging matches. Just lately some of the bounds have been challenged and a decision has been made as to exactly where those bounds lie.

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010Sandy Welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. We hope you will return often to comment here.

NormanK

27/06/2010Macca Thanks for your post. I join Sandy in hoping that there is a way to bring to Mr Rudd's attention such fine sentiments. I have been flopping like a fish out of water in trying to nail down how I feel - you know : good thing overall, bad thing overall. I loved (and I don't use the word lightly) all of the good refreshingly honest traits he displayed but rare creature that he is, there is no political environment in which he could have survived much less propagated more of his ilk. "I say you talked to us like mature adults. We reacted like spoilt children." This is at the heart of it. Unfortunately, history shows us that large groups of people do not display the attention span and objectivity required for mature responses to large social questions. We need to be lead by people who can instigate change 'despite' opinion polls. "Fix the environment for me, will you. What? I have to pay more for electricity? Find another way 'cause I need to buy a new TV." I may be no less confused, but at least I can read your post and be reminded of why I feel such a profound sense of loss. Thank you.

NormanK

27/06/2010AA and BB Fully concur on swearing and slagging. The lack of it is what makes this a great oasis.

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010Macca Many who visit here will identify with what you have written, grateful for what Kevin Rudd has done for this nation, and sorry at the manner of his departing. When Malcolm Turnbull was Opposition Leader we criticized him, and saw him as not being in the traditional political mould, not really a politician. We rightly condemned him for trying to bring down the PM, as it turned out, on a fake email. Then when he was shafted by Tony Abbott and Nick Minchin over his support for an ETS but nevertheless stood by his convictions and crossed the floor over it, we admired his principle. When Abbott unexpectedly became Opposition Leader the contrast was stark. No longer the liberal middle-of-the-road opposition that Turnbull had given us; we were quickly confronted with the extreme views of Abbott, more conservative and inflexible than John Howard ever was, and his pugilistic approach. We realized that the Coalition had jumped from the frying pan into the fire, and was threatening to drag the nation down with it. Soon all the old Howard mantras re-appeared but with sharper edges. Apart from simply wanting to win the next election, Labor members of parliament, additionally motivated to keep Abbott out at all costs, had even greater motivation to take the radical step they did. This country would certainly be better off with Malcolm Turnbull as Opposition Leader so long as was able to do what he always wanted to do – run the Coalition his way, and not be under the thumb of the Minchins and the Abbotts. He was turfed out last time because he wanted to do it his way. I have noticed that Turnbull is convincing only when he has his heart in what he’s saying. He’s a poor advocate when he doesn’t believe the story he’s pushing. We saw that on Q&A recently when he was questioned about the RSPT – he believes that such a tax is necessary to give Australians a fairer share of our minerals, and was very uncomfortable and hesitant arguing Abbott’s ‘great big new tax’ and ‘thoroughly bad tax’ line, that an Abbott Government (I shudder as I type that) would rescind. Forecasting in politics is hazardous, but when Abbott is soundly defeated at the election, the Coalition may well bring back Turnbull as leader. Abbott would have no credibility, Joe Hockey would do the party’s image no good and there’s no one else within a bulls-roar of Turnbull’s stature, eloquence, intelligence, no one with a more Prime Ministerial look. Turnbull certainly has not returned to sit on the backbench. So what you suggest Macca may come about.

HS

27/06/2010Macca, I echo your sentiments entirely about Kevin Rudd. Except I have one caveat about your post. Noble as the sentiment is, to wish that Malcolm Turnbull and Kevin Rudd would start a new '3rd Way' political party, it is my sad belief that neither will be able to do this because both their respective political personas have been irreparably trashed in the media. It is for this reason also that I look on in bewilderment at those in the media giving Malcolm Turnbull a political makeover and mentioning him again in despatches as a future Liberal Party leader, and being possessed of the only alternative Prime Ministerial mien. I'm afraid I cannot agree with either of those assessments of the man. As still fresh in my mind is the reprehensible and absolutely unPrime Ministerial way he acted in concert with Godwin Grech, Steve Lewis from Ltd. News, and Eric Abetz in the Senate Estimates hearings, to grubbily pull down that very same man you praise so fulsomely today, Kevin Rudd. It is for exactly that reason that I can never, no matter what his intellect and oratorical skills signify about the man, ever forget what other personal qualities he possesses which will forever in my mind disqualify him from consideration for the highest political office in the land. We deserve a leader with more integrity than that I'm afraid. Kevin Rudd has it in spades. Malcolm Turnbull would be lucky to know the meaning of the word. Therefore I am unable to contemplate any sort of political alliance between the two men. They are like chalk and cheese.

sawdustmick

27/06/2010Ad Astra and BB and fellow bloggers, My sincere apologies for using the “F” word to all who post on this blog. I sometimes get wound up with my efforts to express my views by sometimes using forceful and inappropriate language. I can assure you that I will not use this kind of language in the future.

sawdustmick

27/06/2010I know that most of us feel that Rudd was given the rough end of the pineapple, and he was. However, there is not much we can do about this situation now, the deed has been done. Some and possible many of you may at this time feel that you need to punish Labor by some means and that is fair enough. However, if you intend to vote with Abbott then I believe that all of you should do some serious analysis just what that would mean for the future of this country. You have all had a chance to see the talent,(for want of better word)on the front bench of the Coalition. I challenge any fair minded person to assert that anyone on Abbott’s front bench could hold a candle to Labor’s front bench. Now I know that I am bias and I say to those who would disagree with my bias please give us a name any name.

HS

27/06/2010Why use THAT 'F' word when there are so many others you can use instead. :) ferguggle, freakin', flippin'...

NormanK

27/06/2010HS Ferguggle? Immediately inserted into my dictionary. Provenance?

HS

27/06/2010NormanK, 'Ferguggle' is all my own work. But it fits in quite nicely when another 'F' word is used by others at times of instant pain. 'Far out!!!!!' is also useful in such circumstances :)

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010HS I understand your feelings about Malcolm Turnbull and your disgust at his behaviour over the Grech affair. Your views are shared by many, and will stand to his eternal discredit. The Opposition has to have a leader. I’m sure most who visit here would feel as apprehensive as we do about Tony Abbott as leader, so to whom should the Opposition turn? If Turnbull has so soiled his copybook that he is permanently verboten, who do you suggest might be a suitable leader? The front bench looks destitute of talent, and the backbench is burdened with such a collection of old Howard warriors that there are no prospects there. Some have said that a suitable leader of the Opposition may not yet be in parliament.

Macca

27/06/2010HS, I take your point about Turnbull and utegate. In fact Rudds defeat of Turnbull, Abetz and News Ltd in this sorry saga started, IMO, the News Ltd campaign to villify him in such an unrelenting and viscious manner. In fact I could probably add a few Turnbull brickbats myself......Goldman Sachs?..surely one of the viliest commercial entities on the face of the planet. The raping of the Solomon Islands, the list could go on and on. However, being, for the most part, a half glass full person, I see this as an opportunity for two men of enormous intellect and vision to team up and definitively change the poltical system of this country and we sorely need it. Interestingly, you state that both men have had their reputations trashed by the media. I can only see that as a positive. They both treated the Canberra press gallery with the contempt it deserves. If this week showed the Australian people anything, it showed what a bucket of unrepresentative swill the press gallery are. A lesson I feel the average voter will heed. There is a vacuum in our political system that needs to be filled. Not by the Greens, they proved their fecklessness during the ETS debate and shouldn't be taken seriously by anyone at anytime. So Hillbilly, my contention is that both Rudd and Turnbull, by the very virtue that both have been accused of not being able to play politics, by conventional standards are superbly equipped to ensure a third party would be possible. And they both have a lot of support on both sides of the divide. BTW, I still go into slow burn mode when I think upon utegate. But, again half glass full, I reluctantly...charitably? put it down to :...the pack was running, the blood was up and decency and wisdom were left behind in the compound. But, apart from everything, imagine this. Two discarded leaders from the respective political parties have joined forces and have won enough seats in their new party to ensure that they have the balance of power in the House of Representatives in the Australian parliament. The irony would be so delicious that I would forgo the pleasure of looking at the faces of Shanahan, Ackerman , Bolt etc........No, I probably wouldn't. Kind regards Macca

HS

27/06/2010Ad Astra, I see the rational point you are trying to make, however, I feel confident that, there may well be 1 or 2 MPs on the Liberal side of politics who have the integrity and smarts to one day lead the Liberals to an honest victory. One of those with potential, as I see it, would have to come down from the Senate to eventually take over the leadership. That person is Simon Birmingham. I just get the feeling that he is a moderate like Turnbull but with more principles. Another, who is already in the House of Reps, that I have been impressed by, is Alex Hawke. Initially, I was more than sceptical about this highly religious young MP, as he had been an understudy to the consigliore of the Christian Right in the Liberal Party of NSW, David Clarke. However, Alex Hawke took a principled stand against that pervasive influence in the NSW Liberal Party, of which Tony Abbott is it's 'Golden Child', and tried recently to prevent that faction of the Liberal Party exerting its influence unduly when it came to recent pre-selections. It was a fight he took on, against his own, for a noble cause. I admired that. That's leadership material in my book. Finally, my opinion about Turnbull was coincidentally reinforced today when I read the following blog by Dragonista: http://drag0nista.wordpress.com/ (The part about Godwin Grech)

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010HS Thank you for your response. I’m not familiar with the careers of Simon Birmingham or Alex Hawke – but on your advice, I shall look for them from now on. I note you haven’t nominated any others among the motley crew on the opposition benches as suitable for leadership – I know why. The Dragonista piece was well written. The writer is right – despite his complicity, Grech was treated like a piece of rubbish, to be disposed of shamelessly when of no further value and demonized in the process.

nasking

27/06/2010My new post: [quote]Qlders Stormed The Beaches: Proud Of Kev[/quote] http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/qlders-stormed-the-beaches-proud-of-kev/ N'

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Nasking Welcome home did you have a nice break. I will visit Cafe Whispers shortly, thankyou for telling us. I have had friends here from Sydney this week, made me busy and behind with my friends comments coming in. Will you tell Miglo, when you see him, I will answer his comment in a little while. cheers Lyn

HS

27/06/2010Ad Astra, If you ask me if I can come up with someone more senior in the Liberal Party that I think could step up in place of Tony Abbott or Malcolm Turnbull, that may, I suppose have to be, on the Opposition Front Bench now, then I'm afraid I draw a bit of a blank, so tainted have they become in my yes with the Abott brush. I don't think there is one of them who refused his poison when he offered it to them to drink. No one who took the principled path of a Petro Georgiou and went to the backbench to wait out Abbott, confident that his brand of politics would ultimately fail with the electorate. The has-beens that he brought back, plus the Wanna Bes at any cost, like Greg Hunt, are beyond consideration. Not to mention Scott Morrison, who has severely disappointed me, representing as he does the same seat which Bruce Baird, another highly principled Liberal, held.

HS

27/06/2010Sorry, that should read...'tainted in my eyes'...

Kersebleptes

27/06/2010Lyn, Oh yes, that one's even better! As for the opulently begemmed award- oooh! I didn't know I was talking to the aristocracy. Very nice indeed, but you do put in the hard yards here- so well-deserved!

HS

27/06/2010Macca, The only problem with your new party would be that no one else would be able to fit into the Party Room once those two and their egos had walked in. :)

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi SawdustMick [quote][i]My sincere apologies for using the “F” word to all who post on this blog[/i][/quote] Sawdustmick, thankyou a lot, your apology is accepted and much appreciated. You post interesting comments, without the other word, and I am always interested in what you have to say, your opinion is very important on "The Political Sword. The Liberals front bench is "up the creek without a paddle" thinking about it well, so is the back bench. Cheers

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Kersebleptes You're a Sweetie, WoW! thanks for the title aristocracy. By the way I love your Gravatar, nice bright colour, so I won't miss your welcome comments.

john

27/06/2010@HS I'm pretty sure the whole 'Kevin Rudd has a big ego' meme was proved wrong by his incredible show of humility in resigning to save the party, staying to contest the election to show that there is unity in the party, and then even fronting up to Question time the day he was deposed to listen to the gloating speeches of his neo-con replacement, and the marginally worse Liberal leader. And the third party you describe Macca is what the Labor party should be, and what it hasn't been since Gough. Bushfire Bill, it's about time someone set this right. Kevin Rudd was a very sucessful COS under Goss, and managed to get rid of all the National Party plants in the public service. For 20 years, there as a box on the form for promotion in the Qld public service that wasn't labeled; it was for your National Party membership number. The only people to speak against him about that would be Nationals.

Acerbic Conehead

27/06/2010BB, I’m sure you noticed John Howard giving Tony ‘Javert’ Abbott a bell the other day to congratulate him on re-capturing that recidivist air-hostess abuser and toxic sauce-bottle shaker, Kevin ‘Valjean’ Rudd. Tones is pumped, and ready to give Julia a taste of the same medicine. So sing along with the self-righteous Javert as he croons a version of “Stars” from Les Miserables. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROr4vdRZxpU :- ) There, out in the darkness A fugitive running Fallen from grace Fallen from grace God be my witness I never shall yield Till his name is laid to waste Till his name is laid to waste :- ) He tried to ambush our Clive Sayin’, “tis time you went on a diet” But those miners who follow the path of the righteous No way were they gonna buy it But if they fall As Lucifer fell The slug! The tax! :- ) Battlers In your multitudes Scarce to be counted Filling the darkness Supporting me in deft You are the sentinels Silent and sure Keeping watch on the left Keeping watch on the left :- ) Julia knows for her own good As she holds her course and her aim It’d better be the same as mine, Howesy’s and Shanners’ Otherwise she’s only got herself to blame And if she falls as Lucifer fell She’ll fall in flames! :- ) And so it has been and so it is written On my pirouetting weather-vane That those who falter and those who fall Have bugger-all to gain! :- ) Lord tis true, they say My word cannot be trusted As an inveterate porky pie-er I will never rest Till when This I swear I’m worse than Johnny Howard! [en-core and non-core applause...]

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Macca Like Sandy, your well thought out, enjoyable, lovely comment, brought tears to my eyes too. The whole turn out of events is very sad. I am having trouble with the media fake praise though, and I get angry with media criticism of Kevin Rudd, did you hear Alexander Downer's comments, extremely nasty. [b]Rudd unfit for foreign minister: Downer June 26, 2010 - 6:25PM Sydney Morning Herald[/b] http://www.smh.com.au/national/rudd-unfit-for-foreign-minister-downer-20100626-zapq.html

Bushfire Bill

27/06/2010[i]My sincere apologies for using the “F” word to all who post on this blog [/i] No worries Sawdust. It's 100% OK. Come again, regularly.

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Miglo [quote]Don't underestimate the power of the blog.[/quote] The Blogs are a powerful source of information, the best part is the honesty, and facts. You guys, Miglo, Nasking, Ad Astra, Bushfire Bill, Hillbilly, Grog, JJ Fiasson, Jeremy Sear, and others are lumps of gold, thankyou so very much.

Miglo

27/06/2010Hi Nasking, Another good piece from you over at the Cafe. Lyn, your coffee is being poured.

Miglo

27/06/2010LOL Lyn, I've been called lumps of many things, but never gold.

Acerbic Conehead

27/06/2010If the 'f' word is out, does that mean I can't call him Foney Toney anymore?

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Acerbic Conehead Yeh! Acerbic, spell it Phoney. Thankyou for, your once again delightful piece of art.

Lyn

27/06/2010Hi Bushfire Bill I[b] thought you may like to know, you have been featured on Global Voices:[/b] [b]Global Voices is a community of more than 300 bloggers [/b] [i]Australia : Dramatic Fall of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, GLOBAL VOICES[/i] [b]Bushfire Bill at the Political Sword [/b]seemed torn between support for Gillard and admiration for Rudd’s contribution:, http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/06/27/australia-dramatic-fall-of-prime-minister-kevin-rudd/

Acerbic Conehead

27/06/2010Whew, Lyn! That's a relief. I thought for a moment I would have to start writing sensible stuff.

Ad astra reply

27/06/2010AC Thanks again for being [i]TPS's[/i] resident satirist and lyricist.

HS

27/06/2010Soccer! Soccer! Soccer! Soccer! (Sorry, it gets me going as much as politics) :) Now, I know it probably won't be appreciated by some, but I actually found Peter Van Onselen's piece in the Weekend Australian to be perceptive and rational. So I have provided the link: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/little-solace-for-flawed-rudd/story-e6frg6zo-1225884462622

Macca

27/06/2010HS, I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree. The point of my comment was threefold; !/ Initially to assuage my guilt over not having done enough to support Mr. Rudd. I should/ could have sent him an email 6/8 weeks ago informing him of my support. I could/should have sent an email to my local member stating my support for the Prime Minister and letting him draw his own conclusions. 2/ To genuinely thank Mr Rudd for putting the welfare, safety and general wellbeing of the Australian people before all else. That this has proved to be his downfall is beyond tragic. 3/ I firmly believe that this country needs a third political party. As John has said the labor party should be that party and hasn't been since Gough. This is the reality we find ourselves in. Given that the MSM can start memes, why can't the blogosphere? A third party alliance of Rudd and Turnbull is not beyond the realm of possibilty? Why not promote it? You mention ego's HS. Personally I believe that an ego is an inbuilt, genetic survival tool. In our quiet moments, those times when we are faced with ourselves and the intensely personal nature of our individual humanity we are seeking to understand our ego. It drives us to do great things, equally, it protects us from our worst deeds. It is the kernell which is essentially ourselves. From it we claim strength,peace, the understanding of knowledge. All of which are the basis of wisdom. An unfortunate paradox is that when the ego, or the understanding of it's function go awry, we end up with Tony Abbott. Thank you for the debate HS. I'm loving it. BTW, having been a follower of this blog for quite some time. My deep and heartfelt thanks go to Lyn. You're bloody awesome Tweety Bird.

Acerbic Conehead

27/06/2010No worries, AA. It's always my pleasure. BTW, I hope you aren't too busy and can relax for a while with some leisurely reading!

Ad astra reply

28/06/2010AC I am enjoying your book - humorous and full of history. Thank you.

Lyn

28/06/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Newspoll: 53 - 47 to Labor, William Bowe. The Poll Bludger[/i] julia Gillard leads as preferred prime minister 53 per cent to 29 per cent http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ [i]Qlders Stormed The Beaches: Proud Of Kev, Nasking, Cafe Whispers[/i] Kev sure did manage to get us a bloody good foothold on territory that we thought previously lost http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/qlders-stormed-the-beaches-proud-of-kev/ [i]"I got rid of Rudd" says Tony Abbott, Reb, Gutter Trash[/i] “We have defeated one Labor leader and we can defeat another Labor leader.” http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/i-got-rid-of-rudd-says-tony-abbot [i]What lies Ahead for the Gillard Government?, Alex Schlotzer, The Angle. Org.[/i] Labor Party was spooked by a few bad polls and [b]bile dredged up by the australian[/b]http://theangle.org/2010/06/27/what-lies-ahead-for-the-gillard-government/ [i]The Legacy of Rudd Labor, Tristan Ewins, Left Focus[/i] Opposition leader, Tony Abbott, who parroted the required line on a daily basis as part of some unholy and opportunistic alliance. http://leftfocus.blogspot.com/2010/06/legacy-rudd-labor-and-challenge.html [i]It's back to the future with Western Sydney, Peter Brent, Mumble[/i] the way Rudd won in ‘07 was to concentrate on that category of people called Australians. http://mumble.com.au/ [b]Global Voices is a community of more than 300 bloggers: [/b [i]Australia : Dramatic Fall of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, GLOBAL VOICES[/i] [b]Bushfire Bill at the Political Sword seemed torn between support for Gillard and admiration for Rudd’s contribution:,[/b]http://globalvoicesonline.org/2010/06/27/australia-dramatic-fall-of-prime-minister-kevin-rudd [i]A bit stiff with the timing, Richard Farmer, Political Owl,[/i] Julia Gillard was the Saturday and Sunday politician of the moment not Tony Abbott. http://politicalowl.blogspot.com/2010/06/bit-stiff-with-timing.html

Ad astra reply

28/06/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

Ad astra reply

28/06/2010Folks I just posted my take on the recent events: [i]The Rudd phenomenon[/i]: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2010/06/28/The-Rudd-phenomenon.aspx

Normal

28/06/2010BB, I have read your commentaries before, but this is my first response. I think that this is the best commentary I have read on the events of the past week. With warmth, Normal

Lyn

28/06/2010Hi Normal A very big welcome to you, thankyou for your comment, please keep on commenting on "The Political Sword", Ad Astra will be pleased. Also thankyou, for your lovely compliment on Bushfire Bill's piece, we are very proud of Bushfire Bill.

Ad astra reply

28/06/2010Normal Welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Please come again. Bushfire Bill is a very popular writer for [i]TPS[/i]. His contributions are valued by us all.

Lyn

28/06/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS PART 2[/b] [i]Gillard’s first weekend on the job,Media Wrap,Crikey.[/i] There was speculation about Labor’s impending cabinet reshuffle, with talk of Simon Crean or Stephen Smith stepping into Gillard’s old portfolio http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/06/28/gillards-first-weekend-on-the-job/#Scene_1 [i]Newspoll says 53 - 47, Peter Brent, Mumble[/i] Dennis Shanahan puts the argument, as Peter van Onselen and others also have, that primary vote and preferred PM are the only things that wot matter http://mumble.com.au/ [i]Greens voters going to ALP, Um Why? Jeremy Sear, Anymous Lefty[/i] Well, that’ll make the ALP Right factional bosses happy. In the first Newspoll since they rolled Kevin http://anonymouslefty.wordpress.com/ [i]What to do with Kevin?, Reb, Gutter Trash[/i] I expect we’ll see something akin to the “Amanda Vandstone Solution;” a cushy overseas diplomatic position – perhaps in Beijing http://guttertrash.wordpress.com:80/2010/06/28/what-to-do-with-kevin/ Work Week Fiesta, Miglo, Cafe Whispers I’ve often claimed that bloggers needn’t ever think that their comments go unnoticed in the world. Proof of this is at the Slashing Tongue blog site – http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/work-week-fiesta-4/

Reluctant Labour Girl.

28/06/2010Bill, it was a great write up and I agree on so many levels, but are we Australian's missing the point here? I mean how long has it really been since the 'coup'? As history shows, the truth comes out when it is no longer significant anymore and in retrospect we'll be better judges. I'm sure it is true for this incident as well, which is infact why I am reluctant to support Labour this time around even if Kev wills us to. Most policies, for better or for worse aren't really felt until much later 'til when perhaps the policy drivers then, may not be the ones in power to reap the sweet rewards of their predecessors. I believe Kevin idealy had an excellent vision for the future. He was unfortunately crowned into an increasingly unstable global economic environment in which he managed extremely well with the aid of prominent and professional advisors. However, there is no denying that although he saved us from a possible recession, the global economy and by extension the Australian economy has slowed down. No matter what his policies are, Kev is bound to lose some supporters simply because 'life in general is harder'. And voters are more keen on immediate and visibly rewarding or supportive policies than ones that seem vague or too much of a long term project to satisfy them. The sad thing of course is that, without some of the foresight and long term campaigns that Rudd is a signature fan of, the future of Australia is questionable. The present Australia reminds me of pre-world war America. An isolationist country in the heat of global affairs, keen on developing a solid and 'proud' nation that is not tainted by international political burdens. The truth of course, as we know now, is that the US really began their historical ascent to superpower after WWII in which the nation saw its boost in prosperity, international reputation, political power, and its economical and technological engine. So what of Australia? No one is suggesting we become a superpower or any kind of power that is contestable to the current changing world order. However, I and I'm sure this is of Rudd's view; can not stress how an amazing opportunity has presented itself to Australia in the current global architecture. We Australian's tend not to think of politics outside our borders, and therefore geopolitics and socio-international-politics is not going to be an enticing policy winner. But I hope Australian's really start to open up towards foreign policy, and realise that we're geopolitically and historically positioned in a moment of great change with the adminstration of an Asian accomodation as Asia deepens its global influence. Wake up Australia. We're at a new turning page of international politics.. and we'd do better taking notice before we miss out on our potentional to play an influential role.

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28/06/2010Reluctant Labor Girl Welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Do come again. Self-interest seems to be the most compelling force in Australian politics today. Which is not to deny the many good folk with an international humanitarian perspective. But political rhetoric, slogans and advertising focus on 'what's in it for me' or how this measure will be bad for you - it will lose your job or income or prospects. So self-centeredness prevails. The RSPT is a classic example of how scare tactics are applied to make the whole nation apprehensive. With all that bombarding the populace how can they focus on the wider scene, on the needs of others, other nations? Kevin Rudd tried to focus on broader issues at home and abroad, to look to the future, sometimes the distant future, but the here and now overwhelmed all that vision. At present Labor has the vision, the Coalition is looking backwards seeking the 'good old days'. That's why Labor is so much better a prospect.

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