But, but, but...

The opinion polls and betting markets indicate that the probability of Tony Abbott becoming PM and the Abbott Party taking power at the next election is increasing.  To date a lot of attention has been focussed by the media and the Abbott Party on Kevin Rudd and his performance, and he’s been marked down.  Now that Abbott believes he is a serious contender, it’s time the media, indeed all voters, focused on him and what an Abbott Government might look like.

 

It’s a curious thing that the media has placed Abbott under so little scrutiny to date.  Maybe they saw him as such an outside chance that they instead focussed on hacking away at Rudd to knock the Teflon coating off his stratospheric approval.  The media hate a tall poppy, especially one who defied their incessant predictions over several years of the end of his honeymoon, who seemed immune to their barbs, who refused to conduct himself as they expected a PM to behave.  Add to that his disdain for much of the media, his unwillingness to ‘buddy-up’ to journalists, his refusal to pour money into media coffers via Government advertising, as did John Howard, and the personal vendetta The Australian has been running for a couple of years now, and you have an explanation of why the media attacks have continued so viciously for so long.  They rejoiced in his falling popularity and Labor’s decline in the polls, which they believe they have largely brought about.  

 

During the GFC the media could find little to criticize.  Although some journalists were critical of the stimulus right from the beginning and although a few still are, most acknowledge now that it saved the nation from recession, high unemployment and a flood of business failures, leaving Australia in a position the envy of other countries, most of which still flounder.  That this result might be banked and credited to the Government at the next election was a faint hope.  People quickly forget and are susceptible to media and Abbott Party propaganda that the threat to our economy was not as bad as made out, that the Government panicked, overspent and racked up debt.  That argument is easy to sustain as the people never ever did get to feel the effects of a full-blown recession.  Something prevented impresses less than something cured, as all doctors know. 

 

Of course once some of the unintended and adverse effects of the stimulus became manifest, such as the insulation misadventure and the problems with the BER, both the direct result of rorting by disreputable firms, the Government was exposed to criticism.  The media, especially News LImited, went feral and day after day ran stories of deaths, fires, fraud and rorts that took much of the shine off what were successful programs despite all the bad press they received. 

 

Then Rudd backtracked on some initiatives that seemed doomed to failure - the ETS and the insulation programme, and aborted some of the planned pre-school centre building.  This gave his adversaries an opening to attack, and they did with great ferocity. 

 

We saw the ‘pecked chook syndrome’ begin and steadily accelerate.  For those who have never kept chooks, this is where one fowl gets out of favour with the rest, who then attack it, pecking its neck until feathers are lost and bleeding occurs.  Once blood appears the frenzy increases and the attacks accelerate until the fowl has to be removed or otherwise it is killed.  The intent was figuratively to kill Rudd as a leader and as a politician.  The campaign might succeed and Labour might go down with him.

 

So it behoves the assassins to contemplate what they will get if that happens - an Abbott Government and Abbott as PM.

 

After Abbott’s speech in reply to the Budget, it looks as if he and his party and Rudd and the Government will be like ships passing in the night.  Wayne Swan detailed a sound Budget carefully worked out in consultation with the Treasury, properly costed and predicting an earlier-than-expected return to surplus.  In contrast, Abbott abandoned any pretense of attention to fiscal preparedness, and instead decided to fight the election on the issue of the Resources Super Profit Tax.  So his address canvassed just a few largely uncosted savings and focussed for two-thirds of his time on attacking the Government and its RSPT.  There was no plan, not counter budget, only a hospital pass to Joe Hockey who Abbott said would detail the savings next Wednesday.  So the two leaders and their parties are on vastly different paths  - one professionally competent, the other populist.  It’s as if they are fighting each other in separate boxing rings.

 

So what do we make of Abbott as a potential PM?  Does he know anything about economics, about running a trillion dollar economy?  Does he think that  presenting a properly costed alternative budget is needed to seize the reins of Government?  He says over and again we’ll all be told in the fullness of time and meantime I suppose he expects us to take him on trust.  Yet even the day after his budget address he was prepared to concede only $4 billion of savings over the forward estimates while Andrew Robb was touting $15 billion.  Where did that figure come from?  Why the difference?  Abbott does not seem to have what it takes on the economic front, nor seem to care that he doesn’t. He’s a bare-knuckle pugilist who knows only how to fight; reasoning and logic are replaced by ridicule, aggression, and wild punches.  This is our next PM if the current polling trend continues. 

 

His speech gave the strong impression that he would return to the Howard era, which administration he has always maintained was a ‘good Government’ that should never have been removed by a ‘sleep-walking electorate’.  WorkChoices by another name will feature.  Whether appropriate or not, Rudd was portrayed as ‘Howard Lite’; be assured Abbott is ‘Howard Heavy Duty’ - he is much more extreme, more conservative, more determined to return to traditional hard-line conservative values than John Howard ever was.  Be warned.

 

Another Abbottesque feature - his propensity to say whatever he thinks at the time - his ubiquitous thought bubbles - and when his thoughts are found to be erroneous or unacceptable, he laughs raucously, says he should have chosen his words better, and seeks forgiveness.  And the media largely lets him get away with these about-turns.  Why does he do this?  A plausible hypothesis is that this is learned behavior from his religious upbringing where sins and misdemeanors can be confessed, and forgiveness and absolution expected.  But how can he expect to operate in this way while governing the nation?

 

Yesterday, there he was on Neil MItchell’s 3AW Melbourne talkback, asked whether he was ‘rolled’ by his shadow cabinet over his thought bubble about paying stay-at-home Mums $10,000, said he didn't think it was a ‘fair construction’ to say he was ‘rolled’. When asked to put a fair construction on the discussion, he replied by saying: “I'm just not going to do that."  And then: “Well, Neil, I've done the best I can. And I'm sorry if I'm a disappointment but I've done the best I can.”  A frustrated Mitchell fired back by telling Abbott not to “play that trick”.  Abbott laughed loudly and delivered a damning self-assessment.  “Yeah, I'm sorry mate. I'm being a wimp - OK?”  Read all about it in The Australian of 14 May: I'm a wimp, Tony Abbott declares on Neil Mitchell radio show.

 

There we have it again - make a mess of things and then say ‘I’m sorry’ and hope for forgiveness.  Yet Abbott wants to be our nation’s PM!

 

Listen to his interview with Mitchell and ask yourself do you want this man governing our country.  

 

So for those out there who want to kill Rudd politically and his party with him, before you do, just contemplate the alternative - Tony Abbott, a bored-stiff economic ignoramus, a man who knows only fighting as a political modus operandi, who seeks only to criticize, demean, destroy.  He acknowledges he is a follower of the Randolph Churchill dictum - “Oppositions should oppose everything, suggest nothing and kick the government out”.  

 

With only a paper-thin front bench to support him, we can expect no well-reasoned arguments, no well thought through and costed plans, no vision for this nation’s future, only a return to the most extreme elements of the Howard era, a nihilistic approach to pressing problems such as global warming, and of course unremitting aggression, hostility and ridicule.  Is this the man what we want for our PM?

 

Every time you hear Abbott but,but, butting, a sure sign he is struggling to answer a question or address an issue, something he often does, ask yourself is this man Prime Ministerial material.  The answer seems obvious.  Yet that may be what he becomes!  

 

Do you want to wake in fright the day after the election?

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Rx

15/05/2010It's got me absolutely staggered that the ABC (of all organisations) is so shamelessly pumping for Abbott and the Liberals. They are no friends of public broadcasting - or public anything - so it makes me wonder what is afoot. They really [i]like[/i] the prospect of him "cutting" their staff numbers, possibly privatising the organisation or opening it to advertising? What the hell is going on???

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Rx, Please wait for my next post. That is exactly the subject that I will be addressing. :)

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Tony Abbott is an aggressive Alpha Male, the Cock of the Walk in his own estimation, to be sure. If you needed further proof of that you only had to see his arrogant behaviour yesterday in the ABC studio after he had been interviewed by Lyndall Curtis, and as Chris Bowen was sitting down for his subsequent interview. If you want a 'Latham' moment, that was it, as he ostentatiously drank a full glass of water in front of the camera so as to get in the way of Minister Bowen and to aggressively standover him. Fair dinkum, if I had been in a Boxing ring with that man, at that time, I would've been able to summon the force necessary to deliver a knockout blow! Do we really want such an arrogant prick, let's be honest, because that's what this sexist neanderthal is, as our nation's representative on the World Stage? Someone who will not be working in the National Interest but in the Corporatocracy's interests? His Budget-In-Reply speech gave more than adequate evidence of that agenda. Do we want to go back to the mean-spirited, true elitist agenda of the Howard years? Or do we instead want to show that we are better than that? Also, if the Greens don't wake up and realise what side their bread is buttered on, and actually start supporting the Rudd government then they won't know what's hit them if an Abbott government gets elected. They'll get such short shrift, it'll make their heads spin. It's time they stopped giving their Middle Class, Holier-than-thou, Earth Mother members, like Sarah Hanson-Young from South Australia, so much sway over their general direction. Fair dinks, I'm almost as angry at that so-called 'Progressive' woman MP, who has sabotaged the Rudd governmnent's reasonable initiatives on the alter of some Utopian 'Green' purity from Day 1, as I am at Abbott, who at least you know where's he's coming from and why.

Johnny Button

15/05/2010Rx, My feeling is that Abbott will privatise the ABC selling it to News Ltd. In its current state the ABC would have a low market value.

Augustus

15/05/2010Ad Astra, Tony Abbott started his campaign too early without a strategy just an attitude, which has initially carried significant weight but I think Thurdays budget response will be his waterloo, he has played all his cards and we are left with but, but, but... The Greens support the RSPT that only leaves the two Independants who surely must be looking at Abbotts credentials. Abbott himself now says he supports aspects of the Henry review in principle and would implement them only after the debt was paid off. Has Tony Abbott kicked the game losing own goal. It is only May and an election is still a long way off, Labor have presented their budget and cleared the policy decks and with 5 months of freebees from Tony Abbott to throw back at him, irratic brainfarts, flip-flops, Joe Hockey will fill you in next week which means he is absolutely lazy, and of cause the white elephant in the room that no one has really mentioned, what changed Turnbull's mind, what was he promised to change his mind. I think Tony knows and so do Labor.

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010My bet? Malcolm Turnbull has been promised Chrissy Pyne's job of Leader of Government Business in da' House, plus another plum, such as Finance, or Industrial relations, as Abbott's already been asked if Joke Hockey would be Treasurer, and he had to answer in the affirmative. Not that any of it is going to happen of course! Heaven forbid!

Augustus

15/05/2010HS, but Turnbull only wants one job and he isn't a patient man, remember the Lyons Forum was setup to bring Howard into the leadership. Methinks there is some discontent amongst Liberals and if you have a choice between someone with no economic credentials or interest and someone who has, despite his foibles and you want to win, I think if Labor begin to pickup serious ground again we may see another coup d'etat within the Liberal Party. Turnbull has been a quiet lately, too busy working the phones, he only lost by one vote last time and Tony really hasn't been that impressive.

Thorney

15/05/2010I agree with this whole piece about Abbott but fully expect the brutally narrow-minded, sullen and monstrously stupid Australian public to vote for him anyway, then hold endless working-class bogans in the street protest gatherings to bemoan what any moron could have told them was coming if they'd bothered to turn their Herald-Sun addled brains on and think for a bit. It happened with Howard, it'll happen with Abbott. Maybe the Ruddbot will have come up with a winning phrase beyond 'working families' by then, but I seriously doubt it.

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Augustus, So an enterprising journalist should get on the blower to Turnbull and ask him his opinion of Abbott's Budget-In-Reply. I don't think it would be pretty. However, he may just say something anodyne so as not to frighten the horses and upset the Abbott election apple cart, which appears to be better able to get the Coalition back into power than Turnbull's efforts were. It beggars belief actually that the electorate, after all the deceptive behaviour wrt Godwin Grech which was exposed last year, could even consider the Coalition worthy of holding office again.

Michael

15/05/2010A report on Abbott's vacuous Budget Reply speech in the Herald Sun actually said that he was intending to re-introduce Workchoices, an emphasis which I was very surprised by. Perhaps a change in the wind is coming from Murdochinania?

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Michael, That can't be true surely?

Ad astra reply

15/05/2010Thorney If this is your first comment, welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Do come again. Folks
 Apropos of the ‘pecked chook syndrome’, read Chris Wallace's [i]Canberra gallery turns on an ADHD prime minister who has lost his way[/i] to see who are pecking the chook. THEY have decided: [i]Rudd’s trouble ... is that when the press gallery silverbacks roar, the macaques get to make a lot of noise too. The sense that Rudd is over has permeated the corridors. The macaques aren’t quite jumping up and down on his body yet, but the sense is that it’s not far off.[/i]. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/canberra-gallery-turns-on-an-adhd-prime-minister-who-has-lost-his-way/story-e6frg6zo-1225866990110 A Google search failed to shed any light on why Wallace chose the rhesus monkey ‘macaques’ to embellish his story. Is the use of ‘macaques’ a metaphor for we the public, the monkeys? If any erudite visitor can explain, please do. But whatever Wallace meant by macaques, his message is clear - if the silverbacks in the Canberra Press Gallery says you’re dead, that’s it. Is that just breathtaking arrogance, or is it the stark reality of how our our MSM operates?

gusface

15/05/2010I think he meant Lemurs LOL

jason

15/05/2010Chris Wallace is A Christine

Lyn

15/05/2010Hi Jason, Good one, a girl.

gusface

15/05/2010Jason How ignorant of me, ta for the correction What do you think SHE meant by the macaque?

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Christine Wallace is also the former wife of the Editor of The Australian Chris(topher) Mitchell.

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Also, I was listening to Andrew Probyn, of the West Australian, talking on News Radio the day after the Budget was delivered. He openly admitted that everyone in the Press Gallery got together the morning after and decided the line they would take, by consensus.

Lyn

15/05/2010Hi Ad Thankyou for your brilliant column, "but, but, but'. You have certainly given us lots to talk about, what would we do without The Political Sword. I see THORNEY up above, I hope the commenters keep coming, we need heaps of opinions on The Political Sword. See what the Herald Sun is printing now, is there no end to the slander. I am wondering if this is all the work of the young Liberals, what did they call themselves last year, "swinging dicks", very apt. [b]Kevin Rudd accused of artificially boosting Twitter following , by alex Dickinson, Herald Sun.[/b] [b]Several thousand followers of Kevin Rudd PM have dormant accounts or are advertising online services where you buy followers to bolster your "online street cred".[/b] http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/kevin-rudd-accused-of-artificially-boosting-twitter-following/story-e6frf7jo-1225867004641 :

Michael

15/05/2010Just passing on that link to the story I referred to in the Herald Sun yesterday. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-reports/tony-abbott-vows-to-abolish-mining-tax-in-budget-reply/story-fn5idf17-1225866279788 The salient quote is: "In the biggest moment of his Liberal leadership so far, Mr Abbott promised spending cuts and revival of key aspects of Howard-era WorkChoices industrial relations policies." Referring to Coalition IR intentions with "WorkChoices" in front of them in the same sentence is usually the tag from the other side of politics. It's just not something I expected to see in the Murdoch press.

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Michael, Thank you for that. I note that it says 'key aspects'. I imagine the spin will be around the 'positive' aspects of WorkChoices, whatever they were, lol.

janice

15/05/2010There is an interesting piece "The Failed Estate" on Larvatus Prodeo which was written by Mr. Denmore as Guest Writer - Mr. Denmore posts on Poll Bludger regularly. [quote]Rx, My feeling is that Abbott will privatise the ABC selling it to News Ltd. In its current state the ABC would have a low market value.Johnny Button [/quote] Now that wouldn't surprise me at all Johnny Button. There isn't much left silver left for Abbott to sell off after the Howard years and he's already targetted Medicare Private for sale.

Chris

15/05/2010Somewhere deep down there is a small part of me that almost wants to see a coalition win at the next election, just to see how bad it could really be. And I think a Tony Abbott Government could prove an absolute train wreck. Just have a look at the reactionaries and cultural warriors around him. Kevin Andrews, Bronwyn Bishop, Eric Abetz, and no doubt Nick Minchin, though retired, will have some input. Even those that you might consider moderates, such as Morrison, have shown how easily they take to dog whistle politics. I guess satirists and cartoonists would to some extent love this lot in power though, just for the material. I've posted the transcript of a recording of the Shadow Cabinet meeting prior to the budget reply over at Sportolotics. Very illuminating.

Lyn

15/05/2010Hi Ad This is a link to Chris's (comment above) blogg: Transcript of Shadow Cabinet Meeting 12 May 2010 by Chris Owens, Spotolotics Oh, and Greg, can you make sure that for the next meeting Malcolm is as far away as possible? I just don’t trust that guy. http://sportowens.wordpress.com/

Ad astra reply

15/05/2010Jason, HS Thanks for your information - the Wallace piece now makes more sense. But I still can't fathom the 'macaques' line. Lyn Thanks for the Sportolotics link - lovely satire.

Lyn

15/05/2010Hi Ad [b]Here is Richard Green, Club Troppo, to explain about Chris Wallace for you[/b], Amazing. [b]CLUB TROPPO, OMEGA JOURNALISM, BY RICHARD GREEN.[/b] Chris Wallace, proudly at the front of The Australian “Focus” section, shows us what journalism is destined focus on. [quote]HE SAID, SHE SAID REPORTING TO DETERMINE WHO IS WINNING THE RACE AMONGST THE PRESS GALLERY[/quote] http://clubtroppo.com.au/

bilgedigger

15/05/2010HillbillySkeleton - If you are planning a piece on the situation at the ABC currently it would be great if any flesh could be added to the rumour posted on Crikey either Thursday or Friday to the effect that there is talk of a staff rebellion at the AB with some staff members threatening to go public on their view that editorial policy has been hijacked by News Ltd. Only a rumour on Crikey and I don't usually have much time for them but if you can flesh it out at all it would be good. I'm not able to find out any more and it doesn't appear to have been published anywhere else I could find. Lyn - Is it possible for you to again provide your tip for locating the most recent comments here? Now that the comments section is expanding so much it would be good if we could have a refresher on that.

Augustus

15/05/2010Lyn, Ad Astra, and everyone check this piece out by Mike Carlton http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/visiting-hours-are-over-kev-time-to-get-back-on-the-job-20100514-v4co.html seems to me there can still be some balanced journalism I had to read it twice just to make sure.

lyn

15/05/2010Hi My Friend bilgedigger [/b] This is how I do it: Leave The political Sword on your Task bar at bottom of the page, by clicking the minus at the top right hand corner of the page. This will leave The Political Sword sitting on the task bar, on the last comment you were on. Then, when you come back to your computer, click on political sword [b]on your task bar[/b]. Then click on VIEW AT THE TOP LEFT HAND CORNER OF PAGE, on the drop down menu, click refresh. When refresh finishes thinking, it will take you to the last comment. DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE COMMENTS ABOVE THE LAST COMMENT, because there may be new ones above. bilgedigger, I hope I have explained properly for you, anyway ask again if not.

lyn

15/05/2010Hi Augustus Thankyou for the link to Mike Carlton's piece This is astounding as a matter of fact it stinks, what is happening, the Media [b] crucifing [/b] our Government, disgraceful, sickening, outrageous. No use getting cranky [b][quote]Yet there is rather more to it than that. In the past 18 months there has been a relentless media campaign to destroy the Rudd government, the most savage onslaught upon a federal Labor administration since the Whitlam years[/quote].[/b] [quote]Naturally, this has been led by the forces of darkness at News Ltd. [b]The Murdoch [/b]gorilla threw itself into the demolition of Gordon Brown's Labour Party in Britain. It seeks to [b]wreck the Obama presidency [/b]in the United States. Here, it battles for the return of a Tory Brutopia to Canberra.[/quote [quote][b]His blathering about "government debt" demonstrates what an unprincipled ignoramus he is. [/b][/quote]

lyn

15/05/2010Hi Augustus, I get so furious with Murdoch and his hacks, I forgot to say yes to you, it's nice to see one piece, just a lousey one piece, of balanced journalism in 2 years, if only we could get more of it.

Bushfire Bill

15/05/2010Lyn, Mike Carlton is an unabashed Tory hater and therefore de facto Labor supporter, and just about every week he writes columns in similar tone.

Ad astra reply

15/05/2010Augustus Thanks for the Mike Carlton link - what a telling take on the media in this country. What is happening is serious. We in the Fifth Estate must counter at every opportunity. bilgedigger You'll enjoy HillbillySkeleton's piece on [i]Their ABC[/i] next week.

lyn

15/05/2010Hi Ad Read Peter Brent he has a good insight on the narrative. Labor on skidrow? This and that , by Peter Brent , Mumble [b]Lots of people reckon Rudd needs to get or regain something called a “narrative” about why they’re there to win the election. Rubbish: the only narrative in town is that Abbott & co are dangerous [/b] http://mumble.com.au/?p=2255

lyn

15/05/2010[b]Hi Ad[/b] [b]Now comes our, best friend Grog, to cheer everybody up, thankyou Grog.[/b] [b]The Man to Sell the RSPT, by Grog, Grog's Gamut[/b] Too many members of the [b]Canberra press gallery [/b]have the political memory of a gold fish who even other gold fish think, geez, his memory is bad. http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/

lyn

15/05/2010Hi Bushfire Bill Do you mean Mike Carlton is too biased towards the Government then. But so am I. At least Mike Carlton got published, would the Australian accept Mike's column for publication not likely, would Sky News repeat some of his words, would Channel Nine, would Dennis Shanahan, tell me one journalist that would, would The Punch link Mike Carlton's column.

Augustus

15/05/2010About all Murdoch's print is good for is to line my daughters guinea pig cage with. Violet the guinea pig did squeak to me in confidence that she thought Dennis Shanahan was a balanced and reasoned reporter.

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010I think the Press Gallery behave like a pack of screeching Baboons. So there! :)

Augustus

15/05/2010HS, Nah Baboons are intellegent, gibbons maybe

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010lyn, I forgot to say, I love your new Avatar!

jason

15/05/2010I saw this comment on the posion pen on crikey and thought it sums up News Ltd fairly well even though it was pointed at bolt. Bolt’s blog isn’t geared to a careful, prolonged consideration of the facts. It’s porn for the congenitally enraged: a quick splash of inflammation, and then on to the next subject to make Mr. or Mrs. Greyhead go bananas.

Paul of Berwick

15/05/2010Sort of on-topic.... Could someone please check how much extra the miners are putting into the cash-strapped Liberal party's coffers. To me it seems like a "cash for comments" deal about this mining tax. Thanks, Paul

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010Chris, Lovely work! Especially the line, '...well it wasn't long on anything, not even long socks.' :)

HillbillySkeleton

15/05/2010AA, My reading wrt macaque monkeys is that they are the most common species of monkey in existence, who blend in the easiest with the human race, and can cohabitate with them the most successfully. So maybe Christine Wallace is saying that the Press Gallery are like a bunch of 'common as muck' monkeys that blend in very well with us humans!

Macca

15/05/2010MEMO To; K Rudd, J Gillard, W Swan, L Tanner, A Albanese and others from; The Australian electorate message; We are going to take these bastards on and we are going to beat them. Take no prisoners! message ends

Chris

16/05/2010Thanks HS, It gives me great pleasure to poke fun at the coalition, and they make it so easy. Ad, the "macaques" reference by Wallace is a little confusing. The way I read it though is that the average member of the press is following the lead of the luminaries (and I use that word loosely), so when the "solverbacks" start to attack Rudd, the rest of the press gallery see it as a free for all. It makes you wonder why these journalists can't practice a little introspection and see that they are shaping the agenda rather than reporting and interpreting it. The whole reporting of the ETS is more a reflection of journalists disappointment rather than based on the realities faced by Labor.

lyn

16/05/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS [/b] The Man to Sell the RSPT, by Grog, Grog's Gamut Too many members of the Canberra press gallery have the political memory of a gold fish who even other gold fish think, geez, his memory is bad. http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/ Abbott's cynical war against his past, The Canberra Times one of the most hypocritical speeches a major Australian political leader has given in recent years. Despite his pledge, it's almost http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/opinion/editorial/general/abbotts-cynical-war-against-his-past/1830926.aspx Tony Abbott - liar, wimp, dodging truth ... ,Aussie Stocks Forums 'WIMP': Abbott evades question (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/ http://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19524 40% of Mineral go to the nation Reality Check, by Tim Colebatch But wouldnt the mining move offshore? Only if Australias mineral deposits moved offshore. http://colebatch.blogspot.com/2010/05/40-of-minerals-go-to-nation-reality.html The Failed Estate, by Guest poster, Mr Denmore, Larvatus prodeo Straight news is dead. Media organisations now ritually take a position and none more so than Mr Murdoch. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2010/05/15/guest-post-by-mr-denmore-the-failed-estate/#more-13309 The puzzling popularity of Kevin Rudd , by Dominic Knight Labor’s two-party preferred lead remains comfortable. It’s 52-48 in this Newspoll, and I’d be willing to bet that things won’t get any worse for the Government unless it turns out that Stephen Conroy has been making child porn as well as trying to ban it. http://www.domknight.com/the-puzzling-popularity-of-kevin-rudd/ Sensationalism......Gone mad!! byby Matthew Lee, Thewetmale Institute A common critique of the media has always been its tendency to sensationalise and trivialise. http://thewetmale.wordpress.com/ WE ARE NOT WORTHY: Greg Combet’s poorly-timed self-promotion, by Vex News If Greg Combet is going to soar, then, it seems he will do it in his own time, and in his own way. With his feet firmly on the ground. [VEXNEWS: While soaring above us all] http://www.vexnews.com/news/9311/we-are-not-worthy-greg-combets-poorly-timed-self-promotion/ Separated @ Birth, Alphine Opinion Tony Abbott has recently been reunited with his twin brother ~ the long lost Wal Willow from the Save Bright hillbillies. http://alpineopinion.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/separated-birth/

gusface

16/05/2010Oakes well and truly carved up tone this morning on ch9 Apparently dutton bought shares in BHP AFTER the henry tax announcement Sheesh

Theodric

16/05/2010I think Wallace means Howler Monkeys http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/SmallMammals/Exhibits/HowlerMonkeys/LoudestAnimal/default.cfm. "They hang out in the treetops where younger, greener leaves are abundant. However, if you do find yourself in the rainforest and it seems that an unusually large amount of fruit is falling from above or a fine spray of urine rains down on your head, you will know you are close!"

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Theodric We are pleased to read your comment on The Political Sword, would you keep coming back. Ad Astra will be very pleased. [quote][b]Male howler monkeys use their big voices to defend their turf. Howls by one troop are answered by other males within earshot[/quote][/b] From the link you have provided, these howler monkies are very similar, to Tony Abbott, because he and his party keep howling. So Peter Dutton cashes in eh!!! even though the mining companies, are at this minute lifting the mines out of the ground and shipping them overseas and we are all ruined.

Bushfire Bill

16/05/2010Well, the “New” Insiders reverted to the usual giggling, sniggering pap pretty quickly, didn’t it? “Funny” video montages, Rudd “bench-pressing a pen” (thank you Lyndal Curtis, how can you hope to be ever taken seriously as an interviewer again?), Bolt in regulation Climate Change Denial mode, stupid questions from Cassidy to Swan (”Are you positioning for P.M.?”… based entirely on one off-hand comment in an obscure article in the OO), sneering cartoonists struggling for relevance and those idiotic vox-pops from the intellectual glitterati (you can tell they’re intellectual because they wear black). And there are still some here who claim the ABC is straight down the line?

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Paul of Berwick Mining Companies Cash to the Liberals, doesn't it have to be declared, wonder how much Murdoch paid for Tony Abbott's breakfast, suppose under the table is not declared. Paul your name is linked to, "It Thesis and me" is this your blogg?? nosey aren't I.

Ad astra reply

16/05/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

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16/05/2010Theodric Welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family - do come again. Theodric, Chris, HS, Augustus Thank you all for your suggestions regarding the meaning of 'macaques' in the Wallace article. One idea that appeals is that the reference might apply to the vast number of run-of-the-mill journos, who, afflicted with groupthink follow slavishly what the glitterati among their number deem to be the case. Groupthink is very powerful among such a close-knit group. In this instance, the anti-Rudd brigade is influencing the lesser lights - like schoolyard (or fowl house) bullying, once started, it gathers momentum as the small kids (or chooks) come in for their slice of the action. It's pathetic, by why should we be surprised at such behaviour from our MSM journalists?

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16/05/2010BB After a couple of reasonable editions of [i]Insiders[/i], one in London and last week's, it has reverted towards its tabloid format. At least Laura Tingle and Lenore Taylor brought some common sense to the discussion to counterbalance the extreme views of Andrew Bolt, although even he seemed to be somewhat more restrained in his comments today - I wonder whether Barrie got into his pink ear before the session began. Nonetheless, his climate change denialism intruded, as did his detestation of Kevin Rudd. He is a Julia Gillard fan, giving her advice about 'how to clean up her act' so that she could do what he wants her to do, knock off Kevin Rudd.

Rx

16/05/2010If you placed a hundred monkeys at a hundred keyboards and had them punch random letters for all eternity ... they would still never match the gibberish excreted out by our so-called "mainstream" media.

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010At least 'The Sphere of Influence' hasn't drunk the Abbott Kool Aid. He's not buying the Coalition lines about the RSPT, and he had Dutto's BHP share buy as proof the Coalition know all their bluff and bluster is just empty rhetoric and that Mining companies are the ones who will actually feel a 'pinprick' from this tax. After the good get by Laurie Oakes this morning, Abbott hasn't got anyone to run to and complain about his unfair treatment to anymore. No more kerry Packer, not even James, and Murdoch hasn't been able to buy Channel 9. Why Tony can't even complain to the Venture Capital company that owns Ch.9 now, they couldn't give a stuff about him and the influence he thinks he wields. Ha! Ha! On a brighter note, the Treasurer put in another solid performance on Insiders, as did Chris Bowen and Paul Howes on 'Meet the Press on Ch.10. I think that, with their concerted campaign to mortally wound the PM, the Coalition may have actually aided the ALP by forcing the PM to loosen his iron grip on the media message management and thus setting loose the better performers from the Ministry to have a higher profile. How's that proverb go again? 'Be careful what you wish for. :) Anyway, the proof of the Groupthink Press Gallery pudding will be in the eating today and tomorrow wrt how, or if, they play up this revelation about Dutto's share buying. Especially, of course, News Ltd.

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010Bushfire Bill, As per usual A.Bolt tried to hijack Insiders as 'His Master's Voice'. I do actually think that Barrie Cassidy got a bit exasperated with him this time, and cut him off a couple of times. Poor Lenore and Laura, found it hard to get a word in edgeways. The moderator is just going to have to be impolite when it comes to the News Ltd. hacks.

Augustus

16/05/2010Abbotts Lament Here I sit broken hearted spent my penny and only f@#ted

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010Augustus, You're right, Abbott is a twerp! :)

lyn

16/05/2010Augustus and Hillbilly He is a wimpy, budgie, twerp howling, like the monkies, now that's a combination.

Rx

16/05/2010It's time for Swordsmiths to rally in resistance. We all know News Ltd and their ABC are loath to question the fitness of fruitcake Abbott for office. So we ourselves must help by going onto their blogs and arguing the case against the dangerous Abbott. Godspeed, Swordsmiths...

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Rx But the newspaper bloggs won't publish me. I have been banned of Bolt's blogg twice.

Rx

16/05/2010Hi Lyn, I'd say Bolt's bog (and Acherman's, of course) is a waste of time, even if they didn't ban you. It's like going into a room full of howling crazies and trying to talk sense to them. The more "mainstream" blogs might be the place. ABC News Online publishes comments on some of their stories (usually during weekday mornings). News Ltd likewise. http://www.abc.net.au/news/

Rx

16/05/2010Forgot to mention. The ABC has a standalone blog, [i]The Drum Unleashed[/i]. Many of the heading opinion pieces are written by right-wingers, even serving Coalition MPs (though, conspicuously, no Labor MPs for balance). It is a good place to put the case against Abbott and the il-Liberals. The moderation can be a bit 'iffy', but persistence pays. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/ http://www.abc.net.au/thedrum/

Acerbic Conehead

16/05/2010AA, Kerry O’Brien had a “but, but, but...” moment this morning he didn’t count on. With the smell of blood still in his nostrils, he scheduled a follow-up edition of the 7:30 Report, this time for am instead of pm. Kev has been invited back to be given another tongue-lashing. However, there is no sign of him fronting up so, to fill the space, Kezza has grabbed Tony Abbott, who was the star commentator in the studio next door on the Tour de Farce, and is interviewing him instead. After a while, Kezza gets the prompt on his ear-piece that Kev has finally appeared, so he winds down the interview with Tones (which, for Kezza, was excruciating, as all Tones wanted to talk about, instead of the Coalition’s policies, was how his piles were giving him jip from sitting for so long on his bicycle seat). Tones shoots through and Kezza, whilst waiting for Kev to be brought onto the set, waxes lyrical on how, in the temper-tantrum stakes, Rudd would make Mark Latham look like a Zen Buddhist monk who had been hit with a tranquiliser dart. Eventually, Kev makes an appearance but, strangely, is limping badly. Kezza: Good morning Mr Rudd...the Leader of the Opposition has pointed out that you are a lame Prime Minister...after seeing you hobbling in here this morning, that’s got to be literally as well as metaphorically true doesn't it... Kev: Now, listen here carrot-top/MATE!...you invite me along here and, what do I find in my usual, “Dodgy Utes Only” parking bay – Tony Abbott’s bloody bike! So, I have to park miles away and walk all the way up to the ABC studios – that’s why I’m late, MATE!...So, can you rule out categorically that this will not happen again? Kezza: But, but, but... Kev: And another thing, ranga-ringlets/MATE!...I get up to the make-up room, and who is the “artist” on call? None other than that bloody whinging RAAF stewardess! I told her I wanted some lighter colour under my eyes to hide the bags and she ran blubbering out of the room, claiming I was bullying her! Can’t you get your staffing policy sorted out – your image, your credibility, your brand is clearly at stake here...Can you afford to ignore this warning? And, also, I’m really pissed off I didn’t get any make-up on for free here – that means I’ll have to put my own on before fronting up for church later this morning...you’ve made me bugger up my strategy... Kezza: But, but, but... Kev: And for an explanation why I am walking like Jake-the-peg, here’s something else tomato-thatch/MATE!...when I was in the waiting room outside, Tones came out, put the water-cooler to his head and skulled the lot! However, he spilled some and I slipped on the puddle, went arse-over-tit and injured myself. Now...it says on the sign over your studio door, “You are now heading into Ranga’s Romper Room – abandon hope all ye who enter here!” So, as an effective communicator, I reckon you are responsible for my subsequent injuries, florid-fleece/MATE!...Even more so, I might add, than I am for the “pinks batts fiasco”, MATE! Kezza: But, but, but... Kev: Yeah, MATE!, you won’t be able to put this on the confusing array of back-burners...by the time Julia and I are finished with you, you won’t know whether to shit or shag a sauce bottle... [by this stage Kerry feels like he’s been run over by the lead rider of the Tour de Bacle (Tones of course), staggered to his feet again, and then been clobbered by the pursuing peloton of dispatch-riders delivering Julie Bishop’s daily allocation of Botox] Kezza: But, but, but... Kev: Look, florid-fleece/MATE!...it looks like we’ve run out of time...thanks very much for joining us this morning... Kezza: But, but, but....erm...ummm...ahhh...thanks for having me on your program, Prime Minister...Hey – wait a minute...

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010Acerbic C., You are well on the way to becoming our next 'National Hero'. Watch out! You'll be mowed down in the bum's rush as the pollies seek you out for their photo op! :)

jason

16/05/2010HS, Yes I too watched Bolt in insiders,an thought the same as you, but why does Bolt always have to say whenever he is on that show when it comes to climate change "as you now I've been writing a lot about this" as though he is some sort of expert, could be worse he could become Abbotts speach writer

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010Jason, I thought Christopher Pearson was Abbott's speechwriter!

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Jason The way Bolt goes on over Climate change, he may well be advising Tony Abbott. Bolt is a bosum pal of Peter Costello, Michael Kroger and the Liberal Party.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Ad For those who may have missed this mornings political shows: MEET THE PRESS, CHANNEL 10 http://ten.com.au/meet-the-press-paul-bongiorno.htm Laurie OAKES AND TONY ABBOTT, TODAY ON SUNDAY 16 MAY 2010 http://australia.to/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2764:laurie-oakes-and-tony-abbott-today-on-sunday-16-may-2010&catid=100:just-in Last Update: Sunday 16 May 2010 This week on Insiders http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/ cheers

Acerbic Conehead

16/05/2010Augustus, looks like the Dodo Dutton Bird spent a penny and crapped in its own nest, lol.

jason

16/05/2010Could it be that the reason the media go after Rudd so hard like insiders is because he doesn't go on the show all that often but is more prepared to go on things like Rove when it was on and FM radio,and other mediums rather than give what was called the "traditional media" all the attention. Thus putting the collective noses out of joint and as a result the time has come for them to say enough is enough we can make you and we can break you?

Augustus

16/05/2010Thanks for the links Lyn, I was looking for thr Laurie Oakes interview, he certainly wasn't letting Abbott get away with too much, love this bit just for Ad Astra LO: Liberals are supposed to believe in self sufficiency not pensions. TA: [i]But, but, but[/i] – there is a world of difference between the government forcing you to put money aside and the government encouraging you to put money aside and we’ve always been more in favour of the latter than the former. Certainly sounds confident doesn't he

Beerme

16/05/2010Hello all, just writing in to say that this is a great blog and keep up the lively discussions. A big thanks also to Lyn for putting up those daily links - before that, I was limited to searching in google "abbott news" and "rudd news" which isn't cool. Two articles to toss in the ring which hopefully haven't been put up already: Five reasons Tony Abbott could topple Kevin Rudd - Peter Van Onselen "SUNDAY Telegraph political columnist Peter Van Onselen reveals what will help take Opposition Leader Tony Abbott all the way to the Lodge - and what could trip him up." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/five-reasons-tony-abbott-could-topple-kevin-rudd/story-e6frf7l6-1225867244260/ Trendy voters turning on Kevin Rudd - Simon Kearney "Long-term tracking of the 350,000 members of the influential activist group GetUp! reveal Mr Rudd's most vocal supporters at the last election have turned off him en masse..." http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/trendy-voters-turning-on-kevin-rudd/story-e6frf7l6-1225867251330/

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16/05/2010HS
 I agree with your analysis of Laurie Oakes’ interview with Tony Abbott - no overt aggression - but to use a Keating expression, ‘he did him slowly’. Oakes shafted him ever so cleverly with the Dutton reference. I guess you noticed, as did Augustus, the Abbott ‘but, but, buts’. But will the MSM hound him over this like they have hounded Kevin Rudd over some of his expressions like ‘Let me tell you something’? He used it three times in his Jessica Watson welcome, but did you notice both the compere and Kristina Keneally used the same expression? Why is the media so obsessed with Rudd’s quirky language. I can’t remember them hounding John Howard over his favourites: “The overwhelming proportion of mainstream Australia believes/thinks/agrees with...” or “You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t”. I think their preoccupation with Rudd’s language results from boredom with hearing some expressions over and again, and a desire latterly to put him down on every occasion. I just wish they would grow up and accept that ‘the overwhelming proportion of mainstream Australia’ is not remotely interested in them counting how many time Rudd uses this or that expression Wayne Swan is improving with every appearance - he knows his stuff and puts it out logically and forcefully. And he now gets respect whereas in the early days the MSM ridiculed him. I agree that Barrie Cassidy needs to exercise more control over the likes of Bolt; at least today he said he did not think Rudd had a meltdown on the 7.30 Report, and Bolt was nudged to concede that was so.

Acerbic Conehead

16/05/2010HS, thank you. I hope they realise I don't come cheap - I have to get my beer-money from somewhere! Appreciate your fine writing on the blogs, keep it up.

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16/05/2010Beerme
 Welcome to the [i]TPS[/i] family. Do come again. And thanks for the links. Peter van Onselen is having two bob each way. That means he will always be on the winning side. Nonetheless there is some validity in what he says. It ought not come as a surprise that the younger group is upset with Kevin Rudd over the ETS and asylum seeker policy. They live in an admirably idealistic world that does not have to deal with the complexity of such issues or the variation of opinion that exists in the electorate over them. Getting the balance right is really hard, and sometimes nobody seems pleased. I often wonder why anyone takes on political life at that level. It must be very hard to take - as old Johnny said so often: “You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t”.

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16/05/2010jason
 I think you’re right. It has been a bone of contention with Barrie Cassidy that since becoming PM Kevin Rudd has come on his show just once. I can remember Cassidy having a whinge to Julia Gillard about this one morning on [i]Insiders[/i] to which she gave the delectable reply: “Well Barrie, you can go on behaving like jilted lover or you can ask me some questions...” Barrie has not complained since. Rudd’s disdain for much of the MSM, thoroughly deserved, has riled journalists to the point that they are determined to show him who’s boss. This is exacerbated by his appearance on Rove LIve and FM radio, which reaches a quite different demographic, and I suspect foreign to many in the MSM, and they don’t like it. If the media wins this battle of wills, heaven help us all. HS will have something more to say about this in her next piece.

jason

16/05/2010AA, Does Laurie Oaks ever go to the press club lunches and if he doesn't where do you think the hard questions will come from on wednesday when shrek turns up, to do what but but but couldn't on Thursday night. As for quirky language Tim Fischer was the butcher of the english language didn't hinder him. As for Barrie taking more control if labor lost this election next year on insiders the panel would consist of Bolt,Akerman,Henderson,Milne and Shannahan every week if there is a god it's time he helped us

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Beerme Thankyou for commenting on the Political Sword, we need you, I hope you keep comming back, Ad Astra will be pleased. I am glad the today's links are helpful for you. Thankyou for your 2 links, Peter Van Onselen is a self appointed advisor for the Liberal party, although I have noticed lately on Sky News he has been a lot fairer. This link you put up 350,000 members of the influential activist group GetUp have turned off him en masse, that's a bit troublesome, wonder how true it is. Sky News is running this too. Sky gets great pleasure and excitementout of any tiny little thing that is bad for the Government.

bilgedigger

16/05/2010Lyn - Thanks for repeating your tip for the technically backward. It seems to me that all the posters on this site should join together in presenting a Log of Claims on your behalf to Ad Astra which would give you either a day or so off per week, or a lesser number of daily links. How would that be? Ad Astra - I am looking forward to a posting on the current workings of the ABC. The role of News Editor is just as important in that organisation as in other forms of media and the Political Editor role as well. Some time ago Crikey had a post on domestic partnerings in the media and there were some very interesting couples listed. HillbillySkeleton has referred to the former relationship between Chris Wallace and Chris Mitchell, and there were some fascinating combinations in Crikey's post with many crossovers between television and print media. Fairly normal I suppose in the closely-knit world of journalism, but still of interest when considering the source and veracity of articles and commentary. The link above to Peter Brent's post on Mumble and his reference to a news article on supposed polling by Mark Textor for the Liberals in marginals, highlighted that one of the seats supposedly showing possible problems for Labor was the seat of Lindsay. Other posters here will recall that this seat was held by one Jackie Kelly until the last election and was the scene of some overtly racist push polling and other behaviours which led to the Parliamentary and Party demise of several people and subsequent proceedings. The more things change the more they change! Watching the Oakes interview with Abbott this morning, with the news that Peter Dutton has entered the Stockmarket with a purchase in BHP shares following on the dire predictions of the imminent collapse of the mining sector in Australia, it was with some amazement that I listened to Tony Abbott give what amounted to financial advice to viewers along the lines that "their investment was going to be under a serious cloud as long as this tax is in place". Now I have a feeling that the Australian Securities & Investment Commission takes a very dim view of politicians (and others without the proper financial credentials) giving investment advice. In fact I think there may be penalties for so doing. I'll bet that no such admonishment will be forthcoming from ASIC regarding this or other comments made both by miners and politicians as to losses on investments due to the mining tax. I'm still checking each day with the Stock Exchange to see whether either one of the main mining voices in the debate ( including Rio Tinto and BHP) have made any announcements to the Stock Exchange, as they are required by law to do if there is any news which may affect their financials. I'm still waiting. For anyone who has shares in Rio Tinto (or who can afford to purchase the minimum amount required - whether one share or ten or more) a reminder that the Annual General Meeting of Rio Tinto is to be held on 26th May and all shareholders regardless of size of shareholding are entitled to attend and presumably still ask questions from the floor. I hope someone does just this. Many large Companies have tried to block this "Right to Know" but so far as I am aware, not all. A final comment on Mumble's reference to "The Roosters". This reference was made a few years ago and in the interests of full disclosure here I make it known that my partner (an artist) did paintings of some very handsome roosters at that time and named them in honour of the politicians concerned. These were subsequently sold at good prices - one of them having won an Art Prize as well.

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16/05/2010jason
 I don’t know if Laurie goes to Press Club events regularly, but you can bet there will be some independently-minded journos there next Wednesday to pick Joe Hockey’s presentation apart. Several did so last time he appeared and, not surprisingly, found him wanting. With Tony Abbott passing the buck to Joe, all those journos who complained about the lack of fiscal detail and costed savings in Abbott’s reply speech will be there salivating at the prospect of hammering Joe. My guess is that he’ll squib much of the Abbott Party funding and savings proposals, diverting with the usual “You’ll hear about all our policies and funding well before the election”. In my opinion that will not cut the mustard with the serious journos who are not Abbott Party sycophants.

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16/05/2010AC
 You are, literally, priceless. Because [i]TPS[/i] could not afford to pay for such satirical talent, I hereby appoint you, in perpetuity, “Honorary Satirist to [i]The Political Sword[/i].

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16/05/2010Rx Thank you for publicizing the ABC blog sites. As HS and you are urging, we should get out there and have our say. As you say, forget Bolt’s and Akerman’s blogs - they are for those who enjoy having their deep-seated prejudices and hatreds reinforced.

BK

16/05/2010I have noticed that Abbott often prefaces answers to questions about policy with "I am not sure . . . ". He did it a lot with Laurie Oakes this morning. He is attempting to evade taking any position.

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16/05/2010Augustus
 Your ‘Abbott’s Lament’ (11.45 am) brought back happy memories of my childhood when that little poem did the rounds time and again. A wistful reminder of the past - I wonder how many of the youngsters have heard it.

cosman

16/05/2010Hi all, a regular long time lurker here. Re HS's reference to Chris Wallace being the ex wife of Chris Mitchell the editor of the Australian, I know for a fact that his ex wife's name is Deborah Cassrels. Possibly Chris Wallace is her pen name?

Augustus

16/05/2010Ad Astra, I think that little diity has been relegated to the annals of history, much like Tony Abbott will be, Tony who?, wasn't he the leader of the Liberal Party once!. As we are beginning to see, any one with any merit puts a little pressure on him and he goes but, but, but... won't be long before the macaques shift focus.

Bilko

16/05/2010bilgedigger with reference to "The Roosters" pictures, do you have a copy of them I am sure others besides myself would be happy to view. Gentle folks, Abbott is an airhead and totally unelectable his only positive position is the one across his bicycle saddle, almost recycled one might say so do not worry about waking in fright the day after the election?. Lyn I enjoy your links which allows all to read murdoch's presses comments and by the way watch out for Silvester(suffering sucatash)he is always lurking around.

Ad astra reply

16/05/2010cosman Welcome to the growing [i]TPS[/i] family. Please comment again. I don't know who Chris Wallace really is - the name was listed as the author of the piece about the Canberra gallery turning on the PM. HS has a better handle on this so I'll hand-pass your comment to her to answer (so long as you don't think I'm doing 'a Tony Abbott', who last Thursday hand-passed all the hard fiscal work to Joe Hockey).

Jason

16/05/2010Biography www.breakfastpolitics.com is published by Chris Wallace for Das Kapital Pty Ltd (ACN 109 312 629). It's read first thing in the morning by MPs, staffers, journalists, diplomats and public servants in Canberra keen to get a jump on the day (and their rivals). A graduate of the ANU (BA, politics and history), Sydney University (BEc) and the Australian Graduate School of Management (MBA), Wallace's publications include "Greer, Untamed Shrew" (Pan Macmillan, 1997; Faber & Faber, 1999) and "The Private Don" (Allen & Unwin, 2004). Recent journal articles include "Libertarian Nation By Stealth" (Griffith Review, 16, 2007) and "Clean, Orderly and Laminex Coloured" (Griffith Review, 19, 2008). Wallace is a member of the Canberra Press Gallery and has worked for a wide range of print and electronic media outlets there including "The Australian", "Australian Financial Review", "Business Review Weekly" and ABC-TV. She is a regular member of judging panels for the Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism each year. Wallace can be heard on regular radio spots with 666 ABC Radio in Canberra and breakfast on Adelaide's top rating talk station 5AA. She is writing a biography of Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard for publication by Allen & Unwin in 2010, and is a PhD candidate at the National Centre for Biography in the ANU Research School of Social Sciences. Contacts - ed@breakfastpolitics.com or C/- Press Gallery, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 or PO Box 3588 Manuka ACT 2603

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Jason How good are you, finding all that information for us, thankyou so much. Wow! I need you to help me sniff out the daily links. I do skim Breakfast politics, but stick to linking the political bloggs, we need to support each other, the newspapers can go jump.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Cosman Great to have your comment on The Political Sword, and as Ad Astra said we hope you keep comming back, we need your opinion. Chris Wallace pen name, looks like you might be right.

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010Hello cosman, Thank you for writing in. It appears that speaking through one's hat never works! I could have sworn that I'd read, multiple times, that Chris Wallace was married to Chris Mitchell, when in fact she is married to Michael Costello, Kim Beazley's former COS. My apologies.

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010BK, I have noticed that too. It enables plausible deniability down the track, one imagines.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Bilko, how ya going Good one, recycled, compliments of Mr Howard, Abbott would be on the phone to Howard constantly, evident in the budget reply. Silvester is always chasing me, I tawt I saw him, yesterday. Do you like the new me, I got sick of flying away in freight of my own comments, so I put my, "see I told you so look on". Bilko pleased you enjoy the Today's links, Ad always puts them up on the side bar near the blogg roll, to save everyone from scrolling down the comments.

Augustus

16/05/2010But, but, but... the great new mining tax will damage company profits, so badly so that Peter Dutton bought $2,000 dollars worth in BHP after the tax was announced, and I really loved this one http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/coalition-torn-over-approach-on-gillard/story-e6frg6nf-1225866347227 thanks for you link Jason. Coalition a viable option!, bring on the big red macaque of the ABC

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Augustus But, but, but was on ABC News, they showed a video clip. Would that blow, But, buts, argument out of the water, the Mining giants are digging up their mines and taking them overseas. Dutton defends mining shares purchase By Naomi Woodley [b]"Apparently Peter Dutton has been buying BHP shares at the same time as the [/b][b]Liberal Party are attacking the RPST and saying that it will destroy the mining industry," [/b] http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/16/2900737.htm?section=justin

Augustus

16/05/2010Lyn, total hypocrisy, the AWU is going after the mining companies, they have a new add campaign telling the mining companies to put back ito the country, apparently some mine owners feel that they should be putting more back.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Ad I was watching for the one hundred comment, to come up, so you could give another award , look it's turned out to be me.

Michael

16/05/2010Earlier this week Abbott was complaining that the current government's IR framework had taken Australia back to the 1970's, and he didn't want us back in the 1970's. Today he's saying that the Liberals can alter IR practices should they win government within the current framework. (Tweaking the 1970's gave us the 1980's, which is a digression, but scary.) Along with his "reckless spending has to stop" quote boomeranged back to Kevin Rudd in his Budget Reply spiel, is this the beginning of another aping (all punning macaques aside) by TA - a "me too" campaign?

Rx

16/05/2010[b]Hey folks[/b], Here is a link to a Youtube video you should all post wherever possible. It from 'The Chaser', and shows how unauthentic the Mad Abbott really is. Just look at the expression on his face when he is busted twice - first by Tony Jones on 'Lateline', then next by the Chaser boys. Classic! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvYzLIywCiA Remember: spread this video of "Authentic Tony" EVERYWHERE! :D

Acerbic Conehead

16/05/2010AA, thank you so much for the great honour you have bestowed upon me, unworthy wretch as I am. I will wear it as a badge of honour. And, by the way, I notice Piers is looking for a research assistant. I think I will add my new honorary position to my cv and put in an application. If successful, I look forward to helping Piers solve the mystery of the Heiner Affair ("ShreddedWheatGate"). I will keep you posted during my appearances on breakfast tv.

Ad astra reply

16/05/2010Rx Magnificent - you're right - that video tells a story, and nothing has changed. He was at his devious worst again in the Neil Mitchell interview a couple of days ago. As they say, "a leopard..."

Ad astra reply

16/05/2010MIchael Abbott is master of the one-liners - it matters to him not at all that they are disingenuous, deceptive or even untruthful, so long as they work for him. It matters not if they are contrary to they national interest; it's winning that counts.

gusface

16/05/2010On my twitter feed as we speak well done Rx

Rx

16/05/2010Surely Piers, good Liberal that he is, could get a recent private school graduate, complete with toffee-nose and hyphenated surname, and engage them under a SerfChoices work "experience" arrangement. If he does it right he might not have to pay them at all. Liberal heaven!

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16/05/2010jason Many thanks for the information about Chris Wallace.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Gusface I know you have been feeding the monkeys again, I can tell by the look on your face. Good one gusface Rx's video travelling all over twitter. daGusface .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvYzLIywCiA MUST SEE Chasers on abbott ☻#myliberal @alotofloons 3 minutes ago via web

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16/05/2010Lyn This post has been building fast - over 100 comments in 36 hours. Your links are a great attraction, as Bilko acknowledges. Thank you again for all the time and effort you put into them. It is much appreciated.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Ad Thankyou Ad, it's a great honour, you are such a delightful boss to work for. But you missed my comment above about the award. Run back quick

Sir Ian Crisp

16/05/2010I watched in awe as Jessica Watson sailed into Sydney Harbor. I thought about her tenacity, toughness and her ‘deal with it’ attitude. Jessica must have steeled herself for her epic voyage. Carrying out repairs to her boat's engine, living off dehydrated food, sticking to a food ration plan, dealing with very lonely nights surrounded by the blackness of a featureless night, and other challenges. Then my thoughts turned to Ad Astra and how much of a gulf exists twixt him and Jessica. After weathering the locust years of the Hawke/Keating governments followed by Howard’s biocidal reign I thought a much tougher Australian would emerge; a more stoical Australian who, after several years of deprivations and meanness, would be equipped to handle adversity. Ad Astra you put that theory to an extreme test. Mr Rudd’s popularity takes a dip in the polls and you go into panic mode. I’m sure a rictus of bemusement settled on Jessica Watson’s face when she read your latest piece ‘but, but, but...’ and the theme of panic and nervousness it carried. Did you ever stop to think that your fixation on Mr Turnbull was a wasted opportunity? Instead of channeling your talents into talking up Rudd’s policies in every piece you have written you wasted time telling us about Turnbull and the Liberal Party machinations. Now that Turnbull has been dumped as leader those pieces you wrote were entirely wasted. You’ve got a top flight team there at TPS so why not pool their talents? You’ve got a fictioneer, an amateur psychologist/psychiatrist, a person well connected to the ALP upper echelon, a person who wants to allow criminals and security risks into Australia, and an assortment of rusted on ALP voters so why not use their services? Get cracking on a mission to rebadge Rudd as someone who is honest enough to admit to his flaws and who is honest enough to admit that a few inchoate policies are better than no policies. The smart money says an election will be held some time in August or September so you haven’t got much time to turn the polls around. I’d get moving if I were you Ad Astra.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Sir Ian Crisp Your are all Cowboy and no cows, oh I mean no hat, as Abbott mucked up the saying with hat.

gusface

16/05/2010Sir Ian perhaps calling the RSPT the BANTON LEVY would be a good start? pip pip old chasp :)

Ad astra reply

16/05/2010Sir Ian You are your old acerbic self once more, full of sarcasm, and worse still, illogicality. I really can't be bothered answering your many barbs tonight. Maybe tomorrow if I've nothing more productive to do.

Ad astra reply

16/05/2010Lyn [i]TPS[/i] dubs you the 'One Hundred Poster'. Congratulations!

Acerbic Conehead

16/05/2010Rx. I am filling in the deed-poll form as we speak. Yours etc, Acerbic Algernon Conehead-Carrothers Esq.

Rx

16/05/2010Sir Ian Crisp, Everyone's a critic, huh? I'm sure if Ad astra wanted your advice he would ask for it. The fact that he hasn't should tell you something, old chap.

Rx

16/05/2010Acerbic Conehead, Perhaps a box of cream buns offered to the right person would open doors? <wink> Gusface, Good one. Can you get others on Twitter to spread it too? Here's the link again for those who missed it. The "Authentic" Abbott on The Chaser. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvYzLIywCiA

Colen

16/05/2010SIC, These boofheads couldn't listen if a bomb exploded in their ears. They are stuck in the old cultural wars. The Ruddster has them under some hypnotic spell. They need Abbott the magician to break them free, but they could never see that. I wonder if they could attack a Labor opposition as much as they have attacked the Lib's. God help Australia if all the Chooks in the Garden are as mad as this lot.

gusface

16/05/2010Colen thank god chooks dont vote eh :)

Colen

16/05/2010Unfortunately Lemurs do.

lyn

16/05/2010Hi Colen Does Lemurs mean Abbott and the Liberals.

gusface

16/05/2010Colen No thats macaque's isnt it?

Colen

16/05/2010Hi Guys, Liberals don't need to vote. We are the RIGHT to rule party. I just heard NAB, CBA, Westpac and ANZ have sent a letter to Swanny asking for a BPT. I must buy some shares tomorrow morning their profitability is going up.

Colen

16/05/2010Well goodnight all, Hope to continue our little tete a tete tomorrow. Let's say, score 1 for T.A. today. Rudd man 0.

gusface

16/05/2010Colen glad you revealed that TA likes to score What exactly does he score?

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010Colen, After TA flubbed his interview so comprehensively with 'The Sphere of Influence', and the PM took Abbey on the 'Million Paws Walk', you scored TA 1: KR 0 ? Interesting perspective you have. :)

HillbillySkeleton

16/05/2010130 is a nice round number :) Good night all!

Rx

16/05/2010"What's Tony Abbott thinking about?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4zmwqbBKYY&feature=related

Acerbic Conehead

16/05/2010Colen, I feel your pain. Dutton's act of gross stupidity hasn't been equalled since Marie Antoinette said, "I've just made a yummy Black Forest gateau - would anyone like a slice?" And they took her literally.

lyn

17/05/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] NEWSPOLL http://resources.news.com.au/files/2010/05/16/1225867/475156-federal-newspoll-170510.pdf At Face value, by Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless. Look at the Opposition frontbench now: dud Dutton, lazy Smith, Spongechris Squarepyne. This rabble can't make their presence felt where the Liberals are riding high, and when Labor press their momentum these clowns won't have a contribution to make http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/2010/05/at-face-value-probably-single-greatest.html A core or non-core promise, Kevin?, by Mungo MacCallum, Northern Rivers Echo The paper’s attack on the BER has been obsessive, at times bordering on the psychotic; even after the audit which said the BER had largely succeeded in its basic aims of providing employment and improving education infrastructure, The Australian’s hit squad continued its frenzied assaults on every aspect of the scheme http://www.echonews.com.au/story/2010/05/13/is-that-a-core-or-a-non-core-promise-kevin/ Tony Abbott the self confessed wimp, by Mark Larvatus Prodeo Tony Abbott, simply put, is not a clever politician. Whether or not that becomes clear is going to be one of the most intriguing political questions of this year’s election. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2010/05/16/tony-abbott-the-self-confessed-wimp/ The Australian Resources tax by Stubborn Mule The recent announcement by the Australian Treasurer of plans to introduce a “Resource Super Profits Tax” (RSPT) has led to the longest discussion thread on the Mule Stable yet. http://www.stubbornmule.net/ There's something about Tony. by DA Cairns, The Cairns Expeience There's something about Tony Abbott and his equally non credible mate, Joe Hockey, that resonates with ignorance http://dacairns.blogspot.com/2010/05/theres-something-about-tony.html Gillard continues rise in polls. abc news The poll also shows the Coalition has maintained its lead over the Government on primary votes, 43 per cent to 37 per cent. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/17/2900884.htm AWU won't allow Tony Abbott to buy government with mine bosses' millions Tony Abbott has decided to make the Super Profits Tax the battleground for the election,” Paul Howes said. http://www.awu.net.au/116109_5.html?H%7C0%7C116109%7C116109_52 New York Post Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd (2nd R), sits directly across a dining table from federal opposition leader, Tony Abbott http://www.nypost.com/t/Tony_Abbott!9#topic_photo_div#ixzz0o4zu8M5B

Ad astra reply

17/05/2010LYN's DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

janice

17/05/2010You are a real gem Lyn for providing us with all the links. Once again I thank you for the time you give to The Political Sword. For me it beggars belief that voters are enamoured with Tony Abbott and are actually contemplating installing him as PM of this country. I know there are many Labor supporters who are disillusioned with PM Rudd and have swallowed the media/coalition line. It infuriates me that Labor supporters are all too ready to panic and join in the frenzy the media have created to criticise and condemn Rudd personally for being unable to overcome the tsunami of negatives spewing forth across the nation. It seems every Labor voter and his dog is out there blaming Rudd for the fall in the polls and giving simplistic advice as to what he should do, shouldn't do or shouldn't have done. Back in 2007 when Labor won the election, we all knew Rudd was no ordinary politician, that he was somewhat nerdish, a workaholic and a skilled diplomat. We discovered he is not one to do anything without cautious consideration and consultation. We discovered he is capable of making hard decisions and taking fast and decisive action to protect this nation's economy in the face of an unprecedented GFC. But, but, but (to borrow an Abbott stuttering) people easily discount the Rudd Government's achievement because they cannot see that the GFC itself caused a slowing down of the implementation of Labor's agenda and they start screaming about promises broken or the slowness of progress. Suddenly, Labor supporters who do see the problems, nevertheless begin blaming Rudd personally for what they perceive as his lack of ability to "sell" the policies and reforms. We know Abbott and his mad army of dinosaurs with the aid of a biased, lazy lot of journalists out to protect their kingmaker powerbase, have been waging a campaign against Labor, making it almost impossible for the Government to be heard and/or defend its policies. Again, everybody and his dog has been doing their best to goad Rudd into going to an early election or a DD election. Why? I believe Rudd will not go early nor call a DD election because from where he is sitting he sees no advantage for his government to do so. Voters don't like early elections which make them suspicious of what might lie beyond them. Tony Abbott and his mad army have been blowing off steam since late last year and, like our national resources, there is a limit to the ammunition of negatives that fuels them. The longer they go on carping negatives and offering nothing but hot air solutions the more time voters have to see them for the nonsense they are.

Bushfire Bill

17/05/2010Glenn Milne's hypocracy is truly gargantuan. Today he makes a plea for political commentary to stop short of going "[b]down the low road of personal denigration and unfounded suggestions[/b]." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/campaign-gets-down-and-dirty/story-e6frg6zo-1225867462598

Michael

17/05/2010My response to the Milne article. It will be interesting to see if it is accepted in the Comments. "What a nasty piece of work. You, too."

Augustus

17/05/2010Bushfire Bill, gotta love the "Poison Dwarf", maybe he is try to gather favour with the OZ again. keeping on the monkey theme http://sheikyermami.com/wp-content/uploads/ahmadinejad_monkey511.jpg

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Janice You are just the biggest sweetie, thankyou so much for your encouragement, the nice people we have commenting on The Political Sword make The Polical Sword so very important. I am so pleased you enjoy the links, happy they are useful to you. Yes it's more than depressing, to see what Murdoch and his hacks are doing to our Government and our country, there just seems to be no end to the hate, and personal attacks. The other depressing news this morning is this continual harping on Julia Gillard taking over, the MSM only push it so they can promote her, then knock her down. Kevin Rudd has to next April to call an election, really I wish, he would wait until then, do the Abbott and his miserable liberals slow, watch them self distruct. 11 months should really make Abbott suffer, after all he is nearly burnt out now, ( a campaign that is not a campaign yet).

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Augustus Good morning Augustus you are alert this morning. What an uncanny likeness to Glenn Milne, they say everybody has a double.

Augustus

17/05/2010Lyn, as Andrew Elder pointed out, Abbott's campaign will be finished before Rudd's ever starts, talk about putting Abbott into the crock pot, nice and tender.

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Ad Just in Possum and The poll bludger. [b]The Post Budget Polls by Possum Comitatus, pollytics[/b] In an odd moment of perfect symmetry, not only did Galaxy and Newspoll come in with the same vote estimates, but they also asked an identical question on the budget – where the only difference was in a slight wording of two responses. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollytics/2010/05/17/the-post-budget-polls/ [b]Newspoll and Galaxy: 50-50 by William bowe, The Poll bludger [/b]UPDATE: Possum reckons the Galaxy poll is “actually a 51/49 ALP with the pref flows we’ve been seeing and a Greens on 12 with Others on 8”. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/

Ad astra reply

17/05/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated with [i]Pollytics[/i] and [i]Poll Bludger[/i] posts: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

HillbillySkeleton

17/05/2010lyn, I must, yet again, add my congratulations on your stellar ability to gather links of quality for us to peruse everyday. One of them today has the line of the year, for mine: 'There's something about Tony Abbott and his equally non credible mate, Joe Hockey, that resonates with ignorance.' What a cracker, and so true! Keep up the good work, Cheers, HS

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Hillbilly You are just a sweetie, thankyou so much for your encouragement. I love your comments, as I said, to Janice, we have really great, faithfull, people on The Political Sword. [b]Now I think, the time has come for us to make Ad Astra as our Mayor of our community. [/b]The Blogg http://dacairns.blogspot.com/2010/05/theres-something-about-tony.html is excellent as you said so true, a cracker. Well written also. [b][quote]There's something about Tony which irritates and worries me. He's a broken record of economic and moral conservatism without a vision for Australia's future, or any policies[/quote][/b]

Augustus

17/05/2010I here by nominate Lyn the order of the tweety bird for outstanding news gathering http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.itshot.com/images/products/405693back.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.itshot.com/detail.aspx%3FProduct_ID%3D405693&usg=__MDxFBNZ58eLzIfB3vaGeGy_YfvQ=&h=400&w=400&sz=39&hl=en&start=41&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=LZhsB07yMRI_fM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtweety%2Bbird%2Bpendant%26start%3D36%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1

Augustus

17/05/2010try this instead lyn www.itshot.com/detail.aspx should work click on the image

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Augustus, Thankyou so much for the nomination, I'm overwhelmed. Does that mean I get to buy a bracelet from itshot, I think I will.

janice

17/05/2010Lyn, I notice the media are stepping up the "Julia for PM" mutterings. Nothing like making it appear the leadership is unstable is there? I just wish I didn't read so many labor supporters (at least they say they vote labor) saying they would like to see Julia replace Rudd as PM. People are never satisfied and always thinking the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. The Order of the Tweety Bird - I second that Augustus.

Ad astra reply

17/05/2010Augustus I can't work out how to post Lyn's award of the 'Order of the tweety bird for outstanding news gathering', which I support wholeheartedly. Could you please post the image of the beautiful piece of jewellery you have designed with your comment?

Augustus

17/05/2010I:\Lyntps.JPG, Ad Astra Try this it will only be available for a short while

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Janice On Sky News lunchtime Agenda, they are still harping about Julia Gillard, it's sickening. The MSM have interviewed Julia, over the past couple of days numerous times, she keeps saying no and the media will not accept, the no. Sky News have just asked her again, the interviewer then told the inteviewees that she doesn't sound convincing. Tony Abbott, was just asked about Julia Gillard, his response, wait for it: It is not the Leader of the labor party, it is the Labor Party itself, that is the problem. Now this is coming from a person, who has done nothing, else but [b]slander, knock, berate, insult, and demean Kevin Rudd.[/b] But suddenly it's not Kevin Rudd's not the problem. Sounds pretty obvious to me Tony Abbott would not like Julia Gillard as Prime Minister, jealousy is a curse, written all over his face. Can anyone, honestly imagine Tony ( chauvinistic) Abbott at the despatch box, sitting opposite (in opposition)to a female, any female. Honestly Janice the Budgie is insane.

jason

17/05/2010Lyn trying this link from phone maybe it will work Let him who is without grubbiness cast the first stone May 17, 2010 – 11:35 am, by Tobias Ziegler

Augustus

17/05/2010Sorry guys I bummed that one re link, working on a cunning plan

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Jason Thankyou for trying, your a sweetie too. Think I got it, let me know: [quote]Let him who is without grubbiness cast the firsts stone, Tobias Ziegler [/quote]The news of Dutton’s investment seems unlikely to cripple the Coalition’s position on the mining tax. But it seems to me that it says something about Dutton’s judgment – while he is certainly free to invest as he pleases,it’s hard to fathom that he didn’t foresee the embarrassment this decision could cause. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Ad, Janice and Everybody Read what Reb said: Gutter Trash, Reb [quote]You’d be mistaken for thinking that Julia Gillard is about to stab Kevin Rudd in the back going by the plethora of claims in [b]today’s mainstream media. [/quote][/b]http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/

janice

17/05/2010Augustus, I found a Tweety Bird diamond pendant on that site - would that be your Award? Very expensive but Lyn is worth it LOL.

jason

17/05/2010Yes lyn that's it. Thankyou

Augustus

17/05/2010Janice, that link seems to have died, having a good day, not, I think I've got the Abbotts today, but have the image, just have to figure out how to post it.

janice

17/05/2010Lyn, it matters not what Julia says because the anti-brigade are intent on blinding the voters with the perception that she is out to make a grab for the top job because "everyone" thinks she'll be a better PM than Rudd. They know full well that if their campaign is to have a chance of succeeding they must take out Rudd. Rudd has been the target from day one. They hate him because he won in 2007 and hate him now with an insane irrationality because he is a good PM and heads a competent nation-building government. On the other hand, Abbott is a great big pain in the bum with no economic sense and he leads a mediochre team of nutters and incompetents.

Ad astra reply

17/05/2010Folks Augustus has fashioned [i]The Order of the Tweety Bird[/i] award - a beautiful piece of jewellery [i]Presented to Lyn by the contributors of the TPS for outstanding news gathering efforts[/i]. You can see it at the head of LYN'S DAILY LINKS, placed there by the techno-whiz of [i]TPS[/i], Bushfire Bill. Congratulations Lyn from all of the [i]TPS family[/i] who appreciate so much what you do to make [i]TPS[/i] a rich source of contemporary information. Click on http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

Augustus

17/05/2010So does this mean Abbott has back flipped on work choices to quell any media campaign against him http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/tony-abbott-shuns-work-choices/story-e6frgczf-1225867466651?from=public_rss conviction politician just another but, but, but...

Augustus

17/05/2010Perfect spot for it Ad Astra, well done Lyn

Augustus

17/05/2010Lyn does that me we now have to address you as "Lyn,OTB"

Gaffhook

17/05/2010That of course is not a one off by telling Mitchell lies. He has form with Tony Jones as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvYzLIywCiA

Ad astra reply

17/05/2010Folks 
After listening on Jon Faine’s 774 Melbourne radio show this morning to Bruce Guthrie, recently awarded heavy damages over an unfair dismissal claim from his position as editor of the Melbourne [i]Herald Sun[/i] against News Limited, talking about the tribal culture in that organization and the attitude it has to the ABC which it regards as an unfair media competitor, funded as it is from the public purse, you will be interested to read Hillbilly Skeleton’s piece [i]Their ABC[/i], just posted: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2010/05/17/Their-ABC.aspx

lyn

17/05/2010Hi AD and Everybody, [b][i]The Order of the Tweety Bird http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx[/i][/b] It is with pleasure and honour, that I gratefully accept the beautiful, expensive, award, you have bestowed upon me. I am proud to receive this award, and I will justify it to the best of my competence and knowledge. Ad Astra and the community on The Political Sword have entrusted me with a great honour, I will contimue to provide informative political links, as efficiently as possible. Thankyou Ad and everybody, "you all make my day". Special thankyou to Augustus, for your nomination, to Janice. Ad amd Hillbilly for your support.

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Gaffhook Thankyou for commenting on the Political Sword, we all appreciate you comming here. I hope you keep comming back, Ad Astra will be very pleased. The video link you posted tells it all, doesn't it, the lies will keep comming, as Abbott continues to stew in the slow cooker.

lyn

17/05/2010Hi Augustus no not "Lyn,OTB" but I think Teety HRH would be fitting, that will make Sylvester wild with jealousy, never mind I can always fly into my cage.
How many umbrellas are there if I have two in my hand but the wind then blows them away?