<< LATEST NON-APPEARANCE ~ MAIN ~ TO HER MIND >>
REASSESSED CLAIM REASSESSED
The Sydney Morning Herald, prior to the 2004 election:
There comes a time when a newspaper, having expressed its voting preference for more than 170 years, as has the Herald, must renew and reassess its claim on independence so that its pursuit of truth is not only free of partisanship and without fear or favour, but is seen to be so. From today, the Herald no longer will endorse a political party.
That promise has been broken after just one federal poll:
We believe this country must, for now, look elsewhere for that response - to Kevin Rudd, and the Labor Party.
My paper (among others - the split nationwide is about 50/50) is also backing Rudd. The last time the Telegraph supported a non-Liberal candidate? 1996, when Paul Keating was endorsed. Jump over to the Telegraph’s site at 11am Sydney time to chat with the boss.
El Cid, members of the Labor front bench have promised that upon winning the election, they will immediately ensure that all italics lean “left”. Greens Senator Bob Brown has pointed out that he personally doesn’t care which way they lean, as long as they lean the “other way”....
Posted by Fast Eddie on 2007 11 22 at 07:33 PM • permalinkI think Tim, himself, spilled the italics this time; probably knocked ‘em over as he was reaching for a consolatory drink.
I read the estimable Penberthy’s editorial, in which he seems to be endorsing Rudd primarily (a) on the strength of his ability to enforce party discipline, and (b) because of Howard’s decision to step down in 18 months, thus heaving Costello into the PM’s chair without benefit of what, I presume, is something on the order of a national referendum. The first reason could easily apply to Hugo Chavez, so the material question becomes, does Labor Party unity crystallize around a set of core values that represent a continuation of Howard’s successful policies - i.e, will Rudd be a new and improved John Howard? One takes the liberty of doubting the proposition, but Australians would know better than I. The second point strikes me as more interesting, and I venture to ask, why did Howard promise (or suggest) a mid-term abdication?
The Australian hasn’t just recommended Rudd, it’s also gone all out to help him. The last week has had bizarre headline after bizarre headline - Rudd to cut bureaucracy, Rudd to stop boat people, Rudd better on economy, Rudd this , that and the other. The bureaucracy one, as you pointed out yesterday, was hilarious - hidden away in the end of the article was the stuff about all his new departments and enquiries.
People who decide their vote on newspaper editorials are just plain too thick to vote. I consult my astrologist.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 11 22 at 08:00 PM • permalinkStill not sure what to do. Let’s hope my copy of Juggz - Readers’ Wives is in the mail today with its recommendation.
Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 11 22 at 08:06 PM • permalinkA Rudd government would sell far more papers. ALL IS GREAT is a crap headline for sales. EVERYTHING ROOTED will have ‘em flying out the door. Plus the classifieds will be full of mortgagee sales.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 11 22 at 08:09 PM • permalinkThe Argus I read at the doctors this morning recommended a vote for Edmund Barton.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 11 22 at 08:43 PM • permalinkI’ve no idea if the “undecided voter” is a phenomenon in Australia as well as in the U.S., or if he and his ilk will play a role in the Australian election, but I always wonder about the hapless fellow. In the states you see this moron, presented with a clear choice, nonetheless wringing his hands for months and (presumably) not making up his mind until he gets into the voting booth.
Democracy has been a boon (however imperfect) to the development of personal freedom and to the concept of impartial justice, but one can’t help but wonder how long it will be before the apparatus is transformed into little more than a marketing machine directed at the increasingly large population of ill-informed dolts who tend to think of the government as a sort of grand and omnipotent tooth fairy, and who cringe at the level of personal responsibility implied in the idea of a genuinely free society. The old Revolutionary War slogan “Live Free or Die” is clearly in danger of evolving into “Live Free of Charge” - which is impossible, of course, but however simple the economic math that gives the lie to the latter motto, there will always be sizable numbers of people who won’t grasp it (or rather, refuse to grasp it).
I’ll say one thing about elections in Australia - It’s amazing how civil everyone is to each other at the polling places. It’s the one day I don’t tell greenies to stick their heads up a dead bear’s bum and it’s usually a good opportunity to get a snag in a bun to help raise money for the local primary school, too.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 11 22 at 09:44 PM • permalink30: Have to agree - the party faithful all line up with the how to vote cards outside the booth and treat each other with civility. I should try to follow their example tomorrow rather than telling them all where to jam their… I’m sure you get the picture.
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 11 22 at 09:49 PM • permalink#28 paco
...however simple the economic math that gives the lie to the latter motto, there will always be sizable numbers of people who won’t grasp it (or rather, refuse to grasp it).
#29 Grimmy
the politics of envy
There ya go. The grasp it alright, they just assume it’s someone else’s money.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 11 22 at 09:50 PM • permalinkMeanwhile, Hillary Clinton picks up an important (?) endorsement.
#30 & #31: I believe civility usually reigns at U.S. polling sites, too (except in places like Florida, where George Bush ordered sheriffs across the state to station deputies dressed in KKK outfits and armed with sawed-off shotguns and vicious pit-bulldogs outside of voting locations in predominantly black neighborhoods; if it hadn’t been for that - plus the fact that ballot boxes in Democratic districts were attached to concealed chutes which directed votes for Democratic politicians straight into the Everglades swamp - Al Gore would now be sitting in an Oval Office wallpapered with computer monitors.)
If Rudd would just go a step further with the asylum seekers and throw them overboard, then maybe…
Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 11 22 at 10:24 PM • permalinkwhy did Howard promise (or suggest) a mid-term abdication?
It’s a quandary, Paco. Some conjecture has it that Howard had already had enough and was ready to quit, but disloyalty on the part of his would-be successor which got his back up. Personally, I don’t buy this. I think he wanted to stay, but felt he had to address the issue of leadership succession to calm the troops and quell speculation (perhaps he also knows that Costello will suffer a personal misfortune in the not too distant future, and wont be able to take over during the next term after all)
why did Howard promise (or suggest) a mid-term abdication?
Because of the chonic skills shortage and lack of high speed broadband coverage, it was the earliest time they could organise a removalist. It also coincides with the 2009 Ashes series in England.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 11 22 at 10:32 PM • permalinkwhy did Howard promise (or suggest) a mid-term abdication?
Possibly he hoped to avoid the endless repetiition of the phrases ‘leadership crisis’ and ‘challenge coming’ in the media. God knows the press loves to get a whiff of blood in the halls of power.
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 11 22 at 11:26 PM • permalinkNoel Pearson dreads Rudd
Now, give this a run MSM.
What’s more important, a few dickheads letter boxing anti muslim shit, or Noel Pearson saying he “dreaded a Rudd Prime Ministership”?
Seems as though NP doesn’t give a rat’s arse if Rudd is elected or not. Compare and contrast with others in the public eye who have derelicted their duty to scrutinise just in case Rudd makes it hard for them next week.
What to do now Kev ?
Do another me too ? Or alternatively, just dismiss NP as some Howard hugging boong ?
Disclosure: I have long thought NP a man among men.Interesting to see Penberthy in his so called “live” blog today included Tim and Malcolm Far as part of the cabal of Telegraph journalists which approved the Telegraph’s support of Rudd.
Couldn’t pick who was the bigger Labor freak, Penberthy or Wayne Swan who managed to answer half of the 12 questions to him in his much advertised “live” blog preceding Penberthy.
Oops nearly forgot.Happy 10th Anniversary NewsLtd.It was 1997 when you decided to give the Conservatives the flick and anoint Tony Blair and"New Labour"using News.Ltd newspapers to run the campaign.Of course this was all done by Managing Editors without contacting Head Office…sure!
The last time the Telegraph supported a non-Liberal candidate? 1996, when Paul Keating was endorsed.
What responsibility do the gossip mongers of the infotainment meeja take?
They’ll still be selling papers n all, come Monday.The rest of us have to take responsibility for our actions - building bridges, making investments, etc. ... in the real world ... that can kill folk, send ‘em broke, etc. ... that’s responsibility.
Those who can, do: those who can’t ... write about it?
#43
Auntie radio’s The World Today (today’s transcript not up, yet) played a snippet of a 3AW? interview where Kevni had a problem with committing to saying ‘sorry’ to the abo’s, should he become PM ... well, at least until he spoke with his advisors during an ad break, being a cautious public servant type n all, no decisions on the run ...How embarrassment for the Lefties at Auntie ... definitely appears they’ve bought into the ‘Howard lite’ model ... hehe
#49 egg
Yes, notice that the whole blackfella issue has been a non issue ? Perhaps cause JoHo and Bruff have managed to outflank Rudd on both practical reconciliation and symbolic reconciliation.
Having recognition of aborgines in the Constition, following a referendum sort of shits all over “saying sorry” methinks, so MSM won’t go there.
And in petrol head news ... Pontiac to source future ute & sport wagon from Holden ... in addition to the existing sourcing of the Pontiac G8 from Holden ...
#49
Transcript now available:KAREN BARLOW: In pressing home Labor’s last messages to undecided voters, the Opposition leader stumbled on 3AW when he didn’t not clearly articulate his policy on the Stolen Generations.
3AW HOST: Will you use the word “sorry”?
KEVIN RUDD: Well, the substance of it will be sorry, apology, but frankly if you ask me for the precise form of language.
3AW HOST: No, I’m asking for that one word, because this is where the Prime Minister has been targeted. Will you use the word “sorry”?
KEVIN RUDD: Yeah, I said in the debate against the Prime Minister at the beginning of the campaign that we’re elected to form the next government of Australia, I will as Prime Minister of the country of course express an apology, and I make no bones with that.
3AW HOST: But the Prime Minister has already done that. Will you say sorry?
KEVIN RUDD: Well apology is sorry, it’s the same thing.
KAREN BARLOW: Mr Rudd eventually came back with this.
KEVIN RUDD: I thought you were asking me what the precise form of language to be used.
3AW HOST: Oh, I see.
KEVIN RUDD: And that’s what I was … you know, being cautious about because we haven’t framed that, but of course the substance of it is sorry, that’s correct.
The Courier Mail in Brisbane has shamelessly promoted Rudd on its front page today. “Man of the Future” and a big glossy photo of him looking all Prime Ministerial.
(Overcome by a sudden bout of nausea, I had to turn away quickly, so please forgive if I haven’t quoted the headline exactly. Sure turned me off buying that edition).
The bank robber film above is strangely prophetic. However in our case Men of No Appearance have been caught, it would seem.
Paco & 8-8-8
Bank robberies ?
Another good excuse for a look at Roger Rogerson in Blue Murder.
Warning - serious violence from mad copper armed with a pump action shottie
I’m having a day off today to prepare for work tomorrow. I’ve just had a HUGE storm thru here and water has got into the BFS and everywhere.
I will have to dig a drain to get the water away from the BFS and also at the front of the house. This storm was unusual, in about 15-20 minutes I had
The storm. Note mowing not done.
Water so high it was getting into the BFS. Then I checked the rain gauge. Subtract 13ml for last night’s effort and I think 59ml was a pretty good effort for the storm!Im at work so I cant really spare the time to Fisk this properly so i just pick a couple of clangers.
The lucky country?, its from the Gruinaid .
“Australia goes to the polls tomorrow in what is arguably a milestone in 21st-century history: the world’s first climate-change election.”
Then Bob Brown will win mate?“An icon of global conservatism, he is the last of the Iraq warriors to seek re-election, after Tony Blair and George Bush.”
Actually he was the first you prick with ears.“We have had storms come through that we have never seen before,” he says. “In the last five years we have broken every single temperature record - highest temperature, lowest, highest rain.
EVERY record, ever? Or just in the region you are reffering to? Any figures to back that up chum?Its pretty standard gruinaid fare, suppositions, errors and wankery in eaqual mesure. But imagine the cavalcade of bile and triuphalism that will erupt if Rudd gets in.
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 11 23 at 03:56 AM • permalinkFrollicking, that storm that I didn’t link to at #71 (but got it at #75), is NOT unusual for where I live. It’s just that because of the drought we haven’t had rain like that for a long time. I think that we’re going to have some good storms this coming season which will be a godsend.
Fools who don’t remember or who haven’t taken much notice say that it’s ‘cos of glowball warming, the local rag has even started banging on about GW.
More rubbish to get annoyed about.
And at the local shopping centre today we had two smelly hippies, both young, one sounded like he was from SA and the other a Kiwi, with their Greenpeace polo shirts on preaching about whales and saving whales and how the hunters kill the poor whales, well, no, they don’t kill the whales, they bleed them and then they’re easier to load onto the boats.
Some young girls in the supermarket rubbished the dreadlocked one (who was buying nudie ice block things, lentil and some other fart-generating crap soup, on special, and something else that was just so totally PETA-Vego-Save the Planet-Green-I wouldn’t eat it-fucked), they shouted out that he was cool, and should go smoke another bong.
Good on the country girls!!#69
JoHo by 4 !
I decided today to see Bolt’s original “Labor by 10” and raise him. I’m saying: “Coalition by 10”. Not that I’ll be upset at any result in between those extremes. It’d just be a shame if Howard pulled off a biggy and no-one had foreseen it!
Posted by AlburyShifton on 2007 11 23 at 04:14 AM • permalink76. But a man in Britan heard from a person in Tasmania it was the worst ever, ever, ever, so it must be true right??
Bad luck on the downpour though, hope not to much inside damage.Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 11 23 at 04:17 AM • permalink#79
Nah, no rain inside, frollicking. Just in the BFS (Big F*king Shed - ex’s folly), went under the door and things are probably wet in there, but they’ll be OK, I’ll have to sort it on Sunday.
It’s still raining now, sprinkling steadily. We need it so much. Bloody grass will grow more and higher, but the rain is good.
I will have to climb the ladder and clean out my gutters, though. They are in dire need. My house is 26m long and the guttering really isn’t big enough to take away that much water! It just overflows, outside. My builder is a genius.O/T but the irony of this is amazing.
A bunch of Ferals from WA “blockaded” a silicon plant here because it uses 3rd grade (Ie, unusable for milling and coincidentaly the same type of partial feedstock our newest “green” power station uses) jarrah for some of its fuel.
The irony is the website server they use to promote their actions uses silicon components. Not to mention the ultimate irony of the fact silicon is also used to manufacture solar cells.They must be so confused they sit down to wee and stand up to shit.
link to the tools self promotion.Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 11 23 at 04:24 AM • permalinkA little more on the O/T, here is the list of products the company makes, Nice blockade swampys….
Simcoa.
Its rather heavy on the enviro side but makes you wonder at the brains of protesters sometimes.Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 11 23 at 04:27 AM • permalinkIn an election where only one of the leaders gained world fame for picking things out of his head and eating them have a guess which leader the AFP decided to depict as a orifice explorer? Yep, Howard.
Posted by Villeurbanne on 2007 11 23 at 05:22 AM • permalinkI think the Australian cricket team needs New Leadership. Sure, they’ve been the best in the world for the last 11 years, but Ricky Ponting is so focused on scoring runs and winning matches that he’s lost sight of the big picture. The last straw was this ridiculous OutChoices policy he introduced, wanting to take the third umpire out of catching disputes and leave it up to the fielder’s call—this has resulted in people being dismissed right across the country. Plus he sometimes comes across as not being very nice, especially to other teams.
Ricky, It’s Time.
Way off topic - Mary Poppins gets a Linda Blair makeover.
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2007 11 23 at 06:06 AM • permalinkAt Arthur Calwell we read:
Evatt retired in 1960, and Calwell succeeded him as Leader, with Gough Whitlam as his deputy. Calwell very nearly defeated Menzies at the 1961 federal election, due to widespread discontent at Menzies’s deflationary economic policies. Menzies won 62 seats while Calwell won 60. The election was decided in the seat of Moreton, which was won for the Liberals by Jim Killen by only 130 votes. The 93 second preference votes Killen received from the Communist Party candidate were crucial to his re-election.
Posted by stackja1945 on 2007 11 23 at 06:44 AM • permalinkMargo Kingston responds to Andrew Bolt:
Congratulations for your pioneering ealy call on why Howard needed to stand down. Spot on.
Seems she is still No Thappy.
Posted by Villeurbanne on 2007 11 23 at 06:46 AM • permalinkWho do you want running things during Challenging Times?
More peacfull demonstration ideas from the loony green frine.
Stop Hummers. (stop smirking its an Australian anti-hummer vehicle mob)
In their sidebar they have lovely suggestions like.
“4. Throw a pie at a Hummer (whilst parked so as not to cause a safety issue of course)
5. Wheel clamp a Hummer
6. Let down its tyres
7. Talk to the owner”
Id probably suggest they talk to the owner BEFORE they try that little list of suggestions.
They also have a nice lttle hit list of other vehicles as well.
“first they came for the hummers…..”Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 11 23 at 07:43 AM • permalink#93 - is there one on the list that says “Screw with Steve Skubinna’s car and have your head slammed right into the bumper?”
Oh, this is in Oz, then? Right, carry on. But there might be one or two other vehicle owners tending towards my approach to vehicular vandalism.
Posted by Steve Skubinna on 2007 11 23 at 08:09 AM • permalink93 mole
“4. Throw a pie at a Hummer (whilst parked so as not to cause a safety issue of course)
5. Wheel clamp a Hummer
6. Let down its tyres
7. Talk to the owner”
Don’t know whether these apply to Australia, but in at least 15 U.S. States, “Right to Shoot in Self-Defense” laws would make the above, a tad ticklish.
Thusly, caveats would be added.
4. Throw a pie at a Hummer (whilst parked so as not to cause a safety issue of course)
Make it a pie that you enjoy, for you may eat it.
5. Wheel clamp a Hummer.
Wear a cup AND a kevlar jacket and hope owner of said vehicle doesn’t go for a head shot.
6. Let down its tyres
Read and comprehend, #5.
Talk to the owner
You’re last words, may make the owner live with guilt. You won’t know, but it’s worth a try.
#5 Goodness Paco, for an aweful* millisecond I thought your term “Mid-term abdication was “mid-term abortion” and thought confusedly “Schools are teaching this now?”
Then I took a second look - oh, the relief!
—————————————
*“e” is deliberate here.Posted by carpefraise on 2007 11 23 at 09:27 AM • permalinkOh Tim!
Get a load of this, the first article I read this AM, linked to by Drudge:
Eco-Warriors are getting themselves sterilized because babies aren’t eco-friendly.
This is pure insanity, though if we can make this a trend, in fifty years or so eco-tards will be extinct.
Hey, I see a sliver lining around every cloud.
#28 paco, this very issue was discussed this morning on community radio. not so the undecided voter, though, as the wilfully deciding-not-to-vote-ie"informal”-voter, because it’s just too too inconvenient and -they’re-all the-same-bastards-anyway, etc etc.
Pleased to say these sorts of people make those who treasure the vote highly indignant, quite vocally so.
Posted by carpefraise on 2007 11 23 at 09:33 AM • permalink#113 Hucbald, Bolta’s on the case as well.
How disgusting. I can’t believe someone would terminate a pregnancy because they believe the baby would be a burden on the Earth.
On the plus side, less enviroweenies.
113 Already tipped in a previous thread; don’t reckon Bolt was on it beforehand, but could have been.
Posted by Simon Darkshade on 2007 11 23 at 09:54 AM • permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages
Members:
Login | Register
| Member List
Really great thing about Italics IS, they lean right.
Or…have they been “fixed”?