We all know just how manipulative, dishonest, sensationalist, gutless, unfair and unbalanced is the media in this country? If, like me, you believe they need to be held accountable for the gross display of injustice they push down the throats of the Australian public then this is the thread in which to voice your opinion.
I intend to keep the Media Watch threads open indefinitely. If anyone sees an example of their lies in action then we’d like to learn about it. We will document everything we can and spread the message as far as we can.
The truth will win in the end.
The Media Watch pages are archived after 400 comments (or thereabouts), as beyond that they can be slow to open if accessed by some mobile phones.
Café Whispers 
Fran Kelly was on the radio this morning complaining about Labor not getting their message out. What her segment clearly showed was that it is not Labor not selling their message, it is more our media are just clueless. She didn’t even know that the tripling of the Tax Free Thresh-hold was linked to the Carbon Price. If a ‘leading’ journalist is oblivious to what has been put out so often, what hope for the rest of us. Combet corrected her, but sounded quite incredulous, as he should.
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/carbon-tax-in-action-greg-combet/4104018
It is about 8 minutes in.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/personal-tax-cuts-to-sell-carbon-20110709-1h86d.html
http://www.smh.com.au/money/tax/carbon-tax-explained-20110719-1hm22.html
There are numerous other mentions of it available, yet tt invariably gets lost amongst the noise and general ignorance of our ‘commentators’
Cu, poor old Bloat has a persecution complex perhaps??
Senator Penny Wong has a brand new website
http://www.pennywong.com.au/
and she is also now on Twitter
Senator Penny Wong @SenatorWong
TomR
i heard kelly this morning, she was certain the Minister was wrong, not she!!
Thank you Migs. So far we haven’t run out of Roman numerals. 😉
Tom, I am getting that the msm journos are all caught up in the hurly burly..have to be on Facebook, have to Tweet this and that..wait a mo’ that’s 1,000 tweets I’ve missed. It’s not possible to keep up with this..unless you’re an Asperger’s 😉
Somewhere along the line, the word “focus” has to happen.
Could the ABC do with a little more class. Is the word spruik necessary.
Just how many fools are running the show at David Jones. First they want an increase in GST and then they weight in against the Government carbon pricing. Now they are suckered by a phantom take over bid.
http://www.theage.com.au/business/model-case-of-mystery-over-djs-exsuitor-20120702-21dbn.html
Ever wonder why retailers are not doing so well?
Not quite correct lunalava. David Jones did all the right things when a relatively obscure equity firm made a bid for them. Trading was halted and they didn’t jump in and take the offer.
From the finance sources I’ve read DJ followed all the correct procedures and was cautious as it should have been. It appears yet again the media is blowing up a story.
Joint news conference, Darwin, soon ABC24
News fights to defend journalist’s records
Well, in truth, what they are trying to do is hide the text messages
LAWYERS for a News Limited journalist have asked a court to throw out orders forcing him to turn over text and email messages from the staffer accusing stood-aside Speaker Peter Slipper of sexual harassment.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/news-fights-to-defend-journalists-records/story-fn59niix-1226416147887
It appears that when salacious accusations are made, we have a ‘right to know’. However, when asked to back up these allegations, all of sudden, we’re mushrooms.
Tom, I don’t like their chances as the court wouldn’t have requested the information in the first place if they hadn’t believed that it was relevant to the case. This is beginning to look like a conspiracy 😉
News Limited reserves the right to Harrass, Intimidate, Repudiate, Investigate, Insinuate, Accuse, Defame, Allege, Demand, Invent, Hack and downright F*CK UP anyones life that we deem is not aligned with the political agenda for our lord and master.
News Limkited also reserves the right to demand that their own employees absolutely and under no circumstances, for absolutely any of the abovementioned actions be held accountalbe or face action which could be detrimental to the business or its ultimate domination goals.
News Limited reserves the right to belittle Fairfax and comment regarding drop in readership and profit.
News Limited reserves the right to operate its own newspapers at a loss with declining readership and demands that this not be criticised in the same way as fairfax, simply because it is different.
You forgot.
News Limited reserves the right of a double standard and crass hypocrisy by not allowing anyone to harass, intimidate, repudiate, investigate, insinuate, accuse, defame, allege, demand, invent, hack, hold to account, tell the truth, expose it in any way, even if those things are factual as that is denying free speech.
News Limited reserves the full right to be the only one to do those things on its terms alone, anyone else holding News Limited to account for anything is to be hounded, denigrated and destroyed with all the resources News Limited can throw at them. This is called Freedom of the Press, but only for News Limited.
lol sorry ME how on earth could I forget !
Bolt to me remains the prime example. Bolt with his supposed superior skills, believes that he can denigrate who he wants and when he wants to. Sorry Blot but those white skinned Aboriginal people were not prepared to put up with your cr*p!! Rant for the morning now completed…
Shane at 8:34.
We understand that you’re not quite yourself at the moment.
Speaking of which, how are you mate?
Talking about crass hypocrisy, the ABC24 just had an advertisement for the Drum. The advertisement featured statements by
Amanda Vanstone, former Liberal minister
Chris Berg, IPA
Joe Hildebrand , the Telegraph
Now exactly what are the Drum advertising or confirming?
Some senior manager at the ABC is working very hard coordinating the questions between the DRUM, Lateline and the 7.30 programs. All the same questions (which could be scripted by the Liberal Party) are getting very boring and predictable.
What I do not understand, is why a senior Labor Party official does not go to Mark Scott with the transcripts and point out this rubbish. Perhaps he is too busy seeing Liberal Party lobbyists complaining about the proverbial left wing bias.
I note that Harold Mitchell is convinced that the ABC will run advertising under the new Federal Liberal government, perhaps he knows a bit more about the Libs plans to sell off the ABC.
Annabel Crabb defended the Drum on ABC24 in a Tweet when a series of criticisms against it’s blatant right wing bias was highlighted. She said the left criticise it for having too many from the right on and the right criticise it for having too many of the left on, so it must be balanced.
Wrong on many fronts, not the least being the right always accuse everyone and anything slightly left of Joseph de Maistre as being rabid pinkos and socialists.
You only need look at the many right wing posters who state the ABC is left wing biased, when since Howard gutted it, it clearly tilts right.
To give an illustration of how unreasonably locked into their warped ideological view they are in believing everything but themselves are communist/socialist and out to destroy their sacred way of life, once in an interview with Howard where he was called Mr. Howard or Prime Minister throughout and got by any measure an easy run, the ABC received a bunch of complaints saying their was not enough respect paid to the office of the Prime Minister and the questioning was too forceful and the wrong questions were asked.
Truth is it matters not what Howard was asked or how well he was treated by the ABC, the ABC would have received those complaints.
On the other hand it seems that trashing and denigrating the respect for the office of the Prime Minister and courtesy to the PM is now not only OK but to be encouraged, and I would not be surprised if it’s the same people who complained about no respect for the PM and PM Office’s under Howard. And these same people will complain if Abbott is PM and is called he, or Tony or Abbott or anything else other than, “Your greatness, Mr Abbott the magnificent Prime Minister.”
The duplicity of the right never ceases to amaze me in it’s blatancy and enormous scope.
Mobius, I’ve seen this comment repeated quite often: that she does not receive respect because she doesn’t deserve it. A sure sign of a condescending a*hole, to decide what “she” does and does not deserve.
Talk of a warped ideological view. The media are not beholding to the chattering classes because they perceive too much of a right/left bias. They are free to lean whichever way they like and quite frankly, the chattering classes see themselves as elitests that believe the Australian public are dumb because they can not discern bias.
Australians are not that stupid, they are capable of making their own judgement…if indeed they are interested.
This hatred of Murdoch, Fairfax and the ABC is a product of warped ideological views. If you don’t like a particular media organisation, don’t read, listen or watch. Quite simple really but unfortunately the chattering classes need to justify their elitism by excersising their WIVs.
I quite like Fairfax and bits of the ABC. 🙂
Hey, I don’t have a real problem with any of them. If I want to pander to my warped ideological view I read Mad Magazines from the sixties…Spy V Spy is a parody of modern politics.
“The media are not beholding to the chattering classes because they perceive too much of a right/left bias” WRONG!
The ABC has this little thing called a charter. Seeing as it is not a commercial operation subject to market forces but rather funded from the taxes levied on the “chattering classes”.
It seems many do not read Fairfax or News Ltd and they are going broke (oh dear, never mind). The ABC has a responsibility to ensure balance.
If the Charter is so effective then why is the right screaming bias?
The right has a very good propaganda unit. One of the oldest tricks is to accuse the other side of behavior that you constantly use .
Howard had ten years and was on a mission from God to stack the senior management of the ABC with ultra conservative supporters.
Their priority was to get rid of people like “Red” Kerry O’Brien. Just look at Leigh Sales when she was on Lateline and her performance now on 7.30. It’s as much the guy behind the camera, the “Faceless” men and women who ensure a shallow narrative is maintained. Why does a two year old alleged “broken promise” by the PM still get constant attention while Abbott’s daily lies get swept away under the carpet?
Come on, both sides have very good propaganda units because that is now the main game. Maybe the broken promise/lie getting constant attention because a tax was recently introduced and it will not go away anytime soon.
I told you why scaper. The right always scream bias against them, even when it’s the right doing the reporting and it’s favourable.
Projection is their favorite tactic and one they employ all the time.
Same could be said about the screaming of bias of Murdoch on this very thread. Projection is everyones favourite tactic. Karl Bitar was a fine exponent of the art and in some circumstances, refined the art.
Scaper, surely you’ve seen the right-winged bias of the Murdoch media.
I might add, I noticed a left-leaning bias of the ABC leading up to the 2007 election, so I’m not being one-sided on this issue.
I see bias everywhere but it doesn’t bother me. I believe Australians can make up their own minds and form their own opinions, regardless.
Scaper, that is completely dependent upon how much factual information one is presented with. One can make up one’s own mind when present with the facts, and free from bias. Today’s media presents opinion as factual information thereby denying Australians the right to make an informed opinion.
They are free to lean whichever way they like
The private ones can lean anyway they want. But they still need to adhere to their own cose of conduct. ltd news clearly don’t
Facts must be reported impartially, accurately and with integrity.
Click to access NewsLimited_ProfessionalCoC.pdf
The last media watch had another example of this massive failure
Verifying the veracity of front page stories
Sydney’s Daily Telegraph seems to have more trouble than most verifying the veracity of its stories. For example, last Monday’s front page:
http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s3537340.htm
ltdnews are repeat offenders of putting what could best be described as ‘less than accurate’ stories. Interestingly, these stories inevitably always reflect poorly on the Government, never the opposition. Coincidence ❓
It is truly time that we truth in reporting laws as they do in Canada. Interesting also, that that is one of the few countries murdhoch hasn’t slithered his tentacles into. I wonder why that might be?
I believe it is sources that the journalist fight to support. They are being ask for the information and documents here.
I wonder what chaff bag shock jocks will make of this.
Roxon at centre of alleged kill threat
http://www.theage.com.au/national/roxon-at-centre-of-alleged-kill-threat-20120704-21giw.html
The level of ‘debate’ in this country has become imbued with anger and voilence, fed relentlessly by an opposition not afraid to use a range of violent imagery, and a more than willing media prepared to amplify it for them. Do we need an event like what happened in America to finally sit up and take notice?
Today’s media presents opinion as factual information thereby denying Australians the right to make an informed opinion.
interesting that you should raise that very valid point Min. From the ltdnews pdf
1.2 Clear distinction must be made between fact, conjecture and comment.
I’ll bet steve lewiswished he’d read it too 😉
Journalists should be reluctant to rely on only one source. Be careful not to recycle an error from one reference source to another. Check and check again.
Tom R
Steve Lewis probably checked more than one source, that of Ashby. He probably checked with Mal Brough. Chris Pyne and Mark McCardle. And Pyne probably told him about Julie and Tony and………
Last night on Lateline you had Palmer declare he MAY stand for pre-selection in the seat of Kennedy, the seat held by Bob Katter.
Well as no doubt forseen by the coalition the thought of a Palmer-Katter clash has delighted the first of the msm, with more to follow.
This morning Michelle Grattan declared to Fran Kelly her absolute delight at such a contest. What else would a political journalist need, she moaned in delight. Nothing could match it, oh the joy!
Shame for the voters of Australia, as Grattan has just declared her own slogan
“THERE WILL BE NO ANALYSIS OR HOLDING TO ACCOUNT OF ABBOTT AND COALITION POLICIES, WHILE I AM A POLITICAL JOURNALIST OF THE AGE”
Thanks Michelle for the heads up, I am sure more of your colleagues will follow.
Tom R @ 1.23pm, 4th.
I wonder what chaff bag shock jocks will make of this.
Roxon at centre of alleged kill threat
The shock jocks won’t see the connection. Won’t, not can’t.
Sue, Grattan has joined the kiddies instead of setting an appropriate tone as a VERY senior journalist.
Amazing how easy it is to “throw the switch” to vaudeville and how the “quality” MSM journalists happily follow the pied piper down the road to mediocrity.
The sooner these clowns go behind a pay wall (into their sheltered workshop) the better it will be for Australian Democracy.
Palmer last night on Lateline. What was he up to. I get the impression he is playing games with Abbott. One gets the feeling, he thinks Abbott is nothing more than a fool.
Many of his statements appeared to have double meaning.
Defence chiefs condemn News Ltd for naming slain soldier
by Amber Jamieson
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/07/06/army-chiefs-condemn-news-ltd-for-naming-slain-soldier
Along with the rest of the population. I never thought I’d agree with Clive on anything.
Meanwhile, back at the carbon price…….
http://newmatilda.com/2012/07/05/taxing-times-0
So to get rid of the evil of News Ltd we need some more paywalls
“FALLING circulation and stagnant online readership were responsible for the resignation of Herald Sun editor Simon Pristel, media insiders said yesterday.
Weekday sales of the paper were reputedly down about 50,000 copies from the approximate 520,000 when Pristel was appointed and began taking the paper downmarket. Subscriptions to its website were described as disappointing.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/readers-go-and-so-does-an-editor-20120706-21mot.html#ixzz1zsmqvkYw
If Herald Sun is stagnating WHY OH WHY did the PM throw them a lifeline and do an online chat session?
Who is advising the PM?
As if people were going to pay for bullshit. Not even those mindless curs the dog whistles were aimed at are going to pay to have their ingrained biases regularly confirmed.
Could not resist it. What amazes me, is the fragile chins of the right wing.
The story that upset him so. Who is and what is a lie.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/taxing-the-truth-why-we-must-not-let-abbotts-dogmas-lie-20120706-21mlz.html#ixzz1ztS6Tu5f
Cu, I’m yet to detect an element of truth. 😉
An element of bullshit is more like it.
Just had a look at news.com. Tony Abbott says Labor’s faceless men are gearing up for another leadership challenge.
Yawn. 🙄
Yes Migs all based on the fact Therese Rein would not say that Rudd wouldn’t challenge again.
It’s the, “We’ll ask someone a stupid question that no matter how it’s answered will be framed in the story the way we have already written it. Even if you don’t answer that will be written as confirming our made up story.”
Tony Abbott says Labor’s faceless men are gearing up for another leadership challenge.
It’ newspoll weekend Migs, they always run with ruddership on newspoll. They are like clockwork (orange?) 😉
The rest of the answers that were left to Combet to answer.
This morning AM edited out a response by Combet to a question by Samanta Hawley.
At 6am Hawley was questioning the Coalition’s right to have their posters in small businesses, to which she said “Australia is a democracy” At which point Combet cut in and said “Yes Australia is a democracy and I have a right to answer your question”
Now at 8am this had been cut out. I will wait to see what is put up on the AM ABC web site before phrasing my comments to the ABC.
Sue, that says so much about “ourABC” and democraxcy
Tim Dunlop has a new website
http://www.newsgraf.com/
The transcript of the ABC AM interview by Samantha Hawley with Greg Combet does not include the 6am question and answer on “Australia is a democracy”. Hawley lost the argument but the ABC won with editorial removal of the poor performance of Hawley.
Far be it for the ABC to truthfully show a strong response by a Cabinet Minister to an ineffectual journalist.
A complaint has been lodged, I know nothing will happen.
The Gina effect
‘Since Gina bought her 10% stake in November 2010 and stuck Bolt on the box, Ten’s shares have delivered a negative total return of 60%, compared with 4% for the index.’
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/
Cu
More from above
“Mr Medcraft did not name Mrs Rinehart or Mr Packer directly. However, he made it clear that the regulator is concerned about recent boardroom battles where the respective chairmen at Fairfax Media and Echo Entertainment have been subjected to high profile personal attacks.
“Where there are means other than legal or other means used to take control of a board, then I believe that needs to be looked at in terms of the spirit of the takeover laws,” Mr Medcraft said.
“We are all about making sure that markets are fair and efficient, and particularly that they are fair, ”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-11/asic-seeks-creeping-acquisition-changes/4123342
Taking control by personal attacks and undermining, seems to be the way in all levels of society not just the corporate world.
Media bosses must stop meddling in our democracy
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/philosophy/democracy/media-bosses-must-stop-meddling-in-our-democracy/
Abbott is desperately trying a “look over here” with his “trust me” news grabs on the proposed changes to Industrial Relations.
Maybe his chances of winning government have sunk faster than a leaky boat after a stream of experts and naval personnel have bucketed his “turn back the boats” rubbish. Latest installment is worth a read:
Captain Defied Order On Boat
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/captain-defied-order-on-boat-20120711-21wda.html
Perhaps about could bring back the lash.
Tim Dunlop pwns the IPA
Why commercial media should learn their ABCs
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4125840.html
John Roskam…
The Power Index: thinkers, IPA boss John Roskam at #9
and
http://www.crikey.com.au/2012/01/24/the-power-index-thinkers-ipa-boss-john-roskam-at-9/
Interesting; Liberal “heavy” [or former “heavy”] Michael Kroger was an ABC Board member.at the time of the IPA’s arrival at ABC’s the Drum.
Then there’s Rupert Murdoch
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/how-an-unpretentious-charmer-became-fixated-on-a-conspiracy-of-liberals-20120127-1qlkg.html#ixzz20NXLhkOw
“We did not elect you, so stop interfering in our democratic processes.”
The media elected her!!!!
I believe the voters did, to govern for the good of all. That includes the media, but not it alone,
The voters also voted for the PM to protect them from the extremes of institutions within the community. That in my eyes, includes the media.
I really appreciate Mr. Denmore’s sense of humour.
http://thefailedestate.blogspot.com.au/
Murdoch and ex-editor trade blows
http://www.thepowerindex.com.au/head-to-head/murdoch-and-ex-editor-trade-blows/201207121550
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/journo-shield-laws-face-first-test-in-federal-court/story-e6frg996-1226424883301
Eddie, thank you for that..this is to do with the journalist shield laws, that being that there is a legal presumption that journalists do not have to reveal the identity of their sources.
This is just a guess-timate from yours truly at present, as the law is yet to be tested in court. I would say that generally the legal presumption relates to a case where the material is on the side of the Defence, as clearly the identity of the source could be used as a method of undermining the Defence’s case. However, what about when the source is on the side of the Prosecution..should that source also be shielded from public scrutiny? The person, in this case Peter Slipper has the right to know the identity of those who are providing evidence against him. How to defend oneself otherwise?
The other interesting thing in this case Min is that the sources are already known. Mr Lewis wouldn’t be revealing his sources, just the content of the communications between them.
Bacchus, excellent pick-up on that one. Therefore attempting to invoke the journalist shield laws looks even shakier. Lewis’s lawyers are basically trying to say, X person said something about you, but we don’t want to tell what the something was.
CU @ 6.12 pm
a great example of an oxymoron
“NEWS Limited chief executive Kim Williams has upped the stakes in the media regulation debate, declaring he is willing to go to the High Court to protect free speech.”
Whose free speech, definitely not the people who have been victimised by News.
Well, there are many supporters.
Pity what they have to say is behind a paywall.
Pip @11.01am, do you reckon Williams said that with a straight face?
Clive, how about offering a bit of hope to us punters who are desperate for a glimpse of that most rare and endangered beast, honest, unbiased, truthful political reporting. I don’t hold out much hope of that, if Clive gets his paws on any sort of news service, online or not.
Some have been trying for weeks to get this off the ground. Bolt is the leader of the pack.
If McClelland is guilty as charged, he should be expelled from the Labor Party. No ifs or buts.
It is nice to see this week, some Laborites getting up and showing some dissent.
This should be the norm.
Bushfire Bill over at PB does an excellent take down of another rubbish story in the ltdnews misrepresenting the Carbon Price
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/07/14/seat-of-the-week-moreton/comment-page-37/#comment-1343041
A must-bookmark site for ABC watchers – ABC Gone To Hell http://www.abcgonetohell.net/
Holding their ABC to account for bias and poor editorial performance.
An interesting read, especially considering the discussion across this site and others of the attack of the Right
“Challenge to print media regulation would almost certainly fail
Williams’s (News Ltd) threat is unusual given no legislation has been passed, nor has the government even declared its hand. It shows how opponents of federal government policies are willing to quickly shift their focus from Parliament to the courts.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/challenge-to-print-media-regulation-would-almost-certainly-fail-20120716-226e5.html#ixzz20prLRxF1
Gosh I didn’t realise there were any benefits from John Howard’s Workchoices legislation, but apparently the Right in the msm have Howard to blame for possible media regulation. Talk about ‘karma baby’
“The possibilities for regulating print opened up in 2006 when the High Court upheld John Howard’s Work Choices legislation. In doing so, judges gave a very wide reading to the federal power over ”trading corporations”.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/challenge-to-print-media-regulation-would-almost-certainly-fail-20120716-226e5.html#ixzz20ps14tLT
Looks like the AFR is heading down the oo path Sue. Their new leader is already turning it to shit.
and it isn’t an isolated issue
Tom R
As soon as I saw who the new editor was it confirmed that I would not buy a subscription.
The Tom Cummings tweet I read the article and thought the msm had deliberately lied for the headline, which will of course aid in their demise. The other thing about the gotcha headline, it then gave free advertising / story to the anti-pokie lobby, oh dear what a shame.
Sue, thanks for those links to the Age article. Reading the comments too helps one understand why the government has been rather low key so far in tackling the issue. Quite apart from new legislation having the potential to shore up a future propagandist Abbott govt. it’s easy to see how the current duopoly will fight a reform moving from self regulation to a statutory body. Any effor to change the status quo becomes an attack on ‘freedom of speech’ – as if that really existed any more. Mind you Bob Hawke bears as much responsibility as anyone for allowing Murdoch to destroy that, as do any Australians who own shares in News Corp and benefit from its profits. Does anyone, including Hawkie, think about how they’ve sold our right to know and to express our views, as they watch share prices for News keep growing?
John Milton’s Areopagitica,
Crying freedom for the press
Back in 17th century England,
Resisted monarchy’s excess.
His tract was a mighty weapon
In democracy’s progress.
We are the beneficiaries
Of his most eloquent address.
But we ‘free-born’ are complicit,
As we watch and acquiesce
While that freedom is abused
With a brazen shamelessness.
We encouraged one man’s ambition
To buy up, control, possess
As property our thoughts in print,
And we applauded his success.
We shared profits with this behemoth
Who now destroys our happiness
And publishes news of the world,
Writ as he commands it be expressed.
This threat of global tyranny,
Warns that it’s time to re-possess
What for him is now a licence
To break all rules and decency transgress.
Our precious freedom so perverted
Has caused democracy’s regress.
Let’s use our laws while we still can,
Redeem ourselves, and truly free the press.
http://polliepomes.wordpress.com/2011/07/08/remember-true-liberty-is-when-free-born-men-speak-free/
Cassidy has a rare moment of insight.
One of the Prime Minister’s problems is that if you were to take a straw poll of federal parliamentary press gallery, probably 80 per cent on my soundings would predict the demise of Gillard before the end of the year.
They are, of course, only guessing. They don’t know. How could they know? How could they know with any clarity whether Rudd’s numbers will grow to where they need to be?
But that kind of mind set has a self-fulfilling prophecy to it. The journalists don’t want to be wrong, whether they make the predictions in public or in private conversations among their peers. They become willing participants in what to many of them is the only game in town.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-20/cassidy-leadership-speculation/4141546
And yet these vapid tools complain to us about their precious ‘business model’ and the nasty old internet. “The only game in town” bullshit. It is in reality nothing but a background noise, amplified out of all control by empty heads too talent-less to analyse real issues, to scared to dissect politics for what it is, and, as a result, become the tools of a politician, rather than a gatekeeper to democracy.
It is also interesting how this background noise gets amplified out of all control every two weeks, corresponding directly with the very newspoll that these tools claim is the cause of all this naval gazing.
Self-fulfilling prophecy indeed, fully-enabled by those claiming it is self-fulfilling.
Bushfire Bill is one to take notice of over at PB. He has been proven accurate many times previously, and, I think (hope) he will again. I also hope he doesn’t mind me copying such a large amount of his post
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/07/16/essential-research-57-43-to-coalition/comment-page-80/#comment-1347448
wow, just wow. pyne must be getting nervous as hell right now, for him to start lecturing a judge on how to run his own courtroom
A JOURNALIST at the heart of the Peter Slipper scandal should not have to reveal his sources, the manager of opposition business says.
Christopher Pyne says News Limited journalist Steve Lewis should not be forced to hand over a document revealing a confidential source’s identity.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/breaking-news/protect-slipper-journos-sources-pyne/story-e6freuz0-1226430548077?sv=12e313f6d55fd02004b4bfab4ac86d60
Again, as Bushfire Bill highlights, the judge has already made a determination in this respect, sorry whyney pyney, It is out of your hands now. It is up to the courts
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/07/16/essential-research-57-43-to-coalition/comment-page-81/#comment-1347466
Tom, yes indeed journalists have the convention of being able to protect their sources but as this is the prosecution then clearly you cannot *prosecute* someone without the accused being advised of the accusation and who made it.
If as per Pyne you say that a journalist’s sources take precedence over the rights of the accused..well then sorry Pyne, but you’re wrong.
From your link..Pyne said the scandal was yet another reason why the government should call an election. Pyne is being Abbott-lite in the boss’s absence…
I also believe the judge has stated that Lewis does not have to name his source but only hand over the content, which had Lewis in a flurry attempting to delay the order.
The content of the correspondence must be explosive against News Ltd and the opposition, they are going to inordinate lengths to keep it from the court.
I also believe a judge can also ask that complete correspondence be handed over in confidence so they can make a judgement but not make the contents public.
I think the actual case of the document was that , if the source in it is Ashby, hand it over, cos Lewis himself had already exposed him as a source on radio (with some help from a poster at PB I might add). If the source is someone else, then it may well stay confidential.
I think they are determining that as we speak?
Tom R @ 9.35
Cassidy didn’t watch his wife on 7.30 last night. Her story on a need for a skilled workforce segued into the Gillard leadership.
So his straw poll analysis needn’t go anywhere else than the breakfast table.
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3549446.htm
Mobius, I should imagine that the more the prosecution attempts to deny putting the facts before the court, the more p*d off that judge is going to become. Judges are there for a reason, that is experience and they’ve seen it all before and done it all before.
Yes a judge can do that. Mostly it’s due to self-incrimination. I am not getting that this is the case but rather as you suspect that the contents are indeed going to be explosive.
I heard about the 7.30null last night. Apparently, after wasting all the time on leadershit again, she then had the balls to complain that Labor just can’t get their message out.
Their breakfast table must be a bland affair.
“Gillard gone by Feb”
“I’ll take March.. no June..”
“what year?”
FFS
Tom, that’s the same tactic as we’ve been noting..it seems for eons…provide zilch factual information, spread a few rumours, run with endless speculation, then follow through with pontifications about how the government can’t get it’s message out.
ABC’s ‘balance’ exposed
http://abcgonetohell.net/2012/07/18/ipa-wins-the-battle-of-the-think-tanks-and-the-abcs-heart/
Lewis doesn’t have to produce a document BUT his text messages will be available.
“The Commonwealth and Peter Slipper will be able to use text messages sent between James Ashby and his alleged co-conspirators as evidence in support of their abuse of application set down for Monday.
Lewis’s barrister, said the reporter maintained that he did not have to produce a document captured by a subpoena issued on behalf of Mr Slipper in support of the abuse of process application.
Advertisement
Lewis claims the document could identify a confidential source and that new “shield laws” protected him from having to disclose that information.
The Commonwealth and Mr Slipper accepted Mr Leopold’s contention.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/ashby-text-messages-allowed-as-evidence-20120720-22efq.html#ixzz2186TAbUS
Here is a hint for Heather and Barry at the kitchen table.
When you have a story such as the one last night on 7.30, about the country needing more skilled workers. Rather than segue onto Gillard leadership, how about: How are the states reacting
Victoria cutting TAFE
Qld slashing 23 million from education.
Of deary me, that sounds a bit too hard, it may take a journalist a bit more time and energy, than repeating what the group is thinking.
Tom R @ 9.58am, I wrote to a friend this morning that I’d like the government to come out swinging against Murdoch and his loyal minions; hopefully this is it..
From your link
Murdoch’s power exposed in McKnight book, but others let off hook
http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/51655
and this…
.
It seems very clear that our current Prime Minister didn’t want to play his game…
Neither did Gough, Pip, and look what they did to him.
What does that say about the others Migs?
Maybe he liked the, Pip, so didn’t set out to destroy them.
If you say so Migs.. not my opinion tho’ nor yours either I suspect 😀
Just how deep does the malfeasance of News Ltd in the UK go?
Astonishing story of a photographic agency’s surveillance exploits
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jul/19/news-corp-shareholders-murdoch-resign?CMP=twt_gu
The old bugger doesn’t want to go, does he Eddie?
News ltd running low on stories, they are now recycling stories
i suppose running the never ending leadership rubbish on gillard, gives them license to rerun the campbell newman car accident
this from 4 july
http://www.news.com.au/national/premier-campbell-newman-in-car-crash-on-sunshine-coast/story-fndo4ckr-1226416470385
this from 21 july
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/premiers-car-whacked-in-nasty-crash/story-e6frfku9-1226416615070http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/national/premiers-car-whacked-in-nasty-crash/story-e6frfku9-1226416615070
Good pick up, Sue.
This fella is more annoying than Abetz!
Liberal senator founded group campaigning for Rinehart influence
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/liberal-senator-founded-group-campaigning-for-rinehart-influence-20120717-228ot.html#ixzz21GSPpt6Z
Pip, with regard to the last para; yeah, right.
Excuse me while I choke.
Pass the bucket …
Sue news.con are the leaders in recycling… kinda….
Pip, I actually watched something on TV tonight. 🙂
Some game of footy up in Darwin.
CU
Murdoch leaving News International sounds like Hardies moving a company offshore.
For Murdoch it is cut off the area that is diseased, its power is diminishing rapidly, leave it without funds to fight the litigants and move to another company with the new medium and retain political power.
Sue, also Australian papers…
and
and
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/murdoch-resigns-from-news-corp-boards/story-e6frf7k6-1226431949636
Rupert Murdoch Isn’t Getting Out of Newspapers
by Andrew Neil Jul 22, 2012 8:13 AM EDT
After a year of scandal, the mogul stepped down from boards of several of his U.K. newspapers. Andrew Neil on why the spin doctors need to relax—Murdoch’s not getting out of the business.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/07/22/rupert-murdoch-isn-t-getting-out-of-newspapers.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=cheatsheet_morning&cid=newsletter%3Bemail%3Bcheatsheet_morning&utm_term=Cheat%20Sheet
Like Howard, he’s araldited to his seat.
Migs , J. just came across this little gem about F1 boss Bernie Eccleston
http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/f1-grand-prix/german-courts-take-aim-at-ecclestone-1.1346114#.UAwR8vVck3x
How could anyone pay FORTY FOUR MILLION DOLLARS under duress, [not a bribe] hmm…
These old codgers live in a different universe to ordinary mortals.
He’s another dubious character.
The man is 81 years old and still has a Beatles haircut… what can one say ??
Half his luck. 😦
Lowlife bastards
http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/07/you-bastards-grieving-mother-slams-seven-news.html
Tom, it’s hard to imagine anything lower.
Tom, they’ve also successfully predicted 18 of the last two recessions.
hey’ve also successfully predicted 18 of the last two recessions.
and yet, it is being played out across the pages of the low-life bastards a fete complete.
And then, the next story, they wonder why business confidence doesn’t reflect our actual trajectory?
Yes Tom, I wish the sky would finally fall down and put an end to all this misery.
Sooner or later they will be right Migs, kinda like the ‘Gillard is gone’ meme
http://yfrog.com/z/gyryktp
Tom @ 8.05am, from your link
Really ??
Tom @ 8.54am….. Gold 😆
The PM needs to be given a copy of the 7.30 interview by Leigh Sales with Bill Shorten, it is a good example of why with the media repeats, the message does not get through. If the government cannot get any decent questions on real issues with the ABC they may as well rely on social Media.
As Shorten said, it is your show ask whatever you like but if you aren’t going to bother testing the government and opposition on policies, then why bother. Shorten tried mentioning issues important to the electorate but Sales then rushed out her list of pointless gossip nothingness.
Sales was once an investigative journalist, now she repeats a list of pointed opinions as directed by the offscreen directors, news editors or whatever..
Sue, I was just reading some comments elsewhere about this one. There is no challenge in the media to the “pointless gossip nothingness”. Perhaps Café Whispers @7.30pm..and our front man/woman would be..I dob in Migs because I know that he enjoys public speaking. 😉
The Murdoch phone hacking, got information from stolen cellphones
allegations that information was obtained from stolen cellphones, significant payoffs were made to public officials, and “medical, banking and other personal records”
‘The police are aware of information that Mr. Murdoch’s papers obtained from two stolen cellphones, she said. One was in Manchester, in northern England, and the other in southwest London. She said that it seemed that one of thee phones had “been examined with a view to breaking its security code,” in order to gain access to its contents. The authorities are trying to establish whether the thefts were isolated incidents, or “the tip of the iceberg,” she said.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/world/europe/murdoch-probe-extends-to-cellphone-theft.html?_r=1&hp
As Shorten said, it is your show ask whatever you like but if you aren’t going to bother testing the government and opposition on policies, then why bother.
I just watched that segment, and it was worst than bad. The upside is, even sales looked a bit embarrassed by the end of the interview. Shorten handled her well. Didn’t lose his temper, just scolded her like a pre-schooler misbehaving. And he scolded her with reason, which just left her speechless.
This is what they ALL need to do every interview
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-23/temby-report-reveals-depth-of-hsu-east-quagmire/4148910
As the government considers the Finkelstein report I hope they consider these wise words from the Leveson inquiry
“Dowlers and McCanns ‘oppose newspapers’ plan for new regulator’
Lawyer for victims of press intrusion tells Leveson inquiry that Lord Hunt and Lord Black’s proposals are ‘hopeless’
“The simple fact is that Lord Hunt’s proposal is not, as the inquiry has heard, what the victims would require. Its starting point, its whole premise is what is acceptable to the industry. But forgive me, we’re not here solely to decide what is acceptable to the industry,” Sherborne told the inquiry on Tuesday in his closing statement.
“We’re here because the industry is not acceptable to the public, with whom there seems to have been no consultation by Lord Hunt’s team.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jul/24/dowler-mccann-newspaper-regulator
Then the government could look at this as well, especially with Murdoch at 70% in Australia and the goveernment “just cannot seem to get its message out”
“Rusbridger urged Lord Justice Leveson to consider the “significant dangers to democracy” of media power being concentrated in too few hands and warned that there would be more consolidation in the industry, not less.
Many of the abuses uncovered by the Leveson inquiry would not have happened if Rupert Murdoch’s News International had been prevented from achieving such a dominant position in British media”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jul/24/murdoch-dominance-press-abuses
Tom R
July 24, 2012 @ 10:20 am
from your link to the Shorten interview
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-23/temby-report-reveals-depth-of-hsu-east-quagmire/4148910
The ABC won’t bother testing this little gem either:-
FFS
look at this headline and compare it to the bollocking Gillard got about her comments to the Europeans, which were outright lies by the Murdoch sleaze
Abbott talks tough during China visit
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-talks-tough-during-china-visit-20120724-22nkw.html
Europe bristles after Julia Gillard’s nagging over economic management
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/archive/national-old/europe-furious-at-julia-gillards-nagging-over-economic-management/story-e6freuzr-1226401649109
If nothing else the sexism in the headlines is appalling
Abbott – macho
Gillard – a nagger
And the msm wonders why their newspaper sales fall.
Sue,the yellow press’ sales will keep falling yet they continue to support the knuckle-dragger
Sue, the headlines were absolutely extraordinary as it was the Canadian PM who gave the Europeans earache and caused all the “bristling”.
But I can just imagine the frenzy from the msm if the PM had been the one “talking tough”.
And yet they still have the gall to say the ALP fails to get their message out. Bit hard when they can’t even be bothered to report the news accurately.
Bet none of the tv outlets dared to show the footage of the Canadian PM giving the Europeans a serve and the European response.
And Shamaham still perpetuates the lie!
Sue, I notice that well over 50% don’t think Liealot’s approach will do us any good in the relationship with China.
Jane and that 50% is probably the business lobby of liealots troll buddies
Jaane
today on News24 there was an interview with a female spokeperson replying to the Abbott speech. The reply was all nuanced in diplomatic speak, but boy oh boy the Chinese were definitely not happy.
And in a couple of weeks Bishop and Truss lead a group of coalition MPs for more of these talks.
And if Thurlbeck goes down and takes possibly Brooks and Coulson, who will they take or have they already got their money in the bank.
“Significantly, Thurlbeck did not deny involvement with phone-hacking. If he’s going down, his statement implies, he doesn’t intend to go alone ”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-25/holmes-news-corp-events/4154170
So far, there is no mention of this in the main stream media..
Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Gillard Government provides $5 million to 14 local governments to deliver NBN-enabled services
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/119
Revealing poll, and puts the blame right where it belongs.
Findings are showing that most Australians are very confused about climate change though they basically believe it’s happening. They state conflicting information is the cause for their confusion.
So who do they blame for the conflicting information?
As commented on:
Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Coalition has no plan for fibre in regional Australia
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/120
Judith Ireland . “journalist”.. biased much.
How well does Gillard really know Canberra?
JUDITH IRELAND
26 Jul, 2012 12:58 PM
http://www.katherinetimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/how-well-does-gillard-really-know-canberra/2636493.aspx
No readers’ comments were allowed.
Homework assignment for Ms Ireland.
500 word essay, not opinion, on why the NDIS is so unimportant that it can be politicised.
Pip
what about
What does Ireland know about the NDIS?
What do the families and carers of the kids of the Black mtn school think of now being part of the NDIS launch?
Does Ireland know or met anyone with a disability?
What would they think of Ireland’s opinion piece?
Pip/Sue, that Ireland article was certainly without balance. Sue’s questions are very relevant.
Yes, yes, yes.
ABC Planet America going on about Romney’s gaffes overseas mentioned his gaffe on Carr’s actual words, you know the ones Bishop made such brouhaha over, saying the gaffe was actually by the media who misquoted Carr and got the whole conversation wrong.
Will we see Bishop pull her Rick Owen out of her Rouge Volupte gob and then the media retract they got it wrong?
Realised how stupid that question was the moment I finished it. Might as well ask Abbott to be honest and not run away from questions, the result will be the same.
We have Gerard Henderson and Pier Ackerman on the insiders. That is balance for sure.
i was rudely surprised last night while watching SBS news, to see their “take” on the NDIS – according to the report, disability advocates and carers were dissatisfied with the NDIS proposal due to it not being a “fully fledged” scheme from the start – the supporting interview with one woman (not a rep. of any such group as far as i could determine, although she was a carer), echoing some of newman’s and barnett’s (? ) claims that the scheme should start with full implementation, rather than trialing for the best approach.
even the ABC seems to have done better than that in reporting the issue. 😦
pterosaur1
although i didn’t see sbs, earlier in the week, i read an article with similar views, the woman, a carer was from Newman’s qld, (it may have been deb cotterell)
Mark Bloody Simpkin on ABC news tonight seeming to affect a bemused disdain for Wayne Swan’s references to Bruce Springsteen. Trying, I thought, to imply that it was something of a STUNT!!!!!! Dredging up the usual unnamed Labor sources to say it’s a trivial idea.
And tomorrow he & the rest will obligingly report Mr Dayglo Vest & his buffoon shadow treausrer as they once again go “of course these ball bearings will cost a million dollars each under the carbon tax Joe…”- “it’s a lolly factory today Tony”- “of course these marshmallows will cost a million dollars each….”
I believe it was a stunt, to attract attention. I also listen to the speech. He made a lot of sense. He also supported the PM to the hilt.
He is saying very much what Obama is saying. I think someone on the right made a comment about not following the USA. I think that is what they were inferring.
Obama made the comment that the business does not create wealth on their own. That the workers and the taxpayers contribute. Funny belief that.
Of course that is a message that they would not understand. He did also refer to some Australian artists..
This is a very misleading headline in the oo, which I was surprised at first considering the author (Mega George) but then remmebered, he doesn’t write the headlines, or often the leading paragraph (which I would hope he didn’t in this case
Inequality has grown on working-class warrior Wayne Swan’s watch
by: GEORGE MEGALOGENIS
From: The Australian
August 02, 2012 12:00AM
INCOME inequality has increased slightly on Wayne Swan’s watch, despite the global financial crisis pulling back some of the gains of the very rich from the first phase of the mining boom.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/treasury/inequality-has-grown-on-working-class-warrior-wayne-swans-watch/story-fn59nsif-1226440762043
but let’s get to the money-quote, which portrays a different story
The top 20 per cent of earners on rungs nine and 10 lifted their share at everyone else’s expense, after counting for the setback of the GFC.
They had 45.8 per cent of total income in 2003-04, rising to 47.6 per cent in 2007-08 before easing back to 46.7 per cent in 2009-10, a net gain of 0.9 per cent.
Apparently, ‘easing back’ is now ‘grown’ in the eyes of hte oo headline writers. So, when Labor came to power, it was 47.6per cent, and then FELL to 46.7 per cent. And that is groeth?? 😯
As George says at the start Lower- and middle-income households in the first six rungs of the ladder have 0.5 per cent less of the nation’s income between them than they did a decade ago
Imagine what it would be if the libs were still in power, and workchoices had moved on to MKII by now? (shivers)
THE government statistician has a sobering message for Australians who think their personal rates of inflation far exceed the official rate of 1.2 per cent: they are likely much lower.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/living-costs-rising-youre-dreaming-20120801-23fn3.html#ixzz22KPN7KN1
I blame the Carbon tax!
Möbius Ecko JULY 4, 2012 @ 10:12 AM
I’ve seen this before: The great respect for the office when occupied by someone clearly not up to the task, followed by denigration of the clearly appropriate individual and denigration of the office. This behaviour comes from the USA, as does the political tactic of trying to make parliament disfunction so as to blame it on the other side. Thank you, Republicans.
I’m not sure where manufacturing scandals to damage the other side come from, perhaps the Liberals thought of it themselves..
Yes James. We, courtesy of a gormless Abbott and maladaptive opposition without an original spark between the lot, seem to be plummeting down the US dysfunctional congress path thanks to their Republicans.
Eddie
here is good read
“News Corporation directors could face charges for neglect of duties
Company lawyers, fearing a dramatic escalation of the hacking scandal by criminalising the boards on which Murdoch family members sit, are understood to have protested to the authorities.
A criminal prosecution could have a strong adverse impact on the deliberations by Ofcom as to whether News Corp representatives are “fit and proper” to hold UK broadcasting licences.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jul/31/news-corporation-directors-charges-murdoch
Vile Liberal-National spin on #TheirABC:
Newman says Queenslanders grateful for job cuts
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-02/newman-says-voters-grateful-for-job-cuts/4171762
Subtle, Newman is not..that’s an old tried and true method..go to the back o’Bourke or Beyond the Black Stump or lose your job..
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/teachers-join-union-campaign-against-campbell-newmans-public-sector-cuts/story-e6frgczx-1226441117553
Pathetic attempt by Uhlmann to post a negative story on the review of the Fair Work Act.
Uhlmann’s story featured a 3rd generation Newagency in Dickson, ACT. The owner said once we had 30 casuals today only 16, it was just so hard with the new laws.
Grow up Chris, your audience would be rather aware of what is happening to the local newsagency, especially in Canberra. But because you are appear to be so ignorant of the world outside the studio, here are some pointers
Newspaper sales have collapsed.
Newspapers, if you want one, can be purchased through numerous outlets, from petrol stations to supermarkets.
Ditto for magazines.
Cards and wrapping paper, the same but even cheaper if you go to a Variety/$2 shop.
Lottery sales can be completed on-line from sales to winnings
And that just about sums up the majority of their business Chris, somehow I feel the changes in what was once a secure market, has much more to do with the business of a newsagency than the Fair Work Act.
Sue, wonderful example. Would have nothing to do with people no longer buying papers. I believe one in ten does today. Not long ago, it was nine in ten. Many bought more that one.
Only for the gambling industry, they would have few customers. Others have saved themselves by becoming Australian Post Agencies.
CU
And Uhlmann claims to be an investigative journalist and the chief political journalist.
As I said PATHETIC.
Worse than the blatant bias the lack of basic facts on Newsagencies, was a poor effort by Uhlmann. For goodness sakes they had the monopoly distrinbution rights of newspapers you think a journalist would know that.
I must look up the report, by this time I was only patially interested, but from memory Uhlmann closed with the line
“as long as there are newspapers…………”
maybe he was just having a laugh at the Newsagency
This deserves a link
http://www.vexnews.com/2012/08/disgrace-the-australians-false-implication-of-embezzlement-at-pm-shames-our-great-newspap
And look what happens when David Cameron sets up a Leveson inquiry and Brooks gets charged with phone hacking , The master is moving around his new pawns.
“Rupert Murdoch is considering backing Boris Johnson to replace David Cameron as Tory leader as he takes to Twitter to praise the London mayor’s “brilliant” organisation of the Olympics.
Sources familiar with Murdoch’s thinking believe he remains sceptical of Cameron as the economy worsens and say he has been impressed by the way Johnson has put London on the map. He can also identify with the indifference the mayor shows towards his critics.
The love-in seems to be paying off. Johnson’s ratings have improved and Murdoch’s bitterness towards Britain seems to have been washed away.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/aug/02/rupert-murdoch-boris-johnson-prime-minister
Sue @ 11.34am, cash for comments?
Pip
I wonder where Steve Lewis, Glen Milne are? Or is the Blot trying to ramp up some ratings for his weekend show?
With Campbell Newman telling his voters they are grateful for the sackings, I reckon the polling for Labor may be turning in Qld, so we have a barnstorming of leaks and confessions across the media.
Sue, Steve Lewis and Glen Milne can be found under the bridge with all the other trolls.
Lewis could be watching the post for his cheque from the publishing company
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/07/26/3554313.htm?site=darwin
Best journos? Hardly!
As for Glenn Milne who has tried to resurrect this story before and caused The Australian to recant, Vex News today puts their slant on it.
DISGRACE: The Australian’s false implication of embezzlement at PM shames our great newspaper
http://www.vexnews.com/2012/08/disgrace-the-australians-false-implication-of-embezzlement-at-pm-shames-our-great-newspaper/
How Robert McClelland led pursuit in union funds scandal
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/how-robert-mcclelland-led-pursuit-in-union-funds-scandal/story-fn59niix-1226425771932
Not a chance in the world, James. There hasn’t been an original thought in the Liars party since……, umm……*sound of crickets*.
First time I’ve heard that interpretation of “I won’t be voting for you at the next election.” “Can we have another election right now?” “How stupid does he think we are?”
Not only is he a cretin, he also suffers from delusions. He certainly seems to have some trouble distinguishing truth from fantasy.
Pip this over at kangaroo court, trying to revive that same story on the PM.
http://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2011/08/07/australian-prime-minister-julia-gillards-criminal-history-and-her-hypocris-with-wikileaks-and-julian-assange/
nearly fell out of my chair.
paul @ 9.38pm, that bloke has a roo loose in the top paddock!
Why is Rupert Murdoch so averse to climate science?
The Wall Street Journal’s Long War on Science
http://www.motherjones.com/blue-marble/2012/08/wall-street-journals-long-war-science
Olympics.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-05/scathing-watt-tells-media-to-27wake-up27/4178492
In a flat rejection of new media regulation, Mr Abbott will use his speech to the Institute of Public Affairs in Sydney to question the government’s motives, accusing it of resorting to regulation proposals rather than respond to fair media coverage of its shortcomings. He lists its broken promise not to create a carbon tax…..
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/labor-muzzling-press-to-hide-failings-tony-abbott/story-fn59niix-1226443472461
😯
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillards-carbon-price-promise/story-fn59niix-1225907522983
The oo caught out Making Shit Up again
Frustration with Labor’s missteps and the failure to establish scheduled and regular business dialogue with China came to a head in April during the Boao Forum for Asia China’s regional answer to the annual World Economic Forum at Davos – after the federal government failed to send a representative.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/foreign-affairs/business-building-bridges-to-china-to-repair-ties/story-fn59nm2j-1226443474575
Michael Spence: Well, there were certainly Australians there, and our ambassador was there
I’m guessing our ambassador is no longer considered a representative in the eyes of the oo.
Considering the post directly above, it is no wonder tabot considers this to be ‘fair media coverage’
It is as FOS as he is.
Meanwhile, as tabot runs around pretending he is all for ‘free speech’, baby tabot, the prequel, reveals just how ‘free’ speech once a conservative has the reigns
QUEENSLAND Premier Campbell Newman arrived at his second community cabinet forum to the chant of “Shame Campbell Shame” but he made sure there was little room for dissent during official proceedings.
………….
Axed again was the public Q&A session, which was a mainstay under the previous government, and locals could get face time only by pre-registering for one-on-one sessions with the ministers.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/protesters-meet-newman-at-cabinet-forum/story-e6freon6-1226443340403
So, this is basically that tabots ‘free speech’ is about, poor widdle bolt
With thanks to Lavinia Projustice for the link. The article also links to Ad Astra at The Political Sword.
The man who owns the news: Rupert Murdoch
Just a small snippet from this very informative article.
Murdoch regards The Australian as his treasured flagship, even though it is said to not turn a profit. Its modest weekday circulation of around 100,000, with weekend patronage a little larger, does not lessen its value to him. It is aimed to influence opinion leaders in commerce, industry, agriculture, banking and politics. And it does.
http://www.independentaustralia.net/2012/politics/the-media-in-the-middle/
Mega George has a post up that references his previous article about inequality, which I mentioned above here
https://cafewhispers.wordpress.com/media-watch-xviii/#comment-97023
He also provides a link to Wayne Swans release disagreeing with the article
http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/meganomics/index.php/theaustralian/comments/the_shrinking_public_attention_span/
http://www.treasurer.gov.au/wmsDisplayDocs.aspx?doc=pressreleases/2012/069.htm&pageID=003&min=wms&Year=&DocType=0
(just in case the oo blocks some)
However, the main thrust of this article seems to be him defending the recent (since Labor won the election basically) trend of Government policies being reported through the lens of ‘the opposition says’
While he might have a case to argue, that the interwebs make information that fast that the actual policy release is old news by the time the papers are actually written, it is a very weak case. First, this was always so under the Howard Government (the internet has been a phenomenon for over a decade now) so why did it not happen then.
Secondly, it does not excuse the behaviour of writing stories in this manner. The journalists can still write an article that simply explains the policy, arguing for or against purely on hte journalists knowledge and experience. We rarely see this. What we see, is articles that simply attack a policy with the opposition talking points, with no real explanation of the actual policy. This is not the fault of the internet, this is the fault of the journalists, who appear to prefer to use these talking points (most of them quite lame) rather than do any cognitive reasoning for themselves.
It really is quite an empty argument. I would have thought better from George.
http://theblogicalvoice.com/2012/08/08/is-there-anybody-listening-i-didnt-think-so/
Eddie, that’s a great article by Luke. Who’d think he’s still a teenager? Articulate and well thought out article.
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
news Communications Minister Stephen Conroy has delivered a fiery tirade against the media for constantly repeating misconceptions about Labor’s National Broadband Network project, singling out the Financial Review newspaper for particular ridicule and recommending that those interested in accuracy read broadband forum Whirlpool.
http://delimiter.com.au/2012/08/09/whirlpool-more-accurate-than-afr-says-conroy/
Reports this morning that the coalition has a working group examining the prospect of regulating social media. While this is no doubt just a thought bubble at the moment the prospect should be taken very seriously. Comments appearing about Abbott’s double standards; he advocates legislation effectively allowing his chosen ones to say pretty much anything they want whilst regulating potential criticism. This is quite true of course but making these observations won’t affect anything. Because rather than having double standards these people effectively have no standards, only concerning themselves with what is useful to them.
I once read that George Orwell is considered the most misrepresented author in the English language, in effect EVERYONE ends up citing him. So I’ll take my turn & say that this prospect is Orwellian in concept, an attempt to limit what is rapidly becoming the only area of commentary to critically examine the Right.
There are personal implications for all of us in this.
News 24 just had another press stunt with the Abbott. I was not really listening to the blah, blah, blah…… then they crossed back to the station where Jeremy Ferdanez said ” nothing new their just the usual stay on message about the carbon tax”
Sue, did he call for another election? 😯
Miglo
I really had tuned out, I think he walked off as per usual, it was the unusal comment by Ferdanez back at the studio that was different.
Migs, I saw the same stunt, and was amazed that he could continue with the same old worn out rhetoric about the devastation caused by the Carbon price, even though almost everything that he said has already been proven to be false and misleading. I, like Sue tuned out after a couple of minutes, but did notice the “Nothing new there” comment after returning to the studio.
I think even the MSM are getting fed up with the same old brain farts.
😆
Tim Dunlop puts it far better than I did in a comment above
No doubt it is true that this “second-day syndrome” exists and that, by default, it favours the opposition: just think of all those mindless ABC radio stories that begin, “The leader of the Opposition said today…”
But as Megalogenis later concedes, just because journalists are bored with the story and looking for a new angle, it doesn’t mean the public are.
Indeed, as he notes, precisely because of this sort of coverage, the public haven’t even had a chance to engage before journalists have moved on.
But the problem is not, as Megalogenis suggests, just an artefact of the 24-hour news cycle. It is the result of a conscious decision by journalists and editors to cover politics in a particular way.
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4188322.html
An excellent article on how the media not only let tabots piss weak excuses for explanations pass through to the keeper, but how they actually enable it for him.
There has long been a fear in Coalition ranks that behind the ruthless effectiveness of the “stop the tax, stop the boats” Abbott attack, there may lurk a more chaotic machine in which the Coalition’s policy positions remain chaotic.
http://www.afr.com/p/opinion/abbott_struggles_to_find_form_as_6T9xNT2nvhcBHpd7dwirUP
When you take that line in context with Tim Dunlops (excellent) piece above, you can see clearly just how much our vapid media have not only enabled, but actually encouraged and actively supported, the oppositions ongoing hissy fit since THEY LOST the last election.
Poor Channel 7.
Have made such a huge brouhaha last week and the week before over the absolute certainty of Rudd taking over from Gillard because Riley had “inside” knowledge, today they are attempting to save face as the rest of the media outlets have moved on from that beatup, so Sunrise have now come at the beatup from a different angle. “Do all roads lead to Kevin Rudd?”
Certainty gone, but keep the Rudd leadership beatup alive for another day because we screwed it last week and the week before and times before that.
And to show how ludicrous the whole thing has become we now have Julie Bishop saying Swan wants the leadership and is manoeuvring to challenge Gillard.
Nothing is more certain that when things are not going well for Abbott out will come the Gillard leadership beatups. Never fails.
Yesterday at the PM press conference on accepting the 22 submissions of the Houston report, the PM turned to questions from journalists. In the middle of questions it came to be Matthew Franklins turn and what did he ask of the PM? You guessed it, ” What did the PM think of Slater and Gordon asking the AWU to waiver confidentiality? PM you do know what I am talking about?”
Today the Australian announces Matthew Franklin will be leaving the Australian after accepting a voluntary redundancy.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/chief-political-correspondent-leaves-the-australian/story-e6frg996-1226450314753
Now he may have wanted to retire but he may have also got the opportunity to spend more time with Glenn Milne.
PS, Franklin is 47 a tad early to pick up a pension!!!!!!!!
His last day in the parliamentary press gallery is Friday, not even staying to the end of this 2 week session!!
Bit of a shame if Franklin’s last question is a cheap attempt at a gotya (regardless of his reputation).
I should make mention, that as a hearing impaired person I very much value the contributions about the media. I sorta hear these, but could easily get it wrong, and so rely on you lot, you hearing abled persons to comment on these.
I received an award last year as the only deaf blogmaster..that was good. Of course I said, not without a good deal of help from my friends.
With due respect to the Beatles, I do like Joe Cocker’s version..
Min
Franklin was trying to stir that old pot once again. In Franklin’s own words, he is leaving at least 3 years earlier than what he had planned with his family. Apparently he and his family had decided he should look to something new when he trurned 50, seems as though he got an offer he just couldn’t refuse.
It will be a pleasure not to hear his whining voice.
Sue I just HAVE to borrow this. There’s a FB page I ‘ve watching that has been backing this guy and I wanted to rub it in their faces a bit..
FYI, the page is: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julia-Gillard-Worst-PM-in-Australian-History/243836265642512
Don’t bother with them though, they’re insane.
Bmac, some of the members of that sick group come over to the Café Whispers Facebook page (the link to which is on the side bar 🙂 ) and and have a bowel movement before being quickly blocked. They can’t help themselves. They should keep their shit where they come from.
In an attempt to have the Ashby/Slipper case dealt with more quickly, Slipper’s lawyers are attempting to vary Slipper’s counter claim against Ashby by having the word “unlawfully” removed from the text. By removing this word the constitutional argument would be removed and the case could proceed.
Now if you look at Fairfax, the journalist, Louise hall has a journalist’s report/ article/ news on this circmstance
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/slipper-moves-to-cut-off-ashby-leak-claim-20120815-2489d.html
As opposed to NewsLtd which has a number of big stakes in this case, (leaving aside trying to bring down a government) one of the stakes being reporter Steve Lewis. So look how they portray this legal action, as a backdown
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/peter-slipper-back-down-in-james-ashby-case/story-fndo1uez-1226450939030
So on one hand, a report sans spin, providing the facts and the reason for the action.
OTOH, more spinning than a cotton mill.
or more spinning than Tony Abbott just this week
Poor old Peter Hartcher his conclusion of his opinion piece today is a predictable as the story of the puppets he usues as his theme.
Peter has decided to write about Punch and Judy, and of course Abbott is Punch and Julia is Judy. And Hartcher writes that Abbott needs Julia just as Punch needs Judy.
The drivel ends with Hartcher’s summation that the best way for Labor to kill off Punch/Abbott would be if Labor chose (Rudd), if there were no Judy, Punch would fail.
Pass mark for Hartcher for a new way of writing the usual but a big fat FAIL for being so predictable. Well I suppose even Hartcher can wonderr if there is a brand new readership for his articles just as only a brand audience would be surprised in watching a Punch and Judy puppet theatre.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/joke-awaits-new-punchline-20120817-24du5.html
If my my childhood memories of Punch and Judy are correct, I do not remember Punch ever winning.
This is what scaper is gloating about. It has taken Bolt and co over two months to get this far.
It is still a 17 year old scandal.
Mr. Bolt is complaining that the ABC and other outlets are not picking up the story. One wonders why. Could it be that it does not have legs.
CU
This morning on Insiders they had a clip from Sky agenda, with Paul Kelly interviewing the PM on why she left Slater and Gordons.
the PM challenged Kelly and said to him
“I know you have been told to ask these questions”
Kelly riled against this claim, saying “no- one tells me what to ask”
But Paul Kelly could not look the PM in the eye as he said this, he looked down to the side and down again at his questions.
The PM then challenged Paul Kelly again and asked
“do you have an allegation you want to put to me?”
He then said “no I do not have any allegations”
the PM then came in with the killer reply
“then why are you asking these questions? What has this got to do with my role as PM of this country?”
That is about all the Insiders showed but it would be good to get a full transcript of the interview.
From what the PM said to Kelly, the PM was made aware before she went on air that Kelly had been instructed to ask these questions.
I would love to know by whom? I wonder if the PM will be having further discussions with News ltd?
Will Kelly decide to retire in the current round of redundancies?
Sue, Tweed is correct. We should watch Sky. I heard it repeated on ABC news The PM handled herself well. Paul also said he did not believe she did anything wrong.
The PM has answered these allegations over the last seventeen years. All Bolt has to do, is a little Googling to get his answers.
The PM said when they ask her about something they say she did wrong, she will answer. The PM has said that she has no intention of answering innuendo and gossip.
The PM is correct when she said, that nothing she could say would halt the malicious campaign being waged by some. Anything she says, will be twisted to fit in with their picture.
Talk back radio mentality..
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/ecuador-to-announce-assange-asylum-britain-threat-to-raid-embassy/story-e6frf7jo-1226451503293
CU, it took a fair time for the PM to leave S&G as a direct result of the “internal investigation”. She was there for a further 12 months before she left to start her political career.
The Liars are getting more and more desperate, it seems. With things going badly for the wizened foreigner, they’ve had to ramp up the lies. Perhaps we should start dredging up Liealot’s past sexual misconduct.
How unhinged can these murdoch rags get?
Those fears were compounded yesterday during a fiery interview on Sky’s Australian Agenda, when Ms Gillard refused to address allegations raised against her.
“I did nothing wrong. Have you got an allegation to put to me? If you do not, why are we discussing this?” she said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/slush-fund-claims-raise-fresh-leadership-tension/story-e6freuy9-1226453649348
There is no allegation, yet she is refusing to answer it?? Is this the ultimate dog whistle?
It claimed that Ms Gillard took leave of absence following the review to campaign for the senate, before her employment officially ended on May 3, 1996 when she joined the office of Victorian Opposition Leader John Brumby.
They forgot the central piece of evidence here again, that S & G specifically mentioned that Gillard resigned. The article in the terror leaves that detail in dispute, one wonders if it was intentional?
”I did resign from Slater and Gordon; that’s a point of public record. I made the decision to do that.”
She said she was not getting into specifics about issues 17 years ago ”when you are not able to put to me any contention about why this is relevant to my conduct as prime minister today”.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/internal-inquiry-cleared-pm-law-firm-reveals-20120819-24gmj.html#ixzz241iCVCDt
At least the Age article puts forward all relevant information for this slur. Information which, in a real world, would render the story obsolete. If that didn’t, the release from S & G should/would.
And these idiots wonder why their ‘model’ is broken. In the real world, Kelly would have no career left after his abysmal performance yesterday. Unfortunately, we are in Oz, in 2012, and the real world left us years ago.
Tom, that was indeed Julia’s question to Paul Kelly..what is your allegation. Kelly answered, I don’t have any. Full stop and that should by rights, be the end of the story.
Addendum, and Gillard is a lawyer and the 1st rule when dealing with a witness is: Never ask a question unless you know the answer.
That is the thing, and ltdnews is really playing it loose here. There is no question, only innuendo, yet they are pretending that the PM is not answering a question that they are too afraid to ask.
Why are they too afraid, because of what you just answered Min. They know the answer. There is nothing. But, if they can get the PM to dignify it with a response, it immediately becomes a news item for them.
She did the right thing, called them on their bullshit. They play their little game, but in the end, they are the ones with egg on their face, and their relevance drops another few points.
The race is on, can they bring down the Government, before their irrelevance is complete?
Just as a small reminder, newspollweek, although, it looks like this got it legs a little late this time. Are they losing their touch?
Tom, from your link..let’s hear it again folks..Ms Gillard was cleared of any wrongdoing 17 years ago. The motivation in Paul Kelly dredging this up is of course another issue. Surely as a so-called investigative journalist Kelly might have done a little homework and ASKED Slater and Gordon BEFORE confronting the PM with his non-allegation…
Tom, of course. The poll, time for a bit a rumour mongering about Gillard. I’m surprised that they haven’t started on yet another leadership speculation..perhaps give them time. 👿
So, the real question, the one that has not been answered, is who got Kelly to ask the initial question?
That’s the saddest thing Min, A journalist should know all this. It is on the public record. The fact that ltdnews are trying to play this ‘she was sacked’ routine is just pitiful. Unfortunately, most people will wonder about this, not knowing the full facts, which the ltdnews hacks refuse to divulge to them.
And they wonder why we need better media laws.
Doesn’t take a lot of time Min 😉
http://afr.com/p/opinion/old_ghost_is_gillard_recurring_nightmare_2rlHoGszu4xFAf9rt5ZAHK
As I said though, they seem to have left it a bit late for this newspoll, unless the phones are running late to compensate?
more leadershit, from the usual suspects
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/gillard-on-the-front-foot-lurches-to-right-but-team-rudd-not-beaten-20120819-24gf0.html
Tom, that one is certainly well worth watching – the coincidence of negative stories about Gillard and the publishing of a newspoll.
I’m just waiting for the media to run with the line: Given that Julia Gillard was sacked, do you believe that………………………….
Min. Hartcher has and has been canned for it on Twitter. Though the contention is not of a challenge but Labor can only win the next election with Rudd as Abbott has well and truly got Gillard’s measure so she is a liability to Labor.
Also the current meme is that even though Rudd isn’t openly challenging right now or when they said he would in September, he hasn’t stopped trying and is planning his challenge all the time.
See how neat that is in that they can keep the challenge meme alive for as long as they want and can’t be wrong when their beat-ups of it don’t happen in the time they nominate.
They also blaming Rudd as being a coward for not having challenged when the media said he would.
See yet again it’s not the media’s fault for putting up beat-up after beat-up that failed to come to pass but it’s Rudd’s fault for not following their script and doing what they are broadcasting for him to do.
Apart from a very small handful of quality journalists, the media in this country is well and truly fucked.
but it’s Rudd’s fault for not following their script and doing what they are broadcasting for him to do.
Except, for when he did it once, they claimed then that they were right all along.
Forget the fact that they had been predicting this ‘imminent’ clash ever since he got rolled.
And yes Min, I have been watching this closely for the last few months and, like clockwork, every two weeks, leadershit stories. This one is way late though, (by about 3-4 days), so not sure if that blows out my little paranoid conspiracy, or just that real events (assange) took precedence.
the media in this country is well and truly fucked.
I AGREE!!
The document that should, in non OZ land, render this story dead.
Click to access 754492-aus-file-slater-gordon-statement.pdf
With the current, and on-going debate regarding the media, I wrote a poem a couple of weeks ago and posted it on TPS.
I thought that it may be relevant,
It’s called “The Media”
The conference called, the scrum was set, and the OB trucks plugged in
As the Journo’s and the camera crews got ready for the spin
A whirl wind tour of misinformation, slogans and downright lies
That attracts our illustrious media like our garbage attracts flies
And so they wait with baited breath to hang on every word
Hoping for a headline scoop, a hope they know.. to be absurd
Then the crowd is hushed as the Abbott and co step forward to the mics
And their Tony starts his diatribe complete with barbs and spikes
Designed for maximum effect to drive his message through
Riding roughshod over fact and truth to hoodwink me and you
And his slogan filled Invective keeps him confident and strong
While his minders look on nervously hoping nothing will go wrong
When his rambling finally ceased, he said “We’ll take your questions now”
And the usual suspects, cap in hand, begin to scrape and bow
Then a cub reporter fresh from uni and wet behind the ears
Asked a bold yet relevant question realising everybody’s fears
And the minders all looked panicked and the journo’s all looked shocked
And his front bench shifted nervously as the Abbott went off half cocked
He stammered and he stuttered, then said “Let me just say this”
But his response was incoherent, filled with naught but wind and piss
So he reverted to his tried and true and blamed the government
But the cub reporter asked again and the Abbotts brain was spent
Then the head began to wobble with the stare, adding its part
But the journo’s were distracted by the smell of his brain fart
So while Abbott bolted, Bishop stepped up, all prim and looking spruced
But her expression really said it all.. “I’ve just been verbally goosed!”
Then the mincing poodle took the stage, a fire in his tummy
With nostrils flared and eyes ablaze…. he spat another dummy
Then Hockey sought to join the fray, his large jowls all a-quiver
Stating “Lower tax and interest rates you know we will deliver.”
But the cub piped up so loud and clear asking “How’s that to be done?”
But because of the impertinent cub, they were no longer having fun
So the conference ended and all the pollies quickly walked away
And the journo’s left to write their tripe for the headlines the next day
While reporters smiled into their cameras, saying “back to the studio.”
And the morning anchors lauded them, then returned to their spin promoting show.
And the next days headlines in the papers read “Another Abbott win.”
Ignoring facts and truthfulness and promoting only spin
And the mainstream commentators all said……holding hands to hearts
That the Abbott’s surely got it all…. ignoring his brain farts
So the fifth estate said enough’s enough and with minds of one accord
Tore down the media’s empires and put them to The Political Sword.
Cheers 😆
How many times has it have to be said, there is nothing to the story. Why should the PM be expected to respond to malicious tumour and innuendo.
Mobius, and Abbott having got Gillard’s measure.. Strange, I would have thought it to be the other way around. It is Gillard who is effective in getting bills through parliament, Gillard who doesn’t panic under pressure. It is Gillard who has the answers and doesn’t run from questions even stupid ones such as from Paul Kelly.
Yet apparently it is Abbott who has Gillard’s measure. Well, I suppose if you read it in the newssspaperss precious, then it must be so. As we know, this has been the tactic since year dot, the newspapers run with their lines and then chase around trying to
findmanufacture stories to back up their original claim.Min, one just has to watch QT to know that is not true.
Abbott is faring worse in his regular stunts on MSSO to censure the PM.
Last Thursday, with Mr. Windsor says it all.
He is coming across as a joke. Has done so, since he made that ridiculous dash for the door, back in the last sitting.
Today, the talk is about schools. Not carbon tax. Not the PM’s actions of nearly two decades ago, Not on the boat trade.
The PM is now setting the agenda, no matter how hard the Opposition and media tries.
Today, the PM went into the lions den to make her announcement.
I have been out, has Abbott has a stunt today?
PS. That speech is getting plenty of replay.
The union have replied. Greens now on. ABC 24
Is it. Why. It is easy to reject the rumours, especially when the firm involves releases a statement, saying the PM is telling the truth.
The other partner, did not say the PM did anything wrong. All he said, that questions were asked. He did not seem aware of the fact, that answers were given and accepted.
Click to access 754492-aus-file-slater-gordon-statement.pdf
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-21/swan-defends-gillard-against-liberal-muckracking/4211982
Do not forget, this is one man’s recollections after seventeen years. He no longer resides in the country.
At no time does he say she was guilty. What he says is that he is not aware of the final decisions. He does not appear to be a part of the final decision making process.
I was just remarking to a friend that with every passing day it gets harder to distinguish between the Australian media & a bucket of shit.
Last week’s triumphalism at the reopening of Nauru et al has, on the discovery of the obvious fact that Abbott was lying & Labor was right all along about their readiness, been turned into just one thing more that this hopeless government can’t get right.
Nowhere a question for the opposition.
And now we have one of the media & liberals’ favourite tricks. The awarding of a temporary “good guy” classification to a bunch of neer do wells who until a few days ago were unlamented footnotes in political & corporate history in their latest attempts at personal smear. To be used for as long as it takes & then put back.
distinguish between the Australian media & a bucket of shit.
One has a bucket ❓
Tom R
That’s my recognition point too.
when did the media become above questioning or challenging.
and in doing so, they will become unhinged, as they are now doing.
Not much support for Abbott here.
I tink TA has opened up a bucket load of shit on himself by saying this “TONY Abbott says it is “perfectly reasonable” for the media to probe a politician’s past to assess their fitness for office,”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/pms-past-a-perfectly-legitimate-issue-tony-abbott/story-fn59niix-1226454906670?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheAustralianPolitics+%28The+Australian+%7C+Politics%29
He said it about the PM but he also said it about himself and every other MP
Paul, it’s always the same with Tony..say *whatever* completely oblivious to consequences.
Albanese is moving the member be no longer heard. That is Robb.
A great article by young Luke over at The Blogical Voice.
http://theblogicalvoice.com/2012/08/21/herald-sun-intern-slips-under-editors-fingernails/
A most important read
“1.40pm: Meanwhile, Slater and Gordon managing partner Andrew Grech, is trying to make his voice heard above the rumbling, belching volcano in Canberra.
He’s just issued this statement, which more strongly backs the Prime Minister, and her version of events; and criticises Nick Styant-Browne – a fromer equity partner at the firm, who spoke to The Australian newspaper at the weekend.
I’m posting the statement from Mr Grech in full, for the record.
It reads:
Whilst it is understandable that there is great media interest in the details of discussions between former partners of Slater & Gordon and a former employee, we thought it would be helpful for the public to understand the need for legal practitioners to be cautious in relation to the release of such information particularly when it concerns the confidential information of their former clients.
The implied criticism of Slater & Gordon to the effect that it should release more information misunderstands the obligations of legal practitioners in relation to confidential communications with clients.
The release of confidential communications subject to legal professional privilege is a serious breach of a legal practitioners obligations.
On Sunday I gave a clear statement of what I understand to be the facts concerning the resignation of Prime Minister Gillard from Slater & Gordon some 17 years ago based upon the records that we presently hold.
Although I have sought to obtain the transcript of interview referred to by The Australian on Saturday 18 August 2012, I have not been provided with it by Mr Styant-Browne.
I am therefore not in a position to comment on its authenticity or contents, even if my obligations of confidentiality to former staff permitted me to do so.
There is in fact no inconsistency of substance between Mr Styant-Browne’s reported version of events and the facts outlined in the statement already provided by me, or the draft working document provided in confidence to Mr Styant-Browne by Mr Gordon and subsequently provided to The Australian without Mr Gordon’s knowledge or consent by Mr Styant-Browne.
Whilst there is a great deal of conjecture and commentary now in the public domain none of it contradicts directly or otherwise the factual account set out in my statement or for that matter the draft working document published in The Australian and Mr Styant-Browne’s own version of events.
In particular to my knowledge no one has advanced any credible evidence that there is now any more substance to the allegation first made 17 years ago and denied by Ms Gillard at the time and since that she was in any way aware of or a knowing participant in any wrong doing concerning what has become known as the Wilson/AWU matter.
It is regrettable that Mr Styant-Browne has seen fit to release confidential communications.
Slater & Gordon has said all that it currently can say based on its own records and subject to its obligations to former staff and former clients.
We therefore do not intend to make any further statement unless and until new information comes to light which we are permitted or required to place in the public domain.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/blogs/the-pulse/politics-wrap-august-21-2012-20120821-24ja6.html#ixzz24ASVc1j3
Sue, I believe that Mr Styant-Browne has made a very unwise choice in releasing confidential information given to him by Slater & Gordon – should this legal firm choose to take action.
Min
and as S-B is located in the USA, I wonder how he was tracked down? I wonder if the Australian’s journalist was flown to the USA? I wonder what diddums Paul Kelly is thinking? and I wonder who is next for redundancy at teh oo?
Sue, Kelly has certainly proven himself to be a total incompetant, just because one speaks with a certain gravitas doesn’t mean that there is much of a brain at work behind it.
Just when I thought it was safe to retire from the blogoshere, I read this rubbish from the News Ltd chief, the man responsible for publication of “The Australian”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-21/news-chief-calls-for-tougher-digital-copyright-laws/4213362
I’m thinking the paywall must not be going so well. Just proud to be a called a scumbag by the likes of a News Ltd executive.
The Internet has the power to push News Ltd into obscurity were it belongs, go NBN you little ripper!
Lunalava, is it any coincidence that the day after he had lunch with Murdoch (prior) to the last election) Tony Abbott came out and said he’d scrap the NBN if elected?
BTW, nobody is safe to retire from the blogosphere. 😉
I believe that Abbott also said that the part of the NBN that had been completed when he won government would be sold off, and it was understood the buyer would be Murdoch.
Now they are planning to complete the roll-out in its entirety, in yet another massive back flip by Abbott, I have not doubt their end plan is to sell the network to Murdoch for a song along with giving Murdoch unfettered media ownership in this country.
Nasser now on ABC 24 Older Bishop having fun
Maybe worth a read.
It will definitely be worth a read.
Was chatting to Greg up at the club a few weeks ago and he said the book was near completion. I’m certainly going to grab a copy.
Talking about the Thomson matter. They made a comment, that there is court case to come. There is not. There have been no charges made, anywhere.
You can’t make this shit up about the media, it’s that bad.
They are saying the government must be terrible because the paragons of impartiality like Janet Albrechsten and Godwin Grech are bagging it.
It is news I believe that Mr. Turnbull has invested much money in the French, fibre to the home scheme.
He had problems with, that the UK are starting with fibre to the node, with the intention of taking it to the home when the economy improves.
Good interview last night, by the lady we sometimes do not like on Lateline.
Open the cellar Miglo
Leigh Sales is back to being an investigative journalist!
7.30, a must see for all cafe patrons, Leigh Sales asking questions on Tony Abbott.
Abbott may not have answered but Leigh never stopped asking and she asked them with elan.
I hope Uhlmann was watching and taking notes
I started writing about the Sale’ s interview but cannot do it justice. Have a look when 7.30 have it on their site tomorrow.
Open the cellar Miglo
Vote 1 Sue for
PMPresidentSoclial Club Directorbest idea on CW this year winner 😆Seriously though, I wonder what role twitter may have played for Leigh tonight?
Lots of suggestions pre-show…
#abc730
Abbott getting trashed. He deserved it for that interview.
Sue, definitely time for some top shelf stuff..the excitement!! Sales ASKING Abbott questions..I’m stunned.
My the right wingers are delusional and precious.
Abbott either ripped Sales apart and a display of great mastery over a pinko ABC journalist or Sales, the pinko ABC journalist should be ashamed of conducting such a terrible interview showing up their wonderful Abbott.
And some say the left live in an alternate reality.
Plus not the hypocrisy here. Gillard and any Labor pollie or affiliate can be denigrated, slandered and have abuse hurled at them plus any shit whatsoever made up about them, but heaven help any journalist that dares ask Abbott to be lucid and honest in his dealings with the public.
Miglo
I guess the following has been previously drawn to your attention, but I post it just in case.
From The Australian 1st May 2012
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/membership-fall-crisis-for-unions/story-fnbkvnk7-1226343081983
So what does the future hold for unions in Australia? The first thing that needs to be said is that we should never rely on the number of members provided by the unions themselves. (The figures quoted above are collected by the ABS using a survey of the population.) Apart from deliberate fudging, many unions continue to count non-financial and dead members. In many instances, unless members take the time to resign, they continue to be counted in the total of union members.
I’m wondering how accurate the information is in the last two sentences. The Australian’s journalists wouldn’t just make things up to support a bogus case would they? SURELY not!
Here is the link to the Abbott interview on 7.30 http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3573785.htm
Everyone appears to be asking him questions. Questions that can no longer be answered with three word slogans.
As it was said on The Drum, Abbott is in danger of going a bridge too fart when opening his mouth. It was said, that today was the time to act the statesman, and stick to facts. Let others do the kicking.
As the deputy speakers said, you cannot help yourself, is spot on.
The so called carbon tax and MRRT had nothing to do with today’s decision by BHP. It was market forces, high cost of capital. There is also an option of cheaper technology.
Abbott is the one that promised to undo all that in place.
What’s ore he is threatening to call elections until he has the numbers to do so.
What could cause more uncertainty than that proposition, years of political and economic instability.
It appears Abbott is going to push the BHP decision for all it is worth. Not one expert I have heard tonight agrees with him.
Haha. Abbott just starts shooting off random talking points instead of answering the question being asked.
I have never seen a more pathetic performance from an Opposition leader, I do not think he answered one question.
Tony Abbott lies here: “TONY ABBOTT: Leigh, 1st July wasn’t the end of the pain; 1st July is the beginning of the pain. And the carbon tax, don’t forget, just goes up and up and up. It’s $29 a tonne in 2015, it’s $37 a tonne in 2020, it’s $350 a tonne in 2050”
This is what the policy says: “1. Fixed price period—The carbon pricing mechanism will commence on 1 July 2012, with a price that will be fixed for the first three years. The price will start at $23 per tonne and will rise at 2.5 per cent each year in real terms.
2. emissions trading scheme—On 1 July 2015, the carbon price will transition to a fully flexible price under an emissions trading scheme, with the price determined by the market.
Price ceiling and floor will apply for the first three years of the flexible carbon price
period. The price ceiling will be set at $20 above the expected international price and
will rise by 5 per cent in real terms each year. The price floor will be $15, rising by
4 per cent each year in real terms.”
Abbott lying again.
He definitely flagged WorkChoices. Flexibility, productivity and militancy.
Abbott after that interview is a dead man walking.
How are they going to cover that interview up or spin it to there advantage. Be interesting to see what our resident trolls have to say about it.
Mobius Ecko
Does Abbott run at night? Just wondering because when he was thrown out of the chamber by the deputy speaker that is what he did. So as he was dismissed by Sales, Abbott sure looked p1ssed and he would definitely need to work out that anger.
I know people who shoot rabbits at night that run away
Trev, thanks for that but shame on you for reading The Australian. 😉
Fudging number is the world’s third oldest profession. When I was in Hockey’s department it used to gone on all the time in regards to the number of (allegedly) employed people in the country.
Oops. I’ve said too much. 😯
Thanks for the twitter feeds, talk about an amazing response.
They will paul in their usual way with bullshit, attack and denial from their alternate reality.
They will already be forming a firewall around Abbott’s performance and rehearsing their excuses for tomorrow morning’s news. The other thing they will do is immediately attack Gillard and bring up Slater and Gordon, her dress, jacket, barrenness, great big LIE, or whatever else they can cobble together to do a look over there and away from our idiot Abbott.
Does Abbott run at night? Yes. Away.
You know what’s so heartening about this, the sheer number of responses across the net, not just Twitter, in not only praising Sales/ABC but more so rightly dumping on Abbott’s abysmal performance.
There must a large number out there who have been watching the Abbott train steam on spewing toxic lies and deceits everywhere, but with a compliant media probably had given up any hope of the train ever being derailed let alone slowed, so they have remained dormant and mute.
Hopefully Abbott will finally be asked serious questions, be made to account for every lie he tells, and there are so many, and finally be scrutinised over policy and behaviour. One can only hope as it seems so many others out there have been.
Lets hope the Canberra press gallery have been shamed into asking questions of Abbott.
I have just watched 7-30. I have had a really good belly laugh.
The man needs to learn when to shut up. he would have done well to halve most of his replies.
A woman knows they are hitting the spot when a man keep repeating your name during a debate.
Also, he needs to refrain from the “she” word, and learn to say PM sometimes.
He was called a liar more than once, and kept up with the lies.
He never read the announcement he was making comments on today. That says it all. Too lazy to do the work that is needed to do the job.
Leigh did not even have to work hard at making a fool of hi, All that is needed is questions and challenging the obvious lies.
No wonder it went viral.. Funny that being asked a few questions, excites the public.
Paul, thanks for the link to the Leigh Sales interview. And this is the man who would be king.
I am already thinking of an addendum to my poem posted above (Aug 20; 10.27), or even another one dedicated to it.
😆 😦 😆
Cheers
“How are they going to cover that interview up or spin it to there advantage”
Do not worry, Iain will make a of it. He will just tell us, we are misreading what Mr. Abbott has said.
The problem is us,it appears, not Abbott’s. We are just too dense to understand the brilliance of the man.
Sorry, I am just sick of his tripe and how he twists everything, then when we do not bend, start the insults.
A new poem please, would not be hard with all the new material.
Paul, I am currently working on one about T Windsor’s attack on Abbot, but give me a couple of days and I’ll see what I can do.
Cheers 😆
OMG I just watched the Abbott interview. Talk about a Basil Fawlty performance.
You’ve got 24 hours. Not a minute longer.
I suppose that is one interview that will not be going up on the liberal web site.
Paul, it’ll be about the only web site where it won’t be featured. 🙂
Reminded me of the movie “One flew over the cuckoos nest”
This on twitter.
“I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to make George W Bush look intelligent, but Abbott managed it tonight on #abc730.”
It will be interesting to watch QT tomorrow just to watch the opposition benches. the govt benches won’t have to say anything, their smiles will be enough to drive Abbott crazy.
LOL Sue – I think you’ve nailed it! What can we expect from the “dixers?” Perhaps a question to the Treasurer about the reasons for the BHP Billiton decision? Anything to rub the salt in or to poke it with a stick 😆 Watch out for the blood vessels in Pyne’s head to get the closest to exploding they’ve ever been. Delicious 🙂
How is Tony gonna save Tony on Lateline? must go see…
I’ve added a photo to the post (above). I hope you like it.
Miglo
great picture
i ‘ll watch to see if abbott acts out that scene tomorrow
It didn’t take long to hit Facebook Sue. 🙂
Sales looked like she was going to burst out laughing at Abbott’s answers at one stage.
Just about every viewer would have been laughing Paul. And I’m sure Sales has since had a laugh.
Just watched it. What a shocker! A minor point but as a South Aussie I’m angry at his “bleeding for me”. Where’s the blood from his famous “Blood Oath”? I want to see that & lots of it but there isn’t any, is there? Just more bullshit from the master.
Sales laughing at him won’t go down well.
For those not abreast of affairs in S.A, & that’s most people in S.A. & elsewhere, Abbott was on the spot here a few days ago when he was unable to quote local Liberal policies.
Isobel Bloody Redmond here today getting in words like “Carbon Tax, Mining Tax” in relation to the Olympic Dam issue. Not in any structured way mind you, just throwing the terms about from what I saw. Utterly reliant on catchphrases.
Abbott I thought tonight displayed a sort of mindless courage under fire, just digging in with the usual lines.
Tomorrow we’ll have it explained to us that as an assertion based politician Abbott doesn’t have to read anything anyway so there.
Bob, what made me choke on my coffee was the claim that Australia will miss out on overseas investment because of all these damn Gillard taxes..
But only two weeks ago he wanted the Chinese to stop investing in us and he wanted a cap put on the limit of overseas investment in our agricultural industry.
Conclusion: he is full of shit.
The rabidbuttsupporters are coming out in force on the 7:30 report FB page with links to a Michael Smith youtube video. A pity she had so little time to ask him questions… She needs to back up with another interview with the PM so people can see the difference. Strike while the iron is hot Ms Gillard.
BMac, hopefully the PM’s recent appearance on QandA is still fresh in peoples’ minds.
Miglo
That’s right, I’d forgotten about his anti investment stuff. Illustrating yet again that he just relies on a bunch of contradictory slogans & hopes they never intersect.
Pyne accused of reading between the lines for political reasons. Pyne claimed that that BHP is too scared of the government to say what they mean. That is PYne excuse for interpreting what was said. If so, that is the first time.
Hpw can carbon rax be involved in removing soil. Pyne claims that it would be involved in the cost of 50 million removing soil.
It is my understanding that BHP are postponing because they believe there is a cheaper way to go ahead.
At least they are being questioned. Answers not credible.
ABC 24
The Opposition is falling into a bad habit of rushing out with negative comments, without taking time to actually read, let alone analyse what has been released. They did this with the Gonski report, and now the BHP.. statement.
One can only say, they are clasping at straws. They are showing either shocking political judgement or they just do not care for the truth, but for something to hang their anti carbon tax on.
Now they are complaining that in less than a week, the government has not made agreements with Nauru and Manus Island. They are also saying that increasing the numbers we will take, is of no importance, Some would say, tha opposite is true.
Now are we to read between the lines what Abbott and Co say, or should we take what they say at face value. Maybe the visitor we can do without has answers to that one.,
I say this, as Mr. Abbott and Mr. Pyne are saying we need to read between the lines in what BHP say. They say the words capital costs are a euphemism for carbon tax and MRRT and other shocking things that Labor have done. In other words, he is accusing BHP of lying to their shareholders and the stock market. Serious crimes I believe.
What is surprising, is that the mining industry is not supporting what Abbott is claiming.
This truly is heroic
Call for Kathy Jackson to resign
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/call-for-kathy-jackson-to-resign/story-e6freuy9-1226456080977
Sorry Min, I also add the photo on Miglo’s last post. It says it all.
It does not matter where one looks, the reaction is the same.
There is a bench mark truth test. BHP has to tell the truth to the stock markets. Paul Bonjour, ABC Local Radio. Agreed that 7-30 last night was good.
For Tony to get rid of these taxes, he has to do it through the parliament, which success is at least two parliaments away. He said when it comes to uncertainty. Abbott needs to look in the mirror. It is he that is creating the uncertainty.
They are now extending guilt by association to Roxon. It appears that she also was active during the alleged Gillard crimes.
Mining boom could be over. That does not mean that we are now in bust. It means we are moving back towards the normal, which could be good for the economy.
“There is a bench mark truth test. BHP has to tell the truth to the stock markets. Paul Bonjour, ABC Local Radio.”
A point that is being made around the web at the moment as Abbott has now been caught out in a lie to cover up a lie.
He said that BHP meant MRRT and Carbon Price when they stated Operating Costs as being the reason they cancelled the Olympic Dam expansion. Apart from the fact there would be no MRRT or Carbon Price on the expansion it’s being pointed out that BHP would have to directly name them to the ASX as reasons for cancelling the expansion.
…during the alleged Gillard crimes.
But there are no allegations. Time and again the opposition and the reporters throwing assertions around have been asked to state their allegations and they have refused.
To make an allegation on what they know not to be fact would very quickly land them in the shit and they know it. All this is about is smear, nothing more nothing less.
Paul, thanks again.
Migs, is 24 hours up yet?
The ABC’s balls.
The Abbott spent another day pushing bucket loads of spin
While the BHP report… had the truth…not lies… within
So as Abbott claimed the tax constraints made investment rather sparse
The truth proved Abbott once again was talking through his arse
So it’s just as well he didn’t sell it…. To buy the lands top job
As the bulk of what he says comes from his bum.. through to his gob
Which also highlights his problems of… identifying parts
As his bum produces policy… while his brain produces farts
And as the day winds down…. from his usual.. question time ..spat
He rocks up to the studio for a cosy little chat
With Leigh Sales from the 7.30 report who’s there to make the calls
A most unlikely source for “our” ABC.. to find some balls
But find some balls they did with Sales… in her opening… salvo
Asking “weren’t you loose with the truth today” giving him nowhere much to go
So as Abbott does when all else fails… he resorted to his spin
Showing once again that, between THOSE ears, there’s a vacuous space within
So the intrepid reporter soldiered on… quoting Marius Kloppers
While Abbott dug his own Olympic dam…..and filled it up with whoppers
And as the spin and bluster freely flowed… and he continued spewing bile
Our intrepid blond reporter cracked her enigmatic smile
Referring back.. to the report.. she quoted Line and verse
And Abbott only blustered…making him look even worse
So moving to the carbon “tax” Sales stated once again
“weren’t you loose.. with the truth here too”… causing Abbott further pain
He tried his slogans “The python squeeze” and not “A cobra strike”
But he looked like the little Dutch boy… with his finger in the dyke
And he knew that he was drowning and his brain was nearly spent
When Sales.. used his own.. “Wrecking Ball”… to destroy his argument
So he tried to counter her wrecking ball.. going back to BHP
But again she quoted Kloppers ….leaving him nowhere to flee
Then our Hero.. changed her tack to the asylum seekers plight
And asked about “Illegals”… spoiling for another fight
So Abbott replied to a question… that Sales didn’t even ask
But Leigh Sales was having none of that, quickly bringing him to task
Then she asked about pollies lying…and he thought ‘I’ve got this one’
So he started in on our PM… and on the “lies”… he says she’s run
But Sales asked “are you absolutely scrupulous about not telling lies?”
“Of course” he said quickly moving on… as the truth fairy promptly dies
So Sales came back with three examples of how the Abbott lied
And as with the poor truth fairy.. Abbotts shredded credibility died
With his hole getting ever deeper and for him no end in sight
He started looking for a door through which to plan his flight
Then she asked “If we scratch your surface, what is it that we’ll find there?”
And his answer showed a vacuum filled with naught but smelly air
Then the subject changed to our PM.. and her time.. at S & G
And the Abbott thought the tide had turned and that he was home free
So he started on about some questions… he thought.. needs addressing
But Sales asked “what are the questions then?” and to that end kept on pressing
So he pointed to “The Australian”,….. the LNP daily rag
And claimed that they were reputable … The lying little dag
Then she asked if it was right…. that his front bench sought an answer
But he dodged and leapt and spun around like a manic ballet dancer
So she said “alas,.. there’s more I’d ask… but I’ve just run out of time.”
And Abbott wiped his fevered brow thinking “That may be my line!”
So thanks a lot Leigh Sales for calling Abbott out on his fibbing
And thank you Mr Rabbott for the gift.. that keeps on… giving
😆
Cheers
Sorry it’s a bit long, but there was just so much ground to cover :lol 🙄 😆
Cheers
Skeptical. that was pure brilliance and I’m sure that the readers will have as much pleasure from it as I have. This line is a classic:
Well done, mate. Thumbs up.
Migs, glad to contribute in my own “looney Left” way
Cheers 😆 😆 😆
Skeptical, love these lines from you 😀
So as Abbott claimed the tax constraints made investment rather sparse
The truth proved Abbott once again was talking through his arse
Min, one of my fav lines as well. 😳
cheers
Two of my fav lines 😳
The Australian apologises: (bold as printed)
The bit in bold is in a larger font than the retraction below, which is not in bold.
So it looks like a headline saying Gillard set up a trust fund and if you didn’t scan down you would miss the apology.
Will scaper apologise to Gillard?
I get the feeling that there might be a few of those in the coming days ME 😦
(not from scaper though, just the oo attempting to cover its derier)
“So he pointed to “The Australian”,….. the LNP daily rag
And claimed that they were reputable … The lying little dag”
I feel vindicated in adding these lines.
😆 😆 😆
re you previous post ME
It must be remembered, that this Gillard non story is being run simply because it is in the oo. That was the basis for it getting legs.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/national/correction-prime-minister-julia-gillard/story-fndor8bb-1226456413842
great verse there Skeptical 😀
😆 😆 lol: 😆 lol: 😆
pterosaur1, thanks for your feedback, another two of my fav lines`
Cheers 😆 😆
Correction: Prime Minister Julia Gillard
I just saw that as a link on the news site, and thought that it was saying that Gillard was offering up a correction.
“Correction to Prime Minister Julia Gillard ” is a lot less ambiguous.
Yeah, I know, touchie aren’t I 😉
This is the oo’s go to man ❓
RALPH BLEWITT, the former union official who wants to give evidence about the alleged rorting involving Julia Gillard’s former boyfriend, fled Indonesia in 2009 to avoid arrest after allegedly selling Australian expatriates land he did not own.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/union-official-in-pm-row-fled-indonesia-20120822-24muy.html
Love the poem Skeptical
AN article in today’s The Australian reported that Prime Minister Julia Gillard had set up a trust fund for her then boyfriend 17 years ago.
This is wrong.
The Australian apologises for the error.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/apology-to-the-prime-minister/story-e6frg6n6-1226456413608
Mobius @11.02am and,
The msm up to their usual tricks. 👿
Cheers Paul, your help was invaluable.
I’ve seen a lot of comments from Ciobo lately and he’s been described as a Turnbull lieutenant who is not in the good books with Abbott. Is he a potential replacement?
Skeptical, have been absent from blogs lately, so have just read your poem. Brilliant. Loved every line. My favourite two lines are the same as Pterosaur’s-a few simple words and Lieaot’s character, for want of a bettet word, is laid bare!