Let’s All Chip In to Help Craig Thomson!
Cash-strapped Craig Thomson is reportedly struggling to get by on his $200,000 annual salary for doing sweet fuck all. So much so that he’s established a slush fund charitable trust and is calling for public donations to fund his ongoing legal costs.
Mr Thomson, currently facing over 150 counts of fraud, said he was “at risk” of not being able to pay lawyers and as such, heaven forbid, he might be forced to represent himself against the charges.
NO LEGAL AID FOR TOMMO!
Defending the charges could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and court documents show he is struggling to make ends meet on his $190,550 MP’s salary.
Mr Thomson said two retired men, listed on the account as Mark Worthington and Rodney Allan who he has never met, had volunteered to set up the “Craig Thomson Legal Defence Fund.”
“I welcome the funding but it is not something I asked for, I thank supporters for deciding to set up the account,” he said last night.
In a letter on the fundraising page listing a Commonwealth Bank account, Mr Thomson addressed donors as “Dear Friends.”
“The purpose of this web page is to provide details of an account which accepts donations for my legal defence,” Mr Thomson wrote.
“I have made it clear on numerous occasions in the media that I am innocent of all allegations made against me before the courts. I strongly believe in the constitution and that people are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“I know that like me, a great majority of people believe in the rights of all Australians to defend themselves in a court of law. To help me defend myself against these wrongful charges, your donations are greatly appreciated.”
The ex Labor MP previously had his legal bills paid by the ALP.
After he became an independent MP, Labor ruled out using party funds to again bail him out.
A spokesman said Mr Thomson would declare the defence fund and its proceeds to parliament if he was required to.
Mr Thomson’s next court appearance in Melbourne is next month.
So Trashers howabout we all have a whip round for Craig?
From just a dollar a day you too can help Craig clear his unblemished name.
And in case you’re struggling to decide just how much you ought to give, we’ve created this handy guide to helping Craig lead the life he not only expects but so rightly deserves:
A GUIDE TO GIVING:
Because we care…
$100,000 – is enough to keep Craig in pocket money for 12 months.
$75,000 – will help keep Craig on-the-go with a 12 month lease on a BMW.
$50,000 – just enough for an indoor swimming pool, barbecue, pergola and landscaping.
$25,000 – flights for Craig’s family and friends’ bi-annual overseas trips and accommodation.
$10,000 – just enough for Craig’s fortnightly “companionship” allowance.
$5,000 – Friday lunch at Sussex street.
$1,000 – Oh come on, that won’t even give Craig a day out at the races.
CALL “1300 SAVE CRAIG” TO PLEDGE YOUR DONATION TODAY!
Comments are closed.
theguttertrash.com 
I’ll pledge $50 for a line that was or wasn’t crossed.
I think a Charity Concert is warranted.
We could get all of Australia’s top talent to perform; Bindi Irwin, John Farnham, those guys that do the Coles ads, all the greats!
“Down, down, you’re going down…”
I’ll pledge $500, subject to Craig providing the phone number of his favourite bordello.
Only if I can claim it on tax …
Is pathological lying a disability? Craig may need guvmint assistance.
Good point egg.
Craig probably qualifies for the NDIS, he has certain compulsive behaviours.
I gave at the office.
The BSB for the account is Bathurst.
Mark Worthington is or was a partner in McIntosh McPhillamy & Co.
Maybe Old Santy may know of him?
Mark Worthington once contested the federal seat their in 1976 for the ALP.
He’s also is or has been a mediator at Centacare Bathurst.
He’s a caring and sharing person who’s got no connection to the ALP at all.
Rodney Allan
Present or past Adjunct Professor-Teacher Education, School
Charles Sturt University
I’m guessing this is the other guy
So let me get this correct, you think this stitch up is acceptable? because we all know the George Bandis is the champion of the union movement right… and Kathy jackson is so honest…right. Its a disrace that the floposition goon squad uses the courts as a political tool. The case in taters,its a shameful example of the quality of Bandis. I love this presumption of innocence you all have happening here.
Mark Worthington once had ambitions to become the local member, but the Communists couldn’t stand him.
Well Ricky, it isn’t a matter of finding him guilty. He might get off on a technicality, plenty of criminals do.
I’d only say that there is plenty of evidence that he did what is alleged.
It’s also the very entertaining way that Gillard expressed her “complete confidence in him” and then booted him out of the ALP. Then there was his broken promise that he’d make a comprehensive statement – his faux tearful parliamentary performance didn’t cut it. Then there are all the red herrings thrown around and the slurs on people like Lawler, and the “look over there at Jackson”**
It is particularly entertaining, and he still hasn’t explained how his credit card was used in a brothel, or all those cash withdrawals and all the misuse of the cash of union members.
Craig may or may not be guilty of a criminal offense, but people are entitled to conclude that he’s a grub.
“The case in taters,its a shameful example of the quality of Bandis.”
ROFLMAO
How do you in your weird world work that one out ?
He’s about to face a very serious criminal case and a civil case aspects of which have been set aside until the criminal case is heard.
Sounds like a few parties are pretty confident to moi.
But feel free to live in your fantasy world. Here we are closer and closer to the election and those “walls” with “electoral oblivion” written all over them a fast closing in on you and your mindless ilk
And if the case is in “tatters” the lying grub wont need any of my money
LOL
PS I do hope Craig remembers to include the proceeds of his defence fund in his tax return. It will be assessable income and Wayne needs his help.
How is the case in tatters?
“and Kathy jackson is so honest…right”
That type of comment is contemptible. Every time a whistle-blower breaks the Unionland Omerta the thugs and scum come out their sewer to damn them. Fortunately we are now witnessing the dying days of the ALP/Union crime syndicate. The unions knifed a popular PM and installed instead a dumb but loyal troll in his place. She has danced to their tune and delivered the goods for them, but in the process ensured that Labor will not rule the country for a very long time if ever again.
People have long given up on expecting common sense much less common decency from this vain vacuous vampire. They are sharpening their knives and come September there will be a cathartic frenzy. There will be a political bloodletting so complete that even the cowardly camp-followers will drown as the red tide of righteous vengeance sweeps Labor and its lackeys into the cesspit of history.
Gillard has left a searing image of the Labor PM as a conniving, incompetent fool – heinously dishonest and vindictively lacerating the shredded nerves of a beleaguered citizenry. Listening to her mouth her dyslexic lies is like being force-fed dogshit. She should just fuck off out of our lives.
“The case in taters”
Are you Irish?
That is some beautiful expression there, Splatter.
Mind if I plagiarise?
Feel free James. I do it all the time. Also, I should have said “already shredded” in the last paragraph for some added assonance.
Yes, SB seems to have nailed it.
=======
If Kathy Jackson was in parliament the ‘look over there’ would be legitimate. But she’s not.
The expert in the ‘look over there’ stakes is Wicks. How on earth anyone still takes him seriously is bizarre. He’s completely discredited, and is yet another who prefers to ban informed challenge, rather than reply to it.
*Has he come up with anything that helps clear Craig? (no).
*Has he ever found any evidence that the FWA investigation was tainted by Lawler? (no).
*Has he ever supported his contention that Lawler and the FWA investigator knew each other/’shared an office’? (no)
*Has he ever explained how the FWA investigation could be tainted when it was supervised by a former union official/ALP ministerial advisor/ALP appointee to FWA? (no)
But despite Wicks being so hopelessly wrong, he continues to post his pap, continues to ban challenge, and is still cited as a credible source by ALP barrackers.
I’d expect an incoming Abbott government to set up a review of union governance and finances. It is likely to uncover plenty of stuff that will make good headlines.
Abbott is determined to go after the unions with a vengeance, so in his mind a review is well over due.
If corrupt practice is uncovered, Labor’s industrial wing will take a battering… good politics.
“Gillard has left a searing image of the Labor PM as a conniving, incompetent fool – heinously dishonest and vindictively lacerating the shredded nerves of a beleaguered citizenry..”
Exactly
And that’s why as I said a couple of months ago that she will be the last Labor PM this nation will ever see.
She has feasted and bloated herself upon its history and core values and left behind gigantic piles of her still steaming political faeces.
The ALP is so ruined it will now be forced into the reform it has so long put aside. It will never be re-elected as a Union dominated party but now must reach out to supporters of a more social democratic core group of values. It will still have Union influences but only a shadow of what it is now.
I doubt the name “Labor” will even last as even that will now be redundant
It took almost 40 years to do but Gillard has achieved what no other Labor PM has so far managed. She has violently pushed aside Whitlam as the Tory’s constant reference point of Australia’s most incompetent Labor PM
I like your projection 2D, it has merit.
Let’s assume Labor becomes a rump and stays there, they will eventually have to form a coalition with the Greens. At that point they could morph.
Who stole my egg?
As I said yesterday, Wally … its Whitlamesque …
Just a couple of things though … remember that its a number of high profile union members that we are talking about … there are many dedicated and professional union leaders supporting their members in the background … and they’ve been tainted by these greedy arseholes … but greed is everywhere …
Labor won’t die but it will need a huge spring clean …
Greed and corruption in the seat of government is unacceptable.
Greed and corruption in the seat of government is unacceptable.
Yep …. any of the buggers!
Craig Thompson should be presumed innocent. He’s not been found guilty or even wrong in parliament . He is still innocent.
Dan, I agree …
He’s guilty of lying uncontrollably.
“He is still innocent.”
He may be innocent or guilty. A court will determine that. But he is still a slimy turd.
While he hasn’t been convicted of any crimes yet, FWA has made some damning findings against him which we can use as a basis for considering his credibility.
Having an opinion as to whether he ought resign does not need to wait for his conviction. Clearly the decent thing for him to do would be to step down given he has no credible explanation for the serious allegations against him. But that won’t happen. The ALP needs him in parliament and has thus paid his lawyers hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep him there. It all stinks to high heaven, but rusted on ALP brown tongues are so inured to the taste of faeces they can’t smell a thing!
What, splatter, said!
Problem is, if & when he is found guilty, it will be after the fact. Not that it will help the outgoing regime any, by that point.
For all intents & purposes, I think ‘Innocent Craig’ & the Government he helps to prop up is having a great big lend of the electorate.
It wouldn’t be tolertated by apologists if it was a Libtard MP pulling the same cynical shit.
So its completely acceptable and proper for Brandis to do this? you are all on crack.
Brandis paid for manipulations at Houses Of Ill Repute with his Union credit card?
Well I’ll be! 😯
Which Union is he in again?
Or are you on crack?
Brandis is indulging in Real Politik.
So is Craig Thomson & the ALP.
It’s the crotchsniffers who have trouble swallowing their shit sandwich.
You want him to be guilty .it was the same with Neville Wran he wasn’t guilty even though some people thought he was .Craig Thompson is innocent so he should be in parliament and you should let the court decide .You would want that .
I don’t want anything, nor do I expect it from compromised federal MP’s… except a bit of the same moral decency which the rest of the general population is expected to adhere to.
I am a longterm Union member. I’m fucked if I want the higher-ups using my weekly dues to finance their leisure activities.
If he is innocent, more power to him. But the whole thing, on balance, looks dodgy as fuck & I’m inclined to not bury my head in the sand, just because I loathe the Coalition.
I hated this type of smarmy politics when Howardcorp. did it.
I have enough self awareness to recognise that it doesn’t suddenly become OK just because the other ‘orrible lot are warming the chair for a little bit longer. kay?
Donate to him if it pleases thou. Hell knows, he must really struggle on $190kpa, the poor petal.
‘Craig Thompson is innocent so he should be in parliament ….’
It seems obvious he’s a lying scoundrel and should have fallen on his sword by now, but no he has to prop up this worthless government.
I agree with toilet that realpolitik is the name of the game.
Thomson, reminds me of Bolt’s martyrdom defence.
Cynical as fuck.
So its completely acceptable and proper for Brandis to do this?
What? Brandis made Craig spend all that money on prostitutes? Brandis made FWA conduct an investigation that resulted in about 10,000* adverse findings?
*Estimation based on the Wayne Swan method of forecasting revenue.
I hated this type of smarmy politics when Howardcorp.did it
Yep, toillette, I agree … fkn, Dr Haneef, was definitely guilty!
Just sayin’ …
So if Craig is innocent, why doesn’t he just tell the police who stole his wallet and used his credit card?
He’s already on the record saying he knows who did it, but refuses to say who.
Surely the innocent have nothing to hide…?
BTW, Brandis is an Über Fuckwit™™ …
… and I wouldn’t get him to defend my fkn goldfish for swimming backwards while asleep … (no I do not have a goldfish!) …
… come to think of it why is, Brandis, in Parliament?
I’ve seen
bettermore informative debates watching my g/son at high school …“Brandis is an Über Fuckwit™™ …”
Indeed.
And he has good company:
Christopher Pyne
Scott Morrison
Julie Bishop
Bronwyn Bishop
It’s like some sort of comical freakshow!
And they’re gonna be running the country in 4 months time!!!
I wonder what the Thomson cheer squad would be saying if the situation was reversed??
Lets say it was a Coalition politician?? Can you imagine the abuse Labor supporters would be giving but so forgiving for one of their own.
++++ Surely the innocent have nothing to hide…? ++++
Nah …
Welcome to the 21st Century …
Disclaimer: I have a tendency to agree with, sb’s comments above BUT … there are some strange twists in these cases that defy logic …
I watched The Confessions last night (SBS) unfortunately its no longer on SBSOnDemand … but … not ONE … but FOUR US sailors confessed to a rape/murder … that they didn’t commit! SEVEN men were accused, jailed and arraigned … the perpetrator confessed and said he was the only perp … no other DNA was found …
My belief in a full investigation comes from mundane accident investigations where people saw and heard things that never happened … we truly are a wierd lot …
Can you imagine the abuse Labor supporters would be giving but so forgiving for one of their own.
Might be hard for you to believe, Kneel, but I would be saying the same thing as I am here …
bearing in mind I don’t support any political party now … BUT I would still support the legal system of my country … “innocent until PROVEN guilty” … its not fkn hard unless you make it hard ..
“I wonder what the Thomson cheer squad would be saying if the situation was reversed??”
Indeed Neil. It occurs to me all the time…
Have you noticed the deafening silence emanating from the cunts at the cafe over Gillard’s plans to lock up even more children behind razor wire?
If it was Howard’s policy they’d be screaming blue bloody murder from the rooftops.
And they’re gonna be running the country in 4 months time!!!
Someone told me that if Clivey gets up he may command 40% of the vote … and that’s what we want … fkn competition!
The MARKET ECONOMY crowd talk about competition but in reality HATE it!
Most people are monopoly oriented … now how does that Communist system go again … LOL!
I have mentioned before that I’m reading Inferno and Churchill’s War, by Max Hastings, in tandem … I’m at 1942 … and the Allies are in deep shit … because the British/Commonwealth military can’t fight – even against inferior forces – no heart … and the civilians have lost faith in the government – more particularly Churchill – because they lose every conflict … they’ve been made overconfident, soft and democratised … even tho’ the USA is now committed …
Remember that WWII came a decade after the Great Depression collapsed the Western world … a country – Germany – had been brought to its knees because of WWI … but Germany was led by a dictator … a civil war had raged in Spain … notice any similarities her?
I concur with your last comment, TB.
But, I don’t take kindly to bold faced lying to the face of the entire electorate for cynical political expediency.
If Thomson is innocent, I’m happy to swallow my disdain. I’m actually not making a categorical statement regarding his absolute innocence. Unfortunately, all I’ve ever observed in relation to human nature leads me to suspect that he likely has a case to answer; at the very least.
I wonder how many apologists will come out with mea culpas if he is indeed a slimy, crooked piece of shit (now accentuated by all of the public denials etc) ?
I meant, TB’s, comment @ 6:50pm…he’s now commented since. GO QUEENSLANDER!!! 😯
TB – is that a glock?
I SAID “GLOCK!”
NO, but its fkn BIG! And fkn deadly in the wrong hands! :razz
“NO, but its fkn BIG! And fkn deadly in the wrong hands!”
I’ve got one of those!
Rectum?
“Have you noticed the deafening silence emanating from the cunts at the cafe over Gillard’s plans to lock up even more children behind razor wire?”
Exactly. There would have been twenty posts by now. Instead we have
-Running dry on Tony Abbott
-Dear Tony your hubris is poking out…
-It’s good to see that not everybody is listening to Tony Abbott
-Tony Abbott, small target and lower your vision
-An Abbott Recession Or Worse?
-Tony Abbott’s super plan
Gillard would have to be caught fornicating with Wayne Swan on her Prime Ministers table to get a post at the Cafe.
Any rational person might think they have an obsession with Tony Abbott, no ?
And he’s not even in Government…..!
Imagine how screechy they’re gonna get after His Ascension! 😯
Of course, even then it will be The Hate Media’s fault more than ever.
The parallels between the comments seen on myopic, proudly leftwing blogs in current times, as the ALP wanes, and those on the Bolt blog et al, as Howard reached his end of days (unfortunately, not end of his mortality) are eerily similar & totally unprescient on the part of those making them.
How do people trick themselves so explicitly? I don’t think I could pull off that kind of internal mental convolution if I tried.
“How do people trick themselves so explicitly?”
I think it has something to do with the way in which “they think” that “they are” the “only ones” who really know what’s going on in the world of politics.
They seem to think that “everyone else” is simply a “collective” of poor deluded individuals who are brainwashed by the mainstream media, whereas they are “the enlightened ones” who really know what’s going on..
It’s classic groupthink, as exemplified by pretty much everything Catching Up writes – completely disconnected to events unfolding in “the real world.”
One difference Toilet. The Howard govt was a successful govt.
And if the Howard govt was as corrupt as has been claimed it would have come out by now. All you have against Howard is unfounded accusations.
When I arrived on Dunlops blog i came to believe that the abuse against Howard was politically motivated. If a Labor govt did the same things Howard did Labor supporters would say nothing.
In fact Labor has locked up more children than Howard ever did and nobody is chaining themselves to detention center fences. In fact it does not even get a post in the leftoid media.
I agree with much of what you say above, Neil.
But, I am not a Labor supporter…and Howard was a mendacious little prick with an obsession for unfounded ‘culture wars’…( not to mention placing his tongue up Dubya’s arse & involving us in actual wars ).
You need to be a bit more critical of all politicians, Neil, not just the ALP ones.
This…”if the Howard govt was as corrupt as has been claimed it would have come out by now. All you have against Howard is unfounded accusations.”…is wishful crap, on your part.
You need to understand that successive governments tend not to unearth all of the skeletons of their predecessors, because they are savvy enough to realise that they too will be outgoing one day.
It is only the hardcore, unflinching barrackers who get all bent out of shape & misled by the whole caper.
Politicians themselves are too slippery. Just listen to the ambiguous language they all, both sides, use when making assertions or smears.
You are right about much of what you state about the ALP & their supporters…but you are incredibly naive about the Howard government.
I hear you Toilet but i am so anti-Labor I have no where to go but the Coalition.
I guess the Greens say the same thing. They hate Labor but they could never vote for the Coalition.
“Remember that WWII came a decade after the Great Depression collapsed the Western world … a country – Germany – had been brought to its knees because of WWI … but Germany was led by a dictator … a civil war had raged in Spain … notice any similarities her?”
So ya reckon Cypress is about to invade where ?
I quite like souvla by the way
Oops Cyprus
Why is no one even in the Hate Media demanding that Wayne Swan resign ?
It’s got me baffled .
He’s the cause of most of the budget problems because he cannot say “No”
“Rectum?”
Sure did! Left them agape at my magnificence!
They seem to think that “everyone else” is simply a “collective” of poor deluded individuals
A great description for another group of people … ie extreme believers or non believers …
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Rectum?” — Sure did! Left them agape at my magnificence!
What did you actually rec? 😯
TB, as a matter of discretion and decorum some things are better left unsaid, especially in the case of a polite and refined person such as myself.
I’ve heard tell that they use them rectum thingybobs for cyclone shelters in Queensland.
The Queensland variety actually originates most of their cyclones – the usual mode of conversation is via these thingybobs, but when they get worked up they just blow the house down.
Yet another lie from this contemptible scumbag Thomson
“……..Both men said they had no involvement in a website that carries a letter from Craig Thomson, saying donations are “greatly appreciated”.
On Tuesday, Mr Thomson told Australian Associated Press that the Bathurst men had set up the site “on their own initiative”……………..”
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/father-behind-thomsons-legal-fund-20130502-2iueg.html#ixzz2S6N5TfOm
“A Fairfax reader saw Mr Thomson in a craft shop on April 8 in the tourist village of Ubud close to the well-known monkey forest.”
Sounds about right!
That’s extraordinary 2DT!!!
So one one hand, he says he’s only got $60 in the bank, meanwhile he’s holidaying in Bali.
“Thanks to the generous people who set up the web site. Those lovely anonymous people I don’t know including my dad…”
Not only is Thomson a pathological liar, he is the type of bloke who has no crying poor while being able to afford an overseas holiday.
But he’s innocent……!!
Yes reb
He should write a book………………”How to do Bali on $60″
The fucking lying c**t he is…………..
”How to do Bali on $60″ and a credit card.
I wonder if Thomo’s visit coincided with the recent increase in STDs in Bali.
I tells yer tru, the man can’t lie straight in bed.
Craig does seem to struggle with the truth.
Having his dad call up some old mates to set up a source of financing becomes – ‘they did it out of the blue!’ or something.
What a bullsh!t artist, he could have been Treasurer.
There’s no surf in Ubud, so Craig just provides further proof that he has no judgement.
Sensible people of good character stay in Uluwatu, Medewi or Canggu.
… or Canggu…
No I fkn well can’t! 👿
Craig Thompson should have a holiday he has a family. Whats wrong with his friends helping to pay for lawyers. He can get the help from people who support the government. I think he might be innocent and so he should get all the help he can.
That’s nice Dan. Have you sent in a donation?
“Whats wrong with his friends helping to pay for lawyers.”
Let’s hope he is more discerning with the use of his friends’ money than he was with the HSU members’ money.
While some people may think they are his friends, he sees them only as marks, people stupid enough to believe his lies. He can’t even tell the truth about the fund he expects his
friendsmarks to pay into.Thomson will keep lying to the end. His last ditch defense in his criminal trial will be ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ – the insanity consisting of being a pathological liar.
Everytime I see that lying c*nt a shiver goes up the spine.
I’ve truly never seen anyone with such dark and expressionless dead eyes as he has in my life.
Totally lifeless and devoid of any “soul”.
Almost as though he stole them off a shark.
I burst out laughing when he put the teary eyed act on during his address to parliament. Reaching for the water so he could make his voice “quiver” with emotion.
It was fucking sickening
Dan, Craig owes the public an explanation, the one he committed to provide.
His guilt will be determined by the courts. But on his conduct so far, people are entitled to draw the conclusion that Craig is a sleazy character, who is unfit for parliament.
Tom, is an Abbottloving, boatpeople bashing, indigenous disparaging, TROLL!
Don’t listen to anything he says, Dan.
With all these scumbags around what we clearly need is a breath of fresh air in politics.
Someone new and unblemished by a legacy of political baggage…
Someone who can relate to ordinary Australians and the Aussie way of life…
Are we ready for….
Tom Waterhouse for PM….!
Certain bloggers from SouthYarra…(not the host)…might just get right behind , Tom Waterhouse! 😯
Not that I know anything about his personal life, Toilet, but just going on first impressions alone, I think that Tom would be thrilled to have a good man behind him.
(Not that there’s anything wrong with that)..
“Tom, is an Abbottloving, boatpeople bashing, indigenous disparaging, TROLL!
I’m glad we’ve got that out of the way, I’d hate Dan to get the impression that I’m reasonable!!
“Tom would be thrilled …”
I was quite concerned until I realised who you were referring to.
* snigger…
Tom, from what I’ve seen, does appear to be particularly ‘well dressed’…
I originally thought that was Fifi …!
Oh wrong Tom
Tom Waterhouse has become a target of lefty groupthinkers because he represents everything
they wish they were but aren’tthey are supposed to dislike about western society. A white male from a well-off and well-connected family who is successful in his own right making his living from the misery of losing punters while having the temerity to advertise his business during sporting broadcasts when children might be watching. All perfectly legal activities but that means nothing to the moralising moralisers on the left like Peter Fitzsimons when he has his army of social media acolytes cheering his every newspaper column like he’s some kind of saviour of the damned and protector of all that is right on the left.GMAFB
Haha.
I thought you might feel that way. 😉
If I want to smash TW over the head with a baseball bat does that make me a lefty groupthinker?
“A white male from a well-off and well-connected family who is successful in his own right making his living from the misery of losing punters……….”
Yes, but allegedly using such connections to gain knowledge and hence an advantage not available to the entire marketplace is just as wrong as insider trading on the ASX.
Tom Waterhouse is innocent, I’ll bet my last dollar on it.
We’re fast becoming a nation of gambling pissheads.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I think Fitzsimons was on the money when he said that the only product that Casinos produce is impoverished Australians.
Don’t you get it, snacty?!
Only the left objects to predatory, pervasive gambling practices.
You’ve hidden your leftist credentials well, up to this point, but now you’ve been exposed as ‘one of them ‘ ! 😯
He’s as dopey as his mum …
I do hope ToSy’s last post was the usual tongue in cheek … if its not, wash yo mouf wif soap, boy!
James, I’m getting worried that I agree with you so much lately! A baseball bat is a bit OT for me though … a bit of water torture might be less obvious and may bring him around to our way of thinking with less mess ..
JAMES IS OUTED!
BTW, wanting to samsh someone over the head with a baseball bat makes you a danger to society, not a leftist. 😆
* ‘smash’, even…
Gee………………….it’s such a pity ToSY does’nt visit these parts anymore (LOL) as he’d be interested in this from Dow Jones this morning.
DOW JONES
“……..At the same time, the government said the US trade deficit narrowed in March for a second month. The main reason: The daily flow of imported crude oil reached a 17-year low.
The trade gap shows how much the value of imports exceeds the value of exports. A smaller trade gap is good for economic growth because it means America is exporting more while spending less on foreign goods.
The gap shrank 11 per cent from February to $US38.8 billion. Exports fell 0.9 per cent, led by fewer shipments of US machinery, autos and farm products.
But thanks to reduced US demand for imported oil, imports fell even more – 2.8 per cent. Petroleum imports fell 4.4 per cent. Crude oil imports averaged seven million barrels a day, the fewest since March 1996.”
IPA seems rather a learned character on the free market………………so whadya reckon IPA ?
IPA will correctly point to fracking as the root cause.
Shale oil … USA should be “independent” in about 10 years … again! A game changer, methinks …
Oz still sits on its reserves … Moonie is capped but ready to
goflow …. 🙂So much for peak oil.
egg, fracking is for gas … shale is mined … heated and the oil is “cooked” off and collected … pretty good quality I’m led to believe … by those who know about these things … appare ntly Queensland has very high percentage of Australia’s shale oil too …
So why Noddy wants to sell the farm is beyond me … Anna bLie got dumped for doing the same …
Reminds me I did an electronic survey last night on that very same subject – ie selling off assets … at least people can’t have a go at the “person’ on the other end conducting the survey … ’tis a good method I reckon – quick to the point and should cover a large cohort that way …
So much for peak oil.
Indeed!
Jokes aside, TW just highlights a pretty serious issue for me. I don’t mind a punt. But if I want one I can easily go find one. I don’t need odds shouted at me every second minute of every sporting event I sit an watch.
How you can ban smoking ads yet sit and watch the exponential growth of gambling ads is beyond me.
I’d be happy with a law that categorised certain pastimes as “socially not to be encouraged” rather than banned and stick smoking, gambling, alcohol and discussion of certain “health issues*” and ban associated advertising.
*By that I mean ads talking about “vaginas” and “discharge”.
“How you can ban smoking ads yet sit and watch the exponential growth of gambling ads is beyond me.”
Who is this new Snacty…….??
“So why Noddy wants to sell the farm is beyond me”
He is trying to get Queenslands credit rating back. They got downgraded under Beattie/Bligh during the mining boom. Apparently a downgraded credit rating means you have to pay more interest on debt
Who is this new Snacty…….??
Indeed – again!
James is a family man and I endorse his comments.
” ads talking about “vaginas” and “discharge”.”
and they are often on at dinner time too, if you notice.?
It’s all you who have changed. I have never been one for zero regulation.
What about good old “truth in advertising”? Vaginal discharges happen, people, even at meal times. Deal with it. 😯
Not in the reb household they don’t.
I’d never really thought about it like that, IPA.
I may never be able to sit down for a meal unperturbed again. 😯
I’d be interested in Troy Buswell’s view on this.
“truth in advertising” is an oxymoron.
Combet said he ‘trusted’ Maitland and that he is ‘shocked’ by what has transpired. For once I believe him.
Why? I wouldn’t assume that. This is Unionland.
Think about all the lies and BS Combet puts around about the Carbon Tax and AGW.
Doogie Cameron was also ‘shocked’ about his mate McDonald!
James Hird is “shocked” as well. It’s the new “I did nothing wrong”.
Vaginal discharges happen, people, even at meal times. Deal with it.
So do anal ones, usually of a gaseous nature. But we can’t laugh, congratulate, high five, pull finger, or even mention that!! Let alone advertise.
Speaking of Body Functions I think the residents of a certain other Blogsite will collectively lose control of their bowels once they read this……………LOL
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/numbers-shaping-up-for-carbon-tax-repeal-20130503-2ixcd.html
And goodbye Sarah Hansen Young
And goodbye Sarah Hansen Young
Good riddance … anyone who has to be GIVEN answers to questions … needs to be given the boot …
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
How come ipsa knows so much about vd? Oops! Vaginal discharge?
‘Think about all the lies and BS Combet puts around about the Carbon Tax and AGW.’
That may have more to do with outright ignorance.
Good riddance … anyone who has to be GIVEN answers to questions … needs to be given the boot …
TB, that`s no way to treat kneel, egg or yomm, despite their bolt fetish
Look at it this way – Combet says he thought it was a training mine. Yet four years ago he would have know, as everybody did by then, that Maitland was an up and coming coal baron. Did he get a little twang of conscience then and wonder how Maitland did so well out of a training mine? Did he go to any authorities then? Not likely. It was business as usual in Unionland. He says he knew and worked with Maitland for many years. Was he not at least a little curious about how his unionist friend had become a multimillionaire mining magnate?
Like Albo and Cameron, Combet was from the left faction which backed Thomosn, but I’m sure they were all shocked about Thomson and his behaviour. Never heard anything to worry about. Shocked they were.
@073! LOL!
Gold!
That may have more to do with outright ignorance.
I must remember that phrase …
Abbott to limit gambling advertising during sports coverage.
Legend. Go Abbott!
OMFG! Abbott is a leftist groupthinker! 😯
…or, more likely, a sleazy populist.
‘I must remember that phrase …’
Greg Hunt apparently has a tin ear like joolya, he’s a complete fool and belongs in the Labor Party.
‘…or, more likely, a sleazy populist.’
Yep.
‘Abbott’s instinctive reply to Minchin in their partyroom exchange was memorable. He said faced with a choice between “policy purity and political pragmatism, I’ll take pragmatism every time”.’
Not too many of them aren’t sleazy populists.
“Not too many of them aren’t sleazy populists.”
Hard not to be if you want to stay in power. That says more about the voters than the politicians.
Far more likely, Toilet, is that the NSW ALP probably can’t respond to the public objection due to funding issues, whereas Abbott doesn’t have that restriction.
Paul Kelly is a political seer…
‘Much of the current debate misses the way Abbott frames the political future. His objective is to win and win big. Abbott wants the Australian people to mandate his judgment against Labor and to authorise his dismantling of the Gillard-Rudd legacy. The next election is the opposite of 2010: it will be a turning point poll between radically different programs.’
Sancty’s been overexposed to leftoid-rays on the twittersphere. 😉
Yep.
He’s definitely fallen for honest Tones. *swoon, blush, engorge*
But seriously, snacty, are you claiming that Abbott isn’t a sleazy populist?…even after a ‘real rightist’ has given affirmative evidence, with a link, that populism is at the very core of his slippery politics?
How very Neilish of you.
Neil, it says that a majority of voters are superficial & easily impressed…& that a majority of politicians are more than willing to exploit the mindlessly captivated.
‘a majority of voters are superficial & easily impressed’
Actually no, they are discriminating.
I prefer to think of it as ‘easily had’.
Isn’t it only the truly unaligned swing voters who are discriminating?
Tony Abbott (from gambling story news.com.au)
Translation:
We are like any other bunch of ignorant politicians who are busy collecting our stipend and planning our next overseas trip and/or retirement, to understand what’s going on in the real world …
… we are generally reactive rather than proactive when it comes to curtailing poor business practices … when people get hurt and make too much noise we will get off our arses and do something …
Self regulation in businesses of ALL shapes, sizes, colours and thieves has been proven time and time again not to work …
… and governments of ALL persuasion only step in after the damage to innocent people is often irreversable …
‘Isn’t it only the truly unaligned swing voters who are discriminating?’
My guess only 20% from either side are rusted on, while the remaining 60% are free finkers.
“Neil, it says that a majority of voters are superficial & easily impressed”
It is interesting to wonder how honest you have to be to stay in power. Lets just say you knew in advance that if you told a small white lie you would win the election but if you were brutally honest you would lose.
What would you do?? Especially if you knew your policies were better than the other parties.
” My guess only 20% from either side are rusted on,”
egg, 82% are uncommitted/swing-voters last l heard,
that would make rusted`s 9%, assuming it`s an even split.
My first Federal vote was in 1971 … at least SOME politicians believed the country and the people they represented … not just how much they can skim before being caught!
… you told a small white lie …
No such thing … the truth, all the truth and nothing but the truth …
Nigel Farage, leader of UK Independence Party, Member of the European Parliament for South East England and co-chair of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy group, and “Euro-skeptic” who predicted the need for bailouts before European Commission and European Central Bank officials admitted that these steps would be necessary, says of the President of France: “In the modern-day pantheon of idiots that are running countries around the world, I think Monsieur Hollande is absolutely the number one.”
Interesting stat 7.30.
Hmmmm.
Does the uber-Independent include any rightards in his pantheon?…or just socialists, like Hollande?
I suspect he may have an agenda.
“To the political class, whatever the rhetoric, government programs aren’t tools for improving the country. They’re tools for acquiring the main goal of the political class: more power.” ~ Glen Reynolds, USA Today, April 29, 2013.
LOL! He’s a an EU sceptic but the Member of the European Parliament for South East England! Fkn hypocrite …
Independent my arse! LOL!
Keep them jokes and cards coming, ToSY … chuckle …
Now how could i argue with your last post, TSY
“I suspect he may have an agenda.”
Well he is a politician. 🙄
Oh dear, now I have to check Glen Reynolds’ credentials, before I formally agree with what seems like a very sensible statement.
Why do I have a feeling that he’s a Rightwing Drosstank Purveyor? (happy to stand corrected)
I like Libertarianism, really I do, but I am extremely suspicious of some of its regular bedfellows.
The main issue I have with US brand Libertarianism is that some fucktarded court over there declared corporations to be ‘individuals’…& faux-libertarians use that ruling to bastardise libertarianism into ‘don’t constrain corporate entities’.
So fucking obvious that that type of rhetoric purely serves established monopolies & systems of control.
egg, the rusted`s have been the minority more often that not. When parties implode like the `democrats` did, or are destroyed like `one-nation` there is rarely a transfer of membership/rusting to the big-two, but they become `uncommitted`.
.
The big-two always lose followers to new parties, Katter is biting Nat and Alp arse`s this time round, while at the same time the big-two struggle to gain members.
“LOL! He’s a an EU sceptic but the Member of the European Parliament for South East England! Fkn hypocrite …”
Yes, the people of South-East England have sent Farage to Strasbourg to represent their interests. Have you heard any of his speeches in that place? Apparently not.
Oops, should be Glenn Reynolds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Reynolds
This time round a lot of Labor refugees will be voting Coalition, even though we like Labor’s more expensive NBN.
‘The coalition’s NBN plan is projected to cost $29.5 billion and be completed by 2019, while Labor’s plan is expected to cost $44.1 billion and be finished two years later.’
AAP
” lot of Labor refugees will be voting Coalition,”
you just missed the point egg,
some Labor, and one-nation refugees will be voting Katter,
Katter will keep his own seat and pick-up an Alp seat and 2_Nat seats.
===
Barnaby will return if he stays put, but if he takes on Windsor, Barnaby will lose.
The Five Independents will return.
NBN is keeping subcontractors and unions happy!!
The south-Brisbane contractor said Silcar, a joint venture between Siemens and Thiess Australia which is handling the NBN rollout in the eastern states, was offering rates as low as 60 per cent of those in a normal market.
West Australian Communication Workers Union branch president John O’Donnell, in Perth yesterday, says ‘an NBN contract is the fastest way to go broke’.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/union-firms-allied-over-nbn-disaster/story-e6frgaif-1226634272172
Poor projection 7.30, Barnaby will beat Windsor and the independents are (for the most part) doomed.
————–
I like Farage, he is truly progressive… a supporter of gay marriage and drug law reform, but most importantly Farage believes CO2 is not responsible for warming the earth.
“Farage believes CO2 is not responsible for warming the earth.”
Egg it appears that it is this topic that has turned you against Gillard. How come your fellow Labor voters have not seen the light???
What gets me about this topic is that 99.9% of the population do not have the expertise to make a decision. So i guess we have to use our instincts.
If the Greens support something this will mean I am generally against it.
But how can we expect politicians to have an opinion when they are not scientists??
egg, you didn`t have any problem with Rudd handing out the `clean-coal` cash
Apparently not.
Superior as ever …
Chuckle … why do folk always believe that people should read, watch listen to everything they do … nothing changes … I’d never heard of him until you edified me … ‘scuse my iggorance … I follow Justin Beiber …
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Farage believes CO2 …
There’s a difference between knowing …
… the CO² advocates believe it does …
Bit like godbotherers and athiests, hey?
++++++++++++++++++++++++
So i guess we have to use our instincts.
If the Greens support something this will mean I am generally against it.
But how can we expect politicians to have an opinion when they are not scientists??
What a ludicrous statement … you can use YOUR instincts but politicians can’t … and scientists? Wha-a-a-a-t? FMD!
Why don’t we just close all science colleges down and rely on Kneel’s, INSTINCT …
Now I’ve heard it all … ***
On the subject of climate change/global/warming/global cooling … I am agnostic … but my instinct tells me … 🙄
I think all political commentary should be made on the “understanding” of a certain level of “political pragmatism”. That said, I think this is good policy by Abbott, I sought it, I got it (not claiming influence) and therefore I am happy.
If I can’t praise what I consider to be good policy then I’m just like TB.
I was trying to say people expect politicians to have an opinion based on the evidence. But politicians do not have scientific training so what can they do. They can only go on their instincts.
It appears that Labor politicians do what the CSIRO says. Coalition politicians are suspicious of what CSIRO says.
know how you feel kneel, one bunch deny the existence of carbon, the other bunch want to tax it
”’ I think all political commentary should be made on the “understanding” of a certain level of “political pragmatism”. ”’
snacty, you do realize that translates to “ willful blindness “ , hence ignorance
‘I think this is good policy by Abbott, I sought it, I got it (not claiming influence) and therefore I am happy.’
Good for you getting what you wanted, but I disagree that it’s good policy. To me new laws should be based on some underlying principle, supported by evidence. Abbot appears to be saying he’ll pass a law that bans gambling advertising during certain television programs. True, there’s a precedent in tobacco advertising bans, but where’s the evidence gambling advertising is having an adverse effect that justifies restricting a legitimate business advertising its services? Arbitrary law-making is something we should be guarding against, not encouraging. This new policy pronouncement by Abbott seems to be a populist knee-jerk response to outraged chatterers on twitter.
‘How come your fellow Labor voters have not seen the light???’
The science is complex.
I’m just like TB.
😯
‘But how can we expect politicians to have an opinion when they are not scientists??’
The Climate Commissioners should be sacked and replaced by sceptics, with Bob Carter the head man.
Greg Hunt should be sacked and replaced by someone who understands the seriousness of climate change…. its chaotic and there is nothing we can do about it.
It appears that Labor politicians do what the CSIRO says. Coalition politicians are suspicious of what CSIRO says.
Worser ‘n’ worser …
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
but where’s the evidence gambling advertising is having an adverse effect that justifies restricting a legitimate business advertising its services? Arbitrary law-making is something we should be guarding against, not encouraging.
Just demonstrates the difference between intellectual snobbery and street wise nouse …
As I said earlier … pollies (and ToSY apparently) wait for the civilian collateral damage and then withdraw the bombers …
To use an analogy …
Question ToSY .. do you have/had any rugrats? (I assume that’s where, James’ concern is emanating from …) My own is a distaste for over the top gambling … excess in all things annoys me …
… with Bob Carter the head man.
Ah I’ve listened to Bob Carter and he does make sense … no, egg, I’m still a BB agnostic …
‘you didn`t have any problem with Rudd handing out the `clean-coal` cash’
He’s another idiot who wanted an ETS, that’s why I voted for joolya because she stopped his nonsense. But then she double crossed us and I walked.
I’m not sure that the business is necessarily legitimate though, and I say that as a regular punter.
Moreover, I think that the addiction for some is worse than nicotine and often more destructive. I can kind of cop a late night sports show giving odds for sponsors but during games is too much. I generally believe in free markets but I don’t believe in certain industries being allowed to take the piss. I felt exactly the same about the sex/love advertising that used to exploit lonely hearts on late night TV.
TB, I’m having a crack at you for apparently seeking a policy yesterday and bagging out the bloke who gives it to you today.
You appeared to agree with getting rid of the constant tv saturation of gamblers. Why can’t you say ” Tony, I think you’re a prick, but well done on this”?
“Just demonstrates the difference between intellectual snobbery and street wise nouse …”
Oh, so it’s about the vibe, then. Tom Waterhouse is unlikeable and he advertises too much for our liking – plus we know his ads are bad for children, but can’t prove it – so let’s pass a law banning his ads. Nice.
it`s amazing how Free-Market Tories start back-flipping once their family is targeted or damaged snacty
I’m really not so directly concerned about my own kids. I think, probably optimistically, that my idea of responsible parenting will build a resistance to too much advertorial influence.
But it is a fact that there are many vulnerable people out there who should be to some degree protected from exploitation.
“I’m not sure that the business is necessarily legitimate though, and I say that as a regular punter.”
Would you prefer the term ‘lagal’ then?
And I wrote that last bit before I’d read 730’s insulting characterisation.
“But it is a fact that there are many vulnerable people out there who should be to some degree protected from exploitation.”
Sorry Sancty, but that’s classical leftist thought: People aren’t smart enough to know what’s good for them so government/elites should protect them from themselves.
lagal*legalThere are plenty of legal businesses who are restricted in their ability to advertise.
‘There’s a difference between knowing …’
The science is settled and the warmists have lost, but so many people have been brainwashed that it will take a long time to rectify the problem of mass delusion.
Nevertheless, I respect your agnosticism.
These days I spend a lot of time battling sceptics on other blogs, they don’t like my catastrophist thinking and put up a spirited defence against outlandish propositions.
snacty WHAT insulting.?
1. I object to “free market Tory”. I’m not British for one thing and I have never believed in free markets as an absolute.
2. I haven’t back flipped.
3. I take a far broader view on politics than that which affects me personally. Policies “mitigating climate change” barely affect me at all for example.
sbs1, 830pm, rupert murdoch doco
snacty, my comment of back-flipping free market tories was in the `general` including Torie-Media, not you `specifically`, but l do see it may read that way.
***********
Torie Media has led the anti-waterhouse charge, with some public support, which tends to make me think some of their own family may be suffering from the gambling problem. Torie-Media don`t give a shit about the public.
Tory is insulting generally. It is an imported term, probably imported by the PM’s Communications bloke who is here on a 457 visa with the apparently express objective of creating divisions in the Australian people.
l would prefer to say `Teeebag`, which is more politically accurate, but reb black-listed it, so we are stuck with `Torie`
Why can’t you say ” Tony, I think you’re a prick, but well done on this”?
I will when he writes it down and makes it official … it was Tones who taught me not to trust his spoken word …
plus we know his ads are bad for children, but can’t prove it
Its not even children … its bad for professional sport of all kinds – in many ways … I for one have stopped watching the NRL because of it …
Tory is insulting generally.
But Commie and bolshie is OK – apparently … one of the reasons I originally used the term here … to balance the insults … after teabag was censored .. and while tory is an English term it is widely used to denote far right politics (the opposing far left as mentioned above) … the term tory originated in the USA I believe …
snacty, it is also silly for you to develop butt-hurt when you readily argue the
Free-Market Tories position on things like the nbn. Folks that have tech knowledge and experience can always tell when you don`t and know you are just parroting the Torie-talk. lf you had paid attention to the Tories 2nd-class nbn launch, you may have notice Mr-Talkbull looked nervous or uncomfortable, instead of confident like he usually does. The reason Mr-Talkbull looked nervous was the audience had members of the tech community in it. Mr-Talkbull was lending his arse and credibility to Mr-Rabbits substandard-nbn and Mr-Talkbull knew it.
“Free-Market Tories” is the new “teabags”
When 730 doesn’t have a point to make, he uses an
Americanismimported British termthat`s fascinating yomm, considering you enjoy mocking the coffee-shops and do exactly the same (Joolya=evil___mr-rabbit=saint) and your conversation is mainly parroting bolt/akerman/teebag/tory–talking-points with little substance, (just bullet points added)
Fascinating, though while I criticise Gillard, I’m not sure you’ll be able to identify a single post where I’ve sanctified Abbott.
However, I’m sure you find that those factual shortcuts cause less wear & tear on the brain.
Waste of time, ToM. 7.30’s debating ammunition amounts to endless repetition of talking points as circulated by John McTernan.
TB, there is actually a Communist Party in Australia. Julia Gillard was actually a member of it (or one of its offshoots). It’s infiltration into the Australian Labor Party is both historically and currently relevant.
snacty, don`t know who or what mcternan is, and don`t have any party`s parrot-points,
yes Joolya did/does have something to do with communist, not sure of what or status.
****************************************
yomm, you always jump to the defense of torie-points, whether here, coffee 1_or_2, tps
Sancty is correct.
Back to Britain…
‘Analysis of census figures shows that white Britons are leaving areas where they are in a minority and are being replaced by immigrants and other ethnic minorities.
‘As a result, nearly half of ethnic minorities – 4 million people – live in communities where whites make up less than half the population, the study by the Demos think-tank found.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320002/How-rise-white-flight-creating-segregated-UK-Study-reveals-white-Britons-retreating-areas-dominated-ethnic-minorities.html#ixzz2ST6xmCm8
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
“don`t know who or what mcternan is
He is one of those abusing the s.457 visa system. He is also Gillard’s Director of Communications. Apparently there was no Aussie resident capable of advising Gillard in this area. Actually this is a BS reason as shown by Gillard’s chronic case of tin ear. However, where McTernan excelled was in calling political opponents ‘misogynist’, something he tried (without success) on David Cameron in the last UK election. That is the only possible argument for him having unique skills, and probably exactly the skills Gillard sought.
Unfortunately for Gillard one Scottish git does not an election victory make.
Sancty is correct.
He’s arguing with himself … I use the term tory here because its as silly as using communist … none of us are either tories or communists … just levelling the playing field …
Having said that the Australian Liberal Party have more in common with the British Conservative Party than the British Liberal Party …
… hence, tory is more appropriate to describe right wing supporters in Australia, than communist is to describe left wing supporters …
… communists do not believe in democracy, ie multiple political party elections … any poster here, that I’m aware of, believes in the democratic process … even though it may have been bastardised to suit the Robber Barons …
Therefore communist is an inappropriate term to use but tory is … 🙂
Just sayin’
“When 730 doesn’t have a point to make”
Reatrdland always has a point to make. The trouble is that the only points he has to make are taken straight from the daily troll sheet for ALP arse-lickers.
The real divide on this blog is not left/right or Lib/Lab, it the divide between the hymn-sheet harpies who would never deviate from the party line and those who think critically about issues so that even if they generally favour one point of view they are not mindless doctrinaire drones about it.
There might be one irregular poster here, maybe two, that uses the term “communist” when directly referring to participants here.
Tory has been deliberately introduced into the vernacular by a 457 Visa holding Communications Director, working for our PM and taxpayer funded. It was eagerly adopted by Ministers Albanese and Emerson, neither any stranger to plagiarism.
It’s quite funny seeing 7.30 adopt the expression when talking about Malcolm Turnbull. You see, in its original sense the Tories were those who supported the power of the monarchy in England against that of Parliament. It seems to have escaped 7.30 that Turnbull is a Republican.
And it demonstrates why it is so stupid to import such expressions to the Australian political dialogue. Conservative politics in Australia bears very little resemblance to that in the United States or the United Kingdom. That is an “Inconvenient Truth” for Commies trying to dumb down the said dialogue. Because “left” politics IS largely imported, especially today, and is hence largely irrelevant, as demonstrated by its plunging support. Left politics will only regain its relevance when it returns to actually representing the less advantaged in society, Australian society, rather than collecting their compulsory Union dues and spending it on their own forms of largesse.
“tory is more appropriate to describe right wing supporters in Australia”
And Howard introduced a lot of middle class welfare and introduced the gun buyback. Would Tory’s do this??
Joolya’s debating club consisted of left wing Labor and ex-Communists … just sayin’.
” “left” politics IS largely imported”
Actually I think there has been a strong and beneficial leftist streak in our culture from the early days.
Australia’s social history is a veritable catalogue of Leftist achievements. Governor Macquarie was our first great leftist reformer with his program of public works, his reining in the military and his efforts in giving convicts a second chance. He worked hard to treat the First Australians decently relative to the mores of his time.
It was the leftist push for reform which saw democracy installed in our country, fair work conditions and public health and education. Later triumphs included the early female franchise, and the push for equality for women. Our multicultural ideal was borne of leftist zeal for the equality of all, and we have gained a rich and diverse culture as successive migrant groups have enriched us all.
Australians would be a much worse place it not for the efforts of these forward-thinking reformers. It is because of selfless leftists that the idea of a fair go for all is entrenched as a defining Australian value and because of them that our society is as joyously egalitarian as it is today.
The temptation is for every generation to push society ever more leftwards. At some point this will be a bridge too far. The basic principles of fairness and civil liberties should always be guarded, but we also need to look at the disastrous unintended outcomes of some high-minded policies and take care not to waste resources, bearing in mind that all government expenditure is funded by the private sector and it is counter-productive to destroy our ability to create wealth.
Well said, splatter.
Impressive, sb …
The temptation is for every generation to push society ever more leftwards
Not sure I “get” this sentence though … as you know, until very recently I was a strong supporter of ALP philosophies and policies (that’s over 45 years) … mainly because of my experiences in the workplace from all angles (appy, tradie, supervisor, line/staff manager, consultant and self employed) … and a penchant for history …
We’ve actually seen a resurgence of right wing thinking in the last couple of generations … in fact I agree with, sreb’s, terminology that the ALP is now just “Liberal Lite” …
My main concern is that Australia does not go down the path of the USA in IR … a most miserable survival of the fittest mentality (and something I’m sure contributes to mass killings there) … a society obsessed with $$$ and self and a lack off social conscience …
I was 21 when I became a father … The Minister was 19 … our philosophy then (knowing absolutely nothing about the world), was that “our children would become contributing members to society” … that philosophy survives in our family today, in the way our g’children are raised …
‘a most miserable survival of the fittest mentality (and something I’m sure contributes to mass killings there) …’
That may have more to do with the gun lobby and violent computer games.
* violent computer games, my arse.
* kids shouldn’t have the ultra violent ones, but adults are adults…& it takes a lot more than a computer game to create a killer. Violence is in books, movies & music too.
Great comment above, btw, splatter.
I agree, SB, which is why I emphasised the IS to contrast it with the WAS.
Whilst I guess I tend to be more on the side of the “freedom” side of the political spectrum rather than the “fairness” side, as I pointed out before that position is not absolute. The problem though is that the fairness side has recently been highjacked by the proverbial Orwellian pigs and until it is won back, it will grow increasingly irrelevant.
“a society obsessed with $$$ and self and a lack off social conscience … ”
Maybe so but it is still a pretty good place to live. Hence the large number of illegal immigrants. Don’t see too many people escaping to Mexico
The Telegraph: German euro founder calls for ‘catastrophic’ currency to be broken up: ‘Oskar Lafontaine, the German finance minister who launched the euro, has called for a break-up of the single currency to let southern Europe recover, warning that the current course is “leading to disaster”.’
GO €URO !
It’s more reliable than Richmond…
Maybe so but it is still a pretty good place to live.
You’ve lived there? Been there?
‘Cause I know where I would sooner live … and I don’t want my country sliding into another “pretty good place to live” … as you put it …
“Not sure I “get” this sentence though … “
I see leftism as a direction. If you go to far, the state controls all economic decisions – wages, prices, what is produced and how. We all know how that works out – a disaster called communism. Back in time when there was less state involvement in everything, it was clear that someone going in a leftist direction, like say Governor Macquarie was on the right track.
Those who wanted too much change too quickly usually stuffed things up like say the Jacobins who screwed up the French Revolution. The conservative notion of changing slowly has some value. The Yanks were much more measured in the implementation of their revolution and were at pains to learn the lessons of history. Washington (like Cincinattus had done two thousand years earlier) handed in his commission to the Continental Congress when his work was done. Napoleon, on the other hand, seized power and kept it. It took a long time for the French Revolution to flower into democracy. The American founding fathers (guided by Greek and Roman history) thought long and hard about checks and balances and came up with a remarkable constitution which has been remarkably durable.
My point is, and I’m pretty sure you agree with this, is that there can be too much government as well as too little. It is a question of balance. Once you get the balance more or less right, to push further leftward is not going to make things better. It is better to have incremental changes than wholesale revolution.
We are in a position in Australia where we let Labor of the leash every now and then and we often get some great policies out of it eg. Medicare from the Whitlam era. Then the economy goes off the rails and we bring in the Libs to try to restore some economic balance until we digest the changes, keep what is good and change what is destructive. Then everyone gets sick of the LIbs and their tightarse ways and when they feel comfortable enough, they give Labor another go.
You could be forgiven for thinking that Tim Dunlop is channeling Splatterbottom in his latest post..
http://www.kingstribune.com/index.php/weekly-email/item/1799-only-137-more-sleeps-till-prime-minister-abbott
My point is, and I’m pretty sure you agree with this, is that there can be too much government as well as too little.
Yep I do … any self employed person will tell you that but as an RTO I saw it as a way to get the unqualified shonks off the street … (not that it was all that effective) …
We are in a position in Australia where we let Labor of the leash every now and then and we often get some great policies out of it eg. Medicare from the Whitlam era
I’m not sure I would say “off the leash” … but usually after things with the right tend to catch up with them … and often because people realise too late that a good idea (or two) has been dismantled … overall the right has been in government far more years than the ALP (eg 1949 to 1972 when Whitlam came to power …
… and experienced a most despicable Dismissal by Fraser’s puppet in a bid for Liberal power …
… and of course there are less issues to “fight” than the “good old days”, when families starved for a workplace principle, OH&S issue or hard fought condition (ie annual holidays) …
And times have changed … imagine if John Howard had attempted to bring in National Service when we went to war with the Taliban! 😛
For most people in Australia its a soft life, surrounded with technology, instant communication, fast foods and shopping malls or internet shopping and help to have a baby, buy a house and rear them with no “shame” if your not married …
So it stands to reason that they don’t want their boat rocked … and that’s what Labor does …
… gawd help us if someone decides they want to take this country and its massive wealth by force!
Just in passing … it looks like Noddy Newman & The Necromancers are about to sign up to the NDIS …
I just read, Tim Dunlop, sreb … I now remember why I chose Blogocracy to dip my toe in the interwebbyblogging thing … brilliant article … as I read the final paragraphs the thought popped into my head … (apologies for paraphrasing)
The Queen is dead, long live the King … but … the King’s got no clothes!
Many Australians will rue the day of September 15, 2013 …
Oddly, I doubt that it will have much impact on me or mine personally …
… the bloodletting within the ALP will be a horror show!
Tim Dunlop – the rest is history
That’s true, the incompetence, disloyalty and proven dishonesty of Gillard has handed the Prime Ministership to Abbott.
Abbott is entirely unappealing, and is ahead because Gillard is not simply unappealing, she is repugnant. She represents the very worst in politics and ethics.
She is history.
Thank you reb. Dunlop is brilliant.
TB: “… the bloodletting within the ALP will be a horror show!”
It will be compelling viewing. It is also the key to whether Labor survives as a major party. If the grip of the unions is not significantly loosened there isn’t much hope for Labor.
It does appear Labor will be out for a decade or more, so that we can get the balance right after this abysmal exhibition by the PM.
“… gawd help us if someone decides they want to take this country and its massive wealth by force!”
No chance of that happening……………….they’d have Gina and Clive to reckon with
I suppose there is a Newspoll out in the morning. That should be interesting. Lets all try and discuss it before 730 Retard gets here screaming Noisepoll…………….Teabag theory……………………..Tory takeover………………………..Murdock conspiracy ands all the rest of his……….Blah………..Blah………………Blah…………………..Drivel……………….Drivel………………Drivel……………………….Newspoll fantasy land…………….Labor will win seats……………………….Blah………..Blah………………Blah…………………..Drivel……………….Drivel………………Drivel……………………….
Before WHO gets here screaming … looks like you ain’t bad yersel’, Wally! 😛
splattered-arse, you don`t pay attention!
Folks that pay attention would have noticed l kick Mr-Rabbits and Joolyas head on all topics, but the embedded media more as they are worse than the pollies.
The two topics l head-kick Mr-Rabbit over, and not the Watermelons are,
1. Tax-rate being increased to 18K by the Watermelons Verses Mr-Rabbit putting it back to 6K. As my family lives on Struggle-Street, and WORK, not suck at the welfare-nipple, we have a dog in this fight, and will put Mr-Rabbit Last. This is the only reason for us to vote.
2. Watermelon-class nbn is nation-building/future-opportunities and Torie-class nbn is not, it`s just sub-standard technically.
That all makes sense to me … 037
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
sreb, just checked out the trailer for Moon … looks good … just got figure a way to get a copy for 😉 😉
” screaming Noisepoll ”
LOL Jock Shock, l don`t scream really, but l do think they are a phurphy.
Also wrong on “Labor will win” what l`ve been trying to say is it won`t be thew Mr-Rabbit landslide as portrayed. Nobody will be voting for a `wonderful` suite of policies from either party. Hip-pocket nerve, as in my comment above, 5%-unemployed, 40%-under employed, most won`t vote Mr-Rabbit. Torie-nbn, won`t win the tech vote. Both reasons won`t win over the young/Y-gen voters for Mr-Rabbit. Katter will get some seats and don`t look to be backing Mr-Rabbit. Mr-Rabbit is still pretty desperate and is even trying to ponzi the gay vote.
‘Nobody will be voting for a `wonderful` suite of policies from either party.’
Strongly disagree, joolya is spent and we have a fiscally responsible Abbott taking the reins. He will dispense with middle class welfare and return to old fashioned economic principles, encouraging the people to tighten their belts in the downwave.
His wonderful suite will be bread and circuses.
Shorter 730 – “wishful thinking”
Yer posting shit again, egg … 🙄
Ah, yeah, bread and circuses is wrong.
‘In the case of politics, the phrase is used to describe the creation of public approval, not through exemplary or excellent public service or public policy, but through diversion; distraction; or the mere satisfaction of the immediate, shallow requirements of a populace, as an offered “palliative.”