Why I admire Prime Minister Gillard

Those of you who have no time for our Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, had better read this. You might get an inkling of why some of us believe she is doing a sterling job of running this country. In the mainstream media, you are fed a continual diet of bad news, bad commentary, and bad opinion about our first female PM, and some of you may have seen or heard some of the vile material that circulates in the malignant blogosphere that is inhabited by the spiteful and the malevolent. In contrast, this piece paints a warm picture of an outstanding leader.

I admire Julia Gillard for six attributes she exhibits every day. Three are outlined here; another three will be covered in the next piece.

Courage
Even those of you who would disparage her would have to grant that she has unbounded courage. Even the Leader of the Opposition conceded to his Party Room that: “She won’t lie down and die – where there’s life there’s fight”, concluding: "Our job won't be over until the next election is won."

Courage is not just pressing on in the face of the most vitriolic opposition in recent history, in the face of the most venomous mainstream media assault in years, but also in the face of the most vile insults, accusations and innuendo that circulate endlessly in subterranean blogs, too often echoed in other parts of the media, as was recently the case in the Slater & Gordon matter.

Can any of you imagine how much guts it must take to get up every morning in the wake of blistering headlines in the tabloids and the broadsheets, ugly cartoons, demeaning comments about body shape, the misogyny, the photos of angry people waving ‘Ditch the Witch’ and ‘Bob Brown’s Bitch’ placards, the oft-repeated words of shock jocks about ‘dumping her in a hessian bag at sea’, calling her a liar and tagging her ‘Ju-liar’, and a commentator calling for her to be ‘kicked to death’?

Can you imagine how you could continue working at your job when journalist after journalist berates you, asserts that you can’t possibly win the next election, that you will take your party to a devastating electoral wipe out; when week after week columnists speculate about how many more weeks you can last as leader, about when the inevitable challenge from Kevin Rudd will come, about when you will be tapped on the shoulder if your poll figures don’t improve by this date or that? Can you really imagine that? How many people in this country could cope with that? How many?

So whatever you think about PM Gillard, whatever you feel about Julia Gillard the person, at least give her full marks for courage, for nerve, for guts, for resilience. Few politicians, indeed few people, have these attributes. Frankly, I want the leader of our nation to have them all in spades. Name any other leader that can match her.

And now in the face of her father’s unexpected death while she was attending the APEC meeting in Vladivostok, we see her courage once more. Alcyone wrote in a comment on The Political Sword: “…scrolling through the annals of history...you find a distinct correlation between indefatigable, inspiring, exemplary, fairness-loving, eloquent altruists and people of Welsh descent. What you love most in a dear parent you weave into your own way of being - they live on with you and are present in everything you do.” Those attributes personify our PM.

I admire PM Gillard’s enormous courage, resilience and determination – courage in the face of adversity and opposition not just from her political opponents, but also from a largely hostile mainstream media. Do you?

Vision
I can hear the Gillard-knockers laughing in derision. They do not want to acknowledge the comprehensive vision Julia Gillard has mapped out for this nation. If they can’t see it, they haven’t been watching.

Her vision is grounded in the long established Labor tenet of a fair go for everyone, opportunity for all of us to be the best that we can be.

How many times have you heard her talk of a ‘great education’ as the foundation of success in life? How many times have you heard her recount her own educational experience? How many times have you heard her attribute her success and her present position to that great education, beginning at Unley High, and fostered by her father? How many times have you heard her insist that education and skills training must be the foundation upon which our commerce, our industry and our productivity must be built? That’s vision.

You will remember her repeating over and again that no one should be left behind, that socio-economic disadvantage should not be a barrier, that disability should not hold anyone back from being the best they can be, and that we should lift up those who need a hand.

You have heard her say that there must be a social security net to catch the disadvantaged, to support the poor, to elevate the indigent, to give everyone the chance they deserve. That’s equity, that’s vision.

How often has she stressed that a strong, vibrant, productive and growing economy is essential if all of us are to prosper?

How many times does she have to say that she wants to spread the benefit of the mining boom, to even out the patchwork economy?

Do you remember her pointing out that our economic future lies in our region as we move into the Asian Century, and that the growing middle class in Asia offers countless opportunity for trade and selling our manufactured goods and services?

Have you heard her talk about the need to stem carbon pollution, reduce emissions, and contribute to the global effort to combat global warming that threatens life on our planet for future generations?

Have you heard her talk of the need to achieve consensus about the need to combat climate change? You will have heard her critics mocking her for some of her ideas to achieve this, yet we know that realizing this consensus remains a vital objective. Indeed it is lack of a consensus occasioned by the efforts of sceptics and deniers that remains a problem in this country that scarcely exists elsewhere.

Have you heard her talk of how essential it is to move our economy to a low carbon, clean energy one, built on renewable energy, to take advantage of a growing renewables industry?

If you haven’t heard these things, you haven’t been listening.

Have you heard PM Gillard stress the importance of a comprehensive, integrated health care system that provides timely and equitable access to wide-ranging health and dental and mental and aged care, and disability insurance? That’s vision.

Have you heard our PM speak of the need for infrastructure development such as the NBN, the largest infrastructure project since the Snowy Mountains Scheme, and better ports, roads and rail. If you haven’t, you’ve been asleep.

Have you heard her say that we need a regional solution to the problem of accommodating those seeking asylum? No doubt some of you have mocked her foray into an East Timor solution, the lack of success of her Malaysia arrangement after it was rejected by the High Court, and will laugh at her capitulation in accepting processing on Nauru and Manus Island, but you have to give her credit for persisting in her efforts to achieve a regional solution, one that is still extant and looks like the long term answer to this vexed problem. Regional neighbours think so, as does the UNHCR.

Have you heard her talk of the importance of regional security, the need for a strong defence capability to ensure border protection, and the need to continue in Afghanistan until the transition to the Afghan National Army is complete? Do you remember her stressing the importance of the US alliance and the value of having US forces training in our North? Do you recall the White Paper on Defence that outlines the changes that are taking place in geopolitics, the rise of China and India and the development of our northern neighbours, and our strategic response to those changes?

If that is not vision, tell me what it is.

I admire her vision, vision that she has been spelling out now for the two years she has been PM, and even before.

Don’t come back here and tell us that Julia Gillard lacks vision, or to use a favourite media word, that she has not made clear her ‘narrative’, or that we don’t know ‘what she stands for’! That’s bunkum. Leave that to the likes of Paul Kelly, Peter van Onselen and their News Limited colleagues who love the word, who use the phrase. If you believe that, re-read the paragraphs above.

PM Gillard has vision for this nation in spades, and tells us what it is almost every day. Listen.

A focus on getting things done
Amid all the tumult of managing a minority government, the parliament has passed a record number of bills – at last count over 330.

These have included major reforms such as a price on carbon leading to an emissions trading scheme, a MRRT that taxes minerals super profits and redistributes the revenue to enable major tax reforms, changes to superannuation, company tax reform, and small business capital write-offs.

There has been legislation to enable paid parental leave, reforms to health care, dental care, disability insurance and plain packaging of cigarettes.

Thousands of computers have been placed in schools, the highly successful BER gave 6,500 schools new amenities; the National School curriculum, NAPLAN and the MySchool website all combine to give better oversight of the education system, and the Gonski recommendations are now being processed to lift school performance up another notch to achieve ranking in the top five counties. Skills training in TAFE and schools has received a boost, contributing as it does to the productivity needed to make our country competitive.

The much-maligned Home Insulation Program still managed to insulate a million ceilings, with the attendant savings in energy and costs to householders. The efforts to stem the tide of boat arrivals and avoid the drownings too often associated with them, have not met with the success they deserved, but the effort put into this vexed issue has been enormous. While great effort has been made to curb problem gambling, success has been elusive. A trial may point to the best way forward. Necessary changes to the live cattle export industry have been difficult, but are now in place.

There are many other legislative moves that have been made, some mundane, but many of great importance. Those listed though give a vivid picture of the level of endeavour that has been put into creating a better future for as all. What’s more, virtually every move has been made in the face of trenchant opposition – from the Coalition, sometimes from the Greens, from business lobbies opposed to an ETS, from the minerals industry angry about the MMRT, from the pokies industry fighting pokie reform, from a host of rent-seekers, lobbyists, interest groups, all more concerned about their own interest than the national interest.

It is not as if passing over 300 pieces of legislation has been a cakewalk. It has been tough at every turn, resisted at every step, often opposed simply for the cussed sake of opposing. Yet Julia Gillard and her ministers and caucus have pressed on, fighting tooth and nail for what they considered to be in the best interests of our nation.

Her father taught her that to achieve you must work hard, and work hard she does.

PM Gillard has a focus on getting things done. How many times have you heard her say: ‘Let’s get this done’? And she does get it done, even when the resistance is strongest. She simply won’t lie down and die! I admire her for that attitude, one that all determined and successful people have.

I give her full marks for courage, vision, and her focus on getting things done. I also her admire her competence, her personality and her integrity. These three attributes will be covered in the next piece: More reasons why I admire PM Gillard.

I believe we are most fortunate to have a leader of her calibre to guide our nation to what looks like a glowing and prosperous future.


What do you think?

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Current rating: 0.3 / 5 | Rated 17 times

KHTAGH

10/09/2012Brilliant Ad just brilliant.

jaycee

10/09/2012Well done on what HAS TO BE SAID. I remember a couple of years ago when it seemed the entire MSM. was coming down on her, and there were incessant calls for her to hand over the leadership back to Kevin Rudd....I used to post on The Drum then and I stated most assuredly that the men most vocal calling for her dumping completely under-estimated the courage inherent in women, who have to face derogative slurs almost on a daily basis, when they stand stoicly and solidly for a cause they believe in. Prime Minister Gillard, while surely sensitive to the abuse, has that womanly strength of purpose that has risen again and again in the face of adversity in the history of this nation. Women are the foundation strength of ANY community. They heve never and will never be totally oppressed that they will not rise with new vigour. They will not lay down and die....Thank Christ!

uriah

10/09/2012I totally agree PM Gillard is an inspirational person and deserves the support of all decent fair minded Australians her courage patience and determination in the line of fire is beyond anything I have ever witnessed in politics since I first voted in 1974. Thank you for making a stand for decency respect dignity and integrity and especially for sticking up for the Australian people.

Ad astra

10/09/2012uriah Welcome to [i]The Political Sword[/i] family. Do come again. Thank you for your complimentary remarks. Like you, I am sick and tired of all the adverse comment about our PM we hear day after day from the Opposition, sometimes from the Greens and one independent, commentators and the media. It's time we spoke up for her and acknowledge her many sterling attributes.

Marilyn

10/09/2012There is no such thing as regional processing of asylum seekers and never will be for one simple reason, asylum seekers can only apply for asylum in the signatory country they get to. We are it in the region. and it takes zero courage to be a gutless, brutal coward towards the most abused and brutalised human beings on earth. How can you be so frigging blind? Fair go for everyone? Except aborigines who will be jailed for having a can of beer, the unemployed who can starve on a few dollars a day, not on the single parents punished for being single parents, not on asylum seekers or gays who want to marry. Plenty though for rich schools, private health care, private prison companies paid to jail innocent human beings. you seem to have this delusion about the law concerning asylum seekers don't you? It is sheer racism that thinks whitey has the right to trade and traffic in brown humans to win bogan votes. For the record you truly ignorant man we already assess every visa claim overseas except protection claims because the major criteria for protection is to be here. ""Under Section 36 of the Migration Act 1958, a criterion for a Protection visa is that the applicant for the visa is a non-citizen in Australia to whom the Minister is satisfied Australia has protection obligations under the Refugees Convention as amended by the Refugees Protocol. So you simple old fool we are punishing innocent people for obeying our own law. Fair dinkum, I don't know how this country came to be so dumb.

KHTAGH

10/09/2012Marylin what planet are you on?

Ad astra

10/09/2012HKTAGH Thank you for your kind remarks. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece. jaycee Thank you for your encouraging comment. You are right. The largely male commentariat has underestimated the talent and perseverance and courage of a strong woman like Julia Gillard.

nasking

10/09/2012 Top post Ad. Great to see a list of the positives...PM Gillard has been bloody gutsy under withering fire...and achieved heaps. She's the COMEBACK KID. N'

Ad astra

10/09/2012Folks Apropos the legislation that the Gillard Government has enacted, it is reassuring to read today’s [i]Essential Report[/i]: http://essentialvision.com.au/category/essentialreport Note the response to the question: Q. Thinking about the decisions the Labor Government has made over the last few years, do you think the following decisions were good or bad for Australia? I can't get the table to work, but the sequence of scores is: Total good Total bad Very good Good Neither good nor bad Bad Very bad Don’t know Expanding dental health services for people on low incomes 77% 5% 33% 44% 14% 2% 3% 5% Increasing the tax free threshold from $6,000 to $18,200 75% 4% 36% 39% 16% 3% 1% 5% Increasing the age pension 70% 11% 30% 40% 13% 7% 4% 6% Increasing superannuation from 9% to 12% 68% 9% 27% 41% 16% 6% 3% 6% Protecting large areas of Australia’s marine environment in a network of marine reserves 67% 8% 28% 39% 20% 5% 3% 7% Introducing the National Disability Insurance Scheme 58% 5% 21% 37% 23% 3% 2% 14% Implementing the recommendations of the Gonski report to increase education funding 54% 8% 20% 34% 25% 5% 3% 13% Stimulus spending to tackle the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) 54% 22% 22% 32% 18% 14% 8% 8% Spending on new school buildings during the GFC 53% 22% 15% 38% 18% 12% 10% 6% Paid parental leave 52% 20% 17% 35% 23% 12% 8% 5% Introducing a tax on large profits of mining companies 49% 25% 24% 25% 17% 13% 12% 8% Implementing the recommendations of the expert committee on asylum seekers including offshore processing 45% 15% 15% 30% 28% 8% 7% 12% Building the NBN (National Broadband Network) 43% 28% 17% 26% 22% 14% 14% 7% Abolished WorkChoices 42% 27% 23% 19% 19% 17% 10% 12% Introducing a carbon tax to tackle climate change 28% 51% 14% 14% 15% 16% 35% 7% Note that all ‘Total good’ scores are higher than ‘Total bad’, except for the last one, the carbon tax. While the latter is significant, the rest give the Gillard Government a pretty impressive score card.

2353

10/09/2012Well written AA. I think Gillard has had a more difficult PMship to date than most due to the way she became PM in the first place and the minority Government. I wonder how Howard or Keating would have managed the demands on ensuring their partners were onside prior to the introduction of every piece of legislation (as you correctly point out there have been in excess of 300 to date). Marilyn - Rome wasn't built in a day, neither should any government have to address all your particular concerns to the letter on day one of a new parliament to get some acknowledgement for a job well done in difficult circumstances. Calling anyone (especially the owner of the blog you are posting on) [quote]ignorant[/quote] and [quote]simple old fool[/quote] won't win you any friends, arguments or agreement. You might also find that the majority of Australians don't have the same urgency in regard to the issues you raise with boring regularity - and you are but one of something like 22 million. Your posts are repetitive, don't add to the conversation and are getting close to the "Scroll the Troll" standard.

nasking

10/09/2012 I've shared yer post on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/nick.king.1232760?ref=tn_tnmn N'

lawriejay

10/09/2012You treat complex issues simplistically, You treat complex solutions tritely, You appear to be crying out for recognition, You're abusive, insulting and obtuse. For that you have NO excuse. You could perhaps reflect on the Hebrew meaning of MARILYN - uncertain, maybe bitter??

Ad astra

10/09/2012Nasking Thank you for your complimentary remarks, and for posting the link to the piece on your Facebook. Yes, she is a gutsy lady. 2353 Thank you for your kind comment. You raise an interesting question – how would other prime ministers have coped with a minority parliament and having to cope with negotiating every piece of legislation?

42 long

10/09/2012She is good in her own right. Obviously has negotiating skills T,Abbott cant get close to. gets up infront of people and cops what comes because that is what is unfortunately required in todays world. When you compare her to the mob in the opposition is when the difference shows. Most of the labor mob are just that much nicer people. People who support Abbott are nastier too. There is something funny going on with all this. Jones, the shock jocks, liberal commentators Numerous MSM types. We can understand why THEY do it. Rupert wants them to because he wants entertainment monopoly. NBN doesn't fit with that.IT seems to be going OK, too, despite all the prophesies of doom. How long does that guy expect to live? Most filthy rich people become philanthropic as they age. ( Buy a position in the next life?) Sure must be possible God must be pretty gullible if he can't see through some of the tricks his adherents play at times. If some of these people have GOD and it makes them nicer people, what would they be like without him/ her /It? Cause they are not so nice even with him.

nasking

10/09/2012 Ad, yer quite welcome... imagine the day when in the voters' hand all green and gold with touch of red peeks out the hard edge of a pain reducing smile improving preventative health [b]Denticare card[/b] glowing warmly in a progressive age as the ALP overcome do the right thing and the people respond with the offer of three more years hallelujah! Abbott's gone Oneday. N'

Catching up

10/09/2012I believe the PM has shattered that political glass ceiling. The PM has broken through the habit of sacrificing good, I would say excellent women, when things are bad for Labor. Well At least I hope so. Yes the lady is not for turning, and guts she has in buckets full. Yes, she will be standing at the end of the day. The PM, no matter what happens, can be proud of what she has already achieved. History will write her up well.

Marilyn

10/09/2012Oh my god, the only solution to refugees is to wipe all humans off the face of the earth, we have had the convention and laws in place since 1954 and we still can't be bothered reading it or learning what it is. The nations we pretend will suddenly sign it and protect refugees are the countries creating the refugees,. Me simplistic, you are as stupid as Gillard is and this is why. 1. after years of demonising the Indonesian fishing crew as scum of the earth they will no longer be charged for so-called smuggling but the passengers with the right to seek asylum will be pushed off, traded away, punished and tortured for daring to uphold the law. 2. not one other country pushes refugees to prisons in other nations just to gain the ignorant racist bogan vote. 3. with 42 million displaced people in the world why do we spend $2 billion a year to jail and torment just 1 in every 11,000 while 9 million children a year starve to death? 4. with our aid to Afghans being $7 a year per person and over 30"% of the children starving to death while we watch and jail other Afghans what is the point of wasting money jailing the AFghans here when we could at least feed them over there? 5. If every country decided to colonise small bankrupt islands where there is maximum corruption what do you genuiuses think will happen to the victims of genocide because I can tell you what happened to the victims of genocide last time we refused them entry in 1938 - GAS CHAMBERS AND GENOCIDE. If one more stupid, scared little man tells me I am abusive and simplistic I will scream because I am right and you are dead, dead wrong and more and more refugees will have to come here because we are too braindead to simply allow them to get visas to fly. There are 8 million refugees in our region, I hope you dimwits like them all coming here because we are paying for it. Sheesh, I haven't seen the rest of the world whine so incessantly as this one. Don't you know yet that regional is code for ""don't come here". The irony you dimwits is that most asylum seekers fly here and most of them are frauds yet you pay for it happily while the ones who are genuine you want to wsste money on torturing. Perhaps you all live in la la land where the flower children sing and dance and clap their hands but I don't - refugees are human beings, it is not legal to trade them away. And for the record Ad, we have regional processing and always have, in fact we have it done in all of our overseas embassies but only if refugees already assessed by the UNHCR are recommended and then we only look at the cases who suit us the best and only if we are the country of last resort because there is no such legal thing in the world as refugee resettlement - it is purely a voluntary thing a few countries do because it is hideously expensive. how the hell we got to this derangement where people paying their own way are evil but people without the right to here who we pay for are good is beyond me but next time someone wants to tell me I am wrong can do some of their own research and work and tell me precisely how I can be wrong on laws written by Australia.

Ad astra

10/09/2012KHTAGH, lawriejay What a pity it is that Marilyn seems unable to run her arguments free of personal abuse directed towards those with whom she disagrees. The outcome is that what she writes is overlooked or discarded, no matter the merits of her case.

42 long

10/09/2012I just wrote a lengthy speil on the same theme and deleted it. Where does the hate come from? Surely if you believe something just make your case in a civil manner and let everyone else have the same right and we will all be a better society. It is called civilised.

Ad astra

10/09/201242 long I wonder whether the nastiness Julia Gillard evokes is on the one hand the result of her competence and her resilience, and on the other the sense of outrage Coalition supporters have at not winning what they felt was their entitlement in 2010 – government. Both leaders had the chance – Julia Gillard won and Tony Abbott lost – simple as that. The loss has stuck in the Coalition’s craw ever since and has resulted in the nastiest period in our political history. Nasking One day indeed!

Ad astra

10/09/2012Catching up I agree - the PM has shattered the political glass ceiling, and that angers those who believe woman are only for having babies and ironing shirts, and definitely should not be out ‘wrecking the joint’. 

 Yes, the lady is not for turning, and guts she has in buckets full.

bilko

10/09/2012AA Another fine piece, many a man would have ducked,run for cover or just surrender by now but not our PM. She makes wonder women look soft, an old movie title plus comment comes to mind "Retreat Hell" we are advancing in another direction, I say advancing to a cleaner healthier and better educated country. NO going back to the future for us.

jaycee

10/09/2012Marilyn...Have you written to the Taliban and to the Sri lankan govt' and to those states who torment their own citizens and CALMLY explained how stupid it is to do these things to their own citizens as it is illegal and they are all stupid, silly little men?.....Oh!..you HAVE?...I take it all back then! Because if you could convince those states to solve their refugee problem at that end, WE would not have our refugee problem at this end. Or is this whole sordid, sad business our fault only?

Michael

10/09/2012I admire Julia Gillard because she just won't lie down and die. And the first person who trumpeted that opinion would... if he wasn't still being wrapped in cotton wool by all those around him too gutless to do "vicious" like him, but more than ready to ride his coattails to power. Abbott must surely know that the baying hounds behind him howling at the Government in Parliament are the baying hounds behind him once he's delivered them the 'prize'? That Abbott PM will be an embarrassment quickly to be shelved? Or are they all so small that they'll muster behind him just to be in power, who cares at what cost? That one answers itself, really, doesn't it? "Roll call of dishonour... and disgust" Shadow Cabinet (with other hounds beyond) Leader of the Opposition - Tony Abbott Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shadow Minister for Trade - Julie Bishop Leader of the Nationals, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport - Warren Truss Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations - Eric Abetz Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for Arts - George Brandis Shadow Treasurer - Joe Hockey Manager of Opposition Business in the House, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training - Christopher Pyne Deputy Leader of the Nationals, Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs - Nigel Scullion Leader of the Nationals in the Senate, Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water - Barnaby Joyce Shadow Minister for Finance, Deregulation and Debt Reduction, Chairman, Coalition Policy Development Committee - Andrew Robb Shadow Minister for Energy and Resources - Ian Macfarlane Shadow Minister for Defence - David Johnston Shadow Minister for Communications and Broadband - Malcolm Turnbull Liberal Shadow Minister for Health and Ageing - Peter Dutton Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services - Kevin Andrews Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage - Greg Hunt Shadow Minister for Productivity and Population, Immigration and Citizenship - Scott Morrison Shadow Minister for Innovation, Industry and Science - Sophie Mirabella Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security - John Cobb Shadow Minister for Small Business, Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs - Bruce Billson

sue

10/09/2012Thank you for writing about our wonderful PM. I look forward to your next piece.

Truth Seeker

10/09/2012Ad, absolutely. Her tenacity and perseverance in the face of overwhelming opposition from most quarters is a remarkable testament to Julia and her father. That is why I named her "The marathon girl" in my poem The 2013 political olympics, posted 12.19pm today. And the rest of the teams.. contributed their bit To the medal count… all neck and neck Till the ALP captain.. stepped up to the start With the marathon.. the last box to check And the marathon girl said we’ll give it a whirl Lining up against.. the dastardly.. Abbott Who took off like a hare running here and running there Looking more like a maniacal rabbit Abbott looks like a sad little spoilt brat by comparison, and she WILL prevail. Cheers

TalkTurkey

10/09/2012Ad I'm reposting this bit of my last post on your last ththread because I want to rub it in! I said [i]Ad astra your legend grows on Twitter and everywhere, yours is the voice with the most gravitas of all on the political social media. Lyn is your perfect co-worker, and I have felt from the first, and now more than ever feel honoured to be a gnome on your site. And more than ever too I am certain that this site is making a difference, we are helping to grow confidence and resolve amongst the Government supporters, and that is a noble and strengthening thing. It makes me proud. [/i] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And I also said Abbortt remember The Ides of September Friday the 21st! On that day your phalangists Will become your own challengists And for you things will get worse and worse! Let's just see how accurate my Eye of Time really is. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I like these squiggly lines. :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ KHTAGH Grasshopper that is a funny story even to me. Just goes to show, Life can be humorous Even when you're tumourous* Humour is our Dog-given saving grace, the Right are so hateful because they don't have a funny circuit. * I'm not btw. My case was benign. Nearly good now. Fact: I reckon I could now fill a schooner-glass faster than Bob Hawke could empty one! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Patricia Bilby Day, I'd forgotten it this year as I forgot the Redhead Day in Holland on September the 2nd. No I don't know how to donate, I did myself donate a box of 500 Brucie Bilby books long ago though. There was something else you asked I think, can't remember, but I'll post this first so I make sure I don't lose it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ jaycee yes the Coonawarra was there all right but she's a PS Coonawarra not a MV. I'm told she is owned by the 7th Day Adventists and she don't take us unhumans as passengers it seems. She looks pretty good though. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ad astra this latest thread is lovely, what a relief and delight to consider our splendid leader instead of Their horrid one. What I find most amazing of all in all your writings is your ability to keep finding new subject lines which are yet all completely relevant to your original mission statement at the top of every TPS page. Your work is making a big difference. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thank you all. We give each other heart.

TalkTurkey

10/09/2012On Q&A wormtongue Tony Jones says [i]submit[/i] is Hebrew. Arsebigot Peter Jensen says, all very learned and smarmy and grave, "I'm sorry to tell you this Tony, it is [i]Greek[/i]." Shows the level of his erudition, it's [i]LATIN[/i], very basic too, [i]sub = under, mittere = to send[/i] How about an Arsebigot who don't even know that, and even miscorrects someone else!

TalkTurkey

10/09/2012Oh yes TS and others who suggested it, I think a Women in Labor calendar would be great, with a paragraph statement from each would be good. And the fellers in the Party would be a welcome touch too.

jaycee

10/09/2012TT..I remember it being THEN the MV. (as in motor vessel..I believe)Coonawarra as against the PS.(as in paddle steamer..I believe)Oscar. Perhaps they have converted it back to a steamer! When I was crewing on it , the captain was a Capt' White. I beleive he is long "gone".

Ad astra reply

10/09/2012Bilko, Michael, sue, Truth Seeker Thank you for your comments and kind remarks.. I think we all agree that we have a strong, resilient PM, and that it is high time we acknowledged her laudable attributes, her strength and particularly her courage. The MSM will never acknowledge her, so we must. TT Thank you for resposting your comment and for the compliments you extend. I'm sorry you had to abandon your river trip on Ruby. The regatta was spectacular and a glimpse into history. We saw it on TV, and unsuccessfuly looked out for you. Hope all is going well

Patriciawa

10/09/2012Great post, Ad Astra! Like Truth Seeker I'm going to respond with a few verses from an earlier pome. http://polliepomes.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/the-warrior-who-wont-lie-down-and-die/ about the quality which Michael stressed and which you so admire in our PM, her enormous courage. [i][b]“Gillard won’t lie down and die, and where there’s life, there’s fight.”[/b][/i] Tony Abbott who said those words, Is always looking for a fight. Now he’s at war with a woman He thinks has what is his by right. Hell bent on having that top job, He said, ‘cos she lives by a lie, He would win by hook or by crook, And she’d soon lie down and die. Whatever dirty tricks he’s tried On our PM, Julia Gillard, She has outwitted him, stood firm, As he attacks with no holds barred. It’s been no use, his verbal abuse, The insults and lie upon lie. She stays calm, makes jokes, and she smiles, Refusing to lie down and die. Public opinion’s changing now. There are reports that is because Folk see the life and fight in her And how she shares their love for Oz. Her war’s for them; his for himself. Good things she’s done he will decry, Not caring if that harms them too. “Thank God!” they’re saying, “She won’t lie down and die!”

jaycee

10/09/2012Can't believe that Jensen chap quoying a bloke named "Jesus" as if such a person existed! There is but one reference to a person of a similar name in the primary sources of Roman History and that is from Pliny the Younger in a letter to the emperor Trajan...concerning one ; "Kristos". and THAT is the only mention of anyone near the title of christian from the world of the most meticulous archivists in ALL history!

Erin

11/09/2012The lady and her team are blind ideologues leading us to blind destruction. The points noted above as "accomplishments" are - Firstly, promises for the distant future. As Katter would say, "all hat and no cattle". Secondly would end up sending us the way of Greece and Spain, where the overheads and bureaucracy of state have finally killed the golden geese. Thirdly, even if they were to happen and were affordable, would be so extravagantly and wastefully executed and mismanaged, that it will take generations to fix the damage. The sooner they go the sooner we can start repairing our country.

Lyn

11/09/2012TODAY’S LINKS Strange rituals and bad jokes, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless As a careerist, Sunderland probably thinks he's being clever by putting new technology to old uses. Hopefully between now and November he will throw out his plans (or they will be thrown out for him); and the ABC can lead the Australian media approach to covering the next election with a confidence Alan http://andrewelder.blogspot.com.au/ Truth Tally — What’s Wrong With Australian Political Debate, By Mike Seccombe, Alan Austin , The Global Mail Turnbull's September 5 George Winterton lecture at the University of Western Australia was, of course, how his words reflected the tension between the man the Liberal Party wants to lead it — Abbott — and the man most Australians want to lead it, Turnbull.And that was fair enough. As evidence of the degradation of political debate in this country, Turnbull cited several examples clearly implicating Abbott http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/truth-tally-whats-wrong-with-australian-political-debate/372/ The Australian’s Graham Lloyd pushes hard against the winds of change, Dave Clarke, Independent Australia GRAHAM LLOYD, the ‘environment editor’ for The Australian has got together with Hamish Cumming, an opponent of the proposed Mortlake Wind Farm, to write a creative and imaginative piece about wind power and carbon dioxide emissions http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/business/media-2/the-australians-graham-lloyd-pushes-hard-against-the-winds-of-change/ Nine things you didn’t know about Tony Abbott, Margot Saville, The Power Index “Marr sums up Tony the politician in a paragraph:An aggressive populist with a sharp tongue; a political animal with lots of charm; a born protege with ambitions to lead; a big brain but no intellectual; a bluff guy who proved a more than competent minister; a politician with little idea of what he might do if he ever got to the top; and a man profoundly wary of change. http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/follow-the-power/nine-things-you-didnt-know-about-tony-abbott Queensland budget the crucial test for Newman’s government , Clive Bean, The Conversation With the government’s first budget to be handed down tomorrow, there may be more negative reaction on the way from the public. It is expected that a fuller picture of the extent of the government’s belt-tightening will emerge.Cost-cutting is certainly what the LNP government appears to be doing, driven by revelations of massive state debt http://theconversation.edu.au/queensland-budget-the-crucial-test-for-newmans-government-9092 Court documents conflict with Liberal MP statement on company, Andrew Crook, Crikey Crikey first reported the gathering storm clouds surrounding Kelly in early March. In May, Kelly was named by Leader of the House Anthony Albanese in a tit-for-tat manoeuvre after the opposition referred Craig Thomson to the privileges committee over his explanation to parliament surrounding the Health Services Union scandal. http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/09/10/court-documents-conflict-with-liberal-mp-statement-on-company/ When Will The Government Do Something About ABC? Never, they don’t think ABC is biased, Turn Left 2013 As a frequent user of Twitter, I see a lot of tweets directed to Craig Emerson, (possibly the most prolific Federal Labor tweeeter) asking for all sorts of things. People think, if they tweet Emmo, he can solve all their problems. Unless he is your local member, there is very little he can do. http://turnleft2013.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/when-will-the-government-do-something-about-abc-never-they-dont-think-abc-is-biased/ A few good weeks and Gillard's fortunes rise, Mungo MacCallum, The Drum But far more important than eliminating the negatives, Gillard has started to accentuate the positives - to act like a Labor prime minister. The Disability Insurance Scheme was the foundation on which she has built the new Dental Scheme and the prospect of real progress on education reform following Gonski. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4252696.html John Howard Says Our Economy is “doing better than most.” AB Watson, Winds Light to Variant Should we be surprised by such interesting conflict of opinion being reported? Not at all because at long last elements of the Media are starting to do their job and question the validity of Abbott’s statements which, he’s told us, are only true if written down. A classic example of that was the recent #ABC730 Interview of Abbott by @LeighSales which has led to Abbott’s honesty in the Federal Parliament being questioned. http://abwatson.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/john-howard-says-our-economy-is-doing-better-than-most/ A focus on scandal, Upstart ‘Part of the reason the Craig Thomson scandal had a greater focus in the media is because we’ve got a situation with a minority government and that meant that if he was forced to resign or give up his seat, there would be a high chance that initially the government would fall as a result,’ he says. http://www.upstart.net.au/2012/09/10/a-focus-on-scandal/ Speech to Parliament: Marriage Amendment Bill , Malcolm Turnbull I will not be voting in favour of this bill. Were, however, a free vote to be permitted I would support legislation which recognised same-sex couples as being described as in a marriage. I want to explain to the House why I would do that and also suggest an alternative. http://www.malcolmturnbull.com.au/media/speeches/speech-to-parliament-marriage-amendment-bill-2012/ Emperors, David Horton, The Watermelon Blog These senior business journalists. These people who constantly, in AFR and Australian, scream hatred of Greens, Unions, Labor. Would, it seems, like to see all three groups banned, their members jailed. What the hell is this all about in what remains, on paper at least, a Democracy? http://davidhortonsblog.com/2012/09/10/emperors/ Counting the cost of the Coalition's hybrid NBN , Steve Jenkin, Technology Spectator But the best Turnbull can say about the price of the FttN is "we'll see". His only hope of selling the FttN to the value-for-money group is to have detailed costing, which means detailed deployment plans. But so far what we have is the vision of a hybrid-NBN of mainly FttN with HFC, wireless and some fibre. http://technologyspectator.com.au/counting-cost-coalitions-hybrid-nbn?utm_source=Technology+Spectator+List&utm_ Today’s Front Pages Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 11 September 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia

Ad astra

11/09/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Ad astra

11/09/2012 Patriciawa Thank you for your kind comment and your stirring pome. That is one of JG’s greatest attributes: “She won’t lie down and die’. Erin Welcome to [i]The Political Sword[/i] family. Do come again. Your assertions are not in accord with the facts. Take a look at the economic data and you will see how well our economy is prospering under the leadership of PM Gillard and her Government. We are the envy of the world. You ought not to be gloomy.

2353

11/09/2012Is there something Gravatar knows and we don't? It seems that trolls frequently get pink triangles. Great links Lyn. Budget day in Queensland as discussed in the link from [quote]The Conversation[/quote]and a lot of public servants are going to find out if they have a job anymore.

TalkTurkey

11/09/2012Erin Yeah you're welcome back, I won't ever have anything else to say to you after this because you have shown us you're a hater and bigot and mug who doesn't know when she's well off and you're nasty with it and I don't have anything more to say to you. So I'm happy for you to waste your time here, well you can do a circle jerk with Marilyn who is a hater too and a few others I won't bother with. We don't care. We're just on our way to winning again and then you can go and eat worms. Bye.

Truth Seeker

11/09/2012Erin, What TT said .....Bye.

Möbius Ecko

11/09/2012Erin I'm guessing you believe John Howard and believe in him. This is what he had to say less than a month ago. [quote]“When the Prime Minister and the Treasurer say that the Australian economy is doing better than most, they are right, I agree with them,” he said. “There is no doubt the Australian economy is doing better than most – our unemployment is remarkably low, our debt-to-GDP compares very favourably and on all the measurements, our inflation is low.”[/quote] Abbott was again bad mouthing the economy yesterday, saying how bad it is. Who is telling the truth?

calyptorhynchus

11/09/2012Yes, she is one conservative leader, leading a conservative party, I can respect.

TalkTurkey

11/09/2012[u]The Political Sword[/u] The Media in Australia - It's very very queer - At informing it's a failure It excels at fear and smear The bloody Murdoch meeja So often makes us rage The BS that they feedjya Even on Rinehart's [i]Age[/i] But don't you worry Swordsfolks, For Truth is our reward: With Lyn's Links and Ad's words, folks Twin edges to our Sword!

TalkTurkey

11/09/2012calyptorhynchus : "covered nose", yes? Taxonomic name for Black Cockies So with my Dog-given Sherlockian powers I deduce that you are an indigenous wheat farmer wearing sun-block or a nose shield! Elementary . . . Seriously what are you talking about at 8.57AM?

Michael

11/09/2012Dear oh dear, apparently the place of women is all Greek to Archbishop Jensen. One wonders how Mrs Jensen ever manages to exchange a lucid* word with him. Over her shoulder, perhaps? *Latin, Pete, in case you are wondering.

Ad astra

11/09/2012Möbius Ecko Welcome back. It seems that for those who wish to demean the Government, facts are irrelevant, even if uttered by someone as preeminent as their idol, John Howard. TT I see you are in good form with verse this morning. [i]Twin edges to our Sword![/i] indeed – I’m off now to study Lyn’s Links. Like you, I’m not sure what calyptorhynchus means. Perhaps he/she will come back to explain. sue Thank you for your email pointing out that the LOTO refused to pair with the absent PM, substituting Judi Moylan, who was intending to abstain on the asylum seeker legislation. It shows once more the nastiness of this man and his combative nature, as illustrated in David Marr’s [i]Quarterly Essay[/i].

Michael

11/09/2012More mealymouthed maundering from Malcolm (the Shifter) Lyn-linked to above. His 'perfect' and 'good' quote, trotted out so often he must have recently picked up dog-eared HSC study notes at a bus-stop outside Cranbrook up the road, fails to recognise that the 'good' is all too easily slimed-over by those proposing a 'perfect' mendaciously crafted on surface not substance. 'Good' is an ethical foundation. 'Perfect' a subjective fabrication. Turnbull just wants to stay onside with a Leader of the Opposition who is neither good, nor by any lights except those of the lickspittle wannabes rank behind him in Parliament, perfect. "rank behind him" is precisely what I meant.

Möbius Ecko

11/09/2012Anybody else see the snow job done on behalf of Joe Hockey in the AFR? Haven't got the link at the moment but linked it at Cafe Whispers. I've seen crap written in the conservative media to bolster conservative politicians in the past but this one is a doozy.

nasking

11/09/2012 I thought David Marr too easy on Abbott on Lateline…he’s written some excellent stuff providing interesting, revealing details about Abbott’s past…his bullyboy tactics…his Santamaria like fervour…his wrecking ball approach to organisations that don’t suit his needs…his problem with women who present hurdles for him or stand up to him…his quest to wipe out abortion (noble to want to protect all children but unrealistic considering the human interactive environment, history, womens’ rights, the inability of science to put creation and gestation outside the body and convince the populace to follow such)… this is an unpredictable raging bull who is not as self-disciplined as Marr would have us believe…as my post [b]Tony Abbott Stuffups: A Pattern of Behaviour[/b] and others on here, and across the blogosphere and MSM have demonstrated. Abbott has been treated with kid gloves due to his long-term relationship with the media industry, his powerful allies…and the bias in the media created during the Howard years. And the fact that ALP own goals gave him an opening. In any other true democracy Tony Abbott’s antics would’ve been scrutinised intensely…his stuffups and raging in parliament in all probability seeing him gone within a year…apart from say Italy (but what does that tell us? Berlusconi dominated the media…a weakened democracy). N’

nasking

11/09/2012 [quote]Secondly would end up sending us the way of Greece and Spain, where the overheads and bureaucracy of state have finally killed the golden geese. [/quote] Quite an ignorant comment...and a huge generalisation. Different systems...less co-payments, less effective tax regimes, Spain had an irresponsible housing boom in some areas...Greece had troublesome Olympics on top of investment bank related rorts and has far less mineral resources to trade... those states are in areas of limited energy sources and dealing with the complexities of an imperfect EU structure and the financial demands exacted upon them originating from such... we are thriving in a growth region with enormous potential and access to markets developing at extraordinary rates... the list goes on. Do yer research Erin. N'

Möbius Ecko

11/09/2012Also Nas Erin need to look at a little thing called Debt to GDP ratio, which is in fact a very big thing economically. It's little for Australia and massive for the countries she cites, and many others around the world as well. Australia has one of the lowest Debt to GDP ratios in the world. Very important.

TalkTurkey

11/09/2012Ad Ornithorhynchus does mean covered nose or covered beak It's Greek (in case the slimy Peter Jensen needs to know) and though I don't know much Greek (and that's an overstatement) I know the two parts from: Ornithorhynchus anatinus paradoxus (the Platypus) ornitho = bird, rhynchus = beak or nose (so named for obvious reasons) and eucalyptus eu = well, calyptus a cover, (named for the self-sacrificial caps which "cover well" the buds of eucalypts, and which fall off as the stamens and stigma begin to expand and emerge.) Elementary . . . which in my case is just as well.

nasking

11/09/2012 [quote]Also Nas Erin need to look at a little thing called Debt to GDP ratio, which is in fact a very big thing economically.[/quote] Indeed Mobius, indeed. N'

Ad astra

11/09/2012Hi Lyn I've now finished reading your interesting links. Thank you once again. They were all interesting; I found Andrew Elder's piece on the ABC disconcerting - it looks like it will give us more of the same in the next election. Mike Seccombe's piece was most informative. Julia Gillard's knockers should read it. TT We shall appoint you our language expert, as you clearly are, in contrast to Archbishop Jensen. I'll be out for a few hours now.

nasking

11/09/2012 As I've said in a stimulating conversation elsewhere: The goals related to protecting life that Abbott appears to feel deeply about will not be achieved by way of theology...tho evolved religion may assist in a message sell...rather it is the marrying of science and technology that will eventually ensure that the human race evolves beyond the need for women to carry a child...or fall pregnant. Women will evolve to a point, assisted by technology, wherein choice is about conceiving and growing a child outside of her body or not...and having complete control over her body by way of tech assisted defences. She may even decide to transform herself into a male or an androgynous character...or other... It may seem unappealing to some now...but expectations will change as science and tech progress alongside cultural shifts and both biological and ethical demands. And of course curiousity...and adaptation to climate, geography, space, lifestyle etc. plays a big role. In fact, it is possible we will move away from the requirement to exist in these fleshy vessels and become part of the datasphere. Perhaps we are already there. N'

LadyInRed

11/09/2012Ad astra That I admire the PM is something I never get sick or typing. She is one gutsy woman. She has made mistakes but she has never been allowed to grow into the job as far as the MSM is concerned. That she has managed to do it with such dignity under such ferocious attacks speaks volumes for her character. I truly believe that in general the western culture has a real problem combining women + vision together. Vision for many is a male domain, as is power. Sadly this is even more common amongst the female voters in this country. A message that we need to get out to the younger women not just here but everywhere is.... Women get things done yes... but we are so much more, we are capable of vision, we have strength and we do have what it takes.

Michael

11/09/2012The aforementioned Hockey "snow job", or Why Joe Hockey is so great... from the AFR written by one of his previous advisors, and, it appears from the text... groupies. Who ever knew Joe Hockey could inspire such undies-moistening adoration? Christopher Joye, writing in the AFR, September 11 2012, apparently five months and ten days late (save your fingers, that's April 1). "The man most likely to be Australia’s next treasurer, Joe Hockey, is also its most misunderstood politician. It’s widely accepted that Hockey is one of Parliament’s most effortless performers. He possesses a Clintonesque capacity to connect with the community. Ask any Liberal who they want with them in a campaign, and Hockey’s the first pick. Journalists who travel with him relay stories of being mobbed at gigs. Yet this laconic hulk of a man, who was fathered by a Palestinian orphan, is chronically underestimated by Australia’s elites. The lazy caricature confuses his physical and psychological traits. That Joe is soft and indolent. The problem with Hockey is that his humanity and authenticity are both an asset and a liability. In contrast to many peers, he struggles to subjugate his integrity to the political altar of opportunism. As one former adviser recalls, this gives the appearance of inconsistency. Penny Wong is a master at staying maniacally on-message irrespective of the content. But ask Hockey enough times what he thinks and he will relent. In November 2009, Nick Minchin and Tony Abbott privately offered Hockey the party leadership on the proviso he dropped his advocacy of an emissions trading scheme. Hockey said no. Some allege this betrayed weakness, that it raises questions as to whether Hockey has real mettle. In truth, Hockey chose the hard road. Easy street was taking the deal. He’d be leader today and probably our next prime minister. Instead, Hockey reached out to his constituency, in an infamous tweet, to ask whether he had failed them on climate change. Ethically, it was the correct choice. Hockey’s authenticity also burst through when he broke ranks with Scott Morrison over funeral arrangements for the 30 asylum seekers who perished in the Christmas Island tragedy. Morrison said the cost was unreasonable. Hockey said, as a compassionate migrant nation, Australians had an obligation to assist. I witnessed Hockey’s reflexive desire to do the right thing first-hand during the 2010 banking debate. The “top end of town” is a vital Liberal Party base not to be disenfranchised needlessly. Yet as Minister for Financial Services in the Howard government, Hockey had seared into him the risks of moral hazard by the 2001 collapse of HIH. At the remarkably young age of 32 he had been responsible for APRA, ASIC and the ACCC. The commercial lawyer in Hockey knew exactly what he was doing when he controversially threw down the gauntlet to policymakers about “too big to fail” banks. Crucially, he pushed this meme against the preferences of internal thought-leaders. Time has vindicated his views. One of Malcolm Turnbull’s enduring strengths is that people use him as a canvas on which to project aspirations. Turnbull is a kaleidoscope of vaulted visions for folks on the left- and right-hand sides of the political spectrum. In contrast, Hockey’s humanity tends to reflect back your vulnerabilities. He’s like an echo chamber: those who pass judgment often reveal more about themselves than their target. The physical taunts are another deception, and don’t do justice to his resilience. A slowing metabolism and brick-like build did not stop Hockey from traversing the Kokoda trail or climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. Few of similar size would have volunteered to do the same thing. To lift the lid on Hockey’s character, you need to study his heritage. Hockey’s history has been forged from two ores: adversity and a trader’s entrepreneurship. Hockey’s dad, Richard, was born a Catholic Palestinian in Bethlehem. Yet he never touched his own father’s flesh. There is but one grainy photo that remains of Joseph Hokeidunian. What we know is that he was an Armenian trader and landowner based in Syria. In 1914 the Catholic Church asked Joseph to spy on the Muslims in the Ottoman Empire. He moved to Jerusalem and took a job with the British government. In 1917 he helped oversee the reconstruction of Beersheba after it was taken from the Turks following the charge of the Australian Light Horse Brigade. Joseph left Jerusalem before his son was born, and Richard spent his first years in an orphanage. Like his father, Richard served the British in Palestine. Fudging his age, he enlisted in the army at 16, and was a warrant officer working in intelligence by 18. Richard came to Australia in 1948 seeking a better life. Early on he was a Labor Party foot-soldier. While John Winston Howard owes credit to a British war-time leader, Joseph Benedict Hockey can claim an Australian one. The wrinkle is that Ben Chifley came from the wrong side of politics. The credit crunch in 1974 brought Richard’s prosperous property business to its knees, and he blamed Gough Whitlam for the macro environment. A nine-year-old Joe swept the shopfront stairs while his (unlicensed) brothers drove customers to visit sites. Richard’s wife, Beverley, hailed from a family dominated by a very strong, single-parent matriarch. Joe’s great-grandmother was one of the largest landowners in North Sydney, and traded shares into her eighties. They were centre-right stalwarts. It was the hardships of the 1970s that united the Hockey household behind the Liberal Party. Young Joe intuited that politicians made decisions that could have real-world consequences. Fast forward to the present. I’m standing with Hockey outside his office. He’s engaged in a tricky policy debate with two other men. The issue is the merits of RBA currency intervention. One, Hockey’s chief of staff, is the former head of fixed-income at UBS, and highly regarded in the markets. The other, a senior economics adviser, was previously ANZ’s deputy chief economist. Both look older than Hockey, and carry the grey flecks and gravity-drawn faces of men who have grappled with crises. I find this striking because so many politicians recruit younger, inexperienced acolytes who rarely second-guess their masters. The impression becomes sharper as the discussion unfolds. The three converse as equals. There is no artifice or hierarchy. At various points, each adviser disagrees with his boss. Yet he doesn’t mind. This dialogue is a means to an end: Hockey has a trader’s focus on the truth. The most successful traders are imbued with deep humility because they cannot afford to be wrong for long. They are notoriously scornful of economists’ zealotry. Hockey has this DNA on both sides of his family. And in 1994 he married one of the finest bond traders in the country. Richard Hokeidunian came here with nothing. He’s bequeathed us a leader with considerable untapped talent." [Christopher Joye was a director of the Menzies Research Centre and has advised Liberal and Labor politicians, including Joe Hockey.] I kid you not, recaptcha was "chapter buttPart"

Wake Up

11/09/2012Erin, Big on rhetoric, small on facts.

nasking

11/09/2012 As for Q&A last nite: stifling the views of a female contributor attempting to explain her frustrations with misogynistic, homophobic, patriarchal religious expression and movements whilst sycophantically providing an opportunity for the Christian male elder to have the final say told me and my wife heaps about the underlying objectives and biases of Jones...and subsequently those who have selected him as a major spruiker and host of the public communication network. Sad. The infiltration of the ABC by Howard forces has led to the unfortunate promotion of progress hindering ideas and theories...there is debate...but I find too oft archaic and destructive religious, science sceptic based and industry views have been espoused repeatedly rather than challenging ideas and theories could lead to a far more sustainable and exciting and innovative future. N'

nasking

11/09/2012 From the Andrew Elder piece: [quote]When journalists start using that information to change the question they ask, or even remove "political" journalists and replace them with subject-matter experts, only then would it be the change Sunderland hints at but could never deliver. One of the reasons why the Coalition's ICT policy at that election failed was because tech journalists, not press gallery hacks, took it apart and showed the politicians weren't across their own policy. This wasn't just the sort of gotcha moment that Sunderland and other senior journalists have built their careers upon, it provided real and valuable information to voters about those who would govern them.[/quote] Thnx for the links Lyn. N'

nasking

11/09/2012 Table 1. Market Estimates of the Likelihood of Sovereign Defaults 2011 Q4 Highest Probability of Default 1. Greece 93.8 2. Portugal 60.8 3. Pakistan 50.9 4. Venezuela 49.4 5. Argentina 49.2 6. Ireland 46.4 7. Ukraine 45.5 8. Egypt 36.3 9. Hungary 35.3 10. Italy 34.9 Lowest Probability of Default 1. Norway 3.9 2. United States 4.3 3. Switzerland 5.9 4. Sweden 6.6 5. Finland 6.7 6. Australia 7.1 7. Hong Kong 7.7 8. New Zealand 8.2 9. UK 8.4 10. Germany 8.7 Source: Credit Market Analysis (CMA), “CMA Global Sovereign Debt Credit Risk Report,” Q4 2011, http://www.cmavision.com/images/uploads/docs/CMA_Global_Sovereign_Credit_Risk_Report_Q4_2011.pdf.

Gravel

11/09/2012Ad Astra You do know how to warm a person's heart. Thank you for this great piece. May I say no a truer word has been written. Michael Although I didn't read all that you posted, I couldn't help but contrast that article with Ad Astra's. One that is written from reality and the heart, the other......well your recapture captured it all.

Ad astra

11/09/2012LadyinRed When so many admire PM Gillard, why do so few journalist write this way? Even Mungo MacCallum, writing about the improvements in her fortunes, feels the need to add the usual caveats. In my view, most political journalists are scared stiff on being on the wrong side of predictions, the wrong side of history. They always want to be able to say: “I told you so”, or “I said it first”. They dare not risk giving Julia a leg up for fear of being mocked by their peers. Talk about peer pressure among teenagers; peer pressure among political journalists is as great, if not greater. Who among them want to be the odd man out? Who among them is not susceptible to groupthink? Yet I’ll lay short odds that if the tide did change suddenly against Tony Abbott and his Coalition, they would be out there outdoing each other to tell us about it, and predicting their downfall. So how can one believe much of what opinion they write and what predictions they make? You are right: vision + being female is a powerful combination. Why are males taking so long to understand this? I suspect it is denial at work. Michael Thank you for the background to Joe Hockey, courtesy of Christopher Joye’s puff piece. It makes informative reading, even if somewhat exaggerated. Narking That segment of Q&A exemplified how hard it, and how frustrating it must be, for women to have men understand their point of view. The arrogant, self-assured, alpha male must be anathema to them. I’m male but I can feel their annoyance and frustration. Your credit rating analysis is noteworthy. I hope those who keeping knocking our economy take note. Gravel Thank you for your kind comment. I’m so glad this piece was heart warming.

LadyInRed

11/09/2012Ad astra Thanks for your reply. All the data out there says we are doing well comparitively just imagine how far ahead of the game we could be if the nation got behind our first female PM rather than wanting to see her fail. I don't understand it? I think there is this underlying cultural, as you say group-think, that won't allow us to acknowledge a woman doing better than a man. I keep looking for reason's - maybe one day I might stumble on one, perhaps it is a conglomoration, I sense in your atricles a searching and a clarifying that I like. Perhaps its because she was not a clear winner, no big majority in 2010, and TAbbott tapping in to that with his lies about illigitimate and the MSM not calling him out on it. The Global Mail article in Lyn's link was compelling reading, I urge anyone who hasn't read it to give it a read. Let's keep doing what we do, keep trying to understand and helping seperate the chaff from the wheat.

Lyn

11/09/2012Hi Ad and Everybody I have to provide three in one today, Twitterverse, Twitterville and Twitterati. Sorry for the late post. The Doctor took up my time this morning, then lunch, then question time, then a visitor. Ad these cuts by the three State Premiers are making Abbott's corny Great Big Tax campaign look stupid Campbell Newman's budget has caused havoc. Bushfire Bill Posted Monday, September 10, 2012 at 2:08 pm On the other side, Abbott continues to tank. He’s got nowhere to go. He’s not incumbent in government, and he’s only going to unhinge more as time goes by and the journos get used to the idea of baiting him. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/09/10/essential-research-55-45-to-coalition-5/all-comments/#comment-1404082 Abbott campaign hits 'brick wall': Swan The latest Quarterly Essay reports that Mr Abbott in 1977 swung two punches at a wall near a female Sydney University student after she beat him for the student representative council presidency. Mr Abbott has rejected the claim but the student, now a social worker, says it is true and there were witnesses. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/abbott-campaign-hits-brick-wall-swan/story-e6freuz0-12264717739 Dump plans to cut school funding, Abbott tells NSW, Phillip Coorey The federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, has urged his NSW MPs to lobby members of the O'Farrell government to dump plans to cut tens of millions of dollars in funding from Catholic and independent schools http://m.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/dump-plans-to-cut-school-funding-abbott-tells-nsw-20120911-25pnk.html Condemnation by long memory tends to stretch matters, Gerard Henderson A reading of Marr's essay reveals that Ramjan's claim is based on her memory alone of an event that allegedly took place 35 years ago. There are no witnesses. And there is no contemporaneous record of the occasion - not even in the student press http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/politics/condemnation-by-long-memory-tends-to-stretch-matters-20120910-25oce.html#ixzz2680eGb1X Turnbull's plaintive cry not all that questionable, Judith Ireland http://www.canberratimes.com.au/opinion/politics/turnbulls-plaintive-cry-not-all-that-questionable-20120910-25orb.html Australian Politics‏ Tax, royalties rise to 'repair' Queensland: THE cost-cutting Queensland government will increase its royalty and... http://bit.ly/QGH0Pn Brisbane Times‏ We have a full list of the public sector redundancies announced today - scroll to the bottom of this story http://ow.ly/dCd2i #QLDbudget Greg Jericho‏ In NSW: 800 TAFE jobs will be cut with fees to rise 9.5 per cent.. So I guess the skills crisis is all sorted then... Kay Lam-MacLeod‏ THE LIST: Qld govt job cuts by portfolio http://bit.ly/S66XIm Shock royalty gouge on coal, Michael Pascoe Well isn’t this confusing: turns out the Queensland coalition government is a bigger threat to metallurgical coal mines than federal Labor. And that's not all: Campbell Newman has smacked the miners with $4 a tonne – and that extra couple of dollars will make some mines uneconomic and would have tipped the balance against some of the new projects. And will Campbell Newman’s first budget come back to bite him? Well, the mining industry’s big swing behind the federal coalition no longer applies at the state level http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/shock-royalty-gouge-on-coal-20120911-25px6.html#ixzz268aPp3ks fiz‏ NSW Teachers Federation responds to O'Farrell's $1.7billion cut to education announced today http://soundcloud.com/nswtf/maurie-mulheron-response-to Australian News‏ Mining royalties rise will kill Qld economy: Palmer: Mining magnate Clive Palmer says any incre... http://bit.ly/RAFLGT #ausnews #uavaus Brisbane Times‏ The text of Treasurer Tim Nicholls' budget speech can be found here http://ow.ly/dCfrn #qldbudget

KHTAGH

11/09/2012G'Day All Did anyone else happen to catch QT today? If so did you notice how worried LOTO looked in the closeup shot early in, about the second or third question. He looked like a man with a hell of a lot of problems. He hardly asked any questions at all, I wonder if it was because Julia wasn't there or is he trying to cast a different persona due to the bad press he is getting? What ever it is it was nice to see him looking so worried.

KHTAGH

11/09/2012Ah after your second link Lyn I think I know why I didn't know there were witnesses to Tabbortt hitting the wall.

2353

11/09/2012KN - Fairfax's "The Pulse" blog (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/politics-live-september-11-2012-20120911-25p2h.html) has some lovely pictures of Abbott looking all at sea and Hockey obviously wishing he was somewhere else today. Pretty to watch.

LadyInRed

11/09/2012Gosh he does look pensive 2353 and KHTAGH. Aaah ....when the shoe is on the other foot. Perhaps he is reflecting on his past? Because it looks like it might be coming back to bite him in the proverbial arse. Does anyone care? Probably not, he hasn't endeared himself to too many people. Gee I wonder can we dig up all the proverbs: Peopl in glass houses Live by the sword die by the sword If at first you don't succees lie lie again.

LadyInRed

11/09/2012ooops that should say If you don't succeed lie lie again....

KHTAGH

11/09/2012LadyInRed I just love that last one. That has to go out to twitter Lyn.

LadyInRed

11/09/2012KHTAGH....I doubt he will get away with calling another woman a liar.

nasking

11/09/2012 [b]That segment of Q&A exemplified how hard it is, and how frustrating it must be, for women to have men understand their point of view.  The arrogant, self-assured, alpha male must be anathema to them.  I’m male but I can feel their annoyance and frustration.[/b] Ad, those of us who observe see it so often...ocker and patriarchal males talking over women...using their power to hush them...taking the piss out of any woman who has alot to say...judging them on their legs, bosoms and butt...sometimes face...rather than their intellect, morality, qualifications, attitude, effort. Taking women for granted. At least here we thank Lyn and others for their effort. Treat them as equals. So many cuts in the media...but I notice Bolt, Ackerman, Speers, O'Reilly, Hannity are still there. The untouchables eh? Yet when we eventually get another right-wing shift in politics I bet we'll see the women culled left, right and centre. Per usual. The second sex. You only have to look at the way this PM has been treated to know their is a problem. The polls barely shift. Why? PM not achieving? Of course she is. PM horrible towards public? No way. PM not negotiating effective deals? Of course she is. PM not smart? She's certainly that. PM stretched the truth a couple of times? Which great politician didn't. PM not married? Who gives a crap! Tons of couples I know aren't married. This 2012...not 1812. Tony Abbott is one unpopular dude...yet his government is way ahead in polls. Because of great policy announcements and costings? Ya gotta be kidding. Because people loved Howard and WorkChoices and the Iraq War so much? Yea right. Nope. Men have a problem with this PM. The carbon price bit is an excuse. I'm from overseas...and have no trouble saying it...there are some real ocker male dickheads in this country with big chips on their shoulders spoilt by Mum to believe men are the deciders. They're judgemental to the point of voting against their own interests. They need to grow up and get with the modern age. Women in power are here to stay. So is our Prime Minister Gillard. N'

KHTAGH

11/09/2012LadyInRed It does seem to have been a life long habit for him I think. I think his face today says it all, doom on the horizon.

nasking

11/09/2012 “[b]I consider it presumption in anyone to pretend to decide what women are or are not, can or cannot be, by natural constitution. They have always hitherto been kept, as far as regards spontaneous development, in so unnatural a state, that their nature cannot but have been greatly distorted and disguised; and no one can safely pronounce that if women’s nature were left to choose its direction as freely as men’s, and if no artificial bent were attempted to be given to it except that required by the conditions of human society, and given to both sexes alike, there would be any material difference, or perhaps any difference at all, in the character and capacities which would unfold themselves.” ― John Stuart Mill, The Subjection of Women[/b]

KHTAGH

11/09/2012Unfortunately this is my next big fight, this is the river I live on. http://www.crcsbcs.blogspot.com.au/

nasking

11/09/2012 That should be: You only have to look at the way this PM has been treated to know there is a problem. The polls barely shift. N'

KHTAGH

11/09/2012N' nasking Well said, they make me ashamed to be an Ozzie male these days.

nasking

11/09/2012 Cheers KHTAGH, lupDujHomwIj luteb gharghmey lupDujHomwIj lubuy'moH gharghmey Like this country. :) http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/klingon.php N'

LadyInRed

11/09/2012Thanks guys for your support for women, it means a lot.

nasking

11/09/2012 [b]Probably not, he hasn't endeared himself to too many people.[/b] LadyinRed, speaking of leaders not loved: [b]The Deafness Before the Storm[/b] [quote]On April 10, 2004, the Bush White House declassified that daily brief — and only that daily brief — in response to pressure from the 9/11 Commission, which was investigating the events leading to the attack. Administration officials dismissed the document’s significance, saying that, despite the jaw-dropping headline, it was only an assessment of Al Qaeda’s history, not a warning of the impending attack. While some critics considered that claim absurd, a close reading of the brief showed that the argument had some validity. That is, unless it was read in conjunction with the daily briefs preceding Aug. 6, the ones the Bush administration would not release. While those documents are still not public, I have read excerpts from many of them, along with other recently declassified records, and come to an inescapable conclusion: the administration’s reaction to what Mr. Bush was told in the weeks before that infamous briefing reflected significantly more negligence than has been disclosed. In other words, the Aug. 6 document, for all of the controversy it provoked, is not nearly as shocking as the briefs that came before it. The direct warnings to Mr. Bush about the possibility of a Qaeda attack began in the spring of 2001. By May 1, the Central Intelligence Agency told the White House of a report that “a group presently in the United States” was planning a terrorist operation. Weeks later, on June 22, the daily brief reported that Qaeda strikes could be “imminent,” although intelligence suggested the time frame was flexible. But some in the administration considered the warning to be just bluster. An intelligence official and a member of the Bush administration both told me in interviews that the neoconservative leaders who had recently assumed power at the Pentagon were warning the White House that the C.I.A. had been fooled; according to this theory, Bin Laden was merely pretending to be planning an attack to distract the administration from Saddam Hussein, whom the neoconservatives saw as a greater threat. Intelligence officials, these sources said, protested that the idea of Bin Laden, an Islamic fundamentalist, conspiring with Mr. Hussein, an Iraqi secularist, was ridiculous, but the neoconservatives’ suspicions were nevertheless carrying the day. In response, the C.I.A. prepared an analysis that all but pleaded with the White House to accept that the danger from Bin Laden was real. “The U.S. is not the target of a disinformation campaign by Usama Bin Laden,” the daily brief of June 29 read, using the government’s transliteration of Bin Laden’s first name. Going on for more than a page, the document recited much of the evidence, including an interview that month with a Middle Eastern journalist in which Bin Laden aides warned of a coming attack, as well as competitive pressures that the terrorist leader was feeling, given the number of Islamists being recruited for the separatist Russian region of Chechnya. And the C.I.A. repeated the warnings in the briefs that followed. Operatives connected to Bin Laden, one reported on June 29, expected the planned near-term attacks to have “dramatic consequences,” including major casualties. On July 1, the brief stated that the operation had been delayed, but “will occur soon.” Some of the briefs again reminded Mr. Bush that the attack timing was flexible, and that, despite any perceived delay, the planned assault was on track. Yet, the White House failed to take significant action. Officials at the Counterterrorism Center of the C.I.A. grew apoplectic. On July 9, at a meeting of the counterterrorism group, one official suggested that the staff put in for a transfer so that somebody else would be responsible when the attack took place, two people who were there told me in interviews. The suggestion was batted down, they said, because there would be no time to train anyone else...[/quote] More here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/11/opinion/the-bush-white-house-was-deaf-to-9-11-warnings.html Yet another reason not to trust a Republican nominee with ties to Rove, Fox News and the Neo-Cons. Negligence. Duped. Tragic. N'

nasking

11/09/2012 Yer welcome LadyinRed...no problemo...anytime. I just tells it as I sees it. N'

nasking

11/09/2012 2353, Hockey looks like a happy man...must be all that spruiking of idiotic policies for Abbott...and perhaps he's trying to remember his costings...do the maths...realising he left his figures in the loo. :) N'

nasking

11/09/2012 Lyn, Thnx...I like this...so apt: [b]these cuts by the three State Premiers are making Abbott's corny Great Big Tax campaign look stupid Campbell Newman's budget has caused havoc. Bushfire Bill Posted Monday, September 10, 2012 at 2:08 pm On the other side, Abbott continues to tank. He’s got nowhere to go. He’s not incumbent in government, and he’s only going to unhinge more as time goes by and the journos get used to the idea of baiting him. [/b] Spot on. N'

nasking

11/09/2012 [b]Coalition MPs join critics of data storage plans [/b] Are they nuts? Is this a repeat of the Neo-cons before 9/11? Without that info how the hell are our security agencies supposed to do their job? I have nothing to hide. But if things really ramp up with the Iranians...and Hezbollah...know for sh*t stirring, killing Israelis, other terrorist actions...then we better have real scrutiny in place. This is not a game. We are dealing with some heavy duty characters. Ask Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Egypt... These are tense times. We must be prepared. I've done a great deal of reading on it lately. Keep us safe Roxon. Don't let the paranoid libertarians with tinfoil hats determine our fate. I listen to them once...when I used to drink alot. I know better now. N' N'

nasking

11/09/2012 Oh yea, the link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/coalition-mps-speak-out-against-labor-data-storage-plans/4255380 N'

nasking

11/09/2012 A must read: [quote]However, Shavit added, “we cannot and should not make comparisons between the global cold war concept of deterrence and the present-day Iran concept” due to the “religious parameters in the equation,” meaning that Iran, as a theocracy, puts decision making in the hands of an “infallible” spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “The decision is taken by one person whom everyone believes has got a direct line with God Almighty,” he pointed out. The Shiites, Shavit continued, want to return to an imperial Islamic past, a world ruled by a Muslim caliphate, which will come to pass when the Twelfth Imam, the Hidden Imam, reappears. “Muslims need to do what is needed to make him reappear,” Shavit said, and “only after a global [war] on the scale of Armageddon” can this happen. Here was the logic underlying one of the core assessments inside the Israeli intelligence establishment. As a Mossad chief who advised prime ministers on what to do about Iran, Shavit explained how the worst-case scenario comes to dominate national thinking. The Ayatollah Khamenei, he said, is a messianic ideologue. “A guy like this who believes in the fate of history — with his finger on the nuclear trigger — once he acquires the capability, is he going to use it? I have no answer and no one I have spoken with could give me an answer.” I pointed out to Shavit that Khamenei’s mentor, the Ayatollah Khomeini, acted rationally in the long Iran-Iraq War (…1980-88). Shavit countered that Khomeini ended the war only after sending hundreds of thousands of teenage volunteers — the baseej –to their certain death in battles they could not win. To Shavit, Iran’s ayatollahs did not value life. They would do what is necessary, he said, to bring on the global conflagration in which the Hidden Imam will emerge to rebuild the Islamic empire. “As a practitioner,” Shavit said, “I have to come to my political leadership and recommend what to do. Can I afford to give a recommendation based on a working assumption that is less than worst case?” His words made me think of Dayan and the intelligence chiefs under Ben-Gurion. They, too, had reached for the worst-case assessment of Nasser’s intentions in the …1950s, which undermined the efforts of Moshe Sharett to open secret negotiations in Paris to reach an accommodation with Egypt. “Israel cannot afford except to prepare itself according to the worst case scenario,” Shavit said, leveling his gaze to emphasize the point. “If they [Iran] acquire it [the bomb], they will use it. Okay, maybe they will use coercion first, or other steps in between, but they would not hesitate to use it. Iran is eighty million now, and for them to absorb a nuclear strike is not too high a price for achieving their religious goals. “This is the nature of the threat, and the world is doing next to nothing,” Shavit complained. “My concern,” he added, “especially after the strike in Syria, is that people will say, `What the heck? Let Israel take care of it.’ ” And here is where Shavit, like most other Israeli intelligence chiefs, came to his most uncomfortable analytical point — Israel was poorly positioned to attack Iran for a host of reasons, not least that such an attack would trigger a regional war that would be devastating to Israel and the West. “I believe that if Israel were to undertake it, we would face insurmountable obstacles,” he said. Only America could lead the international community to do the right thing, in his view. He had convinced himself that deterrence would not work; diplomacy would not work. The only thing that mattered was the worst-case view that Iran’s ayatollahs were in the grip of a messianic, apocalyptic vision, and if they managed to fabricate an atomic bomb, they would launch it against Israel knowing that a retaliatory strike from Israel would annihilate millions of Iranians.[/quote] http://www.salon.com/2012/09/09/can_israel_make_peace/ The Iranian regime has harrased and imprisoned/house arrest some of the most important intellectuals, including filmmakers in the world. I do not trust them. Fullstop. N'

KHTAGH

11/09/2012 N' nasking 'IwlIj jachjaj [cheers]

nasking

11/09/2012 I recommend watching: THE CIRCLE http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Circle_(2000_film) And: http://m.youtube.com/?reload=3&rdm=m9xtks1nr#/watch?v=M6FahWs_ctg The director is Jafar Panahi: [quote]After several years of conflict with the Iranian government over the content of his films (including several short-term arrests), Panahi was arrested in March 2010 along with his wife, daughter and 15 friends and was later charged with committing propaganda against the Iranian government. Despite support from filmmakers, film organizations and human rights organizations from around the world, in December 2010 Panahi was sentenced to a six-year jail sentence and a 20-year ban on directing any movies, writing screenplays, giving any form of interview with Iranian or foreign media and from leaving the country. This led to Panahi's last film to date: This Is Not a Film, a documentary feature in the form of a video diary that was made despite of the legal ramifications of Panahi's arrest. It was smuggled out of Iran in a Flash-Drive hidden inside a cake and was screened at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.[/quote] Wikipedia Not good. N'

Ad astra

11/09/2012Hi Lyn Despite being busy today, you still had time to give us Twitter feedback. What an intriguing collection. Newman has gone feral on cuts; O’Farrell is hacking education, and Tony Abbott is looking like a man with a heavy weight on his shoulders and a worried frown on his brow. He is a sprinter, and is finding the marathon with Julia Gillard tiring. He’s had a dream run from the MSM, who have echoed his slogans, but now they are looking thin and he’s looking brittle as the sharks from the media circle. When will he crack? Gerard Henderson’s apologetic piece about ‘The Punch’, will ring as hollow as it seems to be. Nasking You really are fired up. It's great stuff you are giving us. Thanks.

42 long

11/09/2012What is the point in conversing with anyone who has the ear of GOD? Why would you need the advice of a mortal? They ALl scare the shit out of me because they are fanatics who justify the most rotten acts against humanity by some selective passage from a book that is supposed to be the word of GOD. They all have a different book, and select special passages and their own god, to make their case. What chance has reason got? They are all as bad as each other. They are happy to execute you for what you believe ( or don't believe). IF they were SO SURE of the facts they have why would some poor unfortunate who doesn't get the benefit of the rewards they get be such a problem to them. They should be cool,aloof and a little pitying, perhaps but to have to kill them?. That would indicate some lack of faith perhaps?

2353

11/09/2012Nas - it's interesting that the NY Times is publishing an article about Bush's failure to read/act on CIA briefings especially since he was CIA Director in a previous life on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. You'd hope that the publicity feeds into additional discontent with Romney come November. The Bush reaction after the event has been over the top. The USA's Transport Security Agency was "formed" after 9/11 - and (down to their tin badges on the military style uniforms) are so over the top I would seriously consider flying direct to Canada (and paying the extra grand or so) to avoid them. "Internal" Canadian flights (to and from Toronto for example) that fly over US airspace have to give passenger lists to the TSA. Amtrak actually kicked them off their stations until they acted within the law. There are special requirements for airlines and airports with direct flights to the US - or the US will not allow the plane to land. The TSA has never "stopped" a terrorist plot, costs billions per year and Australian (or Canadian) airport security screen people to exactly the same level with some humanity. Is a sad reflection on the paranoia within the US that citizens of the US apologise on blogs for the actions of the TSA.

Ad astra

11/09/2012Folks I'm calling it a day.

LadyInRed

11/09/2012What is it with Uhlmann? He was on 7:30 tonight doing a piece about the big fish ship. And three sentences in a row he used the term "this government" bla bla....."this government"...bla bla....this government bla bla. Is there another government somwhere I don't know about? What's wrong with 'the government'? Perhaps what he doing it because what he really wants to say is "this (expletive) government". Or perhaps he thinks he will get a 'TAbbott budgie smuggler mug'? He should take a listen to himself some time he sounds like Whiney Piney.

Patriciawa

11/09/2012Late arrival again! Lots to catch up on with lots of interesting comments and other offerings quite apart from [i]With Lyn's Links and Ad's words, folks Twin edges to our Sword![/i] I was disappointed, TT, not to see a tweet from you or Michael, or anyone for that matter, to Q&A correcting Jensen on his ignorance re 'submit' and its Latin derivation. Yes, Michael, that piece by Joye was certainly a load of it, wasn't it. Very appropriate CAPTCHA you had there. I enjoyed reviewing my own feelings about Joe Hockey which I expressed here almost two years ago. [b]Joe Hockey, Tony Abbott’s ‘Little’ Mate![/b] I think the media are too kind To Tony Abbott’s not so little mate, Suggesting he’s just disinclined To malice and therefore too straight To efficiently repeat the line The Liberals have on interest rates. Let me explain what’s on my mind. Hockey’s a man I learned to hate As he once nastily declined When asked, at an Amnesty stall For a petition to be signed. He took me aside in that shopping mall As he let loose with ‘f’s ‘n blinds’ Which showed him not just overweight But as big a bully one might find. THAT IS WHY…….. I loathe Joe Hockey! He’s not just fat And not just sloppy. He’s a nasty rat Who gets me stroppy. I’d love a bat To wham that floppy Big bully flat. So, don’t be soppy. Don’t be a prat. Send in your copy. Let’s wallop him and Abbot SPLAT*!*!*!

nasking

11/09/2012 2353, it was Bush sr in CIA. BTW Helen McCabe of Australian's Womens Weekly thinks Newman is doing the right thing, is brave and the state is in dire need of change...said so on SKY/SLY NEWS (owned by Packer, Murdoch and Telstra). Gary Hargraves thinks it's not so bad losing yer job because you get a big redundancy payment. How would Hargraves like to be left without a job? He's a Liberal shock jock creep...no empathy. Be interesting to know how much McCabe and Hargraves make for spruiking the Liberal line. No way will I ever get my family a subscription to Women's Weekly. You could tell McCabe thinks Jeff Kennett is the bees knees for his slicing and dicing in the past. Lotta suffering then. Many came here...I wonder if any are from the same axed public service family? McCabe obviously knows nothing about financial suffering...lack of security. N' N'

nasking

11/09/2012 BTW, Hargraves and Helen McCabe were on Paul Murray Live on Sky/Sly News. I really feel for those sacked workers...there softly spoken scumbag commentsvoffended me considering how rich and influential they are. Gross. Typical types who do a few good deeds to cover their rich ambitious Coalition spruiking butts. Conning the people. N' N'

nasking

11/09/2012 Should be: Their softly spoken scumbag comments offended me considering how rich and influential they are.

2353

11/09/2012Nas - thanks, I got my Bushs mixed up. Easy to do really :D. Dunno about you, but I reckon there is a lot of public servants that would disagree with the Womens Weekly (now there is a fine example of excellent journalism) and Hardgrave. Not only for doing it - but the way it was done, some of the stories I'm hearing are truly horrific. Did you know that Hardgrave was booted of of the LNP earlier this year for criticism of the LNP on his 4BC radio timeslot? Obviously treat Howard era Ministers well - don't they?

nasking

11/09/2012 2353, wouldn't surprise me if Hargraves and LNP were dancing a show so Hargraves could get down and dirty...and bash the govt...without it rubbing off on the LNP. Games people play. BTW, As a diabetic I found this disturbing: [quote]3.27pm: Queensland is heading for a ‘‘tsunami of ill health’’, according to the Dieticians Association of Australia CEO Claire Hewat. The head of the peak nutrition body said the state’s budget had earmarked the entire public health nutrition workforce in Queensland Health for job cuts as part of the new health restructure. ‘‘Diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, cost the health system billions each year. And with this decision the government has thrown in the towel on prevention,’’ Ms Hewat said in a statement. ‘‘Without a strong preventative health workforce, including public and community health dieticians and nutritionists, we’ll be heading for a tsunami of ill health in Queensland in years to come.’’ [/quote] http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-budget-2012-reaction-20120911-25ph6.html Obvious who the LNP are sucking up to. Peter Costello is this QLD govt's enabler...he has alot to answer for. And Abbott who talked to Newman regularly we hear. Peter Costello put in place the lump sum baby bonus that sucked alot of young poor people into having too many babies and lots of debt. We see them here in Logan all the time...little money...debt up to their eyeballs...driving each night for a cheap fast food meal...it's killing them...no moderation...so much greasy food...even to their kids... the young adults now look so much older. And now these cuts. Expect the bad eating = bad health epidemic to continue...just as the ALP were bringing healthy food into schools and public awareness. These righties are morally bankrupt. Use an image of giving fresh veges to the homeless one moment...only to cut nutrition staff. Grrr... N'

nasking

11/09/2012 Cheers Ad. Yer quite welcome. Have a good rest. You deserve it. I'm off. NO LONGER EYES WIDE SHUT N'

TalkTurkey

12/09/2012Lyn Your links Get more delicious Day by day by day. Ad You have A wondrous knack Of "What I think, you say." I know I speak for many here. I am a PS tragic: And please be sure, I am sincere: I think the Sword is [i]*m*a*g*i*c*!*[/i]

TalkTurkey

12/09/2012N', LiR, K-H, 2353, Yo's sho' keepin' things a-cookin'! Patricia I do recall the part about your experiences with Sloppy Joe. I loved the ending. We're doing it. DYWAT! Abbortt remember The Ides of September It's now only 9 days away When your past comes to haunt you We'll goad you and taunt you [i]Your real downfall starts on that day! [/i]

whatismore

12/09/2012Thankyou for another marvellous article which reflects my concern for the PM. It must have been a terrible ordeal for John Gillard to witness the way his daughter has been treated since she became PM.

Tyler

12/09/2012I think the government has done a lot of good but several of their stances are rather depressing. This is just one obvious example http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/newstart_comparisons_misleading

Lyn

12/09/2012TODAY’S LINKS For Whom the Bell Trolls , Mr Denmore, The Failed Estate Yes, it's pot-kettle-black territory folks. Here is a group of people who specialise in building audiences through calculated invective, abuse and hysterical name-calling suddenly turning all new age and sensitive. What's more these people make a substantial living out of the professional trollery, shouting down their critics http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/for-whom-bell-trolls.html Persecution of Australia’s First Female Prime Minister, Escalator over the Hill Her Finest Hour Sit back and enjoy 42 minutes and 37 seconds of pure guts and determination from our Prime Minister with this link. I say a woman to be admired on this day and her finest hourhttp://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3573785.htm In contrast see these 2 videos of the Leader of the Tory Opposition Leader Tony Abbott who stumbles when asked some tough questions by Leigh Sales in a recent interview on the ABC 7.30 report http://escalatoroverthehill.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/the-political-persecution-of-australias-first-female-prime-minister/? Greens Going Down The Gurgler?, Ben Eltham, New Matilda In The Australian, Troy Bramston claimed it was a blow for Christine Milne and evidence that the party would struggle without the proven electoral appeal of Bob Brown. "Greens’ heartland turns against the radical party", that newspaper’s editorial page trumpeted. http://newmatilda.com/2012/09/11/greens-going-down-gurgler Whittaker's power stakes soar as Breen departs News Ltd, Matthew Knott, The Power Index Breen has worked for News Ltd for 20 years after beginning his career as a cadet at the defunct Brisbane afternoon newspaper The Daily Sun. Following his stint at the Sun, he spent a decade at The Courier-Mail where he worked as police reporter, chief-of-staff and sports editor. He won a Walkley in 2002 for exposing an Australian Rugby Union http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/power-move/whittaker-s-power-stakes-soar-as-breen-departs-news-ltd/201209111738 An interesting glimpse of the man, Harrangueman Abbott was a classic rugger-bugger—aggression and in your face—and a classic, if not the classic, right-wing thug that openly mocked gays, women's officers (he called them 'sluts'), and any form of progressivism. He was inculcated in a near warrior monk ethos of B.A. Santamaria, a Catholic 'thinker' http://harrangueman.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/an-interesting-glimpse-of-man.html Question Time: don’t change the contest we want to watch , Mary Crawford, The Conversation We know and understand our politicans by where they sit, how they look and how they act rather than listening to what is actually being said. For many Australians this is democracy in action. Visits to the federal parliament by most children during their school days further reinforce this view. http://theconversation.edu.au/question-time-dont-change-the-contest-we-want-to-watch- Queensland budget – profligacy for everyone except the PS, John Quiggin In these circumstances, it’s virtually inevitable that waiting lists will blow out. And inevitably, when you have long waiting lists, people will die waiting. At that point, the question will be whether the government can hold its nerve and admit that it was lying about the frontline services, or whether we’ll see expensive panic measures to fix the problem. http://johnquiggin.com/2012/09/11/queensland-budget-profligacy-for-everyone-except-the-ps/?utm_r The white working class, John Quiggin, Crooked Timber (pre-dating Obama, but more frequently since he was elected), I’ve been reading about the Democrats’ troubles with “the white working class”. In some ways, this is unsurprising. In every country with which I’m familiar, a substantial proportion of the working class votes for the more conservative/rightwing party http://crookedtimber.org/2012/09/10/the-white-working-class/#more-25693 Turnbull ignores FTTN cost issue, Renai LeMay, Delimeter The news also comes as Turnbull’s office has not responded to a list of questions regarding the Coalition’s FTTN plans forwarded to it last month, following a fact-checking exercise conducted by Delimiter into an article Turnbull published in July strongly pushing for the potential for the NBN project to be modified to focus on fibre to the node technology instead of its current fibre to the home rollout. http://delimiter.com.au/2012/09/11/turnbull-ignores-fttn-cost-issue/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm9 Mining royalties rise will 'kill' Qld economy, ABC The rise will conflict with the Federal Government's mineral resources rent tax, but Mr Nicholls argues Queensland is within its rights."Queenslanders own the resources in the ground here and they're entitled to get a return on those resources," he said http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/mining-royalties-rise-will-kill-qld-economy-palmer/4255096?utm_source=World+News+Australia&r Barnaby Joyce- The Purveyor of a Fine Illusion, Ian Harris, The Blowfly The truth behind the illusion is that they want Barnaby in because he will ensure the Queensland vote.The Coalition is not stupid.They just look stupid. Still another illusion? http://www.theblowfly.com.au/ Media Bullies, Miglo, Café Whispers Since that recent episode the word ‘trolls’ has hardly left the media’s lips as they again don the Batman outfit. We must all learn from the Charlotte Dawson saga pleads The Australian, while The Daily Telegraph asks under the headline Do not feed the trolls: http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2012/09/11/media-bullies/ Today’s Front Pages Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 12 September 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia

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12/09/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

2353

12/09/2012Another in the Brisbane Times Watcher series on the public service cuts in Queensland. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/road-to-recovery-on-the-bodies-of-sacked-workers-20120911-25qem.html Recommended also is this link from Lyn http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/mining-royalties-rise-will-kill-qld-economy-palmer/4255096?utm_source=World+News+Australia&r. Clive Palmer discussing mining royalities and job cuts. He must really be happy he bankrolled the LNP for some time. Guess it's a lesson in be careful what you wish for.

jaycee

12/09/2012So we see Morrisson, playing the role of hanger-on at the periphery of the bar-room coiterie pushing into the circle with his schooner-hand to deliver his "one-good-joke" that he's rehearsed all day! Typical of that loser opposition...then we see that poor excuse of a change of career shoe salesman : Cambell Newman delivering his comedy capers on Lateline like he was Captain-navigator-explorer-discoverer of some new "Great Southern Land" (Qld.), puting his party's benefactor offside as he follows the financial twists of that "Touring Madaame de Triomph in a Powdered Wig" : Peter Costello as he collects the donative offerings from his "Ardent Admirers" in the Lib' states in exchange for a reportoir of economic excuses that border on comical absurdity befitting his namesake!....At the wings of this stage of the absurd paces Tabbott mouthing in constrained whispers his one line deliveries for his part in the Liberal Country Party Grand Opera while waiting for those playmates ; Newman, Palmer and Costello to join him for when he makes his Grand Entrance in the theater of dreamt of govt'....of course, when the gang of four congregate in the wings waiting for their cue.. it won't be Abbott or Costello calling the shots, but rather an awe-struck Clive Palmer who will ask in his kid-eager stage whisper...: "Who's on first?"

TalkTurkey

12/09/2012Hi Lyn Gee you pick 'em good I get to your very first link and I'm gone to it - Mr Denmore's blog The Failed Estate - and I've found this opening burst: [i]So the professional bullies of talkback radio are bellyaching about trolls on Twitter. This seems a little like Bernie Madoff lecturing us about the shamelessness of shoplifting or British Petroleum ticking off householders for pouring toxic cleaners down the sink.[/i] Well said 'Mr D'. Writing like this is what will win us the day. Your work is always exemplary. But just dig on it Folks, Lyn has read all this stuff, sifted it, excerpted a representative gem from each, organised the whole and presented her findings for our perusal and delectation by 7.03 AM. It's all like it's been done by a fairy. :) I am always in awe of Lyn's daily contribution. And think about this - Has there ever been a record such as Lyn leaves in her wake as she flits? - with the best freelance commentaries quotes day by day spinning off her picks and recorded. Lyn you deserve recognition and deep respect for this unique work of yours. It is a very significant weapon in our fight to destroy the horror that is Abborttianism, and may it be forever continued after our ever-more-certain victory next year. Your lovely gravatar is the best-beloved symbol on the political social media. Just saying . . . [And now I go to #2 Link. There goes the morning.]

nasking

12/09/2012 Peter Costello SPINS in The Age. This condescending ex-treasurer not only hooked in poor youth to have too many families and debt...and gave them gawd knows how many interest rate rises in a row...but he was a manic idiotic spectacle in parliament, the hypocrite. And yes, Turnbull locked in the Abbott goons' dungeon was having a go at Abbott who has ranted, made excessive accusations, talked down the economy and led a campaign of vitriol and hate against this govt and its PM since he stabbed Turnbull...he's a disgrace...no compromise...no maturity...Mr. NO NO NO like some spoilt uni adolescent used to getting his own way. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/standard-of-debate-nothing-to-laugh-about-20120911-25qet.html?rand=1347371288517 Peter Costello is a joke. He has now enabled a premier of QLD to start dismantling the public service. The fact he is still hovering about and defending Abbott indicates to the non-gullible that this man who wanted to take WorkChoices even further...and brought in the messy GST...will have heaps to say in the next Coalition government. There is no coincidence that the Old Guard Libs are everywhere...popping heads up and opining...being used by state right-wing govts for advice and budget cons etc. We've seen Costello and Abbott and Mal Brough used here in QLD. Brough criticised the govt's decision on the Super Trawler yesterday. We've seen Peter Reith all over our TV sets and computers. Howard pops up...Abbott calls his tons of interest rate rises in a row, AWB scandal, Bush kowtowing, BS evidence to invade Iraq, children overboard, Cornelia Rau, ABC LEARNING CENTRES monopoly and crash...a GOLDEN ERA. Fck me. A golden age? Fool's gold more like it. And if Abbott gets in...and all those Lib/Nat states are lined up with him... well...you ain't seen nothin' yet. OZSTERITY NIGHTMARE. Something WICKED this way comes. N'

nasking

12/09/2012 From [b]CRIKEY[/b] (I have an annual subscription): [b]Public health cuts will hit the most vulnerable  [/b] [quote]Amanda Lee writes: With today’s budget news, it’s now clear that the new Queensland government is intent on overseeing the greatest dismantling of public and preventative health services in recent Australian history, yet it’s still trying to argue this will have no effect on health and wellbeing across the state. At the centre of this argument is a fiction. That is, a misleading distinction between ‘front-line’ and ‘desk’ jobs. The implication is that the four thousand plus jobs going from Queensland Health contributed little if anything to the health of Queenslanders. Yet many of the jobs being cut have provided extremely cost- effective health outcomes for the state. The area of public health I have been involved in – nutrition and physical activity promotion- has a particularly proud record of achievements. For three of the last four years running, Queensland has been honoured to achieve the Gold Award from the Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society. The award was in recognition of collaborative work that has helped make healthy choices the easiest choices, when it comes to eating well and being physically active. Such programs improving our social and physical environments are essential to combat growing waist lines – and the related growing prevalence of chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some cancers – which are already putting enormous pressure on our ill-health system, as throughout the western world. As an example, public health nutritionists throughout Queensland have worked hard to combat the gross misinformation about diet and health which swamps our media and the continual battering of advertising that encourages all of us to eat more energy dense foods and drinks high in saturated fat, added sugar and salt. They have worked tirelessly to improve food supply in childcare and education settings, health facilities and remote communities. An evaluation of the successful Smart Choices program – which supplies healthy food in tuckshops and all aspects of school life across the state – was recently recognized in a European Journal as a world first in terms of its scope and size. It is preventative health experts who provide the mechanism to respond, when the community says things like “The Government should do something to make it easier for us to be healthy…” With today’s news, that over 60 public health nutritionists, 20 Indigenous nutrition promotion officers and over 70 health promotion experts will lose their jobs in Queensland, it is the achievements of this workforce that will erode, and with this, the capacity of the Government to tackle chronic disease and promote health and wellbeing. And it is the most vulnerable people in our state that will suffer. It is difficult to see how the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait life expectancy can be closed without Indigenous nutrition workers supporting clinical staff to help mothers feed their infants healthier food, and check growth and development. Preventive health is not an optional extra. It’s an essential part of any modern evidence-based public health service. It’s not only a type of insurance to help avoid future cost blowouts, it’s a smart, and cost-effective approach to reduce the impact of some of the most country’s most pressing health problems.[/quote] More here: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2012/09/11/overview-of-qld-health-changes-including-the-historic-dismantling-of-public-and-preventative-health-services/ Bad stuff. Bad days indeed. Thnx for wiping out Labor fellow Queenslanders. NOT. N'

nasking

12/09/2012 Let me repeat this: [b]They have worked tirelessly to improve food supply in childcare and education settings, health facilities and remote communities. An evaluation of the successful Smart Choices program – which supplies healthy food in tuckshops and all aspects of school life across the state – was recently recognized in a European Journal as a world first in terms of its scope and size.[/b] And now they're being shafted by the QLD LNP. Ask yerselves WHY? Is this LNP govt working for your health? Your childrens? N'

nasking

12/09/2012 I noticed the NSW govt has reduced money for schools. Isn't this what Coalition govts do? Put more pressure on Labor fed or state govts to cough up the money...so it makes their debt larger. Then the Coalition CONartists can use their media allies to point the finger of debt blame at the ALP. When in fact the Labor govts are forced to deal with Coalition negligence and bastadry. N'

MWS

12/09/2012A thoughtful take on Indonesia's attitude towards our asylum seeker "problem." http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/why-we-havent-convinced-indonesia-to-come-on-board-20120911-25qeu.html

Lyn

12/09/2012 Hi Ad and Everybody You will see Michelle Grattan says Abbott “CAN” lack emotional intelligence. Does that sound stupid to anyone else, “emotional intelligence” never heard of it. Thankyou Talk Turkey, you are always so appreciative. Geoff Pearson‏ No funeral: Gillard's father donates body to science http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/no-funeral-gillards-father-donates-body-to-science-20120912-25r9c.html via @NationalTimesAU Swan's move, as Newman plays chicken with royalties, Phillip Coorey increased mining royalties by $1.6 billion, a move that has angered the coal sector and blunted the federal Coalition's attacks on Labor's mining tax. royalty increases after July 1, 2011, would be docked the same amount of federal funding, be it GST revenue or infrastructure money. http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/swans-move-as-newman-plays-chicken-with-royalties-20120911-25qhf.html eleanor bloom‏ "Nicholls said other states had increased mining royalties but had not been penalised by a cut in federal funding." http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/swans-funding-threat-is-petty-nicholls/story-e6frfku9-1226472389620#ixzz26D7JnUkS Geoff Pearson‏ Blame game begins over coal job cuts http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/blame-game-begins-over-coal-job-cuts/4254316?section=australianetworknews @abcnews Abbott lays down law to his MPs after feud, Phillip Coorey http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-lays-down-law-to-his-mps-after-feud-20120911-25qne.html#ixzz26ClHVTfO Government accuses Abbott of dirty pairing tricks , Jessica Wright Tony Abbott acted outside a ‘‘gentleman’s agreement’’ by reneging on a pairing agreement with the Prime Minister Julia Gillard who is on leave due to the death of her father, http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/government-accuses-abbott-of-dirty-pairing-tricks-20120911-25pd3.html#ixzz26CODDR45 With the economy, the truth is out there, Jessica Irvine The Opposition would have you believe reckless spending has pushed the government’s finances to the brink, creating unsustainable levels of debt that will be passed to your grandchildren’s grandchildren. The government has unwittingly played into its hands with its dogged obsession to produce a budget surplus in this financial year, however slim. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/with-the-economy-the-truth-is-out-there/ Abbott facing test of tactics, Michelle Grattan Abbott showed little sensitivity on Monday, when the Coalition paired a Liberal backbencher, Judi Moylan, with Gillard for a parliamentary vote relating to offshore processing in Nauru. In other words, the opposition took advantage of the PM's absence to avoid losing one of its numbers. but the bad look was not worth the price, and highlighted that Abbott can lack emotional intelligence. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-facing-test-of-tactics-20120911-25qmu.html#ixzz26CFVuleH Tweeting Roo‏ Australia:> Is time running out for the Lucky Country? - Brisbane Times http://shrtn.in/27y0DB #Business John Pratt‏ Prison guards back to work after strike #ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/4256034 via @abcmobile Newmania prisons less secure #qldpol #auspol Joey Jo Jo ‏ Oh the irony. Perhaps the Daily Tele should start with their own comments sections? #StopTheTrolls http://pic.twitter.com/LymjyJNF Renters lose as advice services whitewashed from state budget 500,000 Queensland renting households are the losers in today’s state budget The government failed to reinstated the virtually self funded tenant advice services recently cut, and no replacement program was announced. http://savetenantservices.net.au/1059/renters-lose-as-advice-services-whitewashed-from-state-budget/ Politics live: September 12, 2012, Katharine Murphy http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/politics-live-september-12-2012-20120912-25rb4.html

nasking

12/09/2012 2353, thnx for the Brisbane Times article link: There are a couple of ways to read how the [b]government manipulated[/b] this number as part of a political and media strategy. Firstly that the government indulged in an old, but vicious and deliberate manipulation of fear in its workforce. That is, talk it up – a bit along the lines of the over the top Spain and bankruptcy rhetoric – and then, at the last moment, sweep in and “save” 6000 jobs. [b]The problem with these strategies is that they are well known. And when political and media strategies are identified, they become more of a liability because, for obvious reasons, no one believes them. Former federal treasurer Peter Costello's report falls with in the same category.[/b] There is a second suggestion that the government had this number in mind before the Costello report was delivered. In May, a briefing note was prepared for Housing and Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg, on the financial case for the sale/redevelopment of the 1 William Street site – otherwise to be known as Project X. In the document, there is a list of bullet point assumptions. Among those assumptions is that there will be a reduction in the public sector of 20,000 and the number expanding to 22,000 by 2017. The Costello report, which doesn't actually canvas the sacking of public servants, only came out in June. Despite what some ministers would have you believe, public servants do not go off and prepare material on a whim. It is under direct instructions from the minister or ministerial staff – including the assumptions. As you watch the human cost of this purge you realise how little comfort can be taken from the words you offer and how puerile most of the political rhetoric is in the face of the personal destruction. [b]To have Nicholls standing there, no doubt taking his payrise when it becomes available, saying he gets the job of delivering the good news simply illustrates his contempt for his work force[/b]. [b]Trust between the public sector and executive government does not exist. The level of vitriol from the party trolls on the news websites has shaken people. The continued denigration of public servants through political and media strategies leaves a sour and bitter taste.[/b] Those who helped pack lives into small boxes (its amazing how little is accumulated in 15 years) understand the crushing of the human spirit. [b]Those who have survived the purge are damaged – and fearful that the cycle will start again. Politicians say this is the end – then again, the same politicians said it would not start. And that's the problem when there's no trust; it doesn't matter what is said, no one believes them[/b]. More here: [b]Road to recovery on the bodies of sacked workers[/b] http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/road-to-recovery-on-the-bodies-of-sacked-workers-20120911-25qem.html Won't it be motivating and won't you feeled valuable working for an LNP government? One wrong move...splat. Your next. Better not speak up. It's not as tho Liberals believe in FREE SPEECH. Welcome to McCarthy world. Stalin's world. Abbott's world. Do as your told...or else. N'

42 long

12/09/2012Grattan never speaks with any clarity. "Emotional intelligence" I rate with "conventional wisdom". Grattanspeakfor something or other. More evidence of the disconnect between her and her ilk and the person in the street, in meaningfull communication, the art of which is almost dead in the hands of the MSM. There is no generosity of spirit, no trust no praise for anything at all. Total negativity. You would think we are living in the worst country in the world instead of the BEST. We should kick in some dough to let these Journo's "go back to where there is reality" Let them look around for a while and then return (IF they must) and keep justifying the BS they comment on.( As if they could)..

nasking

12/09/2012 Lyn, gracias for the links: [b]The Queensland Treasurer said that Queensland is the best state to buy your own home in.  But it will probably be the worst place to rent in for tenants who will no longer have access to free tenancy advice, which cost a mere $5M per year and are funded mainly from interest generated on tenant’s own bond interest.[/b] The more ya scrutinise this budget and the direction the more you realise the motives, the goals and who this govt work for... and who they don't. Where's that great centrist Peter Beattie? N'

TalkTurkey

12/09/2012Michelle Grattan wrote the following. I'm just interspersing [i]my comments[/i] It is irresistibly risibly entitled [b]ANALYSIS[/b] TONY Abbott will face a test of taste and tactics when Julia Gillard returns to Parliament next week, still mourning the death of her father. During this fortnight parliamentary sitting, the opposition wants to keep maximum pressure on the government, [i][it has had no pressure on the Government for months][/i] especially now Labor is pushing a more positive agenda [i][Labor has forever been completely positive][/i] and Abbott is coming under greater criticism. [i][You got that bit right Sister!][/i] [u]But the PM's situation has subtly changed the atmosphere,[/u] [i][nothing to do with *J*U*L*I*A*s achievements that the wider political climate has changed, just down to her Dad's death see][/i] and [u]if the Coalition goes in too hard, it risks reinforcing the negatives reflected in the Opposition Leader's perennial low approval rating.[/u] [u]Abbott showed little sensitivity on Monday, when the Coalition paired a Liberal backbencher, Judi Moylan, with Gillard for a parliamentary vote relating to offshore processing in Nauru.[/u] Abbott was determined to vote himself, which meant some other Liberal would need to be Gillard's pair. (The pairing system means that when an MP is absent, the numbers are not affected. Pairs are worked out between the sides, and [u]sometimes refused, especially by this opposition[/u].) [u]Moylan, an opponent of asylum processing in Nauru, would have abstained, embarrassing the opposition - so she was persuaded to be the one to sit out the vote.[/u] In other words, [u]the opposition took advantage of the PM's absence to avoid losing one of its numbers.[/u] [u]It is not that it broke any rule, or even convention. It's simply that it indulged in low-rent behaviour.[/u] Moylan is understood to have been reluctant to be part of the tactic, which meant her position on the issue was not recorded. The opposition could not win the vote. Its action was designed to mask internal dissent, but the bad look was not worth the price, and highlighted that Abbott can lack emotional intelligence. Labor's chief whip, Joel Fitzgibbon, spoke to Abbott in the chamber but he was unmoved. Fitzgibbon rammed home the point later, telling the ABC: [b]''What Tony Abbott did was very, very poor form.'' The Abbott office went ballistic about his comment and contacted the Gillard office. [i]Very very VERY highly strung! :)[/i] The PM's staff regarded the opposition tactic as cheeky but shrugged it off as politics. [/b] Labor can take it and roll with the punctures. No glass jaws for us! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gillard v Abbortt: [b]The Mind is mightier than the Fist.[/b] Dam he just can't STAND it! In his hateful head he is still back at university raging against[i] women [/i]pipping him in polls, [i]([u]women[/u]!),[/i] they are still denying him his Divine Right to Rule! And he is [i]cracking up.[/i] Even Grattan has abandoned him. No good word from her for *J*U*L*I*A* of course, but try as they might the Liberals have no idea of how to grapple with this filthy feral fiend to which they have tied themselves. I'm chortling at the prospect of a challenge to Abbortt. Turdball. The People like him or so the MSM would promote him but his Party hates him! Exact [i]reverse[/i] to our PM's situation (as the MSM portrays it anyway) and direct parallel to the alleged Rudd popularity with the People but his obvious rejection as leader by ALP Caucus. If anybody else, say Hockey or Mesma, were to get up, the People would hate him/her for not being Turdball and beat him/her to a pulp. If Turdy does get up we will rub his nose in his past and his NBN hypocrisy and we will beat him to a pulp. Tee Hee. Alberici observed to Newman last night that he was greatly improving the Federal Government's prospects. Bitter medicine for the people of the three big States, to have such Rightist State Governments as they have now, but the Big One is the big one. And Alberici is right. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-facing-test-of-tactics-20120911-25qmu.html#ixzz26Cw6cZVP

nasking

12/09/2012 WARNING: THE FOLLOWING EXCERPT MIGHT OFFEND SOME READERS (Abbott hopefully). An interesting analysis @ [b]HarrangueMan[/b] of the [b]David Marr[/b] piece on [b]Tony Abbott:[/b] [quote]So, what have we learned about the Tonester?  [b]Well he's an unalloyed nob-end[/b]. Okay, sure, I had my biases confirmed. And when I read anything positive about him then I merely saw it on his part as a means to an end. Which is not very objective of me. The man volunteers for a bunch of stuff and, credit where credit due, he does more than most—such as being a volunteer fire fighter or working on building projects in remote Indigenous communities. Indeed you have to admire his physicality though, as a congenitally broken person, you'd have to argue that he was lucky to have the ability to obtain and maintain physicality that others did not get. That might be why he looks down on others. The uni I went to had a bunch of 'rugger-buggers' as they were want to be called. Protein enriched sons and daughters of squattocracy sent to the uni for three to four years to do ag science (or agricultural science) before they fucked off home to the farm. The ones I encountered, beefy beery six foot plus efforts, were often boorish fucktards who thought it most awesome to monster and bully other people, such as hilarious unprovoked drunken tackling of other students. Again, that's not an everyday experience. But it happened enough to reinforce a prejudice I have against such types, especially given they were the exact same protein enriched fucktards that made my life a misery when I was sentenced to an all boys private school for five years by my parents. [b]Abbott was a classic rugger-bugger—aggression and in your face—and a classic, if not the classic, right-wing thug that openly mocked gays, women's officers (he called them 'sluts'), and any form of progressivism.[/b] He was inculcated in a near warrior monk ethos of B.A. Santamaria, a Catholic 'thinker' and reactionary whose moral leadership resulted in the Labor split of the '50s and all but guaranteed the Coalition the federal government. Marr notes several occasions when Abbott resorted to physical intimidation—though he denies some of them or claims circumstances were different—including kicking in the door of the Student Representative Council and punching the wall either side of the election winner's head because, you see, Tone had run and lost and was a bit sad about it. [b]Oddly though some form of communal humanity comes through; he was against the more punitive aspects of Work Choices, though he publicly sold the fuck out of it like a good little soldier for John Howard.  [/b] And his deliberately flouting the party on his version of the paid parental scheme is another indicator that he can step outside the light of the pure free market that the vast bulk of his cretinous chums adhere to. [/quote] http://harrangueman.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/an-interesting-glimpse-of-man.html Lyn, what a down-to-earth, true blue Aussie opinion piece you've linked to. The language is a bit colourful...but isn't that so Aussie? Not always catering to the flowery pomp of its new aristocracy. Just telling it as it is. Apologies if you are offended. N'

nasking

12/09/2012 Heading off for now...you'll find me @ http://www.facebook.com/nick.king.1232760?ref=tn_tnmn Just LIKED a recent book. N'

LadyInRed

12/09/2012Lyn re: TAbbott and emotional intelligence I think that is "Grattan speak" for narcisist which describes TAbbott to a tee! Fancy not pairing with the PM. He can't help himself and like a true narcisist it only becomes really apparent when they have to do something selfless....he can't he'd rather cut off his big toe.

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12/09/2012Hi Lyn I’ve been through all your links and Twitterverse and enjoyed them all – an interesting and varied collection. There seems to be more that are causing Tony Abbott a headache, and even Michelle Grattan ever so gently chides him for lacking emotional intelligence, a term that is popular among [i]avant-garde[/i] psychologists. Wikipedia defines it as follows: “[i]Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups.[/i] In Abbotts case, Grattan’s word ‘CAN’ is inappropriate; it should read ‘Abbott DOES lack emotional intelligence’. The diagnosis is in.

Ad astra

12/09/2012MWS That was a good article about Indonesia’s attitude to asylum seekers. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/why-we-havent-convinced-indonesia-to-come-on-board-20120911-25qeu.html Tyler Thanks for the Acoss link http://www.acoss.org.au/media/release/newstart_comparisons_misleading whatismore Thank you for your kind remarks. Yes, it must have been agonizing for John Gillard to see how his beloved daughter has been treated. 2353 Thank you for the link; things are not good in Queensland: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/road-to-recovery-on-the-bodies-of-sacked-workers-20120911-25qem.html

Ad astra

12/09/2012TT What a nice analysis you have made of Michelle Grattan's ever-so-soft-on-Abbott piece about pairing. Thank you. Nasking Thank you for your comments again this morning. I enjoyed particularly the one about David Marr’s QE on Abbott.

LadyInRed

12/09/2012Ad astra There is a theory that intelligence should not just be based on IQ, particualrly in school, but that there are many measurements like emotional intelligence, and musical, language, spatial, mathematical, physical and some others. I think TAbbott is being found to be lacking in quite a few intelligences!

LadyInRed

12/09/2012Tyler Thanks for that link to the misleading info on Newstart. Let's hope they don't continue to misrepresent the figures, as the article says it does a disservice to us all when reports contain inaccuracies like that.

Lyn

12/09/2012Hi Ad, There is a mixture here of Twitterverse, Twitterariats and Tweetlogix about Question Time. Thankyou for explaining ““CAN” lack emotional intelligence. “ I said she sounded stupid because, while I was reading the article, I am thinking here is Michelle drawing black circles on a picture of a brain and saying “now this bit thinks emotional, this bit thinks witty, this bit is kind, this bit is nasty. Thankyou for the Wikipedia definition which I see doesn’t apply to Mr Abbott in any way, at least that’s what I think. (Wikipedia defines it as follows: “Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to identify, assess, and control the emotions of oneself, of others, and of groups Greg Sheridan decided it time to step in and assist Mr Abbott even though he says he is ( disinclined to enter the controversy because it makes me look too partisan.) The Tony that I - and others - remember was never violent at Uni Greg Sheridan Abbott was my best friend at that time. We talked over everything. The meaning of life, the purpose of politics, who'd win the rugby league grand final, what girls we planned to ask out, petty squabbles we might have had with our parents. I remember the night in question quite well. No such incident was ever discussed by Abbott or by anyone else in his circle. It is utterly inconceivable. I knew Abbott very well and he was never, ever violent. He was a good bloke then, he's a good bloke now. Marr's dishonest and obsessive agit-prop is a fraudulent caricature that manages to reverse reality at almost every point. But I'll let Marr in on a little secret. There was one reason the Left really hated Abbott. It was because he won. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/the-tony-that-i-and-others-remember-was-never-violent-at-uni/story-e6frg76f-1226472133561 Queensland:- Possum Comitatus‏ Springborgs explaination for his wrong numbers of job cuts in health are a pack of complete lies! http://bit.ly/OeDqv8 (1/2) TheQldPublicServant‏ More than 800 sacked in Toowoomba & Darling Downs by Newman LNP govt Toowoomba Chronicle #qldbudget #qldpol http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2012/09/12/figures-show-job-loss-number/ TheQldPublicServant‏ Protest plans for Springborg visit , Toowoomba Chronicle http://www.thechronicle.com.au/story/2012/09/12/protest-plans-springborg-visit/ Sandi Keane ‏ Newman wipes climate and clean energy off Queensland map - http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/newman-wipes-climate-and-clean-energy-off-queensland-map-48670 TheQldPublicServant‏ Newman cutting rural firies leading into high risk Qld fire season is MORONIC #noapols4capitals #qld #qldbudget http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/09/12/3588695.htm?site=northwest ABC North West‏ Funding for rural firies slashed in Qld budget. The furious response here: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/09/12/3588695.htm?site=northwest TheQldPublicServant‏ DavidGibsonMP votes to cut rural firies on eve of high risk bushfire season | Gympie Times #qldbudget #qldpol http://www.gympietimes.com.au/story/2012/09/12/rural-fire-brigade-budget-david-gibson/ Curtis Pitt MP‏ The real cost of the budget on Queenslanders http://fb.me/1Y1t5F8o8 TAWNBPM‏ Truly, what an appalling bunch of hypocrites the LNP are. Only last week Abbott was falsely blaming taxes for BHP... http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/bhp-boss-slams-queensland-royalty-hike/4257498 Mark Hyde‏ Dutton's FULL Press Release commending the LNP cuts by Premier Campbell Newman. 'Resuscitating Queensland Health... http://fb.me/2qHtimCvq TheQldPublicServant‏ Gavin King MP backs Cairns sackings - Local Cairns News | http://cairns.com.au http://bit.ly/OeJRON #qldpol #qldbudget Question Time:- Neil Adolphson‏ Anna Burke is clearly fed up with the behaviour of the Opposition. Could be a few booted today. #qt Brad McCoy‏ More lies from leader of the oppn RT @justinbarbour Tony Abbott again refers to "illegal arrivals." #qt Malcolm Farr‏ 2nd day in a row Government b-bencher has missed the call and given the Oppos an extra Q. Albo v unimpressed, ripping paper from tardy MP. Olivia Illyria‏ Member for Cowan ejected. #qt eleanor bloom‏ Govt stepping it up while Oppn stuck in their own muddy negativity. # Werner & Ursula‏ LOL Ms Bronny contemptuously asked about Death Duties in a desperate attempt to cause concern! Hysterical! #qt #auspol Malcolm Turnbull‏ dailytelegraph well done on #stopthetrolls - can't sign petition so far as site seems overwhelmed! Gump‏ Federal Coalition MP for Hume says sacking of public servants is payback for voting labor in the past #auspol #QT #qldpol #nswpo Craig Emerson MP‏ Liberal said in qt public servants deserve sack for voting Labor.Shorten asked what have the done to deserve sack.Kelly said "voted Labor". Agnes Mack‏ qt Albo having fun with tabling today. EVery time Opp'n asks to table, he tables a doc. Agnes Mack‏ First doc tabled by Albo: list of QLD PS who've lost jobs; 2nd doc Greg Hunt's PHD thesis supporting carbon market Greg Jericho tanya_plibersek: Hughes MP Craig Kelly says in #QT that public sector workers deserve to be sacked for voting #ALP Geoff Pearson‏ Mr Swan says. We've had radio silence from Mr Abbott. His past, perhaps he's deeply worried about it Geoff Pearson‏ Mr Swan said Mr Abbott has not held a press conference all week. He doesn't want to answer questions factually Elmo‏ OMG!! Did TonyAbbottMHR use some1's funeral from 2day to justify why he has been hiding for a week? That's a DISGRACE!! Turn Left‏ here we go again with the myth of $120Bill black hole from hockey - if ALP doesnt shut it down is will become truth by repetition Lyndal Curtis‏ Joe Hockey moving to suspend standing orders. #qt MisdaMagoo‏ Sloppy Joe too slow to get to the Dispatch Box. Lolz. #QT#

nasking

12/09/2012 [b]Politicians link suicides to cattle export ban[/b] [b]Senator Scullion says medical professionals are also reporting an increase in people seeking mental health services in pastoral communities... "Wherever I go I observe massive change in someone's economic and social prospects and no doubt that is going to have an impact on them and that is tremendously sad."[/b] ----- Any suicide is tragic...very sad for those cattlemen's families...but there are various reasons why people suicide...including depression from drinking, gambling and other debt problems...made to feel worthless due to their sexuality or race... strain of climate emergencies...relationship problems...guilt...the list goes on. The export disruption might've contributed...but sadly life in the bush has many negative complexities. When I moved to the bush a man committed suicide across the road just before we got there...we heard he had been harrassed for his lifestyle. I think it is irresponsible and reductionist of the Senator to point the finger of blame at the govt. And if the Senator is so concerned about the mental health of those whose jobs have been effected then he needs to think about the 14, 000 jobs cut in QLD by the LNP...will he condemn them if any public servants commit suicide or have serious health problems due to this callous decision? Not likely. What about the consequences of Jeff Kennett's massive job cuts in Victoria years ago? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/politicians-link-suicides-to-cattle-export-ban/4256526 Furthermore, Scullion said scathingly: "[b]One cow gets treated badly and there is a scream," he said.[/b] What an attitude. Goes to show that if the Coalition get in again some won't give a crap about the conditions animals will be kept in. Hey! It's just business. What me worry? http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3uPYseXKqe4 Making morally bankrupt statements has become a pattern of behaviour for this present Coalition. N'

nasking

12/09/2012 Lyn thnx: [b]The Tony that I - and others - remember was never violent at Uni Greg Sheridan [/b] [quote]Abbott was my best friend at that time. We talked over everything. The meaning of life, the purpose of politics, who'd win the rugby league grand final, what girls we planned to ask out, petty squabbles we might have had with our parents. I remember the night in question quite well. No such incident was ever discussed by Abbott or by anyone else in his circle. It is utterly inconceivable. [/quote] Wow! So we know now how close Greg Sheridan is to Abbott. As usual...unbiased analysis from The Australian. I will certainly read Greg Sheridan in a different light now. The relationship between a number of MSM journos and the Liberal party and Abbott is extremely worrying. We need more independent voices. Far too much bias. Is it any wonder Abbott has been getting a free pass...the old GET OUT OF JAIL FREE card handed to him by his MSM mates and supporters and co-workers...over and over again. It's a rigged game. So much for journalistic ethics. BTW, I can safely say I have no relationship with any sitting member. :) None would have me. ;) N'

nasking

12/09/2012 [quote]Federal Coalition MP for Hume says sacking of public servants is payback for voting labor in the past #auspol #QT #qldpol #nswpo [/quote] Is that Alby Schultz who is not running again? Sounds like he was told to put a not so veiled threat out to public servants. Feels like the Jo era...or Senator McCarthy approach in USA. BAD STUFF. N'

nasking

12/09/2012 [b]Geoff Pearson Mr Swan said Mr Abbott has not held a press conference all week. He doesn't want to answer questions factually [/b] Yep...Abbott's running scared...he's worried some of the media will scrutinise him...and his history...his behaviour patterns...his policies. Like GW Bush I expect him to only select friendly press. Gutless stuff. PM Gillard stood before all the media and fielded questions for an hour. She's a REAL leader. N'

Ad astra

12/09/2012Hi Lyn You have been busy all day collecting that intriguing collection of Twitters. I expect you are right about Michelle Grattan’s thought processes about Tony Abbott’s ‘emotional intelligence’. Quite the opposite of it being a bit of behavior that can be put in a box, and deliberately used or not used, it seems more likely to be an innate attribute that permeates the whole person. Tony Abbott DOES seem to lack emotional intelligence, which explains a lot of his behaviour over the years. Thank you for the link to the Greg Sheridan article; it is germane to a piece I’m writing for next week. Aren’t the News Limited writers out in numbers to defend him! They must be worried! The Queensland links are revealing – the Government hammered the Coalition in QT today over the Newman/O’Farrell cuts. It is grist to the Labor ‘slash and burn’ accusation. I’ll be out all evening for another family birthday celebration. I’ll be back in the morning to enjoy your links.

nasking

12/09/2012 How good is this lady?: Ms Anna Burke MP http://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=83S#.UFBaiUgX-0k.facebook Top speaker. Highly intelligent. Sexy too. :) N'

nasking

12/09/2012 I guess I've been thinking about that possible calendar WOMEN IN LABOR. N'

nasking

12/09/2012 We're having a convo about the calendar over here: http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/softly-softly-comes-tony/#comment-105574 I wrote: I bet the Libs will steal the calendar idea…they nick heaps of our ideas. The ALP need to be faster off the mark. I wonder if there are enuff women in the Libs to do one? Anyone know how many women are in each party? N'

NormanK

12/09/2012Ad astra Thank-you for this uplifting article. Given your propensity for being a week or two ahead of the mob when you choose your topics I hope the trend continues in this case and we see a few more positive reports on PM Gillard's courage and vision.

nasking

13/09/2012 BTW, in regard to Libya, it wasn’t Obama’s war…the UK Tories and Sarkosy French were the main participants…Obama was asked to supply air power which he reluctantly did. It was highly effective. No coffins came home. It is the UK Tories, France previous govt, and Italy etc that shoulda ensured things remain stable. Obama has enuff to do with Afghanistan and strategising on Asia-Pacific region etc. Romney was wrong to shoot out of the gate and shoot his mouth off. He acted like a dopey knee-jerk type like GW Bush. Look where that got us. How will he appease his anti-war libertarians? He can’t be trusted…hangin’ out with too many neo-cons. What looks bad is the Israeli connection to this incident…the man who made the vid knew this would inflame Muslim extremists…his actions come at a time when Netanyahu’s camp is putting out exaggerated info about differences between him and Obama…pushed by the usual suspects including Fox News. We know that Netanyahu is close to Romney…it looks timing wise like an obvious campaign to damage Obama, particularly with Romney shooting out of the gate. All to score political points more sabotage by the Right. Reminds you of the attacks on Clinton in the past…and Obama prior to the mid-terms. Evil. ——- In 2006, the Bush administration similarly criticized cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammed that sparked protests throughout Europe. “Anti-Muslim images are as unacceptable as anti-Semitic images,” which are routinely published in the Arab press, “as anti-Christian images, or any other religious belief,” said Bush administration State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. Think Progress ———- Frankly, Romney looked like a silly blowhard desperately seeking attention. Same for Bolton and others. There was no attempt at a bipartisan unified approach. Pathetic of the Republicans. Ever warmongering blowhard knee-jerkers fronted by their propaganda machine Fox News. N’

nasking

13/09/2012 Good on Prime Minister Cameron for apologising on behalf of the govt & country to the Hillsborough families. ———– The disaster was also one of the low points for Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper group, currently reeling from a phone hacking scandal that has led to criminal charges against former senior executives and reporters. Many in Liverpool still boycott Murdoch’s newspapers after the top-selling Sun accused their fans of stealing from the dying, urinating on policemen and beating up an officer giving the kiss of life. The newspaper’s executives have since apologised for the story. http://www.euronews.com/sport/1655082-cameron-apologises-for-hillsborough-disaster/ “Too little too late” replied Hillsborough families representatives as THE SUN apologised too. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 [b]The Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath Hillsborough disaster#The Sun newspaper[/b] The Sun, 19 April 1989 [quote]At the end of the decade, The Sun’s coverage of the Hillsborough football stadium disaster in Sheffield on 15 April 1989, in which 96 people died as a result of their injuries, proved to be, as the paper later admitted, the “most terrible” blunder in its history. Under a front page headline “The Truth”, the paper claimed that some fans picked the pockets of crushed victims, that others urinated on members of the emergency services as they tried to help and that some even assaulted a Police Constable “whilst he was administering the kiss of life to a patient.” Despite the headline, written by Kelvin MacKenzie, the story was based on allegations either by unnamed and unattributable sources, or hearsay accounts of what named individuals had said – a fact made clear to MacKenzie by Harry Arnold, the reporter who wrote the story. Although the disaster occurred in front of TV cameras and a mass of sports reporters, no evidence was produced to substantiate The Sun’s allegations. The front page caused outrage in Liverpool, where the paper lost more than three-quarters of its estimated 55,000 daily sales and still sells poorly more than twenty years later (around 12,000). It is unavailable in many parts of the city, as many newsagents refuse to stock it. It was revealed in a documentary called Alexei Sayle’s Liverpool, aired in September 2008, that many Liverpudlians will not even take the newspaper for free, and those who do may simply burn or tear it up, even though this was almost 20 years after the incident. On 7 July 2004, in response to verbal attacks in Liverpool on Wayne Rooney, just before his transfer from Everton to Manchester United, who had sold his life story to The Sun, the paper devoted a full-page editorial to an apology for the “awful error” of its Hillsborough coverage and argued that Rooney (who was still only three years old at the time of Hillsborough) should not be punished for its “past sins”. In January 2005, The Sun’s managing editor Graham Dudman admitting the Hillsborough coverage was “the worst mistake in our history”, added: “What we did was a terrible mistake. It was a terrible, insensitive, horrible article, with a dreadful headline; but what we’d also say is: we have apologised for it, and the entire senior team here now is completely different from the team that put the paper out in 1989″. In May 2006, Kelvin MacKenzie, Sun editor at the time of the Hillsborough disaster, returned to the paper as a columnist. Furthermore, on 11 January 2007, MacKenzie stated, while a panellist on BBC1′s Question Time, that the apology he made about the coverage was a hollow one, forced upon him by Rupert Murdoch. MacKenzie further claimed he was not sorry “for telling the truth” but he admitted that he did not know whether some Liverpool fans urinated on the police, or robbed victims. Wikipedia[/quote] Dreadful. Once again the Murdoch empire blowhards HYPING and DISTORTING to get attention and various other reasons. Investigations reveal them wrong and sh@t stirring. Plus ce change... N'

nasking

13/09/2012 [b]Following Murder Of American Diplomats, Romney Stands By Misleading Attack On Obama By Igor Volsky on Sep 12, 2012 at 11:01 am[/b] Think Progress [quote]Mitt Romney stood by his criticism of the Obama administration for allegedly “apologizing” for “our values” in the aftermath of attacks against American interests in Libya and Egypt. The violence was fueled by an American-made film depicting the Prophet Muhammad “as a child of uncertain parentage, a buffoon, a womanizer, a homosexual, a child molester and a greedy, bloodthirsty thug.” In a hastily arranged press conference on Wednesday morning, Romney rebuked an early statement from America’s Egyptian embassy condemning “the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims” — which the White House said was not cleared by Washington — and accused the Obama administration of sending “mixed signals” to the world. Romney then said that he agreed with President Obama’s official response: ROMNEY: The embassy in Cairo put out a statement after their grounds had been breached, protestors were inside the grounds, they reiterated that statement after the breach…Apologizing for America’s values is never the right course. REPORTER: Governor Romney do you think, though, coming so soon after the events really had unfolded overnight was appropriate, to be weighing on this as this crisis is unfolding in realtime? ROMNEY: The White House also issued a statement saying it tried to distance itself from those comments and said they were not reflecting of their views. I had the exact same reaction. These views were inappropriate. [...] REPORTER: What did the White House do wrong, then, Governor Romney if they put out a statement saying they disagreed witness? [...] ROMNEY: They clearly sent mixed messages to the world, and the statement that came from the administration, and the embassy is the administration. The statement that came from the administration was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a severe miscalculation. [b]But the timeline of events undermines Romney’s claim that Obama “apologized” for the nation.[/b] The Egyptian embassy issued its statement on Tuesday morning at 6:11 AM, before protesters broke out. Once they did, and another group of demonstrators attacked the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, the Obama administration distanced itself from the early statement. “[b]The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement[/b]. “[b]While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants,” Obama clarified in a statement on Wednesday morning.[/b] [b]Interestingly, former President George W. Bush struck a similar tone in 2006, after cartoons surfaced poking fun at the Prophet Muhammed and sparked protests in Europe. “Anti-Muslim images are as unacceptable as anti-Semitic images, as anti-Christian images, or any other religious belief,” Bush administration State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said[/b].[/quote] http://thinkprogress.org/ Usual sincere, reflective, non-hyped, calm yet steely approach to complex events by Obama & Clinton...attempting to be discreet...and not inflame. Yet obviously determined to work with Libyan authorities as allies...to bring the criminals to justice. Romney and the Republicans failed at this key moment. They took an impatient, impulsive, possibly inflaming approach without much reflection...demonstrating a lack of diplomacy and understanding that on these grave days it becomes a leader of the opposition party to remain at a discreet distance and be supportive of the president when called upon...ensuring a unified front...less mixed messages...and lifting morale of the people whilst displaying compassion for the lost and explaining the situation rationally and calmly after appropriate intelligence briefings and discussions with White House. Romney showed himself to be a desperate partisan using a tragic incident to try and score political points. Demonstrating once again he puts his own ambitions above that of the country. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 The rest of the links and comments you can find @ http://www.facebook.com/nick.king.1232760?ref=tn_tnmn Nite. Long one. N'

TalkTurkey

13/09/2012Ad said something about making me the Sword's Language expert. Dunno about that, but you would think that the political editors of major newspapers writing about sensitive matters would vet their own work better than to make embarrassing errors like the one below. Please read it with more care than that which Andrew Probyn used in writing it: [i]"Mr Rudd's TV appearance came as Ms Gillard and her family gathered in Adelaide for a private celebration of the life of her father, John Gillard, who died on Saturday aged 83 - a fact that did not go unnoticed by caucus."[/i] I think there's something called the Proximity Rule or something like that. (That's how much of a language expert I isn't Ad!) Anyway the above rather unpleasant error is a perfect example of how getting the order of bits of information wrong can absolutely change the meaning. Latin is literally Greek to Archbishop Jensen. Disgraceful in its implications, do you see? Logic is figuratively Greek to Politics Editor Probyn. Disgraceful likewise, do you see what I mean? As a Teacher of the Old School I feel like repeatedly rapping the knuckles, hard, of ALL priests and ALL journalists, for either bringing down their "professions" (!) or for failing to prevent that event. I'd exempt Laura Tingle, and maybe Father Bob. How would you reword Probyn's bumbled sentence?

Lyn

13/09/2012TODAY’S LINKS The mythical ‘budget black hole’, TK Riches, Indpendent Australia Fact checking of politician’s statements is spreading on the internet, with many sites such as Factcheck.org, The Fact Checker and PolitiFact.com assisting the general public to assess the accuracy of politicians’ claims in the US.Here in Australia, Crikey provides a similar service and Independent Australia is also very useful — however, these sites http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/mythical-budget-black-hole/ The troller troll’d, or, disrupting the market for causing offence, Bernard Keane, Crikey Indeed, with old white men and politicians in the media emphasising the transgressive, outlaw nature of Twitter, all they’re likely doing is increasing its appeal to younger people, who tend to prefer Facebook. Still, ‘tis the way of the digital world, that analog dinosaurs, Trollosaurus Rex, in lashing out at their newer, quicker, better adapted digital rivals, only serve to accelerate their own demis http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/09/12/the-troller-trolld-or-disrupting-the-market-for-causing-offence/ CUT OUT THE MALIGNANT MARXISTS: Powerful Victorian Liberal Kevin Andrews says no to bailing out Melbourne’s Marxist MP, Vex News he exclusively reports that Kevin Andrews, the principled and passionate MP for Menzies, has spoken out against suggestions that Greensparty deputy leader Adam Bandt, the nation’s most stridently left-wing member of the House of Representatives, would be bailed out by the Liberal party with preferences http://www.vexnews.com/2012/09/cut-out-the-malignant-marxists-powerful-victorian-liberal-kevin-andrews-says-no-to-bailing-/ Public sector staffing reductions in the states and territories , Flagpost Since 2011 the state and territory governments have introduced public sector staffing reductions as savingsmeasures (some jurisdictions also had reduction programs in place prior to 2011). A summary of the reductions is provided below; ‘FTE’ is not a headcount but refers to full-time equivalent staffing levels. http://parliamentflagpost.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/public-sector-staffing-reductions-in.html?utm_ Big Brother kills literary awards: the Newman government in a nutshell, John Quiggin The sum of money isn’t huge[1], but if you want to sum up the Newman government in a single policy decision, it’s this: to save $200k, they could either scrap the Premier’s Literary Awards or withdraw a promised grant to fund the next series of Big Brother. Of course, they went for Big Brother, and boasted about it. http://johnquiggin.com/2012/09/12/big-brother-kills-literary-awards-the-newman-government-in-a-nutshell/?utm_r Newmania- You Bastards, Only The Depth Varies Of course Twitter rumours have been bubbling for days: stories of ‘Safety Squads’ working through last night to remove sharp objects from desks and workstations in Government buildings sound entirely implausible. Other stories of entire frontline departments in tears while phones go unanswered sound more believable. Rumours of older public servants on stress leave; whispers of suicide... http://onlythedepthvaries.blogspot.com.au/. Mining gets a taste of life outside the fast lane, Greg Jericho, The Drum The run of 21 years of growth is a pretty stunning achievement. As Treasurer Wayne Swan pointed out in his weekly Economic Note, the advanced country with the next best run is Israel with 10 consecutive years. A look back to 1959 shows just how unique this situation is: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4254756.html Queensland government funding cuts undermine access to justice, Stephen Keim, OnLine Opinion The recent funding cuts will have a serious negative effect on the ability of the community to access justice. The government should reconsider the focus of its drive to save government funds. Certainly, the government should consider whether it really wants to cause such adverse impacts to the ability of ordinary Queenslanders to have reasonable access to justice and, through that, equality before the law http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=14105 Alan Jones is a nauseating goblin. Why is everyone focusing on Kyle?, David Gaines, Mumbrella what’s with the recent double standards for Alan Jones? Where’s the same coverage of his latest drivel? In early September he added to his long list of WTF quotes by stating that “Women are destroying the joint…“ It was a reference to various females in power. This followed his statement that Julia Gillard, the initial trigger for this tirade, should be dropped off at sea in a sack. http://mumbrella.com.au/alan-jones-is-a-nauseating-goblin-why-is-everyone-focusing-on-kyle-115560 Newman wipes climate and clean energy off Queensland map,n Giles Parkinson, Renew Economy The roll-call of victims also includes the Queensland Climate Change Fund, the Queensland Renewable Energy Fund, the Queensland Smart Energy Savings Fund, the Solar Initiatives Package, the Waste Avoidance and Resources Efficiency Fund, the Local Government Sustainable Future Fund and the Climate Smart Home Servic http://reneweconomy.com.au/2012/newman-wipes-climate-and-clean-energy-off-queensland-map-48670 Qld, Labor govt on coal royalty collision course, David Twomey, Eco News Mining magnate Clive Palmer said the LNP government would kill the economy and drive thousands out of work if it increased mining taxes.The LNP backer, who has become a vocal critic of the recently elected LNP government, said the royalty increase would be a total disaster for the state.Mr Palmer said the LNP government appeared set on an act of economic madness http://econews.com.au/news-to-sustain-our-world/qld-labor-govt-on-coal-royalty-collision-course/ Today’s Front Pages Australia Newspaper Front Pages for 13 September 2012 http://www.frontpagestoday.co.uk/index.cfm?PaperCountry=Australia

jaycee

13/09/2012I remember reading James Thurber (always with his eye to the absurd), reporting on the "reporting" of a keen student journalist in his University days when said student wrote : "Has anyone noticed the sores on the backs of the horses"...of course, he was writing of a skin-rash on the beasts, not a reflection on the mood of the riders! But such gaffes ought to be corrected if not at the "pen" of the professional, then at the "eye" of a subeditor. I suspect in these days of "just-in-time" delivery, both would be sadly lacking.

Ad astra

13/09/2012LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Lyn

13/09/2012Good Morning Ad There have been three people reported this morning, they are unable to access TPS, Jason, KHTAGH, Debbie P. Twitter reports also one other @ALJCrowe Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, hope only a minor problem.

Ad astra reply

13/09/2012Hi Llyn This is a test to see if TPS is working.

Ad astra reply

13/09/2012Hi Lyn It's working for me. Do we know what ISP these users use?

Truth Seeker

13/09/2012Ad, have visited a couple of times this morning to read Lyn's links ( great as always), no problems here. Cheers

Lyn

13/09/2012Hi Ad I have Telstra Bigpond and I am not having any trouble, KHTAGH says in his tweet he uses IInet, sorry don't know about the others. I could tweet them if you want me too. KHTAGH ‏@khtagh lynlinking khtagh Morning Lyn, still cant get to TPS, just rang IInet & they are looking into if it has been blocked from access

Ad astra

13/09/2012Hi Lyn, Truth Seeker The three you mention Lyn all have different ISPs; one uses Bigpond, which I also use, and I'm connecting OK. So I don't know what's going on. I'll ask Web monkey to investigate.

LadyInRed

13/09/2012Ramjan's claim is backed by David Patch. [i]David Patch quotes Mark Twain, who said, "Always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said." [/i] Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/then-as-now-you-never-knew-what-abbott-really-stood-for-20120912-25sna.html#ixzz26Ix2LSKv People become very adept at deceiving, to the point where it is difficult to distinguish the truth. I just read a book called Say You're Sorry by Michael Robotham (gripping book by the way) and it pointed me to a person called Robert Trivers who believes lieing is an evolutionary process. Communities have always punished cheats and liars (sound familiar?) but as we became more intelligent and became aware of the risks of being fed to the hyennas if we were caught we became better at it. We learned to get away with it more.....interesting theory? Mark Twain also said: [i]When a person cannot deceive himself, how is he going to deceive other people[/i] I hope my musings don't bore people. Now to Lyn's wonderful links.

Miglo

13/09/2012I've been having trouble using Firefox on my PC and Safari on my iPad.

Lyn

13/09/2012Hi Ad and Everybody, Twitterverse for you. Last night Phillip Coorey tweeted at 8.09pm KEVIN Rudd has stirred leadership , at 8.33pm Malcolm Farr reported KEVIN Rudd tonight buried any leadership ambitions. Phillip Coorey must have a template and just filled in the time of his article because 7.30pm ended at 8pm is he desperate to SCOOP. Bushfire Bill Posted Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 8:53 am On balance I think it was a self-serving interview, that didn’t quite go as planned, as evidenced by his allowing himself to be only trapped into mentioning Gillard’s name right at the end and admitting, on the record, that he thought she could win http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/09/10/essential-research-55-45-to-coalition-5/comment-page-57/#comment-1406852 I won't be silenced, vows Rudd, Phillip Coorey @ September 12, 2012 - 8:09PM KEVIN Rudd has stirred leadership rumblings by saying on national television the country faced a stark choice at the next election and he would not be silenced from speaking out on myriad issues. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/i-wont-be-silenced-vows-rudd-20120912-25smo.html#ixzz26ItYw7wQ Labor can win under PM, says Kevin Rudd , Malcolm Farr @ September 12, 2012 8.33PM KEVIN Rudd tonight buried any immediate leadership ambitions and offered his unqualified support to Julia Gillard to win the next election. http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/labor-can-win-under-pm-says-rudd/story-e6frfkp9-1226472938723#ixzz26Iu3SmXL Rudd supports Gillard leadership, Sky News reluctant Kevin Rudd has publicly thrown his support behind the Prime Minister, in his first wide-ranging TV interview since his failed leadership tilt, seven months ago.Mr Rudd previously said Labor could win the next election, but didn't say whether it would with Julia Gillard at the helm.Last night, he qualified his stance during a fiery line of questioning.Mr Rudd denies he's grand-standing after lifting his public profile in recent weeks, saying he won't be silenced in public debate. http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=794433&vId=3525939 Barrister backs woman's claim of Abbott 'intimidation', Michelle Grattan Mr Abbott told Marr he had no recollection of the wall punching and said ''it would be profoundly out of character had it occurred''. It was later that he hardened this up to a complete denial. He also denied a claim made this week by a woman who ran against him for the Democrats in 2007 that when she was handing out how-to-vote cards he put his face an inch from hers and grunted. http://m.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/barrister-backs-womans-claim-of-abbott-intimidation-20120912-25svh.html Abbott's habits die hard, David Patch I remember Abbott's offensive behaviour 35 years ago. He hasn't changed much. I WILL never forget the night in 1975 when I was elected president of the Sydney University Students Representative Council. I beat the DLP candidate by 29 votes. The Trotskyite came third. Malcolm Turnbull, an obscure member of the Australia Party Club, came fourth. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/abbotts-habits-die-hard-20120912-25snx.html#ixzz26Iv3dUUu Greg Jericho‏ So I see The Daily Telegraph's campaign against reporting news on the front page continues today. AnyoneButAbbott‏ Phillip Coorey Abbott's past again catching up with his present http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/punch-witness-comes-forward-with-tales-of-anarchy-in-the-src-20120912-25sxx.html #auspol Stephen Koukoulas‏ Clive Palmer interview on Lateline a corker. http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3589046.htm NRL player apologises to Gillard over 'noose' tweet : http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/nrl-player-apologises-to-gillard-over-noose-tweet-20120912-25t29.html#ixzz26IqS2S6A Brisbane Times‏ A Qld government cadets program which fed into the SES and fire and ambulance services has been axed http://ow.ly/dFH70 via @bkjabour Australian News‏ Fired up Labor MP says Abbott a misogynist (AAP): NSW Central Coast MP Deb O'Neill says Opposit... http://yhoo.it/OibNBi #ausnews "There's plenty of evidence of the same kind of physical and verbal intimidation that is still very much a part of the rhetoric and the practical action of this man who thinks he's good enough to be prime minister of this country. "I call on the leader of the opposition to make a statement to the parliament in relation to (these) matters." Ms O'Neill also lambasted Mr Abbott for constantly referring to Prime Minister Julia Gillard as "she". http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/14840785/fired-up-labor-mp-says-abbott-a-misogynist/?utm_

Michael

13/09/2012So now we know (if it was ever in doubt) that man's man ersatz fair dinkum digger Tony Abbott will even use the funeral of a slain Australian soldier as 'cover' for his political cowardice. It's reported here: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/punch-witness-comes-forward-with-tales-of-anarchy-in-the-src-20120912-25sxx.html That, in response to the fact he has not fronted the media since last Friday: "Mr Abbott said he laid low yesterday out of respect for the funeral of a soldier killed in Afghanistan. He has given interviews on four other occasions when such funerals were held." Either the service for yesterday's soldier was worth four times more 'respect' than those of the previous soldiers, or... Abbott wasn't showing any sort of respect (except the opportunistic kind) at all for a total of five killed Australian soldiers. And a craven excuse for one day actually 'covers' his behaviour across five days. This small, mean man will always seek any bolthole to excuse himself, to validate his crude behaviour, to permit his crassness. PS Please notice that the ‘orrible little twerp CAN make time to actually attend a real digger’s funeral when the PM is going to be there. PPS Any surprise that he should use "lay low" as a description of his personal behaviour?

BSA Bob

13/09/2012Michael et al Given the importance of the slouch hat mythology to this country, Abbott's fake & now discredited "respect" for a soldier's funeral could be very damaging indeed. As you say it's an obvious & cynical usage. I think, though, this point won't be emphasised. Hope I'm wrong, it has happened. P.S. just another display of the stunning arrogant self assurance that he'll get away with it.

KHTAGH

13/09/2012I'm back! I have emailed this to Ad but I think it might pay to repost it here too. I have not been able to log in to TPS for 2+ days & here is how to fix if it happens to anyone else. this is for windows 7 you only have to change the DNS setting from "obtain DNS automatically" to something else, then change it back to "obtain automatically" again & it will reset the DNS setting on your browser. For DNS you have to go to control panel/network&internet/ network connections. Highlight the connection then right click & select properties. Double click on Internet protocol version4. you will have the DNS window in front of you.

Ad astra

13/09/2012[b]KHTAGH reports "All fixed Ad" [i]"In case anyone else has a problem here is how you fix it, this is windows 7 you only have to change the DNS setting from "obtain DNS automatically" to something else, then change it back to "obtain automatically" again and it will reset the DNS setting on your browser."[/i] Thanks KHTAGH. That's great news and good technical advice.[/b]

Ad astra

13/09/2012[b]KHTAGH You beat me to it, but many thanks for sorting out this problem.[/b]

Ad astra

13/09/2012Folks [b]Today is the fourth birthday of [i]The Political Sword[/i]. The first post was on 13 September 2008. I had previously posted on [i]The Possum Box[/i] starting in June 2008, but when Web Monkey found a free blog engine I seized the opportunity to have my own blog. Since then, there have been over 400 posts by six contributors, and over 43,000 comments. Over the last three years, Lyn has posted thousands of links in [i]Today’s Links[/i]. They bring large numbers to the site. Recent links are available in [i]Lyn’s Daily Links[/i]. [i]Lyn’s Daily Links Archive[/i] hold the remainder of the links she has posted since she began. Both are accessible from the left panel. The site has prospered because of the quality of both the contributors and the comments that accompany the pieces posted, and because of Lyn’s Links, which save visitors countless hours looking themselves for the gems that Lyn finds for us every week. This is my opportunity to say thank you to you Lyn, and to all who have made original contributions, in date order: Bushfire Bill, Hillbilly Skeleton, Acerbic Conehead, NormanK and JohnL, and all of you who have come here to comment on the pieces posted, and on contemporary political issues. You too contribute links for us all to follow. Thank you to you all. Let’s look forward to the final year of this term of the Gillard Government, and add our voices, no matter how small, to the day-by-day political discourse.[/b]

NormanK

13/09/2012I'm in two minds about this since I don't approve of trial by media but, regardless of what I think, the storm surrounding Mr Abbott's alleged punch-throwing at university has gathered further momentum. [b]'Abbott's goon squad threw me against a wall'[/b] by Mark Coultan SMH [quote]Another witness has come froward to contradict Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's denial that he intimidated a student rival by punching a wall next to her head during their students days. The man, a student at the time, said he was outside the Student Representative Council's offices photocopying when "Abbott's famous flying squad of goons crashed down the stairs, threw me against the wall, kicked in the doors of the SRC, and started creating havoc". The man, who emphasises that he was not involved in the SRC election, said it was extremely scary, as they were clearly looking for a fight. But he was so angry he followed them into the building. "I saw Abbott throw a punch at Barbara Ramjan, but didn't see it land ... when next I saw her, she was in an extremely shocked condition, leaning against the wall ... I thought he had actually struck her, but I can see that was simply my assumption and rationalisation. "If Ms Ramjan says the punches were aimed next to her head, I can't actually in fact contradict that ... simply I saw Abbott swinging punches, and certainly indulging in serious argy-bargy. I saw him swing a punch, I saw her in great distress." The witness wishes to remain anonymous but says he is willing to sign a statutory declaration about what he saw, if necessary.[/quote] http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbotts-goon-squad-threw-me-against-a-wall-20120913-25ty2.html#ixzz26JX5C156

LadyInRed

13/09/2012The "chairthing" bodes very badly for TAbbott, possibly even worse than the 'punch' allegation. This is a sustained verbal abuse meant to intimidate and belittle. Just ask anyone who has suffered domestic violence what this sort of prolonged attack does and is meant to do. If anything brings him down this should.

NormanK

13/09/2012Happy Birthday [i]TPS[/i] and Ad astra. May you enjoy many more of them.

Crowey

13/09/2012Ad astra I got in touch with Lyn, as I was unable to log on to TPS for a couple of days, I don't know what the problem was, but hey it's up and running again, now I have a couple of hours of reading to catch up with.

adelaidegirl

13/09/2012Happy Happy Birthday TPS! May we all have a long and happy life here. NormanK I agree somewhat about trial by media but, perhaps, this wouldn't be happening if Abbott and his flag bearers hadn't tried so hard to try others in the media - Slipper, Thomson, PM Gillard. We reap what we sow, eh? Frankly, I hope it works.

2353

13/09/2012Yipee - we're back. I was having trouble at home (iiNet) and at work (I've got no idea). Happy birthday to TPS - it has become a daily part of many people's lives. Hopefully it will remain so in the future. Thanks go to all the content writers for an alternate source of news and views - especially to AA who owns, manages and funds the site for not booting me off it (yet (H) ). Congratulations AA (as well as Web Monkey and your wife for proof reading) - your work is appreciated by many.

nasking

13/09/2012 Four years eh? Well done. Great effort. First time I could access the blog since the Libyan and Hillsborough stuff I put up late last nite. Hope someone got something out of it. Cheers N'

NormanK

13/09/2012PunchGate (seriously in jest) gets another shove along: [b]Abbott Threatened Me Too[/b] by Lindsay Foyle New Matilda [quote]The interlopers were soon identified as radicals, involved in student politics at the University of Sydney. We were about to chip our colleague about bringing contacts into such a low-class establishment when he brought them over and introduced them to us. It did not end well. They quickly explained how the world went around and why they had to extinguish their opposition at the university and the rest of the country. Unfortunately, I did not agree with everything that was said and a few feathers got ruffled. ****** The largest of the lot was a person named Tony Abbott. He decided the quickest way to settle our differences was to take me downstairs and demonstrate how I was wrong by punching my head in. This was not the way I wanted the evening to go. Yes, we could have gone downstairs. Yes, he probably could have punched my head in — provided I did not faint of fright first — and yes, the evening’s discussion would have been brought to an end.[/quote] (edited) http://newmatilda.com/2012/09/13/abbott039s-punchline-returns

KHTAGH

13/09/2012NomanK Happy Birthday TPS and Ad astra. May you enjoy many more of them. I'll second that, all together now, Happy birthday to you etc....

Tom of Melbourne

13/09/2012Gillard’s behaviour as a mid 30s partner in a law firm (which was at best incompetent, conflicted with questionable ethics and objectives), is apparently irrelevant to her role as Prime Minister. The 180 findings against Thomson regarding use of member’s money for prostitutes and personal expenses, when he was in his 40s are apparently irreverent to his role as an MP who the government relies on to maintain office. …but the actions of Abbott as [b]a teenager[/b] are apparently relevant to his role as Opposition Leader. The standards applied by committed barrackers are hilarious!

Ad astra

13/09/2012NormanK, adelaidegirl 2353 Thank you for your birthday greetings, and thank you NormanK for the links to yet other verifications of the Abbott story from his student days. Lyn, your Twitterverse too reinforces the evidence on this story. All the stories seem to be in Fairfax outlets or Yahoo, but has anyone seen anything about it in News Limited outlets, other than Gerard Henderson’s and Greg Sheridan's attempts at defending Abbott? Crowey I’m glad you’re back on board. I’ll be out for a couple of hours.

Gravel

13/09/2012Ad Astra Congratulations for the last four years, you have done an excellent job, with help from the other contributors, and of course our wonderful Lyn Linking. NormanK It all seems so sleazy, but I am in accord with adelaidegirl, if you dish it out you have to expect it to come back at you. It seems like the floodgates might have opened a crack. When it becomes headlines in the MSM, IF it becomes headlines in the MSM, we know they have woken up to the grubby little man. And not before time, I am thoroughly sickened by the way the MSM have treated the best Prime Minister Australia has ever had in my lifetime.

Jason

13/09/2012Aa, Happy birthday to the TPS and may there be many more!

2353

13/09/2012It seems some haven't read "Jacksonville" on Independent Australia's site. It also seems that some haven't read the Australian's retraction of their claims on Gillard. It seems that some have relevance deprevation syndrome.

Tom of Melbourne

13/09/2012More hilarity! • “Jacksonville” author makes stuff up, then deletes comments, then tries to continue his banned discussion by email! • Gillard’s poor judgment, questionable ethics, “slush fund” involvement, being shown the door in the last professional job she had, are all apparently irrelevant to her capacity as PM! • But Abbott’s activities as a teenager are relevant to his political life!! It’s all so entertaining here.

Marilyn

13/09/2012Do people remember that we had to punish and persecute refugees for daring to pay so-called smugglers? Here are two interesting things from yesterday which prove they are lying through their racist teeth and Gillard is the worst racist of them all. http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/national/14810068/judges-get-their-way-on-people-smugglers/ So the so-called smugglers get to go home pretty quick. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-11/an-australian-government-to-face-civil-compensation-suit/4255490 And the children we locked up with murderers and pedophiles will be compensated. And the kingpin people smuggler you ask? What happens to this man? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-12/indonesian-soldiers-face-jail-over-asylum-boat-sinking/4 255982 Let's see who the kingpin is that Bowen is going to punish refugees for paying to come here in safety. Bodyguard accused of role in deadly boat voyage By Indonesia correspondent George Roberts 12 September 2012 ABC +++++One of the Indonesian president's bodyguards++++ has been accused of involvement in a people-smuggling operation that saw more than 200 asylum seekers drown trying to get to Australia. In December last year, a boat carrying about 250 people sank off Prigi on the East Java coast as it attempted to get to Christmas Island. So this is how it works in reality. INP and army funded and trained to work with our AFP put refugees onto unsafe boats, sink them and then play pass the parcel over whether or not anyone will rescue them and then blame the refugees and use them as an excuse to push them off to Nauru. So what happens to SBY's bodyguard? Nothing at all. What happens to the refugees - exile to Nauru to live in tents in the hellish heat and be exiled for up to a decade to punish the people smugglers who are high up in the INdonesian government and trained and funded by Australia. More than 200 people drowned in the tragedy and now five Indonesian soldiers are facing a military court for their part in organising the boat.

Michael

13/09/2012ToM When Tony Abbott and Ms Ramjan had their post SRC election wall encounter, he was barely a "teenager", being ten months into his twentieth year on the planet. He was, whatever his age, already well-used to throwing his weight around, as the Ramjan incident indicates as part of a pattern of physical and social harassment that he maintains to this very day. I'd bet he was a nasty piece of work from the first tentative sputter of testosterone into his system.

Ausdavo

13/09/2012Hi AA, I read the articles and follow the comments here but have never posted before. Congratulations on the fourth birthday of The Political Sword. You do a great job. Sad that we have the vitriole from a few contributers. Personally, I'm always happy to read contrary comments but personal vilification has stooped to it's lowest level since Mr "No, no and no" became OL. Increasingly, I'm hearing rational, long-time LNP voters voice their displeasure with OL Abbott and his mean spirited supporters. This country will surely go backwards if the OL and his "team" are added to the governing circles occupied by the three Eastern States Premiers and their MP's.

Miglo

13/09/2012Congratulations Ad astra. You have and manage a magnificent blog and continue to produce posts that are absolutely inspiring. I look forward to reading TPS for many more years to come.

Tom of Melbourne

13/09/2012Of course Michael. • At 34 Gillard was “young & naïve”. A fine excuse - for a legal partner doing dodgy and unrecorded legal work on a slush fund for her corrupt boyfriend/client. • At 19 Abbott was a …what? A love the range of standards on display. It’s hilarious.

Lesley de Voil

13/09/2012My access to your site has been down since Wed morning and only come back on some time since midday today, Thursday. I thought you must have crashed under the load. Congrats on reaching four years!

DoodlePoodle

13/09/2012So pleased to be able to once again be able to access TPS. I was really having withdrawal symptoms!! I have just read all of the posts for the past two days. Julia to me is all things positive. Abbott all things negative. May the PM's positive and strong leadership be soon recognised for what they are. Australia is a much better place because of her positive contribution to all.

Jason

13/09/2012ToM, "At 19 Abbott was a …what?" A a scumbag father who took the easy way out and put his child up for adoption!

LadyInRed

13/09/2012Ad didn't realise it was TPS's birthday. Happy birthday and many more to come.

Ad astra

13/09/2012Folks Back again and have read your comments. Nasking, KHTAGH, Gravel, Jason, Miglo Thank you for your cordial birthday greetings, and thank you too for your many contributions. Ausdavo, Lesley de Voil, Welcome to [i]The Political Sword[/i] family and thank you for your birthday greetings and kind remarks. Do come again. Like Doodle Poodle, several of you have had recent difficulty accessing [i]TPS[/i] but all seems to be well again. Some ISPs were affected, others not. Web Monkey has been on the job but I don’t yet know what the problem was. Later today I’ll be posting the second part of this post [i]More reasons why I admire Prime Minister Gillard[/i].

jaycee

13/09/2012Congrats on your 4th!...bang on the money..bang on the good works! We have to maintain the pressure on the right-wing as a govt' by Tabbott would undo decades of social construction and create the uncertainty (of which the right-wing cultvares and feeds off) which we see unfolding in Qld' and NSW. now!

Ad astra

13/09/2012Folks I’ve just posted: [i]More reasons why I admire PM Gillard[/i], the second part of a two part series. Enjoy. http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2012/09/13/More-reasons-why-I-admire-PM-Gillard.aspx

nasking

13/09/2012 [b]Julia to me is all things positive.  Abbott all things negative.  May the PM's positive and strong leadership be soon recognised for what they are.  Australia is a much better place because of her positive contribution to all.  [/b] Well said DoodlePoodle, I missed the PM in parliament today. Not the other guy tho. The mad monk being away brought a refreshing air of difference. My father-in-law will be pleased...he thinks Julie Bishop is "a bit of alright". :) Cheers Ad...great work by you and Lyn...quite a cyberspace tag team effort. How you both keep it up is beyond me. N'

Ad astra

13/09/2012jaycee Thank you for your good wishes. Together we will keep the pressure on the Coalition and its leader to give us an alternative vision, free of the usual obfuscation.

nasking

13/09/2012 Lesley de Voil, that's a beaut gravatar. N'

N'ellie May

13/09/2012Dear Ad and Lyn, Congratulations on 4th birthday! May I say how happy I am to read your work every day. Have only discovered your site in recent months and am so grateful for the informative work you both do.Recent news that Maxine McKew's book is going to bring on fresh rumblings re KRudd is a worry.What do you think?

nasking

13/09/2012 ausdavo wrote: [b]Increasingly, I'm hearing rational, long-time LNP voters voice their displeasure with OL Abbott and his mean spirited supporters. [/b] ausdavo, my father-in-law usually votes Nats...he can't stand Abbott. Tells me everytime we have a beer together. I'm seeing him and his wife on Sunday...be interesting to see what he makes of Newman now. N'

Ad astra

13/09/2012N'ellie May Welcome to [i]The Political Sword[/i] family, and thank you for your congratulations and kind remarks. Do come again. I haven't heard about Maxine's book. She was always a Kevin Rudd supporter. We'll have to wait to see what she says!

Ad astra

13/09/2012TT, Patriciawa, Truth Seeker Thank you for so often gracing [i]TPS[/i] with your classy verse. With the second part of the two part series: [i]More reasons why I admire PM Gillard[/i] now extant, I trust there will be sufficient material there for you to write some delightful odes to our Julia.

nasking

13/09/2012 [quote]What happens to the refugees - exile to Nauru to live in tents in the hellish heat and be exiled for up to a decade to punish the people smugglers who are high up in the INdonesian government and trained and funded by Australia. [/quote] Marilyn, I don't dig it either...but my views have shifted from The Greens on this. We can't have refugees being conned and put on leaky unfit boats and more drownings. It might not stop all boats...but it's better than dangerous flotillas. And, it gives us time to carefully monitor and assess these people's claims...frankly, these are volatile times and I don't trust the Iranians not to send some extremists, saboteurs our way. Living in a tent is not paradise...it's tough in the heat after a couple of weeks...but it won't kill them...unlike those they are running away from. If MASH could live in tents...and I did working in Greece for 3 mths in the orange fields...and 3 mths travelling NSW, Victoria and Sth Australia in the 80s as a fruit & vege picker...they can cope too. I think you whine and gripe alot Marilyn but provide no answers. Let's face it, Rudd had a mandate from the people to make changes...some didn't work as well as hoped by humanitarians...so Gillard is making useful course corrections...listening to the public and the advice of professionals. We're all grownups here. This issue should be beyond point scoring. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 adelaidegirl, love yer colourful gravatar. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 Norman, nice colourful gravatar too...attractive. [quote]The largest of the lot was a person named Tony Abbott. He decided the quickest way to settle our differences was to take me downstairs and demonstrate how I was wrong by punching my head in. This was not the way I wanted the evening to go. Yes, we could have gone downstairs. Yes, he probably could have punched my head in — provided I did not faint of fright first — and yes, the evening’s discussion would have been brought to an end. [/quote] Norman, that New Matilda piece reveals disturbing things about young Abbott...what a bullyboy. We used to get fellas like that coming back from the football at night when I lived in Brighton/Hove UK in 1981 for a few mths. But they were more working class. Still, a thug is a thug. I can remember everyone holding their breaths when the game ended and you'd hear the raised crazed voices coming...the sound of cans being kicked...then fences and glass in phone booths being cracked. For many in the community it was terrifying...intimidating. The coming silence was a God send. BTW, that UK show Fresh Meat about uni students has posh thugs. I wonder if Abbott picked up part of his attitude in the UK? Bad losers that lot...and real sense of entitlement. Reckon the sin shines outa their butts. Can't stand posh thugs...any thugs for that matter. Booze doesn't help. Usually Mummy's boys with hard and distant fathers. Gotta be tuff to please Dad. Gotta be spoilt by Mum...fills their heads with crap that justifies there mistakes and supremacy grandiosity. They can't stand not getting their way that lot. Put religion in them and they're are underlying fanatical...and insufferable. People let them climb up the promotion ladder because they're afraid of them...or dazed, hypnotised by their fanatical passion. Comes a time someone(s) have to push back. Too many high testosterone bullyboys and psychos at the top the past few decades. No wonder we have so many wars but no DentiCare or Disability scheme. Bloody action heroes...pretenders...scaring the bejesus out of everyone for a vote with the help of their fanatical, greedy, empire building media mates. Enuff is enuff. Vote for difference. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 [quote]Reckon the sin shines outa their butts[/quote] Should be: Reckon the sun shines outa their butts. Also above: 'there' should be 'their'. N'

TalkTurkey

13/09/2012Ad astra My warmest congratulations and thanks to you and The Political Sword on its 4th Birthday! It is a wonderful resource, with your writings and Lyn's Links each holding up half the sky. I feel blessed that it exists and that we your gnomes are permitted such latitude. It is a tribute to your own presence that so few trolls do attempt assaults on the Sword, and that they are so staunchly repulsed, while your own reputation grows with every new thread and welcome and reply that you post. Oddly, TalkTurkey first gobbled here exactly [i]2[/i] years ago [i]tomorrow[/i]. I had never posted on anyone else's blog, but somehow,(and quite amazingly), that day I stumbled across TPS when I had just written a tribute to our new PM and her new Government, and You Ad had just written a thread entitled An Open Letter to Julia Gillard. My own letter slotted in without so much as a splash, and since then I have found time after time out of mind that my thoughts are almost exactly in synch with your own new threads. As I said, (was it only yesterday?)you have a wondrous knack of [i]what-I-think-you-say.[/i] Here's the proof, the first paragraph of my own very first post here. [i]September 14. 2010 08:34 PM Congratulations Prime Minister Gillard to you and all the new Government. A great win for Australia, women in special, and in very particular, us Rangas(!) You have thrilled us with your instant grasp of relevance and your uncompromising responses to media sneers, though imho you are way too subtle for most of them even to realise the rises you take from them. [/i] (there was more) Since then *J*U*L*I*A* has continuously grown until today I have never been so confident that she will lead us to victory in 2013. And Abbortt to the damnation he deserves. Congratulations Ad, and Happy 4th Birthday to our brave singing Sword.

nasking

13/09/2012 Another posh pushy type on The Drum today: [quote]Rowan Dean Rowan dropped out of the Australian National University in 1978 and headed to England where, as a junior copywriter, he launched Fosters Lager (and Paul Hogan) onto an unsuspecting British public. In the advertising industry, he is well known for co-writing "Photobooth" for Hamlet Cigars, an ad regularly voted among the best of all time. He has also run his own production company and been Chair of AWARD (the Australasian Writers And Art Directors Association). These days he is an advertising consultant and social media commentator who regularly writes for The Spectator, the Sydney Morning Herald and the Australian.[/quote] He spoke all over the other two participants...interrupted the lady. Put out possibly false information to justify Romney's partisan knee-jerk attack on the Obama administration. From what we've learnt to date the message criticising the anti-muslim film was put out by the American embassy in Cairo to try and defuse tensions before the attack in Libya. Dean should know that considering his organ's sources and info but said otherwise. In that rising tension situation of course you would try and defuse the situation on the ground if yer there. Only makes sense. To criticise size that response is irrational...and possibly biased and mischief-making. Furthermore, Dean seems adamant that blaming the anti-Muslim film for inciting violence is wrong...a "red herring". It seems to me that the spreading of gossip about the film was in fact used to get young men to rise up so that the real perpetrators, planners of the crime could hide amongst the crowd and use them to reach their targets. This is a complex event that requires patient, diligent scrutiny: From the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/09/12/us/politics/libya-statements.html [b]Tuesday, about 6 a.m., before the attack in Benghazi (all times Eastern) Statement From the U.S. Embassy in Cairo[/b] [b]The embassy released this statement, apparently referring to a provocative anti-Islam video, in an effort to cool tensions in the area. The statement came before protests on the American embassy in Cairo and the attack on the diplomatic mission in Benghazi.[/b] The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. [b]Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others. Original Statement »   The attack in Benghazi occurred in the evening on Tuesday, Libya time — about midafternoon on the East Coast in the United States.[/b]   Tuesday, about 6:30 p.m. In Twitter Message, U.S. Embassy Stands by Statement The American embassy in Cairo sends a message on Twitter that it "still stands" by their initial statement. The message was later deleted. This morning's condemnation (issued before protest began) still stands. As does our condemnation of unjustified breach of the Embassy Archive of Tweets » Tuesday, 10:08 p.m. Clinton Confirms Death of One American in Libya [b]Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton initially announced that one American had been killed in the attack in Libya. I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.[/b] This evening, I called Libyan President Magariaf to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya. President Magariaf expressed his condemnation and condolences and pledged his government’s full cooperation. Some have sought to justify this vicious behavior as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet. The United States deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others. Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation. But let me be clear: There is never any justification for violent acts of this kind. In light of the events of today, the United States government is working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions, and American citizens worldwide. Original Statement » Tuesday, 10:10 p.m. Politico Reports Obama Administration Disavows Embassy Statement Politico cites an "administration official", who said: The statement by Embassy Cairo was not cleared by Washington and does not reflect the views of the United States government. Politico Story » Tuesday, 10:24 p.m. Romney Criticizes Administration's Response Romney's comment, apparently referring to the embassy statement, was sent to The New York Times about 10:10 p.m., originally embargoed until midnight. The embargo was lifted at 10:24 p.m. I'm outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. It's disgraceful that the Obama administration's first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks. Related Story » Wednesday, 12:09 a.m. Obama Spokesman Responds to Romney's Statement Statement from Ben LaBolt, a spokesman for the Obama campaign, in an email to reporters. We are shocked that, at a time when the United States of America isconfronting the tragic death of one of our diplomatic officers in Libya,Governor Romney would choose to launch a political attack. Related Story » Wednesday, 7:22 a.m. President Confirms Death of the Ambassador and Three Others President Obama released this statement, and also held a press conference Wednesday morning. Mrs. Clinton made a separate televised statement. I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America's commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives. I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants. ... Full Statement » Wednesday, 10:17 a.m. Romney's Televised Remarks About the Attack Mitt Romney made televised remarks Wednesday. He called the embassy statement, which preceded the attack, "akin to an apology” and a “severe miscalculation.” The partial transcript is from Federal News Service. …. with tragic news and felt heavy hearts as they considered that individuals who have served in our diplomatic corps were brutally murdered across the world. This attack on American individuals and embassies is outrageous. It's disgusting. It -- it breaks the hearts of all of us who think of these people who have served during their lives the cause of freedom and justice and honor. We mourn their loss and join together in prayer that the spirit of the Almighty might comfort the families of those who have been so brutally slain. Four diplomats lost their life, including the U.S. ambassador, J. Christopher Stevens, in the attack on our embassy at Benghazi, Libya. And of course, with these words, I extend my condolences to the grieving loved ones who have left behind as a result of these who have lost their lives in the service of our nation. And I know that the people across America are grateful for their service, and we mourn their sacrifice. America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies. We'll defend, also, our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion. We have confidence in our cause in America. We respect our Constitution. We stand for the principles our Constitution protects. We encourage other nations to understand and respect the principles of our Constitution, because we recognize that these principles are the ultimate source of freedom for individuals around the world. I also believe the administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning their actions. It's never too early for the United States government to condemn attacks on Americans and to defend our values. The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn't cleared by Washington, and that reflects the mixed signals they're sending to the world. The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place and that American leadership is still sorely needed. In the face of this violence, America cannot shrink from the responsibility to lead. American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don't spin out of control. We cannot hesitate to use our influence in the region to support those who share our values and our interests. Over the last several years we stood witness to an Arab Spring that presents an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous region but also poses the potential for peril if the voices -- forces of extremism and violence are allowed to control the course of events. We must strive to ensure that the Arab Spring does not become an Arab winter. Q: The statement you refer to was very -- (inaudible) -- last night -- (inaudible) -- given what we know now? MR. ROMNEY: I -- the embassy in Cairo put out a statement after their grounds had been breached. Protesters were inside the grounds. They reiterated that statement after the breach. I think it's a terrible course to -- for America to stand in apology for our values, that instead when our grounds are being attacked and being breached, that the first response of the United States must be outrage at the breach of the sovereignty of our nation. And apology for America's values is never the right course. Q: Governor Romney, do you think, though, coming so soon after the events really had unfolded overnight, it was appropriate to be weighing in on this as this crisis is unfolding in real time? MR. ROMNEY: The White House also issued a statement saying it tried to distance itself from those comments and said they were not reflecting of their views. I had the exact same reaction. These views were inappropriate, they were the wrong course to take. When our embassy is -- has been breached by protesters, the first response should not be to say, yes, we stand by our comments that suggest that there's something wrong with the right of free speech. Q: So what did the White House do wrong then, Governor Romney, if they -- if they put out a statement saying -- MR. ROMNEY: It's their administration -- their administration spoke. The president takes responsibility not just for the words that come from his mouth but also from the words that come from his ambassadors, from his administration, from his embassies, from his State Department. They clearly -- they clearly sent mixed messages to the world. And -- and the statement that came from the administration -- and the embassy is the administration -- the statement that came from the administration was a -- was a statement which is akin to apology and I think was a -- a -- a severe miscalculation. Q: Governor, some -- Q: Talk about mixed signals -- (inaudible) -- itself a mixed signal when you criticize the administration at a time -- (inaudible)? MR. ROMNEY: We're -- we have a campaign for presidency of the United States and are speaking about the different courses we would each take with regards to the challenges that the world faces. The president and I, for instance, have differences of opinion with regards to Israel and our policies there, with regards to Iran, with regards to Afghanistan, with regards to Syria. We have many places of distinction and differences. We joined together in the condemnation of the attacks on American embassies and the loss of American life and joined in the sympathy for these people. But it's also important for me -- just as it was for the White House last night, by the way -- to say that the statements were inappropriate and, in my view, a disgraceful statement on the part of our administration to apologize for American values. Q: Governor, some people are saying you jumped the gun a little in putting that statement out last night and that you should have waited until more details were available. Do you regret having that statement come out so early, before we learned about all the things that were happening? MR. ROMNEY: I don't think we ever hesitate when we see something which is a violation of our principles. We express immediately when we feel that the president and his administration have done something which is inconsistent with the principles of America. Simply put, having an embassy which is -- has been breached and has protesters on its grounds, having violated the sovereignty of the United States -- having that embassy reiterate a statement effectively apologizing for the right of free speech is not the right course for an administration. STAFF: Last question. Q: If you had known last night that the ambassador had died -- and obviously, I'm gathering you did not know -- MR. ROMNEY: Well, that came -- that came later. Q: That's right. If you had known that the ambassador had died, would you have issued -- MR. ROMNEY: I'm not going -- I'm not going to take hypotheticals about what would have been known when and so forth. We responded last night to the events that happened in Egypt. Q: Governor, what sort of -- Q: Governor Romney, your -- one of your professed reasons for running is your economic know-how and your private sector experience. But now that foreign policy and the situation in the Middle East -- (off mic) -- the presidential campaign, can you talk about why, specifically, you think you're better qualified than President Obama -- (off mic)? MR. ROMNEY: I think President Obama has demonstrated a lack of clarity as to a foreign policy. My foreign policy has three fundamental branches: first, confidence in our cause, a recognition that the principles America was based upon are not something we shrink from or apologize for, that we stand for those principles; the second is clarity in our purpose, which is that when we have a foreign policy objective, we describe it honestly and clearly to the American people, to Congress and to the people of the world; and number three is resolve in our might, that in those rare circumstances, those rare circumstances where we decide it's essential for us to apply military might, that we do so with overwhelming force, that we do so in the clarity of a mission, understanding the nature of the U.S. interest involved, understanding when the mission would be complete, what will be left when it is -- what will be left behind us when that mission has been -- has been terminated. These elements, I believe, are essential to our foreign policy, and I haven't seen them from the president. As I watched -- as I've watched over the past three and a half years, the president has had some successes. He's had some failures. It's a hit-or-miss approach, but it has not been based upon sound foreign policy. Q: Governor Romney, how, specifically -- how, specifically, Governor Romney, would President Romney have handled this situation differently than President Obama did? Before midnight, when all the facts were known? How would you have handled it differently than the president did? MR. ROMNEY: I spoke out when the key fact that I referred to was known, which was that the Embassy of the United States issued what appeared to be an apology for American principles. That was a mistake. And I believe that when a mistake is made of that significance, you speak out. Thank you. ------------- Another individual who sometimes writes for the Murdoch empire pushing trosh. And wanting to dominate the conversation. N'

Tom of Melbourne

13/09/2012Nasking said – “We can't have refugees being conned and put on leaky unfit boats and more drownings.” It’s up to you to prove that an unethical, inhumane policy, designed to punish vulnerable people will be an effective deterrent against other vulnerable people. It’s a policy designed to pander to the redneck vote, this policy is the very last option, but the government has elevated it for political expedience. It’s a blight on the country and supposedly ethical people who support it should be ashamed of themselves.

nasking

13/09/2012 [quote]To criticise size that response is irrational...and possibly biased and mischief-making.[/quote] Should be 'criticise that response is irrational...and possibly biased and mischief-making. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 Whoops...start again: Should be: To criticise that response is irrational...and possibly biased and mischief-making. Lot of mischief-making going on from some usual suspect quarters. Coincidental timing. Machiavellian and screeching tactics by some. We've been here before. Some are determined to have a 'long war'. Crusade. Oddball alliances. Stirring up fear in the vulnerable and traumatised and xenophobic. In various countries. But we're more informed and wiser now. NO LONGER EYES WIDE SHUT N'

Ad astra

13/09/2012TT Thank you for your birthday wishes, and congratulations tomorrow on your second anniversary of posting here. You have made a wonderful contribution over the last two years and your verse has delighted us. Your optimism and your Ides of September predictions have lifted our spirits. Your predictions look like coming true. I look forward to your continuing contributions to [i]TPS[/i]

Ad astra

13/09/2012Nasking It looks like Mitt Romney suffers from severe foot-in-mouth disease.

Truth Seeker

13/09/2012Ad, HAPPY 4th birthday to TPS and team. The Political Sword... is just four years old And Ad.. wields it.. with grace and precision His cut, thrust and parry.. a sight to behold As he extols the virtues.. of our PMs.. vision Lyns links are the sustenance for news hungry souls Who are tired... of the MSM... spin with her excerpts and efforts applauded by all You're a great part of... TPS.... Lyn And with all of the contributors adding their parts And the fifth estate growing each day Exposing the lies and the Abbotts brain farts And with TPS... leading.. the way There'll be nowhere to hide for the Monk and his mob As their lies, spin and slogans all fail And Ad and his SWORD will continue the fight For Australia... and the left.... WILL prevail Happy birthday again AD Cheers

nasking

13/09/2012 [quote]It looks like Mitt Romney suffers from severe foot-in-mouth disease.[/quote] Ad, I think we can safely say that. He's another humane weathervane trying to appeal to the extremes in his party and the church he kneels at the altar of...it's wearing him down, pulling him apart...revealing the narrowness of the man...the opportunist...the underlying capital accumulating compulsive...the soft patriarch...the desperation... Sad to observe. Playing it so partisan at that key moment revealed his inability to dig deep and compromise when it truly matters...to put the country before self and politics. Not saying he's an evil man...just not the complex, diverse, calm, thoughtful, reflective, inspiring, empathising, motivating, articulate, reassuring, positive compromiser and set by example type of leader America desperately needs in these volatile times. Obama has many of those attributes and demonstrates them more consistently in the public arena. And he's grown, evolved. Alot more experienced. Nuff said. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 Truth Seeker. Top stuff. N'

nasking

13/09/2012 [b]He's another humane weathervane[/b] Should be: He's another human weathervane. I reckon the Right caters so much to extremist these days it makes it impossible for a centrist moderate to survive. N'

Truth Seeker

14/09/2012Nas,thanks for your comment about my poem, greatly appreciate it. It doesn't matter which country you look at, the right of politics seems to be cut from the same cloth, lies, misinformation and slogans are their stock in trade.
How many Rabbits do I have if I have 3 Oranges?