Hendo’s a la recherche du temps perdu
Australian issues, Rightwingers say the darndest things - - Posted on August, 13 at 12:45 pm by Tim
Some are still having trouble coming to terms with the fact that the adult population of Australia made a decision to change government last year. Gerard Henderson puts it politely, I guess you’d say:
No doubt about it. Nine months after the Coalition’s devastating election loss, John Howard is looking better. Likewise Peter Costello. So much so that the former prime minister did not seem out of place among political leaders at the Olympic swimming events on Sunday. Kevin Rudd remains very popular and Labor continues its strong lead in the polls. Even so, the Howard/Costello legacy seems stronger today than it did on election night.
A more blunt version was offered by Steve Lewis: “Kevin Rudd has not lost the public’s trust yet, but he is testing their patience….The Prime Minister led gullible punters on a merry waltz with a promise to curb the rising costs of weekly bills.” Voters were gullible, you see.
As to the legacy Henderson speaks of, as reflected in the outcome of the election, it was of a government who had lost touch with the people (you’ve never had it so good); was ignoring key issues (climate change, productivity, infrastructure, declining world conditions); had become untrustworthy (interest rate claims, leadership plans, WMD, AWB) and had introduced workplace laws that undermined their job security and ability to negotiate wage outcomes (WorkChoices). On that basis, I agree, it seems stronger today. Though somehow I doubt if that is what he means.
I fear what he is doing is mistaking his own political nostalgia for a sensible discussion of economic conditions. The fact that he then spends the rest of the article rehashing tired old arguments about “culture wars” sort of confirms it. Move on, Mr H. Most Australians have.
Posted in Australian issues, Rightwingers say the darndest things |
August 13th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
PrisonPlanet.com has reported the biggest military flotilla to the Persian Gulf since 1991.There is some suggestion even this tour of ships is in part to get at Russia!?I think, it maybe necessary for the non-parliamentary ALP membership to question ,now,very deeply,what are driving Rudds actions day to day!?And what does he he think the outcomes will be!I am finding it very difficult to stay wake and go into many microsleeps,which I put down tho technology applied…that should not matter if I am pointing out failures of the Australian Prime Minister in assuming something about his office that doesnt apply,what they self-access.WE should be moving away from U.S.A policy or whatever it is now!
August 13th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Did anyone else have a wheeze at Julie Bishop’s recent spew over at “The Age”?
She’s slamming Rubb for being a populist who reacts to the “mood of the electorate moment by moment” and foolishly raises expectations. True! But quite amusing coming from a former Liberal govt minister.
http://blogs.theage.com.au/business/archives/2008/08/rudds_populist_interventions.html
August 13th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I did see that Bishop piece. She really is becoming the go-to guy for stupid soundbites. And her idea of how free markets are supposed to work also leaves a fair bit to be desired.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
So a large flotilla of military warships isn’t a pressing problem!?And ,if Australia through UNO org.s is going to be in Georgia, for traumatised individuals,what happens with this decision of a large flotilla,and,what its purpose is..becomes another reality,because of a lack of backbone for someone in Government to say”As a friend an ally of the U.S.A. putting this much pressure on Iran is simply unacceptable,not good in even military intelligence terms,and can only lead to increasing cynicism of U.S.A. deployments.And if that is what the U.S.A. government wants..Australians find it pretty easy to talk to people even in warships associated with a country that isn’t considered a friend.”
August 13th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I decided no ?! was needed by my communication.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:35 am
“Move on, Mr H. Most Australians have.”
I couldn’t agree more Tim. I have some issues w/ the Rudd government but I do feel they’ve done a capable job of not stuffing up the interest rate situation. And they’ve taken a measured approach to most things…except for a couple moralistic comments over a bit of art & such…but hey, everyone learns as they go along.
“You can’t always get what you want”…as the Stones aptly put it…and I think some people have to take responsibility for their own rash decisions in getting themselves into debt & then pushing themselves too hard to pay for their mistake.
Government can’t be expected to bail everyone out for dumb, rash, instinctive, impetious &/or greedy decisions. But they can provide opportunities for their children or the ill/disabled and those who assist them or those who require retraining or require debt counselling to improve their situation.
It’s about individual responsibility…and that goes for companies & businesses that might need to adapt to circumstances…but a little help from your mates…& sometimes government can provide that bit of LIGHT required to find the new path outa the darkness/quagmire.
The Howard/Costello years leave me cold because I felt they allowed for too much monopolisation & general welfare…& poisoning of our environment, homes & health…w/out providing the appropriate affordable medical assistance…& training/retraining required…nor the appropriate imaginative projects, whether it be arts, sports, energy, infrastructure, architecture, communications technology & so on that would’ve seen Australia set wondrous examples for other ailing, troubled & overworked countries.
The FOCUS was unfortunately on DIG DIG DIG our way into the future…with an eye always looking back at the meaner & less imaginative & intolerant aspects of Australian society…barely a moment to breathe fresh air. Some of the State government ministers and such are to blame too.
Sometimes we have to take time to breathe…to look around…take in the majesty & idiosyncracies of our environment & the species/cultures that surround us. If the air is filled w/ toxins, the houses w/ poison, the workplaces w/ distrust, the education & health systems w/ stress & headaches & confusion, the cultural relations w/ division & rage…then we have to slow down, take stock, use our efforts & finances to FIX the problems.
What’s the point of being pushed like a bat outa Hell. Or a chook w/ their head chopped off. Creating a society of cheap, disposable, often useless, time wasting jobs…& all the QUALITY & time enough for love goes down the drain?
When people AWAKE from this RACE, this GAME, they’ll be disappointed they didn’t take the time to REPAIR the problems & SEE their LIFE clearly. It’ll be remembered as a stress-ridden blur.
Still, there’s always opportunities…always time to adjust. Provide you take it. Just say “Heck, I don’t need all this…I can let some things go…beat the addictions…the desires”.
The children deserve time w/ their family/guardian/friends…time to smell the flowers…& not just smell the putrid air of mines & power plants & factories & engines…they need to listen to the diverse sounds of the birds…not just the tick tocking of baby boomers panic over retirement clocks…or the radio jocks emanating the fear of losing attention…or ads bellowing out the desperate calls of their dying or apathetic corporation.
We can break this SILLY cycle.
Julie Bishop needs to look beyond the prosperity forest & see the real trees & fields…of the future. And the children running, picking, smelling, laughing, smiling amidst them. Children of all colours, races, belief systems…gender.
Then at night safely returning to HOMES…lit by the sun & the wind & the steam from the ground. And the cheer of all families with shelter. And good nutritious food in their bellies…and as the children immerse themselves in games & books & tall tales…
the Elders line up w/ homemade beer & cider & juices…on the porches shaking their heads w/ a wee chuckle, and a slight knot in the gut…thinking of those silly days…long past…
“What were we thinking?”
N’