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It Ain't Half Hot Mum

G’day Swordians!

The cultured choristers of the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery Concert Party, under the tyrannical oversight of Warrant Officer Tony “STOP THE...” Abbott, have been sent to East Timor to entertain the troops. And, at 50-degrees-plus in the shade, it Ain’t Half Hot Mum!



Sergeant-Major Abbott (due to his arch-monarchist and pro-British leanings, he insists on being addressed according to the old-fashioned rank) has called parade so that the men can be addressed by Brigadier Bolt. Moreover, in spite of the stifling heat, Tones has ordered the Concert Party diggers to kit out in clobber more suited to alpine warfare, like fleecy-lined anoraks and Ugg boots. However, the guys have still not lost their larrikin sense of humour and on the parade display table have replaced the folded regimental flag with a tea-towel picturing Osama Bin Laden with the caption, “Compared to WorkChoices, mine is a kinder, gentler polity”. And, to add insult to injury, the wags have substituted the Bible with the Koran and The Regimental Standing Orders booklet with the latest edition of Gay Weekly. So, as the dulcet-toned diggers stand rigidly to attention, dripping in sweat, Sergeant-Major Abbott and Brigadier Bolt arrive on parade.

Tones: Right then, you maggots...the world used to be divided into the just and the unjust...but with you lot, it’s a choice between the unjust and the severely maladjusted...heh...heh...
[The guys know not to dignify Tones’ lame jokes with even a modicum of a suggested snigger. Instead, they remain completely at attention. Then, Tones turns to the parade display table and reaches out for what he presumes is the Bible, so that he can pray one of the psalms over these god-forsaken no-hopers standing before him. However, to his unadulterated incredulity, his eyes light upon the Koran and his head starts to nod in total disbelief. Then he sees the Bin Laden tea-towel and, worst of all, the copy of Gay Weekly. By this stage, Tones is approaching a catatonic state and his head is nodding at a rapidly accelerating rate of knots. One of the diggers, ‘Lofty’, takes advantage of the deathly silence to ask a question]
Lofty: Erm...permission to speak, Sarn’t-Major...
[Tones is still interminably nodding, seemingly transfixed by the scandal of the blasphemous objects traducing the sacred parade display table. Lofty assumes that Tones’ nodding gesture indicates he indeed has permission to speak.]
Lofty: Righto, Sarn’t-Major...I’ll just take that as a ‘yes’ then...Now, as its so damn hot in this winter clobber, we’ll soon all be dead, buried and cremated if we don’t get them off...Permission to disrobe, Sarn’t-Major sir?
[Still, Tones is just standing there staring in utter disbelief at the table, nodding like a metronome experiencing endless repeats of Groundhog Day. As before, the Concert Party crooners take this for a ‘yes’ and start to relieve themselves of their excessive clothing. However, unfortunately for them, this mutinous act of Machiavellian bastardry only succeeds in snapping Tones out of his shocked state. He gives them both barrels]
Tones: STOP THE UNDRESSING!!!! Keep that kit on, you poofs!!!!
Lofty: But Sarn’t-Major...why do we have to dress like this in the East Timor tropics...can’t we just wear our budgie smugglers?
Tones: STOP THE BUDGIESMUGGLERS!!!!! I’ll tell you why you have to wear polar-regions’ fighting kit in East Timor, you nonces – because all this global warming palaver is a load of crap!!! And the sooner you warmists get that fact into your thick girlie heads the better...Brigadier Bolt here, like me, can spot nancy-boy warmist twaddle from a mile off...so don’t you dare try to take that kit off...And, for your insubordination, and the desecration of our beloved parade display table, you can all go for a twenty kilometre hike in your arctic gear...and remember, it was a lot warmer in Jesus’ day, so consider yourselves lucky...heh...heh...At the double...left, right...left, right...
[As the sweat-saturated squaddies tramp off despondently into the East Timor midday sun, Brigadier Bolt turns to Tones]
Bolta: Erm...Sergeant-Major...I know we have to nip this leftie warmist bolshevism in the bud...but aren’t you being a tad rough on the chaps?
Tones: Oh, I’m only having a bit of fun with them at the moment, Brigadier – for our next posting I’ll allow them to wear their budgie smugglers...
Bolta: Really, Sergeant-Major? And where are you getting posted to?
Tones: Actually our next posting is to Antarctica...
Bolta: Antarctica? Why, surely budgie smugglers won’t be appropriate fatigues for that sort of climate?
Tones: Au contraire, Brigadier...As you know, if we keep up this global warming denialism for a few more years, the polar ice-caps will have melted and the men will be in their element prancing around in their speedos...heh...heh...
Bolta: Yes, very good, Sergeant-Major...And another thought has just struck me – with the ice-caps melted, won’t the mining companies be able to make hay, so to speak?
Tones: Got it in one, sir...Yes, the big-wigs at Staff Headquarters – General Gina, Cromwell Clive, and Twiggy the Terrible – certainly know what they’re doing...hee...hee...
Bolta: And we’re just following orders, right?
Tones: Yup! And I just hope the Nuremberg Excuse holds up this time...cos, if it doesn’t...shit happens...

For further reflection:
- Due to the immensity of Clive Palmer’s profit margins, should an eighth continent be named after him?
- Discuss: “global warming couldn’t be true, cos if it were, Earth would soon be hotter than hell, and god would have nowhere to send all the naughty lefties”
- Should Ban Morrison re-form his original band and re-name it, “Us and Them”?
- When the glaciers turn to rivers, should Barnaby Joyce be allowed anywhere near them in a four-wheel drive?

Whaddya think?

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61 COMMENTS

TalkTurkey

10/03/2011Oh! AC! This is VERY, VERY good! So glad you write for the Sword. Otherwise I'd have to go and find you. (Of course Lyn would unfailingly direct us, but it's better to have you here.) Just one reflection on your points "For further reflection: - Due to the immensity of Clive Palmer’s profit margins, should an eighth continent be named after him?" Well, . . . Due to the immensity of Clive Palmer himself . . . shouldn't he be named an eighth continent himself?

Lyn

10/03/2011Hi Acerbic Conehead Magic article, Academy Award Winner. Thankyou AC for delighting us this morning, making for a beautiful day. As Talk Turkey, says, I would find you, but, we really are grateful you belong to us, the TPS. [quote]Brigadier Bolt here, like me, can spot nancy-boy warmist twaddle from a mile off[/quote] Very funny AC

Lyn

10/03/2011Hi Ad Doug Evans at Earthsign blog, appreciates "The Political Sword", that's very nice of him, I say, thankyou to Doug. Take a look: [i]Absolute crap , Doug Evans, Earthsign[/i] A recent post Tony Abbott's great big new tax on political blog [b]'The Political Sword' [/b]exemplifies the growing awareness of the inadequacies of Abbott's alternative. [b]It is a good rant. [/b]"… Not to be outdone by Julia, Tony has his own Great Big New Tax – in his ‘Direct Action Plan’ for combating that heap of ‘absolute crap’ – global warming. Take a look at it. http://duggyvans.blogspot.com/2011/03/absolute-crap.html

Ad astra reply

10/03/2011AC Thank you another lovely piece of satire so relevant to the contemporary debate about climate change. Why am I wearing a jumper today - it ain't even half hot here! Tony must be right - it's cold today - all this warmist stuff must be crap. Hi Lyn Thank you for the link to [i]Earthsign[/i]. Isn't it nice when another blog mentions one here.

Ad astra reply

10/03/2011Folks I see that there has been much discussion of Labor's strategy to tackle climate change on the last post. As this post is a nice take on global warming, we can continue it here. Here is my analysis: Labor has chosen to provide an outline of its ETS first and to fill in the detail after consultation with stakeholders. This seems a reasonable way to proceed. If it had presented a detailed plan, it would have been pilloried by Tony Abbot for not consulting; indeed this morning a business group has criticised the 'lack of detail'. So there was no way that criticism could have been avoided. But could criticism of its chosen path have been blunted? Since Tony Abbott has enjoyed success with his one-liners, why not Labor? Why not: [i]Labor will introduce an emissions trading scheme to combat global warming. The first step will be to put a price on carbon to make the polluters pay. All money collected from the polluters will be given to households and businesses to compensate for increased costs. THE POLLUTERS WILL PAY, THE PEOPLE WILL BE COMPENSATED. The next step will be to consult widely, with the electorate, with business, with industry, with all stakeholders to work out the detail. The consultation will result in a price to be paid on every tonne of carbon emitted by the polluters so they will be persuaded to emit less. After the consultation an emissions trading scheme will be completed and legislated.[/i] The Government has tried to transmit this message but it has been fragmented and unclear. The simple message needs repeating [i]ad nauseam[/i] until the people know it as well as Abbott's three-word slogans. Abbreviated it would read: [i]The Government will introduce an ETS. The first step is a price on carbon. Polluters will pay for polluting. This money will be paid to consumers as compensation for higher prices. The ETS will be developed in consultation with all stakeholders. This will be passed into law.[/i] But simple messages are not enough - they have to be transmitted consistently and often by well-trained ministers. Greg Combet's performance last night on [i]Lateline[/i] was exemplary, even when Tony Jones tried a gotcha over the price on carbon. He is clear headed and lucid, and won't take nonsense from the likes of Tony Jones. Another good performer is Simon Crean. Why not stick to just those two plus Julia? In summary, the strategy Labour is pursuing of outline first and detail only after consultation, is sound. It's the execution that's wanting, and it need not be.

NormanK

10/03/2011AC DAM THE GLACIERS! Barnaby couldn't get stranded then. Thanks for another delightful piece. Can we expect in the near future that Abbott & Co will start to push the positives of global warming. As you suggest, mining would be made easier in the Antarctic, especially without having to worry about all that pesky wildlife because they'll be gone. How about more arable land becoming available for food production? Iceland's economy rallies as a new summer tourist retreat? How much easier will it be to climb all those high mountains? Because they do need climbing you know. Higher sea levels will mean longer ocean races. Warmer ocean temperatures will mean that we can swim comfortably for more months of the year. Plenty to look forward to I reckon.

Anonymous

10/03/2011Regulators Reject Proposal That Would Bring Fox-Style News to Canada Too bad Australian tv/media doesn't have Canada's "no lying" laws http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-f-kennedy-jr/fox-news-will-not-be-moving-into-canada-after-all_b_829473.html

Lyn

10/03/2011Hi Ad You were right just as you suspected, Mr Abbott did not front up to Paul Howes. Did Abbott say yesterday, he was running a truth campaign, well, he must be fightened of the truth. Fancy of all people, him running a truth campaign. [quote]at Laverton this morning to allay fears raised by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's lightning visit to the site yesterday[/quote]. [quote]Paul Howes had challenged Tony Abbott to return to the AWU workplace and debate carbon pricing issues in front of the Melbourne steel workers – but the Opposition Leader did not take up the challenge[/quote]http://www.awu.net.au/824521_5.html

2353

10/03/2011Lyn, and you're surprised by that? AC - wonderful post only dampened by me being old enough to remember when "It ain't half hot Mum" was prime time TV on the ABC.

Acerbic Conehead 2

10/03/2011TT, Thanks, yeah maybe the new continent should be called Palmgea. AA, Thank you also, and don’t forget to keep that jumper on. You wouldn’t want to be taken for one of those warmist nancy boys. NormanK, Yes, Tones and co has probably put forward arguments like those in favour of global warming. Don’t forget to add the one from Julie Bishop, that she won’t have to sit under her solar lamp as often, lol. 2353, I’m glad you enjoyed the skit, even though you are not of that vintage. Obviously, good comedy like “It Ain’t Half Hot Mum” passes the test of time. And Lyn, thank you again for your support and kind words. I dedicate the following song to you. It is based on “Whispering Grass”, the hit song from the series, and it is performed by Don Estelle and Windsor Davies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10dmK7O-KSY&feature=related :- ( Lofty: Before you wither, green grass Why not tell the trees all your woes Withering grass The trees are next to go :- ( Why keep from them all your secrets How healthy you were long ago Withering grass The trees will reap what we sow :- ( Why not tell it to the breeze And she will tell the birds and bees And everyone will know Because if you tell the blabbering trees How good it was in times of yore It wouldn’t be a secret anymore :- ( If we forget all the old things And allow the heat to melt the snow Withering grass, do tell the trees Cos the trees are next to go :- ( Tones: Now, don't you tell it to the breeze Cos she'll run 'n' tell it to the birds and bees And everyone will know Because you told the blabberin' trees So keep your mouth shut and STOP THE YAPPINGS Cos its business as usual even if shit happens :- ( Lofty: If we forget all the old things And allow the heat to melt the snow Withering grass, do tell the trees Cos the trees are next to go

Ad astra reply

10/03/2011Folks Thank you for your comments and links. The Huff Post link was intriguing Anonymous. Fancy honesty in journalism, and dishonesty a barrier to broadcast rights in Canada! I guess we are not surprised Lyn that Tones did not front for the debate with Paul Howes.  We always knew Abbott was a wimp. You seem to have an inexhaustible supply of verse, AC. Always enjoyable. What a pleasure to see Julia doing so well in the US. Even the skeptical journos can't find anything to criticize.  Channel Ten's Hugh Riminton was tops in his appraisal - he really is a decent man. No doubt Abbott is seething at her success and longing to rip into her again.  So the niceness won't last.

Ad astra reply

10/03/2011Folks Time for bed. Good night.

Patricia WA

11/03/2011[quote]Due to the immensity of Clive Palmer’s profit margins, should an eighth continent be named after him? [/quote] Been tied up all day, so I've only just read your great piece, AC. Some of those miners are their own worst punishment, aren't they? Astonishing that people have been conned by them, ably assisted by Abbott, into thinking the mining tax was a huge injustice to them and would somehow impoverish this state and the country at large. I remember the first time I saw Palmer attacking Rudd on TV last May. (Was it less than a year ago?) He certainly carried out his threat, didn't he? [b]Taxing Times[/b] As I watched Lateline last night A big fat man gave me a fright. His name they said was Palmer. Claimed he'll be our PM's karma. Say's he's got a great big axe To cut him down with his new tax. First a public execution, Then a miners' revolution Making Tony Abbott king Of absolutely everything In Oz, especially the mines On which he has designs. He's corpulent and greedy, With eyes so cold and beady, I shuddered. Then it came to me. Surely Labor men will see Palmer has been heaven sent. A great TV advertisement!

Lyn

11/03/2011TODAY'S LINKS [i]Quick roundup, Greg Jericho. Grog's Gamut[/i] when Howard addressed the Congress back in 2002, only about 10 per cent of the congress showed up. http://grogsgamut.blogspot.com/ [i]The real reason putting a price on carbon is hard, Tim Dunlop, Unleashed[/i] political journalists know perfectly well that the Opposition’s position is borderline insane but who nonetheless report it seriously http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/44926.html [i]Land ownership: it’s not all black and white, Miglo, Cafe Whispers[/i] the westerners unwittingly created vast tracts of land devastation http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/03/09/land-its-not-all-black-and-white/ [i]The Lady in (orangey) Red – PM’s speech to congress, Ashebranious, Ash's Machiavellian Bloggery[/i] Jullia Gillard's Speech. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/the-lady-in-orangey-red-pms-speech-to-congress/ [i]Might this be the wrong time for a tax summit?, Peter Martin[/i]Tony Abbott is, of course, touring the nation's talkback radio stations prosecuting his ''people's revolt''. http://www.petermartin.com.au/2011/03/might-this-be-wrong-time-for-tax-summit.html [i]The cost of detention,Dave Gaukroger, Pure Poison[/i] The Herald Sun’s resident commercial property expert, Andrew Bolt http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/10/the-cost-of-detention/#more-9298 [i]Joe Hockey’s Welfare Plan is Just Political Posturing, Reb, Gutter Trash[/i] Joe Hockey targets welfare recipients . http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/joe-hockeys-welfare-plan-is-just-political-posturing/ [i]The great big “OIL” ripoff …, Bleyzie, The Eye-Ball Opinion[/i]petrol prices ‘off’ the ACCC price watchlist and it has never regained any real scrutiny since. http://bleyzie.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/the-great-big-oil-ripoff/ [i]Poll-mania, Massivespray, Spray of the Day[/i] the Government is done and they may as well hand the keys to the Lodge over to Tony right now. http://sprayoftheday.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/poll-mania/ [i]NSW election minus 16 days, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i]slow-motion train wreck that is the New South Wales state election campaign: http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ [i]Hopeless versus ruthless, Tim Dunlop, BSides[/i] Margaret Simons' piece on the Fairfax media company is well worth the read, even if it is a little heartbreaking http://tjd.posterous.com/hopeless-versus-ruthless [i]NBN: What does ‘retail service provider’ actually mean?, Renai LeMay, Delimeter[/i] From a parliamentary committee into the National Broadband Network today http://delimiter.com.au/2011/03/09/nbn-what-does-retail-service-provider-actually-mean/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Delimiter+%28Delimiter%29 [i]If Windsor is listening to Turnbull-both are stuffed, Hugh Saddleton, Coffs Outlook[/i] Miranda Devine on Malcolm Turnbull’s push for policies that most voters now treat as poison: http://hughsaddleton.com.au/?p=2715

Doug Evans

11/03/2011I'm a bit of an innocent abroad in the bloggersphere. Only discovered Political Sword a couple of days ago. After a couple of years blogging on our climate change fiasco I've lost my sense of humour. Political Sword might just restore it. I enjoyed today's offering from Acerbic Conehead but can't really fit either Abbott or Bolt into my memories of 'It aint half hot Mum'. The TV show was funny. These two gents are about as funny as a pair of cobras poised to strike and their venom, although slow acting, will still finish us off.

Lyn

11/03/2011Good Morning Doug Welcome to TPS Welcome to TPS,Thankyou so much for your comment on "The Political Sword". I really do hope TPS and our loyal readers will help restore your sense of humour, and for the political system. There is no doubt talking to like minded people, with various opinions, makes for a healthier frame of mind. Oh! and thankyou for directing your readers to TPS, on your own blog. Ad Astra will be along soon, to welcome and talk to you. [i]Stand up and be counted on Saturday, Doug Evans, Earthsign[/i] The Coalition argue that it’s not a tax, it is simply redirecting money already collected. http://duggyvans.blogspot.com/ Cheers

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011Doug Evans  I join Lyn in welcoming you to The Political Sword, and thank you for linking to the TPS piece "Tony Abbott's Great Big New Tax" from your blog Earthsign http://duggyvans.blogspot.com/ I hope you will come again and enjoy the dialogue here.

Acerbic Conehead 2

11/03/2011AA, No worries, glad to be of service. I hope you have a great day and that the dreaded lurgie is conquered. Patricia WA, Another wonderful poem, thank you so much. As you say, hopefully people will see through these self-seekers and support policies based on the common good. Lyn, And thank you again for providing such fascinating links for us. What an invaluable service! Doug Evans, We appreciate the time you took to contribute this morning. Yes, "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" was a great series. One of the things it was doing was to poke fun at colonialism. I think we can try to do the same with Tony Abbott and what he represents. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Keep coming back, as you are very welcome here at TPS.

TalkTurkey

11/03/2011Doug Evans Welcome to TPS, sorry about your awol sense of humour. Perhaps we can help. (If anyone here can it is Acerbic Conehead anyway.) But we mostly all have a go now and again. And again. There you go, You know that limerickological gem? There was a young lass from Demesne Who fancied it, now and again; Not "now and again", But now, and again, And again, and again and again . . . Viva Humour. It is Dog's consolation booby prize gift to Humanity for our loss of innocence especially our realisation of our mortality. Its essence is incongruity, and how I know that is that the greatest Teacher who ever had me, Colin Thiele of Stormboy and much more fame, told me so in a tutorial. So Bum-Bolt and Abbortt and their dopey mob of no-hopers as the Ain't Half Hot crew, well yeah it's a stretch, but that's the very reason WHY . . . Oh never mind . . . It's true there are some areas where humour has a great deal of trouble penetrating. Racial bigotry, MOST especially the kind directed at our indigenous people. Capital punishment, childhood cancer, Guantantamo, extinctions, not such rich territory for comedy, no. But for such as the Chaser Boys, hardly anything is sacred, and if it can give even a moment's relief from a truly awful situation it can help us catch oour breath and keep perspective. And it springs eternal. Oh and btw, seems to me, sincerity and satire are the twin edges of this Sword. Anyway, I find it not exactly funny, but a poetic nicety, that the evil venomous creatures you name are incestuously poisoning each other. Abbortt will rue his association with such as BumBolt and Anal Jones, and they will suffer from his demise in turn. How do I know all this? Well, it came from my Book of Mouth, and Ad astra, who is Never Wrong About Anything, called the TalkTurkey ever-wise, and I'm not about to argue with HIM. Seriously (well I was!) you are very welcome here as are as all Goodwillians and believers in the Love of Dog.

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx I strongly recommend Tim Dunlop's article on [i]The Drum Unleashed[/i] in Lyn's links. It is spot-on.

Doug Evans

11/03/2011Wow I can feel the love. Thanks for kind comments. I concur that Tim Dunlop's piece on The Drum is a beauty. Such straight talking is very rare.

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011Folks Coalition members must be worried about Julia's success in the US. They are fabricating distracting beat-up after beat-up to draw attention away from her. First the pathetic duo Andrew Robb and Julie Bishop are talking up a fictitious 'rift' between Julia and Kevin Rudd over Libya. Then Coalition members are accusing the Government of releasing the Gunn's Mill approval to counter the Coalition claim that the Greens are running Labor. Then Nick Minchin comes out today with two unbelievable statements: that Ross Garnaut 'knows nothing about climate change' and is a Government stooge promoting its carbon tax, and then the greatest doosie of all - that 'the world is cooling down', not warming up. This is the same Nick Minchin that engineered Tony Abbott's overthrow of Malcolm Turnbull, and is supposed to be now slinking off into retirement. Three examples of the disturbed thinking that afflicts the Coalition - and they want to be in Government! And we wouldn't have even heard of these lubricious assertions if the ABC had not plastered them all over its new bulletins. It must be a very slow news day or the ABC is going from bad to worse. I'll be out for a couple of hours doing weekend shopping to cater for an influx of kids.

Lyn

11/03/2011Hi Ad Have you noticed the use of "SHE" when any newsreaders, commentators, or reporters are talking about Julia Gillard. Of course we know Mr Abbott uses "she" all the time, so as not to pass on any glory for being Prime Minister, so therefore, no acknowledgement, is necessary from him. I hope Mr Abbott gets into trouble for this upset with Hizb-Ut-Tahrir: Islam group supports killing Jews: Abbott, Channel nine Earlier this week, Mr Abbott told a United Israel Appeal dinner that Hizb Ut-Tahrir was a part of the "extremism" that had so frightened the West since the September 11 terror attacks. The group's leaders had gone on the public record calling for the killing of Jewish people, he said. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8222570/islamists-want-proof-from-abbott Ad just a Couple of links in reference to your last comment : Gillard dismisses claims of rift with Rudd, Jeremy Thompson, ABC Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop told AM: "It is not in Australia's national interest for the Prime Minister to conduct her feud with Kevin Rudd through international forums." http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/11/3161292.htm?section=world [u]Notice Matthew Franklin has an un-named source again, still:[/u] [quote]Julia Gillard denies rift with Kevin Rudd on Libya no-fly zone , Matthew Franklin, in New York, The Australian Overnight reports quoted an [b]unnamed Gillard adviser [/b]as complaining that Mr Rudd was "out of control" over the issue[/quote]http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/julia-gillard-denies-rift-with-kevin-rudd-on-libya-no-fly-zone/story-e6frg6n6-1226019471822 Gunns clarifies pulp mill noise, odour permits, ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/11/3161495.htm [u]Minchim voicing exactly Mr Abbott's thoughts: [/u] [quote]Minchin ups stakes in carbon war,Jeremy Thompson, ABC Professor Garnaut, an economist, "knows nothing about the climate". Speaking on Sky News, Senator Minchin said: "He's not a climate scientist. I don't think he has any authority whatsoever to speak on the climate".[/quote][quote]Professor Garnaut, he said: "He's on the Government payroll, he's paid to ensure that the Government's desire to tax the hell out of us over this issue is substantiated by proclamations that the world is about to end".[/quote]http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/11/3161489.htm?section=business

NormanK

11/03/2011Just a thought, prompted by reading comments on a news story where Abbott has been forced to disagree with Minchin regarding the human factor in climate warming and basically declare that he acknowledges it is at least in part caused by human activity. We are repeatedly hearing two things from opponents of a price on carbon - that it is an impost which will drive prices up across the board because it affects almost everything that we consume i.e. huge impact on cost of living because we are per capita heavy emitters. Second, they bleat that reducing emissions in Australia will have negligible affect on CO2 levels world-wide i.e we don't pollute enough to warrant action. How do these two points of view sit comfortably together? If the amount of carbon that we are responsible for is so negligible then how can it be that a carbon price will have a major impact on domestic prices? Either we are producing CO2 in sufficient quantities that a carbon price will significantly impact on our cost of living and therefore any reduction will play a part in global abatement OR we are producing so little carbon that it will not reduce global figures and will have minimal affect on domestic prices. As usual with individuals endeavouring to run a blanket negative campaign, they want to have their cake and eat it. In the making of these arguments by skeptics , no attention seems to be given to the other strands of this debate which revolve around the transition of our economy to a cleaner and more sustainable means of energy production which doesn't rely on finite fossil fuels. Who is going to pay for this if we don't use a price on carbon to drive the innovation forward? The taxpayer of course because private enterprise won't act until the profit margin reaches a viable level by which time it will be far too late. Ad astra, as part of your campaign, how about referring to the price on carbon as a Pollution Tax? Lyn, you are a treasure.

nasking

11/03/2011Good stuff AC. BTW, ya might want to break the piece up a bit...tight blocks of writing make it harder to read and easier to lose yer place. Just a thought. We wouldn't want to miss any of yer humour and message due to headaches related to bunched up writing. An piece worth reflecting on: No Private Options How to Fight Friendly Fascism By ANDREW LEVINE http://www.counterpunch.com/levine03092011.html N'

nasking

11/03/2011[quote]Then Nick Minchin comes out today with two unbelievable statements: that Ross Garnaut 'knows nothing about climate change' and is a Government stooge promoting its carbon tax, and then the greatest doosie of all - that 'the world is cooling down', not warming up.[/quote] Ad astra, I believe this is a tactic to help make Abbott's views look more rational and to try & distance him from those "climate change science is crap" remarks. It provides him w/ an opportunity to look more moderate as the mainstream media usual suspects help him undermine PM Gillard's government's carbon price argument...it seems to me this is a kamakazi mission by Minchin to help Abbott out...whilst also attempting to put further doubts into the minds of people sitting on the fence or denying global warming. The fossil fool supporters of Abbott are desperate to keep him there...but they are under pressure to get rid of him & do a deal w/ Labor before July & The Greens take the balance of power in the senate. This is a last ditch move on there part that will see more "moderating of Tony" moves in the upcoming weeks. They should fail if people ignore the public perception manipulating Murdoch Newspoll & other BSers out there. More tricky chess moves...obvious to some. N'

nasking

11/03/2011Make that "their part". N'

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011Hi Lyn Don't you love Matthew Franklin's language - cleverly designed to incite antagonism against Labor figures. [i]"Julia Gilliard has been FORCED to DOUSE reports of a split with her predecessor…"[/i] Who, Matthew is forcing her if it is not journalists like you seeking to stir enmity? [i]"Her comments followed reports that Mr Rudd, dumped by Labor in favour of Ms Gillard last June, had been SINGLE-MINDEDLY pursuing the establishment of a no-fly zone.[/i] Who says it is 'single-mindedly'? Is it you Matthew? Where is your evidence that Kevin Rudd is considering NO OTHER RESPONSE? [i]"Overnight reports quoted an UNNAMED Gillard adviser as complaining that Mr Rudd was "out of control" over the issue.[/i] 'Unnamed' Matthew? Whose reports? Any verification? Or is this yet another tissue of fiction? 'Unnamed' sounds much more sinister doesn't it? "[i] Reports of criticism of Mr Rudd from Ms Gillard's office follow ongoing concern within the government that some Labor figures are doing their best to discredit Mr Rudd to drive him out of politics.[/i]. Who says there is 'ONGOING CONCERN'? Is it you again Matthew? Any evidence? "[i] Last month, the former prime minister was FORCED TO DENY a report that he had "stormed out" of a Cabinet meeting that significantly changed the details of a health reform package he had crafted as prime minister last year.[/i] Who forced him to deny? Was it you again Matthew or one of you buddies at [i]The Oz[/i]? Aren't we all sick and tired of this nasty innuendo, this 'forced to deny' talk, when it is the very journalists reporting this 'forcing' who are doing the forcing by dredging up bits of gossip or simply making it up, as usual. Sadly the ABC is no better - 'forced to deny' is stock in trade for news-writers, no doubt copying their words from News Limited or Coalition press releases. We have so many indifferent journalists around these days pushing their favourite lines that when a decent one turns up, like Tim Dunlop this morning, we all just about fall off our perches. Of course we should't get upset about the likes of Matthew Franklin - he has form, form we all know about.

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011Nasking That is one very interesting scenario you paint. If Minchin is trying to make Abbott look more rational, wouldn't Abbott need to come out and deny Minchin's denialism? Unless he does so soon and with conviction, those who suspect Abbott's climate change intentions, will be confirmed that he is as much a denialist as Minchin. I can see that demeaning Ross Garnaut might carry some weight with Coalition sycophants; it won't with sensible people who have given his statements credence for years. Clearly some Coalition figures are becoming concerned about the gathering weight of evidence for anthropogenic global warming and are stepping up their denialist rhetoric before July 1 where the denialist cause will likely be lost for ever. The denialists may convince Alan Jones and his listeners, but rational people will see through their hollow rhetoric. It looks to me like a dangerous tactic. I think you are right when you say some fossil fuel purveyors would prefer Abbott's plan to the Government's, but even among that group, there are those who want a viable scheme, not a Mickey Mouse substitute.

Lyn

11/03/2011Hi Acerbic Conehead I can't believe, You have dedicated a song to me, I am overwhelmed, thankyou very much. [quote]It is based on “Whispering Grass”, the hit song from the series, and it is performed by Don Estelle and Windsor Davies[/quote]. www.youtube.com/watch

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011NormanK What beautifully argued statement. You mention Tony Abbott was 'forced to disagree with Minchin'. Do you have a link? As mentioned in my response to Nasking, I believe he had to do this or be tarred with Minchin's denialist brush. I like your suggestion of a POLLUTION TAX, because that is exactly what it is, except of course for Tony Abbott where it is a PEOPLE TAX to PAY THE POLLUTERS!

NormanK

11/03/2011Ad astra Right on cue : [b]Climate change does happen - Tony Abbott[/b] [quote]TONY Abbott has been forced to reaffirm that the Coalition accepts climate change with human causes, after a senior senator rejected the concept. "Climate change does happen. Mankind does make a contribution," the Opposition Leader said today.[/quote] http://www.news.com.au/national/climate-change-does-happen-abbott/comments-e6frfkvr-1226019676890

Lyn

11/03/2011Hi Norman K Thankyou for saying that to me, how lovely of you. Your comments never fail to delight me, and the one above is another best one. Brilliantly informative, your a teacher in disguise, spreading educational information, for our enjoyment. Thank heavens for you and TPS, because if we had to rely on the MSM,as Ad Astra has demonstrated above, we would be all complete morons. Matthew Franklin honestly how can his reports and others alike be published, just more amazing everyday. Big cheers to you NormanK

Lyn

11/03/2011Hi Ad Sorry, I got caught again by the comments box not clearing, and reCaptcha kept asking me for a new word. Rather than check by scrolling one scroll up, I just kept doing what I was told, 5 times actually. Ad would you be kind enough to delete the repeats for me please.

Lyn

11/03/2011Now I have come to Talk Turkey Well Talk Turkey you know, very well how much I think of you, but you are not in disguise, you are a teacher and also a very informative enjoyable one. That was a lovely comment you posted for Doug Evans a new person of substance to our blog TPS. [quote]Anyway, I find it not exactly funny, but a poetic nicety, that the evil venomous creatures you name are incestuously poisoning each other. Abbortt will rue his association with such as BumBolt and Anal Jones, and they will suffer from his demise in turn. [/quote] Thankyou Mr Talk Turkey,

D Mick Weir

11/03/2011The campaign against the Mining Tax looks like being dwarfed by a 'business revolt' against the Carbon Tax. [b]Business to back Libs, says adviser to Coalition[/b] Adam Morton -The Age March 11, 2011 [i]'A FORMER Reserve Bank board member now advising the Coalition says up to 80 of Australia's biggest companies are privately opposed to a carbon tax or emissions trading scheme amid a groundswell of support for a different approach to tackling climate change. Dick Warburton is helping the Coalition collect business support for its direct action climate policy, ...'[/i] http://www.theage.com.au/national/business-to-back-libs-says-adviser-to-coalition-20110310-1bppk.html It is becoming increasingly obvious that the 'rent seekers' and 'carpet baggers' believe it is they who should run the country.

D Mick Weir

11/03/2011Who'd uv thunk it ... [b]One newspaper, so much denial[/b] Clive Hamilton @ The Drum [i]'Sometimes a lie is too good to discard even when it is known to be a falsehood. So The Australian continues to recycle the lie that I have advocated the "suspension of democracy" to tackle climate change.'[/i] http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/45004.html Interesting read.

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011Hi Lyn Surplus posts deleted. D Mick Weir I suppose the rent-seekers felt they won the minerals tax battle, so they, who believe they should call the shots, are trying it on again on the carbon tax. They won't win this time - the Government has plenty of time to work out a carbon price and an ETS, and with Greg Combet leading the charge, they will run out of puff before he does. Clive Hamilton's piece is good reading. I read Clive James' piece and came to the same conclusion. It was sadly weak from a man of considerable intellect, relying on his love of poetry and the historic truths in Dorothea Mackellar's poem to support a feeble case for the changes we now see in climate as just the natural course of events.

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011Folks I'm turning in for the night, hoping a series of early nights will eventually overcome the chronic cough that this whooping cough inflicts on its victims.

Ad astra reply

11/03/2011NormanK Thanks for the link.

Feral Skeleton

11/03/2011No such thing as Global Warming & Climate Change, huh? Mother Earth is angry that we are not doing enough to help her out. And, yes, if the Sceptics scoff and say that I don't know the difference between the effects of Global Warming on the Earth and Earthquakes, well, yes I do. With the Global Warming scenario overlayed onto fault lines in the Earth's Crust, it has been speculated, based upon research and computer modelling, that major earthquakes will occur more frequently as the planet heats up. And be more intense. Also more frequent. How can Tony Abbott, the Coalition, and the naysayers in the Media, Business, and Scientific Sceptic community keep peddling the lines that suit only their naked self-interest? They are reckless and totally irresponsible. Mother Nature takes no prisoners. She is indiscriminate and wields a mighty big sword that just cuts a swathe through the BS.

Lyn

11/03/2011Hi Ad Thankyou, for doing that deleting for me. I hope your cough is a bit better, so that you can get a restful night. I have had some relief at night with a ventolin inhaler, and nasal spray. I didn't like Hugh Riminton's report from America tonight, unusual, because as you say, generally he is reasonable, seems they all have a fixation with Julia Gillard drinking out of a bottle, Oh! dear, wonder, what they would say if she spluttered.

NormanK

11/03/2011FS And if you are an aging hippie like myself you would be inclined to believe that the planet will find its own way to balance things up again. Plague anyone? Or a series of massive volcanic eruptions with clouds of ash blocking out the sun? A bit airy-fairy perhaps but what goes around comes around and we humans are far from the only factor at play here, indeed we are a very small one. This is one of the great self-deceptions we dare not look at too closely when we are busy seeking to reassure ourselves that we can fix this massive stuff-up. It may very well get fixed for us and at some considerable cost.

D Mick Weir

11/03/2011HS, this little thing from the thinking womans crumpet will cheer you up a little I suspect http://www.andrewleigh.com/blog/?p=650

TalkTurkey

11/03/2011In Nineteen Eighty-Four George Orwell enunciated the three maxims of The Party: WAR IS PEACE FREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH Abbortt really takes it to a new level (down) WAR IS FUN RIGHTS ARE WRONG SCIENCE IS CRAP The Coalition's motto is IDIOCY IS INVINCIBILITY The planet is cooling up or else it's warming down, or not, maybe. Well it isn't not and always hasn't not been, sort of. MINCHIN! Ugghhh! Oh my country. And Dear Oh Dear, the new tsunami. I see Julie Bishop thanking G Ggoh GGG oh I still can't say Dog's fantasy pet's name but anyway ain't it marvellous how the whole thing's an act of His, and He is so bloody merciful and loving and all, to have withhelld his wrath from the party of Australian pollies over in Japan as we speak, dear ol' G*ch, what a friend in time of desperate need, well if you're one of His good people, like Bernasty and Morriscum and of course Toe-Rag Abbortt himself. Tough if you're not one of His but serve you right of course. Anyway it's OK Japanese are foreigners, eh. But sincerely, to all sufferers of such events, our hearts are heavy for you, and may the poor little Pacific Islands be OK. Seems like this sort of thing is becoming the norm. Does anybody wonder, as I have for many years, what effects may be expected from the release of trillions of tons of oil and gas at phenomenal pressure from beneath otherwise-unsupported rock ceilings all over the world? I mean, I know that when you let the air out of a tyre it only goes flat at the bottom . . ! . .

Lyn

12/03/2011[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Weekend Talk Thread - March 11 - 13, Dave Gaukroger, Pure Poison[/i] first of the No Carbon Tax protests, with one being held in Werribee outside Julia Gillard’s electorate office. How many people do you think will attend? http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/11/weekend-talk-thread-march-11-13/ [i]INTERPOL AND JULIAN ASSANGE’S RED NOTICE’ CREATES INTERNATIONAL BUZZ,Admin, Independent Australia[/i] exclusive expose on Julian Assange and Interpol has reverberated around the world and created a massive buzz. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/interpol-and-julian-assange%e2%80%99s-red-notice-creates-international-buzz/ [i]Gillard comes home to tax fury, Trading Room[/i] Abbott hasn't helped his bovver boy, social conservative image with a failure to rein in his team over comments against Muslims and adoption of the tactics of America's far-right. http://www.tradingroom.com.au/apps/view_breaking_news_article.ac?page=/data/news_research/published/2011/3/70/catf_110311_130900_6582.html [i]Bullying the vulnerable not a good look, whether the,target’s real or not, Jeremy Sear, Pure Poison[/i] a pair of “professional journalists” who are getting all excited by a “hoax” blogger being published by another journalist http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/03/11/bullying-the-vulnerable-not-a-good-look-whether-the-targets-real-or-not/#more-9318 [i]sleeping rough in Adelaide , Gary Sauer-Thompson, Public Opinion[/i] a section of the Warlpiri people have been camping off and on in Adelaide's South Parklands http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2011/03/sleeping-rough.php#more [i]Morgan: 56-44 to Coalition phone poll; 50-50 face-to-face, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i] face-to-face polling over the past two weekends, and these are characteristically much better for Labor, showing a dead heat http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2011/03/11/morgan-55-5-44-5-to-coalition-phone-poll-50-50-face-to-face/ [i]Climate Action on Saturday, Brimbank Climate Action Network[/i](Outside Julia Gillard’s federal offices)This Saturday March 12, We can deal a fatal blow to Tony Abbott’s claims of a “people’s revolt” http://brimbankcan.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/climate-action-on-saturday/ [i]Abbott’s Tea Party on climate fears, David McKNight, ABC Unleashed[/i] Abbott wants to mimic the rise of the powerful ‘Tea Party’ movement in the US which has helped undermine the presidency of Barack Obama. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/44982.html [i]One newspaper, so much denial, Clive Hamilton, Unleashed[/i]shrill tendentiousness of The Australian's climate campaign reached almost comical heights in last Saturday's edition. In addition to the page one headline "Coal jobs safe with us http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/45004.html [i]The Liberals and Climate Change, Australian Politics TV[/i]questions of substance of the Coalition’s action on climate change. Anyway, here’s what the Liberals have been loading up to their YouTube accounts. http://australianpoliticstv.org/2011/03/11/the-liberals-and-climate-change/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AustralianPoliticsTv+%28Australian+Politics+TV%29 [i]Nick Minchin: “The World is Getting Colder”, Reb, Gutter Trash[/i] He’s not a climate scientist. I don’t think he has any authority whatsoever to speak on the climate” he said. http://guttertrash.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/nick-minchin-the-world-is-getting-colder/ [i]Climate Clippings, Brian, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] These posts include a brief mention of a number of news items relating to climate change http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/03/11/climate-clippings-19/#more-20582 [i]Environment Australia: Care but little Responsibility, Min , Cafe Whispers[/i] Tony Abbott’s Direct Action Plan is that it requires no one to do anything nor to pay anything whatsoever http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/environment-australia-care-but-little-responsibility/ [i]Piggies, Dave Evans, Earthsign[/i] Tony Abbott (remember him) has been doing his best to terrify them with spurious figures. http://duggyvans.blogspot.com/2011/03/piggies.html [i]Carbon Tax Fight–It’s far from over, Louise Hissink's Crazy World[/i] Tony Abbott asserting that the Federal Opposition also believed in climate change but that taxing carbon was not the way to solve it. http://fgservices1947.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/carbon-tax-fightits-far-from-over/ [i]Fish rot from the head, Indaily's Blog[/i] Tony Abbott was, just by chance, on the attack in her electorate, telling them that her carbon tax was plunging a dagger into their hearts. http://indaily.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/fish-rot-from-the-head/

Feral Skeleton

12/03/2011NormanK, I'm an old Punk, actually. Although I've tempered the 'Anarchy' message somewhat in my later years to a mere philosophical revolution. :)

Doug Evans

12/03/2011NormanK draws attention to the split in public utterances between Tony Abbott and Nick Minchin. If anyone missed it Bernard Keane's Crikey piece Abbott vs Abbott http://www.crikey.com.au/2011/03/09/climate-change-cage-match-abbott-debates-abbott/ highlights the split between Abbott and Abbott on climate change. It's very striking and surely must be able to be used to discredit him

Feral Skeleton

12/03/2011So, Morgan phone poll has the Coalition 56 to Labor's 44. However, the face-to-face Morgan poll has Labor/Liberal 50/50. Such a disparity can only be put down to one thing, the fact that phone polls are done only to landline phone subscribers, and thus show a bias towards the demographic that still has those connections. The polling companies do not poll mobile phones. How long have we had mobile phones for now? Why won't the polling companies change their practices? It is a conservative bias towards older demographics this landline/mobile differential. It's wrong and it should be changed to give a truer picture. I mean, are they polls, or propaganda tools at the end of the day?

NormanK

12/03/2011FS Propaganda tools. Polls are completely and utterly useless to everyone except the press and political gurus.

Ad astra reply

12/03/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

D Mick Weir

12/03/2011FS, NormanK re polls. Andrew Leigh, in his former life as an Economics Professer, did extensive studies on the value of polls versus the betting markets. Put simply the conclusions were/are 'Ignore opinion polls and use the market as your guide.' Indeed in Andrews' response to [b]George Megalogenis’ Quarterly Essay, “Trivial Pursuit"[/b] http://www.andrewleigh.com/blog/?p=650 he advises GM in no uncertain terms: [i]'... drop the polls, and report only betting market odds.'[/i] The whole article is well worth the read and I won't spoil your fun by quoting from it but rest assured many will nod thier heads in agreement with ALs' comments.

Ad astra reply

12/03/2011Hi Lyn The cough is gradually subsiding but it's taking a long while. Because there seems to be an element of bronchospasm to this condition, Ventolin would help. I'm pleased that you are getting some relief from it. I didn't see Hugh Riminton's latest report about Julia having a beer. It seems to me that it is the journalists who set the standard for the behaviour of politicians in this country and they had better come up to that standard or risk criticism. What audacity! What sheer effrontery to tell the rest of us what pleases them. It's the old story of journalists wanting to be the story, so what they say, goes!

Feral Skeleton

12/03/2011I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Dr Andrew Leigh should have been made Treasurer from his first day in parliament. Sadly, that's not the way things work in politics.

NormanK

12/03/2011D Mick Weir Thanks for the Andrew Leigh link. I did read it when you first put it up. He is a real find, isn't he? As FS says, AL for Treasurer. On the subject of polls, I'm surprised that more attention is not given to the Margin of Error (MOE) which surely pulls them back into the area of 'informed conjecture'. For example, the latest Morgan phone poll sits at 56-44 to the Coalition with an MOE of 4.5 percent. This means the actual result [i]could[/i] be anywhere from 51.5-48.5 to the Coalition or even 60.5-39.5 to the Coalition if my understanding is correct. The face-to-face has the TPP at 50-50 with an MOE of 3.5 percent. Actual result could be 46.5-53.5 either way. Informed conjecture. Then factor in questions like this one from Newspoll : [quote]UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S PLAN TO PUT A PRICE ON CARBON, THE PRICE OF ENERGY SOURCES, SUCH AS PETROL, ELECTRICITY AND GAS MAY BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE. WOULD YOU PERSONALLY BE IN FAVOUR OR AGAINST PAYING MORE FOR ENERGY SOURCES, SUCH AS PETROL, ELECTRICITY AND GAS IF IT WOULD HELP TO SLOW GLOBAL WARMING?[/quote] My border collie cross would be very impressed with that bit of shepherding. My university lecturers many years ago warned against trusting any poll and any set of statistics without having access to the raw data. It is possible to make numbers say just about whatever you want within reason.

D Mick Weir

12/03/2011FS, you may recall Peter Martin nominated AL for [b]Education & Social Inclusion[/b] in his Dream Team post: [b]Okay, so who would be in my unity cabinet?[/b] http://www.petermartin.com.au/2010/08/okay-so-who-would-be-in-my-unity.html His reasoning: [i]'Leigh knows more about education than Gillard ever will. And he knows more about evidence-based policy.'[/i] Meanwhile as a stepping stone to greater things I would make him Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Prime Minister. That would put some backbone into the team!!!

D Mick Weir

12/03/2011NormanK, your comment [i]'My border collie cross would be very impressed with that bit of shepherding.'[/i] gave me a good laugh; thanks :) IMHO the problem with opinion polling starts with this: A phone call comes 'out of the blue' interuppting everyday life and the respondent is asked [i]'If a federal election were held this saturday who would you vote for?'[/i]. I suggest that greater than 90% of respondents wouldn't have even thought about in any way since the last time they voted and yet in an instant they are expected to give a fully informed and reasoned response. Many would likely answer along the lines of what they think the majority might be thinking at the moment. So if the guvmint is 'on the nose' at the time then 'vote em out' would be the response (and vice versa). People tend to go with the herd. Another 'conundrum' with polling goes along the lines 'Why is it that when surveyed people will say one thing and then go out and do the complete opposite?' Hmm, herding again maybe? All in all I will take Mr Leighs' advice and from here on in make no comment on the poll numbers. (And in line with my comment on the previous post - [b]Unless I contradict myself![/b]

Lyn

12/03/2011Hi Ad Sunday morning TV, how come it's Sunday again tomorrow, doesn't Sunday come around quick every week. Sunday morning TV - 13 March #auspol Posted by sundaymorningtv to sundaymorningtv's posterous Your guide to this Sunday morning's political and business interviews Full program listing available at: http://sundaymorningtv.posterous.com/ 8.00am Ch10 - Meet the Press Paul Bongiorno is joined on the Panel by Alison Carabine, of ABC Radio National, and Peter Martin, Fairfax National Bureau. Together they interview Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, and Australian Workers Union National Secretary, Paul Howes. 8:30am Sky News 601 - Australian Agenda On Sky News Australian Agenda this week host Peter Van Onselen interviews with Australian Greens Leader and Senator for Tasmania, Bob Brown, and Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator George Brandis. Joining Peter on the panel The Australian's Paul Kelly, Chris Kenny and Chris Merritt. Also, lively discussion about the week that was in Australian politics. 8:38am Ch7 - Weekend Sunrise - The Riley Diary Political editor Mark Riley takes a look at the past week in federal politics. 8:40am Ch9 - Today on Sunday - Laurie Oakes interview This week Laurie Oakes interviews the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet. 9:00am ABC1 & on ABC News 24 - Insiders On Insiders this Sunday, Barrie Cassidy interviews the Acting Prime Minister, Wayne Swan. On the panel: political writer Kerry-Anne Walsh, News.com.au’s Political Editor Malcolm Farr and the Herald Sun’s Andrew Bolt. And Mike Bowers talks pictures with freelance cartoonist and Ginger Meggs artist, Jason Chatfield. 10:00am ABC1 & on ABC News 24 @ 5.30pm - Inside Business This week on Inside Business: awaiting confirmation of program line up.

Acerbic Conehead 2

12/03/2011I see the weathervane’s been spinning and Tones has another position on global warming. Is this one core or non-core, scripted or unscripted? Meanwhile, he sings along in the sauna to Robert Palmer’s, “Some Like it Hot”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgDbK4WCjMU&feature=related :- ) Burn up more coal n’ oil, stuff the renewables Say, “Global Warmin’s crap”, but keep our faces inscrutable Deny we’re the problem, business as usual Meanwhile the planet heats up, for us that’s suitable :- ) Feel the heat pushing up the tide Feel the heat rearranging the harbourside :- ) We like it hot and don’t sweat when the heat is on We love the heat cos the glaciers will be gone We like it hot, but deny it, takin’ the punters for dills We like it hot, the ice’ll melt, an’ we can drill baby drill :- ) Julia’s carbon tax, is she gonna do it? Needs to swallow her pride, not go through with it ‘Nother great new big tax, we’ll be skint cos of it The whole idea’s bullshit, jeeze, she’s full of it :- ) Feel the heat, in my conservatory Feel the heat, when I’ve built it at the South Pole :- ) We like it hot and love it when the heat is on We love the heat with the Oz leadin’ the con We like it hot, ensurin’ our profits don’t go dry We like it hot, so too bad if shit happens and some fry :- ) We like it hot...we like it hot...

TalkTurkey

12/03/2011Doug Evans 1. Beaut to hear from you yet again. I'll get back to that. 2. Big 10-4 on Mingein/Abbortt on hotter/colder. As I said yesterday: "The planet is cooling up or else it's warming down, or not, maybe." WHY is the Media not all over it like fireants on a maggot? What I mean is, WHY? Why, why, why? It's like they're zombies. Like those women in that movie in that town where they all get their brains done so they're perfect. Are they ALL so in thrall with global Murdochracy? It's like watching an Aussie Rules match where EVERYTHING one side does is counted against it, and ANYTHING the other side does is rewarded . . . or is it just me? - Well no I know it isn't just me, but it's SO-O-O-O-O obvious, how do they face themselves for not honouring their own profession? It's like a conspiracy from Hell. It amazes me daily. What can we do about it, that's the other question? And I don't mean this question rhetorically. I do mean, WHAT can we do? 3. One thing at least that we can do is to COMMUNICATE, via this medium. It is truly the People's, and though it has a lot of holes it also has a lot of substance. There's so many different blogsites, and each seems to have its own character. TPS is particularly friendly, and nearly all the bloggers here seem to have taken to heart the responsibility of making comments which are honest, insightful, respectful(where merited!)acerbic( where otherwise!), with the occasional pome or satire . . . and we value and thank and praise each writer for worthy comments, tips, links, etc. Lyn, aka TweetieBird, our resident treasure of a treasure-hunter is a conduit to so many sites that she has made her Daily Links on TPS the No.1 referring venue, or wtte. The prolific Professor Hillbilly Feral Skeleton, to give her her full title, is all across everything always. There are a couple of handsful of regular contributors who carry the fight in their own particular ways. There are few oncelers, though some are oncelier than others. And like the odd Wandering Albatrosses and Southern Humpbacks along our coasts, other bloggers of vast renown, BB and GJ of G'sG to drop a couple of names, grace us once in a while with comments especially to us at TPS. But most of all, we all defer to our blogmaster Ad astra, who as I told you can do no wrong. (Seriously!) He is a constant inspiration, prolific in his own right, and an intensely sane voice at that. Because of him in particular, it is a privilege to be permitted space on The Political Sword. So Yes, Doug Evans, you are as welcome as Rob Oakeshott's final decision as to which party to support, and that's about as welcome as it gets. Thanks, 'on ya, and we hope to hear from you often and longtime. All that said, I have a few albeit half-baked ideas as to how we might extend the influence and penetration of the whole blogosphere into the wider community. I hope others might help to cook them properly and with some ingredients of their own. More about that later. Meantime, greetings and good wishes to everyone else too, and let us remember how comparatively blessed we are to live in Dog's own country Australia. Thanks, Government. Indies not least.

Ad astra reply

12/03/2011Folks ACs talent knows no bounds. To follow up his 'Some Like it Hot' comment, he has sent us some more satirical fun to enjoy over the long weekend. I have just posted: [i]The People’s Revolt goes ‘On the Buses’[/i]. www.thepoliticalsword.com The YouTube movie will bring back distant memories.

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