Get the inside track on the media and government

NormanK

10/10/2010Hear, hear! Question Time is just not the same.

NormanK

10/10/2010Ad astra Your link to an item on TPS discussing Turnbull set me off down Memory Lane and I'm currently at Milne Alley where it seems poor old Glenn is copping a basting from all and sundry over his hate (investigative journalism) campaign against Kevin Rudd. Fascinating reading every step of the way, blogs are the archaeological dig sites of the future. More importantly, TPS turned TWO on September 13 and we didn't hold a party. Coincidentally, this was the day Big Pond decided that Lyn wasn't allowed out of the house and should play by herself because she had apparently been saying naughty things about Telstra. Anyway, a belated Happy Second Birthday to The Political Sword. May I reiterate some of the comments made at the first birthday party and congratulate you on running a vibrant blog which seems to be growing at a steady pace and has maintained its air of good humour and lack of snarky comments. This seems to be the result of your firm hand keeping the tone right and generous nature which allows young 'uns like myself to run amok occasionally. I hope we haven't disturbed regular readers - we do try to remember to go outside if we are going to play with a ball. Thank-you for your generosity. This means you are now a toddler so I hope Mrs AA is keeping a close eye on you while you are out walking and has put all of the nasty stuff up on a high shelf or locked away in a cupboard. I didn't have time to wrap your present. Thanks to George Pike for the original link. [quote][b]50 Dumb Liberal Quotes[/b] (Bearing in mind that a "liberal" North American is a "Stalinist Left-wing Commie Progressive Commie Marxist Commie Bastard" Australian.) Democratic Convention producer Don Mischer, overheard on CNN having an apoplectic seizure when the balloons failed to drop from the ceiling of the Fleet Center in Boston: "Go, balloons. I don't see anything happening. Go, balloons. Go, balloons. Go, balloons. Stand by, confetti. Keep coming, balloons. More balloons. Bring them. Balloons, balloons, balloons! More balloons. Tons of them. Bring them down. Let them all come. No confetti. No confetti yet. No confetti. All right. Go, balloons. Go, balloons. We're getting more balloons. All balloons. All balloons should be going. Come on, guys! Let's move it. Jesus! We need more balloons. I want all balloons to go. Go, confetti. Go, confetti. Go, confetti. I want more balloons. What's happening to the balloons? We need more balloons. We need all of them coming down. Go, balloons. Balloons. What's happening balloons? There's not enough coming down. All balloons! Why the hell is nothing falling? What the f--- are you guys doing up there? We want more balloons coming down. More balloons. More balloons."[/quote] http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/109417/50_dumb_liberal_quotes In accordance with the Sir Ian Crisp Fairness Act of 2010 - [quote][b]Top 50 Dumbest Conservative Quotes[/b] "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" ~ George W. Bush[/quote] http://thestir.cafemom.com/in_the_news/109323/top_50_dumbest_conservative_quotes? Go balloons!! Balloons, balloons, balloons! More balloons!!

Patricia WA

10/10/2010Well, there is a difference between those liberal and conservative dumb quotes. The liberals could generally string a grammatically correct sentence together of more than a few words. They are at least literate. Was George Bush really that dumb?

CALLIGULA

10/10/2010Dear Ad Astra, Here is one of those situations that give good cause to establishing a modern, comprehensive and legally binding Charter of Rights in this benighted country. I’m sorry to say that I’d not come across Grog’s pages but have scanned his “Spartacus No More” prior to my tapping the keys. Since there is no point my speculating about how and why Greg has had his personal situation and future career compromised it might be best to relate some of my experience since I began contributing to blogs/fora. I’m sure that most people who take the time to thrash away at a keyboard have an axe (or at least some small hatchet) to grind. I’ve lately noticed concern expressed on these pages about spam and irrelevant comment. In the past I have been stupid enough to sign up with one or two internet confections where I’ve needed to ‘log in’ to have my say. The outcome for me being mug enough to do that has been less than salubrious. Permit me to mention but one instance. Up there on the wall behind my steam powered calculator is a printout of an e-mail I received from a certain high profile ‘Doctor’ who seems to me to be a doctor of little more than blogging. My first reaction when I received this ‘cold’ contact out of the blue was to admire his gall. I’d noticed since I’d written a few posts myself that the comments were coming on hot and strong. I don’t in the least mind admitting that I can occasionally be as stupid and specious as the next person but the last thing that I’d ever do is go behind the door to queer someone else’s pitch. Internet security – So, dear readers, up there on the wall is the printout of this august person’s message to me and beside it is the printout record of the remedial treatment my poor computer needed to get it back into service after I forwarded his message and my resultant comment along to that blog. My conclusions – I’m a bit of a thicky and very much a peasant at heart. Nonetheless my experience is convincing me beyond any doubt that cyberspace is a dangerous place increasingly inhabited by manipulative and amoral personalities. I’d even go so far as to say what happened to Greg might have been perpetrated for a simple reason - Jimmy boy did it to him just because he could. Nah ! You’re right. There’s more to it than that !

lyn

10/10/2010Hi Ad Ad thankyou so much for your genuine, sincere, heartfelt piece,you have written in consideration for Grog's dilemma over his outing. You know, having read, and collected, I would say nearly every piece that written on the blogosphere,about the whole Grog episode, there is something mean and tricky going on by The Australian. I mean who cares what grog's real name was honestly it could have been Mickey Mouse and I would have still enjoyed his writing. My opinion is that Grog is a very sensitive, honest, sincere person. I think his feelings would have been wounded bad. I have read some pieces where Grog would give Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and the Labor Party a serve, Grog was extremely fair, in his assessment and wording in his pieces. There are heaps of other blogs out there that are incredibly outspoken, against the media, in fact dangerously outspoken, what,is the Australian going to go after them all. I hope Grog continues his blog, because his pieces on Parliament Question time were second to none. A lot of readers are missing Grog as we are on "The Political Sword.

Sir Ian Crisp

10/10/2010Relax AA. As I said to HS, 'the sun will come up tomorrow.' At first thought the world seemed a little more barren without Grog. Those thoughts quickly left me when I was about to depart from Iceland's Reykjavíkurflugvöllur. I noticed plenty of net savvy natives at an internet cafe reading TPS. I knew all was well once more.

Hillbilly Skeleton

10/10/2010There's not a lot more that could be said, really, other than we wait with baited breath for the return of someone who has become an essential cog in the blogging machine in Australia, and an antidote to the traditional, and dare I categorise it as, 'Conservative' media. A voice should not be silenced in a functioning democracy. And that is the point, I think, with the outing of Greg/Grog, that is, it seems that a prime motivation for his 'outing' was to silence his voice because his voice was becoming more and more powerful within the Australian media landscape as time went on. Grog had the ability to put into words the thoughts that we all had but which most of us struggle to encapsulate perspicaciously and lucidly when we blog. He was so good that from his little computer in Canberra he caught the attention of one of the most powerful individuals in the media in Australia, the ABC's Mark Scott, and he made him sit up and take notice to the point where the direction of the media behemoth that is the ABC was programmed to take on a change in direction when it came to reporting on election campaigns. This most obviously got up the noses of the assorted editors and journalists at News Corporation, as they probably believed they were on a good wicket when it came to influencing the direction the ABC took themselves. How dare an upstart Public Servant, of all people, I mean, aren't they supposed to be meek and mild and subservient for goodness sakes? How dare he do a better job than the paid hacks at Ltd News! This cannot be allowed to continue, they would have fulminated. In this way I am reminded of nothing so much as the scene from my favourite book, Alice In Wonderland, where the Queen of Hearts desperately tries to catch the squealing pig, to no avail. Grog is the greasy pig that will never be caught! More power to his squealing! May he come back soon and speak truth to power like never before.

CALLIGULA

10/10/2010There I go again – Forgot to mention the salient point above. Don’t know if it happening to others out there but if, like me, you are innocent enough to actually argue a point with a certain sort of person – they tend to delete your comment. If you go back and demand a hearing – you are ‘under moderation’. Then if you push your luck past that point – then, next day, your computer most likely won’t start. Been there – had that. Would like to hear from others in the same boat -

CALLIGULA

10/10/2010There I go again – Forgot to mention the salient point above. Don’t know if it happening to others out there but if, like me, you are innocent enough to actually argue a point with a certain sort of person – they tend to delete your comment. If you go back and demand a hearing – you are ‘under moderation’. Then if you push your luck past that point – then, next day, your computer most likely won’t start. Been there – had that. Would like to hear from others in the same boat -

Bilko

10/10/2010AA & HS and other well wishers, I log on to Grog every day at least once hoping he will soon return as another person commented he was hurting the MSM with his insightful comments. Only vaguely is there evidence of a change of emphasis, except for the murdoch rags, makes us all forensic searchers for an unbiased spot of reporting. The $A has never looked so good for decades all signs of an economy going well but you would be hard pressed to find a positive comment except perhaps on page 9. AA your final line says it all "Grog, do come back – we need you."

CALLIGULA

10/10/2010Blew it – didn’t I. Forgive the accidental x2 above. Be assured that it was supposed to be a x1. “ it seems that a prime motivation for his 'outing' was to silence his voice because his voice was becoming more and more powerful within the Australian media landscape as time went on. Grog had the ability to put into words the thoughts that we all had but which most of us struggle to encapsulate perspicaciously and lucidly when we blog. He was so good that from his little computer in Canberra he caught the attention of one of the most powerful individuals in the media in Australia, the ABC's Mark Scott, and he made him sit up and take notice to the point where the direction of the media behemoth that is the ABC was programmed to take on a change in direction when it came to reporting on election campaigns. This most obviously got up the noses of the assorted editors and journalists at News Corporation, as they probably believed they were on a good wicket when it came to influencing the direction the ABC took themselves. How dare an upstart Public Servant, of all people, I mean, aren't they supposed to be meek and mild and subservient for goodness sakes? How dare he do a better job than the paid hacks at Ltd News! This cannot be allowed to continue,” Dear HS Regarding yours – And believing it relates to what Australia is supposed to become – a mature democracy – a model for the rest of the world – which it ain’t and never shall be while this sort of thing keeps happening. Believe I heard Brandis? today on the radio talking about freedom of the press and whistleblower legislation. While this alleged nation keeps operating with rules drawn up by the Rum Corps none of us are going anywhere important. Arguments need ammunition. Greg/Grog has a story. He needs support – more support than mere words. I have a few stories myself and have dropped the hint about how my experience indicates how things work in Oz. Despite my ‘nom de plume, Calligula’, I don’t have much faith in calling – ‘But if they had but one neck’ – to produce a just outcome. Nor would I have any expectation that eternally nibbling away at the edges with words would contribute anything toward sorting out the mess that our society has become. Be assured that it isn’t words that get up the nose of the oligarchy – it’s the fact supporting the words. So come on people – out with some fact.

Hillbilly Skeleton

10/10/2010Here's Peter Martin's latest blog about Grog: http://www.petermartin.com.au/2010/10/australian-does-not-follow-party-line.html

Hillbilly Skeleton

10/10/2010Sir Ian Crisp, How goes the volcano? Still pumping?

Hillbilly Skeleton

10/10/2010Calligula, I'm used to it. I was told in 1974 that it would be in my best interests not to go to an anti-Vietnam War demonstration by my School Principal! She told me to my face that ASIO would put me under observation if I did. As a 15y.o. I didn't feel as though I needed that sort of extra scrutiny in my life, so I didn't go. However it just goes to show that 1) I have always been outspoken and I guess I always will be, and 2) Nevertheless I am still here and blogging away madly(with the emphasis on mad). :) Just as long as you don't sail too close to the wind, you should always be OK. And, as I said previously, it's only the truly influential who they make the effort to cut down to size.

Macca

10/10/2010Grogs outing was a cowardly act. But to be expected from a no talent Murdoch hack. Let's be honest, News Ltd is full to the brim with them. However, they delivered the fifth estate an unintended bonus. They have shown, quite conclusively, that News Ltd have neither the intellectual or intelligent capacity to logically, honestly or ethically refute well written, well researched rebuttal to their arguments. In this they are extremely vulnerable. The assassination of Grog, and that's what it was, goes much deeper than political campaign reportage. This, as always, is about power and wealth. Grogs writing scared them. The fifth estate scares them. Why? Because truth and honesty are concepts they do understand but have no relevance in the use of influence to consolidate power in order to increase wealth. Grog, in his own way, challenged that. Grog got people talking and questioning....a dangerous man. They are always going to monitor sites such as this. There is always going to be trolls, although jj has lasted longer than most. SIC i disregard completely as,imo he is a nitwit, although he does do a nice line in arcane words. So what can we do? Every News Ltd word written, uttered or,in the case of Paul Kelly, pontificated, has to be challenged, refuted and derided until they are forced to truth. Murdoch understands the power of the fifth estate. It's time he was shown exactly how powerful citizen journalists can be. Grog showed us how to do it.

Hillbilly Skeleton

10/10/2010Off topic but I think it necessary to bring this into the overarching conversation about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. A post from the highly respected Economist, John Quiggin, who puts the scenario before us very succinctly: http://johnquiggin.posterous.com/john-quiggin-the-guide-to-the-draft-of-the-pl

Acerbic Conehead

10/10/2010AA, well said! So, can I invite you to adopt your choirmaster's pose and lead us in a few renditions of, "All we need is Grog”. It is to the tune of The Beatles, "All you need is love". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk :- ) Grog, Grog, Grog (x3) :- ) There’s plenty you can do that can be done Plenty you can say cos you’re a gun Plenty you can spray cos you don’t have to play their game It’s easy :- ) Plenty of Censure Motions to call Just get in there and walk tall Plenty you can still do to bring to life their Question Time It’s easy :- ) All we need is Grog All we need is Grog All we need is Grog, Grog Grog is all we need :- ) Don’t let Mr Green-Eyed Massola Put you off with his crapola He’s so cowardly – Joe McCarthy to a tee So sleazy :- ) All we need is Grog All we need is Grog All we need is Grog, Grog Grog is all we need :- ) All we need is Grog (all together, now!) All we need is Grog. (everybody!) All we need is Grog, Grog Grog is all we need (Grog is all we need) :- ) Yee-hai! Oh yeah! We luvs ya, yeah yeah yeah We luvs ya, yeah yeah yeah

Hillbilly Skeleton

10/10/2010AcerbicC, In your own little way, I think you're just as good as Grog. :)

Ad astra reply

11/10/2010Folks Just in after an evening with dear friends. Thank you all for your comments about Grog and your supportive words. You capped it so well AC with your words set to "All we need is love", ending with "We luvs ya, yeah yeah, yeah. It is good that Greg will know how we feel.

Patricia WA

11/10/2010[quote]True Liberty Is When Free-born Men Speak Free[/quote] Milton’s Areopagitica Cried freedom for the press. Its victory played a major role In democracy’s progress. Today some beneficiaries Of his eloquent address Would use that very freedom As a weapon to oppress. ‘Freedom’ is their ’license’ To name and to suppress Those who strongly criticize The power of the press.

Bring Back Maxine

11/10/2010AA Thank you for eloquently expressing the support many of us in the Fifth Estate have for Grog. IMHO, I believe his "Spartacus no more" to be his swan song. As a family man, if I was in Grog's shoes, I would feel that my ability to support & protect my family was directly threatened by the unAustralian's outing. We need to respect Grog's decision whatever his reasons. IMO, we in the Fifth Estate really need to hit back. Simply exposing and arguing against the deliberate misinformation put out by the Australian. isn't sufficient. A total boycott of both hard & internet copy of the Australian is the only course of action that will be effective. (As Mr Denmore said wtte that every click on a News hyperlink is revenue to Murdoch.)

BK

11/10/2010If you're lurking here Grog I agree totally with what AA has said. Every day I go to your sight in the hope that you have resurfaced. I do hope that all is well with you and that we can be informed and entertained by your excellent contributions soon.

Sir Ian Crisp

11/10/2010Maxine, your corpse is starting to smell. Parenthetically, according to the boys and girls a March 2010 Crikey (impeccable source of news) article the weekday newspaper readership of the three major newspapers in NSW was 2,070,000. Broken down, the figures are: The Australian 370,000, The Daily Telegraph 950,000, and The Sydney Morning Herald 750,000. The two major newspapers from the nasty Murdoch stable boast a combined figure of 1,320,000 of which only The Australian bucked the trend of declining readership figures. I put it to you that because of the caterwauling at TPS and other ‘unbiased’ (cough cough) sites The Australian has increased its readership. Add to that is the fact that some of those who read the nasty Murdoch papers look like they voted for the ALP (see AA’s earlier article about what the voters wanted). Each time you convey the notion that only shallow people read the nasty Murdoch papers you may actually be insulting a rather large slab of ALP voters. It might just be that you are political road kill because The Australian isn't widely read in your electorate. HS, you'll have to try much harder.

lyn

11/10/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]You say potato and I say potahto, Ashghebranious, Ash's to Ashes Blog[/i] The business of Opposition is taking a very nasty, ferocious approach. And it has nothing to do with keeping the government to account and all designed strictly to garner votes. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com:80/2010/10/10/you-say-potato-and-i-say-potahto/ [i]I Shall Return With Mail & Tanks, Nasking, Cafe Whispers[/i] I noticed Tony predictably put on some real “manly” poses when sitting w/ the troops…I thought: http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/i-shall-return-with-mail-tanks/ [i]Abbott wanted to join Aussie troops in action ABC[/i] Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has told soldiers in Afghanistan that he had requested to go out on missions with them to get a better idea of what conditions on the ground were like. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/10/3034209.htm?section=justin [i]Jet lag over, angry Abbott goes on the warpath , Peter hartcher, National Times[/i] The Opposition Leader seems to be mistaken The reporter who disclosed the fact that he had turned down the Gillard offer, The Sydney Morning Herald's Phillip Coorey, says that the information did not come from the government http://www.nationaltimes.com.au/opinion/politics/jet-lag-over-angry-abbott-goes-on-the-warpath-20101010-16e0c.html [i]The Australian does not follow a party line, Peter Martin[/i] James and his employer knew it would get Grogs in trouble with his employer - the public service. They as good as boasted about it. http://www.petermartin.com.au/2010/10/australian-does-not-follow-party-line.html [i]We'll all be rooned!, Petering Time, North Coast Voices[/i] the doomsayers were bellowing across the land, and as usual the Oz meeja were happy to give them column space...... http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com/2010/10/well-all-be-rooned.html [i]MDBA “Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan”Harry Clarke[/i] http://www.harryrclarke.com/2010/10/09/mdba-guide-to-the-proposed-basin-plan/

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010AcerbicC, In your own little way, I think you're just as good as Grog. :)

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010'A total boycott of both hard & internet copy of the Australian is the only course of action that will be effective. (As Mr Denmore said wtte that every click on a News hyperlink is revenue to Murdoch.)' Already done, BBM. As I already have AdBlock Plus installed on my computer, even if I do happen to click through to The Oz, for information purposes only, I don't come in contact with the ads. :)

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010PatriciaWA, You're getting better all the time! :)

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Hillbilly What a good idea, where did you get Ad Block and what is the software called, appreciate your information. cheers

debbiep

11/10/2010 Hi all, I have been blown away by how much support and interest grog is/has received , and that in it self speaks volumes... I also add this link as interesting reading material about Abbott written by Glenn Milnes on the drum today, enjoy.. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/39886.html#comments

Ad astra reply

11/10/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Debbie P Thankyou for the link to Milnes story, I did enjoy reading. Typical of Abbott though isn't it, no surprises with his behaviour. At least Milne is telling us as is this time.

George Pike

11/10/2010Anyone see Abbott's reaction to reporters at Sydney airport? He was like a stirred up doberman..."ask me anything and I'll cut your throat" was the intimation carried in his voice and body talk. How could such a vile despicable character even get close to running this country for God's sake?

nasking

11/10/2010Top stuff per usual Ad astra. Grog is highly informative & a good read. The blogosphere, Australia needs his insightful commentary. I wrote the comment below at the Cafe after readin' this part of yer piece: [quote]Of course not all media coverage has been supportive of your position, or indeed of the position of bloggers in general, as we saw in the Townsville Bulletin, appropriately tagged ‘The Bully’, in its anonymous editorial Cowardly world of bloggers which labelled us “…increasingly puerile bloggers, self-appointed guardians of righteousness and all that is wrong about society and, in particular, newspapers.” And later in the article it asserted: “Bloggers, on the other hand, represent nothing. They whinge, carp and whine about our role in society, and yet they contribute nothing to it, other than satisfying their juvenile egos.” So there…[/quote] Hmmm...so, when the people who don’t get paid to speak out tell it as they see it, then they are whingers, whiners & carpers. I reckon that comment tells ya more about the arrogance, or puppet nature, of the writer than it does the truth of the matter. I doubt that discussin’ the state of Australian’s teeth, the cost of bogus wars, affordable housin’, the attrocious state that deregulation of the financial industry helped create in America, the extent of media influence & vertical/horizontal integration, and the consumin’ of our Rights & environment & public dosh by various corporation & dynasties would be considered by many readers as just havin’ a “whine”. Empowerment scares the powerful. They get petty & brutal. And use yer own words/ideas against you & those you support...like cats in a corner...they scratch & hiss. But eventually they’ll have to see reason. Or fade away. That’s how we ended up w/ a social security system, Medicare, affordable education, gay rights, anti-discrimination laws...eventually the people stopped listenin’ to those who had a vested interest in keepin’ the status quo. Feel free to tell ‘em what ya think. And link, link, link. Perhaps we can “whinge” & “whine” our way into a real participatory democracy? N’

nasking

11/10/2010[quote]Grog is the greasy pig that will never be caught! More power to his squealing! May he come back soon and speak truth to power like never before.[/quote] He he...Hillbilly, I like it! N'

Michael

11/10/2010Yes we do.

nasking

11/10/2010debbiep, thnx for the Milne link at ABC Unleashed...so it's "all or nothing" for the egotistical, power mad Abbott eh? I know Abbott luvs this "local power" bit...he's been fartin' on about David Cameron's 'Big Society' of late...supposedly transferring power away from central government to the local community. Hmmm, sounds like just another way to feed the rich & screw the poor if ya ask me...for instance, in America local property taxes are primary funders of public schools. Hasn't that gone down a treat? No wonder Obama had to pour stimulus moneys into those schools. Dig beneath the grandiose jargon & labels and you'll find the trough & sewers beneath. As long as we can keep some communities poor, havin' tons of babies, creatin' lots of consumers who can be brainwashed by media mogul allies to buy cheap, toxic food & goodies, and ensure they work for minimal wage and send their kids to fight our wars...well then, who cares about redistributin' the fair share of the pie...RIGHT? If they get anxious, we can always pit them against the migrants we brought in to do the crap work...RIGHT? N'

Gravel

11/10/2010AC "We love you yeah yeah yeah!" compliments an article written from Ad Astra's heart, and most of our hearts are in the same place. (Oh and I actually could sing that to the tune....I'm not very musical and have trouble with some of the others you have done so well.) Like many I click on Grog's link every time I'm on the computer (which is most days) and keep hoping for a new topic. I even got up the courage to comment on his final blog..... To me, it would be like not having The Political Sword to click onto, and reading all you great people's ideas. Oh and happy birthday TPS, is it two years? It doesn't seem that long, like the old saying "Time flies when you are having fun".

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Nasking Thankyou so much for your enjoyable comments, I love what you have to say, so true and to the point. Oh! and 3 comments at once wow! thanks Nasking.

Ad astra

11/10/2010Patricia WA What a splendid poem. So true. Thank you.

Patricia WA

11/10/2010Thanks, HS. It's sites and posts like this which get one fired up and sharpening the sword as it were. Immediately after leaving TPS I found that Miglo at http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/ had also been writing about freedom of expression and abuse of power by Murdoch and his murky mates. Reading that and Nasking's observation that 'Empowerment scares the powerful' has encouraged me to try to sharpen it up a bit more. As well, my grandsons, not surprisingly, hadn't a clue what the Areopagitica is. I hope the few extra words and lines of explanation are an improvement and not a distraction from what I wish could really say i.e. "Rupert! Do yourself, and the world, a favor. Drop dead!" [quote]True Liberty Is When Free-born Men Speak Free.[/quote] Those few words above Paraphrase what’s best In Milton’s Areopagitica. Crying freedom for the press, In 17th century England Against monarchy’s excess, His tract was a mighty weapon In democracy’s progress. Modern beneficiaries Of his eloquent address Now use that hard won freedom As a weapon to oppress. ‘Freedom’ is their ’license’ To name and to suppress A writer who dares question How one man can possess, World wide, as private property, The power of the press.

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010Nasking, That 'Big Society' in Small Communities is just another Tory Divide and Conquer play. Once you fracture the society and put petty little dicators in charge of mini fiefdoms then you can control the serfs organinsing to fight back against the overlords. And if you drain the blood away from organised labour and the party that represents them in government, they will no longer have the power to counteract you. QED. On the surface, this 'Local Boards' idea sounds appealing. I mean, who doesn't have delusions of grandeur that extend to controlling their local P&C? However, in practice, as you have pointed to occurring elsewhere, such as in the US, these Local Boards sticking their greasy paws into every honey jar around, from Education, to Council, to Health, simply become infected by either organised religion and their avatars, or organised capital. Yer average mum and dad, who may vote for it as a concept, innocently, know not what they are doing. Nope. We just have to keep 2 ideas foremost in our minds. 1. 'Solidarity Forever'. 2. 'The Workers United Will Never Be Defeated'...unless the Tories/Conservatives get into power and alter the laws to outlaw us again. Actually, I'm also a strong 'Communitarian'. However that is more along the lines of an Obama/Saul Alinsky Community Organiser, as opposed to the Libertarian/Laissez Faire/Ayn Rand acolyte who just wants to let it all hang out, purely on a 'Survival of the Fittest/'Individual Empowerment' basis. That's just a recipe for disaster and social decline as we go back to the failed 'Christian Charity' model that Howard, and I presume Abbott, love to push on us. I don't want to be told that I have to make a compact with God in order to get my handout.

Ad astra

11/10/2010Bring Back Maxine Welcome back under your new name. We are few, but we hope Grog will hear our heartfelt wish that he return. The start of the next parliamentary sitting might be a suitable time so that we can enjoy once more his dissection of QT. Despite Sir Ian's comments about newspaper circulations, every paper we the few decline to buy, every click on MSM websites we purposely decide to avoid, is yet another drip that erodes circulation and revenue. Eventually something has got to give. BK Good to see you back. I echo your sentiments about Grog.

lyn

11/10/2010Hi George I saw the clips of Abbott arriving at the airport, yes he was furious. You see he has been exposed. Abbott told the troops in his speech, Julia Gillard committed an act of bastardry by leaking that he refused her invitation, then this morning, Peter Hartcher has reported that Phillip Coorey received the leak and "[b]it did not come from the Government"[/b] Abbott slams Gillard over Afghan trip , SMH Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has criticised Prime Minister Julia Gillard over what he says was "an act of low bastardry" in not revealing his plan to visit Afghanistan. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abbott-slams-gillard-over-afghan-trip-20101011-16efe.html

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010PatriciaWA, Hear! Hear! The pen is indeed truly mightier than the sword.However, keep sharpening your pen, it is as sharp as any sword.

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11/10/2010NormanK A belated thank you for your congratulatory remarks about [i]TPS’s[/i] second birthday on 13 September. I missed it myself. Yet I should have remembered it – that is my wife’s birthday. The date that sticks in my mind is 14 June 2008 when I had my first post: [i]Is the media in Australia suffering from groupthink?[/i] on [i]Possum Pollytics The Possum Box[/i] http://thepossumbox.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/is-the-media-in-australia-suffering-from-groupthink/ So we’ll have to postpone the party and the balloons and the confetti until next birthday, provided we survive that long. Thank you for your warm comments about [i]TPS[/i] and the way it is managed. I appreciate that very much. We now have a collection of great bloggers who enrich the site with their thoughtful comments. The site continues to grow with such strong support. Mrs AA is keeping an eye on me as I struggle to attend to [i]TPS[/i] while fulfilling other obligations here in Cairns at the conference and meeting with longstanding friends. So please accept my apologies for my rather slow response to your congratulations. I enjoyed your links to the dumbest quotes for which we need to acknowledge George W Bush’s sterling contribution Two beauties on education have special appeal: [i]"You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."[/i] and [i]"As yesterday's positive report card shows, childrens do learn when standards are high and results are measured."[/i] Indubitably!

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11/10/2010CALLIGULA Thank you for your several contributions and your comments and warnings. The blogosphere has its traps, of which we need to be aware, but not intimidated by them. The issue of deleted comments is worrisome. It seems that some newspapers censor out some of the comments that do not support the argument they are running, or posters wait an interminable time for their contributions to be posted. Some never make it. That style of censorship is unacceptable. Of course, abusive or defamatory posts ought to be be censored out; we are fortunate to have few such posts on [i]TPS[/i].

nasking

11/10/2010[quote]Once you fracture the society and put petty little dicators in charge of mini fiefdoms then you can control the serfs organinsing to fight back against the overlords. And if you drain the blood away from organised labour and the party that represents them in government, they will no longer have the power to counteract you. QED.[/quote] Spot on Hillbilly. I lived in the UK long enuff to see examples of wee fiefdoms related to the running of some hospitals. N'

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11/10/2010Lyn I’m sure Grog will be touched by your kind words. We may never know what was behind News Limited’s ‘outing’ of Grog, but the many who enjoyed his commentaries, especially on QT, will be earnestly hoping he returns, and soon.

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11/10/2010Gravel Thank you for your kind words about [i]TPS[/i]. It can never be a substitute for a site such as [i]Grog’s Gamut[/i], but I’m glad you find it interesting. Now once we set the ball rolling, others come in with pertinent and thoughtful comments to maintain the momentum, which makes the site good reading.

Macca

11/10/2010AA and HS I agree with not buying or clicking onto any thing owned or connected to Murdock. My contention is that every word written or uttered by a Murdock hack has to be challenged. Whether it be a slanted news piece, an opinion piece or a partisan editorial. Everything in their rags must be challenged. My reasoning for this?....apart from the obvious. The only product Murdock has to sell is blank paper. He needs to sell that blank paper to advertisers. They buy the blank paper to fill with their adds and ,presumably, pay rates based on circulation, reach and, importantly, public perception of the news vehicle they're advertising in. Buy challenging and rebutting the partisanship of News Ltd via the web, facebook, twitter etc. the noise will be created and it will be reported upon. People will listen and draw their own conclusions. In essence, the fifth estate has to make so much noise that advertisers will start to think twice about where they are spending their budgets. Once that starts to happen Murdock is gone. We need to show what a toxic entity News Ltd is.

nasking

11/10/2010Lyn, many thnx. And top job on the link hunting...I really dug the [quote]You say potato and I say potahto, Ashghebranious, Ash's to Ashes Blog [/quote]. Illuminatin'. Especially this: [quote]He claimed that John Howard had stopped the boats. Um not quite Tony. John managed to stop the stats. He also had wonderful luck! If you call it that. The Bali bombing immediately put Indonesia on the world map. Even the United States became interested. It effectively curtailed the smuggling business. But just as it seemed the smugglers could start again, a Tsunami hit South East Asia. It was enough for the United States to send in an air craft carrier with its sophisticated long range radar systems into the area. The ship stayed there till 2005. As soon as it left, and despite the Howard policies in place, the boats started coming again.[/quote] Makes sense. Ya know, as soon as I saw Abbott playin' Rambo w/ that weapon I thought: "What a great role model he is for young lads...there will certainly be no gun buyback scheme under Abbott". Groan. Keep up the great work Lyn. N'

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010Nasking, I'm convinced Tony Abbott secretly wants to be Bear Grylls. :)

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11/10/2010Sir Ian Thank you for your reassurance – at sunrise I looked anxiously out of my hotel window across the Cairns marina, and behold, there was the sun – rising in the east – again! So all’s well with the world, despite the mauling of one of our favourite people by [i]The Oz[/i]. I hope Grog feels similarly reassured by your words. It was heartened too to see that a bevy of intense bloggers at Reykjavíkurflugvöllur were glued to [i]TPS[/i]. I feared we had lost that regular audience. I see you are back to your caustic best in your response to Bring Back Maxine and HS. If your circulation figures are correct, despite doubts being cast last weekend on circulation stats after the finding of stacks of unopened bundles of newspapers that ought not to have been counted as genuine circulation, I suppose we at [i]TPS[/i] should ask the proprietor of [i]The Oz[/i] for a bonus for increasing the circulation of that incredible purveyor of truth and justice through our blogging efforts.

Island View

11/10/2010Lyn I’m convinced that Gleeson published the Townsville Bully's editorial in response to my posting their real circulation figures the day before. See http://bloggingtownsville.blogspot.com/2010/10/decline-and-decline-of-townsville.html See also my response to the editorial here: http://bloggingtownsville.blogspot.com/2010/10/townsville-bulletin-celebrates-our.html He’s been p$ssed with me for sometime and I’m loving it!

NormanK

11/10/2010Patricia WA Yes George W. appears to have been as thick as two short planks. Here is George the Younger at his oratory best : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEbZqvMu2cQ&NR=1 This one's a spoof - a re-take on "Who's on first?" Slow to start but good for a laugh. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfwRb_XKFvA&NR=1 We apologise for this break in the programme. Resumption of intellectual discourse will resume as soon as possible. [i]Go balloons![/i] Back slightly closer to the topic, the photo accompanying Ash's lasted article was particularly disturbing. As if Goodwill Tony needs more adrenaline and testosterone in his system. I wonder how many of our troops thought to themselves - "There goes Onan the Barbarian".

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010See what I mean about the Liberals 'Hidden Agenda': http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/newshome/8111634/hospitals-hit-by-strike/

nasking

11/10/2010"I'm convinced Tony Abbott secretly wants to be Bear Grylls." LOL. Could be Hillbilly...would be doin' the country a great service if he pissed off to climb Mount Everest and went explorin' the Northwest Passage. Then ballooned over the Pacific. Could take Brandis to inflate the hot air balloon and Hockey as ballast. Wouldn't they be missed? N'

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010Then there was the revelation today by Bruce Guthrie, former Editor of The Herald Sun, that they inflated the circulation figures by 100,000 every day he was there.

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11/10/2010Patricia WA Your second poem is even more germane. The manipulative power of the media is a threat to us all, as we have so starkly with Grog’s ‘outing’. debbiep Thank you for the link to Glenn Milne story, quite a contrast to his usual orientation. Perhaps he’s decided to give the conservatives the flick. Let’s see though – our Glenn oscillates wildly at times. George Tones would give the Doberman a bad name. He’s a pugilist from way back. I wrote a piece on December 10 last year after his election as leader [i]The pugilistic politician[/i] http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2009/12/10/The-pugilistic-politician.aspx It’s worth revisiting.

D Mick Weir

11/10/2010All I can say about this is, it seems, that some bar steward has gotten a little uppity and shut of the grog early and there are many thirsty customers screaming for another drink.

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11/10/2010nasking Good to see you back – many thanks for your several contributions and your kind words. Your comment about Tony Abbott as Rambo is germane. That machine gun-toting photo in [i]The Oz[/i] is a metaphor for his behaviour – indeed in that paper it was attached to the story about Abbott’s accusation of Gillard ‘bastardry’ over the Afghanistan visit. He’s very angry and has got her in his sights despite that the journo who ran the ‘Abbott declined Gillard’s invitation to accompany her to Afghanistan’ story, Philip Coorey, insists the story did not come from her or her office. Not that that central piece of information was given much prominence in [i]The Oz[/i] where Matthew Franklin squeezed the last drop of anti-Gillard rhetoric he could into his column.

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11/10/2010Island View Well done. ‘The Bully’, like most bullies, will not appreciate your counter attack, but keep it up. The circulation figures you revealed look pretty poor for the regional newspapers.

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11/10/2010Bilko, HS, Macca Thank you for your stirring words and support for Grog. I agree that the less support we give the Murdoch empire, the more it may become apparent to his hirelings that we are sick and tired of his pernicious influence on society’s thinking. We are few, but like the Lilliputians, we may eventually tie him down.

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11/10/2010D Mick Weir Your comment is apt. Folks Now that the conference is over, I hope I’ve now caught up with responding to your many comments. Thank you for adding so much to the dialogue.

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Island View Thankyou so much for commenting on "The Political Sword," also thankyou for leaving the 2 links for our other dear readers. You are embarking on a fine mission with your blog, keep up the good work, we at "The Political Sword" will keep a close watch on your excellent blog articles. [b]Thankyou for installing Norman K's piece on your sidebar, Norman is on of our regular supreme contributors.[/b] The decline and decline of the Townsville Bulletin, Island View, Blogging Townsville We're the Voice, you better understand it See our words they're filled with hate Oh-o-o-o, whoa-o-o-o! We're not gonna sit in silence You'd better pull your head in mate Oh-o-o-o, whoa-o-o-o! Posted by NormanK on 09/10/10 with apologies to John Farnham http://bloggingtownsville.blogspot.com/2010/10/decline-and-decline-of-townsville.html Cheers

CALLIGULA

11/10/2010In reply – “it's only the truly influential who they make the effort to cut down to size.” Dear HS, I’d humbly suggest there might be a few other categories ‘they’ like to censor. Besides which it isn’t unreasonable of me to suppose, that if I’ve been subject to certain activity including suppression of my poor attempts at comment on what appeared to be an almost ‘industrial’ scale, that there must be a motive behind the actions of who’s doing the censorship. By the way – I’m talking about, but not exclusively about, a timeframe going back to the Howard regime. In reply – “The issue of deleted comments is worrisome. It seems that some newspapers censor out some of the comments that do not support the argument they are running, or posters wait an interminable time for their contributions to be posted. Some never make it. That style of censorship is unacceptable. Of course, abusive or defamatory posts ought to be be censored” Dear Ad Astra, If it was the news media I was referring to – well, let’s just say that these days they make Herr Goebbels look like a choirboy. Unfortunately I’m not talking about them. Ha! I trust I’m not being nasty in that way when I write Goebbels and news media in the one sentence? What it is about is certain people out there who simply cannot hack a different point of view. Nonetheless I do agree with the gist of your statement and what you say, above, about abusive, defamatory and the like. In fact I’m mostly referring to a few individuals who set up pages on the net and unequivocally invite outsider’s comment on what they’ve published themselves. I don’t personally see much point in adding myself to a list of other comment that I essentially agree with unless, as with this thread, it involves perceived injustice and the like. Anyway, I had always assumed the whole idea was to encourage a spot of discourse and controversy. My experience convinces me that someone who sets up a blog and invites comment – whose pages list numerous pontifications appended with - Comments – 0 - may simply be having a bad year. But when some fair time is spent putting pinkies to keyboard and electrons to monitor, ultimately to no visible purpose – its then I begin to doubt the motives of some of these bloggers. I could name some ‘prominent’ names and email along the proof – but that would definitely be perceived as defamatory.

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Ad More Gaffes and Abbott, Hockey and Robb are frantically, scrambling to change the news cycle: Shock Horror! Hockey Lied over Independent Costings Audit!Reb, Gutter Trash The not so avuncular one is in hot water today after claims published in the Sydney Morning Herald suggest the the Federal Liberal party did not have their budget figures “audited” by Perth accountancy firm WHK Horwath as he previously claimed. The opposition finance spokesman, Andrew Robb, backed Mr Hockey, saying if Horwath made ”a mistake with the auditing of accounts for companies … they are at risk of … going to jail”. http://guttertrash.wordpress.com:80/2010/10/11/shock-horror-hockey-lied-over-independent-costings-audit/

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Ad [quote]most television viewers are being swallowed by a conservative news agenda, whose main tactics are to report on trivial trash so as to distract the public from the real issues like [/quote] Fox in the Sky Sky is great at this tactic. Take this morning, when the channel was swamped with coverage on Tony Abbott's accusation of "low bastardry" towards Julia Gillard. Bastardry is not a word. Sky news (and Channel 7, its partner in crime) have gone apeshit with this "issue", http://twelve51.blogspot.com/2010/10/fox-in-sky.html

George Pike

11/10/2010I just put a note on the Telly's Face Book page...they were covering the Abbott bollocks heavily in his favour, the big war hero etc. "You news ltd filth turn everything Abbott's way don't you. You are about as Australian as Bin Ladin, you worthless slime..." Wonder if that'll touch their heart strings..

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Everybody Samanther Maiden tweeting, Kevin Rudd on 7.30 report tonight: samanthamaiden This could be fun RT @abc730report Tonight - Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd joins #730Report live from Canberra about 2 hours ago via web

Patricia WA

11/10/2010Thanks, Norman, lol!

Sir Ian Crisp

11/10/2010AA, thank you for your usual courteous reply. I was just reaching for my pipe and slippers when I caught a snippet of information from the 6pm news. Hell, I nearly spilled my Ballantine’s®™ on my lounge chair. Mr Um-Err-Ah informed us that the Bird of Paradox knew of his plans to visit the troops in Afghanistan some weeks back. The image makers have taken great care to create a certain quality and aura about our PM; the PM as a Junoesque figure if you will. Her clumsy statements of a few days ago have destroyed that image. She may be just as willing as Mr Um-Err-Ah to get down in the gutter to do her fighting. Not the actions of a Junoesque spinster I’m sure you will agree. I am mortified. Please tell me the PM has transcended the grubby game of Australian politics. Or is she just another cheap shop type of pollie?

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010The opposition to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is getting desperate: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/11/3035432.htm

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010lyn, It sounds funny when you talk about tweeting. :)

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010Someone put this photo of Tony Abbott up on Twitter: http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/160727/rambo+squirrel/

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Hillbilly Glad it sounds funny saying tweeting, I love being funny., makes me tweet faster, chirp, chirp. By the way you must have missed my comment earlier, where I asked about your program for stopping ads. Did you think Kevin Rudd was fantastic, handsome and delightful on the 7.30 report, I thought he handled very well, the ridiculous questions Kerrie O'Brien asked, how did he feel when Julia Gillard took over, Der, sure Kevin is about to tell National Television how he felt. Judging by Kevin's program as Foreign Minister he probably can't even remember how he felt. Also I liked Kevin's comments about Barrie Cassidy, give it to him Kevin, I say.

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11/10/2010Island View Like Lyn, I hope you will become a member of the [i]TPS[/i] family. Do return again. Lyn We always knew the Coalition's costings were shonky and that WHK Horwath was being used to authenticate them. The truth now emerges that not only did they not do an audit, they did not validate the assumptions, simply accepting them, and that seemingly all they did was to check that the sums added up, something a spreadsheet does anyway. The whole episode was a charade simply to avoid scrutiny of the Coalition figures. The charade is now fully exposed. Lyn, George The ‘bastardry’ story is a massive beat up to amuse the Sky News staff and entertain their longsuffering audience. Even the erudite Sir Ian seems to have swallowed it hook line and sinker, and has already expressed horror and surprise that Jules has seemingly descended into the gutter with the consummate street fighter Tones, the knuckle man who can also handle a rapid fire weapon with distinction. Sir Ian Be assured, Jules is as pure as the driven snow. Read the whole story and you will see that neither she, nor anyone from her office, leaked the story about Tones backing off from a trip to Afghanistan with Jules. Maybe it was one of Tony’s 'mates'. Lyn Kevin Rudd did well on the [i]7.30 Report[/i] tonight. He looked more relaxed than he used to, and Kerry behaved himself. CALLIGULA When you use Goebbels and the News Limited media in the one sentence, there is no incongruity . Lyn I will probably be on the road before your links arrive, so I’ll post them when I settle for the evening in Bowen, Proserpine or Mackay. Folks I’ll be on the road from early tomorrow so you won’t hear much from me until the evening. I'll now say goodnight.

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Ad [b]Word is travelling, have blog will travel:[/b] Irony missing from the News Limited dictionary, John Quiggin News of the Grog’s Gamut debacle has reached my former home of Townsville, where the appalling Townsville Bulletin (aka Bully) publishes a splendid piece of invective against cowardly bloggers “who hide under the veil of anonymity, taking cheap shots to satisfy their trendy social agenda”. The author of this marvellous diatribe deserves some recognition, but sadly … (H/T The Political Sword Categories: Boneheaded stupidity, Media Tags: http://johnquiggin.com/index.php/archives/2010/10/11/irony-missing-from-the-news-limited-dictionary/

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010lyn, Sorry I must've missed your request earlier on. Actually my son put me onto this Freeware program called AdBlockPlus. It's like magic. Install it and all the ads disappear! All I do now is read whatever I want on the Internet and no ad ever intrudes on my peace of mind. :) Here's a link for you: http://download.cnet.com/1770-20_4-0.html?query=Adblock+Plus&searchtype=downloads Just go down the left hand side to pick your OS.

lyn

11/10/2010Hi Hillbilly Thanks so much for link, giving you a "peck" for that.

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010Latest Newspoll: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/parties-evenly-split-newspoll/story-fn59niix-1225937366491 Voters are proving hard to shift from one side of the ledger to the other. Though they appear to be tiring of Tony Abbott(wonder why?) :)

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010Newspoll tables: http://filesocial.com/j4fom4l

Hillbilly Skeleton

11/10/2010lyn, My pleasure. :) I like annoying nasty capitalists.

CALLIGULA

11/10/2010“CALLIGULA When you use Goebbels and the News Limited media in the one sentence, there is no incongruity .” Dear AA, Re – my last. But does that mean I can now name names and spit out my dummy??

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12/10/2010CALLIGULA We try always to be polite on [i]TPS[/i] and write nothing that could be construed as defamatory. That still gives us plenty of scope for vigorous debate.

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12/10/2010HS Thanks for the Newspoll link. The result is similar to Essential. You are right though, Tony is not doing well in the popularity stakes, not that that will dissuade him from his combative approach.

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010You decide: http://consciencevote.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/machiavellian-bastardry-or-masterful-misdirection/

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010It's not a matter of 'our boys' being let off the hook because they were fighting the good fight in Afghanistan, Mr Abbott, it's the fact that they murdered innocent Afghani citizens and they should be held accountable for their actions, as should any murderer in any situation. Whether they wear "the Queen's uniform"(quote the uberMOnarchist Tony Abbott, before the election), or not.

lyn

12/10/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b SELECTIVE LINKS, [i]Newspoll: 50 -50 Willam Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i] This is despite a sharp deterioration in Tony Abbott’s personal ratings, which have seen a 9 per cent drop in approval (to 39 per cent) and rise in disapproval (47 per cent). her lead as preferred prime minister has widened from 50-34 to 52-31. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2010/10/12/newspoll-50-50-4/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CrikeyBlogs+%28Crikey+Blogs%29 [i]Who watches the watchers of those who watch watching the watchers, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i] Like, really really real, just like the editor of The Townsville Bulletin except much more real. My blog has about as many readers as that paper, if you don't count all the copies dumped unread at educational institutions and cafés, http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/2010/10/who-watches-watchers-of-those-who-watch.html [i]It's a case of ... Believe it or not!, Ashghevranious, Ash's to Ashes Blog[/i] The man who brought you the STOP THE BOATS claim; the man who cried fiscal responsibility; the man who cried lowering interest rates; the man who cried reduced prudent government spending has the gall to use the word bastardry in a sentence. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com:80/2010/10/11/its-a-case-of-believe-it-or-not/ [i]Machiavellian bastardry or masterful misdirection, The Conscience Vote[/i] Abbott let fly at Prime Minister Julia Gillard, accusing her of an act of ‘Machiavellian bastardry, low bastardry’. That’s a serious accusation. http://consciencevote.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/machiavellian-bastardry-or-masterful-misdirection/ [i]When too much opinion is more than enough @abcthedrum, Kim, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] Kevin Rudd gave a speech to the UN General Assembly a while back. At the time, its content was almost completely ignored, with press coverage http://larvatusprodeo.net/2010/10/11/when-too-much-opinion-is-more-than-enough-abcthedrum/ [i]What else could the Libs get the ABC to put in quotes on its front page?, Jeremy Sear, Pure Poison[/i] Pity they won’t quote me. I’ve got several choice expressions I’d be happy for them to repeat about Tony Abbott. I can’t necessarily back them up, but apparently that no longer matters. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2010/10/11/what-else-could-the-libs-get-the-abc-to-put-in-quotes-on-its-front-page/ [i]Labor has little to lose by going hard on Murray-Darling, Mungo MacCallum, Crikey[/i]Julia Gillard has promised that she will not shrink from the hard decisions. They won’t come much harder than the one she will have to make on the Murray-Darling Basin. http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/10/11/mungo-labor-has-little-to-lose-by-going-hard-on-murray-darling/ We should demand something better than this, The News With Nipples The only voice in the story is Tony Abbott’s. It’s not even ‘he said, she said’ journaliam – it’s essentially a 644-word opinion piece from the Opposition Leader calling the Prime Minister names. And the SMH calls this ‘reporting’. Really? How is this ok? http://newswithnipples.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/we-should-demand-something-better-than-this/ [i]The marketing malady that plagues politics, Andrew Catsaras, Unleashed[/i] There are two problems with this approach and it reveals that this sickness infecting politics has generated a dangerous brain atrophying fever. http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/39910.html [i]Abbott is a Dill, Neil Mitchell[/i] This is a bad look. This is not a game. This is neither fun or a photo opportunity. This is war and Australians have died. Guns are dangerous and our soldiers carry them to protect themselves. Tony Abbott didn't need a gun. http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-generic-blog/neil-mitchell-abbott-is-a-dill/20101011-16efr.html

George Pike

12/10/2010Bit like 4 Corners last hey HS, the bit where GWBush was telling the world how much the Iraqis loved and adored the the great American liberators! No doubt about the old conservative imperialist mentality is there. The simple truth is that Abbott and his crew helped take a fairly simple situation of routing the terrorist infrastructure from Afghanistan and turn it into a full blown long term tragedy by invading Iraq..and the mass media still kiss their bums for being the righteous ones...what a complete and utter joke they truly are! Just been listening to the super conman tony abbott dribbling his worthless spiel ad nauseum, gratis of his dear little mates in the ABC's AM radio show...Alexandra Kirk being the eager and willing co-conspirator in that particular piece of broadcasting bastardry. Dame Joan would have gone to her grave saddened to the core at the vision of Australia being turned slowly but surely into an extremist fascist empire by the conservatives and their media mates. Surely it is time for the government to get very serious with the ABC. The entire board and the senior executive staff should be sacked poste haste before they become just a another wing of news ltd. It is becoming farcical. Abbott can do what ever he likes and the ABC, News Ltd co-conspirators just give it a rapid coat of white wash and turn it back on the government with lies and innuendo. This is truly a dangerous period in the history of English speaking Western Societies. Barack Obama indicated that he clearly recognises this fact with his statements regarding Murdoch and his SkyNews channel. He actually said that America's future progress will be damaged by the blatant political propaganda tatics being used by the News Ltd empire. The time for talk is over, the government must start acting to bring this evil to a halt before we really do end becoming a neo-fascist state with an evil little zealot like Tony Abbott as its puppet emporer! The true intent of these subversive actions by Murdoch and co is obviously to give the global corporate sector absolute power over the global economy. The shadowy firgures in this paradigm are the heads of the global mining, energy and war industries...Abbott, Palin, Boehler, Cameron and co are just their willing and eager (and totally ignorant) puppets!

lyn

12/10/2010[i]TODAY'S LINKS PART 2[/i] STILL SELECTIVE, Our bloggers are out there in full force today: [i]Westpoll: 52 - 48 to Federal Coalition in WA, William Bowe, The Poll Bludger[/i] which if accurate would amount to a 4.5 per cent swing to Labor – a swing which would snare Labor the front-line seats of Hasluck, Canning and Swan if uniform. Essential Research has Labor’s lead at 51-49 for the third week running http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ [i]Kevin still a Cliche King, Ashghebranious, Ash's to Ashes Blog[/i] LauraTingle interjected saying that it was more than that Piers to which he responded with:“I’m boiling it down to making it simple”and he gestured at the camera. http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com:80/2010/10/12/kevin-still-a-cliche-king/ [i]This'll be interesting, Steve, Opinion Dominion[/i] how indifferent he is to safety in that he wanted to be "embedded" with Australian forces. This request speaks more of Abbott's self-aggrandizement and poor judgment.* http://opiniondominion.blogspot.com/ [i]Hockey was economical with the truth: Lib poll costings never audited, Peter Martin, SMH[/i] The shadow Treasurer, Joe Hockey, was not telling the full story when he said days before the election that the Coalition's costings had been ''audited'' by a big accountancy firm. http://www.smh.com.au/national/hockey-was-economical-with-the-truth-lib-poll-costings-never-audited-20101010-16e31.html [i]On Crikey, Gary Sauer Thompson, Public Opinion[/i] I do find Crikey a little too precious these days. In spite of its proclaimed independence it is a part of the Canberra Press Gallery bubble, http://www.sauer-thompson.com/ [i]Crikey versus The Drum, Catallaxy Files[/i] Eric Beecher has an interesting piece in The Australian today, with an arresting turn of phrase. He likened The Drum website to the ABC tanks rolling up on his lawn. http://catallaxyfiles.com/2010/10/11/crikey-versus-the-drum/ [i]Wild rivers, intervention and Liberal Hypocrisy, Scott Foyster, Overland[/i] a hypocrisy around a party that can rush legislation without any consultation whatsoever – legislation that overrides and suspends the Racial Discrimination Act, http://web.overland.org.au/2010/10/11/wild-rivers-intervention-and-liberal-hypocrisy/ [i]Establishment wants electoral reform - to make our system less democratic, Jeremy Sear, An Onymous Lefty[/i] News Ltd and their representatives in parliament, the Liberal/National Coalition, are not big fans of the “hung parliament”. http://anonymouslefty.wordpress.com/ [i]Colonel Lightweight, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i] No wonder Adelaide is "crumbling", with advocacy like this. The article reads like a post-prandial rant: http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/2010/10/colonel-lightweight-no-wonder-adelaide.html [i]Tony Abbott, the politics of Machiavellian bastardry, and one dimensional views of Afghanistan, Dorothy Parker, Loon Pond[/i] Abbott's visit did give The Australian a splendid opportunity to run an Abbott 'man of action' snap in its version of the story, Abbott takes aim at Julia Gillard over Afghan trip http://loonpond.blogspot.com/2010/10/tony-abbott-politics-of-machiavellian.html [i]Water Plan will decimate Murrumbidgee frogs, Jennifer Marohasy, On Line Opinion[/i] 160 semitrailer loads of quality, fresh food ready for the supermarkets of Australia leave the towns of Leeton and Griffith each day http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11089 [i]NBN is about more than just money, Ilawarra Mercury[/i] The Opposition would have you believe that is $43 billion being poured down the drain, but having had the infrastructure contractors in our neighbourhood these past few weeks, I can tell you that is anything but the case. These people work hard and have made a major contribution to our local economy - from renting houses, to patronising the shops and employing local contractors for traffic control and other services. Our neighbourhood bakery and takeaway shop have never had it so good. That's not money down the drain. That's money into local pockets. http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/blogs/between-the-lines/nbn-is-about-more-than-just-money/1965516.aspx

Ad astra reply

12/10/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx Lyn Many thanks for such a comprehensive collection of links. Folks I'm getting on the road now, heading south. I'll be back this evening.

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010Latest NBN story from Business Spectator: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Consumers-may-be-forced-to-sign-up-to-NBN-pd20101011-A5QTN?OpenDocument&src=hp7&src=amm

George Pike

12/10/2010The following paragraph in todays Australian proves that news Ltd are just out to undermine the government through any lies they can think of. "THE Gillard government and the key providers of the NBN are still working out how to ensure basic phone services to those people who do not sign up to it." This has been discussed in public at length in Tasmania and the simple fact is that the ordinary phone services are going to be delivered via the nbn cable even if the owners do not want the broadband option. It costs exactly the same as it does now and it requires nothing more than existing phones and a battery pack if you want the phone to operate when the power is off...exactly the same as you need now if you have a cordless phone system, which most people have. No doubt about these lying frauds at News Ltd..they really are a mindless thoughtless pack of thugs right to the core. The Loonpond link above led us to a very interesting post to Lyn, thanks very much for that one..and all the rest, you are a wonder!

George Pike

12/10/2010Read this and start worrying..this evil bastard has to be stopped before he takes over the world! http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/11/sky-murdoch-takeover-bid-analysis

lyn

12/10/2010Hi George Your pretty a wonder too, with all your fantastic comments, such a great contributor to your's our blog, I enjoy every one you write. Thankyou George. [b]Go! Reb, Go![/b] The "bastard Victim" of the "Back Alley Bitch", Reb, Gutter Trash But then humility has never been a Liberal party strong point. However he desperately needs to find some new tactics as quite clearly his current strategy isn’t working and if his current trajectory is anything to go by it’s only a matter of time [b]before he self-destructs. [/b]http://guttertrash.wordpress.com:80/2010/10/12/the-bastard-victim-of-the-back-alley-bitch/

TalkTurkey

12/10/2010HiHo Swordsfolk, I been away in the Flinders, looking at my State Floral Emblems, the fantastickest flower of all, Sturt Desert Peas, BRILLIANT! No Optus Wireless of course, so I spent some time recording in feelgood verse the drama of the election. I really did it for you jj, hope you love it. heh heh. The Maid Of Yarralumla [A Parody on A.B. (Banjo) Paterson’s “The Man From Snowy River”] There was panic in the parties as the poll results came down, For Left and Right dead-heated on that day; The Government’s survival stood on very slippery ground And the hacks and experts all had heaps to say. All the journalists and politicians came from near and far To add their sound and fury to the fight, And all you heard on ABC was Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah While the Murdoch Press screamed Right is Right is Right! There were Liberals like Joe Hockey, a fat and lazy blob, Who had fallen at the first jump when he’d tried, Malcolm Turnbull, once-and-wanna-be, and poor old Andrew Robb While Phony Tony Abbott ran and lied. There was an effete mincing poodle, known as Whining Chrissie Pyne, Creepy Kevin Andrews, washed-out Warren Entsch; Token female Julie Bishop, who thinks plagiarism fine; That about exhausts the Liberals’ front bench. They were confident of victory, and hubris they suffused, And they claimed that they’d won power by a nose; They squealed that they weren’t guilty of what Treasury accused: Multi-Billion Dollar Holes, and things like those. They claimed they had the better of the pan-Australian vote; They called themselves the Government-in-Waiting; They said they’d stop invasion of Australia by boat, While the Media pitched in with Labor-baiting. And on the Left was Kevin Rudd, who’d won the last time ’round, But fallen at a hurdle months before, With Wayne Swan on Economy, a stayer well-renowned, And of Labor fancied runners, many more. Stephen Smith, Nicola Roxon, Combet, Albanese, Crean, The list was long of talents deep and broad: They were clever and committed, and experienced and keen: A well-matched team compared with Abbott’s horde. And one was there, Our Ranga Lass, of feisty fighting breed, Like a Queen Boadicea, well-advised, Flashing wit and Gaelic glamour, with Crow-Eater in her creed, And Makybe Diva fire in her eyes. She had led the charge for Labor, but she’d very nearly failed, (Though equally, she’d very nearly won), But Julia Gillard held her nerve while lesser beings quailed, And stayed the course while Abbott made his run. There was one Sandgroper National, a new bloke, Tony Crook, And no-one really knew which way he’d vote, But he seems so undetermined, even bookies won’t make book, Though he’s travelling in the Coalition’s float. Andrew Wilkie, (Independent), and young Adam Bandt, (a Green) Pledged on certain terms to join with Gillard’s crew, And not bring down the Government, for both of them were keen Not to support a Coalition coup. And the way that Gillard wooed them was a credit to them both, From decent forthright dealings to a mutual binding oath; So though Abbott now claimed 73, Gillard had 74 - But she really needed 76 – She had to score two more! There were three more Independents, no-one knew how they might jump; Robert Oakeshott, Tony Windsor, and Bob Katter: And the way the hurdles tumbled, all the Force was with that rump, And the Fourth Estate was full of Twitter twatter. Those three were ex-Nat mavericks, from effin’ FNQ, Where brumbies weird as unicorns abound: Would they jump together? - Left or Right? - Split 2-1? Or, 1-2? This whole race was on entirely unknown ground! Then from the Murdoch stables all the hustlers made their run: They were breathing fire and brimstone every breath: That Labor’s illegitimate, that Abbott’s mob had won, And that any tryst with Brown and Greens was Death. Bloated with his self-importance was conniving Laurie Oakes, And Piers Ackermann, most bigoted of all, And the first one to throw stones, that loathsome, hateful Alan Jones: They’re three key bricks in the Murdochratic Wall. There was Andrew “Anal” Bolt , and that Glenn Milne, the drunken thug, Grabbing sleazily at any sleazy grab, And that ABC lickspittle, Chris Uhlmann, smooth and smug, And Annabel, the slyly-sidling Crabb. There was sour Red Kez O’Brien, seemingly forever trying To skewer Julia with some cunning stab; And Tony “Look-Me” Jones, interrupting her in tones That show he thinks he holds sole Royal Right of Gab. There was Fran "Ms Jelly” Kelly, Michelle Grattan lacking teeth, And Miss Trivia, Virginia Trioli, And that smartarse Barrie Cassidy, with snide asides and acidy, In ABC alliances unholy. So Our Ranga Lass was targeted by jibes and sexist jokes: Her Titian locks were tweaked, her finely-chiselled nose took pokes From those of the moral wee-ness of a teensy flaccid penis – And unkindest cut of all came from that wimp-out by Megalogenis! Thus was Julia besieged: just Laura Tingle stood her friend, And challenged Abbott on her comments page; In chivalry and courage she was loyal to the end: The one fair Australian journo of The Age. But still the Fascist minions, led by Phony Tony Abbott, Went a-raging and a-fulminating on: How they’d really won the Government, and they were gonna grab it, Until many in the Left feared we were gone. But while Abbott fumed and fretted, bumbling bully through and through, Trying bribery and histrionic threats, In attempts to win the Indies (and he needed at least two), Julia Gillard was as subtle as it gets. She was thoughtful, diplomatic, in conciliatory tone, And the Indies saw that what she says she means, Until even weird Bob Katter, mad as Alice’s mad Hatter, Said he’d found some common values with the Greens! So we waited, hopeful, fearful, as the weights were counted in: Were we losers, were we winners? Would we wince, or would we grin? We were hanging on the numbers, on the comments, on the hints - If not a gleeful grin, then an excruciating wince! But throughout 16 long days, while all us Aussies held our breath, Our Ranga Lass ne’er wilted from the hate: She fought to win the issue as if it were life or death: It was grand to see that Lass negotiate! But still, no-one knew the outcome, until on Day Seventeen, When Bob Katter called a conference at one: And when he did, he voted (as some said they had foreseen), With Abbott – Just one more seat, we’d be done! For the parties now were neck-and-neck, three-score-and-14 all: The margin must be minimally thin; If those last two Independents split, the Government must fall, For Labor needed both of them to win. Now all the weight of government was held in two men’s hands, And never had the balance been so fine; Would they take a national view, or yield to parish-pump demands? We held our breath, and waited for a sign. And at last just two hours later, those two last men made their move: Our hearts in trepidation wildly throbbed: One party would be jubilant, as winners they would prove, While the losers all would scream that they was robbed! First to speak was Tony Windsor, and he gave his solemn word He’d faithfully support the Labor side; Effectively he said that Tony Abbott was absurd - The Coalition cause was now denied! But that still left Robert Oakeshott: if he went the other way, The parties would be deadlocked, which would mean There would have to be a new election, and without delay, The likes of which this land had never seen. So still we waited, heart in mouth, while Oakeshott took his time To explain in full his reasons for his vote; Though the media was furious, as if it were a crime They had to listen first before they wrote. And seventeen minutes later, as the almanac will show He gave Julia the seat she sorely craved; And after all the arguments, at long last now we know: - HOORAY! The Labor Government is SAVED! Now up at Yarralumla, where the diplomats may raise Their glasses of Chateau Lafitte on high, Where the chandeliers of crystal through the frosty evenings blaze, And the VIP jets streak the azure sky, And where around the Parliament the votes of aye or nay Decide the laws by which we must abide, The Maid of Yarralumla holds the Vandal hordes at bay, And we Lefties hail Our Ranga Lass with pride.

Min

12/10/2010Ad astra, with indulgence for being off topic. One of the Café readers Mark has put up a remarkable post concerning his personal battle with mental illness. http://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/mental-as-anything/

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010Misogyny appears to be the byword of the Coalition at the present. Sadly. And not one Coalition woman MP speaks up against it. Gutless Wonders.

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010Talk Turkey, Brilliant! We are whupping Quadrant's ass in the Poetry Wars!

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010George Pike, Want to read something really scary? http://mediamatters.org/research/201010110002

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010HS @ 12:22, whenever I come across stories like that I quietly thank John Winston Howard for his courage in doing the gun buyback thing.

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010'Slugger' Abbott "Won't go down without a fight", according to 'Their ABC' today. Good grief. Even if he has to lie through his Machiavellian teeth all the way down.

Patricia WA

12/10/2010Talk Turkey. What a romp through those tumultuous days! Accurate historically, metre spot on and rhymes so apt. Politically correct, too! Some might say biassed, but we know the best side won! Well done! Interesting, isn't it, that we don't get much satire from the right? They're good at abuse but not humor.

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010A Grog I am not. I can't even pretend I could emulate him. However! This jet lag thing is tiresome and I suspect that if Grog were writing he might say " .. both leaders are acting like petulant school kids, this is pure *hesaid/shesaid* drivel. Grow up both of you and get on with the real business of running the country"

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010Christopher Pyne: Manager of Opposition Bitchiness :)

CALLIGULA

12/10/2010I took the time to google Mr. Abbott’s popularity rating a minute ago. If, as one would expect, the leader of HM’s opposition comports himself in a certain way surely it would be on the advice of his peers and those professionals in his staff who can reasonably well predict the outcomes resultant of his conduct. I believe he recently used terms like Macchiavellian and bastardry. I may be a bit of a dim bulb but I reckon I can see the way things are going within the workings of two major political parties which are both a little distressed about the result of the last election. The prime concern for both of them is how to reestablish the status quo that has been threatened by the election of some Greens and independents. The big question is – What might the timeservers do to distract Australians from all those promised initiatives and reforms mandated by the last election? The Abbott solution - Bluff, blether and bullshine all packaged up in a garbage bag labeled ‘aggressive opposition’. The Gillard solution – Sit tight and watch the fun. The outcome – All those abovementioned reforms and the decades long backlog of defective administration sits at the back of the range – not even kept warm on the proverbial backburner. It could be easy to believe that all this is accidental. I’m sure that most Australians would see it as such because the conduct isn’t vastly different from what they’ve come to expect from our ‘chosen leaders’. I’m more inclined to call it ‘macchiavellian’. It might also be ‘bastardry’ but would have to add another word. In my humble opinion what we have is collusion of a sort – stage managed to save the status quo and save the politicians from addressing what they damned well know is their duty.

lyn

12/10/2010Hi D Mick Weir I agree with you Mick, but I must say, I get annoyed at Julia Gillard getting dumped into the same basket as Abbott,it's not fair, she didn't start the sniping. Abbott and his mouth before brain makes a stupid statement, the media run and ask Julia what she thinks about Abbott said blah blah, so she comments, which she has too, then it all turns around, she is in his basket of whatever you want to call it, Oh! they say they are as bad as each other, then Abbott gets of scott free again. Not fair.

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010HS @ 4:12 Good one Manager of Opposition Bitchiness - and I suggest there are some in the liberal party who have a very warped sense of humour as they nominated him. What were they thinking/drinking/smoking?

NormanK

12/10/2010D Mick Weir Unless I've missed something it's more like "he said, she said, he said, he said, HE SAID, he said that she said, off to infinity. Either Abbott feels he can get some milage out of this or the dentist has hit a nerve. My money is on the latter. One side of politics is verging on political anarchy. The Dept of Treasury is corrupt//politicised//inept all the way up to its Head. The Dept of Finance is politicised//inept. The elected government is illegitimate. The military leadership is inept//politicised//out of touch (after all the troops on the ground need tanks they can't use, helicopters we don't have and although they are coping quite well, they MIGHT need more equipment). "Our boys" told Tony all this because he's a man. "Don't you worry guys, I'll pull a few strings." Our military justice system is flawed because they are going to try 3 soldiers who may have committed a crime. What is Abbott calling for - immunity from prosecution for any Australian troops serving overseas? Is there nothing Abbott & Co won't tear down to get to the Treasury Benches? And what will they do if they get there? Sorry Treasury. Sorry Finance. Sorry Military. Everything is legitimate now.

CALLIGULA

12/10/2010I reckon a bloke in public office who calls the government spendthrift wastrels wouldn’t mind for one second agreeing to double up with the PM for such an expensive overseas jaunt as the recent Afghanistan junket. In fact I’m inclined to phone 1800 703 599 and ask head office what the deal was exactly – since Ms Gillard seems to want to keep ‘mum’ about the subject. Someone once suggested that not many in the US would buy a used car off Tricky Dickie Nixon. AARRR, no. My brain hurts, my eyes water with the strain of thinking up an Oz-equivalent – Australians, would you buy a used WHAT off this man? Pushbike, lycra shorts, prophylactic, perhaps?

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010NormanK, Of course, if Tony Abbott ever gets to form a government he will do what Howard did, have a 'Night of the Long Knives', put in some faithful retainers as Public Service Department Heads, put everyone else on short-term 'Performance Based Contracts'(you perform the way we want you to or you're out of here), and all will be right with the Public Service again. That is, it will go back to not serving the Public but serving the Conservative government.

lyn

12/10/2010Hi Talk Turkey Gee it's great to see you back, we missed you. Thankyou for your brilliant piece, you have provided, for our enjoyment today, you are magic. The Sturt Desert Pea, is I agree, a fascinating flower, marvellous amazing work of nature.

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010I'd say to Mr Turnbull that it's exactly because Private Industry can't successfully implement large scale Infrastructure projects that makes it sensible for government to do the job, such as the NBN: http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Libs-wont-rip-up-NBN-Turnbull-says-A6366?OpenDocument&src=hp6&src=pmm

George Pike

12/10/2010Great to see the PM treating Abbott with the contempt he deserves by stating that she will not add to his bitter twisted diatribe in any way shape or form. Note that Abbott only runs this bile on his mate Alan Jones' sham show on 2UE. He's still too cowardly to face someone like Kerry O'brien and make his childish allegations. It is becoming obvious that Abbott is rapidly losing the plot. He is in Latham mode now....won't be long and he will become just another sad gloomy old shipwreck upon the shoals that riddle the stormy seas of the political world. He and Johnny will be able to share their sordid memories as they trot along on their early morning jaunts past Kirribilli House...

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010Fair call NormanK, I guess I just got really peeved seeing another run at the 'saga' on the ABC News site: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/12/3035793.htm - with comments, (76 & closed) that seemed to be mainly Liberal trolls spouting it's all a sinister machiavellian plot by the PM and the Labour trolls spouting TLoHMLO is a cry baby etc. etc. etc. I had a brain snap - typed and saved without thinking!!!!! The question is, I guess, is this really news? is it really worth the continued reporting? In the absence of any other 'stories' it MAY be worth it, but, FCOBL IMHO, this is old, old, old and boring. More fool me for clicking on the story in the first place!!

NormanK

12/10/2010D Mick Weir I wasn't having a go at you - that doesn't come naturally to me. Rather, I was sharing Lyn's frustration that, given the evidence available to us, it is grossly unfair to describe this as a war of words which is what the TV news last night universally described it as being. Not much of a war when one side is barely loosing off a shot. I applaud the PM for staying away from exacerbating the situation by trading blows but others can decide whether it is politically wise. I do despair over Abbott bringing the three soldiers into the political arena - there are procedures which need to be followed in order for the remainder of our troops to have any faith in the system. Abbott is undermining this faith, in this area as with so many others.

Jason

12/10/2010Acerbic Conehead Any chance of another song about Abbott say to the tune of "Psycho killer" from talking heads? we can save Queens "another one bites the dust" for later or we could even have a rendition of "ain't no second prize" jimmy barnes?

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010cheers NK I took no offence but, as often happens, your comment caused me to rethink. Agree that TLoHMLO bringing into the 'debate' the three soldiers is a worry and I can't for the life of me understand why any comment on the matter wouldn't be out of bounds. Leave it to the process started to do the inquiries, hear the evidence and let wiser heads prevail. Seems the 'new paradigm' for TLoHMLO and the rest of his 'troops' is more about promoting fear, doubt and misunderstandings. Strange way to prove they are ready to govern in my book.

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010A bit of amateur psychoanalysis here from a rank amateur in the field. Various reports about our Tones after the 2007 loss suggested that he went into a complete funk, couldn’t understand why they lost and was at the point of giving up. A form of depression possibly? Could it be that he can’t understand how they didn’t win and he is flailing around trying to figure it all out? His big problem this time around is that, as leader, he can’t run and hide this time. Twice rejected by people who should ‘know’ that only his party are the rightful and legitimate rulers of this polity. Poor bugger, in different circumstances, one could find a (very) small bit sympathy for him.

Jason

12/10/2010D Mick Wier, The subject of the soldiers should be out of bounds more so from Abbott as it was his government that set it up, If he has second thoughts about it now why did he as "Leader of the House" ram it through the parliament if as he says there are holes in it?

D Mick Weir

12/10/2010Jason, we can only guess. My pick is that some sniffing of the breeze is going on and there just may be a few votes in this. Seems more and more our Tones is but a reed being swayed by the breeze. There is a disconnect that I can't find yet but with all the disappointments and more and more exposures of less than credible policies and costings Tones is clutching at straws hoping and hoping again that maybe he will find a staw to break the camels (governments) back. Ouch, a bundle of mixed metaphors but that is the sense I get from the opposition at the moment a grab bag of mixed up just maybes.

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010D Mick Weir, I think you might be onto something there. Maybe Rambott has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Nothing like being blown up in battle(ie the election), to bring on the Shell Shock. By the way, have you heard the latest line from the ever-productive and fertile imagination of our Dear Leader of the Government-In-Exile? He declared to Alan Jones, that he was our "Protector of all decent values". Hmmm. I heard it on SBS News at 6.30pm. They have Karen Middleton as their politcal journo and she always does her best to give Tony a big run. Sometimes, however, I don't think that is always the best policy if you're trying to help the Coalition along.

Jason

12/10/2010D Mick Weir, I agree, but it's not only on this issue, the MDA was set up under Howard and as far as I know was operating under the legislation that Howard gave it, now the draft report on the murray has come out Abbott et al say it's wrong, WTF! that aside how many other bits of legislation are we likely to see? that all because they had the power in both houses they just rammed things through because they could! The Howard government was sloppy at best and for the opposition to now argue anything different well they must think we are fools!

George Pike

12/10/2010Sad to see Heather Ewart, on the 7:30 Report, continue with the MSM's white wash of Abbott's childish immature rantings, while simultaneously trying to cast a level of guilt over the PM for being involved in the jibberish. That is especially foul, when Julia has never cast any unreasonable aspersions what so ever. Every statement from the PM has been in reply to journo's questions. We only ever get to see the comment as the actual preceeding question is something we rarely get to see in the soundbite coverage of the Labor government. Abbott's lunatic ravings have, on the other had, been totally off the cuff and utterly abominable to say the least...yet the journo's of this country continue with the News Ltd innuendo that has been contrived purely and simply for the purpose of casting aspersions over everyone BUT the guilty parties! Makes you wonder if there are any jounalists left out there who have any sense of decency what so ever running thier veins...they truly are a pack of yellow, cowardly, gutless rats...it really is as simple as that.

Jason

12/10/2010George, It struck me during the election campaign whilst the "media" were on their bus going from here to there. that if it crashed the only one who we would miss would be the bus driver, which hack would be missed?

TalkTurkey

12/10/2010October 12. 2010 11:50 AM Talk Turkey, Brilliant! We are whupping Quadrant's ass in the Poetry Wars! Hillbilly Skeleton >>>Merci bien HS. TT October 12. 2010 04:53 PM Hi Talk Turkey Gee it's great to see you back, we missed you. >>>Feels good! Thankyou for your brilliant piece, you have provided, for our enjoyment today, you are magic. >>> MAGIC Eh? What I've always wanted to be, and my very fave rave word! I love it that you love my verse. The Sturt Desert Pea, is I agree, a fascinating flower, marvellous amazing work of nature. >>> OHHHHHHHHH . . . ! Words don't get there. I wish everybody (jj included) could have seen one particular rugged escarpment ABLAZE with these FANTASTIC blooms. Each vertical spike has 5-7 scarlet-&-jet flowers like flames, they look like little magical sprites, with little hands crossed choir-boy-like demurely in front, and the shine on their black bosses look like big wide eyes so they look as though they are keeping watch all around with their little comrades . . . (check any photos, the exercise will delight.) lyn October 12. 2010 01:57 PM Talk Turkey. What a romp through those tumultuous days! Accurate historically, metre spot on and rhymes so apt. Politically correct, too! >>>Yes . . . All that, I hope . . . but can you imagine my ever having had the heart to write this account had things come down t'other way round? Some might say biassed, but we know the best side won! Well done! >>> . . . BIASSED ? . . . ME??? I admit I was a bit gentle with Jones and them . . . But yes, I s'pose I'm prejudiced in being so sotto voce about excremental individuals like THEM . . . I'm just an old softie I guess . . . I should say something nasty about them I suppose . . . Interesting, isn't it, that we don't get much satire from the right? They're good at abuse but not humor. >>> Those Voices of Hate can't quite get their heads around humour . . . jj probably thinks I'm a hater, and I am too, I hate people being lied to and ripped off and done down by the privileged and powerful, but jj dear, truly, I don't hate you, probably no TPS witers do, but you gotta getta humanitarian attitude and admit matters of truth before anyone can love you all that much . . . It's sad that satire has to reign so supreme when pure hilarity could be so much more fun, but that's the way the political world is, ya gotta bite rather than lick . . . Patricia WA >>>>> HS, Lyn, Pat WA ("patois"?) Thank you all very much, Am I right in thinking yous is all goyls? How coming this? I'm a bit obsessive-compulsive about rhyme and meter: I love English, Her vocab so huge, ways of arranging sentences so generous, She allows me to rhyme nearly anything I need to, and I love rhyming verse best of all. It condenses and crystallizes, focuses attention on germane points, and facilitates understanding by its ability to create emphasis where required. And it sets memory in concrete, I shall store this up where I don't bother doing that with prose much. In this case I have tried really to record the entire story in truth and detail, because it was SO convoluted, so heart-stopping, so amazing, and so bloody important. Lest we forget the way things happened! BTW I think its scansion is all sound, I hate it being at all wrong, but you sometimes have to say phrases through a couple of times to get the right emphases . . . I can't put stress marks on it and I can't do italics etc on this medium . . . Do yous have any probs with saying any bits of it aloud? I would have like to mentioned more of the Labor talent but the list truly is long and impressive. Australia can count itself lucky. Burn your eyes Abbott. Oh and did I miss giving anyone a serve that deserved it? I'd really regret that. Really, Tingle was the SOLE journo who was fearless and rigorous, isn't that AMAZING!? Manager of Opposition Bitchiness, ha ha ha. Little Pooppie!

Hillbilly Skeleton

12/10/2010I.Still.Miss.Grog. :(

lyn

12/10/2010 Hi Everybody Can't give you a link, the page has been pulled down Abbott under fire on gun photo The Australian - ‎1 hour ago‎ TONY Abbott's office requested that the Defence Department "vet" video images of the Liberal leader firing a Steyr assault rifle in Afghanistan, ...

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12/10/2010Folks We’re at Proserpine after a 600 Km drive from Cairns, slowed by road works and torrential rain. Thank you all for your contributions that have kept the pot boiling during the day, It’s getting late so I won’t be able to address all your comments, but there’s a few I must. Talk Turkey Thank you for your brilliant latter day version of The Man from Snowy River: [i]The Maid of Yarralumla[/i]. You have a real talent for rhyming verse. Thank you. Min Thank you for your link to Mark’s very touching story on [i]Café Whispers[/i]. We all should take note of what those who care for disturbed people suffer themselves. George Hillbilly Skeleton has addressed the anguish that you and NormanK and others have expressed at what you call ‘the Abbott’s ravings’ in a perceptive piece: [i] We don’t know the meaning of ‘Wrong’![/i] which I have readied for posting after arriving in Proserpine. You will enjoy reading her analysis of Abbott’s and the Coalition’s media strategy. To give the current piece a little longer, and to heighten your anticipation, I’ll leave posting her piece until after arriving in Yeppoon tomorrow afternoon. It’s time now to say goodnight.

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13/10/2010Lyn The page: [i]Tony Abbott under fire over gun photo 'censorship'[/i] seems to operating again. It was on my newspaper feed this morning. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/tony-abbott-under-fire-over-gun-photo-censorship/story-fn59niix-1225937873405

George Pike

13/10/2010Lateline last night gave us a valuable insight towards the true intent behind Abbott's Wild Rivers Legislation maneauvers. The interview Leigh Sales had with Marandoo Yanner gave us an entirely different picture of the whole affair. Check out the transcript below to see how utterly duplicit Abbott and Pearson have been in their depiction of Aboriginal feeling towards the legislation. The overall summary would be that Pearson does NOT represent anywhere near the total population of the areas affected by the legislation...and that many of the Aboriginals do in fact support the vast bulk of the content within it. http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s3036686.htm It sounded very much like Pearson was given carte blanche to represent the people by the Howard government in exchange for giving miners and other corporate entities the right to extract resources etc without interference. Yanner makes it obvious that there are many Abroiginals who actually want a dividend from any mining activity on their lands. They also want a say in how and which areas are developed to ensure environmental and heritage concerns are not overridden. Abbott has jumped on the bandwagon because he sees a political opportunity. Yanner gave us a clear point of evidence to that fact by stating that the Queensland opposition were 100% behind the WRL when it was introduced by Beattie, now they are fighting it tooth and nail for purely poltical reasons..i.e, making it look like they are the great saviours of Aboriginal rights when they are in fact exactly the opposite! It would have been one big tick for LLine last night if it had not been for the worthless rendition of political affairs by Abbott's little bum-boy Hayden Cooper. He ran the same anti-Labor smear campaign that the MSM have been dutifully going on with for the past week or so, while simulataneously whitewashing Abott's incredibly immature and rancorous behaviour. Cooper is a dead loss to journalism, and Heather Ewart wasn't much better on the 7:30 Report either. You can nearly give an account of their summaries before they open their mouths they are becoming so predictable!

lyn

13/10/2010[b]TODAY'S LINKS[/b] [i]Low - Level Bastardry, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i] Abbott deepened his lack of understanding of the military by requesting to go out on patrol. He's not trained, and he devalues the hard work and skill of those who are by just assuming he can tag along and not get in anyone's way. He's a greater danger to our troops than he is to the enemy http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/2010/10/low-level-bastardry-tony-abbotts-excuse.html [i]Stay at home - an update, The Piping Shrike[/i] Let’s be clear. The Liberals bizarre escalation of Gillard’s “Machiavellian bastardry” comes from one reason; Abbott’s need to shore up his internal position following the “jetlag” gaffe. http://www.pipingshrike.com/2010/10/stay-at-home-%E2%80%93-an-update.html [i]Abbott's Blunder, David Donovan, On Line Opinion[/i] Abbott’s rashness, lack of judgment and propensity to fabricate leaves major question marks over his suitability to be Australian Prime Minister. We may have dodged a bullet when the Independents decided against siding with an unpredictable Tony Abbott led Coalition. http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11081 [i]Abbott's blunder, Wood's art, Independent Australia[/i] Tony Abbott’s diplomatic blunder has the power to cause diplomatic tensions between Australia and Britain. http://www.independentaustralia.net/2010/politics/abbotts-blunder-woods-art/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=abbotts-blunder-woods-art [i]Abbott & Pyne - slow learners, Massivespray, Spray of the Day[/i] Watch the audit story sink without a trace while Julia gets front page coverage for 3 days because she wears too much white… http://sprayoftheday.wordpress.com/ [i]When Chris Pyne says Kumbaya, I taste a little vomit in my mouth”, Ashghebranious, Ash's to Ashes[/i] Are these just simple coincidences? Or is there a darker side to the Liberal Party strategy? And why was it important to have Tony Abbott pictured firing a rifle? http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/%E2%80%9Cwhen-chris-pyne-says-kumbaya-i-taste-a-little-vomit-in-my-mouth%E2%80%9D [i]The Light on the Dill, Opinion Dominion[/i] This is dangerous territory for a politician to tread into, but no doubt his sense of opportunism again outweighed caution, and hey the soldier’s let him shoot a Steyr over in Afghanistan last week, so I guess he owed them http://opiniondominion.blogspot.com/2010/10/light-on-dill.html [i]Some free advice for Tony Abbott, 1petermcc's Blog[/i] Tony has now dropped 10 points in the polling and it looks like predictions of him sinking without a trace are proving to be true. http://1petermcc.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/some-free-advice-for-tony-abbott/ [i]Now don't tell me - I bet he's a mate of James Massola!, North Coast Voices[/i] "Andrew Marr, has dismissed bloggers as "inadequate, pimpled and single", and citizen journalism as the "spewings and rantings of very drunk people late at night". http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com/2010/10/now-dont-tell-me-i-bet-hes-mate-of.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FUtodS+%28North+Coast+Voices%29 [i]Pyne's savage comments about the PM have annoyed Abbott, Stephen Read, Stroke of Luck[/i] Pyne "The gutter mouth from the South" is using language totally unbecoming of any politician. http://www.goodluckstroke.com/2010/10/pynes-savage-comments-about-pm-have.html [i]CRIKEY IN CRISIS: Eric Beecher panics behind his paywall about being squeezed out by the free and the ABC, Vex news[/i]http://www.vexnews.com/news/11144/crikey-in-crisis-eric-beecher-panics-behind-his-paywall-about-being-squeezed-out-by-the-free-and-the-abc [i]Guthrie: Rupert could be sharpening the shake-up knives, Andrew Cook[/i] When you come into it from outside, at best it’s like a small-town mentality … and at worst it’s almost like a secret society, if you’re not part of the family, http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/10/12/guthrie-rupert-could-be-sharpening-the-shake-up-knives/ [i]Crowdsourcing ideas for how Medicare Locals can engage their communities Melissa Sweet, Croakey[/i] The Federal Government has set a tough implementation schedule for its health reforms, particularly as so many of the variables involved are beyond its control. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/croakey/2010/10/12/crowdsourcing-ideas-for-how-medicare-locals-can-engage-their-communities/

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13/10/2010LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/Lyns-Daily-Links.aspx

Hillbilly Skeleton

13/10/2010Ha, ha, ha! That's the first spam I have ever agreed with 100%! :) 'That ConLib economics policy in full; "We're filthy rich, so sod the rest of you!"

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13/10/2010HS I’ve deleted the spam to which you referred, but it as it read: [i] That ConLib economics policy in full; "We're filthy rich, so sod the rest of you!"[/i], I agree with your comment. I’m reassured by your comment that Grog will definitely return. Folks Off now to Yeppoon. It’s raining, so maybe Yeppoon won’t look so good. I’ll be back with you late this afternoon.

Hillbilly Skeleton

13/10/2010Wow! I just read in the Comments section of 'The Piping Shrike' that there is a rumour sweeping Hong Kong that Jiang Zemin has died. No wonder the Chinese were upset at the focus that has been pout on their country recently with the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize going to Liu Xiabao. The Chinese hierarchy were about to make a big announcement of their own!

Hillbilly Skeleton

13/10/2010AA, I just think Grog would be one proud 'Free Speech' advocate, and, as such, would find a way, by hook or by crook, or even with a new, more anonymous nom de plume, to launch himself back into the blogosphere.

George Pike

13/10/2010Things are looking grim for an ETS or carbon tax...looks like the people of the world are going to have to get used climate change no matter how bad the consequences. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/business/economy/13leonhardt.html?_r=1&hp

TalkTurkey

13/10/2010Lyn You are amazing finding all these links day by day, dunno how you do it. On behalf of all who benefit, sincere thanks. Re the POOdle: It has always infuriated me that the Vandal hordes are allowed to say just about anything and then people dumbed down by Murdoch and encouraged not to discern will tell you "Politicians! They're all the bloody same, just in it for themselves . . ." They're NOT, I know some and they are top people. It may be that most of those who say that they're all rotten are Rotten Right themselves and find it impossible to conceive that many of those they so bag are in fact the most valuable public servants of all, with influence far beyond most of us and the determination to use it to the common good. Nobody's perfect, but there are many decent and trustworthy pollies, and after all they are just people, drawn from the community, it's not like they are a race apart . . . But when one mob is chucking pig ordure hand over fist in a confined space like the Parliament, (and the Right has an endless supply, since they are the source), everyone gets smothered with the same muck. Abbott and Pyne are superb producers, and Murdoch's minions are ever-better muckchuckers. We need a political shield as well!

NormanK

13/10/2010So, what are we to make of the with-holding of video of Onan the Barbarian firing his weapon in Afghanistan? Could it be that some "wag" pinned a photo of Julia Gillard to the target? Or perhaps he missed by a country mile? Or didn't know where the safety catch was? Apropos somehow should that be the case. Regardless, it can be fairly assumed that it was because it contained something unflattering to Abbott. Moving pictures of Onan with his weapon in his hand doing something manly would have been perfectly in keeping with his self-image and would have been widely distributed otherwise. Thankfully, he is not getting good press out of this nonsense today. [quote]Abbott guilty of inglorious bastardry during Afghan trip ....... by thrusting politics into prominence, Abbott demoted the real purpose of his visit to a secondary concern. Suddenly, Afghanistan seemed less important than the motives for being there or, indeed, for going there.[/quote] http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-guilty-of-inglorious-bastardry-during-afghan-trip-20101011-16g1x.html?from=watoday_sb [quote]Putative PM must wake up Some inside the Coalition might start to wonder whether this is the beginning of the end for the Opposition Leader, despite the two-party-preferred vote sitting at 50-50.[/quote] http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/putative-pm-must-wake-up/story-e6frg6zo-1225937883765 [quote]Abbott, Pyne use the language of nasty bullies Verbally abusing the Prime Minister and blaming her for making Abbott talk about "jet-lag" as his reason for not accompanying her to Afghanistan makes the opposition look like nasty bullies who can't accept responsibility for their own conduct.[/quote] http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/abbott-pyne-use-the-language-of-nasty-bullies/story-e6frg6n6-1225937852227 [quote]Tony Abbott under fire over gun photo 'censorship' The Defence Department did not indicate the pictures were a concern for operational or security reasons.[/quote] http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-under-fire-over-gun-photo-censorship/story-e6frf7l6-1225937989917 I realise most of you have probably already read these or have no wish to click on the Australian, but rubbing salt into the wound is common practice for those of us who celebrate bastardry in all its forms.

2353

13/10/2010Quote HS [quote]I heard it on SBS News at 6.30pm. They have Karen Middleton as their politcal journo and she always does her best to give Tony a big run. Sometimes, however, I don't think that is always the best policy if you're trying to help the Coalition along.[/quote] Perhaps that is the intention - a couple of local media outlets wanted to get even with Bjelke-Petersen at some stage, so they played and printed his response to questions verbatim. The result would have been laughable if it wasn't serious. I think it was either the UQ radio station or Quentin Demster (then from ABC Queensland) who once asked Bjelke-Petersen a question something like 47 times before they got an answer. While it wasn't the final nail in the coffin of the Queensland Nats under B-P, it certainly helped as the actions literally made him look like a goose.

lyn

13/10/2010Hi Everybody Here is our friend Island View, Blogging Townsville Island view is a poet too: The Wanker Medal. Island View, Blogging Townsville Clearly, I was wrong! Rather, he's evidently going to do himself slowly. http://bloggingtownsville.blogspot.com/2010/10/wanker-medal.html

lyn

13/10/2010Hi Talk Turkey Thankyou for your nice remarks, I get very pleased when I get a compliment. We birds of a feather stick together. I agree with you re the poodle, isn't he just the most obnoxious miserable Liberal, of them all. His pointless points of order just get under my feathers, and to top it all off he thinks, he is so funny, no-one could hurt the feelings there is none.

TalkTurkey

13/10/2010The News: Julia Gillard "showed her real self" during the Election Campaign (by her own words) Tony Abbott is showing his REAL self NOW! - by his own words AND his ACTIONS. That was The News. This is just me, to you Tony Abbott: I told you before Tony Abbott - yer goin down. Not just me says this. You had this coming. You done it to yerself. You won't be no Hindenburg though, no splendid flash, just a grubby old garbage bag blown up in Murdoch's artificial willy willy and now yer comin down, flat. Hope you come down over Howard's face. OOOOOh that felt good. See I really care about this country, and its flora and fauna, and its place in the world, and the world itself, and it is such as you, Tony Abbott, that fouls the whole thing up. You and yer sleazy mates, so we just gotta get rid of the likes of you. You make everything not work, and dirty, and you infect the People with your filthy habits. No more Mr Nice Guy for the likes of you, just GET OUT OF OUR FACE with your fool tantrums and take the whole Rotten Right with you. Labor and the Greens and Independendents don't have the answer to everything but they sure don't need the likes of you and Pyne and I'll never forget Reith. Ugh. Dirty rotten liars the lot of you. You think it's OK! Yous don't even deny it, you always had Murdoch, but nothing can save you now. Liars. LIARS! Bloody LIARS! I would be glad to see a proper Opposition, that's the only way this whole thing is supposed to work, but you are just spoilers and yobs. And LIARS! Watch your figures Tony. Yer goin DOWN. And it won't even be Pyne that takes your place, the People won't wear a thing like him. It'll be Turnbull of course, poor bastard, I would run for my life from that job. But it won't be yours for long, anyway, Tony Abbott, cos like I tol you, yer goin down. PS Yer Mincing Poodle Pooed on You today hey!

lyn

13/10/2010Hi Norman K Thankyou so much for the links, to the pitifull story of Abbott and the gun, goes with his behaviour though: Nearly wiped out on the Pacific Highway doing a photo shoot, lost in woop, woop on a quad bike, eating witchetty grubs, raiding the Police station in the middle of the night, eating raw fish, driving mining trucks what are they called D9's, surfing, running, biking, swimming. I think the Liberal party are ashamed, that is why they won't allow the photo shoots or video clips of Rabbit with the gun to be published. I see Mark Reilly is complaining saying, that is censorship or something like that. Actually when you think about it, the photo's were taken by a journalist and filmed by journalists, where is the honesty and duty to the public in reporting now, I thought that was why Grog got outed, in the public interest. As Island view said, doing himself slowly.

lyn

13/10/2010Hi TalkTurkey My comment 03:16 PM crossed over with your 3.19pm. Your 3.19 comment might have felt good for you typing it, but it sure felt better still for me reading it.

Hillbilly Skeleton

13/10/2010Hi guys, Re the photo of Abbott shooting off something other than his mouth. I imagine he had a crazed expression on his face, like he was imagining there was someone at the receiving end of his bullets. As TA's minders probably know full well, the guy's a fruit loop. It was probably obvious from the photos. You know what they say about a picture says a thousand words. Anyway, I see he has stirred up another Hornet's nest with his incitement of the troops over the Military charges against "our boys". I heard Sabra Lane on ABCNews Radio saying that there are blogs that the military comment on that have had comments that were unrepeatable about this subject, she said. They were especially targeting the Military Prosecutor who laid the charges, and is a woman btw. Considering the sexist attitudes of the sportspeople in our country, as evidenced on Q&A on Monday night, and how the Military is also a redoubt of sexists high on testosterone, I wouldn't be surprised what low slurs were being directed her way. Of course they were being aided and abetted by the muck-raking and mischief-making Opposition Leader, who couldn't wait to add fuel to the fire by stating that the government had stabbed the soldiers who were charged in the back, and should have intervened to help them, against an independant Military Justice system that the Howard government set up, btw. What he fails to mention is that the actions of 'our boys' led to the deaths of 5 children. The man is a grub.

Michael

13/10/2010Over at The Drum http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/40054.html the ABC seem to be trying to protect a Coalition spokes-goose in asking people to comment online, and (as of 4:33PM, that is, all day) not actually 'printing' any comment. If you can wade through his 'it sure ain't paté coming out of this goose' article, this was my response posted early this morning: "If the NBN was only about linking houses to a nationwide digital network, your argument might hold some water. Since it is also, and will in usage prove to be primarily, about commerce, health, education, and other infrastructural communications networks linking, your bucket's got a hole in it. In fact, 'all hole no bucket' might be a more apt description."

CALLIGULA

13/10/2010I sent this along to - http://ashghebranious.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/%e2%80%9cwhen-chris-pyne-says-kumbaya-i-taste-a-little-vomit-in-my-mouth%e2%80%9d/#respond Trust you do not mind me copying it here? I wrote it somewhere a little closer back to election night after hearing the politically conservative faithful chanting away back at the campaign bunker. The others here at home were as impressed as was I. There was TA giving a speech to his ‘fellow Australians’ (which meant somewhat over 50% of us were sweating, shivering and coming close to puking – displaying the same symptoms we were). Now, don’t get me wrong. It wasn’t his WORDS producing the reaction since his posture of provisional victory was counter to the results and trends I was reading on the official electoral commission’s pages. It wasn’t even the reaction of his peanut rush to his words – since they obviously couldn’t hear his words over the racket they were making. Nope – what was making our flesh crawl was partly the smug overweening confidence of the man; but overwhelmingly disturbing was the chanting – TO-ny, TO-ny, TO-ny – so reminiscent of the guttural bellowing of support for another dangerous risk-taking carpet-chewer of past history – A-dolph, A-dolph, A-dolph ! While I can accept that a little levity on election night might be in order, I’m of the opinion I could hear in those voices the souls of those doing the bellowing. Indeed they’re probably the same lot who send along such stuff as – “That ConLib economics policy in full; "We're filthy rich, so sod the rest of you!"” As to the pikkie of Mr. Abbott plinking away with the Steyr; a couple of ways of assessing that – Firstly, Oz-citizens aren’t allowed to play with such kit – not even the semi-auto civilian job. Could he be hinting to the select that things might change (only for his select, of course) when he becomes Fuhrer? Or is he giving visual proof that he has as much regard for that aspect of law as he does for his own word and signature on binding documents? Or has he simply lost the plot? It would be easy to assume that TA went to Afghanistan in order ‘to come to some understanding’ with our ‘Officer Class’. Mein Fuhrer, sie sind der grosste feldherr aller Zeiten – said General Keitel to AH. Which does no more than prove that even sober sided pragmatists go into lickspittle mode when they’re talking to the fruitcake who has their pension plan stashed away in his hip pocket. But sorry, I reckon our people of Star Rank are a cut well above that sort of thing – amply demonstrated today by their public statements defining their insistence on maintaining justice and the rule of law.

TalkTurkey

13/10/2010RUDENESS CHALLENGE! It's time to swish our Vorpal* Swords! Slice and dice those Vandal hordes! Fall in, Swordsfolk! Form a Phalange! Take the VERBAL RUDENESS CHALLENGE! Pick the pollies you think slimeballs, Roll them into little rhymeballs! With a wicked thrust of humour, Exorcise their rotten tumour! Here's my first entry (but it won't be my last, I got plenty of ammo.) To what compare thee, Chrissie Pyne? Don't want to insult no Swine . . . Only something VERY rude'll do . . ? . . Guess the best is Mincing Poodle-Do! * "He took his vorpal sword in hand: Longtime the manxsome foe he sought . . . " (From Lewis Carroll's 'Jabberwocky')

Jason

13/10/2010HS, Here is a picture of Abbott that the cartoonist got right http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/gallery-e6frg6zx-1111119668403?page=2

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13/10/2010Folks Thank you for keeping up the dialogue while we travelled from Proserpine to Yeppoon. It's pretty windy here, but fine. You will find a thought-provoking new piece by HillbillySkeleton [i]We don't know the meaning of 'Wrong'![/i] Please read, analyse, digest and comment. It may answer some of your deep concerns about 'Tony Abbott's ravings', that some of you mentioned yesterday. I can’t get the link to work here, so just go to the latest post by opening [i]TPS[/i].