Abbott in the Toilet: Shit Happens, Tony

Katharine Murphy wrote in The Age on Thursday in an article titled Foul Day At The Office For Abbott:  
 
"Getting stuck on a rhetorical stumble does us no good when there's serious criticisms to be made of opposition tactics.

“Tony Abbott is serially scatological. It's a problem. Professional help for this affliction can no doubt be sought. Nicola Roxon copped a stray ‘bullshit’ during an election debate, Julia Gillard at one point sported a ‘shit-eating grin’ and now ‘shit happens’ in Afghanistan. It's time for Tony to pop 20¢ in the swear jar and part company with the merde."

Murphy goes on to lament:  

"If political journalists keep playing ‘gotcha’ - crucifying our elected representatives every time they appear before us in three dimensions - we will lead ourselves inexorably back to the vacuum of the past 12 months, and I for one do not want to go there. We can't have it both ways - complain vociferously about weasel words and the spin doctors' capture of politics, and then lynch our elected representatives like a wild-eyed mob every time they stray from the script."

And I couldn't agree with her more.

Abbott thinks it's tough to use the word ‘shit’. It was probably the most he could get away with at Riverview without a belting from Father O'Reilly. So it's stuck. He uses it against women, against his political opponents and now he's used it to describe the circumstances surrounding the death of an Australian soldier in Afghanistan.

Oh, yes, it's how the soldier boys all talk, there's no doubt about that. The talkback shocks and the mindless herd of haters are right about that.

But is it how the Alternative Prime Minister should talk when discussing a tragedy at arms with the very people he had been accusing of negligence just a day or so before?

I also agree with Murphy that the ‘gotcha!’ has become so entrenched in our political discourse that it stands a good chance of ruining it for good. She describes how Julia Gillard has been hounded by the media:  
 
"... and politics isn't fair - ask Julia Gillard, who has been kicked from pillar to post for having a sub-optimal boyfriend, bogan hair, no fruit in the bowl, colossal ear-lobes, robotic delivery and no progeny, and then flogged mercilessly all summer for not emoting enough." [more]

All well and good, however the fact remains that Channel 7's Mark Riley may have sprung a gotcha on Abbott, but it was a well-researched gotcha that took three months to come to fruition, in which time Abbott knew full well that it was coming... or thought he did.

Who didn't do their homework? Riley or Abbott? Three months on an FOI request, against objections? Sounds like "homework" to me.

A couple of things we might have wondered about have been confirmed (well, as confirmed as you can get with a story in The Oz):

1. Abbott did NOT object. Apparently, he thought that to object would just make things worse.

2. Riley was after footage of the 'gun-totin' Abbott', not the ’coup de merde Abbott’.

3. The sound was so inaudible that 7's sound department had to work on it a bit to bring it out. The Oz makes out that this is a big deal, but from my experience in TV news it happens all the time. No biggy there.

So, Tony, here's a hoist and a rope, and the petard is over there. Can you fetch it for us?

Abbott wanted to play soldiers by shooting guns, something he probably hadn't done for decades after cadets finished with their 303s at school. He also wanted to go off half-cocked about inadequate resourcing, after declining Julia Gillard's invitation to accompany her (no shock horror reports about how much that would have cost the taxpayer, by the way, for a special one-off flight to Afghanistan... "Kevin-747" anyone?).

Then he lied about why he didn't go with Gillard. Made up a cock-and-bull story about jet lag. Even after admitting it he didn't attract too much opprobrium from the media. A few comments were made, sure, and eyebrows raised, but they forgave him, putting it down to a busy schedule and some public relations stuff-ups.

When he got there he tried to insinuate himself into a ‘live’ patrol. He must have known he didn't have a Sunni's chance in a Shi'ite mosque of being granted permission, but his press people put it out that he'd volunteered anyway. Tough guy again.

Then the firing range! Abbott, a reprise of Abbott the He-Man: first lycra and Iron Man competitions (duly reported by a gushing media, especially the ABC, as if it was an Olympic final), then the logical extension: playing soldiers.

Continuing on with the ‘playing soldiers’ theme, he gets into a huddle with the brass and his whole argument about under-resourcing collapses: shit happens. Apart from the fact that a bunch of strangers were standing around, self-exonerating themselves from responsibility, discussing the death of his son as being the result of ‘shit’ happening, I can't think of any reason the boy's father would be upset if that footage ever saw the light of day.

Instead of fixing the general with a death stare and saying, "Well maybe so, but we're going to find out for sure with an inquiry," Abbott caved at the first sign of resistance from "important people", Army brass, dropped a whole, well-publicised policy line of argument concerning alleged inadequate resourcing that he'd been touting and crowing from the rooftops for weeks (knowing the media would let him out of it sweetly with a minimum of fuss) and fell in with the big boys, using their vernacular while cameras were running. Now, there's political nouse for you.

I think he was genuinely surprised by the questions Riley asked. He had so many other things to worry about from that trip - lies about jetlag, macho gun stuff, 180 degree reversals of attacks on the government - that he'd probably forgotten he described the death of an Aussie soldier as ‘shit’.

Yet Abbott was so confident he'd be given a free pass by the media whatever he did, he walked into the trap, a trap that had been three months in the laying, due to some genuine spadework by Mark Riley and his staff. When Abbott rocked up to the interview he was bright and breezy, hail-fellow-well-met. He hadn't even conceived to himself that degrading the death of a soldier - a soldier he had been suggesting needn't have died - by calling it ‘shit’ would ever get back to the father or the widow, and (perish the thought) the Australian people.

We, none of us, know exactly what we'd have said ourselves in the same circumstances, but thankfully it's only a mind exercise for us. We're not the Leader of the Opposition and self-appointed ‘Alternative Prime Minister’ of Australia.

Abbott stuffed up the whole overseas exercise, from phoney excuses, to playing soldiers, to caving in to the explanations of the brass, to finally (and casually) dismissing the death of a young soldier with the cameras rolling.

Many have given him "the benefit of the doubt" by saying that what he said was not the problem (me included, at first).

But now I'm not so sure.

I keep on imagining Julia Gillard saying what Abbott said, and thinking how she would have been crucified for it, and her political ashes scattered to the winds.

Put yourself in the mind's eye of the father, seeing a couple of high-ranking Army officers forgiving themselves, and Abbott agreeing, after all the fuss he'd made about it, and you might change your minds too. If our political discourse has sunk so low that a soldier's death can be excused - on the spot - as "shit happening" by a testosterone-charged wannabe warrior with a potty mouth like Abbott, who'd lied his way from Canberra to London to Kabul and back again, reversed his policy and been given a free pass for all of it by the media, then you might get my drift. I think Mark Riley was right on the money.

Live by the camera, Tony. Die by the camera. If it's good enough for everybody else, it's good enough for you.

After all, shit really does happen..

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Feral Skeleton

10/02/2011Bushfire Bill, I am happy to cede the field to you today. It's been a long time, but I'm glad you're back putting Tony Abbott, the polished turd, to the Poltical Sword. :)

Ad astra reply

10/02/2011BB Welcome back and thank you for your searing analysis of the Tony Abbott ‘shit happens’ saga. It picks up on some issues that MSM journalists have largely overlooked. The lesser journalists have been preoccupied with the words ‘shit happens’, as if that was all there was. Many have ‘excused’ those words given the circumstances; indeed our breakfast show presenter in Melbourne, Red Symons, spoke about nothing else, or too use his words ‘faeces happens’ opining that he had no issue with them. You are more cautious in your assessment. Others have appropriately focused on the Mark Riley/Tony Abbott interview and Abbott’s apparent inability, or unwillingness, to explain how the context of his remark rendered it inoffensive, which he ought to have had little trouble doing given that he knew for three months the vision of his visit was coming, and was given over two hours to digest the content of the Channel Seven footage, plenty of time for him or one of his staffers to formulate a plausible response. As you say, the necessary homework was not done and Abbott was left speechless, something we have seen before when he has been confronted with awkward questions. But you make other serious points: the way Abbott purposed to use the Afghanistan visit to lampoon the Gillard Government for not providing enough resources to prevent the death of a soldier; the way he went to water when senior American military men told him that they had all the resources they needed, leading to his concession: ‘shit happens’, thereby abandoning his loudly stated policy line of inadequate resources. Then there was his ‘jet-lag’ lie about why he declined Julia Gillard’s invitation to accompany her. We know now he wanted to go alone to make as much trouble for the Government as he could. He failed. We suspect he was embarrassed about being filmed firing an automatic weapon; this was an aspect he wanted suppressed until defeated by FOI. Finally you are right when you say he walked into a trap, but it was of his own making through naivety, lack of preparation and blind faith that the compliant media would look after him. I don’t subscribe to the view expressed by the Coalition and its media sycophants that this was an ambush. Abbott had plenty of notice, was made aware of what was coming, but was unable to cope, a poor look for one who would be PM. For an ambush, try Laurie Oakes’ question to Julia Gillard at the NPC about the conversations she had with Kevin Rudd the night before he was deposed. For my part, Mark Riley did what any journalist with that information would have done, and in my view did it with due respect for his subject, Tony Abbott. It’s no good the Coalition and its fellow travelers in the media crying foul, and condemning Riley and Channel Seven for ‘gutter journalism’. If Julia Gillard had been in the firing line, they would have applauded enthusiastically. So thank you BB for unraveling the many facets of this unsavoury episode, which despite confident predictions that it ‘will blow over’, is likely to remain as a nasty odour in the nostrils of those who have long suspected that Abbott is unsuitable for national leadership, some of which live in Coalition ranks.

Lyn

10/02/2011Hi Bushfire Bill The biggest welcome back ever to you. Happy New Year. A thousand thankyou's for this a fantastic piece you have written for us and TPS. It is funny the last couple of days I have been thinking, something wonderfully exciting is going to happen to TPS, I thought no, TPS can't win lotto without a ticket, somebody might be going to offer Ad Astra a million dollars & take over TPS, no Ad won't sell. All these things I was thinking, now I know what it was: Bushfire Bill is writing for us again. Bushfire Bill "You have made my day". Cheers

Lyn

10/02/2011Hi Ad Thankyou Ad for your bonus article, in response to Bushfire Bill's piece. [quote]"searing analysis of the Tony Abbott ‘shit happens’ saga". [/quote] Super description from a brilliant writer. Cheers

Lyn

10/02/2011Hi Ad I just went to send Bushfire Bill's piece to Twitter, but the title doesn't say by Bushfire Bill. I did type it in though. Cheers

Ad astra reply

10/02/2011Hi Lyn Thank you for your always generous remarks. I've posted a notice of BB's piece on Twitter.

Bushfire Bill

10/02/2011I tried to put myself into the father's shoes. It wasn't hard. When my own father was in hospital dying from heart congestion I went to see him. His bed had been changed and I was looking for him, quite worried. I inadvertently overheard two nurses changing shifts, going over the day's proceedings. As they went through patient after patient in that ward they described one, "the one in bed 15 over there" as "He's hopeless. We'll have a free bed in a day or so." This was a good thing to these professionals as there was a demand for beds inthe hospital at that time. They were only doing their job. I looked over to bed 15 and saw that it was my own father, whom I had been looking for. When I made myself known to them, in a last grasp at hope I gave my father's name. they pointed to bed 15. So it [i]was[/i] Dad, after all. They looked embarrassed. I didn't bat an eye, not wanting to embarrass them. I went and said goodbye to my Dad. He was dead within three hours. To me this is how the father of the fallen trooper must have felt as he saw three professionals - two of them soldiers and one a politician on the make - discussing the lost life of his son as "shit happening". I could feel the father's pain, as I had felt pain as a son to see my loved one discussed as a logistical problem and a logistical solution, all in one. Abbott should have been more sensitive, especially with cameras around, to what might have been (and indeed was) revealed. We all know that soldiers in deadly battle get killed, no matter how well-planned the battle is. But Abbott was there represernting the Australian people, on a self-professed fact-finding mission to get dirt on the government. He had lied about the circumstances of the trip. He indulged in "toy soldiers" play with live ammunition. And then he stood around with a couple of professionals and agreed with them - against all his previous objections - the the boy who had been killed was "shit" happening. To my mind, the Death Stare was important, but so was the insensitivity of the man, Abbot, the same person who - two days before his death - labelled Bernie Banton as a faker, who coined the term "shit eating grin" and "toxic bore", who's known about town as a bovver boy who picks on people he perceives as being weaker than himself, and then denies it afterwards. A serial bully, doing what bullies do best: kow-towing to the brass, while kicking those beneath him. How in the hell could anyone ever think of this sociopath as a potential Prime Minister?

adelaidegirl

10/02/2011What a great piece, BB. A wonderful summary of this unsavoury episode and all the facets of Toneseses poor performance throughout this whole gung ho episode. I read you on PB on the day it broke and thought you'd gone over to the dark side :) Welcome back!

Feral Skeleton

10/02/2011Here is another perceptive analysis of Tony Abbott's 'Shitstorm', self-inflicted. I think it adds to Bushfire Bill's and Ad Astra's anlaysis: [quote]'Tony Abbott is now describing his show of barely restrained , uncontrolled anger as a "dignified silence" , and you can bet the rest of his apologists and spin meisters will take up this call with gusto. For Abbot and his crew, to last year attempt to make political gain out of an Australian soldier's death by pillorying the Government for lack of military support as being a reason for his death , is the real context of this sotry and Abbot full well knows this as do his political minders. His "shit happens" comment are what this is all about, not the soldiers death, but that as the American commander explained, everything that could have been done was done and that even though there was enough military hardware and men on the battle scene a death had occurred. For Abbot to then return home and go on the political attack about lack of resources for the Australian effort in Afghanistan, on the basis of one email from a soldier, when he fully knew and had it explained to him by an American commander in the field that this wasnt so , exposes the disingenuous of the man and the true context of his comments and why he got so infuriated. Abbot is not a complete fool, but to shoot the messenger , as everyone of his supporters seem intent on doing in this case, is to miss the point completely.[/quote]

Bushfire Bill

10/02/2011Link, FS?

Feral Skeleton

10/02/2011The thing that interests me is whether, as a result of Tony Abbott's brain snap when confronted in real time on national television by Mark Riley, something which I don't think Tony Abbott thought would ever happen to him considering how tame the media has thus far been with respect to his numerous 'missteps', whether it will translate into a more circumspect approach by him in Parliament. Will he feel as emboldened as he did last year, when he was rising fast in the polls, to bring on MPI debates and No Confidence motions against the government, at the drop of a hat? He's probably itching to have a go at the PM over the Flood Levy, but he's made such a balls up of his response to it so far, I think he might be feeling suitably chastened. However, this is Tony Abbott we are talking about. Btw, I have an aquaintance whose sisters went to school with Tony Abbott's sisters. They are all older than him, so he was the youngest and, so they say, the apple of his staunchly chauvinist Catholic father's eye. Thus Abbott spent his whole young life being spoilt rotten by his dad. Which is why he has no idea about housework and ironing, etc. His sisters were made to do it all for him as he was growing up.

Feral Skeleton

10/02/2011http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/abbotts-frozen-fury-lingers-beyond-his-words-20110209-1am2n.html?comments=210#comments mirrors of smoke | sydney - February 09, 2011, 12:15PM

Bushfire Bill

10/02/2011[quote] The thing that interests me is whether, as a result of Tony Abbott's brain snap when confronted in real time on national television by Mark Riley, something which I don't think Tony Abbott thought would ever happen to him considering how tame the media has thus far been with respect to his numerous 'missteps',[/quote] One thing's for sure: he'll never say "Shit happens" again.

Rx

10/02/2011Good to see you back Bushfire. Abbott's gone too far this time, but it's not the first time he's gone too far. Will his media partners let him off the hook? I'm thinking yes, but will have to wait 'n see.

Lynchpin

10/02/2011That is a great analysis. Spot on and well done. I have written to Abbott stating that the context of his remarks are very clear, namely - 1. Kowtowing to the Yanks; and 2. Disregarding human life. I also said in my correspondence that my departed father, a WWII returned serviceman, often talked of the Liberals in terms of their innate belief that most men in their 20s are just canon fodder, there to serve the interests of capital. Abbott's comments, by reducing the death of Mr McKinlay to "shit happens" confirms that disregard. I certainly hope Turnbull et al do the right thing and remove this disastrous politician from our midst.

Feral Skeleton

10/02/2011Tony's "Shit Happens" is a function of the Tories attempts to co-opt the Working Class. So as not to seem elitist, and from the Class that they know they inhabit, in order to harvest the votes of those whose interests historically have been with the Labo(u)r Parties and antithetical to the interests of the Tories, they have assumed a 'Common Man' persona, in order to convince 'Joe Sixpack' that they are Brothers-In-Arms. Which is what I think Abbott was doing in Afghanistan. That is, doing the math on his environment and its inhabitants, and assuming the correct position, so to speak, when he interacted with them verbally. He got it wrong, of course. He should have maintained political gravitas and aloofness. It would have served him better to do so. And maybe the American General in charge of Oruzgan Province wouldn't have been able to suck him in so easily if Abbott had been more sceptical and not just wanting to seem like one of the boys. Which it seems to me he did. Maj Gen Cantwell readily agreeing with Abbott & the General tends to support my thesis. Now, I don't think either of them were lying about the level of support provided, however, if the aforementioned anonymous e-mail had any skerrick of truth to it, then it could also be said that they may very well have been trying to play down a more minor level of lack of support. Who knows? Maybe they thought that troop morale was best served by shutting Tony Abbott up about it? Seeing as how he was the one who had come to Afghanistan with the expressed purpose of exposing these purported inadequacies of support and materiel. Anyway, it was indeed poor form, at the very least, to gather together all that had happened around the death, the circumstances of the death and the death, together, and underscore it with such a callous remark.

Acerbic Conehead 2

10/02/2011BB, great analysis as usual. Wonderful to see you back. I couldn't believe it when I read that some people were saying the "shit happens" term wasn't the issue, but the creepy head-nodding and silence was. In my book, the term, "shit happens", is dismissive and derogatory, whatever the context. It is the same as saying the subject person and/or their predicament is unimportant. It is, to put it mildly, a put down and when it is applied to a soldier who was killed on active service, totally dispicable.

Bring Back Maxine

10/02/2011Welcome back BB. A well thought out and insightful analysis. Abbott is indeed a dangerous and a malicious sociopath. Millions throughout history have suffered when such sociopaths have gained political power. Australia is indeed "The Lucky Country" thus far to have avoided that putrid turd gaining the PMship.

TalkTurkey

11/02/2011Bloody ABC! Wait for Question Time at 20 to midnight, advertised as coming from the House of Reps, (they b/cast the Senate during the day) and the STUPID BASTARDS ARE SHOWING THE SENATE AGAIN! Ring up "my" ABC to complain, all I get at last gasp is the breaking news editor bimbo. OOOOOOHHHH! This feels mischievous. GIVE ME MY JULIA!

TalkTurkey

11/02/2011BB said 'One thing's for sure: he'll never say "Shit happens" again.' Nope. He'll just be saying to himself, savagely, Shit! SHIT! Shit, shit, shit. SHIT. SHIT! SHIT!!! Shit! Shhhiiiiit. SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!!! And so on. Into his bitter old age. And serves him right. I have never written that word on this site before. See what that low-life has made me do. This is NOT trite.

Patricia WA

11/02/2011Wow, Bushfire Bill, you certainly know how to dish it out! I'm glad you got straight to the point there. I've got sick of listening to all the rationalising about his language. There's something seriously amiss in our polity if that sort of 'informality' (deliberate understatement there!) from someone representing our country can be defended by so many in our media. It's astonishing to me too that no one has picked up on the hypocrisy of Abbott on his proposal, which even Julie Bishop baulked at, to cut aid to Africa which he then modified to deferring the funding for Indonesian schools, originally a Coalition initiative under Howard. He clearly hoped to capitalise on xenophobic anti-Muslim sentiment here. I wrote to him and to his party complaining about that and received the usual reply. [quote]Thank you for taking the time to provide Mr Abbott with your views. Your email will be forwarded to Mr Abbott and/or his advisers for their consideration. Regards, Tony Abbott’s Office [/quote] I wonder how much notice 'Mr Abbott and/or his advisers' take of complaints from the public? He certainly hasn't been listening to them on the levy so far, judging by his performance in Parliament today.

Min

11/02/2011Excellent as always from TPS. One thing that is interesting is the background. Firstly the Libs were coming down hard saying that soldiers' lives were being put at risk due to not having adequate equipment, backup fire power (Jared MacKinney and the email from another soldier). All the while knowing that Gillard couldn't release the information that she was going to Afghanistan due to security reqirements. Following this one of Abbott's 'reasons' for not accompanying Gillard to Afghanistan is that he wanted to talk to the men doing the job, not just get advice from the top brass inferring that this is all that Gillard was doing. Then having said that he feared that soldiers' lives were being put at risk, his response to lack of equipment and fire power his recorded response was 'shit happens'.

Bushfire Bill

11/02/2011The Australian reaches new lows in tackiness: [quote] As a conservative Liberal, Mr Abbott is seen as fair game by many in the press gallery with some holding him in open contempt. So while they agreed the Opposition Leader had said nothing wrong in Afghanistan, many journalists still attacked him for his awkward response to Seven's claims. It seems like something of a witch trial to condemn a man for his reaction without taking into account the egregious nature of the allegation to which he is responding. This is symptomatic of a culture of "gotcha" journalism, where one reporter strikes and the pack feeds. It also amplifies suggestions that hunting conservatives is a favourite sport of the Canberra clique ... [b]No fair-minded person would think Mr Abbott deserved this as reward for putting himself in Afghanistan, in harm's way, to support our troops.[/b][/quote]

Min

11/02/2011Bushfire, the OO has to be kidding! Yeah, give poor widdle Wabbott a go ya' leftie b*stards. Even though Abbott might have put himself in harms way at least he wasn't jet lagged when he arrived.

Lyn

11/02/2011[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Test of Character, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i]Tony Abbott is serially scatological. It's a problem. Never mind Riley's riles: the efforts to prop Abbott up are starting to look silly http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/ [i]RAGE!!!!, Ashghebranious, Ash's Machiavellian Bloggery[/i] Bobble head manufacturers are falling over themselves to get the first Tony in shops. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com:80/2011/02/10/rage/ [i]Nothing wrong with Abbott an Abflex wouldn't fix, Annabel Crabb, ABC[/i] Tony Abbott hasn't been for so much as a brisk walk all week. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/10/3135496.htm [i]On the Qt: Tin hearts and uranium breath, Greg Jericho, Grog's Gamut[/i] The Libs got themselves into a dumb tangle over budget cuts which they won’t even have to carry out(!) and Gillard gave a great speech. http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/ [i]oppose till it hurts, us, Your Democracy[/i] Tony talks to hinself on the tincan http://yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/11680 [i]How mainstream journalism makes us dumber, Tim Dunlop, Unleashed[/i] real damage is done when the mainstream media becomes too addicted to conflict, or hides behind the cloak of ‘balance’, http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/43806.html [i]Review: George Megalogenis's Trivial Pursuit, The Piping Shrike[/i] Megalogenis may lament the passing of reform, and the privileged role the media had in it, http://www.pipingshrike.com/ [i]Dangerous developments for democracy?, Andrew Norton, On line Opinion[/i] They are by-passing the political parties in favour of big campaigns of their own, http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11597 [i]Telstra deal puts more momentum behind the NBN, Bernard Keane, Crikey[/i] The opposition, which is committed to “wrecking the NBN”, opposed even the structural separation bill last year despite Telstra and the telco industry supporting it. http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/02/10/telstra-deal-puts-more-momentum-behind-the-nbn/ [i]Gaffe-r tape can't fix Abbott's NBN case , David Braue, XDnet[/i] Abbott and Hockey couldn't find even $1 to divert from the NBN, effectively sees Abbott ceding yet more ground in what has turned out to be a largely ineffective fight against Labor and the NBN http://www.zdnet.com.au/gaffe-r-tape-can-t-fix-abbott-s-nbn-case-339309056.htm [i]The Economist broadband survey is a disgrace, Peter Martin[/i] We need a proper study.The Productivity Commission should do it. http://www.petermartin.com.au/ Gossip: [i]Christopher Pyne’s sweet Caroline pictorial controversy exposed, Vex News[/i] All a bit weird, although no weirder than Pyne himself http://www.vexnews.com/news/12306/fb-snafu-christopher-pynes-sweet-caroline-pictorial-controversy-exposed/ Newspapers, There was another Bobble Head, Death Stare in 2004 on Lateline, Tony Jones, Cardinal Pell question. [i]Bobblehead strikes again , Sacha Molitorisz, SMH[/i] Tony A sitting silent post-interview on the set of Lateline, directing the now-familiar death stare and head bobble at Tony J. http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-diary/bobblehead-strikes-again-20110210-1aolo.html [i]Abbott sparks constitutional debate: report, Business Spectator[/i] government arguing that the Senate's move to initiate appropriation bills without government agreement was unconstitutional. http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Abbott-sparks-constitutional-debate-report-pd20110210-DXPCF? OpenDocument&src=hp7 [i]Abbott concocts constitutional strife with crossbench offer for rural students , Matthew Franklin, The Australian[/i] which could ultimately require the involvement of Governor-General Quentin Bryce. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/abbott-concocts-constitutional-strife-with-crossbench-offer-for-rural-students/story-fn59nlz9-1226004018576?from=public_rss

janice

11/02/2011Great to see you back Bushfire Bill. I agree 100% with your analysis of Abbott and the 'shit happens' episode. It is not before time that the media took the gloves off and showed Abbott up for what he is and this is what surprised me most, and, I'm sure is what struct Abbott speechless with anger. And boy, was he angry. If Mark Riley had not broken the "dignified" silence by saying "you aren't saying anything, Tony" I think Abbott would have exploded and lashed out with fists or insane yelling.

nasking

11/02/2011Top post BB. [quote]"We, none of us, know exactly what we'd have said ourselves in the same circumstances"[/quote] I think we can put a safe bet on the vast majority of people not saying what Tony did. [quote]a testosterone-charged wannabe warrior with a potty mouth like Abbott, who'd lied his way from Canberra to London to Kabul and back again, reversed his policy and been given a free pass for all of it by the media[/quote] A fiasco! Imagine Abbott as PM dealing w/ foreign affairs...not only did he stuff-up the Aghan trip...but now he's calling for cuts to funding for Indonesian schools. He's a disaster waiting to happen. [quote]Live by the camera, Tony. Die by the camera. If it's good enough for everybody else, it's good enough for you.[/quote] Spot on. He can lay in the bed of his own making. N'

nasking

11/02/2011Shane has just put up a well-timed post: Super Profit or Super Obscene or Super Con http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/super-profit-or-super-obscene-or-super-con/ [quote]I am sorry but I consider a 122% increase in profit to $14.3 Billion Dollars nothing short of obscene and a major con of the Australian People. So, who will share in this astronomical profit ?. Shareholders only. The country of which they mine a non renewable resource has been well and truly taken for a ride by Mining Conglomerates and their mega wealthy owners.[/quote] Thnx for the other links Lyn. N'

Lyn

11/02/2011Hi Nasking Thankyou for the link to Shane's piece this morning, excellent piece by Shane. I will put it up here with an excerpt, for Ad Astra, he will come along later and enter Cafe's link on the TPS special page. [i]Super Profit or Super Obscene or Super Con, Shaneinqld[/i] It is Super Obscene and worst of all it is a monumental Super Con of the Australian People. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/02/11/super-profit-or-super-obscene-or-super-con/

TalkTurkey

11/02/2011I said last week, this week Julia Gillard will shine. Read Grog's Gamut today! Words from memory but like,"Any Labor MPs who wondered where Julia Gillard had got to found her this week on the floor of the House." He quoted her great line, I admired it too as she said it, that Abbortt had been hoping to find a way to surf the Queensland floodwaters into Kirribilli. Greg said he wished he'd thought of that line, but it did more good coming from her mouth. I'll bet she thought of it too. I think she's the best exponent of political swordsmanship in Australia today. I also said again a few days ago that Abbortt was on his inexorable way down. That was even before his expostulated excrement hit the TV screens of Australia and splattered back at him and the Rotten Right. Now he is punch-drunk. He can stagger around the Parliamentary ring for a while maybe, who cares, he got no way to go. The Coalition must be flobbergobbed. Abbortt was 'sweak in Parliament this week, he seemed to have lost his budgie. You know who he reminded me of when facing Riley, remember Boofhead? A pretty lousy cartoon, main character always seen in profile, mouth always open, perenially stoopid. A very long week in politics for Abbortt, then there's his stoush with Julie, hatred not to be healed. Oh and then there's Abetz and the leakers, boy they didn't have no qualms about li'l Grechypoo leaking to them for years, I have always loved real-life poetic justice, it happens all too rarely but it's happening to THEM right now. Double, double, toil and trouble . . . Any bets how long before he's stabbed in the back? Scott Morrison is the lurker here. Low, and nasty, but more likely imo to be the next leader than anyone else. Beware.

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011New names dept: 'Catatonic Tony' 'The Austrollian' :)

Lyn

11/02/2011Hi Bushfire Bill & Ad Wonder is the media giving up the relentless, ridiculous daily cover-up for Abbott's scatological behaviour: Libs turn on Abbott over TV silence , Lanai Vasek, The Australian Matthew Ricketson, a journalism professor at the University of Canberra, said Mr Abbott's silence during the interview was "far worse" than his initial comments on a media-damage scale. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/libs-turn-on-abbott-over-tv-silence/story-fn59niix-1226003268898

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011The Murdoch media are sure trying their hardest today to foment a Constitutional Crisis by which Tony Abbott, their puppet leader, will be installed as Prime Minister, illegally and illegitimately. Firstly we have the Daily Telegraph taking a sledgehammer to a Walnut by calling the fact that the Senate sent back the Youth Allowance/Study legislation to the House of Representatives, a potential Constitutional Crisis. We have also had the news that Tony Abbott has offered a cash bribe, coincidentally or not I don't know, of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Cross Benchers electorates to go towards their Rural and Regional students. This is money that Tony Abbott has no authority to be throwing at the Cross Benchers, and, as Julia Gillard so succinctly put it in her Press Conference this morning, it constitutes a Money Bill, and the point of calling government, 'Occupation of the Treasury Benches', is that that means that only the government are able to institute Money Bills. Not the Opposition. She said she will not be taking up the Coalition's suggestion. Thus what we have here is a dangerously unstable megalomaniac as our Opposition Leader, who has only one aim-to have himself installed as Prime Minister of our country. By fair means or foul, but mostly by foul it would seem. A man who, by his actions this week in relation to some shit happening to him in the Parliamentary courtyard, displayed himself, once and for all time, as constitutionally unsuitable for the job that he craves like a drug.

Bushfire Bill

11/02/2011(Alternative) Government by stunts.

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011You've gotta laugh. On the one hand you had the Prime Minister laying down the heavy moves on Health before COAG this weekend. On the other side of the coin you had footage of the Coalition farnarkling around at some penny ante function in Parliament House(obviously not doing any real work), playing Ducks and Drakes over their leadership, while trying to appear like 'One Big Happy Family'. The strain was evident and obvious guys!

Rx

11/02/2011Anybody know what is Bishop's current stance on climate change?

TalkTurkey

11/02/2011Catatonic Apoplectic Tony's mouth Foul and septic Apoplectic Catatonic Nasty mind No cure, chronic Prof Skeleton, I hope you're well into sewing that End-of-Abbortt Party Dress. Won't be long, quicker'n even I thought. And I hope you've been practising your moves for the Toe-Knee Sword Dance, ref back to last thread, we'll be able to do a gleeful Turkey 'n' Skeleton pas de deux, the video should go viral, just in time to prepare to do battle with the next chief ( * ) to lead the Coagulition. Scott Morrison. I predicted him months ago - Watch him. He is sly, dapper, circumspect, a spitlicker but to suit his own agenda, he's not very well-known but he's sidling up to the leadership, positioning himself, and minding his words. Hockey must fear him, and he has no need to fear Hockey. Turnbull likewise, come to think of it. Morrison looks almost urbane, though he's not real bright, I don't think he's got any real long suits, dunno but he doesn't seem to. He's not colourful, little charisma, zip originality but nastiness of the Right kind, looks moderate, is actually pretty conservative.

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011BB, They really are cunning stunts in the Opposition, aren't they? :)

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Talk Turkey, There'll be a whole lotta shakin' goin' on in a Turkey/Skelton pas de deux. :)

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Talk Turkey, Beat ya! I predicted a Scott Morrison leadership of the Liberal Party way back before I got kicked off jack the Insiders blog at The Austrollian. I could see that he was winning the theoretical battle over Asylum Seekers while Tony was wasting his time with the 3 Word Slogans for Bogans. He's just as much a 'Lame,Gay, Churchy Loser' as CataTonyia. However, he has risen out of the political cesspool that is 'The Shire', home of the Cronulla Race Riots and 'Sylvania Waters', Australia's first 'Aspirational Bogan' Reality TV Show. It provided the template upon which Howard based his schtick, very successfully. Throw in the Evangelical rectitude combined with worship of Mammon that the Mega Churches became, and, Bingo!, you have Scott Morrison. I mean, he even has perfect Aryan physical characteristics. Still, he was the progenitor, whilst being warehoused by the Liberal Party at Tourism Australia, of the execrable Lara Bingle "Where the Bloody Hell Are Ya?" campaign. So he's not perfect. :)

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Rx, The very quiet stance on Climate Change? :)

theodric

11/02/2011(Alternative) Government by stunts. Or, as Mr. Spooner would say, "Cunning Stunts".

theodric

11/02/2011Sorry, FS, didn't see your post until after I'd hit enter

TalkTurkey

11/02/2011Skelly I beat you to apoplectic. I wasn't gonna say but you started it. Also on the dance agenda: Turkey in the Straw Dem Bones Dem Bones What else?

nasking

11/02/2011Cheers Lyn. As I replied to Shane's following comment: [quote]“I can tell you the biggest and the most unfair cash grab in our history has been the GST and it remains so.”[/quote ] Indeed. Shane, it goes to show that if the government has “momentum” & good negotiating skills they can get taxes thru that are seemingly unpopular. And Gillard certainly has that “momentum” & negotiating skills: was impressed by the Four Corner’s episode of Gillard… her parliamentary performances this week were hot… her delivery of the healthcare changes to the Press today was persuasive & determined & generally simple to comprehend… the ALP have created a climate commission headed by scientist Tim Flannery to hold public meetings across the country in order to give the people expert advice on climate change observations, info regarding a price on carbon etc…and draw in valuable information from people across the country…. many schools are now reporting positives related to the Building an Education Revolution funding… the Flood Levy is generally getting the thumbs up from the public & Senators are starting to get on board… whilst Abbott…well…what a woeful period for him. As you mentioned elsewhere, for Abbott these days it’s all: Aaaaaaaahhhhhh…. and negabore stuff… and strange head nodding. I see a big change in the popularity polls coming. The last Newspoll was showing a delayed reaction by a busy public…and a few anomolies. Abbott is “dead man walking”. The government & Gillard have the momentum. N’

sandy

11/02/2011Poor tony putting himself in harms way to support the troops. Poor tony getting caught out with a gotcha from channel 7 Poor tony looking stupid and not knowing what to say Poor tony still looking stupid two days later Poor tony may be kicked out of leadership Oh well "shit happens" Sandy

Ad astra reply

11/02/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx Note that I have started a new Archive of LYN'S LINKS - for 1-10 February 2011, as there were so many links to date that the file LYN'S DAILY LINKS would take no more. Note too that the contemporary LYN'S DAILY LINKS are at the foot of the Page List. Also note that while I'm away in Cebu from Tuesday next, I will not be able to paste Lyn's Daily Links onto her special page, but will do that when I return,

jane

11/02/2011Great post Bushfire Bill. Pity it couldn't be broadcast direct to all households. Interesting that the Murdochracy is up in arms about poor old Smuggles being "ambushed". I bet Julia Gillard would have been happy to have 3 months ambush notice from Laurie Oakes. I don't give Smuggles any benefit of the doubt. He is a bully, a hypocrite, a liar and a big noter of monumental proportions. It's only too obvious that he was a spoiled, over-indulged child whose adoring parents never set limits for him. No doubt that's where he got the idea that the PMship is his by divine right. His first reaction whenever he's caught out or challenged is to resort to a lie or a snide bullying attack. And he particularly loathes uppity women; Gillard must be a festering sore on his gigantic male ego. Perhaps she should bring her iron into the chamber! And now the Murdochracy has assumed the role of indulgent parent, stroking his gargantuan ego and rushing to shield him from the consequences of his own actions. Nothing has been overlooked, that implies it's unintentional; it has been a deliberate and heavily enforced policy, imo. Occasionally, someone breaks through the bounds, but is quickly re-captured and re-educated. If he ever does attain the job he aspires to, this country will spend decades repairing the damage he has done and will continue to do, to our international reputation.

Ad astra reply

11/02/2011Folks LYN's DAILY LINKS have gone back to the top of the Page List again, where they deserve to be. They contain just today's links as the previous links for the month are in the Archive LYN'S DAILY LINKS February 1 - 10 2011. I will add Lyn's links to her special page until Monday, after which I will be unable to do this while away in Cebu. I will add them on my return.

Ad astra reply

11/02/2011jane Welcome to TPS in 2011. I agree with your comments about the Murdocracy, which will fiercely do what it can to protect its own; at present Tony Abbott is one of them. But if there is a sniff that he has passed his use-by date, they will quickly crucify him and discard him like 'roadkill', to use Abbott's own words.

NormanK

11/02/2011Bushfire Bill Welcome back. We don't know each other but I have read many of your pieces in back-issues of TPS and respect the quality of your writings. This item is no exception, you have raised a good many angles which have otherwise not been addressed by others commenting on this event. However, I can't defend Mark Riley's handling of the material as being anything other than gotcha journalism. If he had taken the line that you have laid out (i.e soldier's death, complaining e-mail, denigration of government for under-resourcing, fact-finding mission, complete silence on the issue and more importantly, no retraction of criticism) and used this to elicit a response from Abbott regarding his previous bagging of the government and by implication the military, then it would have been investigative journalism. However, Riley's intent was pretty clear : fallen soldier, Tony Abbott, oh well comment, reaction. As we've seen with commercial TV news, quite often the reaction is not the thrust of the news piece, the question is. Junior reporters lurking outside court waiting for the accused to appear so that they can ask "do you have anything to say to your victims?" or "do you regret your actions?" knowing full well that not only have they not been convicted but only the most foolhardy (or patently guilty) would offer a response. The question is what matters to their producers not the answers. Oakes' bombshell on Gillard at the Press Club is the perfect example. Her reply was a minor player, the question was the story. So too with Riley. If we condemn gotcha tactics when they are used against those we support, we must condemn them in all instances. Not to say that 25% of me didn't rejoice in Abbott falling foul of his own foolish actions. That same 25% would be glad to see him brought down by any means since he is the most divisive, counter-productive individual it has been my misfortune to observe. The other 75% of me says we must play by the rules, we can't pick and choose which journalistic actions suit us simply because of the outcome. In terms of repercussions, I suspect Mr Abbott will be reluctant to do studio interviews with any but the most tame of journos because now every Kerry O'Brien wannabe has seen that Abbott has a glass jaw and they will all come out swinging if the think they can get him to freeze up or mouth some stupid lie to get out of an awkward situation. This is a good thing.

Ad astra reply

11/02/2011Sandy Welcome to TPS in 2011. Although there is now a great show of solidarity for Tony Abbott from his colleagues, as there always will be when a leader is under threat, there are rumblings still going on. The view expressed by David Spears and others that this will soon 'blow over', while plausible were the matter insignificant, is not when something as gross as this happens. Columnists are still writing about it, the blogosphere is still alive with it, and Abbott's media supporters still feel the need to defend him. This wound will take time to heal and will leave an ugly red scar that will be visible for a long while yet.

NormanK

11/02/2011A recent University of New South Wales study has concluded that the human brain may be capable of as many as 150 individual conscious thoughts per minute, particularly when under duress or during high excitement. In a test case using the Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott, UNSW engaged the services of Channel 7 reporter Mark Riley to provide the stimulus to ascertain what the upper limits might be for a quick-thinking seasoned debater and politician. The results fell within the highest range of their previous findings but the debriefing after the experiment was inconclusive as Mr Abbott seemed unwilling to discuss the contents of his thoughts, even in the interests of science. Grad students conducting the test were left with hypothetical conjecture. 0.00 Punch him, there's cameras, it's out of context, punch him 0.01 End the waste, punch him, no there's cameras 0.02 punch him, no keep your hands down 0.03 Tell him it's out of context, stay calm, I've said that 0.04 Stop the Boats, punch him, punch him 0.05 No, stop nodding, punch him, stop nodding 0.06 no, bad government getting worse, walk away 0.07 witty comeback, witty comeback, witty comeback 0.08 punch the bastard right in the mouth 0.09 no, stop nodding, best opposition leader 0.10 punch him, punch him, Australian families struggling 0.11 sh*t, sh*t, no new taxes, sh*t, sh*t, sh*t, punch him 0.12 stop nodding, I'm not nodding, stop nodding, I'm not 0.13 context, it was out of context, punch him 0.14 you weren't there, Mark, those generals were scary 0.15 don't tell him that you wuss, punch him 0.16 no, keep your hands down! bloody Gillard 0.17 why is this happening to me? 0.18 punch him, no there's cameras, pay back debt 0.19 say something, stop nodding, I am NOT nodding 0.20 punch him, no, knee him in the nuts, no, punch him 0.21 what'd I have for lunch? feels like live eels, stay calm 0.22 punch him, no, cameras, don't throw up, walk away 0.23 punch him, walk away, say something! 0.24 stop nodding, I. AM. NOT. NODDING. 0.25 punch him, punch him, punch him, punch him 0.26 punch him, punch him, punch him, punch him 0.27 punch him, punch him, punch him, punch him 0.28 punch him, no there's cameras, punch him! 0.29 death stare, death stare, don't lick your lips 0.30 left hook, no, head butt, no, punch him and so on to 1.10 minutes. 1.10 I've given you the answer you deserve. 1.11 You should've punched him, I know! 1.12 I really wanted to punch him, I know! 1.13 You should've punched him, I know! 1.14 I really wanted to punch him, I know! 11.26.43 You should've punched him, I know!

Jason

11/02/2011Normank, It wasn't "gotcha journalism" his office fought the FOI request for three months, when his office was told 2 to 3 hours before Riley wanted to interview him and why,he should have been better prepared and wasn't! The media played "gotcha" with Rudd with the strip club, lack of hair dryer,his abuse of the RAAF staff because he got the wrong meal. Then today we have Abbott saying the the health backflip as he calls it is the "Biggest surrender since Singapore" ! What say you Sir Weary Dunlop? Normank in part I agree but I think until we have another election where it's decided one way or another we are in for more of the same!

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Nice quick analysis of CataTony's line of the day about "The Greatest surrender since Singapore": http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/Andy_Downunda/~soYn0

jj

11/02/2011Talking about shit!! This is the last post i will be making to this blog, as i feel as though i should leave you to drift off into a deep dark abyss of self pitty and hatred. Your hypocrisy is beyond belief. You right pieces about the conservative side of politics always being angry for no reason, when the blog that you right the piece is built on anger, and your lack of relevance. No matter what happens you will support the Labor Part, and no matter what the Coalition does you will call them 'right wingers', 'extremists' and all of the other crap you go on about. It is quite obvious that this website is setup to facilitate a place for those people not connected with mainstream society, who live in a red bubble entitled, WE LOVE LABOR, to come and relieve the daily tension built up when you realise you are in the minuscule minority. You all pat each other on the back for you fanciful conspiracy theories, and attempt to rebut any alternative arguments put forward by just playing the person. I feel sorry for you and your ilk; and especially AA, for continuously having to dig to the deepest recessions of your mind to find just that one extra piece of crap to splutter all over the page...it must be exhausting! I hope that your blog continues to flourish, as more and more left wingers will be needing a place of comfort to turn to as there party becomes less and less relevant.

nasking

11/02/2011Thnx for the useful link Feral. My take as written elsewhere: Reporter: Mr. Abbott, you’re known for exaggerating & using over-the-top statements to grab headlines…do you think it has much to do with your journalistic background? Would you be better off giving up politics Mr. Abbott and joining Rupert Murdoch in New York?… Working for Fox News perhaps?…considering how much you fear-monger & exagerrate. Tony: Ahhhhhhhh…if I left for New York, that would be the biggest surrender since Singapore… just like when our Coalition backed off on changing Medicare…just like when we announced a reversal on WorkChoices…just like when we had to put Amanda in charge of the Immigration portfolio & decided to change our approach to detention centres. Reporter: Mr. Abbott, but isn’t listening to the people’s needs & making responsible adjustments to programs & policy just appropriately compromising rather than back-flipping or surrendering? Tony: Not in my books. I’m the Action Man…Man of Iron…I don’t surrender. I don’t backflip. Reporter: Have you any money in your wallet for stay-at-home Mums Mr. Abbott? You better hand it over now…Julie Bishop is driving a bulldozer straight at you…waving a sign saying: DON’T FAIL INDONESIAN SCHOOLS. Tony: Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh (head nodding, nodding, nodding…) N’

Jason

11/02/2011jj Don't let the door hit your arse onthe way out!

Lyn

11/02/2011 [quote]This is the last post i will be making to this blog[/quote] Goodbye

NormanK

11/02/2011Jason You're right, it's not a classic gotcha where the victim has something sprung on them by surprise but as I tried to point out, the reaction in this case was immaterial. Riley wanted to juxtapose Abbott and his comment (deliberately out of context) and any juicy response was icing on the cake. Why on earth Abbott agreed to the interview under those circumstances is beyond me. Riley is still a hack even if he did do the country a favour by accidentally showing us catatonic Tony. If he had built up a story along the lines of BB's post, I could have seen the merit in his efforts. As it was, he produced a piece that was ACA or TT at its worst. I can't applaud that sort of tripe just because it suits my purposes.

Lyn

11/02/2011Hi Everybody Sorry I forgot to type JJ on my goodbye.

2353

11/02/2011I suspect Mark Riley got more that he ever imagined when he asked Tony Abbott "the question". [quote] Don't let the door hit your arse onthe way out! [/quote]Damn - beaten! Unfortunately I reckon JJ will be back.

Ad astra reply

11/02/2011jj There is no need to feel sorry for me or anyone else commenting here. We have no trouble finding plenty to comment about as an abundance of material is supplied by the daily antics of the Coalition and especially Tony Abbott. Surely even you, cloistered in your blue bubble, could not have missed the ‘shit happens’ saga with all its nuances, so beautifully described by BB. Even the usually compliant and forgiving media are full of it. It was a major blue for Abbott, and he has plenty of others too, which will likely position him on the slippery slope out of the leadership. Only the paucity of alternatives and the dislike and distrust of the only plausible alternative, Malcolm Turnbull, makes him relatively safe for the time being. But the rumblings and the spat with Julie Bishop will diminish his position. I could scarcely believe that you could paint Labor as becoming less and less relevant which is exactly what is befalling the Coalition, while Labor goes from strength to strength – just look at Julia Gillard’s performance in parliament this week, and her press conference today on health reforms, and compare it with Tony Abbott’s disastrous week, not punctuated by one positive move, not one helpful announcement. Apart from his condolence speech, all we saw was ineptitude, obstruction and negativity. And you have the temerity and intellectual blindness to come on here and assert that Labor is becoming irrelevant. Please yourself whether or not you return. But if you do, please try to stick to the known facts, give us the benefit of a reasoned argument, and give the rant a miss. It doesn’t wash.

debbiep

11/02/2011 Hi all .. Don’t you think Channel 7 did Abbott a favor by NOT playing the whole minute and 20 sec’s (70 - 80 sec?) of Abbott silent frozen response ? It sat very uncomfortable with the 15 to 20 sec’s that we did see. Bushfire Bill, I wished that your analyses ( like many on this forum and the links attached ) had more coverage in the MSM. Keep up the good work ~ Lyn's links is the 'icing on the cake' :)

debbiep

11/02/2011[i]BTW ~ jj[/i] Many of my family are right wing Liberal supporters .They to slam the door - but eventually they come back . Why, because they need the hard working leftie to clean up the 'shit'- when it happens :) [quote][i]Gotta luv us- cant live without us[/i][/quote].

Calligula

11/02/2011For what it's worth - Bring back JJ To continue - Mr. Abbott, were he not a raffle winner, would be an absolute caution down the pub, Friday night. A bit of a pug who likes his way, what? Analyse the news reports carefully. Tony made that comment at question talking to some brass. He’s read the Tom Clancy novels so he’s jam packed with alpha male, jingoistic, crapola out of which he selected what he hoped would be an appropriately macho one liner. Regardez, though – the response which allegedly went something like – “certainly does.” Call me hypersensitive, but were I in Mr. Abbott’s shoes I’d be scanning the eyes of whoever said that for the hint of sarcasm and contempt that undoubtedly would have been burning there. Australian star rankers ain’t stupid and to be there with all their responsibility they have to have assimilated a fair deal of historical precedent. They are perfectly aware that Afghanistan is an incredibly fraught scenario offering all too many ways to end up dead. Shit doesn’t happen there as often as it does back home – ‘cos sometimes it is too bloody dangerous to wander behind a bit of cover to take a crap. No. Death happens in Afghanistan – if you make yourself unwelcome and stay there too long. Maybe if Tony had stayed just another day things might have turned out all right?

TalkTurkey

11/02/2011Swordsfolks How could we be so mean to poor jj? Now look what we done! She is so hurt by our hard cold inhuman attitudes that she is now a political street-kid, sad, abandoned, lonely, looking for someone, anyone, just a kindred spirit with whom to share her boundless unrequited love . . . How will TPS manage to survive, without her sparkling wit, her unfailing good humour, her political insight, her wellspring of original clever ideas? What are we to do? Serve us right I suppose, we're such bastards! Guess we'll just get irrelevant now, like Labor . . . [Wonder what's really eating her?! ??? Toe-Knee ?!!!!!] Funny thing is, I really do feel sorry for her, I wish we could by our genuine collective goodwill make her feel more gruntled, but it just goes to show you can no more appease the Rancid Right than you can uncurdle sour milk. Sad. I have certainly poked fun at her, but I never thought her really deeply hateful like one other troll who it seems has also given up on us . . . and his loss really is our gain. I don't hate jj, one day maybe she'll have a Road to Damascus conversion . . . Lots of luck jj say I. Truly.

Bushfire Bill

11/02/2011[quote]Maybe if Tony had stayed just another day things might have turned out all right? [/quote] Befor ethe RWingers ut this up as wishing death upon the Rabbott, I remind youse all that the OZ had him "in harm's way" in their editorial this morning, practically dodging bullets.

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011jj, The thing that I find most offensive about your comments to us here at The Political Sword is that you presume to tell us that we are in the wrong for supporting the policies of the federal Labor Party government. Now, number 1, you obviously weren't party to my facebook exchange with one of my fellow ALP members the other day when I gave it to her 4 square between the eyes verbally for choosing a pathetic candidate for the upcoming NSW State Election in my home seat. Nor were you privy to the 3 year fight I undertook to unseat Belinda Neal in my federal electorate. I certainly didn't hold back in letting the party know my negative opinions over an extended period of time then. Also, you must've come late to The Political Sword party and missed the blog I wrote after the 2010 federal election about the parlous quality of the Labor campaign. Suffice to say that, if I think the ALP deserves a serve, I will hand it out, just as much as I will to the Liberal Party. I'm an equal opportunity sledger. It's just that, at the moment the Liberal/National Coalition are providing me with much more ammunition. I mean, honestly, did you catch the faux show of unity in the Liberal Party today? I think they call it 'Circling the Wagons' in political parlance. All of them, packed tighter than a tin of sardines together in a cavernous lecture theatre, for a Liberal Party 'Policy Workshop'. I meanj, how lame a look is that? They still have to work on their policy? (Well, I suppose they do), but I remember hearing that line from them over 3 years ago! And this is the crew you think should be in government instead of the Labor Party? jj, you need to get out from in front of your computer more, and stop believing the Regressive e-mail chain letters and the Bolter and Jonesy the Pants Man. Or, you can continue to hang around there and let your brain atrophy along with the rest of 'the mob'. John Howard would be proud of you. As is his 'Mini Me', Tony Abbott, I'm sure. Anyway, good luck to you, jj. You're gonna need it if your hero gets his wish to become Prime Minister. Which I fear for on behalf of our country, if the manic Murdoch media get their way eventually. Xavier Herbert will surely spin in his grave that day. By the way, what happened to 'Malcolm Turnbull for PM'? :)

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011debbiep, For my sins my family are also died in the wool Liberal Party supporters. They are of the, 'work 2 jobs to get ahead', Howard's Battlers branch of Liberal Party gullible, er, supporters. :)

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Calligula, I really can imagine Tony as the Punch Drunk drunk down the pub. After his behaviour this week I hope he doesn't end up keeping Matthew Newton company.

Jason

11/02/2011FS, jj has only spat the dummy because she put money into the Abbott for PM campaign and lost, but to make things even worse she watched KK at the press club today and thought we'll lose the unloseable election again!

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Jason, Wishful thinking that KK & Co. will win in a few weeks time. I think it's got to the stage now that they think she'll be OK to vote for in her own seat and keep on as Opposition Leader.

Patricia WA

11/02/2011FS and TT - better adjective might be [quote]SCATATONIC[/quote]? Just come from LP where it seems the linguists have given us a free hand to invent new words whenever we need. Its a fun thread. My contribution which is really more relevant to your post, Bushfire Bill: Exitement in Downunderland! I’m reading news just come to hand. Mr. Rabbit’s made a declaration, Which calls for unity as one nation. Swears he’ll serve it with devotion. And to that end he’ll move a motion, Promising to apologise And never again scatologise.

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011PatriciaWA, I think your ditty would aquire even more import if you changed 'one nation', to 'One Nation'. :)

kerry

11/02/2011Hi All, Been away. Very nice article, BB - cool, calm, collected and very accurate. I'd been thinking about saying - b4 the proverbial hit the fan - that we seem to be on a hiding to nothing re bias in the press. All the other blogs I've read have either die-hard one side or the other, to the extent that there is no genuine discussion/debate on any topic - although some fantastically scathing remarks from both sides of the divide make me smile/laugh and/or shake my head. Nevertheless, I found this (you probably did this one in 2009)http://www.news.com.au/national/dont-tell-john-howard-but-the-abc-is-actually-right-wing-study/story-e6frfkvr-1225768851349 and if you read the comments, sort of underlines my point to a degree, I think. jason, you'd reckon Tony Abbott would steer clear of any military references wouldn't you! How may diggers/nurses do you reckon he has offended with his OTT remark re Singapore? The guy just doesn't seem to think on his feet at all. And what about http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/capital-circle/tony-abbott-and-sevens-mark-riley-make-their-peace-over-a-controversial-interview/story-fn59nqgy-1226004528524 - the confected outrage round the traps should all die down now and they can just put all their energies into steaming vitriolic bile directed at Julia again. Take care all

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011theodric, Can you post more? I love seeing Howard the Duck. :)

Feral Skeleton

11/02/2011Some light humour, courtesy of one of the members of the Liberal Party in the House of Reps: http://finance.ninemsn.com.au/newsbusiness/aap/8209954/rba-governor-defends-rba-credibility

kerry

12/02/2011Thanks for the link, FS Gotta say I'm a bit sick of the cherry-picking to support an argument. But that's good ole Kelly o'Dwyer for you (probably coached by the master of Higgins himself) Going to bed now, check ya

Patricia WA

12/02/2011I did consider that from the start, FS, but I thought the irony of the phrase would do the job for me with those highbrow LP bloggers! If you have editing facility and want to change it for me I'd be really pleased. Is Kelly O'Dwyer 'the' woman of the future in the Liberal party, do you think?

TalkTurkey

12/02/20118.15 AM,I'm trying to get news of Mubarak's overthrow, on Ch.7 some fat blonde bimbo is telling the world, . . . "The story of the day, Shane Warne and Liz Hurley . . ." No offence meant to sebaciously/pigmentationally/neuronally challenged females, but dear oh dear.

Feral Skeleton

12/02/2011PatriciaWA, Kelly O'Dwyer is being 'groomed' as one of the women of the future of the Liberal Party. As far as I can see from her performances thus far in the public sphere, she is another case of 'all tip, no iceberg'.

Lyn

12/02/2011[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Morgan 51.5-48.5 to Labor William Bowe,The Poll Bludger[/i]Labor’s position is found to have deteriorated since the previous poll a fortnight ago, tp://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ [i]Bueller, Ashghebranious, Ash'a Machiavellian Bloggery[/i] think the coalition will move to a roll call system after an interesting moment occurred in parliament on Thursday. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/ [i]Menacing’ Tony Abbott glaringly out of his depth, Admin, Independent Australia [/i] Talk about cheap political behaviour—this bloke is way out there on his own. http://www.independentaustralia.net/ [i]Abbott happens,Brian Hoover,So,this is what I'm thinking[/i]What concerns me is that this guy may be Prime Minister one day http://brian.hoover.net.au/blog/current-events/abbott [i]Radical Muslims are Going to Kill Us All!Reb,GutterTrash[/i]It’s the creepy pod person with the hair – Kevin Andrews!, http://guttertrash.wordpress.com:80/2011/02/11/radical-muslims-are-going-to-kill-us-all/ [i]Ozblogistan will grow larger,Jacques Chester,Club Troppo[/i]I am looking for more tenants. I wish to continue to host high-quality Australian blogs. http://clubtroppo.com.au/2011/02/11/ozblogistan-will-grow-larger/ Missing Link Friday, Don Arthur, Club Troppo Mr Andrews repeats the strange assertion that “we can’t have a discussion about (extreme Islam http://clubtroppo.com.au/2011/02/11/missing-link-friday-coming-out-of-the-closet-edition/ [i]On Line Opinion vs people's opinions , Jeremy Sear, An Onymous Lefty[/i] Sorry, but on this occasion I think OLO stepped over the line, http://anonymouslefty.wordpress.com/ [i]Larvatus Prodeo statement on cessation of relationship with On Line Opinion and The Domain,Admin,Larvatus Prodeo[/i]LP intends to make no further public comment on these matters at this time http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/02/11/larvatus-prodeo-statement-on-cessation-of-relationship-with-on-line-opinion-and-the-domian/ Newspapers Applicable to Bushfire Bills topic: ,[i]Sound and fury of that [b]catatonic[/b] silence , Mike Carlton, SMH[/i] shit happens to Tony Abbott, as it has a lot lately, his first instinct is to run to the loving embrace of Alan Jones http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/sound-and-fury-of-that-catatonic-silence-20110211-1aqin.html [i]The power of the lens to shape image , Laurie Oakes, herald Sun[/i] he happily allowed himself to be filmed Rambo-like firing a Steyr assault rifle and a machine gun http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/the-power-of-the-lens-to-shape-image/story-e6frfhqf-1226004701379 [i]Abbott on the attack makes cuts on the run , Lenore Taylor, Brisbane Times[/i] senior members of his own party are urging Abbott to tone down the attack http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-on-the-attack-makes-cuts-on-the-run-20110211-1aqik.html

Ad astra reply

12/02/2011Folks I have just posted another delightful piece of satire from Acerbic Conehead: [i]Question Time - Rumble in the Jungle Book[/i] Enjoy.

Ad astra reply

12/02/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Calligula

14/02/2011Can’t you find it in your soul to give jj a break? None of us are all that bright. I want to get my socialist message across so lately I’ve been doing my best to assassinate right wingers on other pages instead of coming here, I get into them there and they ream me out – meanwhile, everyone, bruised and battered we’re STILL AUSTRALIANS with a stack of matters of common accord. Please people, without an opposing view and an opposing opinion of MERIT there is no DEBATE and nothing of merit. I know it is so incredibly difficult while there is so much you want to say so immediately but if you fail to welcome other viewpoints – you’ll shortly become a mutual admiration society. AA – If you just keep reacting to the confections of the fourth estate you’ll just be an adjunct to the propaganda machine. Consider that and reflect on the crapola coming out of onelineopinion lately and the very adverse comment coming from stakeholders in free speech. Please don’t fall into that trap – let curmudgeons and the odd Gyro Gearloose have their say and let your blog prosper in result.
I have two politicians and add 17 clowns and 14 chimpanzees; how many clowns are there?