tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post9012732067791472560..comments2023-12-06T00:23:28.790+11:00Comments on Press gallery reform: A thousand deathsAndrew Elderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-84407302149220721732013-03-28T09:25:18.281+11:002013-03-28T09:25:18.281+11:00No theyre both Andrew Bolt with an inferiority com...No theyre both Andrew Bolt with an inferiority complex...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-91663775017748774512013-03-27T22:02:02.428+11:002013-03-27T22:02:02.428+11:00The first time I viewed that slogan at the top of ...The first time I viewed that slogan at the top of your site I thought it was fanciful.<br />The second time I thought it may be a source of optimism.<br />And now, the third time, I sense it might be a touch of the King Canutes.<br /><br />At least the cartoonists are happy.NT Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08091392804609661832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-82501706874740343442013-03-26T12:02:39.378+11:002013-03-26T12:02:39.378+11:00Mark Latham despite his shortcomings is very rea...Mark Latham despite his shortcomings is very realistic about the labour party...<br /><br />The first three chapters of his book are a must read and a very truthful and sad account of politics...<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-5575930282112555822013-03-26T11:41:45.414+11:002013-03-26T11:41:45.414+11:00Sinodinos /Turnball would be a great team....
Ba...Sinodinos /Turnball would be a great team....<br /><br /><br />Barnaby Joyce......??<br /><br />Sad reallyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-78347006590211558662013-03-25T21:24:29.459+11:002013-03-25T21:24:29.459+11:00Good grief I didn't chide you for being anonym...Good grief I didn't chide you for being anonymous MarilynS.<br />I pointed out that your arguments can be spotted anywhere on the net and basically, I know them by heart now.<br />Your spirited defense of Kev is admirable although to what purpose, it is a mystery.<br />Oscar Jones.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-74317333313334883752013-03-25T12:57:24.380+11:002013-03-25T12:57:24.380+11:00Everything after the second paragraph of your most...Everything after the second paragraph of your most recent spray is nonsense, apart from the interdependency stuff. The second par might be valid if my post centred on church-state issues, which it doesn't. Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-1421839471060889442013-03-25T12:45:54.921+11:002013-03-25T12:45:54.921+11:00I agree with you re your second paragraph. Im not ...<br />I agree with you re your second paragraph. Im not suggesting Abbott is not flawed, or that the crappiness of his staff in not correcting stuff like 'birth mothers' excuses him for thinking it was a good idea and saying it. And its typical of his wet, lame apologies for what are impulse-bully character failures. He shouldnt be PM. Agreed. God only knows who with profile and substance in the Libs could lead them competently while bearing the cartload of noddies they have in Parliament at the moment.<br /><br />But your first paragraph is just lazy - the simple division of cover up/root out, the "Church is not a democracy" (a Narrative phrase of church pseudoanalysis if ever there were one - Pell isnt a Richelieu), and Tony and Gillard wearing their respective blackhat and whitehat. <br /><br />Lets play pretend (see if you can keep up, Andrew) - What if Gillard had a meeting with Boy George during the jaunt to Western Sydney, and thereafter the controversial bits of the discrimination review went to Coventry, Gay marriage stayed there, assurances were given mitigating Gonski, the Churches offered to help out on, and thereby get a thumb in the pie of NDIS, and Gillard got insurance against a church Sept. 12 mail-out stinkbomb a la Elder in Melbourne? Would this be a 'clandestine' meeting?<br /><br />If it were, would she have to hand in her white hat and wear a black hat?<br /><br />Yes, say the ugg-booted libertarians because of transparency, ie their right to know everything while sitting at home in their PJs contributing nothing to institution-building of national life.<br /><br />No, because the structural politics of church and state in Australia is perhaps a more sophisticated and delicate one of cross-institutional interdependence than the personal character stuff you are open to dealing with.Marmaladenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-86746392952952348042013-03-25T10:43:13.533+11:002013-03-25T10:43:13.533+11:00Rudd was unable to get the ETS legislation through...Rudd was unable to get the ETS legislation through parliament? Didn't he enjoy a clear majority in the Lower House at the time? And why was Gillard able to get the legislation through when she had to work with a hung parliament?<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-58109015356555186512013-03-25T10:06:59.391+11:002013-03-25T10:06:59.391+11:00Marmalade, this wasn't the focus of my article...Marmalade, this wasn't the focus of my article.<br /><br />There are, it seems, two types of Catholic: those who want sexual abuse covered up, and those who want it exposed and rooted out. I agree with you that the latter have the momentum and will ultimately prevail, but I am also conscious that the Catholic Church is not a democracy. I think Abbott is on the side of the former and Gillard the latter.<br /><br />There comes a point where a leader has to stand up and own what happens to them. If you look at his defences of his clandestine meetings with Pell, or his performance as Health Minister (protesting against abortions while funding them), you'll see that his apology-but-not-really was in keeping with his character rather than some sort of aberration that might fairly be sheeted home to others.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-26684600255106522112013-03-25T06:39:28.756+11:002013-03-25T06:39:28.756+11:00Is Nikki Savva Piers Akerman or is Piers Akerman N...Is Nikki Savva Piers Akerman or is Piers Akerman Nikki Savvaguddynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-68151535548641397362013-03-25T06:10:37.005+11:002013-03-25T06:10:37.005+11:00Excellent article. Thanks.
Just a few points:
Th...Excellent article. Thanks.<br /><br />Just a few points:<br /><br />The triumvirate MSM/ABC/LNP, driven by profit, ineptitude and power, in that order, are pursuing and/or are aiding and abetting the process of "regime change"!<br /><br />One thing the public and the progressive side of politics have to understand: the MSM/ABC/LNP alliance is your ENEMY. DO NOT FEED THEM!<br /><br />Message to the ABC: A professional Radio National NEWS service does not contain OPINION.<br />If it does it is called INFOTAINMENT! A NEWS service allows listeners to make up their own mind.<br />GocomSyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14629438107172967560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-35089085172840280812013-03-24T18:56:08.544+11:002013-03-24T18:56:08.544+11:00great piece Andrew.
Pity you got MarilynS'dgreat piece Andrew.<br />Pity you got MarilynS'dAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-89448890674775277532013-03-24T18:16:00.109+11:002013-03-24T18:16:00.109+11:00Yet Kevin Rudd's denials always had a sort of ...Yet Kevin Rudd's denials always had a sort of creepy get out clause if need be : and the 'drafted' one was it.<br /><br />Only the very naive will ignore the endless campaign by Rudd supporters to derail Gillard and replace her with Rudd.<br /><br />Why would they blindly leak and leak and leak to the MSM the coming challenge that never was. Testing the air always with Kevin silently allowing them to.BillPostershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11115693734478736296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-4989743657190437802013-03-24T17:02:03.602+11:002013-03-24T17:02:03.602+11:00Still confident. Abbott is promising less, and has...Still confident. Abbott is promising less, and has less ability to deliver, than Gillard - and people will see that, with or without the help of the broadcast media.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-7594181393410663182013-03-24T16:52:06.607+11:002013-03-24T16:52:06.607+11:00http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=3... http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=35623<br /><br />So perhaps the hateful here who believe the Murdoch narrative about Rudd but persist in their belief that the Murdoch narrative about Gillard is all a lie ought to read this from Father Frank Brennan who was actually in the room on the day.<br /><br />Crean's behaviour is beyond disgraceful.<br /><br />He makes Wilson Tuckey, Sophie Mirabella and Peter Dutton's boycott of the apology to the stolen generations look polite by contrast.<br /><br />Now the questions remain - why did the staff take messages to the bosses in the house, why did Crean call that conference and who did he tell in advance beside the media?<br /><br />Why did he disrupt speeches in such a shocking way?<br /><br />And why didn't any of the media talk to any people in the room on the day instead of all talking to each other and since when is breaking a promise a good thing when pollies are hated for doing so.<br /><br />Crean was well aware that Rudd was not doing anything, how can you moronic fools still blame him.<br /><br />And as Oscar Jones on IA has chided me and claimed I am hiding because I am anon here it is only because there is no other profile that fits me.<br /><br />Andrew is well aware that I am Marilyn Shepherd and I don't like writing under anon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-22352986062343289992013-03-24T16:12:19.442+11:002013-03-24T16:12:19.442+11:00Excellent piece, Andrew. The lamentations of Greal...Excellent piece, Andrew. The lamentations of Grealy, Marilyn and all the other falangist fanbois confirm it's veracity.rhwombatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-86733297865113841572013-03-24T15:45:06.787+11:002013-03-24T15:45:06.787+11:00sheer poetry.
and true.sheer poetry.<br />and true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-45704155180396036082013-03-24T15:19:34.933+11:002013-03-24T15:19:34.933+11:00I would rather believe Patricia Large than a singl...I would rather believe Patricia Large than a single pollie or media person intent on running their own dopey story.<br /><br /> Subject: Proof the print media talk to themselves<br /><br />The print media don’t seem to listen or hear any story but the one they have written themselves about Kevin Rudd. Gossip by the press gallery is not news, gossip is not fact but the fact is Kevin Rudd was not organising any spill. He was not out for revenge last week he was keeping a promise. I know I would much rather believe Ms Large than any member of the press gallery and I have had a gutful of the press gallery and their little club of gossipers who never present a single fact about Rudd.<br /><br />Crean was the one making the noise, he should have run himself if he was so concerned because he knew that Rudd was not going to on Monday and he knew why.<br /><br />From<br /> http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3721555.htm<br /> <br />PATRICIA LARGE: I think that Julia Gillard should now come out and say I'm deeply sorry for what happened in the Labor Party on your day, on your important day. I do think that Julia should come out now and say I'm sorry for the behaviour of these people and it should never have happened on your day. <br /><br />LUCY CARTER: Does Simon Crean owe you an apology as well?<br /><br />PATRICIA LARGE: Yes, oh yes, majorly, definitely, yes, yes. I knew that Kevin Rudd would not do anything on this day to us deliberately. He promised me a week before that there was no way he would challenge Julia, that there was no way he would upset anything to do with the Labor Party because as far as he saw it, Kevin said that this was our day to celebrate, it was our day to take in the apology and nothing should override it. <br /><br />LUCY CARTER: Having had such a build-up for it and hoping that this might give you closure, do you think that this has re-opened old wounds?<br /><br /> <br />Now Maiden and all the others should apologise to Kevin Rudd, listen to other voices and understand that if Rudd was so evil he would have told the ALP cowards to get lost, bring down the government, sip his own brand tea and write nasty books like Mark Latham did.<br /> <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-89679518712218076792013-03-24T14:09:07.540+11:002013-03-24T14:09:07.540+11:00Well said Andrew. I can't imagine why Simon Cr...Well said Andrew. I can't imagine why Simon Crean lent his support to Rudd. He had been very critical of his leadership abilities after the last attempted coup. Maybe Simon knew Rudd did not have the numbers and thought he would emerge from the party room as a compromise leader. The whole episode makes no sense. I think Rudd's no show affirms complaints about his managerial style, all huff and puff and procrastination. Remember he only became leader in the first place because JG gave him her votes. I can't understand why the plotters were going to inflect him on us again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-23653034338065851112013-03-24T14:03:38.350+11:002013-03-24T14:03:38.350+11:00You'd hope hatchet Hartcher now has writers bl...You'd hope hatchet Hartcher now has writers block. He and Mark Kenny are intent on bringing down and destabilising the Gillard govt.<br />Day after day the same articles of speculations, I guess Hartcher is now saying "I told you so".<br />The relationship between the MSM/ABC, the govt and the 24/7 news cycle is extremely unhealthy. the govt needs to set the narrative not the MSM/ABC.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-82289383516268729512013-03-24T13:48:28.495+11:002013-03-24T13:48:28.495+11:002nd Anon, that's a disgraceful, xenophobic att...2nd Anon, that's a disgraceful, xenophobic attitude. I wan't born in this country either, so unlike you, I needed to do more than pop out of my mother to become a citizen. I swore an oath to my country, and was proud to do so - my citizenship ceremony was one of the proudest moments of my life. Have you EVER publicly sworn an oath of loyalty to your country and your fellow Australians? <br /><br />I didn't grow up in rural hell, nor did my ancestors rock up 200 odd years ago and disposses the original owners, but that does not mean I am any less Australian than you are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-66810748357321474142013-03-24T10:13:28.687+11:002013-03-24T10:13:28.687+11:00Great post Andrew.
Just regarding your banner pro...Great post Andrew.<br /><br />Just regarding your banner proclaiming that Tony Abbott will never be Prime Minister of Australia, how confident are you of that now that the election is only a few months away and all the polls are indicating a wipeout for the government. Is it just bravado on your part or a genuine prediction? If it's the latter could you perhaps do an article explaining why you believe that.<br /><br />All I can say is I hope you are right because if you aren't, the voters of this country are about to elect the greatest dickhead of a Prime Minister we have ever had. Darnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-48581973677150743272013-03-24T09:53:16.748+11:002013-03-24T09:53:16.748+11:00Given that you think that "News Ltd is second...Given that you think that "News Ltd is second only in importance to Roman Catholicism in understanding who Tony Abbott is and what Tony Abbott means", one would think that you would engage with an argument indicating that the hierarchy (even its Pelly bits) of the RCC may actually propel Tony in a different direction from shutting down the R.Comm and instead let it play to the end. Ive provided several considerations for that, but you have reflexively gone back to "most people" versus the churchmen as those with the most to lose from exposure. Great enjoyable cliche, and mabye the flecks of spittled outrage with that are your thing, but they arent good political analysis of the actors in question. Indeed, its an activist line that is increasingly irrelevant for assessing the Australian Church's position after say, about 2003, as the Church's record improves and its processes are tweaked, its sordid generation of bishops and perps start to retire/die off/go to goal through the 1990s and 2000s, and it improves relative to the do-nothing approach of some other civil associations that have been comparatively unserious on the abuse issue. The point is, in late 2013, for various reasons, the Church may actually benefit from a good old cleanout provided by the R.Comm, and its leadership recognise that, and if they are Manchurian-Candidating Tony's thoughts, as your writings suggest, then I think that that might dictate different behaviour. <br />Remember that roughly half of the 40 current bishops have been installed since 2000 or so, and are not all mini-me's of Pell, many of the (older) remainder are centrist and not Pellite (e.g. the Queensland ones). (Similar story goes for generational transition for the other lower positions and the backroom operators/Church strategists). Indeed, he and his faction have always been rather isolated in the Bishops Conference, its just he makes the most noise in the media. The internal flavours of theological politics and relations to state are far more nuanced than perps-and-conspiring-bishops versus most people. <br /> <br />You are entitled not to give a shit personally, but as someone presenting yourself as a political analyst who sneers at the MSM as being lazy and uninquisitive, and then wants to analyse Tony who you say is chiefly motivated by his RCC connections, you seem to be terribly uninterested in thinking through the church stuff. C'mon Andrew, you can do better!<br /><br />I agree with you that his terms in that address were maladroit and disgusting - but my guess is that points more likely to very incompetent/clueless staffers and him than his playing attrition strategies for the Pellites in a sneaky way. Have you got a ref to the full address, I havent been able to find it.Marmaladenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-32893591945496783562013-03-24T09:46:26.625+11:002013-03-24T09:46:26.625+11:00So why would you necessarily believe Peter Van Ons...So why would you necessarily believe Peter Van Onselen, former Howard staffer and Howard biographer?<br /><br />I still suspect that Crean might have taken one for the team. I predict he will return to Labor's front bench.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-39540516866078848202013-03-24T08:29:42.321+11:002013-03-24T08:29:42.321+11:00"Gillard and Abbott both got off their boats ..."Gillard and Abbott both got off their boats in the 1960's, they have no history or grounding in this country."<br /><br />Mate, who do you think you are? They have both lived here for 50 years. If that's not grounding, I don't know what is.Bobalothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09890427022642427075noreply@blogger.com