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29/07/2011AC I don't profess to know much about Harry Potter, and the Horcruxes were a mystery, but after reading your explanation and viewing the YouTube clip, it all made sense. The image at the end explains Julia's fright. Thank you again for another very imaginative piece.

Lyn

29/07/2011Hi Acerbic Conehead Thankyou for your brilliant enjoyable article, cheering up our weekend. [quote]Every time he opened it – which was every second minute – it blared out, “The Leader of the Federal Opposition said...” [/quote] The Opposition said...... again today carbon is weightless People are talking about you Tony Abbott, they are asking didn't they just put a price on a ton of carbon, it's charged by weight:- clubwahDavid Bonnici Wanna confuse Tony Abbott? Ask him what weighs more, a ton of carbon or a ton of lead phbarrattPaul Barratt Tony Abbott still insists that carbon dioxide is weightless. Poor man, someone should tell him a bit of basic science. CeadaoinsChildDé Céadaoin's Linbh RT @clubwah Wanna confuse Tony Abbott? Ask him what weighs more, a ton of carbon or a ton of lead GhostOfPJKGhost of PJK by helishingly If CO2 is "weightless", how come it's taxed by the tonne? helishinglyDeborah Burgess @Billablog @LiberalAus Silly a tonne of carbon weighs nothing This Video of George Negus Last night shows how Mr Abbott shuts down the media when he is finished his arranged photo shoot: http://ten.com.au/ten-news-6pm-with-George-Negus.htm [i]Direct Action: good politics, bad policy, Matt Grudnoff, Australian Policy On Line[/i] “it can be easily terminated. If in fact climate change is proved to be not real, which some people obviously believe - I don't. If you believe climate change is going to be proved to be unreal, then a scheme like that can be brought to an end.” http://www.apo.org.au/commentary/direct-action-good-politics-bad-policy :):):):):):):):)

Feral Skeleton

29/07/2011I'm in shock. I am daily amazed at how successful Tony Abbott & Alan Jones between them, with their cabal of like-minded paid haters, is having on this nation. As I have already informed you, I am doing a Casual job as a Census Distributor/Collector, a job which started today. Well, there I was walking around my local area in the beautiful Sydney Winter sunshine, distributing my forms, when I came upon an elderly gent farewelling his Community Nurse after a visit. I introduced myself to them, as one must. The Community Nurse(a relatively well-educated, thoughtful soul, one would have thought), opened the door to her car to get in. However, before she did she said to her patient, "Now, don't forget to fill in the Religion question." I intervend and said, "Well, as the religion question is the only optional question in the Census, he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to." "No", she said, "I'm saying he should fill it in so the government can see we're not being overrun by Muslims and they think there are more of them than there are, because they always fill in the religion question and we don't." !!! She then got in her car and drove away. Suffice to say I cannot make any sort of condemnatory comment, so I said, "That's a very interesting thing for her to say." And he said, "Yeh, amazing. I didn't expect her to say something like that. I don't agree with her, of course." Which I was relieved to hear. So I said, "I think she's been listening to too much Alan Jones in her car." He said, "Yes, that man has a lot to answer for. I've lived here for 40 years and John Singleton used to live down the road and I know he only allows Jones to get away with it because of the ratings and the money." "Sad to be like that, isn't it?" I said. "Yes", he said. And I went on my way at leasy happy that not all people have had their thoughts poisoned yet.

Feral Skeleton

29/07/2011Acerbic C., Did your mother ever say to you, "What a fertile imagination you have young man!"? How devilishly clever you have been this time too. :D

Feral Skeleton

29/07/2011lyn, Is the George Negus link I am supposed to view 'Carbon Police Coming'? :)

Lyn

29/07/2011Hi Feral No the video is called Tony's "hard earned thirst" 29/7 Seems they must keep updating their page, so look to the right of the page if this new link doesn't take you there: http://ten.com.au/630pm-with-george-negus.htm?movideo_m=120932 Cheers:):):):)

Feral Skeleton

29/07/2011Lyn, Thank you. :) Do you mind if I put the link to Tim Dunlop's piece up that you linked to on Twitter? http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2816182.html Did you read psyclaw's warning in the comments section? Someone has been using his name to post approving comments about Tony Abbott at the Menzies House blog? They have no shame there.

Lyn

29/07/2011Hi Feral an excellent article of Tim Dunlop's That's awful using Psyclaw's name in the comments at Menzies House. Wonder how he found out. Cheers :):):)

Casablanca

29/07/2011Here is the link to Tony's Hard-earned Thirst http://ten.com.au/630pm-with-george-negus.htm?movideo_m=120932

Feral Skeleton

30/07/2011Did anyone else notice Malcolm Turnbull's admission, finally, that the Coalition, if elected in 2013, will now not be ripping up the NBN but instead will offer as it's policy 'a reprioritising to areas that need broadbanjd the most'? So where are the screaming headlines "Opposition Policy Backflip", "Turnbull & Abbott Throw In the Towel"? Nowhere to be found today. Instead, what we get, as Peter Hartcher points out is a confected outrage about something the Treasurer has already ruled out for the Tax Summit: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/they-cant-do-anything-right-20110729-1i48c.html Via the [quote]Daily Telegraph-Liberal Party-talkback-Liberal Party misinformation machine[/quote]. Sigh. I reckon the Gillard government and the Greens should just damn the torpedoes and go full bore for a Media Inquiry and get the breakup of Murdoch's malevolent media empire in Australia front and centre in their sights. The malicious stories can't get much worse than this and will continue anyway until the next election which, if this continues, they will lose.

Gravel

30/07/2011Acerbic Conehead What a most welcome read. I totally agree with 'Julia', he had to be the horcrux that got away. Now I can go have my shower, laughing like a loony. Lyn Have many wonderful weekends off. I again have to say what a wonderful effort you put in here for all of us. I have so many links bookmarked from the last week it will give me a chance to catch up. Nas My health is improving. I thought I was really well, but driving the 400 odd ks to visit family took the stuffing out of me. Had a wonderful time, went to local Netball and watched local Footy, won both juniors and seniors. Grandkids were in fine form, got millions of hugs and kisses which I have missed having for over six months. Took two days after getting home to recover, but I will be better and do it easier on the next school holidays. Missed not reading everyone here on The Political Sword. Have become sooooo addicted. I wonder if there is a cure for this addiction, but on the other hand I don't care because I really enjoy the company I keep here. It keeps me sane is this mad mad world. :-)

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30/07/2011Notice about LYN’S DAILY LINKS This is just a reminder that from now on Lyn will be posting her collection of links only on weekdays. As most blog sites from which Lyn draws her links take off the weekends, she will do the same. You can be assured though that all important links will be aggregated into weekday postings. We are most grateful to Lyn for all the time and effort it takes her to distil the essence of a variety of stories from the vast collection of blog sites that she has on her database. The new arrangement will give her a break at weekends. I’m sure you will applaud this new arrangement for Lyn’s Links.

TalkTurkey

30/07/2011Lyn We wish you a happy weekend and a Swordsfolks, not that I mean to criticise, only observe, that we are an insular lot really, isn't it! Hardly a whisper about what must be the biggest piece of social/political/economic brinkmanship since for ever, with a direct parallel of course with Fraser's strategy in the Australian Senate of denying supply to the Whitlam Government, which enabled Kerr's Coup in 1975. Funny how some histories repeat. I feel I've seen our current wars and interferences all before, in Vietnam in particular, but everywhere Uncle Sam decides to interfere. And it's always the Right doing it to the rest of us. But they have never been so strident. We in Australia are confronted by the stark choice of fighting like the devil or allowing the Abbott to get in just one more time and that will be like Gollum getting the Ring. (th his photo today, thanks ever so Even that 1975 disaster was not purely homegrown of course. Funny thing is now the Republicans are doing it to the USA itself. Well not funny, no. The economic pundits, who always understand these things perfectly, reckon it's going to have serious effects on the whole world economy, and it seems that the poor rich are already losing more money in a day than most of us make in a decade. Tough on the poor poor of the world. I heard a healine announcement minutes ago that a debt-ceiling-lifting Bill has just passed the US Reps, I guess that was the Republican bill? - which was certain to be rejected by the Democrat majority in the Senate. If so, what happens now? Karl Marx said wtte When the time comes to hang the capitalists they'll compete to sell us the rope.I'm not quite sure how that relates but it's got to do with greed and cupidity and cussedness gone feral. [Sorry, Feral!] Confirmed that the Bill that passed the US Reps was Republican, and that the Dems are almost certain to reject it in the Senate.

TalkTurkey

30/07/2011. . . ooops! . . . and a [i]winsome[/i] next week! Sorry Lyn couldn't think of the right adjective, put the first few lines on hold and forgot to finish them! (but nobody forgets you.)

TalkTurkey

30/07/2011Dog what a mess I made of my first post today. (I got interrupted midstream is why.) I meant to say thanks AC for the article, but especially for the photo of Gollum!

NormanK

30/07/2011Acerbic Conehead Thanks for a welcome laugh after a pretty dismal week. The events in Norway haven't prevented the sun from coming up but it does now shed its light on a changed world. It certainly has been difficult seeing the humour in borderline events this week but your story is anything but borderline. A sense of humour is one ingredient in the Elixir of Life and you have helped to replenish my stocks. Thanks again.

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30/07/2011FS Thank you for the Hartcher link. Tell me, what do you think is the identity of the person sitting on an armchair in the car in the cartoon? Gravel I’m so glad to read that you are improving and getting back to normal activities, and welcome back to [i]TPS[/i]. TT I expect that the lack of comment about the situation in the US Senate and Congress is because it is so appalling, so unbelievable that it defies rational comment. To me the most distressing aspect is that the novitiate Tea Party Republicans are the ones driving the old guard even further to the right, and threatening them with disaster at the next election unless they comply. In this country we see the attitudes and strategies of the Tea Party movement reflected via the shock jocks and the right wing press. It’s bad enough here dealing with a disingenuous Coalition and an opportunistic Opposition Leader; think how much worse it would be with an Australian Tea Party driving the Coalition further to the right. That would make the accusation that the Greens are driving Labor seem trivial.

TalkTurkey

30/07/2011Ad astra said ". . . think how much worse it would be with an Australian Tea Party driving the Coalition further to the right. That would make the accusation that the Greens are driving Labor seem trivial." Ad I reckon the Tea Party in the US IS driving our crazies to the right, - look at *Christian* Fundamentalism in this country! SCARY! And meanwhile the accusation that the Greens are driving Labor seems to me simply dismissable. WE including Brown et al and the Indies, WE are the Government by consensus. Contrarians can pull their heads in. :)

NormanK

30/07/2011For those of us who have maintained a cautious optimism over our negotiations with Malaysia, and South East Asia more generally, the speculation contained in this article should give us further hope. [b]Malaysia widens refugee plan latest![/b] [quote]The Malaysian government is preparing to extend working rights to all refugees, not just the 800 to be sent from Australia, The Age reported today. The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s commissioner James Nayagam told The Age the amendments to the biometric scheme were made on Tuesday. ”They are extending it to refugees as well. They have not announced it. With this paper they cannot be detained. All these people now have the opportunity to be legalised workers,” he said.[/quote] http://www.theborneopost.com/2011/07/29/malaysia-widens-refugee-plan-latest/ The article in [i]The Age[/i] referred to above can be found here : [b]Malaysia widens refugee plan[/b] by Kirsty Needham http://www.theage.com.au/national/malaysia-widens-refugee-plan-20110728-1i2bg.html I was not very optimistic about seeing this mentioned in the mainstream in Australia but it does make an appearance in this piece albeit by the same journalist : [b]It's the swap to stop people smuggling[/b] by Kirsty Needham http://www.smh.com.au/world/its-the-swap-to-stop-people-smuggling-20110729-1i46u.html Slowly but surely changes are starting to occur in the region. Indonesia has made people smuggling a crime within its borders, Malaysia has dismantled its voluntary police force that was so notorious for heavy-handed treatment of 'illegals', other international agreements designed to combat people trafficking and to follow the money gained from such enterprises are coming to fruition. As more details emerge of the Bali Framework being acted upon, it will become increasingly clear that commentators who persist in describing the Malaysian agreement as 'Labor's Pacific Solution' or draw comparisons with Nauru are either lazily following the accepted narrative or partisan. It remains to be seen whether Manus Island will be a detention centre for Australian arrivals or a regional processing centre for asylum seekers from a wider range of sources. If it is the former then Labor will have a hard time convincing me that it is anything other than a punitive deterrent pretty much on a par with Nauru. If it is the latter, it will fit within the Bali Framework and may see a beneficial outcome for refugees travelling through the region.

Lyn

30/07/2011Hi Talk Turkey [quote]We wish you a happy weekend and a and a winsome next week[/quote]! Thankyou Talk Turkey, I think I'm on a winsome being a member of TPS. I thoroughly enjoy your comments Talk Turkey you are magic. You have a happy weekend too .:):):):) Laurie Oakes is having misgivings about the capabilities of Tony Abbott as PM: [quote]Political lotto a numbers puzzle for Julia Gillard , laurie Oakes, Herald Sun[/quote] And when voters focus on the Opposition Leader's magic pudding economics, his lack of consistency and economic rigour, they will again turn away from him. The Opposition's carping about economic issues, and its allegations about cost of living impacts of a carbon tax, have contributed significantly to the disgruntlement and unhappiness to which Stevens referred. it provides a cautionary note for those of us tempted to write off the Gillard Government's survival chances. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/political-lotto-a-numbers-puzzle-for-julia-gillard/story-fn56baaq-1226104596714 Even Bloomberg is unhappy with Mr Abbott: [i]Politics Feeds Despair in Nation World Can Envy: William Pesek, Bloomberg[/i] Anything Gillard proposes, Abbott derides as economic suicide. Although his views resonate with a nervous public, he isn’t offering alternatives. It often seems he’s running a Tea Party-inspired Party of No that’s intent on blocking every attempt at change. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-26/politics-feeds-despair-in-nation-world-can-envy-william-pesek.html Cheers:):):):)

Lyn

30/07/2011Hi Gravel How is our dear friend going, seems very well. Gravel I know how you feel about TPS, it's a blood infection, gets into our bloodstream sorry there is no cure. Thankyou for you kind comments Gravel, I am so pleased you enjoy "Today's Links, you are an inspiration to everyone on TPS we all love your comments. See I am enjoying my days off, but I couldn't possible stay off TPS, and I couldn't contemplate not reading everyone's comments, just not possible, what did Bono say:- "won't happen". Cheers:):):):):):):):)

psyclaw

30/07/2011PS Folk, I have been unavoidably absent from this enjoyable and informative site for the last week or so. However I haven’t abandoned the PS....it’s just that baby boomers’ bodies are currently showing signs of wear and tear and some weeks other activities must be pursued. FS: Thanks for drawing attention to my travails at the Drum. Late last week a relative pointed me to an article at Menzies House urging the expulsion of “traitor Turnbull”. Not being able to restrain myself, I posted a comment and was set upon. Still not being able to restrain myself I continued posting reasonable responses and was further set upon. The physical equivalent would be being knocked to the ground, given a good kicking and rolled into the gutter, by a group of thugs. Here is the link if anyone wants a good laugh about the quality of discussion at Menzies House. http://www.menzieshouse.com.au/2011/07/the-return-of-treacherous-turnbull-leave-the-scientists-alone.html Then early this week a fraud alter ego started appearing on the Drum in my name, posting rabid pro Abbott comments. I confess that it was a shock when I saw the first one.....for a little while I thought that I had lost my marbles. Fortunately the moderator has deleted many of the posts at my request, but that requires me to find the fraud posts and write to the moderator....a pain. The phrasing and content(when he/she/it began mimicking my warning note at the bottom of each of my comments) lets me say with substantial confidence that it is the work of some of the Menzies House crew. Another Drum commenter Haha has also been sledging me the Drum this week, and again familiar Menzies House phrasing was used, and it was quite out of context with the issue being discussed. On other matters I saw the TV clip of Abbott castigating the PM on 1 July for NOT having a system to monitor corporation’s compliance with the carbon tax requirements. Then since Friday he has been castigating her for establishing such an agency.......... “a wasteful increase of bureaucrats!” Now on the Hugh Rimmin(g)ton I/V he says that the “carbon police” will be “intrusive and interfering”. Now fancy that ... a compliance agency being intrusive and interfering.........wonders will never cease. We should all tell the police next time they ask any questions at an RBT pull-over that they are being intrusive and interfering. The man is a fool.

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30/07/2011NormanK Thank you for your links to the Malaysian stories. It looks as if PM Gillard and her Government has achieved more than expected. Wouldn’t it be a bonus if conditions for all refugees in Malaysia improved! No doubt though Abbott and Morrison would still find a negative with which to beat the Government.

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30/07/2011Hi Lyn I see you can’t resist posting links, and what good ones they were. When Laurie Oakes begins to write like that, we might expect lesser lights to be infected with groupthink and write similarly. Let’s hope so; it’s about time Abbott was exposed for what he is, a negative and destructive force that is harming this nation and how it feels about itself. To me that is subversion or even sedition.

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30/07/2011psyclaw You did have a torrid time at Menzies House. The exchange there illustrates that there is no point arguing the toss with people so entrenched in their beliefs that they cannot be changed by facts or logic. The pejorative labeling to which they resorted is the characteristic refuge of the intellectually destitute. It is serious though that your name was used illegitimately on [i]The Drum[/i]. I suppose you suspect your Menzies House opponents.

TalkTurkey

30/07/2011I told you, Folks, the Government bottomed out during the winter solstice, June 21/2, I felt it! :) But it takes a while longer for the thaw to set in, and it's lovely to watch the first pretty little drops falling from icicles when it starts, our first turnaround in poll figures for many moons, Laurie Oakes suddenly er er um ah well, and soon Dear Swordsfolks there will be trickles, runnels, rivulets, and finally deluges to wash Abbortt and his mob right out of our hair. (Until next time.) The Coalons have lost just about all their gripes. Labor is burgeoning. Who has the moral compass? Hey! Soon a journo worth more at least a pinch of salt will ask Abbortt a HARD question, insist on an answer, just you watch good people, when the fat hits the shin, as Spooner was too polite to say, oh no he wasn't, I just remembered something he did say, I'm not going to repeat it here! Abbortt will lose it one day fairly soon. Mark my words! And when he does, his whole mob is going to be like a beehive minus the Queen.(Abbortt a [i]Queen?[/i] :) ) [b][i]Venceremos![/i][/b] .

Lyn

30/07/2011Hi psyclaw Thankyou for sharing your menacing escapade at Menzies House. We don't go there, oh yes Mick Weir does, when he has his hard hat on, I think he just puts his head slightly over the parapet now and again. [quote]The man is a fool[/quote] yes riding white horses and shearing sheep for the latest photo shoots. Cheers:):):):):)

jj

30/07/2011TT, You really should be employed as a spin artist for the Labor Party! -Poll figures turning around? What, from NSW-like figures to slaughter like figures! -Moral Compass- the Labor Party? Offshore processing is evil-it is necissary; no refugee convention no refugees- well maybe we will let Malaysia slip; I went to Murdoch's b'day in New York, he is a lovely man- questions need to be asked of the Murdoch empire!; Kevin, i think we should dump the ETS, it is killing us- i have always believed in a carbon price; we need a community consensus before we move on pricing carbon- we will win this contest for putting a price on carbon!; I am an atheist- i believe that the bible should be taught in all schools; the greens made me implement the Carbon tax- this government is a labor government; etc etc... yeh, she has a very clear moral compass!? Abbot will lose it soon- you wish TT, you wish.

Michael

30/07/2011Weekend Bad Abbott This article by Tim Dunlop http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2816182.html lays out in greater detail than I offered earlier this week the seeds of Bad Abbotism, almost the validation of it for those who applaud Shouldabeen, in the behaviour of one of his mentors, the dumpee of Bennelong.

Gravel

30/07/2011Lyn You are just like me, addicted, isn't it wonderful. :-) Talk Turkey Yep you did say that and hopefully you are right, but remember there is plenty of slips between the cup and the lips. Michael I admire what you do day after day, how do you keep up with it all. If abbott appears on any of the media I turn off and tune out, can't stand the lies. I was like that with howard too. That piece on the Drum by Tim Dunlop was up to his usual standards. When I first started reading blogs, his was one of the ones I looked forward to, almost as much as I look forward to reading the Political Sword.

CJM

30/07/2011JJ I went to Murdoch's b'day in New York Did you get any left overs before you did the washing up?.

Jason

30/07/2011jj, I see you have woken from your slumber! Do you have anything to contribute? or are you still content with recycling tired old slogans that your man Abbott spews forth! jj if I were you I would be more worried about the future,because no matter what happens at the next election the legislation that's passed between now and then will be almost impossible for the coalition to undo! Abbott says a lot but never says how he'll do anything,as I've said to you in the past two years is a long time,or as Keating once said "we'll do you slowly"

Feral Skeleton

30/07/2011CJM, Oscar Wilde would've appreciated your comment to the junior jerk. :) Welcome to the Political Sword!

Feral Skeleton

30/07/2011A good read from Ross Peake of The Canberra Times: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/opinion/editorial/general/abbotts-too-busy-digging-up-the-dirt/2242905.aspx?storypage=0

Feral Skeleton

30/07/2011Conclusive raw data for the Climate Change Sceptics(not that they'll believe it): http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20739-ok-climate-sceptics-heres-the-raw-data-you-wanted.html

Jason

30/07/2011FS, THE leadership of Premier Mike Rann is in turmoil after he has been formally told his reign is over. The much anticipated move on Mr Rann was made late Friday when he was given an ultimatum by two senior members of the Right faction - stand down or be removed. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/premier-mike-rann-told-to-stand-down/story-e6frea6u-1226104998748

TalkTurkey

30/07/2011Lyn, Returning Tweetie Birds Beware! :) Puddy Tat will be here too! http://www.ciscohouston.com/lyrics/cat_came_back.shtml There's a link to the funny song itself there. Nine lives, and the rest! A nuke wouldn't fix that puddytat! Gravel, we are all rooting for you, pardon the expession, as we are for DMW and all goodwillian Swordsfolks. Get strong soon. And as for slips twixt cups and lips, DYWAT!* We can survive a few slips, *J*U*L*I*A* told us long ago, you come to a roadblock, you just sit there and think Oh no I can't go! ? NO, you find a way 'round so you get where you want! Take a tumble, get up and dust yourself off, gee I wish I were like that, but she [i]is![/i] And the Labor front bench is SO strong, and so talented, that DYWAT eh! I can't wait for the next session of Parliament. That's when the Coalonic meltdown will really get under way. The media will have about grown out of Abbortt's stunts. Lickin' me lips. As Eager Beaver Cleaver on Rake just said: [b][i]You go Girl![/i][/b] Good to see the cops are investigating the extreme haters. I hope they got plenty of photos of those at hate rallies, they're going to need them I seriously fear. Jeez these recaptchas get more cryptic! Just to read I mean! *Don't You Worry About THAT!

psyclaw

30/07/2011JJ For a bit of light entertainment please Google the following: "john howard's lies" or "john howard's lies" or "john howard's 10 biggest lies" While you're at it, grab yourself a beer,lay on the lounge, and Google "george bush bloopers"......listen to the absolute nonsense (literally) that comes out of his mouth. Then think for a moment what it says about JWH that they were such good friends and that JWH by arbitrary decison on his own, acceded to GWB's request for Australia to war in Iraq. After you regain your equanimity you might meditate for a while about that fool Abbott demanding a "carbon policing " agency on national TV on 1 July 2011, then on this Friday condemning the PM for establishing such an agency. Another thing worthy of your contemplation could be why Abbott only allows invited guests to his travelling circus to regional centres....160 Nationals were the audience in Country Music Capital last week. Is it that he simply doesn't want hard questions which might force him to tell either the truth or a manifest lie? After all that, please find some time to do a TPS post and explain the following Abbottisms to TPS readers: 1) Is his saying last week that carbon dioxide is an odourless,colourless, weightless!!!! gas the same as saying AGW is crap. 2) When he said last week that pursuing a cut of 5% in carbon emissions is crazy, was that the same as saying that the coalition NOW doesn't support the need to reduce CO2 emissions. 3) When he abruptly terminates all press conferences by rudely walking off the moment a hard question comes up, does that mean he refuses to answer hard questions or has he simply got a bladder problem (the result of excessive bike seat friction)? 4)How come he hasn't yet explained why the increase in investments in the resource sector for the June quarter was a rise of 11% on the previous quarter, given that the carbon tax is driving investmentoff shore. 5) And JJ, in YOUR opinion, why is Peabody Energy investing $4.7 bill in buying McArtur Coal, when our coal industry is about to collapse? That's all for now. Cheers.

Feral Skeleton

30/07/2011Tony Abbott's behaviour is resonating all over the world and making serious observors incredulous at the negative effect he and his Shock Jock Circle Jerk mates are having: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-26/politics-feeds-despair-in-nation-world-can-envy-william-pesek.html

Gravel

31/07/2011Talk Turkey I was going to ask what DYWAT meant but you explained it at the end, thank you. :-) I just love your Coalonic name for the unmentionables. It has put a huge smile on my face this morning. Jason Thanks for your efforts for the Sunday shows. Due to who is on the panel on Insiders I will give it a miss this morning.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011Talk Turkey, You know what I'm waiting for? When Parliament goes back on Aug 16/17(?), now that 2GB have run away from direct involvement, whether Abbott will front the mob baying for Julia's blood, er, the 'Anti Carbon Tax Rally', as Rabble Rouser-In-Chief? Especially in light of the catastrophe enacted by the RWNJ(Right Wing Nut Job-see you can be crazy and a Right Wing Christian Fundamentalist too ;-) ). My prediction? As 'The Great Unhinging' which is going on in the mind of Tony Abbott, and his cabal of closest confidantes, appears to continue apace, even after ABB(how's that for the demographically-apt initials of a true elitist?) tried to blow the reasonable people in the room in Norway away, I reckon he will. I also believe Declan Stephenson will be there in the audience waving his placard supplied by Natalie of Fig Tree Pocket Close, Chapel Hill, Brisbane, cheering the Urger-In-Chief on. :)

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011psyclaw, Someone should start up 'Tony Abbott Lies'. They would be kept very busy. :)

Michael

31/07/2011Oh hypocrisy, thy name is Shouldabeen. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/commentary/why-gillard-needs-a-new-mandate-from-the-people/story-e6frgd0x-1226104567002 This article by Tiny concludes with the quote: "The Coalition will go to the next election as the party of reform -- reform that can appeal to voters as well as policy experts." Amongst those "experts" he co-opts into Coalition 'supporters' in his article, we can only assume that the largest proportion of Australia's economists who he told recently to "think again" must have done just that to get behind him; and that the majority of Australia's scientific community who confirm that climate change is real, ie, not "crap", will have realised the errors of their ways, swapped 'Galileo' for 'Pope', and started digging holes back of Bourke to bury carbon dioxide, "weightless" as Tiny continues to assure us all it is. Which rather suggests to me that the greatest sequestration of CO2 currently in place in Australia is most demonstrably... Between his ears.

Lyn

31/07/2011Hi Michael Thankyou for serving me a plate of "delicious delight" for Sunday morning breakfast. Your reports are intensifying, brilliant work Michael. I see David Cameron is supporting Julia's Carbon tax, somewhat embarrassing for shouldabeen do you think. Cheers:):):):):):):):)

Ad astra reply

31/07/2011Notice about LYN’S DAILY LINKS This is just another reminder that from now on Lyn will be posting her collection of links only on weekdays. As most blog sites from which Lyn draws her links take off the weekends, she will do the same. You can be assured though that all important links will be aggregated into weekday postings.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011Michael, Tony Abbott doesn't care about reality, he lives in Fantasyland, and he wants Australians to join him there. So he keeps spinning his web of deceit, day in, day out, believing that people's attention span equates that of a gnat. And from what I have seen of my fellow Australians these past few days, he may well be right. He does not allow them time to think and reflect, he just keeps pushing his garbage down their throats relentlessly, like a bunch of captive geese. Who would have thought that the free press would turn into the propaganda arm of the oligarchs who own it? I thought journalists had more integrity than to sing for their supper. However when I read Dennis Shanahan's self-serving justification for having solar panels on his roof, which had nothing to do with helping to stave off Climate Change, then I knew that every journalist has their price, and Dennis' was up there in lights that day.

TalkTurkey

31/07/2011Good morning Feral Skeleton. Is there anybody else out there? Hardly anyone on Poll Bludger even. [i]Que?[/i] Jason said he wouldn't even watch Lopsiders today, I bet he does anyway but he sure won't have missed anything worthwhile if not. What a bunch of sniffy sneering losers. Nothing the Government does, nothing at all, is any good. Well we will show them! :)

TalkTurkey

31/07/2011On Lopsiders today: Kerry-Ann Walsh, Chris Kenny and Glenn Milne. And Barrie Crassidy. THEY should have their phones bugged. Not even the slightest pretence at fairness. Sool 'em Labor! You know the baldest-faced hypocrisy of all? Was when Abbortt, who was already yelling unrelenting abuse at *J*U*L*I*A* across the parliament, got apoplectic when for once, at last, SHE turned away from [i]him![/i] He does it [i]all the time[/i] and waht's more talksduring anything she has to say. Ha Ha David Cameron congratulates Australian Government on carbon pricing plans. A killer kick right in the Tony's budgie from one of his own side. We got the wood on the Coalons with the NBN, asylum seekers and carbon. You're finished Abbortt. Don't give up yet though, we need you to take your mob down with you. Sweet.

Lyn

31/07/2011Hi Talk Turkey See how they sit there, with straight faces, trying to justify, rationalize and analyze (to his benefit) Abbotts crazy behaviour. Kerry Anne was trying to be kind to Julia sort off. Love your words Killer Kick, David Cameron's endorsement. Cheers :):):):)::

Jason

31/07/2011TT, You've caught me out! I did watch insiders now I'm watching Bolt and I just might change the channel and watch Fox News for the rest of the day! Luckily for me I can read jj's pearls of wisdom for balance.

2353

31/07/2011Lyn - see you're really enjoying your first weekend off and away from the keyboard - and you obviously watched the usual dredge on Sunday mornings on TV as well! ;-) TT - there are people around, it's just they are all comprehending David Cameron's letter to Julia Gillard. Pysclaw - thank for the link to Menzies House, glad you survived. Luckily I'm using a Mac; they don't get viruses :-) JJ - in words even you can understand - David Cameron (Abbott's mentor from late last year) has written to Julia Gillard congratulating her on the Carbon Price mechanism - and it's implementation. Sensible comment either proving Cameron is wrong or Abbott is wrong would be appreciated (unlikely but appreciated). For added information, read the Bloomberg article linked above (nice find FS) Have a nice day everyone - the foul weather from the LNP seems to be lifting slightly. Recaptcha bingo - "Vmax" = the maximum speed for an aeroplane on the ground before the pilot takes off.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011I felt dirty watching Insiders today. Especially Glenn Milne piggybacking off Chris Kenny starting his every comment with, "I would just like to reinforce Chris's point...". Or, "Chris hit the nail on the head..." Or, "Chris correctly made the point a little while ago..." Kerry Ann Walsh struggled manfully to have her points heard above the Coalitiion bum-kissing and Gillard-bashing. Especially distasteful was Kenny's final comment saying that his friends were now saying they felt pity for Julia Gillard. What a sleazebag. I also note that Tony Abbott is using the lame excuse, when commenting on David Cameron's fulsome endorsement of the PM's Climate Change policy, that the UK and Australia are different. Well, let me let Mr Abbott in on a little secret, Climate is global. The emissions don't just have a local effect on Climate, which is why we need concerted global action.

Ad astra reply

31/07/2011Folks What did you think of [i]Insiders[/i] this morning? In my view it was one of the worst episodes I have seen. Given the panel, I’m not surprised. When Andrew Bolt went elsewhere, we breathed a sigh of relief. But when his clone Chris Kenny comes on we are no better off – balance is as absent as it was with Bolt. He has not a good word to say about the Gillard Government – near the end he said it ‘could do nothing right’ – and he scarcely ever says anything critical about Tony Abbott and the Coalition. Did you notice how he diverted attention back to the Government when something critical was said about Abbott or the Opposition? Did you notice how, like Bolt, he bullied his way into the conversation, determined as he was to have his say? Glenn Milne was his usual obnoxious, smarmy, smart aleck self, offering opinions as the supreme expert on all things political. Kerry-Anne Walsh was the most balanced of the three, not that that was so difficult as the other two were almost devoid of balance. What struck me most was the sheer self-opinionated arrogance they exhibited throughout the program. They were able to identify every wrong turn of the Government, every slip-up PM Gillard had made, every false strategic move, every blunder and mistake, (and weren’t there a host of them) and not satisfied with that, they gratuitously offered their expert advice on what should have been done. I asked myself: “Why are you guys not in parliament running the country with your superior knowledge, insight, political nous and perspicacity? How much better off this nation would be if only experts like you were in charge!” This egocentric behaviour speaks to much of the dissonance that exists between the media and politicians. They think they know best and the politicians are largely bumbling fools who make one mistake after another, who ‘can do nothing right’. On the other hand Tony Abbott’s perpetual blunders, contradictions, outright ignorance and stunts are airily dismissed or ignored as insignificant, while at the same time heaping praise on his ‘clever strategy’, political smarts, outstanding communication skills and polling successes. That fact that he lies repeatedly and talks arrant nonsense (e.g. CO2 is a weightless gas) is blithely airbrushed away. After all that’s what Tony does, but isn’t it smart politics! The contrast between [i]Insiders[/i] with balanced panels such as with the likes of Laura Tingle, Lenore Taylor and Dennis Atkins, and today’s panel, is stark. [i]Insiders[/i] was let down badly today by its panel, and raises the question: “Has [i]Insiders[/i] in its present format reached its use-by date?” Is the opinion of political journalists such as we had to endure today, worth the candle? That might be a good subject for a [i]TPS[/i] piece. The only part of the entire program that engendered any amusement was the Mike Bowers segment. I loved the cartoon of Tony Abbott riding his bike full tilt off the end of the cliff road past all the signs: Dead end, Go back, Wrong way, No U-turn, No exit. If only!

Lyn

31/07/2011Hi Ad Thankyou for your fantastic analysis of "The Insiders" [quote]egocentric behaviour speaks to much of the dissonance [/quote] Did you hear Greg Combet this morning, he said: he has never seen anything like the lies, and the nonsense that Mr Abbott is pouring out to the Australian public not exact words but same meaning. Also isn't Greg a wonderful MP so measured calm, collected, he makes me so proud of him. The Labor party is magnificient how they have handled all the dreadful stuff that has happened. The ignored GFC, the deceitful reports on the pink batts, education program etc. not to mention the MSM. Cheers:):):):):):)

jj

31/07/2011AA, You are not happy unless Insiders spends a whole hour pulling apart Abbott and the Coalition! Sure this week the panel was more Conservative, but last week it was more Labor leaning; they do balance each other out. How can you accuse these people of arrogance when you come on this blog every day and declare everything the opposition does as deceitful and ridiculous and everything the government does as fantastic and intuitive? You are sooooo hypocritical. Psyclaw, Guess what, i had already had a look at the GWB bloopers ages ago... and they were funny. But to have a healthy relationship with the U.S. is extremely important for Australia and so i do not feel embarrassed for JWH at all. But how about i take you back in time as well PC to a time when Mark Latham ruled the Labor Party. Who was it again that got him elected to the leadership and supported him to be PM, Julia Gillard, that woman with the finest political judgement skills (NOT!). You guys even bag him out all the time, and yet it was our PM who got him the numbers to lead the ALP. I find that far more scary than a healthy Aus-U.S. relationship. As for Abbott's contradictions, sure they are obvious. But hey, Gillard does the exact same thing. They are both as bad as one another, and it is due to this that Australia has become so disenchanted with politics and politicians.

macca

31/07/2011The fact that the News Ltd shills are running scared is becoming more apparent every day. They must sense the tide turning against them. Probably even more acutely than the polls suggest. They have some problems coming up. None of which they know how to deal with. Despite their vitriol, slanted reporting/opinion the Govt polls are strengthening and will continue to do so. The very real chance of the newspaper arm of News Int being sold off to the highest bidder...if they can find one. After the NOTW closure nothing in the Murdoch group is safe. Not even Ruperts pet indulgence....The Australian. A Govt inquiry into the media. Should the Australian arm of News Ltd papers face a re-organisation by a new management structure the journalists may find other employment. The two bob hacks wont. No Australian tv tender. No Austar Foxtel merger. Even more rapidly declining readership. Ruperts skirts have been removed..(shudder)Nowhere to hide now. What was once the Gospel..according to News Ltd, is now taken with a huge pinch of salt by the few readers they have left. The belated understanding that, in punting parlance, they put it all on the Abbott nose. They should have had ten bob each way. The Neo-cons and their shills are on the way down. As we can see they are going to go down kicking and screaming. But go down they will.

TalkTurkey

31/07/2011FS, I have an idea that a lot of the [i]less-extreme[/i] of the revolting Abbortters at the Two Hour Hate* Meetings last time might be a bit less eager in future. There's no point is there in holding back on expressing our conviction that Right Wing Hatred is at the root of all evil as crystallised in Oslo. We on the Sword have been saying this ever since the election -and it really does date from [i]after[/i] the election , remember there was a short time Abbortt pretended (or probably actually fantasized) that really truly he had a soft spot in *J*U*L*I*A*'s heart (in his dreams to this day I bet). Then he found only unrequited adoration, (because I'm sure if he could masterfully master Ms Gillard he would still love to have her in his harem), now he is a rancid hollow hater and I doubt not that his masculine frustration - here's a woman he cannot screw, in any sense of the term - and he's really challenged by that, and it helps drive his fervour. But it's a bit like a coffee-sugar-and-amphetamine diet, it's all too speedy and it is not proper sustenance, no substance at all. He will burn out, he is burning out. (So's Merdeoch, and his empire.) Oslo will have made some of those revolting people take stock. We must [i]sheet it home [/i]to Bolt, Jones and their hateful ilk, and we must make it a [i]meme[/i], even memes can be true you know. We TOLD you so, We DID tell you so, if you stir enough people enough and enough times and such events WILL occur. It is sedition. It is a criminal offence. People who stand with hate slogans and yell hate inciting violence or insurrection are guilty of criminality, hey don't you think Swordsfolks that we ought to be able to make some of the less-vicious ones, and those with a yellow tinge, faced with criminal association at the least and possible personal prosecution, don't you reckon we can make a lot of people think again? Dog I do. And who will be left? Ratbags and criminals. Great subjects for police photos. [i]"OOOHHHH I wouldn't go there if I was you Mate! They'll have you on their files . . ! . . "[/i] And they will too. Oslo is a wake-up call to the Police that within those hater ranks, most of whom will do no more than scream abuse, will probably be found the one/s who will really do something terrible. Make it a meme: We told you so! It's the hatred of the insane Right (including eg Bolt) that is causing the mischief! [i]Don't let it happen again![/i] [b][i]Venceremos![/i][/b] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Vmax eh? Gee I'm glad to know that 2353! :) I might need to one day! I reckon that's about where the Government is right now. Up Up and AWAYYYYYYY !!!!!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *The Two Minutes Hate was a virtually compulsory weekly propaganda session in George Orwell's [i]Nineteen Eighty-four [/i]where people had to meet to arouse hatred throughout the populace. Amazing prescience eh.

Jason

31/07/2011Absolute Bullshit! Abbott is really stretching the truth here, the "left" have been trying to get rid of Rann since last years state convention. Rann doesn't belong to a faction and he's been leader for 17 years! This is just "desparation" from Abbott nothing more nothing less. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/federal-opposition-leader-tony-abbott-says-mike-ranns-leadership-woes-were-due-to-the-partys-stand-on-carbon-tax/story-e6frg6xf-1226105418204?from=public_rss OPPOSITION leader Tony Abbott has used the impending downfall of South Australian premier Mike Rann to attack the federal government's carbon tax. The Labor premier has reportedly been told by the party's factional bosses that they want him to step down as Labor leader after nine years as premier. South Australian Education Minister Jay Weatherill is shaping up as the leading contender to take over the top job. Mr Abbott said there were a lot of Labor leaders who were very insecure in their positions at the moment. "Mike Rann is not the only Labor leader who would be feeling very insecure this week," he told reporters in Sydney today. Mr Abbott said Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who grew up in South Australia, would also be insecure in her position as Labor leader because of the carbon tax. "There are an enormous number of Labor backbenchers who feel Julia Gillard is leading the party to disaster," he said. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. .End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. "There's an enormous number of Labor backbenchers in mining seats, in manufacturing seats, motor vehicle manufacturing seats who feel that this tax is toxic." "It's going to cost jobs big time in their electorate."

Michael

31/07/2011A particularly Bad Abbott, it being Sunday. Interviewed live around midday on the ABC 24 Hours News channel, with that po/sanctimonious face he lies through so regularly, Shouldabeen opined how dreadful it was to attack scientists, something "the Coalition never does". Cardinal Pell must have an open ended (now, now, minds out of the gutter) confessional credit account set up for his favorite boy. I am not Catholic, so I don't know the scales and calculations of the confessional experience, but I can't begin to imagine how Tiny believes that what he does to the truth day in and day out is somehow absolvable by ANY force on Earth or beyond. Apparently occupying the Lodge now is worth however many centuries in Purgatory his behaviour will eventually warrant when Heaven's ledger of bad behaviour is totaled against his name. Does nobody, in his family, in his Church, in the wider world, have enough concern for the man's soul to tap him on the shoulder and point out what he's daily doing to blacken it?

Gravel

31/07/2011Michael I am sitting here with my mouth agape. How can he possibly get away with that. Ad Astra I forgot about Insiders, I was not going to watch it anyway, but turned on the radio in time to hear Greg Combet, who was excellent. Did I hear right, did Cassidy ask Greg if the 'government' asked David Cameron to write that letter? I remember feeling almost as gobsmacked as I feel about Michael's last revelation.

psyclaw

31/07/2011JJ Good Evening. Thanks for your reply....I enjoyed reading it although it was certainly a bit light on. 1)The US relationship is indeed important. Imagine how much stronger it would have been if Howard had recognised Bush to be the fool he is/was. Howard would then have gained the respect of most yanks...they pretty well knew that Bush was a light weight fool and a fraud, manipulated by the likes of Cheney and Rumsfield. 2) I note that you failed to mention that you had googled "Howard's lies". Perhaps you just haven't had time to do so yet!!!!! 3) You say JG has made "contradictions".....this is argueable but even conceding a few for the purpose of this discussion, thay would pale into insignificance compared to Abbott's. Lying, changing his mind, contradicting what he said yesterday/lastweek/last month/last year is his actual modus operandi. It is that very conduct which keeps him "alive" in the political debate. Your statement that"Gillard does exactly the same thing" is a big whopper on your part. There is no objective yardstick which will ever measure that Gillar is anything like being in Abbott's league when it comes to dihonesty. Have you too been infected with the "tell-lies-if-it'll-work-for-you" virus which mutated from the con artist community into the Liberal party about 21 months ago. It is certainly a most infectious virus, having to my knowledge struck down Abbott, Hunt, Morrisson, Robb, Hockey, Dutton, Mirabella, Stone, and both Bishops so far. It has spared Pyne but unfortunately he has become infected by the "make-my-brain-a-juvenile-brain" virus. 4) I note that you have not responded to any of my points (1)-(6). It is important that you do so because they are all about Abbott's current conduct......his contradictions, half truths, and his flight from addressing any evidence which shows his claims to be crap. I expect that right now you are busy working on your reply to those points. Cheers.

Lyn

31/07/2011Hi Psyclaw Delightful comment 05:05 PM, very enjoyable. Cheers:):):):):)

Acerbic Conehead 2

31/07/2011Greetings, Swordians! If you are of a nervous disposition, many apologies for posting that picture at the end of “The Horcrux of the Matter”. Hopefully, you will have recovered by now and went on to enjoy your weekend. AA, As you haven’t been introduced that much to the [i]Harry Potter[/i] phenomenon, drop a few hints to your family. Then a few books or dvd’s from the series might come your way for Christmas. Undoubtedly, you would be delighted with them. And thanks for the review of [i]Insiders [/i]this morning. I’m sorry to hear that it is still plumbing the depths of mediocrity, at best. I haven’t watched it in yonks, so I see I’m not missing much. Lyn, I’m glad you enjoyed the article. I hope you are having a great weekend and feel more refreshed with not having to get up so early to do your research. We are all looking forward to seeing your links during the week. FS, I hope your feet aren’t too blistered from delivering the census forms. And yes, my mum often remarked on how fertile my imagination was. Especially when I had been up to no good and tried to cover my tracks. And no, at the end of the day, you couldn’t pull the wool over mum’s eyes – she was one of the original carbon cops. Gravel, Look after yourself during your recuperation. As you say, during your next trip to catch up with your rellies, it would be better to pace yourself a bit more. It’s great to hear you are addicted to [i]The Political Sword[/i]. It could be a lot worse – like jj, you could be addicted to [i]The Beano[/i]. TT, Thanks for keeping us updated on the US political scene. Unfortunately, we can be so intrigued by the events in our local scene, we forget to give some attention to other theatres. And thanks also for your kind words on the article. However, I sense a tinge of irony accompanying your appreciation of the picture of “Gollum”. However, I’m sure you are eternally grateful we didn’t have to look at his ring also, lol. NormanK, Great to hear from you again. I’m glad the [i]Horrible Crotch[/i] story brightened up your weekend. And yes, it’s a real eye-opener when sheer unadulterated barbarism breaks through the veneer of civilised society. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims in Norway. And the STOP THE BOATS mantra isn’t heard as much now. I don’t recall seeing Ban Morrison spouting his bile as much these days. And yes, I agree we need to continue to keep a critical eye on the refugee issue and ensure the current government’s attempted solution continues to operate within the principles of human decency. psyclaw, I could have misconstrued, but I think I ascertained a few health issues with you during the week. If I got the wrong end of the stick, I humbly apologise. If not, I hope you are starting to feel better and are on the mend. And keep contributing to [i]The Political Sword[/i]. Your thoughts are always very much appreciated. AA and FS will always ensure you are not treated here the way you were on those other drongo sites. Oh, and I am enjoying your challenges to jj. It reminds me of a cat playing with a mouse. Michael, No shortage of [i]Bad Abbotts[/i] this week again, I see! As you intimate, there must be a special corner in purgatory set aside for hypocrites such as “Tiny”, lol. CJM, Well spotted. jj is on the outer and, more importantly, deep down knows it’s going to be the case for another while. A begrudger and a wrecker, just like Horrible Crotch. Jason, I see Tones is trying to make some tenuous link between the SA State Government and the Federal Government. Stone the crows, talk about grasping at straws! 2353, Yes, that’s interesting about Cameron in the UK praising the Australian Carbon Pricing mechanism. Watch Tones try to squirm his way out of that one. But then again, his [i]Direct Action[/i] brain-fart is more in keeping with Cuba or North Korea anyway, so maybe it’s understandable why Cameron doesn’t support it. Macca, Hopefully, the day of reckoning for the owners and managers of [i]News Corpse[/i] is at hand. As Michael notes, purgatory could be playing host to a few more tainted souls.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011The bare-faced cheek of Tony Abbott knows no bounds: [quote] Fairfax also reports that Mr Abbott has asked Auditor-General Ian McPhee to launch a probe into whether the government's $25 million campaign to sell the policy is deceptive and breaches political advertising rules.[/quote] This after he sat around the Howard government Cabinet table as they approved over $1 Billion worth of barely-concealed Liberal Party propaganda.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011This is why the truth or reality don't matter to Conservatives, as it's all about the vibe that hooks into the brains of the punters: http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=0DD383A1-12DE-4710-8BB4-A0A866C85708

Jason

31/07/2011Rann agrees to step down South Australian Premier Mike Rann says he will stand down as leader of the state's Labor Party in order to avoid a leadership spill. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-31/sa-premier-mike-rann-agrees-to-step-down/2818164

BSA Bob

31/07/2011Watching Channel 9 putting on its concerned front to mention the latest boatload of asylum seekers, I was annoyed to hear Tracey Vo refer to "illegal" arrivals. "They're not illegal" I said to my wife, "can't a national news service even get that right?" "They don't want to get it right" she said, & I think that's true.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011BSA Bob, Is Channel 9 concerned about the fate of the boat-borne asylum seekers or contemptuous of them because they are 'illegal'? Or Both of the above as they engage in Abbottesque walking both sides of the street on any issue? I also think it tawdry that the Channel 9 News Editor chose a little Vietnamese Boat Girl, from back in the day, as the reporter to present the story.

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011Jason, Rann wants to step down at a time of his choosing, at the beginning of next year after the Olympic Dam project is up and running. Don't you think that's a bit too far away?

Feral Skeleton

31/07/2011lyn, I hope you has a nice weekend away from slaving over a hot keyboard. :)

Casablanca

1/08/20112353 Typo. I think you mean MACH not Max. Mach 1 is the number reached when the sound barrier is broken. ReCaptcha: 'pprove it.59' The maths of calculating MACH is well beyond me but wikipedia has a go at it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mach_number.

Casablanca

1/08/2011An article by Peter Oborne that should gladden the hearts of Swordians was published in the Canberra Times on Saturday, July 30 2011. As I could not find it on the Canberra Times website I looked for the original on The Daily Telegraph, London website. In the Canberra Times it was entitled "A new era of political substance may be coming. The Murdoch decline should strengthen British Government" (it had a slightly different title in the original). Worth a read I think. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/peteroborne/100099006/in-the-post-murdoch-age-politics-can-develop-genuine-substance/

Casablanca

1/08/2011Michael @ July 31. 2011 03:37 PM said "Does nobody, in his family, in his Church, in the wider world, have enough concern for the man's soul to tap him on the shoulder and point out what he's daily doing to blacken it?" If Abbott maintains that Climate Change is crap because CO2 is weightless, odourless and invisible I'm waiting for some journo to ask him how he maintains a belief in such essential Catholic matters as grace, faith and the Holy Ghost amongst other non visible tenets of religion.

Lyn

1/08/2011 [b]TODAY’S LINKS[/b] [i]Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair , Mr Denmore, The Failed Estate[/i] The Economist reserved special condemnation for Tony Abbott's importation of the Tea Party's tactics of wilful obstructionism and contrarianism. While Abbott's media cheerleaders say this has http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com/2011/07/fair-is-foul-and-foul-is-fair.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_ [i]A leadership Vacancy, Andrew Elder, Politically Homeless[/i] Now that Minchin is spending more time in Action Town he will be playing a similar sort of role in determining preselections etc to that played by Malinauskas and Snelling. Isobel Redmond faces the very real prospect http://andrewelder.blogspot.com/ [i]Rann Government: goodby Mike?, Gary Sauer-Thompson, Public Opinion[/i] ---Education Minister Jay Weatherill will be the ALP's next state leader and SA's new premier--to the voters for the next state election that is due in March 2014. That renewal strategy didn't save the NSW Labor http://www.sauer-thompson.com/archives/opinion/2011/07/rann-government-1.php#more [i]Centre forgotten in rush to extremes, Laura Tingle, Financial Review[/i] But out on regional radio,while he was still spruiking the dangers of the Carbon Tax , he found himself facing more questions, and more scepticism, about his own policy. http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/centre_forgotten_in_rush_to_extremes_HeoSKDAlijgvw8xp8q0GcP [i]the cult of ‘balance’ discernible in US media also infecting our Politics, Mark Thomson, Seeking Asylum Down Under[/i] The problem with American/Australian politics right now is Republican/Coalition extremism, and if you’re not willing to say that, you’re helping make that problem worse. http://seekingasylumdownunder2.blogspot.com/ [i]Discussion will ruin us all, Dave Gaukroger, Pure Poison[/i] This type of scaremongering and doom and gloom is part of the reason that our political discourse is so poor at the moment. As soon as the Government tries to look at any subject the tabloid media instantly turn it into an issue of winners and losers http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/07/29/discussion-will-ruin-us-all/ [i]Crikey, a lot of us seem to be “the far left” Jeremy Sear, Pure Poison[/i] What is just non-”far”, ordinary “left”? What is the “centre”? Where do you consider you are on this “left-right” spectrum? The News Ltd papers? Quadrant? Alan Jones? http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/07/31/crikey-a-lot-of-us-seem-to-be-the-far-left/ [i]Suddenly, US Politics gets even more ridiculous, Sporadic Rager[/i] Odds are that the comparatively sensible majority in Congress will overcome the blind willingness of the Tea Party to achieve a disastrous ideological outcome in the deadlock. Nevertheless, it takes a special sort of political insanity to be willing to ruin your own country and the world for the sake of http://sporadicrager.blogspot.com/ [i]So, does that make Obma Sauron, Mark Bahnisch, Larvatus Prodeo[/i] If the Tea Party legislators are in fact obsessed with ideological purity to the exclusion of most everything else, then we are observingsomething very interesting indeed. http://larvatusprodeo.net/2011/07/31/so-does-that-make-obama-sauron/ [i]American held hostage to two-party failure: Government of, by and for corporations, Michele Swenson, Independent Australia[/i] The two main political parties are failing to serve the people, both locked in a dance of dysfunctionalpolitical posturing in service of http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/america-held-hostage-to-two-party-failure-government-of-by-and-for-corporations/ [i]Don’t look at the rich?, John Quiggin[/i] My last post, arguing that the share of US income going to the top 1 per cent of households is now so great that any effective policy must be financed by reducing or more effectively taxing the income of this group produced a range of interesting http://johnquiggin.com/2011/07/31/dont-look-at-the-rich/#more-10037 [i]Putting away dollars makes sense once again, Ross Gittins[/i] The point to realise is that this new trend represents a return to normal behaviour after a protracted period of abnormal behaviour. We used to save 10 or 12 per cent of our incomes, and now we've got back to saving that much. http://www.rossgittins.com/2011/07/putting-away-dollars-makes-sense-once.html [i]Tony Abbott, Peter Reith and the revival of Work Choices, Sandra Hayda, Independent Australia[/i] If the snubbed Reith gets his way, IR will become a big issue. And Tony Abbott – the leader who won’t take a stance – may finally be forced to. Avoiding policy has served Abbott well so far, http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/tony-abbott-peter-reith-and-the-revival-of-workchoices/?utm [i]Direct Action: good politics, bad policy, Matt Grudnoff, Australian Policy On Line[/i] “it can be easily terminated. If in fact climate change is proved to be not real, which some people obviously believe - I don't. If you believe http://www.apo.org.au/commentary/direct-action-good-politics-bad-policy [i]Tony Abbott wins sans science comment of the month on CO2 emissions , San’s Science[/i] if Tony Abbott doesn’t know the difference between weight and mass, and is using ‘weight’ colloquially to mean ‘mass’ – then the molar massof CO2 is 44.01 grams per mole. He’s very wrong either way.So is Tony Abbott obfuscating gravity and Newtonian physics, or basic chemistry? What next? sansscience.wordpress.com/.../tony-abbott-wins-sans-science-comment-of-the-month-on-co2-emissions [i]Dear Tony Abbott,Tigtog, Hoyden About Town[/i] carbon emission that will be being regulated under the new carbon pricing scheme, another fact of which you are no doubt well aware but are choosing to simply ignore in favour of simplistic misrepresentation.Your contempt for the voters of this nation is outrageous. http://hoydenabouttown.com/?p=10342 [i]Politics Feeds Despair in Nation World Can Envy: William Pesek, Bloomberg[/i] Anything Gillard proposes, Abbott derides as economic suicide. Although his views resonate with a nervous public, he isn’t offering alternatives. It often seems he’s running a Tea Party-inspired Party of No that’s intent on blocking every attempt at change. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-26/politics-feeds-despair-in-nation-world-can-envy-william-pesek.html [i]The Boom: Iron ore and Australia, Gavin Mudd, The Conversation[/i] In 2010, iron ore overtook coal as Australia’s most valuable export – $47.2 billion worth left our shores (coal was $43 billion). Given the debate about the carbon tax and climate change, can iron ore http://theconversation.edu.au/the-boom-iron-ore-and-australia-1847 [i]The Norway Debate, Boris Kelly, Overland[/i] Political, business and community leaders as well as mainstream media commentators and bloggers have a civic responsibility to prevent vigorous debate from becoming a torrent of hate. http://web.overland.org.au/2011/07/the-norway-debate/ [i]After fifteen months surely The Herald-Sun & The Telegraph could get their disability pension facts Straight, Clarence Girl, North Coast Voices[/i] At best this is sloppy reporting by News Ltd newspapers and at worst it could be seen as an attempt to produce distress within a vulnerable group and create yet more political mischief for the Gillard Government to deal http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com/2011/07/after-fifteen-months-surely-herald-sun.html [i]The Good old Aussie press get it wrong again, Paul Budde, Buddeblog[/i] The Opposition communications spokesman, Malcolm Turnbull was caught on the wrong foot, saying the Government and NBN Co should be treating the hacking as a serious wake-up call. http://www.buddeblog.com.au/news-and-views/the-good-old-aussie-press-gets-it-wrong-again/ [i]Why NBN ISPs won’t all perform the same, Renai LeMay, Delimeter[/i] there will be a great deal of differentiation between ISPs when it comes to the quality of the service they are providing. Just as with ADSLsome providers will gain a reputation for strong and fast networks, while others in comparison will go the low-quality http://delimiter.com.au/2011/07/30/why-nbn-isps-won%e2%80%99t-all-perform-the-same/?utm [b]Newspapers[/b] [i]Q & pAy, that's the answer ,Andrew Taylor and Jim O'Rourke , SMH[/i] TONY JONES, host of the ABC program Q&A, is being paid to run mock versions of his influential discussion show at business conferences http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/q--pay-thats-the-answer-20110730-1i5k5.html [i]Future lies in power to (and from) the people , Paddy Manning, SMH[/i] Newman says investment in utility-scale power stations will take off, as it has overseas. ''Everyone expects them to happen. It can take two to three years to lead-in but now is the time to start planning and getting ready.'' http://www.smh.com.au/business/future-lies-in-power-to-and-from-the-people-20110729-1i44a.html [i]Dear Julia, you have it right on your carbon tax, Jessica Wright, SMH[/i] In a clear embarrassment to the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, and his Coalition - who have vehemently opposed any price on carbon Mr Cameron described the federal Labor government's move on climate change as "bold" and "ambitious". http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/dear-julia-you-have-it-right-on-your-carbon-tax-20110730-1i5cc.html

Lyn

1/08/2011Good Morning Ad Would you be able to fix the San's Science link for me please; Tony Abbott wins sans science comment of the month on CO2 emissions , San’s Science if Tony Abbott doesn’t know the difference between weight and mass, and is using ‘weight’ colloquially to mean ‘mass’ – then the molar massof CO2 is 44.01 grams per mole. He’s very wrong either way.So is Tony Abbott obfuscating gravity and Newtonian physics, or basic chemistry? What next? sansscience.wordpress.com/.../tony-abbott-wins-sans-science-comment-of-the-month-on-co2-emissions Cheers:):):):)

Lyn

1/08/2011Hi again Ad Something got into that link, I will try again: http://sansscience.wordpress.com/2011/07/24/tony-abbott-wins-sans-science-comment-of-the-month-on-co2-emissions/

2353

1/08/2011Casablanca said [quote]If Abbott maintains that Climate Change is crap because CO2 is weightless, odourless and invisible I'm waiting for some journo to ask him how he maintains a belief in such essential Catholic matters as grace, faith and the Holy Ghost amongst other non visible tenets of religion. [/quote] Interesting thought - however the "deeply" religious aren't necessarily all that good on logic so Abbott probably wouldn't see the contradiction in believing his "invisible" religious tenants and not believing the effects of Climate Change. Unfortunatley I wouldn't be holding my breath waiting for the question, although I reckon the response would equal or beat the Mark Riley brain snap.

Ad astra reply

1/08/2011LYN'S DAILY LINKS updated: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/page/LYNS-DAILY-LINKS.aspx

Ad astra reply

1/08/2011Hi Lyn What a great collection of links you have presented this morning! I’ve fixed the Sans Science link. I hope you had a relaxing weekend. I took quite a lot of the weekend off also. I agree with your comment yesterday about Greg Combet’s performance on [i]Insiders[/i] yesterday. Compare the way he answered technical questions with the arrant nonsense that flows from Tony Abbott’s mouth! How could anyone in their right mind believe Abbott is suitable to be Prime Minister of this country when Combet runs rings around him on carbon pricing?

nasking

1/08/2011Fox News already sound like they are declaring victory over the debt ceiling negotiations...pumping up Rand Paul & other Tea Party members. Harry Reid is looking like an old dog that rolls over because the new master tells him too. So far a bad day for the Democratic party, even w/ some proposed defense cuts. I'm sure the Syrian government is taking advantage of this quagmire right now, the past few days. The disgraceful part of this is Fox News is promoting Milton Friedman again & slamming types like Krugman who pushed the recovery stimulus...but w/out that stimulus America would be much worse off now...if only Fox News had not supported Republican measures, governors & corporates that sabotaged the recovery efforts time & time again. It's the fireman, teachers and many other public servants who've had to pay w/ their jobs & wages...and small businnesses who could've benefitted w/ a strengthening of small banks & other financial organisations if the original TARP had focused less on huge investment banks and been spread wider across the financial sector. Again we see many of the ultra rich in America, including Rupert Murdoch & his corporation, demanding the pain be felt by the middle classes & small business...whilst they too oft expand destructive & useless businesses that do not contribute to a brighter, more innovative, clean energy future. Certainly the Medicare programs can be made more efficient, Bush's big pharma-related bill was a disgrace that needs fixing...and it's obvious that private interests are making a mint out of elevated costs for equipment, care etc. And it's obvious that across the world the age to receive the pension has to increase by a couple of years based on longevity factors...but Superannuation/401ks should permit earlier access of a small percentage in order to assist mortgage principal payoffs. You can't expect the people to keep sacrificing w/out providing them some easing on their lifetime burdens. If the ultra rich & very well off contributed more there would not be the need to cut as much defense spending in the short term that might be required to deal w/ Syria & Iran. Who are probably enjoying this latest debt debate enormously. Unfortunately this latest deal looks like it's going to be another win for the Republicans & the ultra rich...and eventually the forces of greed for gain...and old toxic industries. Tea Party are not Hobbits, they are Orcs. N'

nasking

1/08/2011Also a big win for China & the Gulf States...but what do the American corporate media and ultra rich dynasties care...they benefit from investments there, housing, land and ads related to Chinese/Gulf State industries & companies. N'

Sir Ian Crisp

1/08/2011Wasn't it Greg Combet who said that the summer of 2010/2011 was so hot because of global warming? What has he said about Darwin having just experienced its lowest average minimum temperatures for June since records started in 1950? Is Climatologist Greg Combet going to say that Darwin's coldest June is portentious of a looming threat from global cooling? Let's hear from Professor Combet.

Lyn

1/08/2011Hi Ad I had a great time with the links this morning. I am sure you will find some worthwhile reading, and our readers should have some fun too. Thankyou for fixing the toxic link for me. Considering Monday's have been depressing in the past few weeks, it was great to have so much to read and choose from. There is some juicy news this morning, but I can't tell you because we need to wait for Michael's bad Abbott report. I am glad you had some rest over the weekend too Ad, you deserve all the best of every day. Cheers :):):):):):)

nasking

1/08/2011One example of how the Murdoch empire has tried to damage the Presidency & confidence in Obama admin's recovery efforts by way of manufacturing perception/opinion (somethin' we know a great deal about here in Oz): Peggy Noonan Loses It July 29, 2011 1:19 pm ET by Eric Boehlert Poor Peggy Noonan. The Wall Street Journal’s knee-jerk partisan columnist has completely surrendered to Obama Derangement Syndrome and turned her weekly Journal effort into plotting out ways to express her irrational contempt for the president. This week she calls Obama a “loser.” Last week he was a “boring” “walking headache” and Noonan suggested he just “shut up.” Oh my. Remember, of course, that Noonan was part of the conservative media movement that for years played defense for George W. Bush and demanded (demanded!) the office of the presidency always be treated with the utmost respect. Anything less was patently un-American. (Noonan also disdains incivility, or so we’re told.) But now with a Democrat in the White House that respect has evaporated and has been replaced with a type of absurd personal disdain that seems to be driving Noonan to utter distraction as she searches for way to express her scorn for Barack Obama. What’s curious is that unlike some media ideologues who relentlessly ridicule Obama’s policies, Noonan, a Beltway media favorite, seems to be fixated on the personal in a way that defies rational punditry. What’s also embarrassing is that her juvenile bout of name-calling comes during the debt debate in which she’s been trying to depict Republicans as the grown-ups and the ones trying to solve the nation’s problems. (If Obama would just get out of the way!) But as Thursday’s late-night non-vote on Speaker of the House John Boehner’s bill indicated, that doesn't seem to match reality. And actually, if you go back to last week’s condescending column, Noonan was sure the Senate’s so-called Gang of Six had figured out the debt logjam, and if Obama would just stop his arrogant grandstanding the bipartisan Gang of Six could find a way out of this crisis. Oops. Turns out it was Republican Boehner, under pressure from far-right members of his caucus, who last week walked away from the Gang of Six deal. But Noonan’s now silent on that point. This week Noonan makes no mention that it was conservatives who torpedoed the Gang of Six plan she touted as the most promising compromise. (i.e. “It's good, it represents progress, build from it. “) Instead, Noonan simply doubles down with the Obama name-calling. Question: Who’s the real loser here? http://mediamatters.org/blog/201107290011 Noonan is not only a morally bankrupt Murdoch hack these days...but she will help ensure that Progressives & others on the Left will not walk away from Obama. But Obama has to do his part to. N'

nasking

1/08/2011Rupert & News Corps ongoing war on climate change believers continues, regardless of the bosses so called belief in global warming: NO. Global Warming, Climate Scientists NOT in Tatters after New Study. Source: Planetsave I saw news of a ridiculous sort this morning when scanning the headlines. The whole mountain of science concluding that climate change was happening and was a great concern for humanity got a hole blown through it due to findings from a new study. Of course, this is far, far, far, far from the case. But, unfortunately, due to an all-too-commonly copied trail of disinformation, thousands upon thousands of people probably think so now. It is a disgrace that this sort of thing can happen in a supposedly “advanced” society. First off, the trail A widely discredited climate scientist who is trying to be a maverick and prove that he’s a genius and 97% of top climate scientists are wrong (and who seems to have some beef with his former bosses at NASA) publishes a deeply flawed study in an obscure online journal (using models that have been picked apart and thrown in the trash by respectable scientists previously). –> A blogger from a conservative, global-warming-denial, fossil-fuel-funded think tank gets Forbes (owned by the now quite infamous Rupert Murdoch) to publish his interpretation of this study and its implications (as if Forbes hasn’t published enough climate nonsense over the years). –> More mainstream news outlets (and hordes upon hordes of uninformed deniers) who think Forbes and the Heartland Institute are reputable sources publish stories on the matter as well, adding their own bit of extremism to catch people’s eyes (they know how much people love a good controversy, even if it’s based in nothing more than Jerry Springer style theatrics). –> The population becomes that much more confused about the completely concerning threat of climate change… and the results will speak for themselves if more people who are informed don’t speak up. Anyway, Brad Johnson & Dr. Joe Romm of Think Progress wrote good pieces on this story today which I’ll just go ahead and re-print in full below. Everything from here on is from them: read them here: http://planetsave.com/2011/07/29/no-global-warming-scientists-not-in-tatters-after-new-study/ the BS continues...and this morning a certain doctor and neocon think tank bore on a Fox News panel arrogantly referred to Obama's clean energy spending ideas as in tatters. Rupert Murdoch & Roger Ailes have alot to answer for. It's time they were REALLY focused on and taken to task. No more hiding behind this poor doddery old man bit Rupert. Computers & phones have been hacked under your governance. A major country wobbles during the time your cable television propaganda outfit dominated..."No 1 in cable news" as yer mate Ailes and his lot like to blowhard. Take responsibility. N'

nasking

1/08/2011[quote]isn't Greg a wonderful MP so measured calm, collected, he makes me so proud of him.[/quote] Lyn, thnks for yer supportive comment on previous thread...unfortunately I was unable to access this site for two days & didn't try yesterday. Do other people find they can't connect to the threads too...particularly in the arvos or early evening? As for Combet, I agree wholeheartedly. He's a solid character...and generally unfazeable... just like Stephen Smith, Conroy, Macklin, Crean, Roxon, Albanese, Emerson, Wong, Burke, Carr, Plibersek, Elliott, Butler, Clare, Kelly, Lundy, Marles, Bradbury & Bowen. I really dig the Independents too. As for this nonsense that The Greens run the government...I think plenty of posts should be written to show the absurdity of this BS pushed by Abbott's lot & News Ltd. The Greens want a much higher carbon price. The Greens don't agree w/ the Malaysia solution. The Greens want Live Exports stopped altogether. The Greens don't agree w/ the Mining Tax levels. That's just to begin with. This is a compromise government...far more centrist than many are led to believe. Abbott is a far right extremist w/ the odd kowtowing to socialist agrarians in the National party and a token leftish parental leave scheme...he is generally a saboteur. Not unlike the Tea Party in America. Abbott would say or do anything to get power...as evidenced by his less than glowing comments towards the UK after the letter by Cameron arrived in government hands. This coming from the Monarchist. Who attended the UK Tory conference instead of heading straight to Afghanistan to see the troops. A man who stands for nothing when it suits him. N'

nasking

1/08/2011Thumbs up to Peter Garrett for his calmness & rational approach to dealing w/ a bloody obnoxious pro-pokies & addiction audience in his area the other day. Anyone else think that Allan Jones is like the sneaky schoolyard sh*tstirrer who gets others to do his bully work? Not unlike John Howard. No wonder Howard dug that show. N'

nasking

1/08/2011Wishing Kevin Rudd the best re: his heart surgery. We need our FM back. As part of a centrist government. N'

TalkTurkey

1/08/2011My O My Lyn What a lot of work you do for Us! Please don't ever let it become a chore, or if it does really lighten up on yourself, I know you said yesterday you would have a big bag this time, but you don't [i]have[/i] to do it, but we do love you for it. Others do pitch in, FS and Jason and lots more, I wouldn't find any if it weren't for the rest of you, but especially you Lyn. You have already shown the way and the need, and we really all need to feed TPS links. I'm not much help, and I have trouble doing nearly as much reading as I am proffered here each day let alone write. [Stop Press In the meantime I looked back and Ly I see you say how much you enjoyed the doing of it. Cool. What I said still stands but.] Today I got as far as that MAGIC name Laura Tingle and off I went. I've reposted the link below because it's such fresh, clear, positive, reasonable, simple, obvious stuff, not rocket science, it's like the best of any of the stuff by Ad astra or Mr Denmore, just good reporting and comment. http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/centre_forgotten_in_rush_to_extremes_HeoSKDAlijgvw8xp8q0GcP The terrible part is that she is so alone amongst frontline professional journalists in Australia. It is incredible to me that the rest are anywhere between feeble and Anal Jones. (Oh he's not a journalist says he, he's a commenterator, so he doesn't need to be at all responsible for anything he say at all, what a horror.) This time she has made me feel good because wasn't it the Turkey yesterday gobbling about how Abbortt was behaving like he was on a coffee and speed diet and he'd run out like the non-Duracell bunny? And saying too how things on TPS and PB seemed in a sense suddenly becalmed? Well, since then Aborrtt says he's taking a little *long-pre-planned* ;-) break ,(btw isn't that a broken promise .. . . What about every second every minute blahh blahh last year?) And Laura Tingle says Julia's doing much the same thing, nice tone of article altogether, she says they're both at a bit of a stand-off, not to my surprise. But, and Laura knows this too, where Tony will be licking his multiple wounds and wondering What now?, *J*U*L*I*A* will be recovering from the huge effort of the last year maybe, but embracing her equal-and-opposite victories along with her pillow (and, I imagine, Tim :) ), and I would bet she is feeling towards the opening of the next session of Parliament in much the same way as in that famous line so germanely to be found in [i]The Man From Snowy River:*[/i] [i]"And the stock-horse snuffs the battle with delight"[/i] Remember what I said in that epic hem hem pome [i]The Lass at Yarralumla[/i] On TPS on 12th October last year? . . . . . . 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. So on reading her latest article I finally know my heart. Here goes nothin' . . . I salute you, Laura Tingle! Might I mention, [i]I am single [/i]. . ? . . Maybe we should meet and mingle! Laura, I'd adore a Tingle! ;-) *The Man from Snowy River by, who was it, you tell me, Lawson or Paterson eh? C'mon, y'oughter know [i]that![/i] Fun on The Sword :)

Gravel

1/08/2011Nas You are very informative, as well as prolific in the last hours. Thanks for all the American stuff. Talk Turkey Thanks to you too, you have given us all a lot the chew on. Lyn Your many links will keep us all busy until your next lot. Looking forward to your link that will surprise us all. Acerbic Conehead I thought I was taking things slowly, but apparently not. I'll do better next time, just you watch. :-) By the way what is "The Beano"?

Lyn

1/08/2011Hi Nasking You are being delightful this morning, thankyou for your knowledegable information for us to digest. I am glad you are here, because I thought you might be unwell the last few days. Yes the blog engine does go down sometimes but you need to keep trying because it is useally only for short periods of time. [quote]just like Stephen Smith, Conroy, Macklin, Crean, Roxon, Albanese, Emerson, Wong, Burke, Carr, Plibersek, Elliott, Butler, Clare, Kelly, Lundy, Marles, Bradbury & Bowen. [/quote] Nasking you are right they are all fantastic performers, but you know they all seem like nice people, no nasty spiteful comments. See this by Jeremy, screen shots of comments on the Liberals Web Page: Liberal.org.au publishes calls to violence, Jeremy Sear, Pure Poison Perhaps the Liberals might want to consider just what their rhetoric is inspiring, and the wisdom of publishing on their official website actual calls to violence. http://blogs.crikey.com.au/purepoison/2011/08/01/liberal-org-au-publishes-calls-to-violence/#more-11204 Cheers :):):):):):)

TalkTurkey

1/08/2011Gravel, You don't know The BEANO !? Poor you. AC will explain. Nasking Gravel beat me to it. We do enjoy your growls. I'll let you know when I disagree with something! Bear Growl Turkey Gobble Lyn Tweet! :)

Lyn

1/08/2011Hi Gravel Not really a surprise but juicey I thought, Ironman takes a holiday after calling out Julia for going missing: The first tweet is pondering worthy: MisdaMagooMr. Magoo @ABC_NewsRadioTony Abbott's 'short-break' is illness-related. FACT. #auspol #abcnews24 #amagenda #3aw693 latikambourkeLatika Bourke Welcome news for PM Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's going on a 'short break' with his family; the faux campaign finally over .Malcolm Farr Tony Abbott scoffs at Julia Gillard for not pushing carbon plan 24-hours a day. Then goes on holidays. http://t.co/syBJCGy [i]Tony Abbott gives up carbon debate for Europe after attacking Julia Gillard on absences , Malcolm Farr, News Com[/i] [b]TONY Abbott last week chided Prime Minister Julia Gillard for not campaigning on her carbon pricing plan[/b], but this week he is the one who has gone missing from the policy debate http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbott-gives-up-carbon-debate-for-europe-after-attacking-julia-gillard-on-absences/story-e6frfkvr-1226105842612 Big cheers to you Gravel :):):):):):):):)

Ad astra reply

1/08/2011Folks Thank you all for your comments. Thank you Jason for keeping us up to date on the Mike Rann situation, and psyclaw for having the patience to reply so clearly to jj. I note he has not responded. Your responses to commentors on your piece AC is exemplary. Thank you. FS, your link to Politico is apt. The comment [i]“…dealing with the Republicans was like “living in an alternate universe.”[/i] reflects what we are experiencing with the Coalition here. Truth is completely irrelevant to Tony Abbott and many of his shadow ministers, as is consistency. What counts to them is a headline or a TV snippet that resonates with their followers, and they know they can rely on that from a sycophantic media. I have never seen the likes of such studied disregard for truth, fact and reason, and to come from a devoted Catholic, a past seminarian, makes it all the more astonishing. macca, you paint an uncomfortable picture for the Murdoch forces, and I suspect the worse is still to come. Casablanca, your Oborne link was interesting reading related to the Murdoch mess. Thank you TT for your several contributions all of which make informative and insightful reading and for your poems, so apt. Laura Tingle’s article is a ‘must read’, and her link to [i]Population, immigration and asylum seekers: patterns in Australian public opinion[/i] by Professor Murray Goot and Dr Ian Watson, Macquarie University well worth saving. Nasking, you have been busy today with a multitude of interesting and informative comments. Thank you. Your link Lyn to the Liberals webpage, where violent comments are to be found, show how seriously Tony Abbott and Alan Jones have damaged our democracy. We saw what happened in the US after that sort of talk. The link to Laurie Oakes article shows that he is waking up to Abbott’s gross disingenuousness. Why has it taken an experienced journalist like Oakes so long? Finally, Sir Ian I was at first inclined to ask you to explain your more-than-usually cryptic comment about Greg Combet, but I’ve changed my mind. Please don’t.

nasking

1/08/2011[quote]Yes the blog engine does go down sometimes but you need to keep trying because it is useally only for short periods of time. [/quote] Thnx for the info Lyn. I will keep trying. Usually I wait half an hour...but this weekend it was the end of my wife's long service leave so I wanted to spend quality time w/ her. As for my health, the change of pill & using the treadmill has helped. Did 30 mins straight on treadmill yesterday w/ an incline of 8 outa maximun 16 for 1 min on 3 occasions. First time I've been able to do such for a coupla years. Slowly but steadily I hope to lose this weight and improve the breathing & blood pressure. Gravel & Talk Turkey, cheers, glad ya got somethin' outa the comments & articles. It seems to me that the Democratic party lost the momentum after the TARP bailouts at the beginning of their term...it was not a good look - yes, Obama's admin was able to recoup useful money & General Motors looks somewhat positive: http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/31/this-week-on-gps-imf-chief-christine-lagarde-and-gm-ceo-dan-akerson/ but the bailout of certain investment banks who offered up golden handshakes & huge bonuses and the same old crap a year or two later helped provide impetus for those wanting to create a Republican protest movement such as the Tea Party...were able to bring on side many who had been angry w/ Bush's incompetent wars. The growth of the Tea Party movement was also assisted by the "war on entitlements", distorted, exagerrated focus on stimulus projects (think of how this happened here in Oz w/ the BER via Murdoch empire too) and the panic created around the healthcare bill pushed by Fox News & its copycats... the fact that CNN does not often offer up much more than lame defence of the Democratic party or promotes the more corporate-linked aspects did not help... Since the rise of the Tea Party the Democratic party has failed, apart from the odd occassion, to inspire & create its own wave (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was watered down far more than it shoulda been as a stimulus package)...even the healthcare bill went from real hope of a universal coverage system to one that still benefits the private companies at the expense of the ill and burdened worker. It's been about defending and weakening compromises much of the time. Defending the Senate. Defending Medicare & Social Security. Trying but failing to defend public workers in some states. And now this: [quote]The President Surrenders By PAUL KRUGMAN Published: July 31, 2011 Start with the economics. We currently have a deeply depressed economy. We will almost certainly continue to have a depressed economy all through next year. And we will probably have a depressed economy through 2013 as well, if not beyond. The worst thing you can do in these circumstances is slash government spending, since that will depress the economy even further. Pay no attention to those who invoke the confidence fairy, claiming that tough action on the budget will reassure businesses and consumers, leading them to spend more. It doesn’t work that way, a fact confirmed by many studies of the historical record. Indeed, slashing spending while the economy is depressed won’t even help the budget situation much, and might well make it worse. On one side, interest rates on federal borrowing are currently very low, so spending cuts now will do little to reduce future interest costs. On the other side, making the economy weaker now will also hurt its long-run prospects, which will in turn reduce future revenue. So those demanding spending cuts now are like medieval doctors who treated the sick by bleeding them, and thereby made them even sicker. And then there are the reported terms of the deal, which amount to an abject surrender on the part of the president. First, there will be big spending cuts, with no increase in revenue. [/quote] more here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/01/opinion/the-president-surrenders-on-debt-ceiling.html If Obama continues this way...having lost the momentum...and allowing his government to be sabotaged time & time again (blue dog & other corporate-linked Dems are partially to blame) there might be calls for a real Democratic challenger in 2012...tho, it's hard to see how any Democratic leader could achieve much more w/ the limpdicks that run that party...and the current corporate landscape. Unless Obama gets out front on issues...fires up and explains succintly the kinda things that Krugman does so well (even the CNN business analyst did so today) How I see it: ...tax cuts for the wealthy & deep spending cuts by themselves don't create enuff jobs... ya just kill off the middle class consumer who purchases a diversity of goods & services whilst it leaves the real money in the hands of those rich who partially spend & invest overseas (think yachts, resorts in France, Islands retreats, artwork, antiques etc...this certainly assists w/ some overseas jobs & investment...but it means that American growth is flatter...and distorts the consumption pattern and priorities) It also ensures that dollars are left in the hands of giant companies & conglomerates who can promote their goods & services by way of various media in an uncompetitive fashion at the expense of smaller, more innovative businesses...and allow them to takeover said businesses or their products which may see innovation & necessary technology ie: electric cars, held back due to their CEO & shareholders' priorities...rather than that of the consumers...or needs of our essential environment. In turn, the corporations that push cheap, disposable goods from overseas are then the only option available for the poor & sacked workers... small business is then forced to rely on them or become a subservient franchises, most of the profits flooding upwards (as we've seen the past two decades)... or small business falls to the wayside as those middle class public workers are sacked or robbed of income as spending by States & Feds is cut...and they can no longer buy an innovative businesses diverse, specialised goods. Add subsidies, such as those to the oil industry, and you begin to understand why many other innovative & useful & diverse businesses can't survive or struggle. This is why the redistribution & stimulus resulting from Super Profits taxes & carbon prices are useful. You can give small business tax cuts & funding...research too. Creates a more competitive environment. But send those public workers to the unemployment line or P/T work...and cut their wages forcefully rather than hitting the big earners...then small business cuts off many of its consumers & supporters. Think of the average teacher after 10 years: They might have their mortgage low enuff they can invest in another place that can be rented out. They might have a p/t lawnmower...or use a lawn rubbish recycle company. They might travel...buy a caravan (few rich people do)...stop at motels, hotels, parks & recreation areas, gift shops & restaurants that FEW rich people do. They might buy furniture goods, electronic appliances, pools, spa as they get close to paying down their house...will the rich buy from those same companies in yer local area? Or go to the toff places they know. They might buy an electric or hybrid car...or two. Not a top knotch sports car...etc. They might get nostalgic...and in their holidays search for old books, games, train sets etc...found in second hand shops & specialised small shops. Anyway, I think ya get the gist. By America screwin' over its public workers & middle class or upper working class it is creating its own economic quagmire. But perhaps that's what some big corporate shareholders (blue chip etc.) and their puppet Republican & Democratic party politicians want? An uncompetitive environment where the money keeps flooding up...and the sacrifices are made by the many instead of the few. Same as it ever was. N'

TalkTurkey

1/08/2011Folks You might have to live without gobbles for a few days, my display mound has to go in for viral cleansing. Will I survive? (Ulp.)

psyclaw

1/08/2011Sir Ian Global warming is about global warming, not Sydney warming or London warming or Antarctic warming or New York warming or Cairo warming, or Rome warming or Timbuktu warming or warming at the Black Stump, or warming at any other sodden particular place on the planet. You are quoting Darwin WEATHER. Global warming consequences are increases in frequency, duration and intensity of adverse events...floods, droughts, cyclones etc happening in many places all over the world. While this is happening, people will wake up in other particular places all over the world to the full range of weathers....hot days, cold days, wet days, windy days, frosty days, overcast days and even some days which are cold, frosty, windy, wet and overcast....all on the same day no less. And at the very same time, no less, another particuar place might be experiencing a run of 5 or 6 cyclones fiercer than ever before and lasting 2 weeks rather than the usual 1 week......global warming!!! Isn't mother nature great. She can cause a very cold day or month in Darwin with her left hand whilst at the same time beating the crap out of the Carribean with a series of cyclones (more destructive, more frequent, and lasting longer than usual)with her right hand.

nasking

1/08/2011What a "beatup" by the usual suspect media over this Mike Rann business. The guys been there for 9 freakin' years, gimme a break! A great premier but it doesn't mean the party isn't entitled to tap him on the shoulder and say "How about giving someone else an opportunity Mike?" considering how long he's been hogging the limelight, and steering the ship. I bet there are more than a few Liberals who wish they'd had the guts to move the increasingly unpopular John Howard on to make room for Peter Costello a coupla years before he led them to a 2007 loss...in which Howard even lost his seat. I reckon there are alot of Coalition members & their media supporters who will rue the day they opened their big hypocritical gobs on some of these issues. Some of us have long memories../and/or know how to research. N'

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1/08/2011Folks Those of you interested in community attitudes to population growth and immigration may be interested in reading the Executive Summary of the paper cited as a link in Laura tingle's article: [i]Population, immigration and asylum seekers: patterns in Australian public opinion[/i] by Professor Murray Goot and Dr Ian Watson of Macquarie University [i][b]Executive summary[/b] “Surveys show that issues to do with population—migrant numbers, asylum seekers and, to a lesser extent, population size—are matters of growing concern, though whether opposition to a bigger Australia is greater now than twenty or thirty years ago is doubtful. While the majority of respondents over the last thirty years have opposed the idea of a bigger population, the extent of the opposition reported in the surveys also reflects the way questions are framed, the kinds of questions that precede these questions, the range of possible responses the questions allow, and so on. They may also reflect mode effects, especially differences between online polls and polls conducted face-to-face, by telephone or via the mail. Opposition to population growth reflects environmental more than economic concerns; economic concerns are the main reason for supporting population growth. “In responses to the question of whether migrant numbers should be increased, maintained or reduced three things stand out. First, since 2005, the proportion of respondents saying too many migrants are coming to Australia has increased. Second, while opposition to immigration may be on the increase, levels of opposition in recent years have been lower than those recorded in the first half of the 1990s or in the 1980s. Third, the polls reporting the highest levels of opposition—all conducted online—have framed the questions in ways that appear to encourage responses opposed to immigration. “If one reason why the level of opposition to the immigration program is relatively low is that unemployment is relatively low, the level of opposition to the program may be on the rise because of the growing concern about the government’s handling of unauthorised boat arrivals. The proportion of respondents wanting drastic action taken about ‘illegal immigration’ is high and growing, but this is partly an artefact of the narrow choices posed by some questions. Less brutal questions sometimes generate less brutal responses. “[b]Modelling data from the latest Australian Survey of Social Attitudes suggests that opposition to having more people in Australia is greater among respondents who are: women, rather than men; born in Australia, especially compared with those born in Non-English Speaking Background countries; without post-school qualification, especially when compared to the university educated; and not high income earners. Respondents who lived in public housing were more likely than those in other kinds of housing to oppose population growth. But respondents in outer metropolitan areas were no more likely than those in inner metropolitan areas to oppose population growth.[/b] (Bolding is mine) “In terms of party preferences, the patterns are more complex. Respondents who voted Liberal (though not National) were more likely than those who voted Labor to oppose a bigger Australia. Those who voted for one of the minority parties—the Greens on the Left or One Nation/Family First on the Right—or who voted for Others, voted informal or didn’t vote were more likely than Labor voters to oppose a bigger Australia, but not more likely to do so than Liberal voters. Distinctively, those who voted for the Greens had a higher probability of citing environmental reasons for opposing a bigger Australia, and humanitarian/cultural reasons for supporting a bigger Australia. “In addition to these more current trends, we conclude with some reflections on how the polls on population size have changed since the Second World War, what the data mean in political terms and the ways in which this challenges some of the received wisdom. “About the Authors “Murray Goot is an ARC Australian Professorial Fellow in the Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations at Macquarie University, a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, and the author most recently (with Tim Rowse) of [i]Divided Nation? Indigenous Affairs and the Imagined Public.[/i]”[/i] The strongest opponents to population growth are women, the Australian born, the uneducated, those on lower incomes and those in public housing. It is noteworthy that the fiercest opponents of population growth are Liberal voters and the least opposed are Labor voters, which is counterintuitive in that one might have expected Liberal voters to acknowledge that immigration and a larger population was necessary for our expanding economy.

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1/08/2011Nasking It’s good to see that your heath is improving and that you feel fitter. Judging from your comments about the US Debt Ceiling debate, you seem to have an understanding of economics. Are you an economist or a teacher of the subject, or simply a well informed citizen? psyclaw Thank you for explaining to Sir Ian the difference between weather and climate and the difference between global warming and a hot spell somewhere on earth.

nasking

1/08/2011[quote]wasn't it the Turkey yesterday gobbling about how Abbortt was behaving like he was on a coffee and speed diet and he'd run out like the non-Duracell bunny? [/quote] Talk Turkey, my wife & I reckon Abbott's so overdone the fitness fanatic bit it will speed up the aging process and make him more vulnerable to some gene-related illnesses. I reckon in two years he'll be a shell of himself. Noone can keep up that kind of physical self-abuse and negativity w/out damaging their brain & body. If he does become PM I reckon he'll act like an apathetic mental midget. Which gets you asking, Who really will be in charge?" And which policies will be prioritised? Considering the ever frothing & self-promoting rodent is just at the end of the phone line...giving advice to all who will listen...I imagine the unimaginative & creakier Abbott by then will be keen to rely on his instructions. Tho, it seems like empress Gina Rinehart aspires to greater machiavellian things...attempting to tip Rupert off his cabinet influencing high chair...sitting precious daughter Bianca beside her as she attempts to consume everything in the room and regurgitate it in Rinehart form...displaying the dragon tattoo on her thigh whenever it makes opportunistic sense...tickling the chins of sycophantic premiers to help them cough up the goods. But will she be remembered for narrow thinking & outright greed that led to economic malaise and a cultural, environmental dark ages for Australia? Or a charismatic visionary who helped art & science & technology flourish? Who eventually spurned climate change sceptics to herald in a golden age of cleaner energy. At this point you'd have to bet on the former. Return soon TT. N'

Michael

1/08/2011Some of these reCaptcha passwords can be tricky, but typing in "Tony Abbott" earlier for a search of Google news, the automatic term-suggesting program offered "Tomb Raider". Got him in one, Mister Google! Tiny's gone off to do his 'anonymous but make sure everyone knows every year' stint at an indigenous community, I guess. Last year he was a local school's temporary truant officer. Perfect casting!

nasking

1/08/2011[quote]The strongest opponents to population growth are women, the Australian born, the uneducated, those on lower incomes and those in public housing.[/quote] My mother-in-law's sister. :) Let's hope their kids meet migrants at uni and become their partners/spouses. Maybe have kids themselves. Makes people a bit more tolerant. Yummy local family run restaurants run by migrants can help too. Especially if they hire locals too. Plenty of poms were won over by a good tandoori chicken, and samosa after the pub closed. :) Ad astra, My Dad worked in the small business sector for decades and we've had plenty of chats. I worked for a number of private companies before becoming a teacher. I also studied economics at my Canadian high school but have forgotten heaps of detail. Took some political economy classes at uni. Taught aspects of economics via history & social science classes...and media studies (vertical & horizontal integration etc.). I watch business channels occasionally...and read stuff on the net. I just chuck out there what I think based on my experience & patchwork education. Not a specialist. Just another frustrated home owner, occasionally optimistic observer having their say...and offering up ideas & analysis...in a cyberspace that sometimes puts the too oft reductionist corporate media to sham. Thnx for the useful info on population growth & immigration. Cheers N'

Jason

1/08/2011Michael, Tony Abbott gives up carbon debate for Europe after attacking Julia Gillard on absences "The Opposition Leader is taking a week's holiday and is understood to be in Europe with wife Margie and daughter Louise. http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-gives-up-carbon-debate-for-europe-after-attacking-julia-gillard-on-absences/story-e6frea8c-1226105842612

Feral Skeleton

1/08/2011Nas, I note that no one in the media has drawn the parallel, when commenting about the 'Faceless Men' who organised the replacement of, or should I say, the transition from Mike Rann to Jay Wetherill, which is what it actually is, but no one that I have come across has mentioned the LNP 'Faceless Men' who recently organised the coup that saw the replacement of John Paul Langbroek with the 'Soupy Salesman' 'Can Do' Campbell Newman. One standard for them and another for the ALP.

Feral Skeleton

1/08/2011Can I just sat 'Bleugh!"? My hammies got stretched almost to obliviion today going up and down some very steep driveways and front and backyards in order to be able to deliver my Census forms. I met lots of nice people though. :)

psyclaw

1/08/2011N There were two big jokes when Howard roped off half Sydney CBD to host his Pacific Forum in 2006 (2007???) One was the Chasers busting open the security. The other was Howard's gutless cabinet secretly meeting and deciding he should go, but no guts to make him go. And half of Abbott's top troops are the very same has-been hand wringers from Howard's cabinet. Used goods recycled. Regards P

jj

1/08/20111) Is his saying last week that carbon dioxide is an odourless,colourless, weightless!!!! gas the same as saying AGW is crap. 2) When he said last week that pursuing a cut of 5% in carbon emissions is crazy, was that the same as saying that the coalition NOW doesn't support the need to reduce CO2 emissions. 3) When he abruptly terminates all press conferences by rudely walking off the moment a hard question comes up, does that mean he refuses to answer hard questions or has he simply got a bladder problem (the result of excessive bike seat friction)? 4)How come he hasn't yet explained why the increase in investments in the resource sector for the June quarter was a rise of 11% on the previous quarter, given that the carbon tax is driving investmentoff shore. 5) And JJ, in YOUR opinion, why is Peabody Energy investing $4.7 bill in buying McArtur Coal, when our coal industry is about to collapse? JJ Good Evening. Thanks for your reply....I enjoyed reading it although it was certainly a bit light on. 1)The US relationship is indeed important. Imagine how much stronger it would have been if Howard had recognised Bush to be the fool he is/was. Howard would then have gained the respect of most yanks...they pretty well knew that Bush was a light weight fool and a fraud, manipulated by the likes of Cheney and Rumsfield. 2) I note that you failed to mention that you had googled "Howard's lies". Perhaps you just haven't had time to do so yet!!!!! 3) You say JG has made "contradictions".....this is argueable but even conceding a few for the purpose of this discussion, thay would pale into insignificance compared to Abbott's. Lying, changing his mind, contradicting what he said yesterday/lastweek/last month/last year is his actual modus operandi. It is that very conduct which keeps him "alive" in the political debate. Your statement that"Gillard does exactly the same thing" is a big whopper on your part. There is no objective yardstick which will ever measure that Gillar is anything like being in Abbott's league when it comes to dihonesty. Have you too been infected with the "tell-lies-if-it'll-work-for-you" virus which mutated from the con artist community into the Liberal party about 21 months ago. It is certainly a most infectious virus, having to my knowledge struck down Abbott, Hunt, Morrisson, Robb, Hockey, Dutton, Mirabella, Stone, and both Bishops so far. It has spared Pyne but unfortunately he has become infected by the "make-my-brain-a-juvenile-brain" virus. 4) I note that you have not responded to any of my points (1)-(6). It is important that you do so because they are all about Abbott's current conduct......his contradictions, half truths, and his flight from addressing any evidence which shows his claims to be crap. I expect that right now you are busy working on your reply to those points. Cheers. psyclaw, No, unlike others on this blog, i do actually have more important things to attend to, but i am more than happy to respond to your previous comments. Firstly in relation to your six points, 1. So what if he has said it! As i mentioned before Gillard has stated that she is an atheist ie that there is no such thing as God; we are who we are, we do what we want to do within the structures of society- and has then said that she believes the Bible and God should be taught in all schools... it is a total contradiction and plain wrong. 2. How about you look at the specific quote of Abbott's and the context within which it was made. My interpretation of that comment was that it would be ridiculous to implement a carbon tax for an emissions cut of no more than 5% when the rest of the world (and in particular China) continues to emit; and in the process damage the economy. 3. You seriously think that this one is worth responding to? Why does Gillard give an artificial laugh every time a tough question gets asked of her? Why does Gillard confirm or deny cabinet leaks when they support her case? 4. He has said that a carbon tax WILL drive investment offshore. 5. The point that Abbott is making about coal is that the whole idea of introducing a carbon tax and moving to renewable energy sources is that the coal industry will have to shut down. I dont know about you, but i am not privy to the balance sheets of all coal producers in Australia and so am not sure whether the Carbon Tax may push them and their employees over the edge. I think that dealt with that lot. Now to the next lot, 1. Global politics and relationships dont work in that way. Governments and leaders must form relationships with one another rather than with the people of foreign countries. It is the representative government that makes the decisions on the behalf of the people and so it was therefore proper for JWH to form a close relationship with GWB. 2. I doubt you would have googled Julia Gillard's lies. They are politicians psyclaw, they all have an unblemished record. 3. Apart from the crap that you went on with in the last two paragraphs, which i will not respond to, my answer is that it is a matter of opinion. Gillard, like Abbott seems to sway with the poll numbered wind. She was against offshore processing, then she was for it. She was for Latham being PM, now she thinks he is a loony. She is an atheist and yet she wants the bible to be taught in every classroom. She was for a carbon tax, then against a carbon tax, then stabbed Kevin in the back, in part due to her advice, now she is for a carbon tax again. She was for cash for clunkers and a citizens assembly, now her ministers call it a silly policy idea. She misquotes and selectively quotes Margaret Thatcher on climate change to try and get a bit of her power and authority to rub off on her, and then claims that she was a poor leader. She was all for Murdoch at his b'day, but now thinks that there needs to be an investigation into his Australian subsidiary. She was for a sustainable Australia, and yet her Carbon price modelling shows that the Government now supports a figure of 36 million. She was against asylum seekers being sent to countries that have not signed the refugee convention, and yet that is what we are about to do under her watch etc etc I could go on and on with her lies, hypocrisy and deception. And as i have said Abbott does it to, just not to the same degree of importance. I think i have answered all of your points in detail. So AA stop your whinging... i dont hover over my keyboard all day like you.

jj

1/08/2011Sorry, i accidentally posted your previous comments as well. I put them in the box in which i was commenting to avoid having to go looking for them every time i was responding to one of your points.

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1/08/2011Nasking That explains the persuasiveness of your comments on matters economic. Please keep them coming. Jason By criticizing Julia Gillard for not being out there talking about the carbon tax while the very next day he takes off for Europe, Tony Abbott is behaving true to form - disingenuous and lying. Are we surprised? FS What is good for the goose is definitely not good for the gander.

Sir Ian Crisp

1/08/2011Psyclaw I hear you 5 x 5. Don’t tell me tell Professor Greg Combet. See if you can stop his juvenile surquedous utterances while you’re at it. He isn’t talking to union members now; he is addressing the Australian voters. Until now the Dunning-Kruger effect was just a theory but minister Combet proves that it is real. What the hell is going on in the ALP Dream Factory? Minister Combet is supposed to have a basic knowledge of his portfolio responsibilities. Minister Combet also needs to know that science isn’t based on a show of hands.

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1/08/2011jj Far from whinging, I’m relieved you don’t hover over your keyboard all day. Otherwise we would have more of the same from you.

Jason

1/08/2011Lord Ian Monkton, The only thing going on in the "ALP Dream Factory" is! we are getting on with governing, whilst your lot gets on with nothing.

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1/08/2011Folks I have just posted: [i]The Media - the biter bit[/i]: http://www.thepoliticalsword.com/post/2011/08/01/The-media-the-biter-bit.aspx