tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post5635520669615105543..comments2023-12-06T00:23:28.790+11:00Comments on Press gallery reform: The passion of Sophie MirabellaAndrew Elderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-10566268230142296552015-06-29T15:01:30.358+10:002015-06-29T15:01:30.358+10:00https://wixxy.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/sophies-cho...https://wixxy.wordpress.com/2011/10/03/sophies-choice/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-22457724930770165802013-09-25T03:30:52.624+10:002013-09-25T03:30:52.624+10:00Not so much IQ testing but EQ testing will determi...Not so much IQ testing but EQ testing will determine levels of empathy and compassion inherent in people putting themselves up for election to our parliament. People who wish to serve the nation, must prove they care about others, not only themselves. What bothers me also, is what is going on with people who voted for Sophie Mirrabella? What's going on in their minds?Diananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-88705874451173651182013-09-16T16:11:03.161+10:002013-09-16T16:11:03.161+10:00Anon...
Those are sad traits that many health pro...Anon...<br /><br />Those are sad traits that many health professionals agree about the political class..<br /><br /><br />That's why there needs to be a STRONGER vetting system for entry in to politics..<br /><br />No more HACKS irrespective of their prestigious credentials..<br /><br />It damages our society and that's where corruption sets in sadly.<br /><br />Your blog is on The Hoopla website Andrew.<br /><br />Well Done!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-48082225223313856692013-09-15T12:39:24.091+10:002013-09-15T12:39:24.091+10:00Hi Andrew
Thanks for this piece, a very interesti...Hi Andrew<br /><br />Thanks for this piece, a very interesting read, the contributors to it do not seem to include the usual collection of trolls found on far too many sites today. I'll peruse some more of your blogs as time permits.<br /><br />Dramfire explains Mirabella’s behaviour being due to her 'behavioural narcissism', perhaps he is correct. It however, does not necessarily explain why she has been successful. I’ve got a different position.<br /><br />Here's a quote from a guy you may know of, his name is Clyde Kluckholm, for me it partially explains the weirdness of things today and how someone like Mirabella could get as far as she did:<br /><br />"Values provide the only basis for fully intelligible comprehension of culture because the actual organization of all culture is primarily in terms of their values."<br /><br />It appears to me that selfishness is one of the core values of our society today and perhaps it's most significant determining value. Not your normal run of the mill selfishness but a selfishness that is so acute as to constitute psychopathy.<br /><br />Here are characteristics of a person with psychopathy:<br /><br />• Glibness/superficial charm<br />• Grandiose sense of self-worth<br />• Pathological lying<br />• Cunning/manipulative<br />• Lack of remorse or guilt<br />• Emotionally shallow<br />• Callous/lack of empathy<br />• Failure to accept responsibility for own actions<br />• Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom<br />• Parasitic lifestyle<br />• Lack of realistic, long-term goals<br />• Impulsiveness<br />• Irresponsibility<br />• Poor behavioural controls<br /><br />A list of characteristics that too many of our politicians appear to have, and as far as I can tell most if not all political parties have politicians that fit this description. Also it may explain as to why people with these characteristics succeed, because if it is a societal value then not only do the majority of voters and preselectors regard such behaviours as normal the majority regard people displaying them as worthy of the reward of election as a politician. The result in Indie may seem to belie this, but if Mirabella is ousted, as it seems most likely that she will be, 44.6% of voters in Indie voted for her, its not the majority but its not far off. It is however heartening that she has been defeated, good job!<br /><br />Regrettably for politicians with these characteristics no act is unthinkable, and this explains the terrible things that get done, for example the NT Emergency Response, the insane attitude and cruel treatment meted out to asylum seekers, etc, etc.<br /><br />I despair, things are getting worse and worse. I no longer believe the world is a place where reason matters, if it were it would be a very different place indeed.<br /><br />However, when I was younger the future seemed pregnant with possibility, perhaps it was 20, 30, 40 years ago: but I have come to understand that it no longer is. When considered in the light of the reality of the fact that the possibilities never came to fruition I am of the view that I was wrong - the future was not pregnant with possibilities - the conditions which appeared to me to have made it so were only illusions. <br /><br />How long our world will suffer this condition I don’t know, I fear it will be so long as catastrophe is staved off.<br /><br />My regards to you, I think share your political homelessness.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-88213549740899294192013-09-13T15:38:58.922+10:002013-09-13T15:38:58.922+10:00They weren't 'lost'.
They were there ...They weren't 'lost'.<br /><br />They were there the whole time but the box was mis-labelled as being 1000 less than were actually in the box of McGowan votes. So in essence it was a data entry error on the night that was spotted during the later recounting. It was found because the AEC staff picked up the huge discrepancy between the number of House of Representative votes and Senate votes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-52450046074441941602013-09-12T21:58:54.682+10:002013-09-12T21:58:54.682+10:00I knew her when I was on student council with her ...I knew her when I was on student council with her and Richard Marles. She was a foul-mouthed, heavy smoking, aggressive individual then who certainly developed into what we see today. I still recall her demonstrating her disdain for the student union's anti-smoking policies by sitting on the window ledge of the council room smoking (cigarette hanging out the window) while smoke drifted across us all. She didn't care. Anyway, what happened in Indi is a great lesson in life. I do hope that Sophie takes some time out to reflect upon her sins. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-8839956501027158992013-09-12T18:00:38.636+10:002013-09-12T18:00:38.636+10:00I have known Sophie since our Melbourne Uni Lib Cl...I have known Sophie since our Melbourne Uni Lib Club days. She was psychopathic then - attacking the Young Lib progressives more than she did Laborites.<br /><br />I find it Ironic that for someone who spent her life defaming and attacking the 'Left' as she perceived it - it was the 'Right' in the form of the rebel Nats of Indi who finally became her nemesis - and lopped off her head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-74592014351718790222013-09-11T17:11:34.700+10:002013-09-11T17:11:34.700+10:00How did a box with 1000 anti Mirabella votes get &...How did a box with 1000 anti Mirabella votes get 'lost' and why did it take so long for electoral office to notice that it was missing? How did it get found ..... mmm says me stroking my goatie ...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-7477207684784856192013-09-11T16:46:07.716+10:002013-09-11T16:46:07.716+10:00All that lead in lipstick is surely bad for the br...All that lead in lipstick is surely bad for the brain. Well, her time's just about up. Cath McGowan seems to be on the verge of taking Indi. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-66182514188441694482013-09-10T12:16:19.294+10:002013-09-10T12:16:19.294+10:00Such a pleasure reading this again especially as i...Such a pleasure reading this again especially as it now looks prophetic rather than simply perceptive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-28802464672295760332013-09-10T05:44:41.285+10:002013-09-10T05:44:41.285+10:00That's a brilliant post, lovely writing and ni...That's a brilliant post, lovely writing and nice touch of fact here and there to give cred.<br />Well then we of Indi have spoken even if it did take us a few years. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-35923778615603691942013-08-31T10:41:14.504+10:002013-08-31T10:41:14.504+10:00watch this space, Sophie's time may finally be...watch this space, Sophie's time may finally be up. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/28/campaign-to-unseat-sophie-mirabellaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-72354496815201526442013-08-25T22:19:59.926+10:002013-08-25T22:19:59.926+10:00Unfortunately - she will win again. It would be ni...Unfortunately - she will win again. It would be nice to have some decent candidates in the electorate who would be given a fair coverage in the local right wing rag that is printed in the area. I find her absolutely repulsive - and unfortunately looks like her good mate 'Tone' is the next prime minister - how embarrassing! I feel like I have bad breath every time I hear him speak.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-21872946018369141192013-01-08T23:47:34.935+11:002013-01-08T23:47:34.935+11:00Interesting article. I've never really had muc...Interesting article. I've never really had much time for Mirabella, and don't have much nice to say about her, so best leave it at that I guess.<br /><br />However, I am interested that you mention my local MP, Tony Smith. He crafted the broadband policy for the Liberal Party for the last election, and has been banished to the backbench again as a result of that I believe. The thing about that though, is that his electorate has bee significantly altered in the latest redistribution and has become more rural (in fact his electorate office is almost right on the border now), and it would be quite interesting to see how he copes with that, his free market economics and policy ideals favouring blue ribbon Liberal seats and the suburbs that were formerly in his electorate, but not people who live in towns barely serviced by Telstra. <br /><br />Also, as you say, as a former staffer he doesn't have much of a profile beyond a fridge magnet.Stewartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-2915612123650783222012-05-22T14:47:21.664+10:002012-05-22T14:47:21.664+10:00Jen Hope you win next time. Sophie is a nutcaseJen Hope you win next time. Sophie is a nutcaseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-1103510713707886382012-03-24T15:29:13.972+11:002012-03-24T15:29:13.972+11:00I have run against Sophie at the 2004 and 2010 fed...I have run against Sophie at the 2004 and 2010 federal elections for the Greens - clearly in such a blue ribbon conservative seat I have snowflake in hell's chance of winning. Sophie is a great opponent... easy to outdo in any debate or public forum - she attacks, abuses, misrepresents and behaves like a bullying schoolgirl if she is challenged - and that's just the audience. She has gone from a 16% majority to 8... and almost all of that has gone to Greens. Labor refuses to run a good candidate because they can't win, and local lefties such as myself will not stand for such an unprincipled bunch as the current Labor party. <br />So Sophie will only go if the internal party gets rid of her, and locally they treat her like royalty - it's pathetic to watch. So our only hope is that Turnbull is finally installed as leader and Abbott and Sophie are relegated to the home for ousted neocons.Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-3386545764377624542012-03-22T00:11:46.519+11:002012-03-22T00:11:46.519+11:00Not sure why this wasn't included on the page,...Not sure why this wasn't included on the page, or perhaps it was and I missed it? <br /><br />http://www.smh.com.au/national/mirabella-in-hot-seat-over-qc-lovers-dying-days-20110922-1knct.html<br /><br />Even more damning of Mirabella than the above.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-70232496014699389032011-11-15T14:45:29.748+11:002011-11-15T14:45:29.748+11:00I have had the dubious pleasure of meeting Sophie ...I have had the dubious pleasure of meeting Sophie in apurely profession capacity, opening federally-funded projects. She is adept at whipping out the giant novelty cheque, complete with her signature. Regardless of how the money has made its way to the project. <br /><br />I have had staffers of the other pre-selection candidates recount the whole process and it wasn't pretty. <br /><br />The local paper's picture editor would seem to have a personal grudge against her, but maybe it's just difficult to find a flattering picture. <br /><br />She has consistently lost ground at elections, but there's such a huge margin to lose, it doesn't seem to affect her.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-57809236374936611962011-10-16T21:13:00.107+11:002011-10-16T21:13:00.107+11:00Jude: Oh, no thank you.
Anon: Thank you.
Mehitab...Jude: Oh, no thank you.<br /><br />Anon: Thank you.<br /><br />Mehitabel: Why Julie Bishop is ahead of Ley boggles my mind.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-22305496161383221012011-10-16T19:31:32.133+11:002011-10-16T19:31:32.133+11:00She was imposed on the locals by Head Office.
Fo...She was imposed on the locals by Head Office. <br /><br />For reasons which still elude me, I had two of the other preselection candidates giving me blow by blow accounts of the preselection process.<br /><br />Basically, the Melbourne mob rocked up and made it clear that the only choices available to the locals were Sophie Mirabella and Sussan Ley (and they were backing Mirabella).<br /><br />The locals took it on the chin then, and there's no reason to suggest they've toughened up since.mehitabelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-87227094105084951112011-10-16T09:22:17.146+11:002011-10-16T09:22:17.146+11:00Great article, thanks.Great article, thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-41721861755369847782011-10-15T23:55:43.009+11:002011-10-15T23:55:43.009+11:00Psychopath?Psychopath?judehttp://www.twitter.com/sister_ratchednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-12047625952686939312011-10-15T08:52:17.754+11:002011-10-15T08:52:17.754+11:00Anon & Persse, it really is up to the locals t...Anon & Persse, it really is up to the locals to stand up because it sounds like as soon as they do, she's finished. Is there anyone on council, any local activist who might consider having a crack?<br /><br />PB, I think you need a mix of people in Parliament - yes, including staffers - but they have reached a level of dominance that makes for poor political outcomes.<br /><br />Kerryn, thank you (don't get the bit in parentheses though).Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-64568260908849290852011-10-14T13:26:09.234+11:002011-10-14T13:26:09.234+11:00What a great post. Much, as others have said here,...What a great post. Much, as others have said here, is explained.<br /><br />(WV: 'rizin'. And then, after the edit, it was 'outsm'. Eerie.)Kerryn Goldsworthyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11270814460793882309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-70275995826476885012011-10-14T11:10:30.974+11:002011-10-14T11:10:30.974+11:00A freeway and road bridge replacing the the old ca...A freeway and road bridge replacing the the old causeway and Hume highway route through Albury is a vast improvement, whether internal or external. My own view was that the external option would have been better for Albury, freeways don't add much amenity to regional towns. The business community view was that traffic closer to town would mean more business, particularly Wodonga shopkeepers who imagined that they would get an increase in Albury customers because of the easier access along the freeway. Wodonga already had the freeway bypassing their section of town.<br />Sophie, as she tells it, bailed Howard up as he was coming out of the toilet, got into his ear and next thing you know - policy reversal, despite 20 years of debate, and a definite statement on the DOT website from Anderson that the external option was to go ahead.<br />Most of the people I know in her electorate regard her as an embarrassment.Perssehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02425655969625894880noreply@blogger.com