We’re up to our eleventh page already. Keep talking.
Here is the link to the previous Open Thread page:
Café Whispers
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We’re up to our eleventh page already. Keep talking.
Here is the link to the previous Open Thread page:
Café Whispers 
I just heard that my sister’s husband’s niece was on the cruise ship that sank. She got off on the last life raft. It was very scary, no doubt.
Oh well, at leat Tony got a laugh out of it.
Maybe the niece should send a email, saying she is glad he got some amusement out of the incident
Wonder who the meetings are with that take up two full days of the man’s time.
That must be the longest Mr. Abbott has stayed in one city or state in the last year or so.
Must be important as he did not accompany Ms. Mirabella to Toyota.
Holding court: Martina Navratilova makes her point on Margaret Court’s anti-gay comments
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/tennis/holding-court-martina-navratilova-makes-her-point-on-margaret-courts-anti-gay-comments/2012/01/23/gIQAHuJIKQ_story.html
Hi Miglo and Min, and all you other lovely writers who come to Cafe Whispers. Earlier this evening I did a very long winded comment over at the Political Sword explaining why I’m doing much less commenting at TPS and Cafe Whispers. I owe it to Miglo to explain here because it was he who first encouraged me to contribute as a writer and to do more polliepomes, so that I finally set up my own site.
Two years have passed since then and in the middle of last year I was commenting all over the place as well as here and TPS, particularly at the Poll Bludger, which is even faster paced than here. All at once with the Christmas break and the silly season I came to realize how time consuming all that was and how my obsession with blogging had pushed aside another writing project which I really do want to finish. As well I was spending too much time at the computer and needed to get out walking more and into my garden too.
I had become an addict! I had to withdraw! So I’ve changed my daily routine and as a result of a few upheavals over at TPS I’ve been led to make some resolutions to change. Here they are……
1. I’ll only read Cafe Whispers and TPS as I’ve been doing recently, comment less often and follow up on fewer links.
2, I’ll quit Pollbludger entirely and not renew my Crikey subscription. Bernard Keane gets up my nostrils anyway! I’ll rely on Lyn at TPS and you guys here for links to good pieces by people like Margaret Simons, Bushfire Bill, et al.
3. I will write polliepomes only when really driven, and do much briefer notes on them. I hope you’ll bear with me when I copy them to here! The addict in me will still need that charge which instant feedback on the blogosphere offers to writers!
4. I’ve gone cold turkey on the Murdoch media enquiry. I’m not reading stories about world economic crises until they really do hit home here. I am sorry that Nasking is not well but I’m relieved I won’t now be tempted by the postings he’d promised TPS on American and international events. I won’t be reading about the US Presidential race again until Barack Obama is returned to the White House.
patricia
4. I’ve gone cold turkey on the Murdoch media enquiry.
I’m going cold turkey on the Murdoch media
This is a comment from an article I have linked to. It goes to great lengths to prove how bad the PM is. So any agree to the standards new set for being PM, I wonder.
Mr. Albanese is on at the Press Club. He is sure laying into Mr. Abbott.
Unbelievable they are leaving an Australian Day address to transfer to the State of the Union address, when questions are beginning for Mr. Albanese. It appears we can go onto the bet if we are interested.
The Address has not even occurred yet, the President is only just arriving.
Patricia, thank you for bringing us up to date with your plans.
It is not uncommon to suffer some form of burnout as a blogger. Who hasn’t felt it? I certainly have, as has Min and Ad Astra more recently. I am sure we are not alone.
I always smile when I see your gravatar grace our page, and I always enjoy reading what you have to offer. The blogosphere is a better place because of you.
You are to be admired for the way you have held your dignity during times of adversity. You are a very stoic and principled lady.
I welcome your decision to read the two best blog sites; CW and TPS. Gosh, I even agree with you. 🙂
Most blog sites offer dribble or venom. Thank you for choosing us as. The two aforementioned sites are the only two I bother with these days. Great minds obviously think alike. 😉
Patricia, I have to agree with you about Bernard Keane.
I think that it’s a matter of choosing quality over quantity and we here at the Café do indeed feel privileged that you have chosen this place for your very valued contributions.
Thought that you would like to know Tone is not enclosed in all day meetings today.
He has taken himself off to Tamworth for the day. After all one needs some respite after two days of meetings. It is hard work plotting the downfall of a PM you cannot stand.
Wonder who was he meeting with. None seem to care but I am sure we will get the results of those meetings when parliament returns.
One of the Beaumont children, abducted 46 years ago from an Adelaide beach, may have been found.
http://www.news.com.au/national/us-man-david-estes-claims-doe-network-show-he-is-identical-match-for-grant-beaumont/story-e6frfkvr-1226253068555
Cu @ 12.55pm, the ABC could have shown the NPC on ABC2 but instead they’re showing a repeat of Mapping The World.
ABC FAIL
here’s an article telling us something we already knew…
24 January 12
Study Tracks Australian Climate Denial Echo Chamber Back to Think Tank
http://www.desmogblog.com/study-tracks-australian-climate-denial-echo-chamber-back-think-tan
Catching Up at 12.55
Where did you get that quote that you lead with?
Catrching up, that was written by Michael Short,
a senior Age editor and a board member of the Young and Well Co-operative Research Centre
Gina will be giving him a pay-rise any day now!
BSA
I get a email that says what is happeneing each day. I think it is a News site one.
The words are mine.
Cu, also from our discussion on another page…
http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
A A A Media Releases
BSA
Site
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/capital-circle/caucus/story-fn59nqgy-1226253006454
Are the rich getting richer, world wide at the expense of low income earners?
Does it matter?
Well Pip he is a self sanctimonious prig.
There has never been a PM or leader that can live up to his expectations.
I am sure he is going to suffer many disappointments during life.
Migs, you did not read the story.
This is a new low for the media.
A quote from the IMF this morning.
“Good policies need good politics.”
Mr. Hockey is doing a good job of sending the Australian economy into a tail spin,
The economy is softening and he pushes for actions that will lead to a melt down.
Catching Up at 6.14
A while ago Hockey came out with a “Bankers are people too” line, saying their needs have to be considered. With that sort of stuff & statements like you quote here, I think we’re being softened up for a major push to lower wages & conditions, in our best interests of course, as we’ve really priced ourselves too high & this sort of thing can’t be sustained you know.
We’re seeing this sort of thing already , notably in the restaurant trade where we’re sweetly told that if owners actually have to pay their staff this will cause cost increases for US.
Musing sullenly this morning after being cut off by a car proudly displaying a couple of Aussie flags, I reflected on the unbelievable luck the Liberals have.
We believed & followed Howard as he told us we could spend & borrow as much as we wanted & things would never ever go south. We disdained the achievements of Labor as they kept us alone out of the GFC. We ignore the inconsistencies & contradictions of the Liberals in opposition. And now they look like being in the box seat to implement what they’ve always wanted, to convince us all that for the greater good we as individuals should pay our bills, live tight, not get above our station & consider ourselves fortunate that our betters think we’re worth employing & paying at all.
Happy Establishment Of A Penal Colony As Far Away In The Universe From England As Was Possible In 1788 Day.
I’ll put this out there – Café patrons may be able to assist…
Daughter is planning to drive from a friends place at Browns Plains (in Logan City) to Gunnedah tomorrow (in a Suzuki Swift). Her friend’s partner is suggesting they go via the Newell Hwy – I’ve read that this is a very rough road with lots of large trucks, so the New England would be better.
I haven’t driven on the Newell since 1979, and the New England since about 2000. Any advice from those who may have travelled these roads more recently?
Bob, you are right on the money. Mr. “Children Overboard” and his friend Chris Corrigan of wharf dispute fame, and the conga line of IPA types plus business leaders, whinging about “productivity”.
WorkChoices Mk 2 is already planned and ready to roll out.
A change of pace provided by ABC’s Mark Colvin.
The author of the Diary is either his grandfather or great-grandfather
An excellent read.
http://ewmanifold.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00%2B11:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00%2B11:00&max-results=50
Diary of EW Manifold – WWI
Edward Walford Manifold was born on 28th April 1892 and grew up in the Western District of Victoria. Together with his older brother William Herbert (Bee), he travelled to England to join the Royal Field Artillery when World War I broke out. Day by day, this blog publishes his letters home and the entries he made in his diaries, from 1915 when he was first sent to France until 1918 when his service ends. (To follow on Twitter: manifold1418)
Bacchus, yesterday..clearly the answer was no. 😉
UK ranks top risks posed by climate change
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/uk-ranks-top-risks-posed-by-climate-change-20120127-1qk4p.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Min, I hope Bacchus checked the weather reports for that area.
Bacchus I’m very sorry, i did see your question and meant to check out the
flood reports and get back to you but I was distracted ..
Hope all is OK.
Malcolm Turnbull has tweeted his recommendation of a book by Grant and Howarth, the 4th edition of Australian Telecommunications Regulation.
He wrote that it’s “not a light read but very informed”
Howarth is the company which was hired by the Liberal Party to “audit’ their
Budget costings assumptions, with less than satisfactory results.
http://www.petermartin.com.au/2010/09/coalition-costings-inexcusable.html
Thanks Min & Pip – I was kinda hoping Shane might have been around. I think he might be very familiar with that part of the country.
The weather has been quite OK out there Pip – all of the recent action has been coastal.
Daughter ended up taking the New England – she texted that she’d arrived safely at about 2:30 this afternoon. No doubt she’ll have tales to tell of her first road trip when she returns on Sunday…
Bacchus, my geography is a little hazy 😳
Dollars for denial: who has funded the threefold increase in IPA revenue since 2000?
http://watchingthedeniers.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/dollars-for-denial-who-is-funding-threefold-increase-in-ipa-funding-since-2000/
How much does it take to fund a campaign of mis-information?
What resources are required to deceive the public about climate change?
Let’s ask the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), the right-wing think tank at the centre of climate change denial in Australia.
There is little doubt the IPA can’t hide the incline in cash over the past few years.
Between 2000 and 2010 the IPA has witnessed a threefold increase in revenue.
I’ve been looking at maps and BoM reports for the last week or so Pip – daughter only decided to actually go early this morning…
And the ram- raiding looney in Rocky has been refused bail, and the reason…..
“Sgt Dalton objected to bail for Hellier for several reasons, including the licence Hellier holds to buy explosives.”
http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2012/01/27/ram-raider-held-in-police-custody/
And as a matter of interest the looney was easy to find:
“Despite his alleged attempt to hide the car said to be used in three ram-raiding attacks on Tuesday, police discovered a litany of threatening anti-government signs strewn across his front fence.” (The paper even has a photo)
😆 so Sue, he wasn’t very bright then ??
Fletcher to lead Opposition’s cybersafety group
http://www.zdnet.com.au/fletcher-to-lead-oppositions-cybersafety-group-339330524.htm
The Federal Opposition is set to develop an alternative to the government’s cybersafety policy, today announcing the formation of a taskforce of backbenchers to spearhead the issue, led by Paul Fletcher MP.
Announced by Federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott in Melbourne this morning, the taskforce, dubbed the Online Safety Working Group, will seek to “assist parents, carers and teachers to better protect children and young people from the risks associated with the internet and social media”.
Abbott used the announcement to take a swipe at the government’s existing cybersafety policy, which includes the controversial Cybersafety Help Button and a mandatory internet filter.
Other Opposition parties have been known to present amendments to government legislation, then again, other governments have accepted their time in Opposition with some grace.
Mr. Fletcher is a former Optus executive.
‘Get a gutful, then a tankful’
Woolies The Fresh Food People under fire for 30c alcohol-fuel discount..
Or maybe when you’ve a gutful of trying to find anything fresh at Woolies, then you could go and get tanked.
What a sterling choice..Woolies “is offering a 30 cents a litre petrol discount coupon to buyers who buy two cases of beer or pre-mix cans of spirits.”
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/get-a-gutful-then-a-tankful-woolies-under-fire-for-30c-alcoholfuel-discount-20120127-1ql58.html
Min,
Or maybe when you’ve a gutful of trying to find anything fresh at Woolies, then you could go and get tanked. 😆
There is also this:-
Big petrol chains were using “loss-making” discounting practices that put pressure on the smaller independent service stations and threatened to drive them out of business, reducing competition in the longer term.
Israel announces plans to build national broadband network, increases fiber intake
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/27/israel-announces-plans-to-build-national-broadband-network-incr/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pulsenews
Israel is home to a burgeoning tech industry, but the country’s broadband infrastructure hasn’t really been able to keep pace. In terms of broadband penetration, in fact, Israel ranks just 21st out of 34 developed nations, according to statistics gathered by the OECD. All this may be changing, however, now that the country’s state-run electric company has announced plans to create a new national broadband network. According to the AP, the forthcoming network will use so-called fiber to the home (FTTH) technology, which is capable of providing connections at speeds of between 100Mbps and 1Gbps. That would be about ten to 100 times faster than the connections most Israelis have today, and could offer obvious benefits to a wide array of businesses and industries.
LOBBYISTS RULE
Dice loaded in clubs battle
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/dice-loaded-in-clubs-battle-20120127-1qlgx.html
Strong anti-poker machine legislation never stood a chance once the gaming lobby was able to put its spin on the wheel.
Geez Pip – don’t tell Abbott & Turnbull. They’ll be over there in a flash to tell the electric company it’s all a waste of money with no chance of ever getting a return on investment.
If the ALP have any collective brains – they will tell Bitar to go away.
Hi 2353, Bitar is long gone!
Might have had something to do with a more lucrative salary….
Does anyone have problems with most of what is written today, Som much of it appears that all journalist are writng from the same scrpt, especally when it cpomes to the fortunes, past and presnt of Mr. Rudd.
‘Bitar is long gone!”
and his lost of power and face in the Labor party.
Cu,
much of it appears that all journalists are writng from the same script
That would be from the Liberal handbook of media propaganda, faithfully reproduced!
I think that this could easily be the rumour which Migs was referring to:
Rumours about Tony Abbott and “a female staffer” are beginning to appear on Twitter.
http://archiearchive.wordpress.com/2012/01/29/tony-abbott-couldnt-be-this-stupid-could-he/
Min, there’s another version which involves the daughter of a Liberal donor, however, it’s just gossip at this point so maybe we should wait for the media hounds to tell us about it. 😆
Is this serious. I have no love for tattoos but most young people of both genders seem to have at least one.
They will have trouble filling the intake.
One urban myth used to be that the laws of defamation did not apply to blogs as some believed that because they were anonymous that they could make abusive and defamatory comments, that the law did not matter. No so of course.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/legal-threat-to-bloggers-20120129-1qo1w.html#ixzz1ksTCRX00
About fkn time!
Indeed it is Migs. One thing is that although there are a few cases now before before the courts, most actions result in out of court settlements. The courts have indicated that there is no difference between defamation via a blog than via any other form of written media.
More evidence that this is a do nothing government.
Mr. Smith is now releasing an important review of the armed forces and it’s role.
On ABC 24 if anyone is interested.
When listening to Smith, it becomes very obvious as to how dumbed down the media have become. It’s refreshing to listen to some genuine issues instead of speculation about which size shoe the PM wears.
Mind you, there is certainly room for both sort of features but it currently runs at about 80/20 trivia.
Min, it appears that Midas are very happy with the advertisement that shoe achieved.
They cannot meet the demand.
It is extremely hard today for find a decent pair of wedge soled shoes with a reasonable heel.
It is nice to know that at least the PM knows a good pair of shoes when she sees them.
Now I wonder what Mr. Abbott wears.
Sarcasm alert.
Min, defamation laws should apply to all.
I take it that this is true and we are going to see it all over the media tonight.
Hallelujah, Penny Wong is finally once again on Sky. And not before time. Wong’s strength is her ability to role out the facts, backed up by numbers – this is something which Tony Abbott cannot deal with. For example Wong said the Liberals $70B black hole. How would Abbott answer that one? The answer is of course He Won’t..because the blankety-blank MSM never bothers to ask him!!!
Min
Abbott is at the press club today, so you can see how many questions he gets on the economy.
i reckon the questions will run 5 to 1 , gillard and the conspiracy versus economic credibibilty.
Cu, @ 5.22pm, the attacks on Peter Slipper are tied directly to the ambitions of Mal Brough who wants another crack at a Parliamentary career, preferrably in Peter Slipper’s electorate !
This is about the “rumour” that Senator Nick Xenophon mentioned recently:-
LNP MP Peter Slipper threatens revolt as win looms for Mal Brough by: Michael McKenna
From: The Australian September 03, 2011
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/lnp-mp-peter-slipper-threatens-revolt-as-win-looms-for-mal-brough/story-e6frgczx-1226128495557
FEDERAL opposition MP Peter Slipper has threatened to join the crossbenches if an internal vote today backs Howard government minister Mal Brough to head the branch of the Queensland Liberal National Party in his electorate of Fisher.
The veteran MP and Deputy Speaker wrote yesterday to LNP members in his Sunshine Coast seat, warning that his position as a federal LNP MP would become “untenable” if Mr Brough were elected to chair the Fisher federal divisional council.
Mr Brough has made no secret of his intention to challenge his former parliamentary colleague in the next LNP preselection for Fisher.
This little gem went straight through to the keeper…..
Why Mal Brough flew free
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/12/01/why-mal-brough-flew-free-flights-parliament/
And Pip
Remember the flak Slipper copped when Kevin Rudd came to his electorate, when at the same time John Howard was in Qld to support Mal Brough getting pre selection for Slipper’s seat.
Have a look at the SMH cartoon Slipper has on his web site,
http://www.peterslippermp.com.au/2011/11/?cat=7
Yes Sue, I remember ,and I thank google for storing old news items 😀
I also remember Brough’s strong man image when he was organising the NT intervention; all those facts and figures used to advantage, some of which were incorrect.
And Brough “personally investing” in new ventures for the Tiwi Islands
Thank you Federal government..
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/canberra-bans-alpine-grazing-20120131-1qqu1.html#ixzz1l0HosZaL
This is the moron who expects to be the next Prime Minister….
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/abbott-snoozed-through-key-vote/story-e6freuzr-1111119064644
I find the name of one of clive palmer’s companies amusing.
does barnaby acknowledge to his supporters when he flies in to address them on saving australia for australians that he has arrived courteous of China First pty ltd
Clive Palmer launches $8b suit over rail links
His company China First Pty Ltd ….
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-31/clive-palmer-to-sue/3802704
Pip at 3.15
I’ve got that article filed somewhere, it’s a doozy ‘aint it? Why doesn’t stuff like that dent him? One other that I go on about & which doesn’t seem to interest anyone else is the great Liberal exodus from parliament when it came time to vote on Rudd’s altered boatvolk legislation. Not there they weren’t, cutting & running to avoid the unedifying spectacle of some of their number doing what the Liberals will tell you they’re proudest of- crossing the floor. I’ve rung a few ALP offices suggesting they use this but they don’t seem interested.
Its time of usefulness has passed by now, I suppose but I think it should’ve been used.
Bob If a Coalition member can throw up the fact that Brendan Nelson was offended against at some “do” or other, why not?
POO Pyne and others are probably being sent home from their big meeting today with a list of lines to learn before Parliament resumes.
According to the Clive Palmer dictionary
the many meanings of ” Never” ……… thats NEVER, or “not recall”, or “private discussion”, or “generic basis”,
“Asked today whether he had ever met Mr Newman to discuss the Galilee Basin project, Mr Palmer emphatically declared: “Never, never, never, never – never means never. Go check your dictionary and look what the word means. Never.
When informed that Mr Newman confirmed yesterday he had outlined the LNP’s position on Galilee planning to Mr Palmer last year, the mining magnate said he could not recall such a meeting and he had never had a “private discussion” with the LNP leader.
Mr Palmer then said he may have discussed the Galilee Basin on a “generic basis” in the company of others”
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/clive-palmer-extends-war-of-words-to-murdoch-press-20120201-1qsv4.html#ixzz1lAFm8l29
Don’t worry, Clive, Gina will control the government soon and you will get your wicked way.
Gina and Clive
covering the east and west coasts
julie bishop and tony abbott the toothpicks
Yes Miglo
gina and clive covering from the east coast to the west coast
tony and deputy julie the toothpicks for the mouthpieces of australia’s future
With thanks to Jen and Tony Abbott Will Never Be Prime Minister group..
Woolies wants voluntary pokies cards
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/woolies-wants-voluntary-pokies-cards-20120203-1qwyc.html
Claytons pokies reform…
Heavens to Betsy min, we’ll be over-run, with taxi-driving doctors, engineers, architects…what next!
If Woolies want it, then we can be 100% positive that it most definitely doesn’t work.
Exactly Min, if it worked Woolies would not be recommending it, still if it looks good for Tony Abbott they’ll promote it, at no expense to the Coalition.
Where have we heard that before?
Pip, from your link…
Now wouldn’t that make for “happy families”. And how would the clubs ensure that a family member’s application was genuine and not just a cranky jilted partner or even someone just pretending to be a family member. Mr Curry’s idea is unworkable in my opinion.
For any oldies in NSW with poor sight, just send your thanks to Barry and Pru
VisionCare NSW (VCNSW) has been informed by the Department of Family & Community Services (FACS), that effective immediately the Program administered by VCNSW can only be funded within the defined FACS budget and that no supplementary funding is available.
Accordingly the Program will cease to supply benefits from 29 February – 30 June 2012.
http://www.visioncarensw.com.au/
Also from the same link, tacked on at the end, from an organisation which is used to picking up the pieces when a gambler’s life has gone to hell.
Pip, Canada has proven that voluntary cards are a waste of time. They have to ne mandatory.
Isn’t that typical Sue, no “sorry, people”.
Basic common sense would dictate that the only ones against mandatory pre-commitment are a minority of gambling addicts and the clubs.
Having a withdrawal limit at the clubs will help some, those who go and without thinking travel back and forth to the ATM not realising how much they have spent. However for others there is nothing to stop them loading up their wallets with cash before arriving. So that one alone isn’t the solution.
Min, the clubs and pubs are also addicted, to collecting OPM with pre determining pokies machines.
So everything is perfect in the Liberal Camp.
Does one see the elephant in the room with the above statement.
They are willing to make changes to their machines for voluntary but not mandatory cards.
I thought that the cost was going to destroy the industry.
The problem for the Premier (Colin Barnett) now is that it has since come to light that his chief of staff Brian Pontifex was also at the pub that night, and he has been accused of urging Mr Larsson to send the questionable text message.
It has put the Premier in a bind because he has insisted that Mr Larsson acted alone in his “silly” antics.
Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/the-text-message-that-has-the-premier-in-a-fury-20120202-1qvn0.html#ixzz1lLiHzu7K
Maybe tony and his No to everything is rubbing off in NSW. Armidale hospital needs upgrading, the previous nsw govt put up $10m to enable them to go in to the pie for $40 mill from the federal govt regional health grants. armidale missed out in the first round, so locals hoped for the 2nd round due this May. however, after a question from the local member, r torbay, the nsw health minister. j skinner, said they were were not offered an invitation to submit a bid. bids closed last october. But tony windsor made inquiries federally and it appears it was the state of nsw that blocked the application.
http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/news/local/news/business/sabotage-claim-over-hospital-upgrade-funds/2442736.aspx
It is all aspirational.. How does cutting tax of the mining industry make life easier for normal Australians.
The Green Future levy takes from the big emitters and gives back to general community. How does dismantling this tax make much difference to the bottom line.
How does Mr. Abbott intend to deal with the high dollar and the multi-speed economy it creates.
According to Mr. Pyne, Mr. Abbott has been once again verballed (my word) and the interviewer needs to get her facts right.
Mr. Abbott intends to cut the PS, Is this going to be on top of the sever cuts already occurring.
Mr. Abbott plans, aims or aspirations would be wonderful, it the economy he describes existed in Australia. If the Gillard government was a high taxing and spending government.
Mr. Abbott’s problem is the Opposite is true.
This government performs better than the Howard government on all levels.
Craig Emerson looked a different man, last night. Maybe just the tan, but there was also a new strength there, or was it just the contrast with the vapid yapping of Pyne. Still on about pink batts! Or maybe the presence of an honest interviewer giving him an opportunity to speak his mind without those interruptions which people like Uhlman cut in with in just when a pro govt p.o.v. is getting the edge.
Emma Albericci was stunning, I thought. Straight up. I always found Ali Moore too clever by half. I never trusted her intentions when she ran those Friday night stoushes, too often trying to wrong foot the PM’s team.
patricia, I switched off after a few seconds of P.O.O. Pane, and had another look just as Emma Alberici was saying goodnioght to her guests.
Craig Emerson said ‘goodnight’. Prissy seethed, but no ‘goodnight’ from him!
I couldn’t take too much of ali Moore either, as you said, too clever by half.
Emma A., has a very different style. Maybe it’s because she shows integrity and a determination to give a fair and balanced account, whatever the story, unlike Moore and Uhlmann.
We need more of this type of journalism.
This is a long article that has a couple of good ideas. At least it is not all negative.
PS. This story will be portrayed as the PM being desperate. Seeking another opinion and asking advice is seen by some as weakness.
Cu, I like to think that the Prime Minister’s calm demeanour is causing indigestion for the media and the Coalition – they’ve been angling for her to behave like a hysterical female for the last year and a half.
It would have made their task so much easier if the PM would throw an emotional tanty to prove that she’s not up to a man’s job.
Instead we see emotional rants from the likes of Prissy Pyne and Joe Hockey.
Cu, from your link, the PM is a very strong lady and that’s just “tough titties’ for her enemies.
Lenore Taylor might find herself in the same ship-wrecked little boat as Mike Carlton in the near future..
Abbott needs magic to pull surplus out of a hat
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-needs-magic-to-pull-surplus-out-of-a-hat-20120203-1qxb0.html
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/abbott-needs-magic-to-pull-surplus-out-of-a-hat-20120203-1qxb0.html#ixzz1lNUazS3G
patricia @ 9.33am, proof of Pyne’s incompetence in the face of a real journalist.
Friday night forum
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3422999.htm
Cu, sorry I just realised that you were way ahead with the Lateline news 🙂
No, one cannot have it repeated to often. I did
Last night’s Capital Hill was worth looking at. Did not agree with many things said, but it was an attempt to actually talk about the issues.
Cu, i’ve been trying to get Capitol Hill on the ABC24 website to watch Fitzgibbon interview again, it’s not the best laid out website IMO,
too hard at the moment !!
Or maybe it’s just me… 😳
Pip, if you can’t find it..nobody can…
Bacchus will. 🙂
What was that we were looking for??
I can’t remember. 😦
I’m not keen on providing links to any more leadership piffle but this one requires a response.
Deep into the article there is this comment by Shaun Carney.
There is no point in continuing to face into the head winds of a vicious cashed up campaign by the Clubs and pubs, and expect anything other than muck.
The same applies to the changed MRRT legislation, which, in it’s original form, swept Kevin Rudd’s Prime Ministership away.
The same applies to Malcolm Turnbull’s Leadership of the Liberals when he supported an Emissions Trading Scheme.
The vested interests brigade and their media supporters are having a somewhat longer struggle to sweep this Prime Minister away.
Groping for leadership in an hour of darkness
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/groping-for-leadership-in-an-hour-of-darkness-20120203-1qxsy.html
Miglo, neither can I !
Pip, I had no luck either.
I tried last night with no luck. It must be there somewhere. Everything else is.
Even the transcript would do. I find this one of the better programmes, not that is saying much. It has gone off a little lately.
At least they know how to interview.
Uhlmann has no skill whatever, as well as being a little arrogant.
I believe the PM made the decision re Wilkie, because she is not interested in just going through the motions.
Yes, that would have been the easy decision. I believe it would have also been the correct one.
Some success is better than none. It will be easier down the track to go further. No legislation means one has to start again and it is unlikely to happen.
Migs @4.57pm and Pip @5.03pm. Me either. It must be time for music. 🙂
As it’s on Open Thread, then I guess that we can play what we like.
Now this rumour could not possibly be true.
Now it does have as much basis of truth that the Rudd come back has.
Maybe it could be true.
Nah. I do not think so. What do others think.
Gee what a wonderful mother. Gina threatens her children to do as I say or else. What a wonderful ananlogy for what could happen to journos if she gets on the board of fairfax.
Obviously the reporter of this aricle has a different plan than journalism in her future. Meanwhile keep australia informed.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/rinehart-threatens-to-cancel-ransom-insurance-for-her-children-20120205-1qzun.html
Sue, such a nice person isn’t she. Gina didn’t get her own way with the suppression order so now she is resorting to threats.
And not only the children but the grandies might not be too safe either…
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/gina-rinehart-kidnap-fears-over-court-case/story-e6frf7jx-1226261183067
the grandkids
gee i just love my 2
Min
something to keep a watch on, as it is a good indicator of what will once again occur under an abbott/ or any other candidate led coalition govt.
“OUR public hospital would suffer if dragged back into private ownership and management, Lyne MP Robert Oakeshott warns.
Mr Oakeshott raised the alarm after NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner revealed in the media that her government was investigating the possibility of working with the private sector in planning, building and running new hospitals and upgrades of existing hospitals.
“The previous National Party privatisation of Port Macquarie hospital (in 1991) so heavily favoured the private contractor that the independent NSW Auditor General slammed the then National Party MPs for ‘in effect, paying for the hospital twice and giving it away’.
“The private sector reaped the benefits of this lopsided contract at the direct expense of the NSW people.
“Not only was this a statewide financial failure, but the local community suffered the consequences through a lack of infrastructure investment, and through services, such as mental health, being unavailable.”
http://www.portnews.com.au/news/local/news/general/mp-slam-hospital-privatisation-idea/2444003.aspx
This article about Port Macquarie hospital comes after the article last week about Armidale hospital federal funding application being sabotaged by NSW govt.
(http://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/news/local/news/business/sabotage-claim-over-hospital-upgrade-funds/2442736.aspx)
Lets hope the Independents Windsor and Oakshott ask a few questions in Parliament.
And lets see if the Press gallery meeja can spot a scoop, well one that actually matters to voters
As I noticed Barbanby Joyce sitting at the table for the meeting on St George flood crisis (as the member that is okay to be there )
What was Barnaby’s vote for the Brisbane flood levy?
Oh dear they have just replayed an interview with him and all he did is talk about how it was affecting him. talk about me me. yes he is at a motel and will move out when told to do so
Yes Sue, I watched that disgusting video, the guy said nothing about what he could achieve for the community, no request for extra funding or support.
Joyce, Newman and Abbott are useless in a crisis.
Compare Joyce to Rudd in the Brisbane flood crisis – get out and do something useful Barnaby.
lunalava
Are you suggesting barnaby fly to Canberra and leave the real work to others.
Luna, I was just thinking about that. Remember when Rudd was out there during the Brisbane floods with trousers rolled up and wear his best gum boots, and all that the media could bleat on about was it being a photo op for a challenge which was supposted to happen any tick of the clock. Fortunately for the good folk of Brisbane..Abbott didn’t attempt to ‘help’.
I do not believe it. The ABC 24 is repeating Mr. Abbott’s long door stop in full.
Mr. Abbott viewsthe Howard years as golden. I suspect that many have a memory problem. This writer appears to agree with me.
Mr. Abbott said he wants to change Australia for the better. I quite like the Australia we have now. I would like to see less racism and greater community pulling together but is is not a bad place.
I cannot see Mr. Abbott addressing racism.
Sue, no one is going to get between Gina and her trough of money, not even the children.
It matters not that are are far past being children and are now very mature adults that would like to control their own money.
Do we really want a quick election and the disruptions it will bring fo
Does Mr. Abbott care, I believe not.
One problem is that an early election would put the House of Representatives and the Senate out of alignment. There cannot be a half-Senate election until August 7 next year.
If Rudd were to take the leadership around the time of the budget in May this year and call an election for August, the two houses would be out of kilter. If he wanted to realign them, he would have to call another general election by May 2014. That would mean three federal elections in under four years.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/bets-off-for-abbott-after-a-rudd-change-20120205-1qzm2.html#ixzz1lYgnLzgc
Cu, your comment @ 11.17am really needs repeating…..often
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/it-takes-selective-memory-to-call-Howard-era-a-golden-age/
A good news story I had missed in the press. apparently announced on a visit to Townsville
“NBN delivers disability support services direct to doorstep
More children with hearing or vision impairment living in regional and remote Australia will soon have access to specialist services and therapies through the National Broadband Network (NBN).
The Government is investing $4.9 million over three years to deliver the online video-based initiative which will improve access to qualified allied health and education services for families and children with disability in regional and remote communities, where such expertise may otherwise be scarce.
The initiative will deliver services to about 125 additional children in regional and remote Australia, building on the 100 children already supported by the Government.
Ms Macklin said the NBN was breaking new ground in service delivery for young children with disability.”
http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/007
Sue, it certainly is very nice to read a good news story..it balances the constant negativity.
I thought that everyone would enjoy this short film by a mate of mine, David Bradbury. It’s on the uranium mining issues.
A bit of a worry
Rising temperatures at Fukushima raise questions over stability of nuclear plant
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/08/fukushima-rising-temperatures-stability-nuclear-reactor
has this story been in our news?
Sue, maybe Bolt’s mentioned it somewhere.
The government has been found amiss with it’s Green Energy Future adds last year.
The problem was in their rush to get the ads to air, they by-passed the normal tender process. It was not found that the ads were wrong or misleading.
Mr.. Abbott was found wrong in his utterances, saying what the cost of The Green Energy bill would lead to. In other words he was found guilty of lying.
Mr. Conroy has pointed out that the Opposition cannot prevent the Malaysian Solution being put i place and complain about the rising costs on onshore processing.
They cannot have it both ways.
I am sure they will, while sticking to their solutions, which experts have said will not work. They are also costly.
Who is to blame for the present increase of asylum seekers is now academic and has no connection to the solution of what is occuring today.
When the kitchen water pipe breaks, we do not stand in the middle of the kitchen talking about whoses fault it is, we genrally get on with fixing the pipe.
Sunrise. 7 Mr Turnbull is according to them, making his run. Mr.,Turnbull, when questioned, did little to dampen down the story.
I’m quite impressed with the taxi I’m traveling in. A nice late model Ford. It’s quite smooth (for a taxi) and it is immaculate inside. The best taxi I can remember riding it.
It’s a real pity that the driver is doing his best to crash it. 😦
Not before time, the government is looking at the employment agencies that were established when Mr. Howard closed down the CES.
This Should have been done in the previous government but6 we must remember that much of the Rudd wealth comes from this move by Mr. Howard.
Has anyone notice that all the Opposition can do when talking about the economy, is deficits and surpluses.
Surely there is more to the economy than this.
Are they saying that there must always be surpluses, no matter what the global economy is. Are they saying that there should never be debt.
I would like to add, for the exception of Greece, the debt that bought Europe to it’s knees was not government debt but private debt.
A little annoying fact they gloss over..
There is a appropriate cartoon on this site.
The golden years.
I hope the Age reporters get to see the papers held by the Guardian and cited in the original article.
now stephen smith has been advised by defense there is nothing to the article. smith also noted that there were numerous parliamentary committees during the howard years that asked question of defense and nothing materialised.
so it will be interesting to see what any further investigations by the age turn up.
of yes and AWB downer says there is nothing to the story.
AM this morning
“MARK WILLACY: Well we just moved through a checkpoint which had eight long range patrol vehicles, west of Ramadi. There were several dozen soldiers there who wouldn’t let us stop. They were Australian SAS.
Some refused to even say that they were Australians, they said very little. One guy said to his mate, “Hey filthy, get rid of them.” With that we were pushed through the checkpoint.
We saw them hauling off three or four Arab men dressed in Gulf Arab attire, obviously for a document check or just to ask them a few questions.
TONY EASTLEY: AM’s Mark Willacy in western Iraq in April, 2003.
“EMILY BOURKE: What do we know about the exact involvement of Australian soldiers; where did that start and stop?
EDWARD SANTOW: Our own role was quite murky. We maintained that we didn’t detain anyone at all in operations first in Afghanistan, then in Iraq, and the Australian Government made this argument that really rested on legal fiction.
So these 66 people provide a good example of this phenomenon. What happened was a large contingent of Australian troops stopped the 66 people in Iraq and detained them. However, the Australian troops were accompanied by just one US soldier and Australia maintained that the presence of that one US soldiers meant that it was actually the United States who was detaining these people and not Australia.
What flowed from that as a matter of law was that Australia owed no legal obligations to them and we argue that’s simply a legal fiction and designed to absolve Australia of any obligations that we might have and simply doesn’t hold water.
EMILY BOURKE: So legal slight of hand?
EDWARD SANTOW: Exactly yeah, it’s a legal slight of hand.
EMILY BOURKE: Who would have crafted that policy?
EDWARD SANTOW: This was something that we showed last year went up to the very highest reaches of the Australian Government, both the Defence Minister and the chief of the Australian Defence Force was well aware of this approach.
The chief of the Australian Defence Force at the time also expressed some concern about whether this approach was consistent with international law.
EMILY BOURKE: That would suggest that the Australian Government and Defence were complicit?
EDWARD SANTOW: Yes it would. Our concern is exactly that. Our concern is that the Australian Government deliberately set up a process whereby it could look the other way. There was a real kind of hypocrisy to this as well and that is that unlike the United States, Australia said very publicly that we would comply with the Geneva Conventions, that we would comply with international humanitarian law in Iraq and Afghanistan.
And then in reality we set up this process whereby we could simply ignore those rules when it was convenient.”
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3426377.htm
Cu @5.12pm..thank you for the link, interesting article. One thing that made me smile was the description of Abbott’s team being Howard’s B Team. I agree. It was here at the Café many moons ago that we were making the same observation. Unfortunately the talent, with perhaps the exception being Turnbull all left. Howard of course never ever promoted anyone with any talent, lest they threaten his own position and Abbott is certainly following in his mentor’s footsteps.
“”The idea that people captured by the Australians weren’t acutally captured by the Australians was a nonsense then and a nonsense now.”
Mr James told the ABC that the Australian Defence Association had argued against that interpretation in 2003, and it was now coming back to bite the military.
“We said at the time that was nonsense, you can’t avoid your responsiblities under the Geneva Conventions that way and it would eventually backfire on us, and these latest allegations look like part of a backfire.”
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/australian-link-to-secret-iraq-prisons-a-nonsense-20120209-1rpjt.html#ixzz1lrssQ2nY
Sue, Neil James has been around for one heck of a long time..I don’t always agree with what he says but as far as factual information he can be relied upon.
Sue, from your link.
And running parallel to this was the Howard/Downer argument that neither was the Australian government responsible for Australian citizens Hicks and Habib.
Therefore as Howard went along with whatever the Americans under the Bush administration were doing in Gitmo, it would not surprise me at all that they were likewise cooperating with Bush regarding illegal detention of POWs.
And defense has probably been in lock down today.
James mentioning the Geneva Convention and i told you so, in the same breath is an interesting development.
lets hope the age does a good look back at all the commentary from that time.
Monday looks to be an interesting day..and of course Abbott is still refusing to allow a conscience vote.
http://www.news.com.au/national/mps-set-to-debate-gay-marriage-in-house-of-representatives/story-e6frfkw9-1226267019536#ixzz1lsn7VCMZ
Abbotts troops won’t know whether to scratch their watches or
wind their butts after the mess they’ve made this week.
Online Tobacco Ads stubbed Out
8 February 2012
The last bastion of tobacco advertising has been stubbed out.
Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said the Senate today passed legislation restricting online tobacco advertising in Australia.
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/Content/mr-yr12-tp-tp012.htm
Maybe we should take a step back and look closely at companies when they begin screaming from the roof tops that htye have to cut labour.
They just could have another agenda.
Remember when no one wanted these establishments. Obviously the disaster did not occur and jobs provided are probably better paid than they are use to.
The government that is too busy focussing on Mr. Abbott, to be looking after the affairs of the Nation.
What many ignore, this government is able to deal with many matters at once, unlike Mr. Abbott, who has trouble dealing with his one issue. Destroying the Nation to get at the PM.
This is a great read for those interested
Let me assure you, intellectual disability does not preclude you from being aware that you’re being made fun of. It doesn’t stop that kind of bullying from being hurtful. And sadly, this kind of ridicule is all too familiar for people with intellectual disabilities
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-08/young-disability-is-not-a-cute-little-joke/3817824
Meanwhile, Hildebrand appears to be making a quaint little show called ‘Dumb, Drunk and Racist.’
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-09/woman-arrested-over-todd-river-film-assault/3821270
A fairly confronting title you might think. Not hard to understand, then, why, when filming on the banks of the Todd River, some locals might get a bit antsy with them. (not defending their actions though, but I can see where the provocation might have come from)
Or perhaps they had been following his twitter stream?
Reeks of egotism from Hildebrand…
Re Let me assure you, intellectual disability does not preclude you from being aware that you’re being made fun of. A couple of friends of mine when I was living at Billinudgel have Downs Syndrome. She said that he had asked her to marry him. She explained (she is the more able with the spoken word) that they were fully aware of the tut tuts from people who thought that they “wouldn’t cope” with being married. G* added, but he’s my best friend and so of course we can get married. They had a lovely wedding and only a few refused to attend. I thought it sad that there would be people in this world who would not wish this fine pair of individuals every happiness.
And Hildebrand is a regular for Tony Jones Q & A
oh hehehaha not
Joe Hildebrand needs to shut up today; he’s already shown himself to be a gormless egotisitical knob…. he really isn’t clever, or funny. At. All.
Miglo
Guess what, its official, in NSW a public servant is to blame
Report savages officials over school bus fiasco
“Ministers have to be told the situation, warts and all,” Dr Boston said.
The Premier says the report has uncovered serious issues.
“As I read the report I got increasingly angry at what was clearly a lack of focus by the department on the needs of those children and their families,” Mr O’Farrell said.”
The fact that the Barrel o’ Lies govt CUT the rate of payment had nothing to do with it.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-10/report-savages-officials-over-disabled-students-fiasco/3823442
You can’t get much lower than ridiculing a person with an intellectual disability. That includes those who suffer from depression. Many in our society get their kicks out of bullying such people. How many people suffering from depression take their own lives? Those people who are the root cause of it should be charged with murder.
Roswell, I think that goes for anyone and everyone with an invisible disability. However, there are also times when people with visible ones cop it none too sweet either.
I used to think that Hildebrand was funny. But, once he started attempting to write about serious subjects, his total lack of self-awareness, and his vacuous grasp of subjects, really became apparent.
Sometimes, jesters should just remain jesters
How long before this gets blamed on the Carbon Tax?
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-10/anz-increases-rates-by-6-basis-points/3823356
Tom, I’ll give it until Tony Abbott can get his face in front of the first available camera…
Over the last decade or so, it seems that the numbers of Hildebrand types are multlplying, and worse, given tacit permission to behave like pricks!
Pip, you’ve said it all..and on more than one level.
Tom @ 3.31pm,
Tom R
How long before this gets blamed on the Carbon Tax?
Answer, at close to the speed of light?
Do opinion polls poison politics?
I believe that polls is a tool that can be either good or bad. It reminds me of another every day tool, a sharp knife. A everyday tool that can be used to create or to kill.
This is a long article but I believe worth a read.
Thanks for the link Cu, it reminded me of earlier times when propaganda was used to convince the public of the ‘rightness’ of an idea, and now the same tactics are being applied.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques
Downer rubbishes Iraq ‘black site’ claims
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-09/defence/3820886
enior members of the Howard government and the Defence Department are denying claims that Australian soldiers were involved in transporting Iraqis to secret prisons during the war.
A United States military document obtained by The Guardian newspaper identifies an Australian SAS squadron of 150 men and says it was “integral” to the operation of a secret facility, known as H1, in Iraq’s western desert in 2003.
and
Former foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer dismisses claims that Australia played an integral role in the so-called black sites – secret prison facilities hidden from the Red Cross.
“I think that’s likely to be complete nonsense,” Mr Downer said.
“I don’t think the SAS would have known anything about black sites at that time and certainly we didn’t in the Australian government.
“But we did have protocols in place.
and
However, Australian Defence Association spokesman Neil James says questions were being raised in Canberra concerning how prisoners were being handled.
and
“The idea that people captured by the Australians weren’t actually captured by the Australians was a nonsense then and it’s a nonsense now.
“Australia does have a responsibility and it’s very difficult when you’re the capturing power to hand over your prisoners to someone else.
“You have to satisfy yourself that they are also a complying power with the Geneva Conventions.
“This was a case of some of the Defence Department’s lawyers perhaps being a bit too smart for their own good, perhaps at the direction of senior officials in the department, and not following time-tested military practice.”
From the link above:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques
This is Tony Abbott’s favourite, but not only, tactic.
Ask me if I’m glad the week’s over. No, don’t ask me, I’ll tell you instead.
YES!
Talk about the good with the bad. After a couple of nice days down the coast I came back to a hundred spot fires at work. Why can’t people do your job for you while you’re away? 😀
It was amusing to learn that I’ve allegedly been lurking around in Canberra and visiting banks for money. 😯
More P+W Migs. Delusional perhaps?
P+W? I’m not with you.
PRIME MINISTER
TRANSCRIPT OF JOINT DOORSTOP INTERVIEW
SYDNEY
10 FEBRUARY 2012
E & O E – PROOF ONLY
Subjects: National Disability Insurance Scheme; Private health
insurance rebate; Car industry; Surplus
Click to access joint_doorstop_interview.pdf
Language alert…
piss and wind 😀
Umm pr*cks and whingers? I personally would prefer pop music and wine 😀 Speaking of which I haven’t played any music for eons.
Pip, I was close. 😀
I reckon so, Pip. In my language we have a word for it: ‘bullshit’.
Do honest people speak bullshit? NO.
I actually thought the W stood for wankers. 😆
W also stands for weary. It’s time for 40 winks. 😦
Min, The Wanderer will do nicely. 🙂
The goodies have begun.
Another one, just for fun..
What about this one Min?
Cheryl Kernot on politics, the media and female leadership
http://theconversation.edu.au/cheryl-kernot-on-politics-the-media-and-female-leadership-5304
Good one Pip. 🙂
I’m not a Rod Stewart fan, but I like a couple of his.
Completely unknown whether or not there is any truth in this..
@andrewbgreene 7 News @TonyAbbottMHR’s office has ordered Coalition staffers to shut down their twitter and facebook accounts
An optional illusion..I thought that this was quite amazing.
http://www.moillusions.com/2006/09/national-geographics-shadow-camels.html
Has anyone noticed that Mr. Abbott is getting a whine in his voice that sounds a little like his best mate. Mr. Pyne.
It that black hole in the mining tax seven or ten billion. Mr.Abbott shrugs it off at nothing this morning on NSB Today. Others say the figure is 4 billion.
Mr. Abbott was challenged on the show. It is nice to see this change in the behaviour of the media. Mr. Abbott did not appreciate the change.
The PM has announced that schools will be given the power to sack teachers.
The PM is to meet with the states to introduce the new policy.
I wonder how Mr. Abbott will be able to say no to a policy he has been pushing for years,
I have concerns re the new policy but research appears to back up the need for this action.
It will need many safeguards, which I imagine is more likely if Labor introduces it and not the Coalition.
The PM is sure keeping herself busy, introducing something on a regular basis.
When listening to the clubs claiming to be victims of the government and Mr. Wilkie calling foul, we need to remember there are real victims, that are being ignored.
Also the harm to the economy is also being pushed aside.
It is important the the PM gets her legislation through,
It is not the best that can be down, but it is a start.
Maybe Mr. Wilkie should take a step back and remember the old adge, that a bird in hand is worth two in th bush.
Bringing down a government will ensure that the problem isd never addressed.
Listening to Sunrise. One of the excuses the banks are using for putting up rates is that we re not borrowing as much. The speaker said he has never seen a shoe shop put up prices when sales are dropping.
They were also talking about deficits. It was pointed out that depict means we are paying more taxes than we are receiving back. The same speaker that made the above remark said surely we do not want to be doing this every year.
They could have added that Mr. Abbott sees all economics as being surpluses. He speaks of nothing else, except carbon tax.
Ditching The carbon tax and aiming for a surpluses by extreme cuts in the budget will not lead to nirvana. It will probably cause the economy to collapse.
Mr. Abbott refuses to acknowledge the multi-speed economy and the high dollar.
If this is true, how can he have the answer, if he ignores the causes.
Cu, Wilkie on this one reminds me of Senator Fielding and his alcopops tax. Fielding had a list of demands, a couple of which could not be met eg that no sporting clubs could advertise alcohol and that this should be enacted immediately. The government stated that this was unreasonable as clubs needed time to fulfil existing contracts and to find alternative sponsors. Fielding did a dummy spit and ended up with nothing.
Therefore Wilkie should be careful with his revenge scenario against the government. If Tony Abbott has made him any promises in order to get Wilkie’s support such as IF I’m elected, I’ll get your legislation through, then Wilkie ought to be looking at Tony Abbott’s track record. My estimation is 70/30 against Abbott keeping any of his promises once elected.
The rest of this article is behind the pay wall but what we see could not be truer.
Wise words, is to wait until the fat lady sings. Sadly for the Oposition this has not yet occurred.
Sadly also behind the pay wall. I notuced that Mr. Rudd’s comments were not.
Min
On a wilkie Abbott deal. if abbott has given wilkie some assurances on his pet theme pokie machines, then the bigger question is why does abbott not support the bill of the govt? remember the pm stated that a compromise type of legislation had to be developed because wilkie did not have the support of the cross benches. and wilkie would not need the cross benches if abbott said YES.
Cu, @ 9.38am I posted this on Media Watch xiii.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/politics/for-a-few-dollars-more-20120210-1sksf.html
Clearly the “deficit” is the buzzword for the week.
Nowhere did Mr. Peter ‘Hatchet’ mention the Global Financial Crisis.
Sadly, in a democracy its the role of Opposition to be negative on guvmint business and they don’t have to offer an alternative if they don’t want to.
Just say no.
el grodo, are you sure you’re in the right street?
Its an Open Thread.
I’m waiting for Blue to turn up and discuss CC without links, except graphs and the like.
Yes el grodo, it is Open thread, but you were responding to a comment.
Bye.
Ahhh… yes, my poor comprehension again.
Anyhow, the wet weather is to continue.
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/poama2.4/poama.shtml
A little more from behind the pay wall, thanks to Mr. Bolt. Pf course it will not surprise anyone that ge does not agree.
ott_should_lay_off_gillard/
el gordo, it is only this Opposition that believes it has to be negative on all things.
Yes, the Opposition is free not to have policies. That is their call.
The Opposition cannot then complain when they are found wanting.
The government and the PM does not have to do what the Opposition leader daily demands she do. That is her choice.
Please make sure you report accurately what we are saying when you make your report back to the other side.
Pip, the trouble is the it is the only word, yesterday, today and tomorrow.
You are right, there is more to managing a economy than surpluses and deficits.
The question that must be asked, is this the time for a surplus or is a deficit the way to go.
Surpluses and deficits can be arrived at by many different routes.
The taxes can be raised. Spending can be cut.
It one gets it wrong, the economy can go into downfall. We can have inflation, deflation or stagflation.
We can have massive unemployment.
Businesses can go down the gurgler.
What we cannot do, is ignore what Mr. Abbott sees as inconvenient truths, GFC and the high dollar. The restructuring that is now occurring in our economy.
The Clean Energy Future will add as much money to the economy as it takes out. I fail to see how ditching it will lead us to that golden age that Mr. Abbott promises.
You know one like when Mr. Howard ruled. The time when we pay more taxes than we do now.
It is said if this government now taxed at the rate that Mr. Howard did, we would be in surplus.
Does one notice that there does not seem to be any support for Mr. ABBott’s plans from the experts.
Yes, el gordo, Mr. Abbott can be negative and not have policies. This can also be the result.
Not very prudent in my mind.
El gordo, I credited you with better thought processes than those used by Mr Abbott. Being objectionable and being obstructionist are two different things. One is a positive and the other is a negative.
I lke Robb to take his place, he has a sceptical bent and will work well with Nick Minchin when he becomes president.
The betting odds for Yabbott aren’t good, the punters are looking at Talcum again and he’s firming up slightly.
The carbon tax debacle will sink the ALP, such a huge waste of money to styme a hamless trace gas.
el gordo, I can only assume that you have not watched Mr. Robb being interviewed during the last week.
I will say, he might have been having trouble promoting an argument that he did not agree with.
No matter, he was shocking, on a par with Mr. Hockey.
The only one that has shown ability and I did not agree with one word he said, surprisingly was Mr. Dutton, that is when Mr. Abbott got out of his way.
After Hockey’s disastrous week I think he’s slipped down the list of leadership candidates. He may have swapped positions with Robb, whose chances must now be better. Personally, I don’t think he has a chance.
It could not be that Mr. Turnbull is once again wring when it comes toi the NBNco. Where are the headlines singing this fact out. There was alittle fuss when he turned up to voiced his opinion.
Yes there are many more things to talk a about today that that deficit.
The PM , the one that is obsessed with Mr. Abbott is out today in Queensland, inspecting the flood areas.
She has announced that 1.9 billion was handed out this a week.
ulman actually asked this of the PM the other night. Shouldn’t he be aware of this, or is it easier to just perpetrate opposition talking points?
Also, not really a question for the PM. Something like that would best be directed at Conroy himself. Of course, that wouldn’t happen, he will get the direct facts, which would nullify his question.
Asking detailed questions of the PM about specific portfolio’s is nothing more than gotcha journalism. Unfortunately, he got gotched back 😉
Tom R, reading this article, they actually done two years research before coming to this conclusion.
What they have chose meets today demands and well into the future. Well for at least 15 years.
This is what NBNco is about, meeting today and tomorrows needs well into the future.
Mr. Turnbull is about getting it a cheap as possible with an alternative scheme that barely meets today’s needs and bugger the future.
Cu, I think you’ve pointed this out before.
Prime Minister Gillard is taking the long view. 🙂
Pip, I have not seen any evidence to change my mind, have you.
Yes it is amazing that every word the PM utters seems to be about what is good for the future.
This from a person that has no imagination, vision or narrative to tell.
This from a person that we all know is obsessed with Mr. Abbott and unable to deal with matters of state.
Showing confidence and giving the appearance of all flowing over her head, because she has too..
Now Mr. Abbott and the media must be correct, what we are seeing is a mirage.
.
Yes, very puzzling indeed.
.
No name calling, just listening to what they are saying and becoming very confused.
If Labor can put us back in the black, then Abbott should be able to keep it there. He knows this for certain because they will dismantle the CO2 tax.
Labor is pinning its hopes on the tax not having a negative impact, after compensating pensioners and workers…and going easy on the middle class. It’s unlikely to succeed.
On coming to power the Coalition may possibly concentrate resources on decentralisation, but there are a lot of unknowns.
The possibility of a European economic meltdown and the outcome of a power struggle in Beijing, may influence decisions at home.
(Correct; for all intents and purposes, Coalition numerates will have to rejig their Direct Action policy, such as it is and as elapsed as it is, to fully explain how they intend to achieve their bipartisan commitment to emissions reductions, substantively and fiscally; including dismantling and remantling phases, and bang-for-buck per the available, diminishing timelines. Because that’s their pledge, and their burden of proof, as an alt-government; intent on providing a Pigovian subsidy to polluters from out the pockets of taxpaying householders, rather than clobbering the cost-of-family-living economy in these difficult balancing-act times.)
Holy Massive Akubras! Bob Katter’s got a big red double-decker Katmobile!
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/bob-katter-unleashes-the-katmobile-for-australia-partys-queensland-tour/story-e6freuzr-1226268548308
BOB Katter’s Australian Party will will tour Queensland on a red London double-decker bus dubbed the “Katmobile”.
Here is the “Bus Stop” Line Dance by the Smoky Mountain Shaggers of Knoxville, Tennessee. 😯
el gordo, you could be correct, that is if the only problem this country is facing is the so called carbon tax.
Sadly this is not true.
There are many other hurdles to get over. There is the high dollar. There is the world economy. There is the structural change that is going on in the country.
There is the multi-speed economy caused by the mining boom.
There is the fact that this is a lower taxing government than Mr. Howard.
It is not true that it is high spending. government. There has been massive consolidation going on.
The PS has not grown to the extent that Mr. Hockey says..
There is more to managing a economy than carbon tax and deficits.
Yes, el gordo you could be correct if one ignores many facts.
el gordo
on abbott will dismantle co2 tax. what would the public think of abbott if this had been reported by the msm?
‘Tuvalu, but it is sinking.’ (Abbott)
(Rudd)’ On the question of climate change, for the people of Tuvalu, the people of Kiribati, for the people in the climate change small island states, this is not a joke.
Ms JULIE BISHOP (Curtin—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the Minister for Foreign Affairs advise the House of one single country—just one will do—with an economy-wide carbon tax greater than the Australian carbon tax, set at $23 per tonne and going up to $131 per tonne?
Mr RUDD (Griffith—Minister for Foreign Affairs) (14:10): I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. I did notice that once the question had been asked there was an interjection, by the Leader of the Opposition, I understand, mockingly saying ‘Tuvalu, but it is sinking.’ On the question of climate change, for the people of Tuvalu, the people of Kiribati, for the people in the climate change small island states, this is not a joke
Click to access dr090212.pdf
This from the Speaker, Peter Slipper, at the end of QT last week. Now I haven’t seen this mentioned in the msm but i am wondering what is the meaning or ramifications of his words. Will it, say, make it abit harder for Abbott/Pyne to stop QT ?
“The SPEAKER: While the tally is taking place, I have noticed, progressively, with motions to suspend standing and sessional orders speakers on both sides have tended to address the issue rather than the reason for a suspension. I would like to give the House notice that hereafter I intend to strictly enforce the standing orders. So, if there is a motion to suspend, the speaker supporting that will support that motion and the speaker opposing it will oppose that motion.”
Maybe the msm have realised they have backed the wrong horse. The no-alitions increasing erraticness on economic matters.
Either way, it is noce to see facts (which have been sorely lacking in recent times) edging their way back in the conversation, and from a most unlikely source.
The truth is that taxation as a proportion of the economy is lower now than it was under John Howard’s government. The tax to GDP ratio, 23.7 per cent when Labor came to office, is now 21.2 per cent.
According to figures that came across my desk yesterday, had the ratio remained at the 2007-08 level that Labor inherited, tax receipts would have been $21.4 billion higher in 2012-13 than they are projected to be.
Returning the Budget to surplus would not be an issue. The Government would not only be looking at a surplus of $22.9 billion next financial year, but would have been back in the black by more than $3 billion in 2010-11.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/truth-gets-lost-in-canberra-spin/story-fn6bn88w-1226268226904
Meanwhile, the oo continue to re-write history, mainly by making up their own ‘facts’
But as a stimulus spending program, the problem was that the buildings were still being constructed well after the crisis had passed. Indeed, the program was continuing when the resources industry was short of skills and was crying out for staff.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/sugar-hit-of-fiscal-stimulus-isnt-worth-the-weight/story-fnbkvnk7-1226268187359
Yet, from their own pages, this is contradicted with the actual facts.
The main prop for the economy in the first quarter was the government’s national school’s spending program, which added 0.9 percentage points to GDP. Consumer demand held up, despite the impact of aggressive interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/markets/mining-sector-investment-to-speed-up-recovery-from-slowdown/story-e6frg926-1225874550046
Meanwhile, where was the outrage in their msm when this all unfolded? Sharing the same hammock I guess
joe2
Before Costello sold tonnes of our Gold for under $300 an ounce. Did you miss Costello the Forex trader as well, that was another billion dollar blunder.
Much more than a billion, I would have thought.
The damage went far beyond the low price. It caused the gold exploration industry in W.A.,very important to W.A. at the time, to be fuacked over. Which meant mining that would have come on stream not happening. This was pushed along by the size of the sale and his pronouncements about the reasons why and the future of gold. Should have stayed in the hammock.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/02/09/morgan-phone-poll-55-45-to-coalition-2/all-comments/#comment-1152949
Tom, the oo should be renamed Ripley’s Believe it or Not.
Some of the stuff on Ripley’s was true though.
Believe it or Not 😉
On the stimulus had no effect, is the fact that the economy slowed down as it was withdrawn.
Cassidy made a couple of worrying statements this morning. His attempt to stir up the Rudd attack. His attack on the PM mentioning men in suits and his arrogant statement insinuating that the media will not give the PM a fair go, no matter what she does..
Mr Cassidy also raised the prospect that Mr. Turnbull was ready.
Mr. Marr asked what the PM had done wrong in the Thompson affair. Mr. Marr said that the attack by the Mr. Pyne was to blacken the PM’s name.
The discussion, guided mostly by Mr. Cassidy spent more time ridiculing Mr. Slipper that talking about his performance.
el gordo should be very happy with Mr. Bolt this morning.
Catching up, Barrie Cassidy doesn’t have the odd off day where he’s attacks the government; he does it consistently therefore we are within our rights to
accuse hiim of blatant bias. Group Think rules across the main stream media.
It’s time for him to leave.
Tom,
Before Costello sold tonnes of our Gold for under $300 an ounce. Did you miss Costello the Forex trader as well, that was another billion dollar blunder.
Much more than a billion, I would have thought.
Yes it was much more!
http://publicinterestaustralia.freehomepage.com/whats_new.html
Pip, he spends so much time at Ch 10, maybe it is time to stay there.
He was obviously unhappy with much that was being said this morning.
Mr. Marr is good value.
Even MTP were challenging Mr. Abbott. .
I Believe.
Reserve Bank’s gold sale cost us $5bn
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/reserve-banks-gold-sale-cost-us-5bn/story-e6frg6nf-1225985231872
This more recent article gives Costello one mention buried in the middle of the article.
The ‘expert’ ex-Treasurer is still availing himself of a friendly media to offer his ‘valued’ opinion…..
Australia could end up like Europe – Peter Costello
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/business/australia-could-end-up-like-europe-peter-costello/story-e6frfm1i-1226252080394#ixzz1m8BngTmL
Circa 2002
Costello defends massive currency losses
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s496143.htm
Noticed that the job market has not snapped Mr. Costello since he left parliament.
Many of the wonderful and extremely successful ministers of that time have had to rely on this government for employment.
It is definitely a sad thing, that the private sector does not value their brilliance.
It is a shame that they have to rely on media appearance to top up the family budget.
One should show compassion for these people who have given up so much for our well being.
Sue @ 7.48am, from your link, searching for a msm news report of Mr. Abbott’s latest brainless and cruel comment about Tuvalu is a useless exercise.
mockingly saying ‘Tuvalu, but it is sinking.’
Hansard and the blogs will cover it
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/letters/will-libs-turn-back-tuvaluan-boats-20111007-1ldm6.html#ixzz1m8F7sVX2
..
No worries Cu, Pete’s got his parliamentary pension to tide him over the rough patches.
His bruised ego might be a different matter 😆
Union boss receives Australia Day hate mail
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-12/union-leader-receiving-australia-day-hate-mail/3825216
Unions ACT leader Kim Sattler has told police she has received threatening hate mail since the Australia Day protest which say the Prime Minister dragged from the scene by security.
While we are talking Costello there is this, as a board member of “his” (not the nations)future fund:
“AUSTRALIA’S de facto sovereign wealth fund has almost half a billion dollars tied to Europe’s most debt-ridden nations, including Greece.
Future Fund officials told a Senate committee hearing in Canberra that the $75 billion fund, created to finance public service superannuation liabilities, currently held $178 million of debt and $315 million in shares across Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Italy.
But its exposure to listed equities throughout Europe was far higher at $2.8 billion.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/the-future-funds-exposure-to-the-tumultuous-euro-zone-has-been-revealed-in-senate-estimates/story-fn59niix-1226169816538
Yes good old costello, i will lock up my future fund so labor can never get their hands on it. So much for that idea, let PIGS waste it rather than build infrastructure. And while I’m at it i will undermine govt policy.
This bit is even better, the fund invests in “$147 million invested in the tobacco industry and $179 million invested in weapons stocks.
Australian Greens Senator Richard Di Natale asked how the fund reconciled those holdings with its stated policies requiring environmental, social and governance risk management.
“If tobacco and nukes can still make the grade, the bar on ethical investment is obviously set way too low,” said Senator Di Natale said.
“By investing in tobacco the fund is undermining the government’s own plain packaging reforms.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/the-future-funds-exposure-to-the-tumultuous-euro-zone-has-been-revealed-in-senate-estimates/story-fn59niix-1226169816538
It was bloody Rudd who gave Costello a job with the future fund. Just too many coalition retirees were given an easy pay packet by rudd and the party will remember that.
I agree with Mr. Marr. We should be seeing more of the lcture that Mr. Abbott gave to 12 and 11 year olds at that Catholic School.
I am sure we would be seeing in it i detail if the person conerned was the PM.
The idiot did not even notice, with the little we have been allowed to see, the looks of puzzlemnet on the students faces.
I am waiting for one stiudent to say, my mum thinks you are nuts.
Pip
you had me going there on the Tuvalu comment being noticed by our press gallery, then i saw that your link was from 2011.
Sue, is that right… Pete’s Future Fund has invested in the industrial military complex business ??
$179 million invested in weapons stocks.
Pip, can you enlighten me what was different from Mr. Costello striving for the PM’s job and Mr. Rudd’s
Both are unsucessful.
Both driven by the media.
Both lack the guts to do it in the open.
Mr. Abbott said interest going up. Is that true.
I am rewatching MTP for the second time. I am having a good belly laught.
He is now committed to a budget in year one. Is that5 commitment for the day or does it have a longer lifespan.
They blame me for everything……tears in his voice. I need a suitable funny face.
At least that boy who would get a solar panel and put on his desk, is a little ahead of Mr. Abbott.
Catching up
Pip, can you enlighten me what was different from Mr. Costello striving for the PM’s job and Mr. Rudd’s
You have the answer CU, 🙂
From this mornings Insider, an important comparison
David Marr pointed out that ASIC still hasn’t brought charges against any of the directors from the AWB scandal which hit the headlines in 2005. So that is now 7 years without action. A double standard by the coalition as the FWA is only 4 years old.
I would like Mr. Abbott to talk abour structural deficts in the budget andthey way they got there.
Mr. Reith said that Mr. Abbott’s parental scheme would be ther forever and a structural defict in the budget.
Sue there was also the Abbott gaffe after the sinking of the cruise ship:-
“This is a bit from left field mate; the captain of the Costa Concordia wants to know if you need any help with your boat policy?” the host asked.
Mr Abbott replied: “Well, that was one boat that did get stopped, wasn’t it.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/tony-abbott-under-fire-for-costa-concordia-gaffe/story-fn59niix-1226249413076
The man hasn’t progressed from his first year uni persona…..
Change of pace.
Whitney Houston dead
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-12/whitney-houston-reportedly-dead/3825292
Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Whitney Houston has died at the age of 48.
“Unfortunately it is true,” her spokeswoman Jill Fritzo said.
The cause of her death is not known at this stage.
Vale Whitney and thanks for your beautiful music.
Pip
and ciggies don’t forget the ciggies.
govt attacks ciggies but invests in ciggies? you ask.
no the ‘ independent ‘ costello future fund does, i will put it simply for you.
costello future fund invests in ciggies
ipa get donations from ciggies
ipa attacks govt
Mr. Costello did not see much wrong with Europe and especially Greece while in power.
it is also another effort to stir up trouble.
They are comments you’d expect to see from readers on news.com. Not from a political leader, barr Edmund Barton or Billy Hughes.
Sue, definitely worth repeating.
Mr. Windsor is correct. Mr. Abbott does not have the numbers to say when a election will be called, even if he got the numbers on the floor of the house.
Mr. Abbott could go to the GG but he would be sent back to test it on the floor of the house.
The Independents would be unlikely to agree to this.
Mr. Abbott would need to find grounds for an election. Throwing the houses out of kilter would make the GG unlikely to agree.
At the end of the day politics come down to numbers.
Migs, he’s on a par with little Billy McMahon.
Pip and Catching up, re Barry Cassidy on Insiders. I thought there was almost a threatening tone in Cassidy’s voice as he made that comment about the media not letting the Rudd issue drop. He certainly is amongst those who have it in for the PM. Did you wonder if David Marr was referring to him or someone like him in his closing comments re. Prospero from the Tempest – the magician with a wave of his wand stirring up storms where none exist?
PS Catching up, thanks for visiting polliepomes! That latest pome with comments about chance and opportunity is still in draft form. I pressed the wrong button somewhere. I wonder if Miglo knows how take it back to draft? I can’t figure it out. Meantime I’ve trashed it, but I’ll rescue your comment later when I’ve finished the notes and restored the post.
Pip, here is one from Whitney that I’ve loved for quite some time..
Hi patricia, I haven’t watched Insiders yet, but Cassidy doesn’t surprise any more..he’s predictable…
What happened to all the supposedly trustworthy journalists; do they receive payment for job lots of attacks on the government?
Insiders
http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/
Min, and this, from The Bodyguard
I suggest that Mr. Abbott cannot even coordinate what he himself says day to day.. Sometimes hour to hour or show to show.
Pip, thanks for the reinforcement.
I just thought I might have has it wrong as a visitor from another site, says we always do.
I did want to keep an open mind.
I definitely did not want to sound vicious either.
Patricia, I particularly like that one. It is somehow human, not like most of the trash we are now getting that passes for political comment.
Yes, I was surprised at the venom, hate or something similar in Mr. Cassidy’s voice when he made the comment that the media will not let her. I believe that Annabelle was a little taken back.
I wonder why he hates her so much. I wonder if the problem is with a lot of males, that cannot cope with having women in roles of power.
I do not mean they hate women but cannot cope if they are able to take them on, on their own terms.
Mr. Cassidy shows his real colours when he visits The Project and other shows on Ch 10.
I am waiting for him to show up on the Bolt show.
What I am really waiting for, is the PM to also turn up on the same show.
Very original of Mr. Abbott. Keep the bastards honest.
Not sure that I like his habit of haunting hospital corridors, cornering patients and visitors with his pleads to keep the rebate.
I know how I would react, if he approach me if I was a patient or a parent of a patient.
I do not have to put it into words do I.
I am interested to know how others feel or what they would say.
Cu, re his cornering patients. I wonder if it’s too much to hope that some enterprising journalist might seek out some of the parents of those little primary school kids he ear bashed about politics the other day. Their feed-back could make good copy!
If I was Mr. Swan, I would be telling people to ditch banks, all banks. Not ditch your bank.
and
and
and Mr. Hockey once again ignores facts.
Pip, can you enlighten me what was different from Mr. Costello striving for the PM’s job and Mr. Rudd’s
tip had an agreement with howard to transfer over at a given time. howard renigged. There was every reason for the media to be asking questions, although, after a time, it became apparent that tip truly did live up to his name.
As for Rudd, no agreement or anything similar exists. It is purely a fancy of the msm, who, if one were into conspiracy theories, might deduce that they, like the noalition, are looking for something, anything, to take the focus of attention away from the economy.
Because, as oakes has finally conceded, the true economic power is in the Labor Government, the noalition are a fiscal rabble.
Thanks Tom, I am inclined to agree.
Mr. Cassidy made it very clear that the media would carry on regardless.
What I believe what Mr. Cassidy and his ilk are ignoring, the PM is not the pushover they assessed her to be.
Do not expect this PM to play to their script.
We can be sure that Mr. Abbott will. There is not an original idea to come from that man inadequate mind.
Mr. Abbott has had it laid on today by the media, and I am afraid has not impressed on any level.
Patricia, I think the kids had him sized up well.
They actually out did him in their answers.
They were one step ahead of him.
If I was parent, and knew he was coming, I would prime them to ask questions.
Such as why do you hate the PM, my Nana says you do.
If you want to enforce yourself on kids, you should stick to year twelve where they are able to hit back.
PM still dealing with the affairs of state. It must be misinformation that the PM is so obsessed with Mr. Abbott, that she is unable to perform her duties.
I wish they would say what she is not addressing.
I also wish the PM would take weekends off.
Mr. Cassidy made it very clear that the media would carry on regardless.
The liberal stooge they had on last week said the same thing. No matter what the particapants did, it wouldn’t matter she said, as it is just too much fun (or along those lines)
They will run with their story, regardless of the facts.
Which is the whole bloody problem with our media. They choose not to deal in realities. And then, they complain that their empires are dwindling. All they are good for now is as public relation machines for the rich and the filthy
As the goodies now start flowing.
We heard it said this morning that the tax will cost Alcoa 40 million.
What we did not hear was how much Alcoa will get back to make the improvements to their aging plant, so that they do have to pay into the future.
No wonder Mr. Abbott is sounding a little toey. His time is quickly passing him by.
I developed a sense with Insiders that to the extent that Gillard had it over Abbott last week then Abbott has served his usefulness and the media will be looking to Turnbull to have someone credible to champion. Notice how they went out on the lean and hungry Mal, the soon to be smiling assassin?
CU
Combet was very good at dismantling Cassidy. Combet had facts..
Cassidy to put it politely, did not.
Given that a good portion of their time is taken up with interviewing Abbott et al, then Cassidy etc do not require facts. Facts being an optional extra.
Has anyone noticed that all Labor’s ministers connected to fiance have a different way of communicating what is occurring in the economy.
I find this assuring. They are all clear in what they are saying.
Unlike the Opposition, they are not all over the place.
It took Mr. Abbott to commit to a surplus in the first year. He did not say how long this commitment will last. On recent history, this could change tomorrow.
So he has come from aspirations to commitment, in that short period of time.
Cu, it would seem clear that the government has a well organised plan. It should be that plan which journalists should be concentrating on.
I know that it’s been mentioned here before, but a weak opposition doing little else but slogans and photo ops means that the government also escapes any serious scrutiny. Pink batts boo, juLiar boo does not constitute debate nor scrutiny.
“Facts being an optional extra”.
Brilliant.
According to Mr. Abbott, the job of the Independents are to keep the bastards honest.
Silly me, I thought their job was to represent their electorate, you know, those people who gave them the mandate to sit in Parliament.
It appears now if they do not deliver for Mr. Abbott, it will be their fault if he does not achieve.
Mr. Abbott’s idea of how politics and parliament should work is getting more absurd every day.
.
I was correct, the ABC show no sign of how the PM spent her weekend. Yes we had Mr.Abbott and Mr Hockey, no PM.
I believe the PM spent her time in the flood areas of Queensland and NSW. At least that is what Sky showed.
Maybe I am wrong and missed the reports.
Cu, and not only to represent their electorates but to offer the best one has for the good of the nation, and the nation’s future. How naive of me, sadly it would seem that all the good moderate liberals such as Petro have now all left.
Min, what makes one angry, when was he not challenge on his statement. Why was he not asked what he meant. Why is it the Independents job to keep the PM honest. Maybe someone could have said, is it not also their job to keep you in line.
Gee, they are getting desperate.
One word, bullshit and twisting of facts.
I do not know what it is behind the pay wall but I will make an educated guess that the argument will be comprised of very few or no facts.
Hellow Miglo! I just finished my 250th pome! Thank you! For pictures and notes go to http://polliepomes.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/chance-is-a-fine-thing-opportunity-is-better/
Chance Is A Fine Thing. Opportunity Is Better
Another time, another place,
Or if they’d been a different race,
Their youngest child might not survive.
Well, here she is alive,
Living in prosperity.
This girl-child’s father and her mother
Had no constraint to smother
Her, or have to run and hide
While waiting for a ride
To hope, across an open sea.
Their little one, weak in her chest,
Was able still to pass the test
For passage to Australia.
No risk there of failure –
An ideal migrant family!
That child is grown and powerful now.
I’m sure she stops to ponder how
It happened, and what would have become
Of her if, not a ten pound Pom,
She’d been instead a refugee.
Not surprising then or sinister
She’s become a Prime Minister
Determined not to leave to chance
Her life’s clear mission; to advance
Australians to fair and equal opportunity.
One word, bullshit and twisting of facts.
That’s more than one word CU, yet true none the less 😉
On economic management, Mr Abbott is now preferred by 43 per cent of voters, compared with Ms Gillard’s 34 per cent. In August 2010, just before the election and Ms Gillard’s vow not to introduce a carbon tax, she led Mr Abbott 48 per cent to 40 per cent.
It is classic cheery picking, and does not in fact show the recent swing back for Labor, the fact that the went so far back should be the give away.
the Coalition led 47-28 on best to handle the economy when Newspoll last asked the question in October, so if anything I think it’s telling how narrow Abbott’s lead is.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/02/09/morgan-phone-poll-55-45-to-coalition-2/all-comments/#comment-1155384
I would also guess, as has been surmised on that thread, that, (if it is asked) the 2PP will see Labor closer. It is a matter of showing the worst numbers, comparing them against Labors previous best, and crating their story that Labor is always going back. Highlight the negatives, bury the positives.
I would keep an eye on the newspoll site, and see what comes out then 😉
(or I would ignore it all, and just let the ineptness of tabots front bench do themselves out of a job)
Thanks for the visit too CU 😉
And each one a gem, Patricia. I look forward to reading every one of your next 250.
The question should be, can Tony deliver.
There is no evidence that suggests he can. Tony, I am afraid is and will be found wanting.
Tom, plus, at least to my memory th Libs have always romped it in as being better at managing the economy whereas Labor has traditionally lead in areas such as workers rights and human rights issues.
Therefore the fact that Abbott’s team isn’t further ahead given the continuous scare campaigns on Great Big New Taxes, is somewhat of a surprise. If Labor keeps hammering home about the $70bn black hole and what services is Tony Abbott planning to cut, then I think that we’ll see the stats improve further for Labor.
Although, listening to ABC newsradio on the way to work, (yes, they ran this as their lead story??) it could be technically correct, as I don’t know if there has been direct question comparing Gillard and Abbott, it has been parties. Still, cherry picking to the extreme.
I would hazard a guess that the leaders would follow closely the results of the party. And, recall, in the meantime, the media have waged a war against the Gillard Government, a war based on a lie told to us by the media themselves
If the Gillard government is re-elected, the CPRS is likely to be revisited again next term, and Ms Gillard confirmed today that it remains her preferred choice for reducing emissions. In fact, with a carbon tax banished from public debate, it is now their only choice.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election/labors-green-deal-more-spin-than-substance-20100723-10npb.html#ixzz1m90CxGqt
Considering the lies fed to us since the election by a supposedly un-biased media, the numbers aren’t so bad. In fact, it is surprising that they are so good.
Or not so surprising, considering the total lack of mathematical ability shown by the media’s chosen ones.
I wonder how Malcolm Tirnbull will react..backbenchers supposedly are to be offered a conscience vote. I think that this one could become a bigger issue for Abbott than he would like it to be..look out Tony your Roman Catholic prejudices are on display.
.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/free-vote-on-same-sex-marriage-for-lib-back-bench/story-fn59niix-1226269136114
Just heard Fran and michelle gushing over the latest Newspoll that said Abbott better economic manager than gillard. the way they gushed about the result showed why they have lost it as reporter.
the poll was treated as “fact”. no doubt in their mind to such a result. they did say that with all the disunity in the coalition last week over the economy, the poll confirmed that gillard will never recover. oh the shock and joy. there was no questioning by either about why that would be so, and that is the biggest worry about our msm.
now for me i would be wondering on the poll, the questions, the pollster. in the same way that during the gfc the rating agencies were giving quality approvals to some very dodgy derivatives and look what happened there.
is newspoll part of the news stable? newspoll is the pollster for the
oo and we know their opinions on this govt.
the poll confirmed that gillard will never recover
When in fact, the poll clearly indicates that the Government IS recovering.
And they call it ‘news’ ROFL
Min
craig emerson on news radio said that abbott personally telephoned the moderates, turnbull, hockey, bishop and pyne and told them they would have a conscience vote. emerson said that is why turnbull came out and declared his support for a conscience vote, then Abbott betrayed them all and declared the front bench were not allowed a conscience vote. and, as is, widely reported the liberal party prides itself on its members being able to vote with its conscience.
tom r
“news” will headline all day no doubt.
meanwhile the corrupt news corp papers in the uk just keep giving even better headlines.
now on fran kelly program this morning she stated that on the insiders it was said that “reporters” were being telephoned by teh rudd camp to say a challenge was on.
now i know about sources, and how reporters don’t give them up BUT there should be no confidentiallity about the reporters being telephoned. Come on Fran or anyone on insiders name the REPORTERS who have been telephoned.
Or reporters themselves FESS up or is this just rumors of, by and for the press gallery.
here we go , our ABC is reporting the “facts”, no analysis. just a byline straight from News ltd
Abbott preferred as economic manager: poll
That’s amazing really, isn’t it Sue. I keep hearing that Australia is the best performing country in the western world. Trouble is, we don’t hear it from the right people. The information owners in this country are at pains to tell us the sky is about to fall in.
On another issue:
When dozens of private hospital staff gathered outside Rob Oakeshott’s Port Macquarie electorate office on Saturday to urge him to reject means testing of health insurance, they risked provoking the wrong response.
He was tipped off on Friday about the protest and heard it was being pushed by the health insurance billionaire Paul Ramsay.
Oakeshott has had a gutful of big money trying to influence politics and, if anything, Saturday hardened his resolve.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/means-test-may-not-be-such-a-bitter-pill-this-time-around-20120212-1szkm.html#ixzz1mCpt0VEG
now I had read that the protest was organised for employees of the private hospitals in oakshott’s electorate, but this is the first i heard about the billionaire.
there is a long history about private hospitals in oakshott’s electorate and the fights he has had to retain a funded public hospital.
Sue, from your link. I thought that this was quite an admission, that the media does have the ability to force a change in public opinion. I am thinking of a number of articles produced by the OO, confected outrage that there needed to be an enquiry into the media..we’re impartial don’t you know..
Where do we go with the banks, or should I big four banks.
Tom, it is nice to read things that make sense.
As the PM siad, it cannot be that hard.
I agree with Senator Xenophon for once, the Petrol Commission should go.
Tom I was in a hurry to catch a bus.
I think I meant one word, bullshit summed up what was said.
I wanted to add the whole article was the twisting of facts.
I believe you knew what I was saying.
I believe you knew what I was saying.
Are you trying to say that I was being a ‘smart-arse’??
(you’d probably be right if that was the case. I’m so transparent sometimes)
What is amazing, is the way that this story has run and taken on it’s own legs. It is the major event of the day apparently. A transparent, deliberate attempt to paint the Government with a negative brush.
Meanwhile, the ruddstoration is in full swing. Apparently, Rudd has spoken to journos. Still, no journos coming forward. Still, a pot full of stewing sauces
On the spot cartoon on this site. Not a bad article as well.
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-liberal-party-is-offering-opposition-but-no-alternative/
No, Tom, I took it as a bit of fun.
Just wanted to reinforce what I was saying.
I spotted a cartoon 🙂
Yours is good too.
Mine is one with Farr’s article.
Tom makes sense! 😯
Vanstone must be kidding…
The governor-general’s post must not be a prime ministerial plaything.
Of course John Howard never made appointments for purely selfish reasons. Hollingworth (the missus choice) was such a sterling appointment.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/pms-unchecked-privilege-should-be-challenged-20120212-1szl5.html#ixzz1mE5zfUpO
A new paper on CC by Nicola Scafetta suggests maybe the IPCC have been remiss. From the abstract.
‘The 9.1-year cycle is shown to be likely related to a decadal Soli/Lunar tidal oscillation, while the 10-10.5, 20-21 and 60-62 year cycles are synchronous to solar and heliospheric planetary oscillations.’
Perfectly fine starting point.
‘We show that the IPCC GCM’s claim that all warming observed from 1970 to 2000 has been anthropogenically induced is erroneous because of the GCM failure in reconstructing the quasi 20-year and 60-year climatic cycles.
Fair comment.
‘Finally, we show how the presence of these large natural cycles can be used to correct the IPCC projected anthropogenic warming trend for the 21st century.’
Julie Bishop tossed out by speaker, pyne complaining
The shock on the Deputy Opposition Leader was wonderful when asked to leave the house. The deputy leader once again warned.
PM mentioning how she spent the week.. Only for Sky, we would not know she left Canberra last weekend,
CU
last week slipper warned bishop that he could throw her out but didn’t because he gave her some leeway as she was the deputy opposition leader. BUT that it appears was her official warning, no such leeway this week. she lasted 7 min 40 sec take out all the preamble on sorry day and it was 2 mins 40 sec
El gordo, you might be interested in this site:
http://www.ufoinfo.com
Sue, I do not believe it. The PM being held to what she said in 2007.
We are now to ignore what was said in the 2010 election campaign.
It is unbelievable
.
The speaker asked what was unparliamentary about the word nuts.
I tend to disagree with him, out Mr. Albanese withdrew anyway.
Is this another broken commitment. Stretching reality a little tight, one would believe.
The question that comes to mind, why did Mr. Abbott ditched Mr. Rudd’s Climate change leglisation.
Long list of jobs the Opposition gave by the commentary.while waiting for the vote to be counted.
Did not had a similar list from Mr. Combet, of jobs being created.
Thanx Miglo.
The communications revolution has made it easier for humanz to witness, from mobiles to utube, extraordinary goings on.
Who believe the Opposition and many in the media are talking the economy down. Mr. Combet made this accusation in QT today.
Personally I believe every word the three stooges utter, is to this end.
The girl with the pearls has taken to writing ‘poetry’.
Our Future in Poetry – Gina Rinehart
http://prestoninstitute.wordpress.com/2012/02/12/ginarinehartpoem/#comment-329
Here’s the punch line:-
Pip, is that site genuine or a send up.
.Business
Gina’s poetic swipe at critics
http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/ginas-poetic-swipe-at-critics/story-e6frg2qc-1226268575661
Why didn’t she just say that she doesn’t want to pay her taxes?
The poem is inscribed on a giant piece of iron ore.
Cu, I thought the same but no, it’s true 😯
It seems that the girl with the pearls is beginning to enjoy the limelight !
the Medicare Rebate bill is being debated.
One on the Opposition wanted a question barred because this was the case.
Mr. Abbott then attempts to censure the PM over the same bill.
I am a little confused.
They are sure getting hot under the collar. One just said this government has never been a fan of Private Insurance, You know, she is right. PI is a con for most.
If it is so good, it needs no propping up from any government.
I am happy to pay for my own gym shoes, though I think the government might benefit, if it paid a little towards my Curves bill. It does keep me healthy at seventy.
Stopped going for a few years, the worse mistake I have made in years.
PS I hate exercised but the reality is that one needs it more at my age than when I was younger.
I hate it that pensioners are scared into taking out insurance that they cannot afford.
I have had three operations since I was 65. I have had extensive heart and other investigations.
I so not have any insurance. I live in an area that bulk billing is scarce. PI will not help me in that regard.
We also have a Super Clinic that From what I can find out about it, does not deliver. That is a matter I intend to take up with my local member.
Two of my girls and great grandson have had serious health problems and major operations. I feel if they had PI, they would be out of pocket with th gap payments.
They have received the treatment when they needed it.
Not every old person has a hip or knee replacement. Most seem to have one before they retire.
I have found the health system today very good. This goes against the popular belief. Maybe I do not expect enough from the system. What I do know, is that the medical side has been high. Maybe I am just a little patient and do not expect everything to be delivered pronto.
Rudd return ‘won’t happen’, Windsor
Sunday, February 12, 2012 » 01:19pm
http://bigpondnews.com/articles/TopStories/2012/02/12/Rudd_return_wont_happen_Windsor_717519.html
😆 😆
It’s frightening to think that Gina takes herself seriously.
Bob, ‘frightening’ is putting it mildly…..
Gina takes herself seriously because she is one of the richest women in the world.
Her idea of developing cities in the outback deserves further consideration.
Pip, I have been to the site a few times in the last couple of days. I obviously came to the wrong decision, I thought it was a send up.
No wonder her kids are questioning her ability to function on their behalf.
She does not see that it is up to her to pay taxes. Well, that seems to be the way of the world, we have one of the richest man in the USE, running for president paying less than 15% in taxes. Most of his income is Capital Gains which is r\taxed lower in the USA.
I am also getting fed up with the allegations that the GFC was caused by government debt. This is not true. In the USA they having been cutting taxes and spending for decades.
The suffered among the worse. It is mostly private debt that led to the GFC.
Just another of those inconvenient truth.
The vote today was 74 68. The Independents must have stayed with the government.
I still remember a comment her father made. It was during the early days of the asbestos tragedy. Her father owned a blue asbestos mine.
He was asked if he felt any responsibility of those dying from working in his Maine. His reply was that asbestos is needed by industry and someone had to mine it. He did not see how he could be responsible.
Nothing has changed much. You hear many on the right saying that the only responsibility that business has is to their shareholders. According to many, this is where their responsibility begins and ends.
It appears that not even the customer has any rights. They are there to serve their own pocket, that and nothing more.
I remind people we do not have to use their services of buy their products if they seek their workforce or produced their goods, off shore.
Feeding homeless to be banned by Tory-run Westminster council
THEY spent much of the run-up to the election trying shake off their image as the nasty party.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/feeding-homeless-to-be-banned-by-tory-run-westminster-113433#.TzhVDchSQ04.twitter
***** Remember this?
Bible bashing the homeless, Abbott style
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/bible-bashing-the-homeless-abbott-style-20100215-o2tj.html
el gordo, check what the lady is saying.
She wants an Australian government is along the lines of Singapore.
The lady want to import cheap labour, as she needs it. She does not want them to stay.
The lady does not believe that unions or health and safety in an concern of hers.
The lady wants the northern half of Australia to be taken out of the tax system.
Ii suspect the lady would accept a dictator, as long as they left her alone
The lady will not even give up the money her father left her children in trust.
They are now mature adults and he has been dean many years.
Wealth does not and should not give one power. It should not exempt one from their responsibilities to the Nation that made their wealth.
The ore she is tearing out of the ground does not belong to her.
Her vote is worth no more than mine.
El gordo, if Gina takes herself seriously..then she is the only one who does. Money cannot buy a personality…
Yes, Pip, it is a choice.
Do not see to many educated, skilled, healthy people with no mental illness or non addicts out there.
We do see many young people running from homes of extreme abuse.
I feel that once you get to that stage it is near impossible to turn one’s life about.
Mr. Abbott might not care about the unworthy poor in his eyes, but he is quick to look after the worthy well to do.
They need rewards for their goodness, which of course they choose.
“The 2011 climate year, then, as judged from both media coverage and new scientific literature, has confirmed the existence of two entirely parallel universes of climate thought.”
Bob Carter
Money buys power and Jabba’s burden is great.
el gordo, money only buys power if we are silly enough to let that happen.
The mining industry exercised their power but they only succeeded because too many of us listened to them.
We need to be aware, what is good for the powerful, is rarely in our interest.
At the end of the day, they need our vote to succeed.
‘
Pip @4.44pm..and wasn’t there something from Abbott where he described it as some homeless people wanting to live on the streets as a lifestyle choice. Yep, especially in mid Winter…
The argument today is that the PM is not allowed to change her mind and are demanding that she stick to a 2007 commitment.
At the same time, Mr. Abbott is allowed to change his mind at his whim when it comes to climate change. Maybe some one can remind me how many positions has Mr. Abbott had in this regard.
What gets me is that they appear to be serious.
What has occurred since that first commitment is that the rebate has blown out to a dangerous level and the commitment was made in the last campaign to address this blow out.
That was in 2010 for those who do not remember the last election.
If the PM did not address this matter, the PM would be breaking a commitment.
Cu @4.48pm, this reminded me of the American tradition of philanthropy, based on tithing. One of the few good things which the fundamentalist Christian religions brought to America..sadly now in severe disrepute.
I think that it was Dick Smith last year, who suggested that such a tradition should become far more the norm in Australia. Given the number of multi-millionaires which Australia boasts, the $s given to charity by them are slim pickin’s indeed. Australia seems to have the opposite tradition..pay as little as possible, get away with as much as you can, and the poor b*gger who doesn’t have the $s..that’s his tough luck.
Speaking of greedy: CBA and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank lift their rates.
Gina’s “poem” is so bad that a part of me still thinks this is all some sort of joke.
But if it isn’t, we just may be in for an interesting ride. The whole issue will probably die in the bum fairly quickly but the gal strikes me as someone who wants her opinion heard. The ridicule may also kick it along, in either case it’ll be interesting to see how much brute force is deployed to look after her.
Gina is buying media influence to make her dreams come true, which you will find on ANDEV.
Not sure about some of her ideas, nouveau capitalism or laissire’ fare capitalism? Don’t talk to me about cheap Timorese labour.
‘The creation of a ‘Northern Economic Zone’ that will offer tax advantages to attract and retain individuals and companies.
‘The creation of attractive towns or cities in these remote zones away from capital cities, that attract people and support businesses for the long haul.’
I kinda agree with this writer that there must be a lot of stupid people out there.
The problem saying this does not throw any light on why the polls are giving the results they are, when it comes to the economy
Surely there is a professor or some honour student who is willing to investigate why so many feel this way.
Is this some of the jobs that Mr. Combet is talking about.
El gordo, Gina’s only philosophy starts with G = greed = Gina.
I don’t think that we’ve yet had Mungo’s take on the health insurance rebate…
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3826920.html
I would like to say, the Menzies scheme was found wanting, that led to the original Medibank to be so well received.
I had four kids at the time and no way could I find the money for Private insurance. I lived in fear of the children getting sick. When they did, because of lack of money, I had to make the one lot of medicine go three ways.
It was the doctors that were the problem. Broken arms etc. I could deal with.
I was born 1941 with a extreme cleft palate and hare lip. My mother fought the funds all the way to get the treatment I needed. Looking back, she went without a lot to ensure I did. She manage to ensure I entered Wade House, the private part of The Children’s Hospital. It surprised me to find public wards just as good later in life.
Medicare needs to be protected at all costs. Going back to the past, should not be an option.
‘Gina’s only philosophy starts with G = greed = Gina.’
When one is that wealthy its power she craves.
—————
On a different matter, I would like your opinion on this.
http://justgroundsonline.com/profiles/blogs/julia-gillard-a-dangerous-pm
El gordo I should imagine that she has been there and done that with everything that money can buy and so it now trying for some excitement with the power and influence thing. Gina’s problem is that, at least to my mind everything that she does is minus any finesse whatsoever.
And regarding the link..just a rehash of the old stale stuff that has been doing the rounds for at least a year. Note how there are no citations provided. In such cases any article should be treated as having the credibility rating of a flea.
Then there is no troof in the story?
Well what about the Greens being Red?
‘The DSP was the first Marxist party in the world to orientate actively to the green movement.
‘The DSP read the significance of the rise of Green Party in Germany and reshaped its political orientation towards a Eco-socialism perspective.
‘The main consequence of this was the creation of Green Left Weekly in 1991 which has consistently pursued an environment agenda in its pages. The DSP has also been a consistent participant in environment campaigns.’
It was a load of crap. There, you have my opinion. 😛
Thank you for asking.
But wait, there’s more….
By Terry Townsend in the Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP)
‘Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth, has helped dramatise for a whole new generation the enormity of the global environmental crisis we face. Global warming is just the latest manifestation of the environmental crisis of capitalism, a crisis of such enormity that the web of life of the entire planet is at risk of fundamental degradation and with it human civilisation itself.
‘The scale of the threat posed by industrially induced global warming, and the short time in which we have to take meaningful action to prevent the potentially catastrophic consequences, makes the issue of global warming and how to seriously combat it arguably the most urgent question facing humanity.’
Yep….Marxists Watermelons.
El gordo, It’s all in the application. The ideals of Eco socialism I believe to be worthy ones, but this is just one of many isms and all have varying degrees of success in their practical application. For example one can use the ideal of equality to either raise up the masses or to bring down the exalted. I prefer the former.
El gordo prefers the latter.
Climate Change is Cultural Marxism.
To deny it is monarchist madness
Just finished watching 4 corners. i don’t think that one will rate as an award winner, as there wasn’t much in it.
Charlie believes in it and so does Julia.
‘THE Gillard government has $10 million left in its war chest for an advertising campaign to back the introduction of the carbon tax in the months leading up to its introduction on July 1.’
The Marxists are over the moon.
And now Q&A
first 2 questions geeeeezzzzzzz
whitney huston
who were your heros
The aliens will be pleased too.
El gordo is that figure current? I seem to remember the figure of $10m being bandied around by the opposition sometime early last year I think it was.
Not all aliens. Those little grey ones lack emotion.
Its current Min, that sentence comes from the Oz and the rest is behind a paywall.
Sue, perhaps the next question will be the rumour (as per The Courier Mail), that it is really Oprah who is dead and not Whitney. I kid you not, that is an article in today’s
piece of sh*tMail.Easy enough to get behind the pay wall. This was provided here by Patricia. Click onto the article, copy and paste the URL into Google search and up comes the entire article.
Isn’t that cheating?
Matti Vooro has a guest post at Watts on how the sun may effect our atmosphere.
‘Similar event happens in the Atlantic as indicated by the AMO. The longer solar cycles means fewer solar active periods or maximums and less heating 9 years later.
‘A series of short solar cycles in a row will cause more frequent heating and the PDO and AMO will both turn positive or warm simultaneously causing what we now refer to as global warming.
‘The extended global cooling happens when there are series of longer solar cycles with lower maximums. Co2 seems to have little or negligible effect on these large natural cycles.
‘Natural cycles will always dwarf any minor warming from manmade greenhouse gases.’
Gee when eg mentioned the Sun, I thought she was talking about the arrests of the Murdoch journalists on corruption and bribing of public officials.
And Murdoch is one of the key supporters of climate scepticism. And the authorities still haven’t caught the people who hacked into the emails of climate scientists and then distorted the facts. oh what a muddle i am in when eg mentiond The Sun.
After watching QandA last night, I am amazed at the level of ability that exists in the Coalition. The party is extremely lucky to have the the likes of Senator Kroger, from Victoria. The wisdom she showed is beyond belief.
I do love the yells of class welfare when they are lost for an answer. Yes, it does show the superiority of the Coalition.
Yes, since Mr. Howard’s day their has been politics of envy in this country.
The envy of the well to do for the benefits that are handed out to the needy and less well off.
The belief that the because they are rich, generally followed by the belief, this is because of their own hard work ad application, they also deserve handouts.
One only has to listen to the screams of “it not fair” when threatened with any withdrawals of upper middle class welfare.
I fail to see that the bottom end of the income scale have to pay for the crimes of the wealthy and powerful as is going on in most countries in dealing with the GFC.
We hear the screams from that government spending has caused the problem, and cutting back on supporting those in need is the answer.
This after decades of cuts in spending and lowering of taxes.
There have been massive transfer of the share of profit, from the worker to the boss.
Could it be the greed and debts of the more powerful that has created the economic mess the world is in. Has not this always been the case in times of economic crisis.
We had the Great Depression, where the solution was seen as taking from the lower income earners. They paid the price with lower wages and cut in benefits. The event that appeared to bring economical well being was the intervention of WWW11. This in the long run bought back prosperity.
Now these economic crisis appear to affect all countries, regardless of their social welfare schemed and level of wages.
Look at the battle going on in the USA, where the rich are refusing o pay their fair share of taxes and demanding that the poor be denied more.
Yes, their is class envy, it is not from the poor but from those who should know better.
What is being addressed by this government, was mentioned before the 2010 election, is the fact that a unnecessary rebate that flavours the wealthy and blowing out, is being means tested. The rebate is not being ditched.
Why should this raised so much anger from the Coalition, that have no problem in cutting welfare in other areas.
Senator Kroger was struggling to defend the Coalition position. Mainly because their is no defence.
Much amusement, Sue.
Cu, we also have the situation that it is the middle and lower income earners who keep local businesses churning. This debate came up during the time of Rudd’s stimulus package where it was shown quite clearly that upper income earners would spend the $s on luxury imports, whereas the lower to middle classes buy necessities.
Therefore to provide even more money to the wealthy and deprive the lower income earners has the effect of reducing money back into the economy – especially the local economy.
eg
Not for Rupert and James with a case being brought to america.
And if you would like some information about Rupert Murdoch and climate sceptism read this page
The Climate Killers
Meet the 17 polluters and deniers who are derailing efforts to curb global warming
http://weirddream.com/
‘Since then, however, Murdoch and his media operations have become the nation’s leading source of disinformation about climate change.’
Rupert meant well, but his editors are independent of his charms.
Min, another furthy is beginning to raised it’s head again.
The furthy that the wealthy provide most of the taxes that provide welfare.
This was not true 20 years ago, and I suspect less true today.
Most of the money for lower income earners come from their own sector.
We have years of the upper income earners paying less. Mr. Manne remind one last night, that there was a time when income tax for the wealthy was up to 80 percent.
What is true, that the lower income earners are likely to pay every cent of tax, that they should. They do not have the means or power to invade this payment in any way.
Every time we hear of a benefit for those in need, we hear the whinge from those who miss out. such as I don’t have kids, I miss out, it is not fair. I work hard for my money. I deserve something too.
It is sickening the whines of those who have no need for assistance. They whinge instead of thanking their lucky stars that they are in the position they are.
Yes, class envy is well and truly alive.
Once again cherry picking and half statements. There was nothing new revealed last might. It appears the push was o for maybe a couple of weeks but more likely less.
There is no evidence that the PM did not k\make her mind up until the last moment.
One can know or talk about something, without making up ones mind. .
It was unclear what role Mr. Richardson played, but he would only admit to less that a week.
Now that we have the Rudd incident out of the way, I assume that the ABC is now working on the dumping of Mr. Turnbull and the rise of Mr. Abbott. After all the Opposition demands equal time, any time as a right. There is much that happened then and since that I am interested in.
I know that I am a cynic when it comes to banks.
Is it unreasonable to suspect there is more going on with the four big banks this week.
It is not possible that they are colluding together to give this government a warning to pull back or they will play a big price.
We have them announcing small interest rate times that seem to infer we will and can do as we like.
Added to this is the job cuts when the four a making record problems.
Cannot but help to think that there is a stench in paradise.
There was a massive move of people moving their mortgages in the last quarter.
Up to 50,000 took this action.
I am not generally into conspiracies but in this matter it makes sense.
CU @9.20
a number of news organisations mention a “full” transcript of the PM interview on 4 corners but none of them have printed it. I cannot find a copy and unless I can read it for myself I do not trust what is being reported.
Interesting Mr. Oakeshott introducing new bill renaming the Malaysian solution I suspect.
Sue, one wonders why the full interview is hard to find. It must been seen as having public value.
Open Thread XII is now up.
Very nice post. I definitely appreciate this website. Continue the good work!