Open Forum: February 25, 2012 at Catallaxy Files

Open Forum: February 25, 2012

1,372 comments

Written by Sinclair Davidson

February 25th, 2012 at 12:01 am

Posted in Uncategorized

1,372 Responses to 'Open Forum: February 25, 2012'

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Those rosy days are few…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 12:01 am
Awww… missed first post

Fleeced

25 Feb 12 at 12:04 am
I acknowledge the Indigenous people, on whose lands we meet today.

JC

25 Feb 12 at 12:04 am
Exactly who is indigenous to the interwebs, anyway?

Fleeced

25 Feb 12 at 12:06 am
aaarrgghhhh!!!

Deserves some kick arse sound…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 12:06 am
Nice one, Rabz.

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 12:09 am
Thanks Gab.

Apart from these banal, braindead, utterly embarrassing laybore numpties, life is good, aint it!

Seeing the Steyn in Sydney next week, looking forward to it…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 12:15 am
Can’t believe the polls. Galaxy at 54-46 and Morgan at 52-48. This shit storm is doing the ALP good with the public. Who are these people they interview?

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 12:41 am
Can’t open the youtube Rabz. I take they are clutching mik bottles to their hearts. Stop apologizing for things you never done…

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 12:42 am
Can’t open the youtube Rabz.

Post five, Squire – vevo sucks – there’s an anti Apple agenda, apparently…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 1:03 am
Can’t believe the polls

Generally I think they’re a pretty accurate indication but in this case I recommend caution. I wouldn’t be surprised if some answers are based on desired political outcome in this dogfight rather than genuinely held voting intentions thereby skewing the result to a degree. For example, some answers might be based on a prefernce that the Coalition face Gillard rather than Rudd at the next election thus boosting her poll numbers prior to the caucus showdown. It’s just a theory, of course, but assuming she wins it will be the poll after the spill that I’ll be most interested in.

Ivan Denisovich

25 Feb 12 at 2:17 am
WaPo/ABC poll: Women flocking to Santorum.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 3:11 am
Richard Dawkins: ‘Hey, maybe there is a God.’

Expect a fatwa from the Atheist Taliban.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 3:13 am
Just let there be more shredded ego on Monday at 10.00 Hrs ESST – and temper tantrums.

It’s a pity Joe Public can’t get a ‘live broadcast’ of proceedings. I’m sure it would top the carry-on at Question Time.

Mike of Marion

25 Feb 12 at 8:41 am
All the polls taken over the last few days seem to have the ALP stable if not improving. WTF? Are voters really going to reward this behavior? If the ALP improve out of this dysfunction then I think the biggest casualty could yet be Tony Abbott. Unfuckingbelievable. The ALP primary vote is actually improving slightly in every poll. Is this country truly this moronic? The ALP is publicly telling voters how rotten to the core they are, what a malevolent bunch of liars they are, how nasty and narcissistic they are, how they put their hatreds above all else, that they are unable to work as a functional team of adults AND THEY ARE BEING REWARDED BY THE PUBLIC. I am in shock. I would have thought they would have dropped 2-3 points at least in all polls.

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 8:54 am
If Tony Abbott gets in next election, he ought to abolish compulsory voting.

Toxic

25 Feb 12 at 9:16 am
Professor Lindzen in a speech given in the UK Parliament:

Stated briefly, I will simply try to clarify what the debate over climate change is really about. It most certainly is not about whether climate is changing: it always is. It is not about whether CO2 is increasing: it clearly is. It is not about whether the increase in CO2, by itself, will lead to some warming: it should. The debate is simply over the matter of how much warming the increase in CO2 can lead to, and the connection of such warming to the innumerable claimed catastrophes. The evidence is that the increase in CO2 will lead to very little warming, and that the connection of this minimal warming (or even significant warming) to the purported catastrophes is also minimal. The arguments on which the catastrophic claims are made are extremely weak – and commonly acknowledged as such. They are sometimes overtly dishonest.

Full speech
From James Delingpole

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 9:25 am
If the Liberals really want to decimate the ALP, and easily bring the budget back into surplus, then they should follow the lead of Prof Lindzen and totally repudiate Climate Change.
The next step would be to terminate every piece of climate spending in every area across every Department and program. Imagine no more AGW Green grants – there’s a few billion right there, shut down the AGW Department and sack the public servants a few more billion, stop all internal to each Department AGW programs in each department – save hundreds of millions if not billions, discount all university funding to get rid of AGW faith out of the academy (unless taught via the theology department) tens of millions, terminate (i)relevant parts of CSIRO, tens of millions more, no more wind farm – sustainable energy subsidies, hundreds of millions saved, no Carbon Tax a few more billion saved (it will spend more than it collects initially), no more industry assistance for big carbon a billion or so more.

If you couldn’t reduce public outlays at the commonwealth level by at least $5 billion by wiping all things AGW from the Fed Government then you aren’t trying. The budget could be brought back into surplus with no increase in taxation.

But here’s the problem, Abbott and the Coalition would have to man up for a real fight, but it is a fight they would win in voter land, but be pilloried for in media and academic land. Seeing how Abbott is perpetually portrayed as a radical right wing demagogue – he might as well live up to the title in just one area.

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 9:42 am
Agree, john com.

Blogstrop

25 Feb 12 at 9:49 am
Therein lies the problem John Commenus.

I imagine O’Barrell is discovering now what Newman and Abbott will encounter. The otherwise unemployable useless public servants in each department have their own Brisbane Line beyond which they will not permit the new minister to advance.

They’re indolent enough to see him out, to spike the next minister similarly and to wait for the great days to return.

Mick Gold Coast QLD

25 Feb 12 at 10:07 am
Enough with the apologising already. First it was General John Allen, commander of the international coalition in Afghanistan. Followed by Peter Lavoy, acting assistant secretary of defense for Asia and Pacific security affairs, who apologised “several times”. And of course, Obama, who not only apologised to Karzai via telephone but also sent him a letter of apology.

Naturally, the locals just continue to riot and kill because the evil US burnt their book. And they continue to ramp their efforts to eleventy amid calls for “Death to America”. That old chestnut.

Deadly anti-American protests erupted in Afghanistan for a fourth day Friday, with thousands of Afghans pouring onto the streets following Friday prayers, many chanting “Death to America.”

Afghan officials say at least nine people were killed, seven of them in the western province of Herat, when demonstrations there turned violent. Hundreds protested near the American consulate in Herat, but U.S. officials denied reports that anyone was shot while trying to storm the compound.

There are also reports of injuries from protests in the capital of Kabul. And protesters also took to the streets in the eastern provinces of Nangarhar and Ghazni. At least one person was reported dead in Baghlan province.

Friday’s fatalities bring the death toll after four days of unrest in Afghanistan to at least 22. Two American soldiers were among those killed on Thursday.

Apologies won’t stop the killing.

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 10:43 am
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Anti-US-Protests-Continue-in-Afghanistan-140280313.html

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 10:44 am
Apologies won’t stop the killing.

Morons.

Why the f*#k are we bothering?

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 11:08 am
The ALP is publicly telling voters how rotten to the core they are, what a malevolent bunch of liars they are, how nasty and narcissistic they are, how they put their hatreds above all else, that they are unable to work as a functional team of adults AND THEY ARE BEING REWARDED BY THE PUBLIC.

It’s because they’ve stopped saying it’s all Tony Abbott’s fault.

Mother Hubbard's Dog

25 Feb 12 at 11:17 am
The Spectacular Rise and Fall of U.S. Whaling: An Innovation Story

oil shrill

25 Feb 12 at 11:22 am
Now for the much anticipated John Comnenus politician conviction index.

This list was developed from wikipedia and media searching from tips given by open thread readers.

Since 1983 I identified 28 State or Federal Politicians who had been convicted of offences.

Of the 28, 16 were ALP, 1 ex ALP Independent, 10, Lib & or Nat, and 1 Green.

Since 2000 there have been 13 politicians convicted with 11 being ALP, 1 ex ALP Independent and 1 LNP.

Top offences for the ALP are: Child sex offences, DUI, and corruption.

Top offences for the LNP: half are for allowance fraud.

The best year for convicting was 2007 with 3 convictions.

2012 could be a bumper year with former NSW ALP MP Paluzzano due in court soon to defend charges for lying to ICAC and Fraud, ICAC apparently referring Tony Kelly and John Watkins to the DPP after a corruption investigation into land fraud and falsified documents, Ian Macdonald looking like he could be charged for trading sex for favours.

But it wouldn’t be a big year if there wasn’t an ALP MP charged in relation to something truly disgusting involving kids. Former SA ALP MP and kingmaker Bernard Finnigan was charged for possession of child pornography type offences last year and I assume could be defending those charges this year. It seems likely that the three NSW MP will be in big trouble given that ICAC investigations led to charges or charges being recommended. We could easily blow out to around 15 odd ALP crims for every LNP crim.

The next Liberal Government should bring in RICO style laws, then the ALP might change status from a political party to a criminal enterprise.

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 11:40 am
Apologies won’t stop the killing.

They actually increase the killing by normalising the idea that religious ‘offence’ is licitly – or at least understandably – punishable by murder.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 11:55 am
I’m not sure the polls accurately quantify – if they quantify at all – the eventual either/or that will emerge after the leadership of the Labor Party is decided. At the moment, in essence, it’s Tony Abbott versus two ALPs. When there’s only one again, a percentage of the disgusted and the swinging could then make the break.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 12:00 pm
I hope so C.L. Otherwise we are stupid as an electorate.

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 12:06 pm
Report: ageing atheist blabbermouth Fidel Castro set to return to the Church.

It’s interesting how many atheists drop the mask as death draws nearer.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 12:07 pm
Can’t believe the polls. Galaxy at 54-46 and Morgan at 52-48.

Polls have a reasonable track record.
However this is a time of flux so as others said, it’s hard to know how to interpret them this week. I’m not even sure how people can sensibly respond to the question, who would they vote for if an election was held tomorrow.

Maybe it’s a Rudd bounce. Maybe it’s because the question makes no sense right now. Maybe Labor have really won back the hearts and minds of many.

daddy dave

25 Feb 12 at 12:20 pm
Of the two, I’d take Galaxy over Morgan. They’re not two data points of equal value.

daddy dave

25 Feb 12 at 12:21 pm
In Italy, a remarkable archeological find:

“It’s an extraordinary case,” said Ms Menotti. “There has not been a double burial found in the Neolithic period, much less two people hugging – and they really are hugging,” she told Reuters news agency.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 12:23 pm
yes a Rudd bounce, there are people who will definitely votor Labor if election was held tomorrow and KRudd was leader, he would bring some people back to the party no doubt; the question is not worded like that but voter intention is obvious, he still has a certain popularity

candy

25 Feb 12 at 12:39 pm
Once again I hear the argument over the NBN being re-written by Julia as if the conservatives want to deny the regions fast broadband, when the point of disagreement is actually how the necessary (read adequate) speeds are delivered to each area, and at what cost.
Pointing out that the NBN as it is being implemented is overkill and horribly expensive (not to mention the destruction of Telstra’s alternative carriers), and that a mix of technologies can deliver what’s needed to each area at a much lower cost, is not seeking to deny fast broadband to the rural and regional people.
Claiming to achieve the important reforms is not convincing when your reforms are cripplingly expensive (Carbon Tax) or just plain wasteful (most of the rest).

blogstrop

25 Feb 12 at 12:52 pm
Where’s our goddamn US politics forum? Tell Kates to do a cut and paste from that skanky ho Ann Coulter’s latest column to kick it off.

Anyway, in the meantime, the National Review (a filthy right wing scandal sheet which was founded by a lickspittle crony of fascist dictator Franco) endorsed Mitt in 08, but is turning against him with a vengeance this time around:

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/291927/mitt-romney-man-people-michael-walsh

Les Majesty

25 Feb 12 at 12:54 pm
And they really are hugging!

Can’t help feeling that this is a sad story, not a huggy one.

blogstrop

25 Feb 12 at 12:55 pm
Re NBN Etc…

Anyone know anything about the implications of that Moore’s Law defying single-atom transistor?

I’ve heard geeks saying it will increase computer speed by a million times in less than several years; even that it may be twenty-first century defining.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 12:56 pm
“Castro” rediscovers the church.
Mr Catastro has a large backlog of confessions to get through. Forgiveness in this case is above the eartly priest’s pay grade, and will have to be referred to the highest authority.

blogstrop

25 Feb 12 at 1:01 pm
endorsed Mitt in 08, but is turning against him with a vengeance this time around:

Actually the editorial endorsed him this time round as well Les but many of their columnists are still very critical of him ….. for good reason.

Santorum and Romney are both weak candidates but Santorum is better.

Newt is the most able but he can suddenly and unpredictably turn completely stupid.

The field is an indictment of Jeb Bush, Paul Ryan, John Thune, Mitch Daniels, etc etc in the most important election for President in our lifetime

There’s little sense of the terminal crisis the country in from Romney and when Santorum alludes to it, the GOP Establishment critics say he’s not a happy warrior

JamesK

25 Feb 12 at 1:21 pm
Poida

25 Feb 12 at 1:22 pm
Not heard anyfing about it CL.
Do you have a link?

Winston Smith

25 Feb 12 at 1:25 pm
Viral Vid of the day:

Young woman ‘apologises’ to Karzai for those barbecued korans…

Key phrase: “I’m sorry we don’t have a leader with enough balls to tell you…”

Obama sure does love Islam.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 1:26 pm
Winston:

Aussie scientists unveil single-atom transistor.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 1:27 pm
D’oh.

Viral Vid iof the day link.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 1:28 pm
Linky no worky for BBQ’d korans, CL.

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 1:28 pm
… goddamn US politics …skanky ho Ann Coulter… filthy right wing … lickspittle crony …fascist

I see Lez is awake, then.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 1:29 pm
Link worked for me, gab.

Nice to see the Preshizzle (TM Paco) Odumbugger circus is still reverse-midas-touching everything in sight.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 1:32 pm
IQ49, are you saying Franco wasn’t a fascist?

I can see why people balk when Thatcher, GW Bush or Howard are called fascists, but I don’t really think the jury is out on Franco.

Perhaps your information is different? Or perhaps you are just a pompous dumbass?

Les Majesty

25 Feb 12 at 1:42 pm
Pickering. Ouch. Just ouch!

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 1:47 pm
Here are some examples of 49′s sparkling wit and uplifting rhetoric:

f**kers… we beat the living sh*t out of that bastard… circle-jerk luvvie bumchums… lowest filth imaginable… snakes arsehole… worthless lazy thieving poseur scumbags… pigs and other vermin… greentards… grotesque idiocy… circle-jerkers… leftward…

Les Majesty

25 Feb 12 at 1:47 pm
They are talking about raw milk on Fox News! Awesome.

Les Majesty

25 Feb 12 at 1:53 pm
Good to see the Police finally doing their job and closing in on more potential ALP crooks vis a vis the HSU scandal.

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 1:59 pm
National Review was founded by William F Buckley, not Franco (who was certainly a fascist).

daddy dave

25 Feb 12 at 2:02 pm
Here are some examples of 49′s sparkling wit and uplifting rhetoric:

You just called a female commentator a “skanky ho”.

Typical misogyny from a leftist.

twostix

25 Feb 12 at 2:04 pm
This might explain a few things. Especially about why the ALP ‘government’ looks like Gilligans Island on crack.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 2:05 pm
Joe Biden:

‘Americans Are Tired Of Being Tired’.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 2:09 pm
National Review was founded by William F Buckley, not Franco (who was certainly a fascist).

He said:

a lickspittle crony of fascist dictator Franco

Not sure who he thinks this crony was.

twostix

25 Feb 12 at 2:10 pm
Twostix – true. Until you made your comment I had not bothered to waste time reading lez’s. At least I aimed my invective at thieves and greens (but I repeat myself).

‘Pigs and other vermin’ – it’ quite that our funny that our weepy little princess pretends to be offended by this. Pigs, goats, feral cats, rabbits, foxes etc are actually classed as vermin species in law.

He’s as teary over ‘leftwards’ which again is amusing.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 2:13 pm
One day it might dawn on Joe Biden that We are us!

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 2:13 pm
Les is referring to the fact that William F. Buckley Jr praised Franco for saving Spain from the communists.

As any reasonable person would.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 2:14 pm
This might explain a few things. Especially about why the ALP ‘government’ looks like Gilligans Island on crack.

I don’t understand why these commentators have such a hard time understanding “what she believes”.

She believes in the same things shes always believed:

Massive government expansion
A client state
Gay Marriage
Open Borders for Aslyum Seekers and the third world.
Fabian Socialism.

Which incidentally is exactly what we are getting.

Fancy that. She’s doing what she spent thirty years saying wanted to do. But because she doesn’t telegraph it in pictograms to the deadheads who write for the media she’s “really hard” to understand.

Dear MSM look at the UK under Blair / Brown – both proud Fabians just like Gillard. That’s exactly where Gillard wants to take Australia she’s going to “remake how we experience what it is to be Australian”.

It’s just so fucking simple.

twostix

25 Feb 12 at 2:25 pm
Buckley supported McCarthy’s anti-communist activities too. it’s interesting that once the Soviet Archives were opened and Mitrokin’s take from the KGB archives was published that McCarthy can be judged properly. And he was dead right about communist penetration of the US, of its elites unions and academia. he was right about Hiss etc being soviet agents too.

His opposition to Communism extended to support of the overthrow and replacement of leftist governments by non-democratic forces. Buckley did support Spanish dictator General Francisco Franco who led defeated the Spanish Republican ideologues, Marxists and nihilists.

Sure, Franco ran an authoritarian government, yet he eventually moved to liberal western democracy.

He also supported the military dictatorship of General Pinochet and the 1973 coup that overthrew Chilean marxist Salvador Allende.

Sure, Pinochet also ran an authoritarian government, yet he too eventually moved to liberal western democracy.

Allende’s fave friend Fidel Castro’s Cuba is still a totalitarian crap-hole.

The Spanish Republic’s major ally was Stalin’s USSR, along with Stalin’s fellow Socialists Mao and Hitler, it was one of the vilest governments ever to exist, and generated little but corpses and human misery on an unbelievable scale.

It takes a totalitarian to support such regimes over Buckley’s choices.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 2:26 pm
CL

Strangely, I know absolutely nothing about the Spanish Civil War, except that it involved some guy called Franco – I don’t even know what his self-style was, except that nowadays he gets lumped in with ‘fascists’ – the Catholic Church; a lot of foreign Anglo mercenaries (like George Orwell); and film footage of a plane swooping down on a Spanish street firing bullets at the fleeing peoples, which Picasso turned into a famous painting called Guernica, which was basically another go at his obsession with painting beheaded chicks with huge noses.

So, there Communists involved as well? Figures.

Peter Patton

25 Feb 12 at 2:29 pm
She’s doing what she spent thirty years saying she wanted to do.

Yep, who’da thunk it.

Commie gets selected twice, is utterly beholden to another loathsome Machiavellian marxist zombie and we get shafted with the resultant country and society destroying commie bollocks.

What a joy it is to be lorded over by these toxic twats.

Please filth, may we have some more?

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 2:32 pm
PP

Excellent coverage by Anthony Beevor The Spanish Civil War, you can get a copy for the princely sum of $0.01 (+P&H) here.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 2:36 pm
plus shipping, I presume?

Peter Patton

25 Feb 12 at 2:42 pm
Hey Mark, what is the best web portal for English-translated documents from the Soviet-era since the 1989 collapse?

Peter Patton

25 Feb 12 at 2:52 pm
So a muslim man admits to attacking an atheist costumed as a Zombie Muhammed in a Halloween parade.(No one attacked the other man dressed as a Zombie Pope).

Anyways, the muslim judge lets him off scot free and ~~lectures~~ verbally abuses the victim.

The defendant is an immigrant and claims he did not know his actions were illegal, or that it was legal in this country to represent Muhammad in any form. To add insult to injury, he also testified that his 9 year old son was present, and the man said he felt he needed to show his young son that he was willing to fight for his Prophet.

The case went to trial, and as circumstances would dictate, Judge Mark Martin is also a Muslim. What transpired next was surreal. The Judge not only ruled in favor of the defendant, but called Mr. Perce a name and told him that if he were in a Muslim country, he’d be put to death. Judge Martin’s comments included…

Read it for yourself. It’s disgusting.

Oh and this all happened in good old downtown Pennsylvania, USA.

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 2:58 pm
Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen issues chilling YouTube warning to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Zionists.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 2:59 pm
Hilarious snippet from The Dictator.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 3:01 pm
Gab,

WTF?

When is this softcocked submission going to cease?

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 3:03 pm
On a brighter note, currently enjoying this – rock ‘n’ roll soothes this less than gruntled human…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 3:05 pm
So, there Communists involved as well? Figures.

On Orwell in spain…

While the anarchist POUM which Orwell was in, were fighting against Franco, the commie party were back in Barcelona outlawing them. Then swept them up in mass arrests and repressed them in the typical commie way – imagine the depravity of attacking your allies while they’re still fighting – typically depraved international commies. Anyway if memory serves they came to Orwells hotel and he narrowly avoided them, and escaped the country.

Interestingly Orwell only joined the POUM by default because he was with the ILP, he only joined the ILP because the International Brigades wouldn’t have him, and with the betrayal of the POUM and all he saw of the depraved machinations on the international commies in Spain his famous soviet commie hate was solidified.

twostix

25 Feb 12 at 3:17 pm
Orwell’s homage to Catalonia (I think that’s the title) was an excellent read.

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 3:32 pm
When is this softcocked submission going to cease?

When a cure for PC is found.

blogstrop

25 Feb 12 at 3:32 pm
The Spanish civil war – no one’s into it because the protagonists were both so bleeping loathsome.

Pity they both couldn’t have lost, as the saying goes…

It was largely fought along cultural/sectarian lines, with the commie catalunyans battling the Francoist Castillians (the authentic Spaniards).

It lives on to this day when the world’s premier football ‘derby’ takes place – Real Madrid V barcelona…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 3:39 pm
PP

Hey Mark, what is the best web portal for English-translated documents from the Soviet-era since the 1989 collapse?

Dunno. But there’s a friend in Cologne I can ask.

I’ll ask her.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 3:47 pm
When is this softcocked submission going to cease?

When either rule .303 or rule 7.62 is applied.

In the case of the ‘judge’, such application should not be delayed!

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 3:54 pm
Question asked, PP

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 3:59 pm
When is this softcocked submission going to cease?

Never. Not under Obama at any rate.

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 4:04 pm
Peter, I had the same problem re the Spanish Civil War; was very used to reading tangential references but wasn’t familiar with the 5 W&H of the Republicans, Nationalists etc, the whole shooting match. There’s a whole terminology you have to master, along with regional idiosyncracies. Anyway, I decided to read a huge biography of Franco (which some research had assured me was considered the scholarly best) and then read a door-stopper of a history of the war itself. It was a complex conflict. Bottom line: the communists certainly were gearing up for a typical commie holocaust, along with a Stalinist anti-clerical extermination (which they began in earnest). Franco was not an attractive man (to say the least – although even detractors acknowledged that he was legitimately courageous, including physically, and was not corruptible with wine, women or song) but he rescued the country from a leftist mega-nightmare.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 4:35 pm
Total Commonwealth Government Securities
on Issue – $229,711m
consisting of:
Treasury Bonds – $200,053m
Treasury Indexed Bonds – $15,539m
Treasury Notes – $14,100m
Other Securities – $19m
As at 24 February 2012

I initially thought, after the Christmas break, that the cunning buggers had salted away a huge stash and were going to start repaying back the debt to make it look like they were good money managers.

“Look! The debt that kept us out of the GFC is now being paid off, and we’re going to be in surplus!”

But no such luck. We’ll be at the credit limit of $250 Billion by about April/May.

Winston Smith

25 Feb 12 at 4:45 pm
Obama dismisses oil exploration, recommends algae.

Gingrich mocks the idiot:

Newt Gingrich: Obama’s Algae Energy Plan Is Like Something From a SNL Skit – It’s Weird (Video).

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 4:49 pm
Coming soon to a Labor think tank near you…

To Start An Online Store In Greece, You Have To Do Something Pretty Gross.

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 4:53 pm
Franco repaid the krauts for their assistance during the civil war, in kind.

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 4:58 pm
Pickering. Ouch. Just ouch!

So many possible interpretations of that cartoon.

1. Hanging out their dirty linen in public.

2. Hanging each other out to dry.

3. Taking each other to the cleaners.

4. Two people absolutely shitting themselves.

Viva

25 Feb 12 at 5:01 pm
I think it’s all of the above, Viva, plus stripping naked in public, letting the public see it warts and all….. it’s one of the most brutal cartoons I have ever seen, even more spiky than this.

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 5:13 pm
From the link, CL.

“Barack Obama – – the pond scum president.”

Winston Smith

25 Feb 12 at 5:14 pm
Huh? QLD candidate dis endorsed for going to a *swingers party, with his wife, years ago. But Craig Thomson still sits?

(* Not my cuppa tea, but certainly not illegal or deceitful )

Jumpnmcar

25 Feb 12 at 5:16 pm
Looked up Wiki to see what Pickering was doing nowadays. I didn’t know Labor goons tried to kill him in 1974:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Pickering

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 5:31 pm
Missed during the fracas that is the Labor “government”:

ANGRY unions have accused BHP Billiton of ”distasteful” conduct after the company flagged possible job cuts at a Tasmanian manganese smelter just weeks after announcing a half-year profit of almost $US10 billion.

Operations at the Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company (Temco) facility near Launceston will be suspended in just over a fortnight, allowing BHP and joint-venture partner Anglo American to review the long-term future of the plant, which employs close to 400 full-time or contract workers.

The unions are partly to blame, not that they would ever have the financial nous to understand this. If one business is not profitable why should the parent keep propping it up. And why isn’t Gillard running to give Temco/BHP cash to “save the jobs”? Not newsworthy enough?

Anyway, the Greens and greenies should be thrilled at the prospect of another evil polluting company going out of business, and in the same town as Gunns. Why aren’t they popping the organic sparkling?

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 5:38 pm
Why aren’t they popping the organic sparkling?

They ferment Bob Brown’s urine?

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 5:47 pm
Larry Pickering’s take, worth quoting. I think he’s on to something…

It’s so predictably cyclical, you can set your watch by it.

The boring conservatives win government, they govern (mostly sensibly) for ten or twelve years, become tired, drop the ball and lose government. They hand a healthy surplus to Labor.

The Socialists then run around like mad things paying old promisory debts, legislating half-baked agenda with gay abandon and spending money like there is no tomorrow! Then they invariably start fighting… and Labor fights with such venom, such entrenched hatred and bitterness that the victim becomes the Party.

They gnaw the flesh from each others’ bones. They rip the hearts from old allies in the pursuit of survival. They lose the election, hand the conservatives massive debt, and it starts all over again.

What Rudd has done to Gillard has been disgusting. What Gillard did to Rudd was putrid… and the public feels Gillard is the worse offender, thus Rudd commands twice the popularity of Gillard.
But Rudd doesn’t understand that his “popularity” is only as “Preferred PM”… and Charles Manson would poll well when compared to Gillard.

Would Caucus follow public sentiment anyway? No. This is raw Labor… it has nought to do with the will of the people.

Gillard has the numbers but let me say why she has the numbers (for now):
Pretend you are a member of caucus and after dinner, a few days ago, you got a call from Julia. Out of the blue, she asks you straight out, “Bob, do I have your support?” Your answer will be, “Julia, yes of course you do!” Remember, Rudd wasn’t running then.

The game will change somewhat now. Caucus members will be able to vent feelings they were unable to vent before. If Rudd can secure numbers in the mid forties he will snowball toward the leadership. If he cannot, he may not run.

Labor cannot win the next election with God as leader. They party knows that. It’s a matter of limiting the degree of the clobbering.

There is almost no chance Rudd can carry the Party to the next election. There is no chance whatsoever that Gillard can.

She has left Rudd (undemocratically) with a short, jet-lagged weekend in which to garner Caucus support. She has had ample time to get her ducks in order but wants to ensure Rudd has only ‘til Monday.

She has taken the high moral ground and instructed her cohorts, Crean and Swan, to do the dirty anti-Rudd chatter. The Party is self-destructing as it has done three times before in my time.

Neither Gillard nor Rudd can put the Party back together again. It’s too late now.
If Gillard wins, her tenure is terminal. The battle lines will have been drawn with at least a third of Caucus tacitly declaring they want her head on a plate. Rudd will retire to the back bench with time to treacherously add to her list of enemies before girding his loins for another sortie.

If Rudd wins it will be a pyrrhic victory. He will not have the numbers in the House. Abbott will be able to form Government long enough to call an election as an incumbent.

Rudd is a hated man within his own Party and, as I have always maintained, he cannot ever be Prime Minister again. It is a futile exercise. Worse than futile, it’s suicidal… for Labor!

So, it appears there could be an opening for a bright young lad as a third contender. But what sacrificial lamb in its right mind would accept such a poison chalice?

The only certain ending to this sorry tale is an election and Abbott won’t like her choice of curtains

Mk50 of Brisbane

25 Feb 12 at 6:00 pm
Black Five reminds us of just how utterly monumental Reagan was.

His original ’64 speech, without the gung-ho militarism is here. Text here.

Skip to about 23:22 to get to the meat of Reagan’s take on the Soviet Union.

The guy was one of the few that recognised what needed to be done with them.. and spent the good part of 25 years making sure it crumbled.

I always had admiration for the guy based on his policies in the 80′s.. but didn’t realise his mission spread so far back.

duncan

25 Feb 12 at 6:22 pm
This is a part of google that a simple prick like me should have been told about.
Thanks guys.

Interesting shit like this.

Jumpnmcar

25 Feb 12 at 6:37 pm
Jumncar.. what the hell were(n’t) we doing in the late 70′s ?

duncan

25 Feb 12 at 7:41 pm
Thank god, Super Rugby has started. Waratahs kick out to 3 nil. Go Tahs

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 7:43 pm
Queensland even up the score 3 all

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 7:47 pm
Jumncar.. what the hell were(n’t) we doing in the late 70′s ?

Growing up at a NQ beach. Preferred motorbikes, fishin and bonfires. Got my first laptop about 4 years ago.

Anyway, today you may say ” You look like a monkey and ya smell like one toooo.. hipip “

Jumpnmcar

25 Feb 12 at 8:08 pm
It’s interesting how many atheists drop the mask as death draws nearer.

I hadn’t noted a trend.

Abu Chowdah

25 Feb 12 at 8:19 pm
… the company flagged possible job cuts at a Tasmanian manganese smelter just weeks after announcing a half-year profit of almost $US10 billion.

Profit figures are meaningless unless expressed as a percentage of capital tied up in the enterprise.
But this is what we get served up every day of the week by media or Labor or their union mates. It’s superficial class warfare and has no place in sensible discussion, so I class it as agitprop.

blogstrop

25 Feb 12 at 8:23 pm
Thanks for the reminder John C – was watching the gold coast V melbourne defeat…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 8:33 pm
Great – ‘Tahs down 8 – 12…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 8:35 pm
… the company flagged possible job cuts at a Tasmanian manganese smelter just weeks after announcing a half-year profit of almost $US10 billion.

What was their ROI? Also, billions are the new millions, folks.

wreckage

25 Feb 12 at 8:43 pm
Hehe, play the whistle Tahs

Jumpnmcar

25 Feb 12 at 8:50 pm
WTF? Gold Coast are wearing shirts that say “Freedom of Speech” on the front – Clive is obviously ‘no thappy’*!

* Or it’s got something to do with this…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 9:07 pm
‘tahs crunching it and in response the reds are taking each other out – great stuff!

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 9:09 pm
Go tahs

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 9:11 pm
Mike Harris is an impressive kicker. If QLD win it will be because of him. I think I’d look for a spot for him in the Wallabies

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 9:14 pm
Grandstand finish looming, John C!

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 9:15 pm
Mike Harris is an impressive kicker.

Especially from right in front!

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 9:17 pm
Why did he kick it

John Comnenus

25 Feb 12 at 9:19 pm
Oh, FFS!

‘tahs snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!

reds 23 tahs 21, kick to come…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 9:20 pm
What a bleeping disgrace.

reds 25 ‘tahs 21 and full time for mckenzie, thanks!

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 9:22 pm
“QLD breaks NSW hearts on last play”

If I had a dollar…….

Jumpnmcar

25 Feb 12 at 9:22 pm
Suck it up Waratards.

Honestly, why does NSW bother playing any form of football anymore?

C.L.

25 Feb 12 at 9:40 pm
Happy Birfday, Jump!

kae

25 Feb 12 at 10:11 pm
She’s as distant as the winter sun …

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 10:59 pm
And here’s a song inspired by Albo.

Gab

25 Feb 12 at 11:02 pm
Indeed Gab – we should start dosing their food with cement mix.

Honestly, do they really think people are that bleeping stupid?

Oh wait, they do and they are…

Rabz

25 Feb 12 at 11:04 pm
Might I say that I utterly deplore this completely gratuitous, unacceptable objectification of what the hell were we talking about again?

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 12:51 am
Another great Reds v Tahs battle. Oh how I love those games, having watched many a great war between those two sides over the years. There has been some quality stink from time to time as well.

I didn’t think I was ready for rugby season yet, but jeez I am now!

tbh

26 Feb 12 at 2:47 am
Two more Americans killed by Muslims in Afghanistan.

Despite an apology from U.S. President Barack Obama and a call for restraint from Afghan leader Hamid Karzai, thousands have taken to the streets. Twelve people were killed and dozens wounded on Friday, the bloodiest day yet in demonstrations.

What filthy animals.

And of course Barack Hussein apologised to them.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 3:31 am
CL… go back up the thread and look at my Reagan links.

Obama is exactly the type of politician Reagan was railing against back in the 60′s.

duncan

26 Feb 12 at 7:05 am
Ta kea.

Here’s the new Coalition ad.

Not bad

Jumpnmcar

26 Feb 12 at 7:20 am
If I buy a book and choose to burn my property, I wonder if my property rights will trump anti-vilification laws.

Oh come on

26 Feb 12 at 7:31 am
Re: the new Coalition ad. Yeah, not bad. “The boats will still keep coming” dig was a bit lame, though. It’s blatant pandering to base instincts – I think there are better arguments to fuck these useless pricks off than that.

Oh come on

26 Feb 12 at 7:35 am
off with, even

Oh come on

26 Feb 12 at 7:56 am
I think the whole lemon spiel is a bit lame.

They’d be better off splicing video clips of various members of Labor talking.

The contradictions and idiocies are much more telling than a slick bit of marketing.

duncan

26 Feb 12 at 8:36 am
My ad would say that you’ve got a conniving lying ex commie on one side and a dysfunctional guy who’s got mental health issues on the other side. Neither are fit to lead the country.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 8:41 am
I don’t see the point running the ad at this time. What is it meant to achieve?

And yes, it is a lame ad anyway. Understand that it ties in with the Kev 0′Lemon and Lemon, lime and bitters ads, but it’s just not relevant at this time.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 8:44 am
Retract. Yes it is relevant in terms of the theme of the original campaign, but how does it serve the Libs other than to point out Labor is again at war with itself. So what? We already see that daily.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 8:47 am
I agree Duncan. They are tearing each other apart and the Libs run a cartoon. Never underestimate the LNP ability to shoot itself in the foot.
They should just splice labor attacks together and just say: ‘don’t take my word for it!’
If they were real clever they would say Abbott is right, play an Abbott attack on Gillard and then an ALP person saying the same thing. Then Abbott on Rudd and ALP on Rudd.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 8:49 am
You just called a female commentator a “skanky ho”.

Typical misogyny from a leftist.

No you are lying.

I did no such thing.

I typed Skan Kee Ho which autocorrect – damn you! – changed to “skanky ho”.

Skan Kee Ho was of course the mistress of Chang Kai Shek, and a very strong and fiery personality. This is well known in ALP right circles.

My comparison of Ms Coulter to Ms Ho was intended as a compliment.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 8:59 am
What a bleeping disgrace.

reds 25 ‘tahs 21 and full time for mckenzie, thanks!

I gave up on NSW about five years ago. I gave up on the NRL crowds a couple of weeks ago.

Is there any football code where you can avoid raging dickheads?

Clearly union is a better game but with dopey rules about in goals and no shoulder charges…we may as well have made up rules like 40/20 and uncontested scrums which have ruined league.

.

26 Feb 12 at 9:22 am
Contested scrums are the worst thing about union.

Engage… blow whistle… kick penalty goal… repeat. That’s basically the game. Boring.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 9:37 am
Yes they have ruined union as well.

I think Europeans don’t actually train how to win scrums, but penalties from scrums.

.

26 Feb 12 at 9:53 am
Time for the Bolt Report!

Rafe

26 Feb 12 at 9:58 am
The riot makers: the technology of social demolition is a great book on how softness in the face of threats actually encourages more threats and how backing down to violence encourages more violence. But Cats knew that anyway.

This is why the US should have behaved very differently in Iraq i.e. shot initial looters on the spot in 2003 and why it should not back down and apologise to Islamo fascists in Afghanistan. I also note the silence on this anti American murder spree. Its OK to collectively punish Americans.

The madness spreads:a Muslim mob has desecrated a WWII Commonwealth War cemetery in Libya even though most of the graves are British and not even American. I would imagine there are some Australian Graves affected. There racist attitude is ‘Oh what the heck they are all infidel whiteys’.

Now didn’t we just spend billions to rid Libya of Qadaffi? Oh well, there’s some thanks for you. What hasn’t the West learned from the Afghan – Soviet War. It doesn’t matter how much we help them they will still hate us. Therefore there is no point helping or hindering any of them in any of their wars – including Syria. We should fight only when it is in our interest to fight.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 10:01 am
You just called a female commentator a “skanky ho”.

Typical misogyny from a leftist.

No you are lying.

I did no such thing.

I typed Skan Kee Ho which autocorrect – damn you! – changed to “skanky ho”.

Skan Kee Ho was of course the mistress of Chang Kai Shek, and a very strong and fiery personality. This is well known in ALP right circles.

My comparison of Ms Coulter to Ms Ho was intended as a compliment.

Dismal. Just dismal. Do failed efforts at humour come any clumsier or more leaden than this? All Lez has done is beclown himself. Again.

And for the record, Chiang had three mistresses in his life, Yao Zhicheng, Chen Jieru and Soong Mei-ling, the latter later becoming his wife of course.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 10:13 am
MK50, surely you can appreciate the fake but true story here. The fact of Skan Kee Ho is well known in ALP right circles. I have no doubt it is. What other garbage is believed in ALP right circles? You cna tax your way to wealth, you can borrow your way out of debt?

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 10:31 am
And for the record, Chiang had three mistresses in his life, Yao Zhicheng, Chen Jieru and Soong Mei-ling, the latter later becoming his wife of course.

No you are lying. Look at Urban Dictionary circa 2004.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 10:32 am
What other garbage is believed in ALP right circles?

I wouldn’t know.

But look, Comnenus, weren’t you in agreement a few days ago with IQ49′s hair-brained scheme to destroy Iran’s nuke program, “starve” the mullahs into collapse and create an independent Kurdish homeland, without any negative consequences, through the use of nothing but “airpower” (IQ49′s word)?

In fact IIRC your refinement to 49′s strategy was the insight that when the mahdi doesn’t appear following our bombing the shit out of Iran, the mullahs will be so discredited that basically the Shi’a religion will collapse altogether?

All of this achieved through the use of “airpower” (49′s word)?

Clearly you believe some pretty stupid shit too. I don’t think you are in any position to sledge the ALP right for their credulity.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 10:42 am
Here’s how truly evil outcomes come from that pernicious and fabulist view, John:

The main problem with Iraq 2003, it may now turn out, was how the Bush administration dealt with the WMD threat and not over whether they existed. The vilification of the Iraq operation may have been over a fundamental a violation of the international diplomatic consensus rather than the “mistake” over the presence of WMDs.

The proper way to deal with WMD threats has now been revealed as including the use of pariahs, like Israel, maneuvers in the Security Council, or whatever unnamed diplomatic plans Hillary Clinton is hatching. Force is not disallowed, as long as it is applied by those who are already outside the pale. Readers will recall Operation Orchard in late 2007, when Israeli strike aircraft hit a “nuclear” target in the Syrian desert.
…

There was remarkably little outcry over that. Because that’s the way to do it. Western diplomats don’t mind getting the despised Jew to do the dirty work. They can always blame him afterward from their high moral perch. Otherwise they can lead from behind, through organizations like the “Friends of Syria”, which is a way of negotiating regime change, or perhaps effecting it, in a multilateral way.

…

This might also explain the curious lack of opposition to notions that Israel should carry out an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities which were developed in secret through ‘deceit’ as leaked telexes now show. Force is not disallowed as long as the hitmen from Tel Aviv do it. To get the Americans involved, well the Five Families — or whatever the diplomats call the ruling diplomatic coalition — don’t sanction that stuff.

From the very beginning the Bush Administration’s operation against Saddam Hussein was also a declaration of war … against the system.

Bush may have calculated that the September 11, 2001 attacks had finally given him a free hand to deal with long-festering threats in the most expeditious way. But he was probably wrong. The system bent, but never broke. Ultimately it destroyed him and was probably relieved to see the accession of Barack Obama, …

But both the Arab Spring and the Iranian nuclear question suggest that the international diplomatic consensus doesn’t work; it is only making the problems of the region worse. Unless the diplomatic system can avert the increasing march towards a regional civil war and the nuclearlization of the region, then a catastrophe looms which will make the hostilities in Iraq seem like a kindergarten party. It may overtake not only the Middle East, but the whole of the Mediterranean and the Caucasus.

RTWT

This is very thought provoking.

if correct (and I hate to say this) then the traditional European method of locking in stability by supporting dictatorships in Arab ME countries was correct. They could be influenced and controlled by bribery, corruption, grants and their own need to stay in power.

The ‘arab spring’ reminds me of the ‘hundred flowers’ campaign. The westernised arab secularists have revealed themselves at the same time the islamists have been unleashed. In Libya, the result has been disaster (and the Christians are being murdered). In Egypt, the MB won real power (and the Copts are being murdered). In Syria, the ‘opposition’ is openly flying the Al Qaeda flag. In Syria, there are a lot of Christians. They were long ago co-opted by the minority Alawites in classic ME fashion to support the Assad ‘royal family’.

I think that we now have enough evidence to say that the devil we know may be better than the islamist daemon. it’s increasingly clear that the collapse of the Assad regime will lead to slaughter of the Alawites and Christians – in other words an all-out civil war that will make current events look like a tea party.

The facts now emerging may mean that rational policy makers should change their minds on the matter of the Assad regime. It’s looking like a classic choice between two evils, with the collapse of Syria into civil war, pogrom and massacre being a choice worse than a really nasty status quo.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 10:54 am
And for the record, Chiang had three mistresses in his life, Yao Zhicheng, Chen Jieru and Soong Mei-ling, the latter later becoming his wife of course.

49 felt the need to go “on the record” confirming that Skan Kee Ho was not in fact Chang Kai Shek’s mistress, despite Urban Dictionary circa 2004 and the ALP right.

What a blockhead 49 is. A real dummy.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 11:46 am
49 felt the need to go “on the record” confirming that Skan Kee Ho was not in fact Chang Kai Shek’s mistress, despite Urban Dictionary circa 2004 and the ALP right.

What a blockhead 49 is. A real dummy.

Self beclownings are your forte, it seems. Oh, you also really need to work on that whole humour thing.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 12:01 pm
John Comnenus – I see you are a rugby man, along with a couple of others here.

The Blues against the Crusaders and the Chiefs vs Highlanders offered fabulous running rugby between revitalised teams with lots of new personnel/combinations.

What did we see from our lot on Friday and Saturday night?

That they’ve learnt nothing from last year. I saw the same mediocre running from side to side for a bit then kick. 32,000 of the NSW mob turned out last night – I’ll venture that will be their biggest crowd for the entire season!

Mick Gold Coast QLD

26 Feb 12 at 12:24 pm
He’s baaaaaac kkk.

Lights, camera, no action: Baron Cohen’s Oscars ban

SACHA Baron Cohen has released a video haranguing the organisers of the Oscars for withdrawing his tickets for the ceremony. The clip shows the actor in character as Admiral General Aladeen – the leader of the fictional Republic of Wadiya and the main character in his upcoming comedy The Dictator.

Baron Cohen’s third collaboration with director Larry Charles is billed as ”the heroic story of a dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy never reaches his country”. It is intended as a satire of totalitarian regimes like that of Muammar Gaddafi

‘While I applaud the academy for taking away my right to free speech, I warn you that if you do not lift your sanctions and give me my tickets back by 12pm on Sunday, you will face unimaginable consequences,” says Baron Cohen as Aladeen, dressed in a heavily medalled military uniform and flanked by armed guards.

He began by describing the venerable Hollywood institution as ”the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Zionists”, before criticising the lack of recognition for ”Wadiyan” films, such as ”When Harry Kidnapped Sally”, ”You’ve Got Mailbomb” and ”Planet of the Rapes”. He ended the broadcast with: ”Death to the West, death to America. And good luck Billy Crystals.”

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/lights-camera-no-action-baron-cohens-oscars-ban-20120225-1tvak.html#ixzz1nRmuH2lR

Peter Patton

26 Feb 12 at 12:32 pm
Mk 50 – Skan Ke Ho is a well known name to the old Cat regulars. Tillman is quite correct in his usage. Just ask Homer. I believe it was Mark Lstham who first brought miss Ho to the collective attentions of the outside world.

Bring Back Tillman

26 Feb 12 at 12:32 pm
He sounds like THR and the Overland gang.

Peter Patton

26 Feb 12 at 12:33 pm
Contested scrums are the worst thing about union.

Engage… blow whistle… kick penalty goal… repeat. That’s basically the game. Boring.

Have to agree.

Only the actual official, compulsory ritual is “touch, pause, engage, pack.”

I mean, ffs. Just let the meat heads get on with it.

Union is being wrecked by its anal-retentive quest for impossible perfection.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 12:35 pm
Anna Bligh attacks Aborigines:

Bligh would declare another five Cape York ecosystems Wild Rivers if re-elected.

And the disgusting elitist actually goes fishing with some stunt Abos to make herself look caring.

Also (see pic) – earth to Anna: you’re too old for jeans, darl.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 12:39 pm
You gotta admit that’s a sensational photo-op Bligh’s staged there. Neither Gillard nor Rudd could pull that one off.

Peter Patton

26 Feb 12 at 12:43 pm
Graves of British troops smashed and desecrated by Libyan Islamists in protest over U.S. soldiers’ Koran burning.

Barack Hussein orders more apologies:

Pentagon Official Apologizes at Virginia Mosque for Koran Burnings in Afghanistan.

Lavoy apologized multiple times during a brief speech during prayer services at the ADAMS Center in Sterling, one of the largest mosques in the country.

“I come here today to apologize on behalf of the Department of Defense for the incident that took place in Afghanistan this week,” Lavoy told worshippers, saying the burnings were done “unknowingly and improperly.”

What an appalling coward Obama is.

He sure does love Islam, though.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 12:53 pm
Skan Kee Ho exists. Unfortunately its gender isn’t set.

And yeah I agree with bat shit crazy stuff like the US should bomb the Iranian nuclear program using air and naval power to put it back a decade and that the bombing might create the circumstances for a regime collapse. But as I pointed out at the time no one knows how it will pan out vis a vis the regime survival. I know that’s all crazy shit right there.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 12:56 pm
Nicholas Kristof in the 3/6/07 NY Times wrote about his interview with Barack Obama:

“He spent four years as a child in Indonesia and attended schools in the Indonesian language, which he still speaks.

“I was a little Jakarta street kid,” he said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on my blog, http://www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics — and more likely to be aware of their nationalism — if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it’ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

JamesK

26 Feb 12 at 1:00 pm
Did they apologise for killing people? No.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 1:03 pm
He may be more sensitive to Islamic concerns but it was widely inappropriate for the President to do the apologising for what was not a wilful direspect in the first place of course.

One should recall a fluff piece interview that got little coverage (like anything else that may have been deem negative to Obama in 2008) by Nicholas Kristof, NY Times ultra-leftist in 2007:

“He spent four years as a child in Indonesia and attended schools in the Indonesian language, which he still speaks.

“I was a little Jakarta street kid,” he said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on my blog, http://www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics — and more likely to be aware of their nationalism — if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it’ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

JamesK

26 Feb 12 at 1:05 pm
After all we’ve done and sacrificed for these toilet-dwelling bacteria, they kill serviceman and desecrate the headstones of war heroes (real men, real soldiers).

And what does Obama do?

He apologises and orders his top warriors to apologise.

He should be impeached and any crowds bearing down on US military facilities should be shot.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 1:07 pm
Odumbugger, thr, Lez and the other idiots and trolls are quite similar when you think about it. They have all the virtues one dislikes and none of the vices one admires.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 1:12 pm
lol… From Blair:

Instapundit is posting items from ten years ago. I’m posting items from ten years ago. Practically everybody who was blogging in the early days is posting items from ten years ago.

For some reason, however, Charles Johnson isn’t posting anything at all from his Little Green Footballs archives. Probably he’s just shy.

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 1:13 pm
Mk 50 – Skan Ke Ho is a well known name to the old Cat regulars. Tillman is quite correct in his usage. Just ask Homer.

None of that changes the fact that the mysoginist called a female columnist a “skanky ho” and then brought about this stupid fucking irrelevant bullshit in a ridiculous attempt to misdirect away from being called out on that fact.

Woe betide the female who doesn’t agree with the mysoginist left.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 1:16 pm
Afghanistan can revert back to barbarism for all I care.

All the blood and treasure that has been expended there to attempt to get the people out of the clutches of the warlords and ratbag fundamentalists and this is the thanks we get.

Lost cause. Time to cut the losses.

Pedro the Ignorant

26 Feb 12 at 1:17 pm
Lost cause. Time to cut the losses.

I thought the point of going into afghanistan is that it was a mass traing facility for islamic militants and needed to be cleared out? The stupid nation building bullshit is only because of the inherent benevlonance of the west.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 1:26 pm
They have all the virtues one dislikes and none of the vices one admires.

Now IQ49 is plagiarising other people’s insults. Sad to think that that is the best he can do.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 1:52 pm
In retrospect, a classic Frontier butcher and bolt may have been a better idea

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 1:53 pm
None of that changes the fact that the mysoginist called a female columnist a “skanky ho” and then brought about this stupid fucking irrelevant bullshit in a ridiculous attempt to misdirect away from being called out on that fact.

Woe betide the female who doesn’t agree with the mysoginist left.

I had no idea “skanky ho” was an insult. I was referring to certain events that are well known to the ALP right. I don’t even listen to hip hop.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 1:54 pm
In retrospect, a classic Frontier butcher and bolt may have been a better idea

When 49 isn’t channelling Douhet, he’s channelling Custer. What a military genius.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 1:56 pm
No where else on the web, nor indeed the world, can you find hours and hours devoted to arguing over ‘Skan kee Ho’ and ‘skanky ho’.

The Cat is unique like that.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 2:06 pm
Les,

I think the MK50 view is more in line with Lord Roberts who sorted out the Pashtuns in front of Kandahar after a slight mishap at Maiwand.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 2:06 pm
Documents: PETA kills more than 95 percent of pets in its care.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 2:10 pm
I had no idea “skanky ho” was an insult.

Yeah, sure.

…he’s channelling Custer

Oh dear. That’s priceless. The poor ignorami neither understands or even knows much at all, does he?

Afghanistan is being discussed. The terms ‘frontier’ and ‘butcher and bolt’ are mentioned. And he thinks of Roy Rogers. Priceless.

Lez, why don’t you toddle off, and leave the adults to discuss things, eh?

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 2:20 pm
John, if I mentioned ’1908′, ‘Zakka Khel’ and ‘Mohmand’, I know you’d get it. The kiddie… not so much.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 2:24 pm
The United States is an increasingly fascist country. I’ve theorised before that it was the fetishisation of the disciplined services following 9/11 that increased this sort of swaggering, institutionalised thuggery. They think they’re soldiers and the public is the enemy.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 2:27 pm
Many a punitive expedition against the Pathans or Pashtuns as they are known today.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 2:42 pm
CL, Ont. is Ontario Canada. But your point re the underlying fascism of the authorities in this case are right. They are going that way here to.

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 2:48 pm
Oops. Read straight past that “Ont.”

Yes, InstaPundit has been running a series of posts on these sorts of fascist excesses; including the militarisation of police (including with tanks and even drones).

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 3:18 pm
A must-see vid via Ace.

Compare the always apologising Barack Obama with this man.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 3:34 pm
Stuff (l)iberals say….

Ha ha.

Alex Pundit

26 Feb 12 at 4:16 pm
WTF – why are so many canuckistanians such betwetting, statist sh*theads?

Is it all the frogs?

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 4:42 pm
Rabz, that’s right. It’s the French influence.
Sod the French.

Winston Smith

26 Feb 12 at 4:43 pm
Winnie,

I’ve got two canuckistanian rellies, one anglo the other frog and they are both utterly rabid in their hatred of the place – they’ve been living here for decades.

Both have said that they would rather kill themselves than have to go and live there again and basically describe the place as an unlivable frozen wasteland full of idiots.

The french one is particularly virulent in his denunciations of the quebecois, so much so that he refused to allow his children to study french at school.

Amusing characters, though.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 4:50 pm
I’ve got two canuckistanian rellies, one anglo the other frog and they are both utterly rabid in their hatred of the place – they’ve been living here for decades.

Talk to the ones that live in The States. I’ve met ones that even preferred the American health system (which was really no surprise to me).

Alex Pundit

26 Feb 12 at 5:02 pm
Alex, these two said that they basically considered themselves Americans, before they came and lived here.

The money quote from Claude, the french one, was “Rabz, being a french canadian is nothing to be proud of”.

He utterly despises the french cultural chauvinism and considers it to be extremely stupid, as opposed to merely a quaint, embarrassing anachronism.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 5:26 pm
Another disgraceful umpiring decision at the cricket today with Dave Hussey given not out despite clearly obstructing the field.

sdfc

26 Feb 12 at 5:33 pm
The money quote from Claude, the french one, was “Rabz, being a french canadian is nothing to be proud of”.

Yeah, I haven’t been to France, but I have experienced the Franch arrogance… in Canada. I was at the aiport in Halifax waiting to fly to Newfoundland and my girlfriend and I at the time were joking around and she was laughing and talking loudly in English, which seemed to offend this old French-Canadian bird sitting in front of us at the gates. She gave us a filthy look, and got up to get away from us.

Alex Pundit

26 Feb 12 at 5:50 pm
Portugal’s lessons on ending the war on drugs

We’ve all heard the arguments against drug legalization: It would be anarchy! Americans would ingest dangerous substances wildly! They would randomly commit violence! Society as we know it would cease to exist!

The people of Portugal heard these claims 10 years ago, when the country decriminalized all drugs.

People predicted the country would spiral into chaos. So did that happen?

No.

Independent studies found that, after the drug law passed, the number of Portuguese who regularly do drugs stayed about the same. Problematic and youth drug use went down.

We spoke to a chief police inspector in Lisbon who was very dubious about decriminalization. But now he’s a convert. He told us, “the level of conflicts on the street are reduced”…”drug related robberies are reduced”…and “now police are not the enemies of the consumers”.

Adults in a free society should be able to ingest anything they want to, as long as they don’t injure somebody else.

Apparently, the people of Portugal figured that out. The results are good.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/on-air/stossel/blog/2012/02/25/end-americas-drug-war-lesson-portugal#ixzz1nT9QlgU8

JC

26 Feb 12 at 6:05 pm
Alex – I’ve been to quebec, was there in 1993.

The french cultural chauvinism was (to us) almost non existent – we simply had to let them know we didn’t speak french and they’d then switch to impeccable English.

Apparently (and this is what so pisses off Claude) the situation with the cultural chauvinism has deteriorated severely in just the space of a couple of decades.

He also considers the french cultural chauvinists to be the standard bearers of the sort of intrusive, banal, idiotic statism that is rendering canuckistan an economic and social basket case.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 6:10 pm
I really like Barneby Joyce. He has a real good way with words.

NATIONALS Senate leader Barnaby Joyce says the Labor leadership battle is the “biggest domestic on the street”.

Speaking after arriving in Canberra ahead of the Labor leadership caucus vote at Parliament house tomorrow, Senator Joyce said the skirmish between Labor ministers and MPs was unedifying.

“The Labor leadership crisis is like the biggest domestic in the street,” Senator Joyce told reporters.

“You have people yelling and screaming at each other.

“They are throwing everything around and they will be in the frontyard tomorrow saying that everything will be better and they will get on fine.

“Our nation is better than this.”

Senator Joyce said constituents had phoned his office to say they had been abused by Labor staffers when the contacted their offices to voiced their views on the Labor leadership.
Top 50 Media

He said the independent MPs in the lower house should bring down the Government by backing a no confidence motion in Labor, which could be brought on by the Opposition this week in Parliament.

“The independents said they wanted stable Government – what do they call this?” Senator Joyce said.

Asked about senior minister Anthony Albanese’s tearful speech in support of Kevin Rudd, Senator Joyce said: “We are all crying Albo. We are all crying mate. It’s not about ourselves it’s about our nation.”
Prime Minister Julia Gillard is expected to defeat challenger Kevin Rudd

JC

26 Feb 12 at 6:21 pm
Krauthammer: U.S. apology for Koran burning ‘embarrassing,’ ‘groveling’

“We have gone from apology here to abject self-debasement and groveling. And groveling to whom? To the mob.
…
“Is the president in charge of the offenses against a certain religious tradition in the world? This is a world in which nobody asked the Islamic conference, the grouping of the 56 Islamic countries, to issue an apology when Christians are attacked and churches are burned in Egypt or in Pakistan. And have we heard a word from any Islamic leader anywhere about the radical Muslims in Nigeria who are not only burning the churches but are burning women and children who are Christian in the churches. When I hear that, I’ll expect my president to start issuing apologies.”
…
“The fact that after the president apologized and after we have been on our knees groveling there was an increase in the violence. I mean, it isn’t as if it has any effect whatsoever. It whets the appetite. People love to see America on its knees. And second, on the idea that there are leaders, Muslim leaders in the world who apologize, there are 56 nations in the Islamic conference. Has one apologized for the attacks on the Copts in Egypt? Has the leader in Egypt himself apologized? No. Sorry.”

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 6:24 pm
“Our nation is better than this.”

Is it?

I’m really starting to wonder…

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 6:35 pm
Senator Joyce said constituents had phoned his office to say they had been abused by Labor staffers when they contacted their offices to voice their views on the Labor leadership.

I’m shocked. What is civilised political discourse in this country descending to when you can’t ring some geeky acne riddled laybore numpty staffing an electoral office and state in no uncertain terms that you think anyone connected with laybore doesn’t know who their parents are, are prone to chowing down on various animal waste products and also resemble certain human anatomical parts, FFS?

It’s a disgrace.

laybore softcocks.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 6:43 pm
Rabz, ignore the leaders’ ratings, like preferred PM and so on. They’re hard to decipher and anyway they usually favour the incumbent.

Voting intention is the only thing that matters, and so metrics of voting intention (such as 2PP) are the only metrics that matter.

daddy dave

26 Feb 12 at 6:48 pm
Dave,

There are still way too many laybore/greenslime voters to suggest that the electorate is populated by principled, deep thinkers.

Mendicants perhaps, people of reason and intelligence, probably not so much.

BTW, people, I’m about to make a very big ‘career’ decision myself. Some more on this topic in time…

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 6:59 pm
Where did the kiddie go?

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 7:15 pm
Anybody yet wonder why this whole explosion blew up last week? Why just at this point in time did Crean out of the blue start bad mouthing Rudd big time and the potty mouth video was released. IMO it was premptive strike as Gillard, as you all may remember, was making mistake after mistake – the riot, the ABC interview fiasco etc etc. It is clear there was a fear that Rudd was about to capitalise on the rumblings in caucus coming to a crecendo as we heard that “Gillard is finished” and MP’s support was ebbing away.

None of us – the media included – realised the extent of the hatred of Rudd which in the end looks like turning things around for Gillard. How many lives does this ginger cat have for heaven’s sake??!!

Viva

26 Feb 12 at 7:39 pm
crescendo

Viva

26 Feb 12 at 7:40 pm
I want Gillard to win. The public despise her. I want Bob Brown gloating about what a great PM she is.

.

26 Feb 12 at 7:40 pm
There are still way too many laybore/greenslime voters to suggest that the electorate is populated by principled, deep thinkers.

You wait till Gillards done the full fabian UKification on us. 1/4 of the population will be employed by the government and another 1/4 of the population will rely on welfare to live. Daring to breath about cuts will see a half a million public servants protesting and then a hundred thousand welfare babies rioting.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 7:58 pm
Anybody yet wonder why this whole explosion blew up last week?

Yep – a straight forward concept known as a ‘timeframe’.

The laybore mole has discussed this topic with me on many an occasion.

Ruff had to strike at certain times – the most likely being this sitting period (which the mole correctly called about October last year) or, in the event of an unsuccessful challenge, shortly after the goose’s next massive deficit.

Incredible as it may seem, the mole has stated that challenging to close to a budget is seen as ‘not done’.

Either way, ruff then has an even more constrained timeframe in which to gather his excrement.

The mole’s predicting an early poll, in order to fully utilise the expected ‘dead cat bounce’.

In the meantime, we the voters, wait.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 8:01 pm
One thing is the utter contempt that Labor are displaying for the electorate, the comments about needing to “save Australia” from Abbott? That would be the same Abbott that half of Australia voted for last election and the vast majority will vote for at the next?

What do you think of us then you fuckers if you need to “save Australia” from the people that we wish to elect.

They have such extraordinary contempt for Australians and such a tin ear.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 8:04 pm
oops!

In the meantime, we the voters, wait.

With our Louisville Sluggers at the ready…

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 8:07 pm
I want Gillard to win. The public despise her. I want Bob Brown gloating about what a great PM she is.

That’s my sentiments exactly.

I want communist Bob to go on TV ecstatic that she won.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 8:08 pm
Thanks for the Krauthammer link, Gab.

Obama is a yellow disgrace.

Just spend three minutes comparing and contrasting with the great man.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 8:42 pm
Thanks, CL. Sadly, and dangerously so for America, Obama is the very definition of appeasement.

If you haven’t already, read this article by Ted Belman Why is Obama in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood?.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 8:56 pm
Wow. Just wow. Who said the History Wars were over? Luvvie lair, La Trobe University – home of Bobbie da Man and Marilyn “I love Australia” Lake – is not offering even one undergrad Australian History course this year. This is quite unbelievable, that an Australian university, which has a long-time independent History department is no longer offering even ONE history of our nation course.

LA TROBE University has cancelled its undergraduate Australian history subjects for this year due to low student numbers.

Professor of history Marilyn Lake told The Sunday Age the subjects ”People, Politics and Protest” and ”Australians at War” would not be offered at La Trobe this year, as they had attracted only 16 and about 35 students respectively. She said economic pressures meant courses with low enrolments could no longer be supported.

Undergraduates appeared to be more interested in European and American history.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/uni-dumps-australian-history-20120225-1tvbr.html#ixzz1nTladLkR

This story is even bigger because only last week University of Melbourne announced exactly the same thing, but going even further in disbanding its entire Australian Studies department.

MELBOURNE University will slash its dedicated Australian studies program, cutting staff and dismantling the undergraduate program.
The university said the move was a response to declining student numbers and followed an external review last year that recommended the changes.

These closures basically wipes out a substantial power base – both financial and personnel – of those baby-boomer communists, who have led the black armband vanguard over the past few years, which includes Professors Marilyn Lake and Andrew Macintyre.

But this lot are cunning and masters of reinvention. They all went silent on marxism and communism when they saw the writing on the wall in the 1980s, so all they all retooled as postmodernists, but still kicked the same cans – imperialism, genocide, blah – except behind the code of post-structuralist gobbledegook.

Where will these lovely luvvies hide now? Don’t be surprised if the current Larissa Behrendt inquiry of making “indigenous peoples’s cultural competencies’s” compulsory in all university recommends providing the funding to keep the commie History warriors on.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/tertiary-education/university-slashes-australian-studies-20120218-1tg5e.html#ixzz1nTmx5nwv

Peter Patton

26 Feb 12 at 8:58 pm
Causing the death of an unborn baby in Western Australia will now be considered murder.

However, in a bizarre irrationality…

Mr Porter said the proposed legislation would not affect laws relating to abortion.

“This ensures these changes will not affect a mother’s right to make decisions regarding her pregnancy.”

The illogical and antiquated thinking that justifies abortion is crumbling away bit by bit.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 8:59 pm
Er, Stuart Macintyre.

Peter Patton

26 Feb 12 at 9:00 pm
It’s odd that the Rudds ex mental health adviser that publically “diagnosed” Rudd in the most stalinist of ways very publically and embarrasingly (for Rudd), resigned from the National Advisory Council on Mental Health just a few days before the Gillard coup and then immediatly cosied up to Gillard via GetUP afterwards.

Also it’s interesting that much of the media is casting him as some sort of psycologist when The Conversation (where else) which he contributes to simply states that he has:

* QUT, Bachelor of Education

Also interesting on twitter last Thursday he wrote:

Kevin (not from heaven) Rudd should seek asylum in Hollywood where his skills would be hot

Finally Australian people are hearing the truth behind the removal of Rudd. He was out of control with everyone trying to hold govt together

By the looks of it he’s just a beta luvvie that Rudd pissed off big time because he wouldn’t give him the attention he demanded.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 9:01 pm
Lol.. so the idiot that is publicly analyzing Rudd’s sanity has a Ba. Ed.

It can’t more hysterically funny than this lot of retards fighting among themselves.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:06 pm
lol Rudd’s interview with Oakes was full of the same old bollocks.

‘Preventing the most extreme right-wing government in Australia’s history’

sean

26 Feb 12 at 9:08 pm
True Joe and they are leaving us alone so that’s a bonus

Tal

26 Feb 12 at 9:09 pm
‘Preventing the most extreme right-wing government in Australia’s history’

If only.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:10 pm
‘Preventing the most extreme right-wing government in Australia’s history’

I swear to god it’s got to be the DLP link, that’s why they hate him so much, it just makes them go absolutely insane.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 9:16 pm
Should I take the day off tomorrow, and sit around the TV with beer and popcorn?

Tempting…

Winston Smith

26 Feb 12 at 9:18 pm
What time is the “vote”? 10 am?

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:19 pm
Let them keep fighting,we haven’t had a new tax for a week! Well done ALP

Tal

26 Feb 12 at 9:20 pm
Good bit of sleuting there, Twostix.

And just why do they hate Abbott so much? It’s a deranged hate really. Heh, ADS.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 9:20 pm
sleuthing too

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 9:20 pm
Hi Tal.

it’s fun watching this. I wonder if they break into a fist fight in the caucus room?

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:22 pm
Should I take the day off tomorrow

Well, really…

Any boss who sacks a worker for taking the day off tomorrow is a bum.’

Ha!

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 9:23 pm
They hate each other so much, hating Abbott must be one of the few areas where they can claim the skill to be competent and well trained.

Funny to hear it was Shane Wand who stuffed up the mining tax and then turning on Rudd. ‘World’s greatest treasurer’

sean

26 Feb 12 at 9:24 pm
Hey Joe how ya doing?
God yeah this is the best fun ,I’m waiting for Murdoch to get the blame

Tal

26 Feb 12 at 9:25 pm
Like I said elsewhere, The Caucus Votes should be televised with a live Twitter feed scrolling across the screen.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 9:25 pm
And cream pies Gab and Benny Hill music

Tal

26 Feb 12 at 9:27 pm
lol

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 9:27 pm
I’m well thanks, Tal.

You went quiest for some months?

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:28 pm
A bit of intense treatment Joe, I was lurking the whole time though,good to see The Cat Team fending off the fools

Tal

26 Feb 12 at 9:32 pm
Fuck Oakeshotte’s a mental midget – but he does give an insight into the derangement:

“But … the disappointing thing with the … Liberal party leadership is … it is more close to, you know, the BA Santamaria, the DLP view of the world, not true Liberal economics. It is closer to print-more-money economics.”

http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/

W.T.F.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 9:33 pm
It is closer to print-more-money economics

LOL… Is he for fucking real?!

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 9:35 pm
I have no idea what drugs Oakeshott is smoking, but give me some.

Quentin George

26 Feb 12 at 9:36 pm
Dykes on Zimmer Frames

Tal

26 Feb 12 at 9:37 pm
Stix

I think the most admirable thing Abbott has done is to publicly state he would, under no circumstances, negotiate with the independents.

These two slimeballs need to stew in the own juices from now on.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:38 pm
So the ‘discipline’ of Australian Studies is kaput, hey?

And it’s because students themselves regard it as Mickey Mouse nonsense.

Hilarious.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:38 pm
ruff should seek asylum in Hollywood where his skills would be hot

Yeah, like there’s a real shortage of ugly, flabby, egomaniacal boomer scumbags in cokeville.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 9:38 pm
The DLP was wound up when Abbott was in his late teens. Claiming it as his main influence is like claiming John Howard was driven by the influence of the UAP.

Quentin George

26 Feb 12 at 9:39 pm
Big Irish barley movie (wind that shakes the) on tonight which we will be watching soon.

Trolls Mary T and Bob on the Cat seem to have gone away while I was away last five days. Banned, or just chased off?

I have a new identity. I am now (very impressively in my view; have to boast about this) a ‘trophy’. Overheard two women discussing The Ape at a function during the week saying I was his ‘new younger trophy wife’. So soon off the shelf only to be put back on it? Anyway, he’s been divorced for years.

HIA says trophies don’t answer back like I do, nor steal the bests parts of the Oz during weekend breakfasts. You can’t win ‘em all, say I.

It’s good to be back for popcorn time.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 9:42 pm
Tal, hope you haven’t been unwell again.

Good to see you back here.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:42 pm
Latest:

Mr Rudd has promised Ms Gillard his “unequivocal support” if she wins the ballot and has again committed to sit on the backbench without launching a second challenge.

“If Julia Gillard is returned on Monday then she will have my unequivocal support between now and the next election because we have interests way beyond individuals here,” he told Channel Nine.

The Prime Minister says she believes him.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:43 pm
The Prime Minister says she believes him.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 9:45 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

Hahahahahahahahahahaha.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:47 pm
Watch.. from about midday tomorrow, they will be blaming Abbott’s negativity.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:48 pm
I think the most admirable thing Abbott has done is to publicly state he would, under no circumstances, negotiate with the independents.

Did anyone hear the Yabbott this morning?

Dynamite stuff – called on that trio of shitsacks to pull the plug and do it soon.

He sounded fabulous. Just the right amount of outrage.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 9:48 pm
Rabz

I can’t see why they would do it. If they do, the old lezzo and oaksenshitt are out of their ear.

They’re staying put.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:49 pm
Blaming Abbott…..and the evil Murdoch. So within a couple of hours it’ll be business as usual with everyone else wondering ‘wtf was that all about’?

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 9:49 pm
Really, this whole national disgrace is down to the hatred and contempt for democracy of Oakeshott and the Old Lezo. They’re despicable dogs.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:50 pm
well i think Mr Rudd has behaved with dignity in the last few days (apart from some comments about Mr Abbott which weren’t called for at all), after the abuse piled on from his “colleagues” and sundry weirdos, he has been gracious and gentlemanly,
he’s been okay.

His wife and daughter are charming and supportive which indicates he’s not a bad bloke.

candy

26 Feb 12 at 9:52 pm
Abbott seems to have a good tailor these days. His suits and ties are very smart.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:53 pm
Indeed JC, they are hide preserving traitors if nothing else.

Yabbott’s just ramping up teh entirely deserved climate of hate™.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 9:53 pm
“But … the disappointing thing with the … Liberal party leadership is … it is more close to, you know, the BA Santamaria, the DLP view of the world, not true Liberal economics. It is closer to print-more-money economics.”

I suppose Oakeshitt has supported various austerity measures…no?

.

26 Feb 12 at 9:54 pm
a good tailor

He’s taken my advice!

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 9:54 pm
From Stix link upthread. Miranda Devine.

But in his artless way, Oakeshott reveals much about what drives Wind-Shott. It seems to me to be a visceral hatred of Abbott, grounded in the old sectarian bigotry that still exists in pockets of Australia

Windsor, cousin of Rudd strategist, Bruce Hawker, is always sideswiping Abbott. He can’t help it – the venom just trickles out the side of his mouth. The imagery of Windsor’s coarse description of Abbott offering to “sell his arse” to win his support after the 2010 election was deliberate.

I think Miranda is onto something here.

They hate Abbott with a hatred that border on insanity. There may be some sectarian hatred of Abbott by the old lezzo, Tony Windsor.

The over riding hate they feel though is because they know they will lose their seats.

There’s also no way Abbott would have said he’d sell his arse to the old lezzo. Abbott doesn’t speak that way.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 9:54 pm
Dynamite stuff – called on that trio of shitsacks to pull the plug and do it soon.

He needs to do it more, in fact it needs to be a full court press of dragging those who corrupt fuckers into it and placing responsibilty for the whole goddamned mess squarely on their shoulders – they are after all the ones who wanked on about “stability” how is this fucking stability??

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 9:55 pm
C.L.
Mr Abbott’s ties are Hermes, how observant of you to notice, they are gorgeous ties. he really is a hunk isn’t he.

candy

26 Feb 12 at 9:55 pm
who = two

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 9:56 pm
Abbot has read The 48 Laws of Power.

Act like a king and be treated like one.

.

26 Feb 12 at 9:56 pm
He really is a hunk isn’t he.

He’s a pretty good looking bloke, I suppose, and preposterously fit.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 9:57 pm
MESSAGE FOR PETER PATTON

PP, my friend did not know, and passed it to a contact of hers at EHSS who spends much of his life researching Stalin’s command economy.

He said that the volume translated into English is really quite small compared to the volume in German and French (hundreds of thousands vs millions) and recommended the FMSO at Fort Leavenworth (http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil)

I am currently reading The Battle for Hill 3234: Last Ditch Defense in the Mountains of Afghanistan, which occurred during Operation MAGISTRAL in 1987.

I can but regard 9th Coy 3rd Batt 345th Para Regt with great respect. Those men clank when they walk.

FMSO looks like a very good place to start.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 9:59 pm
The tie he’s wearing isn’t Hermes, Candy.

It’s not this one and this is the only solid that looks close. It isn’t it.

Don’t mislead people.

JC

26 Feb 12 at 10:00 pm
There’s also no way Abbott would have said he’d sell his arse to the old lezzo. Abbott doesn’t speak that way.

No, it doesn’t ring true. Yet the Canberra beltway swallowed it hook line and sinker.

“Of course, Abbott denies it,” they said with a knowing smirk. ‘Of course, he would deny it wouldn’t he?’ Is the subtext.

Yes. He would deny it, if it wasn’t true.

daddy dave

26 Feb 12 at 10:00 pm
JC:

I wonder if they break into a ~~fist~~ squeal fight in the caucus room?

FTFY

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 10:02 pm
It’s interesting to gauge the extent that Mr Rabbit really is driving these morons around the bend.

They are so in his sights, it’s beyond tragic.

The altona droner is basically gone.

That’s three to the rabbit.

The second head shot (fourth kill) is already lined up should ruff reanimate.

Yep, need more popcorn!

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 10:03 pm
Put the bin out earlier, and look out now to find a car parked in front of it… it’s not like they didn’t have plenty of room elsewhere. I swear, it’s taking all my restraint not to key the fucker. Am I over-reacting?

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 10:03 pm
Not about to argue about a tie JC – but Mr Abbott had this gorgeous pink one on the other day – pink/cherise colour – unusual colour for a man. You know, it softened his face, as he has the ‘outdoors man’ face.

He should use a face moisturiser but perhaps it would take a fellow to suggest that to him, but it would soften his features. imo

candy

26 Feb 12 at 10:06 pm
I’m convinced, Fleeced, that most people do not think when they get into a vehicle. Common sense, if they had any, evaporates as they get in their car. Mind you, the driver may well be gone before the rubbish trucks are due round.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 10:07 pm
Watch.. from about midday tomorrow, they will be blaming Abbott’s negativity.

If it doesn’t come then, it will certainly come when he moves no confidence… then we’ll have the hilarious situation of all ALP members + ALP declaring their confidence, whilst claiming Abbott to be “negative” and “showing no respect for democracy” by “exploiting” the situation – when they just want to “get on with running the country” and all other sorts of nonsense. They really are that shameless and pathetic.

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 10:07 pm
Plus, Windsor has form – serious form – as a despicable liar. Under parliamentary privilege, the malodorous dog accused John Anderson of offering him a patronage bribe. The Australian Federal Police investigated and found that this was baseless:

http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/media_releases/2004/election_complaint.htm

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 10:08 pm
pink ties – means the wearer is seen as approachable. True. Just as red ties signify power.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 10:09 pm
Am I over-reacting?

Ah, the joys of commie mandated high density living.

Just key it. Hopefully the rock ape won’t even notice until several days later, putting you in the clear.

Here’s a hint – keying low down is less likely to be quickly noticed.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 10:10 pm
Mark, thanks for that, it looks like an excellent place to start.

Peter Patton

26 Feb 12 at 10:10 pm
HIA singing song about joining the IRA – all off to Dublin in the green in the green etc etc.

Abbot’s ties need improvement I think Candy, that blue and white striped one is rather football team still. A good muted pattern is always nice. A man should pay a lot for his ties, they do matter.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 10:12 pm
yes, agree Gab, but red is too harsh for Mr Abbott. He has the manly look already and does not need red.

candy

26 Feb 12 at 10:12 pm
Mind you, the driver may well be gone before the rubbish trucks are due round.

Yes, but like I said – there’s no shortage of spaces – in front of my house, or any others in the street for that matter (one of which I assume they were visiting). My bin was right up near my driveway too – it really takes an effort to park in front of it.

Gone by morning? Maybe… but how can I know that? Do I leave my bin where it is and hope for the best? Just keep checking until bedtime? (Answer: No, It’s now *in* my actual driveway.)

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 10:12 pm
“the land the Saxons stole”, we have had the full performance tonight.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 10:12 pm
there’s no shortage of spaces

Like I said, the driver is an idiot. Thoughtless. Same as drivers who insist on cutting in front of you even though there’s not another car in sight.

Our trash can regularly has some moron blocking access, and yet the garbage is always gone the next day, even with the car still parked in front of it.

Don’t sweat the small stuff, Fleeced.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 10:16 pm
He can wear red, candy. It just has to be the correct shade of red.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 10:18 pm
english dogues…

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 10:19 pm
Our trash can regularly has some moron blocking access, and yet the garbage is always gone the next day, even with the car still parked in front of it.

How does that work? Or do the garbos in your neighbourhood go above and beyond? (They certainly don’t in mine. If a car is in front of your bin when they do their pickup, too bad – you miss out)

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 10:20 pm
Irish stuff. Danny Boy is one of the most moving ditties isn’t. I think but not sure it’s about a mother saying goodbye to her son and not expecting to be alive when he is back. If that tune doesn’t move a person they are made of stone!

candy

26 Feb 12 at 10:20 pm
I honestly don’t know what they do, Fleeced. I’m still asleep when they do the rounds.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 10:22 pm
PP – no worries.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 10:23 pm
For Lizzie:
I call my wife a trophy when I am in my cups
I praise her plinth and pedestal that help to keep her up.
Now age has brought to both of us increasing silver sheen,
No tournament will add to shelf, we are both now “has been”.

blogstrop

26 Feb 12 at 10:27 pm
Yes Candy, we are watching this Irish movie made by Ken Loach, who can make good movies although a leftie. This one is very violent, with much fingernail pulling out etc by the rotten English. Thus the hero of the Auld Country by my side (actually sits just around a corner and cannot see me not paying too much attention) is singing supportive songs.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 10:29 pm
Hope you’re well, Tal.

Les Majesty

26 Feb 12 at 10:33 pm
Blogstop, that is a gem. Thank you. A reminder that today is merely a precursor to the future, which creeps up very quickly on us all.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 10:34 pm
Hopefully the ALP will think global and act local by remembering that regime change starts at home!

John Comnenus

26 Feb 12 at 10:36 pm
Thank you and good night!

blogstrop

26 Feb 12 at 10:38 pm
Too much candy can make you sick.

kae

26 Feb 12 at 10:46 pm
Hey Tal, for you..

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 10:46 pm
Oh for an election. Ah well, as Scarlett says, tomorrow is another day. Who knows?

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 10:47 pm
Oh for an election. Ah well, as Scarlett says, tomorrow is another day. Who knows?

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

26 Feb 12 at 10:48 pm
pink ties – means the wearer is seen as approachable. True. Just as red ties signify power.

It must also be a generational thing. I was at a function where the CEO of a bank, a utility company and a few other of us all wore red ties which was remarked upon. Apparently younger people dont.

nic

26 Feb 12 at 10:54 pm
“… Mr Rudd has behaved with dignity … he has been gracious and gentlemanly … His wife and daughter are charming and supportive which indicates he’s not a bad bloke.”

Is this Candy bloke pretending to be an airheaded blonde on something? Or does he do it believing that he’s ruly, ruly funny?

Mick Gold Coast QLD

26 Feb 12 at 11:02 pm
I hadn’t noticed that about the young’uns, Nic. I’ll pay more attention now.

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 11:05 pm
Red ties are monstrously ugly, as are pretty much all ties full stop.

I get mine tailored from scratch, in silk. No wider than 2 inches, evah.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 11:06 pm
Rabz, I can recommend Declic’s ‘Aya Kawa’ hand made. limited edition ties, yes one I bought was red.

Gab, one of the elders of the tribe remarked, we looked around and it was true.

nic

26 Feb 12 at 11:10 pm
FFS, this movie is depressing.

What a gutless bunch of scumbags, the lot of them.

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 11:11 pm
“Northern Oireland will remain within the UK.”

Yep, what a piece of genius that decision was…

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 11:12 pm
Too much candy can make you sick.

I should have listened more to my parents who said that Candy wasn’t good for us. They were right.

nic

26 Feb 12 at 11:12 pm
red is a difficult colour to wear unless you’re young and gorgeous.

candy

26 Feb 12 at 11:13 pm
Keep going Tal and best wishes.

Mk50 of Brisbane

26 Feb 12 at 11:15 pm
zango!

kae

26 Feb 12 at 11:16 pm
red is a difficult colour to wear unless you’re young and gorgeous.

Ah, that’s why I never wear it any more…

Rabz

26 Feb 12 at 11:17 pm
Fleeced, I suggest you move your bin.

daddy dave

26 Feb 12 at 11:18 pm
red is a difficult colour to wear unless you’re young and gorgeous.

Thanks Candy. I’ll tell that to the elderly billionaire bank chairman who seemed to have no trouble wearing it.

nic

26 Feb 12 at 11:19 pm
“Thanks Candy. I’ll tell that to the elderly billionaire bank chairman who seemed to have no trouble wearing it”

Yes, but it’s not wealth that makes a person look good. It’s more the physical fitness and the suitabilty of what they wear. A certain innate style – it’s hard to describe – something individual that belongs only to that person – i’m not saying it well.

candy

26 Feb 12 at 11:23 pm
Yep, what a piece of genius that decision was…

The socialist this and comrade that, public over private ffs no wonder they got their asses kicked.

twostix

26 Feb 12 at 11:28 pm
A billionaire businessman can wear whatever they like, really.

daddy dave

26 Feb 12 at 11:29 pm
How is Candy’s assessment not an accurate description of the prime-time news appearance of events? Rudd has managed to appear above the fray, while Gillard’s allies have rolled around in the mud.

daddy dave

26 Feb 12 at 11:32 pm
Rudd begins Round II (video):

Kevin Rudd says if he loses tomorrow’s leadership ballot Labor will commence a second round of character assassination.

Which means he’ll return the favour.

That story link is about a Media Monitors study of the language used against Rudd:

Research compiled exclusively for the Herald by Media Monitors found Mr Rudd’s colleagues had been more negative in their commentary about the former leader than the collective disparagement of talkback callers towards either Mr Rudd or Julia Gillard at any time since the 2007 election.

Strange that Windsor and Oakeshott and Brown aren’t repeating their calls for ‘civility’ or suggesting all this could lead to ‘US-style violence.’

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 11:34 pm
Newspoll: support for Labor climbs to 12 month high.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 11:36 pm
support for Labor climbs to 12 month high.

That’s depressing. People think it’s a popularity contest. Heaven help Australia because Australians won’t.

Get rid of compulsory voting!

Gab

26 Feb 12 at 11:44 pm
That’s depressing. People think it’s a popularity contest. Heaven help Australia because Australians won’t.

I couldn’t agree more

nic

26 Feb 12 at 11:45 pm
Rudd has managed to appear above the fray, while Gillard’s allies have rolled around in the mud.

Yes, Gillard’s mob has, as usual, handled it badly… no wonder Rudd lost his temper with them as PM. LOL

Fleeced

26 Feb 12 at 11:51 pm
helps being in the news each day.

sean

26 Feb 12 at 11:53 pm
We’ll see but I still think Labor is now getting a combo effect of Rudd Labor and Gillard Labor, boosting the party’s general numbers – with many of these respondents (mostly Ruddites) likely to back out when their preferred candidate disappears tomorrow.

The post Blue Monday polls will be the ones to watch.

The Coalition should be ahead by at least 10. Anything like 5 – and if that sticks – we’ll see talk of a leadership change on the other side of the House.

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 11:56 pm
Rudd to Gillard:

How does it feel
To treat me like you do
When you’ve laid laid your hands upon me
And told me who you are

Gillard to Rudd:

I see a ship in the harbor
I can and shall obey
But if it wasn’t for your misfortunes
I’d be a heavenly person today

C.L.

26 Feb 12 at 11:59 pm
It’s hard to believe that the polling numbers for the ALP could get *better* as a result of the comedy of the last week. That just baffles me. I have a feeling that once the dust settles on the leadership issue that things will return to normal. And really, all that needs to happen is two independents losing their seats in NSW at the next federal election and the Coalition wins government.

We live in weird times. I’ve honestly never seen anything like this in my lifetime.

tbh

27 Feb 12 at 12:03 am
Or the polls could reflect that some Australians just enjoy watching a knock-down-drag-out public cat fight that literally ends in tears.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:06 am
Cut & Paste has done A short history of pledging unequivocal, rock-solid support and loyalty to the Labor leader in the 21st century.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:20 am
It’s hard to believe that the polling numbers for the ALP could get *better* as a result of the comedy of the last week.

Frankly, their level of support never makes any sense to me. It’s possible it was a blip – if so, when the inevitable slide after Gillard’s (likely) endorsement occurs, it will make it look even worse for her.

Rudd gets mobbed by well-wishers – the only mob to come near Gillard are a race-riot she herself engineered to sic onto Abbott. It’s obvious Rudd is more popular to the public (don’t ask me why)…

He was popular when elected in 2007, and they stabbed him in the first term for Gillard – installed by the “faceless men”. She then *failed* to receive public endorsement from the people, but was this time installed with the help of Independants (of conservative elctorates!) And now, when it’s clear the public prefer Rudd, she looks likely to again be picked by ALP caucus.

Thrice selected; Never elected. What a failure.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 12:23 am
Can’t beat a black tie. It says, “I don’t give a fuck about tie colours and, yes, I’ll help you move a body.”

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 12:24 am
Blue shirt=red tie. (or burgundy, if you are <50 y.o)

Carved in granite.

Pedro the Ignorant

27 Feb 12 at 12:36 am
I see. More evidence for my “fake crisis” analysis.

Permission to gloat?

Will just gloat anyway.

(Bear in my mind – I have said a minority government can get a real crisis very easily. But we haven’t seen one yet.)

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:37 am
LOL.

Steve is ‘gloating’ over the fantastic shape Labor is in.

Ahahahahahaha.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 12:38 am
No Pedro. A black tie looks great with a blue shirt.

I have several dozen black ties…

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 12:39 am
I think CL’s correct. This is the Rudd effect. The real poll is after the Slapper wins.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 12:49 am
Insiders was good this morning: Roxon was articulate and credible. The show made the point that a Rudd failure tomorrow will actually be the second time he has been convincingly rejected.

Rudd’s pleading to the public to get involved in a popularity contest has backfired; with Gillard’s line that this is not Celebrity Big Brother being very cutting and apt.

The message might actually start to sink into some of Rudd’s adoring public that he really is a jerk in private and is temperamentally ill suited to leadership. Smiles well on TV, though.

The rise in the poll might be due to some people thinking Rudd would win; but then again, it may be that some are responding to an unusual degree of “straight talking” from Gillard and several other ministers, even if it is against one of their own. Or it may just be a statistical blip, but a very conveniently timed one.

Bruce Hawker, who I have always thought a dull media commentator, and maybe a somewhat overhyped strategist, should be deservedly on the outer for a long time due to his talking up the impossibility of a Gillard win.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:50 am
You know what though, I don’t care if Labor are returned at the next election. I won’t be out of a job as a result. A lot of other people might and if they voted for this bunch of incompetents, then frankly fuck ‘em. Mencken was right.

If the Australian electorate continue to vote for the rabble that is the current government then they deserve everything they get. I have no sympathy.

N.B. I’ve had one or ten glasses of red this evening, so I reserve the right to revise my opinion in the morning

tbh

27 Feb 12 at 12:52 am
I used to have an expensive navy/yellow (?) striped tie and had it on at Dooleys in the Valley one night (Brisbanites will know this was a brave move). A girl came over to me at the bar and said: “Your tie’s very sexy and so are you.”

True story.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 12:53 am
I see. More evidence for my “fake crisis” analysis.

LOL… It’s just Abbot’s relentless negativity.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 12:54 am
I used to have an expensive navy/yellow (?) striped tie and had it on at Dooleys

You were wearing a tie only?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:56 am
Roxon was articulate and credible.

I find that irrepressibly hard to believe.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 1:04 am
AUSTRALIA’S prime minister could be drawn from a hat in the event of a tie in the Labor leadership ballot.

That won’t happen, but LOL. I almost hope it does though…

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 1:04 am
You were wearing a tie only?

It was a hot night.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 1:05 am
Gillard doesn’t believe in carbon dioxide tax:

KEVIN Rudd yesterday revealed more explosive details of Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan’s attempts to kill his emissions trading scheme.
Mr Rudd said Ms Gillard was particularly vigourous in arguing against the scheme which imploded and led to Mr Rudd’s demise.

Former Labor MP Maxine McKew implied in a newspaper column yesterday that Mr Rudd had been threatened to drop the policy.

“She, that is Julia, and Wayne argued very strongly, very strongly to me in multiple discussions, way outside the cabinet room, I’ve got to say, as to why we could not continue with the emissions trading scheme,” Mr Rudd told Channel 9 yesterday.

“They were very strong in their arguments, Julia particularly so, saying she could not support the continuation of that policy.

Rudd: Julia and Wayne pushed me to drop the ETS.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 1:09 am
should be deservedly on the outer for a long time due to his talking up the impossibility of a Gillard win.

Please steve.

Please stop your inveterate lying.

Try, try, try.

Please.

JamesK

27 Feb 12 at 1:24 am
Stepford’s getting all giddy about a 35% primary vote.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 1:27 am
It was a hot night.

I bet.

Megan

27 Feb 12 at 1:31 am
Anyone see the oil price?

Oil 109.620003 +1.79 +1.66%

This could abort the US recovery and Odumbo is fucked.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 1:36 am
Video Flashback: Obama and Democrats Blast Bush for High Gas Prices in 2008.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 1:52 am
LINK.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 1:54 am
Conservative women versus liberal women

I’ve long noticed the difference. ha ha.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 1:54 am
Obama apology going well…

Seven US Trainers Wounded in Grenade Attack at Afghan Base.

Just look at those hideous beasts.

Remember, we’re fighting for them.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 2:39 am
I have a black and yellow tie.
Actually, I don’t.
Not really.
I just fell asleep in the loading bay on the way home…

Winston Smith

27 Feb 12 at 4:44 am
I only hope the polls represent the celebrity big brother attitude. If not then God help us. People are rewarding the most dysfunctional leadership this country has ever had.

John Comnenus

27 Feb 12 at 5:01 am
Time to bail out in Afghanistan. As I have said previously the culture is violent, misogynistic, xenophobic, racist and supremacist. Let them return to killing each other. Please pay no heed when the massacre stories come out after the ISAF withdrawal. This is what they want.

John Comnenus

27 Feb 12 at 5:05 am
Oh no, General Aladeen threatens the motion picture academy of performing arts and zionists. lol must watch love his favorite national films: When Harry kidnapped Sally and Planet of the Rapes.

John Comnenus

27 Feb 12 at 5:12 am
It was a hot night.

I do hope you weren’t wearing one of Rabz’ short and skinny ties.

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 5:18 am
I had a naked lady tie I once wore out!

John Comnenus

27 Feb 12 at 5:29 am
It was black, so it was good for formal occasions.

John Comnenus

27 Feb 12 at 5:31 am
Mitt Romney is absolutely shameless. A disgusting, soulless, lying scumbag.

No beliefs, no shame.

Thank god he will never be President.

http://www.slatev.com/video/romneys-abortion-record-spin-vs-truth/

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:25 am
Time to bail out in Afghanistan. As I have said previously the culture is violent, misogynistic, xenophobic, racist and supremacist

We or at least the US contributed to that. Reagan compared the Mujahideen to America’s founding fathers. The place should have been left to the Soviets to clean up.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 9:33 am
Ann Coulter is NOT like Megan Kelly.

Get a grip.

.

27 Feb 12 at 9:36 am
Is Mark Riley the biggest suckhole in Australia?

.

27 Feb 12 at 10:01 am
Ugh… don’t know who that bitty is on Sky, but she just commented on the “spirited defense” of Julia in recent days and said this is the real Julia, and “let’s see more of it!”

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 10:07 am
The real real real Julia?

.

27 Feb 12 at 10:11 am
The real real real Julia?

Truly ruly Julie!

It’s beyond parody.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 10:14 am
Stenographers Guild talking-points memo has been distributed this morning – point #1, in bold, “this crisis is/will be the making of Julia, the public is/will now seeing/see who she really is.”

They have no shame.

James in Melbourne

27 Feb 12 at 10:14 am
Annabel Crabb’s column comparing Rudd to Princess Di is pretty witty, and apt:

Where have we seen this dynamic before? The public’s darling, struggling bravely but hopelessly against a powerful cabal of Palace oppressors? The selfless, wide-eyed courage? The virtuous disappointment at all these vicious tales of private tantrums, dysfunction, and general high-maintenance behaviour? The periodic photo opportunities, sipping tea with the common people, being kissed to death in supermarkets or speaking intently with world leaders? The air of innocence, offset behind the scenes by a gimlet-eyed and relentless talent for media management?

Yep. Of all the historical allegories that might be invoked this morning as The Gillard Government Versus Kevin Rudd enters its critical phase, The House of Windsor Versus The People’s Princess is a pretty handy one.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:22 am
No shock you like fluff Stepford.

That reminds me… cleaning duties. Now!

JC

27 Feb 12 at 10:25 am
and said this is the real Julia

If only I had a dollar for every time…

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:28 am
What’s the verdict on dullard’s jacket – red or orange?

Hard to tell from the photo on the Oz’s website…

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 10:28 am
Annabel Crab writes boring overrated bumfluff

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 10:31 am
No room for witty commentary like Matt Price’s any more? That’s who she most resembles, except for the curls.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:44 am
Price didn’t have a it head though, step.

Jc

27 Feb 12 at 10:47 am
Tim Bliar is running a poll.

“Why Labor identity will cry?” (Of course it includes a journalist).

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:50 am
Which…not why…

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:50 am
73 – 29.

Come on Rudd, now resign.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 10:53 am
73-29 is even more stark than I expected.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 10:54 am
Now she just has to communicate to the electorate…with the real real real Julia.

.

27 Feb 12 at 10:55 am
Look at, look at me, look at me!

I’m unfunnybell crabb from the ALPBC!

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 10:55 am
“

What’s the verdict on dullard’s jacket – red or orange?

Blair says she turned up dressed as the flag of Yemen.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:56 am
30% of the party doesn’t want the slapper. Add in threats of dis-endorsement and it’s closer than you think Monster, you fat headed child.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 10:57 am
Sky News reports that this is the biggest win for any leader in this type of leadership spill in history, and the biggest loss for a challenger as well.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 10:57 am
30% of the party doesn’t want the slapper. Add in threats of dis-endorsement and it’s closer than you think Monster, you fat headed child.

Sky News reports that this is the biggest win for any leader in this type of leadership spill in history, and the biggest loss for a challenger as well.

LOL

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 10:58 am
73 – 29.

kevni ruff – political titan.

Anyway that’s it, I’m now out of the political prediction game.

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 10:59 am
30% of the party doesn’t want the slapper.

And well over 50% of the faceless men and women in voterland want Ruddy.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:00 am
Monster:

Did Sky also report that none of those leaders it measured the Slapper’s victory against didn’t survive?

Don’t get me wrong, you daft fool. I’m doing cartwheels she’s won. Who better to lead this gaggle of morons.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:00 am
Yes, I disagree with JC here. As much as I am no fan of the Ranga, this is a huge endorsement of her leadership by the party and a massive rebuke of Mr. Sheen, which if all the stories of the former leader suffering some sort of Manic disorder are correct, doesn’t make it a surprise.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 11:01 am
Anyway that’s it, I’m now out of the political prediction game.

And take SamuelJ with you. You’re only as good as your last prediction and the last one was a shocker.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:02 am
Annabel is not as funny as the wildly inaccurate and odd posts of Samuel J over the last few days; I’ll admit that.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:02 am
huge endorsement of her strong leadership

FTFY.

I’m sure we’ll be hearing that phrase ad nauseum in the days to come.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:04 am
Red jacket, eh?

Well she’s nothing if not predictable…

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 11:04 am
More importantly, Rabz, what colour tie was Rudd wearing?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:05 am
Question time should be a cracker… How can Albo possibly keep his job as Leader of the House?

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:05 am
Alex

30% support went to a person most of the party considers to be clinically psychotic and a danger to the country. If it was someone popular and at least 1/2 way competent she would have lost.

This isn’t a great win for her.

But dude, don’t let me wreck the party here. I’m happy she’s won.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:05 am
Fuck off, Stepford.

I’m simply ribbing Samuel. It’s not a criticism, as he’s always good value and brave enough to make predictions. Stay out of this stuff and go do the laundry, you idiot.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:08 am
damned, now this will never end.

And I must admit, ultimately I find Rudd, however zany he is, more likeable than the duplicitious hag ridden shrew.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 11:08 am
They were already starting on the “turning point for Julia” crap before the vote. They also think support for carbon tax will turn once it’s in – especially post-budget, when apparently, there will be a lot more “compensation” announced.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:08 am
The whole thing was a media beat-up from start to finish. Rudd never had the numbers, was never going to have the numbers, and never will have the numbers. The government is only four points behind, which is eminently reachable with 18 months to go to the election.

Gillard has one chance now to apologise to the Australian public. I think that’s what it’s going to take. Say sorry for all the rubbish she and her party have put us through. Ask forgiveness for taking away the ability for the public to vote Rudd out. I don’t know if that is the route she’ll take, but I feel it would be the right one.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 11:09 am
This isn’t a great win for her.

Each to their own I guess. I wouldn’t have blamed the many ALP members for going with Rudd to be honest with all these polls coming out showing the public support for him and the outpouring of sycophancy from all the internet ALP fans. Have you seen them lately, why are there so many of them!?

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 11:09 am
Interesting. Suddenly, Step and m0nty turn up after being absent for days during the deliberations.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:10 am
And I must admit, ultimately I find Rudd, however zany he is, more likeable than the duplicitious hag ridden shrew.

Same here. I actually can’t stand Rudd – but compared to Gillard…

Plus there’s the fact that at least Rudd has some public claim to the role.

Gillard wins third selection (but as yet, still not an election)

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:10 am
They were already starting on the “turning point for Julia” crap before the vote.

Yea… the 30% against were the ones still resentful she fucked up the last race riot. The 70% hope the next one will be more successful.

Remember who we’re dealing with here.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:11 am
Gillard has one chance now to apologise to the Australian public.

That makes little sense, mOnty.

So far, I’m the only person on this blog making sense. ( )

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:13 am
Gillard has one chance now to apologise to the Australian public. I think that’s what it’s going to take. Say sorry for all the rubbish she and her party have put us through. Ask forgiveness for taking away the ability for the public to vote Rudd out. I don’t know if that is the route she’ll take, but I feel it would be the right one.

Oh yea, don’t forget, Monster. She should also apologize to Abbot for starting a race riot against.

Perhaps with her apology she can also undo the carbon tax the lying douchebag lied about.

What do you reckon?

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:14 am
By your reasoning, JC, Turnbull is a hair’s breadth away from the leadership on 50% – 1 of the Liberal caucus.

Actually, Turnbull is far more likely to regain the Liberal leadership than Rudd is of Labor.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 11:14 am
ruff’s tie Gab – red with spots.

Monstrous.

At least he knows how tie the bloody thing properly.

What now, Mr programmatic specificity man?

House husbandry?

The UN?

Some chinese rodent pleasuring?

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 11:15 am
That makes little sense, mOnty.

That makes little sense, mOnty.

So far, I’m the only person on this blog making sense. ( )

First time I’ve agreed with you, Steford. The laundry please.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:15 am
Recount underway.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:17 am
It makes a lot of sense, steve. The reaction of the public will most likely be that they will blame Gillard for not having the opportunity to make their own minds up about Rudd. Which is fair enough, really. You vote in a PM, you expect to be able to vote him/her out again if they are not doing the job.

The ALP has a lot of fence mending to do. Gillard’s post-spill presser is vitally important for starting that process.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 11:18 am
The government is only four points behind, which is eminently reachable with 18 months to go to the election.

Huh?

.

27 Feb 12 at 11:18 am
By your reasoning, JC, Turnbull is a hair’s breadth away from the leadership on 50% – 1 of the Liberal caucus.

Not any more. Doofus. And it’s another example of what I was talking about in terms of a leader being rolled when there’s a spill.

I very much doubt Turnbull would get more than one vote.

Actually, Turnbull is far more likely to regain the Liberal leadership than Rudd is of Labor.

Doesn’t mean a thing you idiot.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:19 am
Ha ha, well it looks like Rudd can go home smiling. They’ve added an extra two votes to his column. lol

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 11:19 am
The whole thing was a media beat-up from start to finish.

Yes, News Ltd’s claims about a party whose principals viscerally hate each other’s guts was way off.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 11:19 am
The white puff of smoke is released.

Final result 71 – 31

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:19 am
What now, Mr programmatic specificity man?

He has until noon (Qld time) to nominate for state politics – causing a federal byelection in the process

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:19 am
Fleeced called it well.

Julia Gillard: thrice unelected.

Probably the only thrice chosen, never elected prime minister in the history of the Commonwealth.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 11:20 am
Gillard has one chance now to apologise to the Australian public. I think that’s what it’s going to take. Say sorry for all the rubbish she and her party have put us through.

m0nty, are you a liberal party director trolling the ALP IRL?

That would be the dumbest thing she could do.

.

27 Feb 12 at 11:21 am
The ALP has a lot of fence mending to do.

Monster, there are no fences. She burnt all of them down. People despise her.

Gillard’s post-spill presser is vitally important for starting that process.

Let me guess.

Moiving ford?

Da neu economy?

worken families?

She’s not intellectually equipped for the job, you fool. That’s why the Slapper lurches from one fuck up to another.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:22 am
Swan must have done the initial count – and had trouble when he ran out of fingers.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:22 am
I’m pleased for Kevni. Fairly courageous of him to go through with challenge and give up his foreign minister job.

candy

27 Feb 12 at 11:23 am
Candy:

Is the glass ever half empty when it’s about the little turd?

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:24 am
Swan must have done the initial count – and had trouble when he ran out of fingers.

lol.. yea all 29 of time.

Fuck I hate that little shit.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:25 am
Poor Gillard. From the polls and reactions in the street the general population wants Gillard gorn.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:26 am
Swan must have done the initial count – and had trouble when he ran out of fingers.

He has to get naked to count to 21.

Carpe Jugulum

27 Feb 12 at 11:26 am
What does that mean JC? something about positive thinking is it? anyway i think you like him a little bit don’t you, he’s a bit of fun with all his peculiarities.

candy

27 Feb 12 at 11:27 am
Can someone tell me what Bolt is on with his latest post saying this is bad for the Liberals?

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 11:27 am
Labor to the electorate: drop dead.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 11:27 am
The Coalition need to slam Windsor as a Hawker associate.

.

27 Feb 12 at 11:28 am
lol comment from some airdhead reporter:

Rudd will now stand behind Gillard.

Sure, knife in hand.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:29 am
i think you like him a little bit don’t you,

No, not at all.

I only dislike him less then the Slapper which is like saying i’d prefer to die in a car accident rather than a plane crash.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:29 am
Isn’t Windsor related to Hawker in some way?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:29 am
The Coalition need to slam Windsor as a Hawker associate.

Yes, keep referring to him as Bruce Hawker’s poodle.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:30 am
Can someone tell me what Bolt is on with his latest post saying this is bad for the Liberals?

I assume he means that a higher vote for Rudd would have been worse for Gillard/ALP, and eliminated chance for third candidate… but can never tell with Bolt

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:30 am
On the upside, we didn’t have to listen to a speech by Oakeshott

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 11:31 am
Isn’t Windsor related to Hawker in some way?

They’re cousins, proving once again the importance of DNA.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:31 am
Windsor is Hawkers cousin

Carpe Jugulum

27 Feb 12 at 11:31 am
Labor to the electorate: drop dead.

The way Dan Hannan sees it too:

It’s hardly surprising that the Australian Labor Party is unpopular when it treats voters this way. The party’s present convulsions betray a contempt for the electorate, a sense that the little people will put up with whatever they’re damn well given.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danielhannan/100139577/my-favourite-politician-in-the-entire-anglosphere/

Ivan Denisovich

27 Feb 12 at 11:32 am
lol

Question from unidentified reporter to returning officer: “No tears?” Swamped by other, less important questions.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:32 am
Hooray,

juliar can now move forward and face the confidence with future!

The Yabbott must be in a real high dungeon…

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 11:32 am
And now for more on that other big loser.

The man in the White House.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 11:34 am
Amongst all the dubious commentary about this, Greg Sheridan’s piece on the glorious Rudd and his international influence sounds extremely hard to believe:

Rudd is the most substantial figure in the contemporary Labor Party. He towers over Julia Gillard intellectually, politically, morally, in his connection with the Australian people and in every other way that counts… Senior Americans, across a number of agencies and institutions, look to Rudd for policy advice on China. So do Canadians. And ministers across the Middle East tell me how valuable they find his contributions.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:36 am
Can someone tell me what Bolt is on with his latest post saying this is bad for the Liberals?

Yes it’s pretty bizarre, Abbott must be secretly happy that Labor chose the useless, despised and pathological liar Gillard over the popular Rudd.

If they had of chosen Rudd Abbott would have actually have had to put down the cocktail gotten off the deckchair and gone and done something to earn the libs massive lead in the polls.

Now he can just continue to sit back until election time and laugh as the union party bickers and backstabs its way into oblivion.

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 11:36 am
Kevni still hasn’t been voted out by the electorate.

candy

27 Feb 12 at 11:39 am
Amongst all the dubious commentary about this, Greg Sheridan’s piece on the glorious Rudd and his international influence sounds extremely hard to believe:

Yeah, well the Wikileaks cables said otherwise.

Hah!

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 11:40 am
Stix

I think Bolt has a point though. The fact is that this doesn’t change a thing. The Slapper will still be there widely despised by the electorate with little legitimacy in terms of popular support.

As the next election nears the Liar’s party could do a switcheroo and gain momentum from that.

I disagree with him, but it’s a valid point.

This only gives the lying slapper a little more time. That’s all.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:40 am
…and interestingly enough, I gets a phone call this morning that the local Bush Nurse Clinic has scored a fair bit of extra cash for stuff as part of the Federal Funding Initiative.
Don’t know the details, but given by the local member.

Winston SMITH

27 Feb 12 at 11:40 am
Senior Americans, across a number of agencies and institutions, look to Rudd for policy advice on China. So do Canadians.

Oh reary? How unrucky for President Myunhg bak. Now the capitalist running dogs cannot stop our great person born of heaven.

.

27 Feb 12 at 11:41 am
I hope Rudd doesn’t go postal after this …

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 11:43 am
I think Kevin climbing the giant flagpole above Parliament House and having to be talked down would be a fitting end to his career.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:46 am
What’s the share market reaction to all this? Has it softened since Gillard announcement that she’s still PM?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 11:48 am
No reaction Gab, because the market correctly suggest there would not be much change in the government’s policies no matter which of these two incompetents won the job. It’s basically a yawn.

In any event the market is 20 to 25% undervalued because the Liars party is in government anyways.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:51 am
so that’s the thanks Kevni gets for sweeping ALP to victory over the real best PM ever (Mr Howard) – told to go up a flagpole and be talked down as a fitting end to his career.

Labor party people – do they have any heart?

candy

27 Feb 12 at 11:53 am
I hope Rudd doesn’t go postal after this …

I don’t think he’s postal material, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to either put him suicide watch or have at least one member of the family by his side at all times, especially when in the kitchen in the vicinity of sharp knives.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 11:54 am
5 Ridiculous Gun Myths Everyone Believes (Thanks to Movies)

Read more: 5 Ridiculous Gun Myths Everyone Believes (Thanks to Movies) | Cracked.com http://www.cracked.com/article_18576_5-ridiculous-gun-myths-everyone-believes-thanks-to-movies.html#ixzz1nXX0Te00

Interesting… I never knew full auto for an AK47 means you’re out of bullets in 4 sec.

And the bullet to insurgents killed in Afghanistan is 250,000 : 1. Wow!

JC

27 Feb 12 at 12:06 pm
Candy, in my fantasy scenario, Tony Abbott dons the abseilling gear to mount a rescue of Kevin. They both fall off and through a skylight of Parliament House, to have their fall further broken by Peter Slipper doing his procession. (No one is killed – just Tony and Kevin laid up in the same hospital room for 6 months.)

I don’t know why I am not commissioned to write movies…

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:08 pm
Can someone tell me what Bolt is on with his latest post saying this is bad for the Liberals?

I agree. I’d have thought Gillard remaining would be the gift that kept on giving

nic

27 Feb 12 at 12:08 pm
I think Kevin climbing the giant flagpole above Parliament House and having to be talked down would be a fitting end to his career.

Steve hopes Rudd commits suicide. Nice, but then I’d expect no less from him.

Five months before the November 2010 election was due, the Labor Party saw fit to dump a first term PM because they just knew Kevin wouldn’t win the election.

If Gillard doesn’t improve the polls, then she is sure to be dumped a few months before the next election. Labor has form.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:08 pm
Candy, in my fantasy scenario, Tony Abbott

I think we have way too much there already

nic

27 Feb 12 at 12:10 pm
lol, nic

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:11 pm
Sacha Baron Cohen Punks Ryan Seacrest: ‘The Dictator’ Spills “Kim Jong Il’s Ashes” All Over Red Carpet Host! (Ryan Unamused)

The dude really is funny at times.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/what-will-the-dictator-do-on-the-red-carpet/

Flanked by two gorgeous women in military mini-skirts, Baron Cohen appears to be holding a funereal urn. (Maybe containing the ashes of the Academy’s integrity?) Ryan Seacrest of E! played along and addressed Baron Cohen as “Dictator” to which sacha responded, “Hello. Death to the West!”

Seacrest asked whom he is wearing. “I’m wearing John Galliano but the socks are from KMart. Saddam Hussein once said to me, ‘Socks are socks. Don’t waste money.”

JC

27 Feb 12 at 12:11 pm
Centrebet odds for ALP leader at the next election:

GILLARD, Julia (ALP) 1.28
SMITH, Stephen (ALP) 4.00
RUDD, Kevin (ALP) 5.00
SHORTEN, Bill (ALP) 7.00
ANY CANDIDATE NOT LISTED 8.00
COMBET, Greg (ALP) 17.00
ALBANESE, Anthony (ALP) 26.00
BOWEN, Chris (ALP) 41.00
SWAN, Wayne (ALP) 61.00
ELLIS, Kate (ALP) 161.00
ROXON, Nicola (ALP) 161.00

Looks like Albo’s blubbing made people think him leadership material… hahahahaha

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 12:17 pm
I don’t know why I am not commissioned to write movies…

Because there is already a glut of gay porn writers

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 12:17 pm
The dude really is funny at times.

Yeah, I’m laughing my arse off. You know he’s slated to take on the role of Freddie Mercury in a biopic. Maybe he can re-use Borat’s mo.

nic

27 Feb 12 at 12:21 pm
“Oh no Sacha, you’re ruining the Oscars!”

No, Halle Berry winning an award ruined the whole thing.

.

27 Feb 12 at 12:23 pm
That’s not even witty, Jason.

Bunch of grumps here today due to the Continuation of the Glorious Gillard Reign.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:25 pm
due to the Continuation of the Glorious Gillard Reign.

so says Steve the “Conservative”.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:27 pm
Bunch of grumps here today due to the Continuation of the Glorious Gillard Reign.

They do seem to be a bit on the QT, don’t they?

EIGHTEEN MORE MONTHS.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 12:29 pm
Like I said, m0nty and Steve have been very conspicuous by their absence over the last few days when Labor ripped into each other in public. But now they’re back!

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:32 pm
Two Rudd supporters on Sky News saying the numbers don’t matter. That’s what you say when you get thumped.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 12:32 pm
No, Halle Berry winning an award ruined the whole thing.

Wasn’t that their affirmative action year?

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 12:32 pm
Like I said, m0nty and Steve have been very conspicuous by their absence over the last few days when Labor ripped into each other in public. But now they’re back!

Yep, I’ll cop that. Any Labor supporter would have been hurting over the weekend watching the sorry spectacle unfold. It was not edifying in the least.

Nevertheless, it’s over now. Abbott is more likely to get knocked off than Gillard before the next election.

I’m still waiting for the pressers. They are going to be vital for framing the way Gillard is thought of by the public. Everyone’s talking about clean air, even Bolt: she has a single chance to make use of it.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 12:35 pm
Hurting? poor m0nty. Did you cry like Albo?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:37 pm
I was here briefly on Saturday, and then last night, Gab.

There was, however, far too much tripe being written to bother responding to each and every bit of it.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:39 pm
lol. Sure, Steve. Sure.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:41 pm
No Gab, I didn’t cry.

Steve is right though, there was a lot of cobbler’s written here, especially by Samuel J.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 12:42 pm
Bunch of grumps here today due to the Continuation of the Glorious Gillard Reign.

You’re a weird one aren’t you? Most liberal supporters were concerned about a Rudd win. Gillard is electoral poison, it’ll never go away no matter how much “selling” she does or how many “real julias” she comes out with or how many race riots she starts.

And according to you and m0nty over the months, if Abbott wasn’t leader the libs would be ever further in front, so it’s bizarre to see m0nty talking up a leadership change for the libs, one would have thought that’d be a real worry…

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 12:43 pm
Yep, I’ll cop that. Any Labor supporter would have been hurting over the weekend watching the sorry spectacle unfold. It was not edifying in the least.

You’re really pathetic. Aren’t even embarrassed to admit that sort of crap? Man-up.

Nevertheless, it’s over now. Abbott is more likely to get knocked off than Gillard before the next election.

Whatever.

I’m still waiting for the pressers. They are going to be vital for framing the way Gillard is thought of by the public. Everyone’s talking about clean air, even Bolt: she has a single chance to make use of it.

Moiving ford. Da neu econimy. worken familes. Heard it all before you moron.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 12:43 pm
I’m just glad Rudd lost. Makes Abbott’s job easier.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:44 pm
Many in Labor and in the press were being too over-wrought by the whole thing, by the way.

It was, essentially, a necessary bit of blood letting that had to be done, even though the party had tried to avoid being open and blunt about Kevin’s leadership and personality problems until now.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:44 pm
Mr Bolt is just guessing, journalists are always a step behind public opinion.

candy

27 Feb 12 at 12:45 pm
You can tell JC is worried. He’s almost forgetting to add gratuitous insults to his posts.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 12:46 pm
His guess would be reasonable with anyone else, Candy. But lets not forget that this is the Slapper we’re talking about here. This is the person fully qualified to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 12:48 pm
Moiving ford. Da neu econimy. worken familes. Heard it all before you moron.

you forget the :selling”.

UPDATE

As I typed that I heard yet another reporter and yet another Labor MP say the government now had to sell the carbon tax better.

LOL

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:49 pm
You can tell JC is worried. He’s almost forgetting to add gratuitous insults to his posts.

Fuck you’re a moron, Monster. It was my open hope she’d win.

However my only concern now is who they replace her with before the next election in which case labor could get an undeserved rise.

anyways, go take off that 40 kilos and stop concerning yourself with chatter among rigties as you’re really never invited.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 12:51 pm
I was here briefly on Saturday, and then last night, Gab.

Thinking about your fantasy involving Tony Abbott?

nic

27 Feb 12 at 12:52 pm
Fact is, I think this government is not too bad for a Labor government.

We have, of course, a sensible and reasonable attempt at carbon pricing, which all sensible conservatives (currently, Harry Clarke and me is about the tally) should support.

I think the government will make a very genuine effort to cut back spending to try to reach its budgetary promise that it is showing no signs of walking back from.

Gay marriage has a conscience vote, which is fair enough.

The means testing of the health rebate is reasonable.

A movement to a disability scheme is an important reform of the type Labor governments should advance.

It’s parental leave plan is sensibly less generous than Abbott’s.

The NBN and the extent of union power in the workplace are its two greatest weaknesses, although I am not sure that the NBN will necessarily be seen as a failure.

But overall, it looks like a more sensible government than what is on offer from the Opposition.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 12:53 pm
Fact is, I think this government is not too bad for a Labor government.

Now….. be honest.

Did anybody read beyond that typically stevefb first line?

JamesK

27 Feb 12 at 12:56 pm
No, James. I rarely read anything from Steve the Conservative.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 12:58 pm
Border security (ie, nil) and effects of carbon tax are the two biggest issues for Australians, and the drain on welfare of the asylum seekers a close third.

candy

27 Feb 12 at 12:58 pm
Fact is, I think this government is not too bad for a Labor government.

You should run their next election ad campaign lol.

nic

27 Feb 12 at 1:01 pm
Fact is, I think this government is not too bad for a Labor government.

yep. Miles better than the first two Hawke adminstrations for sure. Hawke fucked up his attempts at instigating race riots whereas the lying slapper has been pretty good at succeeding.

We have, of course, a sensible and reasonable attempt at carbon pricing, which all sensible conservatives (currently, Harry Clarke and me is about the tally) should support.

Oh yea Harry Houdini-Clarke who thinks the entire conservative movement has changed for the worse except him and is essentially a carbon copy of Graeme Bird without the gift of writing well.

If he stopped brown nosing the left for a second he’d realize what a complete and utter goose he’s making of himself.

As for your conservative credentials… lol.

I think the government will make a very genuine effort to cut back spending to try to reach its budgetary promise that it is showing no signs of walking back from.

Not hard seeing they’ve hiked taxes and the Treasury will help them lie.

Gay marriage has a conscience vote, which is fair enough.

On everyone’s mind. For instance I don’t a day without thinking… what about gay marriage. Why the delay?

JC

27 Feb 12 at 1:01 pm
- He’s still going through his foreign affairs “proud of” checklist. Fixing Libya, spending more of our wealth on aid, promoting women, “saving lives in Australia’s name”, working with “a great bunch of folks” … (We’re losing Australia’s Mandela.)

lol. From Bolt.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 1:05 pm
We have, of course, a sensible and reasonable attempt at carbon pricing, which all sensible conservatives (currently, Harry Clarke and me is about the tally) should support.

It is a dog of a policy. Any third year economics student can come up with a better plan.

I think the government will make a very genuine effort to cut back spending to try to reach its budgetary promise that it is showing no signs of walking back from.

The budget has blown out, the debt ceiling is approaching.

Gay marriage has a conscience vote, which is fair enough.

Why not conscience votes all of the time?

The means testing of the health rebate is reasonable.

No it is not. It is contrary to the principle of the MLS. PHI should be deductible against the MLS, ML or LITO etc. SHE LIED. It is another shallow budget measure.

It’s parental leave plan is sensibly less generous than Abbott’s.

It would also be more sensible not to have it at all. The Government shouldn’t subsidise lifestyle choices.

The NBN and the extent of union power in the workplace are its two greatest weaknesses, although I am not sure that the NBN will necessarily be seen as a failure.

The NBN has cost billions and has only a few hundred clients.

But overall, it looks like a more sensible government than what is on offer from the Opposition.

I’m no fan of Abbot but this is 100% pure A grade horseplop.

.

27 Feb 12 at 1:08 pm
Steve’s Glorious Gillard now on teev rehashing her moiving for’rd speech. Move along, nothing to see here.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 1:14 pm
Troll for the alliance practices the spin he’ll use at the next union conference…

Fact is, I think this government is not too bad for a Labor government.

Token

27 Feb 12 at 1:16 pm
SWAN, Wayne (ALP) 61.00

Ahahahahaha.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 1:19 pm
Journos now questioning Gillard. Plenty of Dorothy Dixers. They’re shameless.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 1:24 pm
lol Gillard reverts back to her hackneyed theme:

Abbott’s relentless negativity.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 1:25 pm
Fact is, I think this government is not too bad for a Labor government.

Then there is no longer any doubt – you really are stark raving bonkers.

And that is not meant as a gratuitous insult, BTW…

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 1:26 pm
What’s wrong with this pic? Tell me she hasn’t done the one on the right. Please God, please.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2012/02/27/1226282/687614-a-victorious-julia-gillard.jpg

JC

27 Feb 12 at 1:26 pm
JC – that photo, is it just me, or is dullard starting to resemble some weird alien creature?

Or just way too much botox?

Oh and the jacket – utterly hideous. I least I got that prediction correct.

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 1:30 pm
She’s looks better since her mini facelift, Rabz. Freshened up that tired glower too.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 1:32 pm
What’s wrong with this pic? Tell me she hasn’t done the one on the right. Please God, please.

Her right or ours?

Token

27 Feb 12 at 1:34 pm
Token

You even have to ask? (Shave Wand of course).

JC

27 Feb 12 at 1:35 pm
http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/26/in-canada-you-can-go-to-jail-for-carrying-a-gun-in-a-picture-that-your-kid-draws/

Jessie Sansone and his family are reeling after he was arrested and strip searched by police after his four-year-old daughter drew a picture of a man with a gun in her Kitchener, Ont., kindergarten class.

The 26-year-old father of four said Saturday the sketch was supposed to be him, getting the bad guys and monsters.

The school must have thought differently, as after Nevaeh drew it Wednesday, the school contacted Family and Children’s Services and they called police.

Waterloo Police met Sansone at the school when he tried to pick up his kids he was told he was charged with possession of a firearm. He was then handcuffed and put him in one of the several squad cars waiting outside, he said.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/02/26/in-canada-you-can-go-to-jail-for-carrying-a-gun-in-a-picture-that-your-kid-draws/#ixzz1nXuCFy7W

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 1:36 pm
lol Gillard reverts back to her hackneyed theme:

Abbott’s relentless negativity.

The sense of entitlement is strong in this one.

Ivan Denisovich

27 Feb 12 at 1:36 pm
Soony, the piece about the latest idiocy in canuckistan went up yesterday afternoon.

Some observations were subsequently made about canuckistanians.

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 1:40 pm
which all sensible conservatives (currently, Harry Clarke and me is about the tally)

When you call yourself a conservative you mean conserving the 70′s left don’t you?

“Hi I’m conservative catholic steve, I just happen to always find myself in agreement with the very left Julia Gillard and all of the the leftists on this blog 100% of the time, but that’s only because I’m a sensible conservative, not a Hi Alanist or totally deluded or anything.”

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 1:41 pm
Waterloo Police met Sansone at the school when he tried to pick up his kids he was told he was charged with possession of a firearm. He was then handcuffed and put him in one of the several squad cars waiting outside, he said.

That story mirrors the one my father tells how they found the disidents when he was in primary school in Eastern Europe in the 1950′s.

Token

27 Feb 12 at 1:48 pm
Canada is now officially off my bucket list.

.

27 Feb 12 at 1:49 pm
Twostix: you and others here are living in an echo chamber of economic commentary which runs against the what I think could fairly be called the “mainstream” view from both academia and the private sector that this government has not actually stuffed up the country.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 1:55 pm
Shorter Stepford: The science is settled.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 1:56 pm
Wikileaks now publishing confidential emails of a private firm, Stratfor.

http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/wikileaks-releases-5m-stratfor-emails/story-e6frfku0-1226282623777

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 1:57 pm
Local shares fall after Gillard “victory”.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 2:01 pm
Gab;

They’re down .6%. It’s basically noise.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 2:02 pm
I know what you said earlier and it holds true overall, JC. Still, the market reacted favourably to the Gillard ” “victory” lol. It could have gone up .6% (or more) after the result but didn’t. Says something, however small.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 2:04 pm
…this government has not actually stuffed up the country.

They haven’t done anything to strengthen or ‘save’ the econony. The funny thing is that if you believe da stimalus saved us, you have to thank Howard and Costello who gifted a surplus to Kevin which he and Gillard then blew on toilets and burning houses down.

If we had the same debt then as we do now, Australia would be going Greek by now.

So…

a) if da stimalus saved us, thanks you MEssrs Howard and Costello;
b) it didn’t save us. The Great Inherited Cake Walk and Chinese cash saved us.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 2:07 pm
Steve is right though, there was a lot of cobbler’s written here, especially by Samuel J.

Samuel J does remind me of the bloke who backs a long shot winner and then spends the next decade trying to do the same. There’s a couple in every pub. They usually have 3 teeth and wear shorts that expose their testicles when they sit down.

I hope Samuel has a decent pair of strides.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 2:15 pm
There’s a couple in every pub.

No wonder internet betting took off.

Token

27 Feb 12 at 2:17 pm
Twostix: you and others here are living in an echo chamber of economic commentary which runs against the what I think could fairly be called the “mainstream” view from both academia and the private sector that this government has not actually stuffed up the country.

What the hell are you on about? I was commenting on the continuing embarrasement of you calling yourself a “conservative” but just magically being totally in agreement with leftist commentators and leftist governments and leftist politics 100% of the time on every issue that arises in every situation, always.

There’s not been a single instance where you haven’t been on the Labor / Democrat side of an issue since I started coming here.

Not one.

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 2:17 pm
Just had an interesting conversation with the laybore mole.

Has said:

Can’t tap up his sources yet, as he has to “wait for the dust to settle”.

Said things are just peachy in ‘camp ruff’.

Claimed dullard looked extremely testy and that McClelland is definitely gone.

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 2:21 pm
LOL the “relentless negativity of Abbott” campaigns continues in QT. God I hope Labor keep saying that for the next 18 months.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 2:28 pm
I was commenting on the continuing embarrasement of you calling yourself a “conservative”

and I was commenting on how a conservative can take a realistic assessment that the mainstream economists, both here and internationally, are right in their assessment that the Labor government has not done irreparable harm to the economy.

The basic idea is as I have explained before: there are times where the Coalition goes off the rails and is no longer an attractive alternative (to a moderate enough Labor government) that a conservative expects and hopes they would normally be.

We are in one of those periods.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 2:29 pm
Steve
you’re a Labor lubber through and through. You may not have been two years ago but since then you have often displayed you are not a conservative.

In which case you are the last person who should be speaking out for what conservatives think.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 2:31 pm
Steve, the economic damage these nitwits have caused is just beginning.

Wait until the carbon dioxide tithing begins. Wait until unemployment kicks up a gear and we have an 1890′s IR system in place.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 2:36 pm
Greg Combet just said “we know how to grow jobs.”

He says the trick is to impose more taxes.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 2:36 pm
haha, are you an economic or social conservative Sob?

Token

27 Feb 12 at 2:37 pm
“to a moderate enough laybore gubberment”

Yep, that’s the first word that pops into my head when I think of dullard et al.

“Moderates”.

Rabz

27 Feb 12 at 2:37 pm
and I was commenting on how a conservative can take a realistic assessment that the mainstream economists, both here and internationally, are right in their assessment that the Labor government has not done irreparable harm to the economy.

Steve you’re dissembling. There’s NO ISSUE, not just the economy, that your not on the side of Labor / Democrats / Greens over Libs / Republicans / Tories on.

None.

You take particular joy in inventing “failures” on the right side of politics and crowing about them across every issue.

Just admit that you’re a lefty, nobody cares, every one knows you are, the only thing that would be different is you would stop copping grief about pretending to not be.

Come out the closet, it’s ok.

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 2:37 pm
Gillard very screechy.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 2:38 pm
Not when you hit the mute button, CL.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 2:39 pm
haha, are you an economic or social conservative Sob?

He’s a Conservative in that he wants to conserve the golden years of the 1970′s.

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 2:40 pm
haha, are you an economic or social conservative Sob?

He’s a Conservative in that he wants to conserve the golden years of the 1970′s.

Oh, the type that will vote for a 15 yo tired Labor government…Paul Keating called those conservatives the true believers didn’t he?

Token

27 Feb 12 at 2:43 pm
So Labor ditches a too-tightly-wound sociopath in glasses and ultra-combed hair with a cast of face showing sheer derangement.

As if on cue, Combet steps up to the despatch box to fill that particular job description to a tee.

Where does the ALP find these anger-management course failures? Are personality disorders part of the selection criteria?

James in Melbourne

27 Feb 12 at 2:44 pm
Today’s Essential Research 56/44 and Labor’s worst something or other I didn’t bother reading it

candy

27 Feb 12 at 2:44 pm
Father Slipper, that ~~whore mongering larcenist~~ law abiding man of the cloth is a real cock.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 3:06 pm
Well that’s QT over for the day. Gillard leaves the stage, Oscar in hand.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 3:45 pm
Arbib’s gone

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 4:17 pm
Lets hope someone in the Reps does the same.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 4:20 pm
Mark Arbib certainly comes across as very dumb and quite belligerent. Qualities highly prized among the Labor goons.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:22 pm
lol Arbib forgets that Abbott wasn’t the only one referring to the faceless men this week.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:24 pm
Race card: the ceaselessly pathetic Barack Obama has launched a movement called ‘African-Americans (blacks) for Obama.’

Again, imagine what the reaction would be any of the Republican candidates launched a ‘Whites for Romney’, ‘Whites for Santorum’ or ‘Whites for Gingrich’ campaign. There would be non-stop uproar. But Obama does the equivalent and gets a free pass.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 4:24 pm
26-second puppy break.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 4:24 pm
Poor puppy has helmet head.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:26 pm
And the first minister to quit is … Senator Arbib?!!

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 4:26 pm
Animation: America’s Metamorphosis To A Welfare State (via @ZeroHedge)

I’d be interested in seeing a similar infographic of Australia…

spot

27 Feb 12 at 4:29 pm
Poor Arbib, says it’s been tough for him, working long hours and time away from family.

Labor, they just never seem to cease with the whining.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:29 pm
And the first minister to quit is … Senator Arbib?!!

Great, a senator…

ar

27 Feb 12 at 4:30 pm
A trip down ~~Memory~~ LOL Lane:

MARK ARBIB’S FATAL SUPPORT.

And do click the video link to watch this mouth-breathing imbecile in intellectual action.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 4:30 pm
Did I get the wrong impression. I was at gym listening in to Question Time and the Lying Slapper seemed to be pushing the Vuvuzela up a few notches.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 4:31 pm
Great, a senator…

Unfortunately

Give it time…

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 4:31 pm
Boo has great hair, Gab. You’re just jealous xD

spot

27 Feb 12 at 4:32 pm
That’s interesting, Spot. A little spooky too. I was thinking today i’d love to see graph showing trend in welfare recipients vs actual taxpayers, as percentage of population, for the last 30 years.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:33 pm
No, that’s right, JC.

She was extra screechy today.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 4:34 pm
He’s still a little cutie, Spot.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:35 pm
As he points out, that doesn’t even take into account the huge increase in the welfare state Obama’s overseen in the last couple of years.

What percentage of Australian personal income is provided by the government, I wonder?

spot

27 Feb 12 at 4:37 pm
Gab
“I was thinking today i’d love to see graph showing trend in welfare recipients vs actual taxpayers, as percentage of population, for the last 30 years.”

I assume you mean net as there are many people who fall into both categories.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 4:37 pm
She was extra screechy today.

That’s what people were saying on Twitter, too. #ScreechyJulia

spot

27 Feb 12 at 4:38 pm
the Lying Slapper seemed to be pushing the Vuvuzela up a few notches

Sure it wasn’t the whine of the treadmills?

ar

27 Feb 12 at 4:39 pm
Just the facts, Kelly. Don’t get fancy.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:39 pm
Just the facts, Kelly. Don’t get fancy.

Yea, when he starts getting fancy we start getting nervous.

Kel.

No fancy French restaurant. Fish&Chips will so son.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 4:44 pm
This has always been the left’s project par excellence. Rob the producers to pay ‘entitlements’ to to a growing constituency of slobs who’ll dutifully vote for ‘social democratic’ parties, ad infinitum. It’s actually miraculous that the Tories, the Liberals or the Democrats ever get elected. And when they do, of course, they’re so terrified of offending the lumpen ~~proletariat~~ hammockariat that they only fiddle at the edges of the problem.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 4:44 pm
Sure it wasn’t the whine of the treadmills?

That’s why I asked, as I did notice it was a high pitched screech. The treadmill just hums sorta.

Different sound.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 4:45 pm
Arbib resigns to “spend more time with the family” stock standard Labor answer.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 4:46 pm
This has always been the left’s project par excellence. Rob the producers to pay ‘entitlements’ to to a growing constituency of slobs who’ll dutifully vote for ‘social democratic’ parties, ad infinitum. It’s actually miraculous that the Tories, the Liberals or the Democrats ever get elected. And when they do, of course, they’re so terrified of offending the lumpen proletariat hammockariat that they only fiddle at the edges of the problem.

Which is why should only be allowed the vote if you are working and paying taxes and not in the public sector. Far too many conflicts otherwise and one side of politics of course can never be trusted.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 4:47 pm
This has always been the left’s project par excellence.

Mmmm… government cheese.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 4:51 pm
I agree. All those who receive money from the government should be disenfranchised, as they have a conflict of interest with the taxpayers.

Rococo Liberal

27 Feb 12 at 4:52 pm
All those who receive money from the government should be disenfranchised, as they have a conflict of interest with the taxpayers.

Agreed. I also think the experiment of allowing women the vote has been an unmitigated failure.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 4:53 pm
Crying again pays dividends…

Now Bolt says he actually really likes Arbib.

Said his daughter cried when he was made Assistant Treasurer and he told her he’d have to be away even more.

I actually like Arbib. Is it OK to say so?

However, he posts this story from last year:

The sale of land for $1, mysterious donors, property developers bankrolling a company of an MP’s son, union officials getting mining deals – welcome to the NSW Right where connections are crucial.

It was in July 2003 that Eric Roozendaal and Mark Arbib – both prodigious fundraisers through their then positions as head and deputy head of the NSW Labor party – completed their respective real estate purchases.

Neither has been able to explain what coincidence led to them purchasing boutique beachside apartments not only in the same suburb but also in the very same block.

Mr Arbib’s unit in ‘’Sea Breeze’’, only 100 metres from the surf at Maroubra, was purchased in the name of his wife, Kelli Field, who works in investor relations at Macquarie Bank, having previously been a policy adviser to Eddie Obeid and Michael Costa’s chief of staff. Mr Roozendaal’s was bought by a family company.

Of the 20 townhouses, built by developers Brian and Garry Boyd, the purchase price of only two apartments in the block was not disclosed to land titles department. They were Mr Arbib’s and Mr Roozendaal’s.

Residing in the same block, in a unit owned by the Boyds right next door to Mr Arbib’s, was Moses Obeid, son of the controversial Labor figure Eddie Obeid.

How do a couple of ALP clerks buy a beach-front condo?

Silly question, I know.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 4:55 pm
Here you go Gab something along the lines of what you are looking for. There are 2 graphs of interest, figure 3 has about 14% of working age on full income support as of 2000 when the graphs go to.

Figure 2: Income Support Recipients as a Percentage of the Workforce age
Populations
0%

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 4:59 pm
Thanks Kelly

Kicked off in 1973-4. no surprise. Pity the data stops at 2000 though.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 5:03 pm
How do a couple of ALP clerks buy a beach-front condo?

Silly question, I know.

Damned fine question.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:03 pm
I am sure Arbib resigned for family reasons. There’s nothing more to it.

He’s Minister for Sport, which would have required that he soon fly to London to watch the Olympics and hob-nob with various heads of state.

That would have been extremely time-consuming and stressful. A real shit-sandwich.

So I find his explanation for his resignation today, of all days, entirely convincing. It is a beautiful gesture on his part, harking back to the finest Roman tradition when a victorious general would kill himself in a gesture marking a “way to go forward”.

Any rumours of impending criminal charges or sharing of Craig Thompson’s credit card are outlandish and implausible.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 5:03 pm
Barry Cassidy and Mongo MacCallum:

‘We’re back, baby. BACK!’

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-02-27/cassidy-gillard-leader-what-now-for-rudd/3855128

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/3853818.html

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 5:03 pm
I also think the experiment of allowing women the vote has been an unmitigated failure.

Stop judging all women based on Stepford Steve. Okay?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 5:04 pm
Arbib resigns to “spend more time with the family” stock standard Labor answer.

Do these qualify as the type of family matters to drive a man from parliament?

In a separate development, the Herald has discovered that Brian Boyd, the developer who sold two allegedly cut-price apartments to the senior NSW Labor powerbrokers Mark Arbib and Eric Roozendaal, later employed the Labor mayor of the council responsible for the controversial approval of the Maroubra units

Later reported here:

Neither has been able to explain what coincidence led to them purchasing boutique beachside apartments not only in the same suburb but also in the very same block.

Mr Arbib’s unit in ”Sea Breeze”, only 100 metres from the surf at Maroubra, was purchased in the name of his wife, Kelli Field, who works in investor relations at Macquarie Bank, having previously been a policy adviser to Eddie Obeid and Michael Costa’s chief of staff. Mr Roozendaal’s was bought by a family company.

Token

27 Feb 12 at 5:06 pm
Gab, lest my feminist credentials be questioned, I am all in favour of allowing women folk into licensed premises.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 5:06 pm
Bolta has Stockholm Syndrome today – in fact I think has has thrown in Gothenburg, Malmo and Uppsala Syndromes as well.

James in Melbourne

27 Feb 12 at 5:08 pm
Arbib obviously has the golden touch as a property developer. No wonder he is bailing on the no-hopers in Parliament.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 5:08 pm
You got in first CL.

I had wondered when this issue would arise again.

Token

27 Feb 12 at 5:08 pm
Lawyer: Lesbians’ assault on gay man can’t be hate crime

“Hate Crime” law is so not fabulous.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:09 pm
Sea breeze looks like a decent pad too.

http://www.capital-qpc.com.au/qpc-c/portfolio-maroubra.shtml#

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:09 pm
Rozendaal is Jewish and Arbib is Arab. The ALP – bridging historical enmities through unique commercial practices.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 5:10 pm
Sea breeze sure to be renamed “sea rise” in the best climate alarmism tradition.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 5:11 pm
Robert F Kennedy’s son arrested over baby.

Not sure what to think about this.

It’s his baby, isn’t it?

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 5:13 pm
Graeme sure has been reading lots of bad sci fi lately

http://graemebird.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/the-organic-universe/#comment-39196

I don’t know about crystal skulls. If you could show they went back say 13,000 years, you could put that as more evidence for the coastal high civilisation prior to the quarternary extinction …

There are two basic catastrophes we have to look out for, and each of them can cause problems including a coronal mass ejection.

1. shockwaves coming out of nearby supernovae ….. Or directly from out of the galactic centre.

2. The effects of a massive planet-sized comet, coming out of deep space. Now we have had a couple of comets that were big enough to call us grief, but they didn’t effect earth all that much as it turned out.

And with a galactic centre shockwave we cannot have any warning at all. Because the shockwave starts out faster than the speed of light, and then settles down to the speed of light. Therefore the catastrophe that the shockwave causes, gets here prior to us being able to see what caused the shockwave. Hence we can have no way of linking a future shockwave to the year 2012. There will be several shockwaves heading our way as we speak.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 5:16 pm
Just got home, flicked on da teev, and what did i see?

Juliar in the RED jacket.
Pedro, care to gloat a little ?

Jumpnmcar

27 Feb 12 at 5:16 pm
Rozendaal is Jewish and Arbib is Arab. The ALP – bridging historical enmities through unique commercial practices.

Yea, like I always say. Money does two things, it gives everyone an IQ of 150 and brings enemies together.

Sea breeze sure to be renamed “sea rise” in the best climate alarmism tradition.

He’s not worried, it seems. He obviously isn’t listening to Flannery.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:19 pm
“I don’t know about crystal skulls.”

That was on one of the free to air B channels on the weekend. I did look at maybe 5 minutes and thought are these guys serious and then realised that some in that part of the world think that the earth was created 3500 years ago and then thought yep they are.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 5:21 pm
anyone know what level he’s on at Sea Breeze as that could tell us if he’s been hearing Flannery’s “predictions”.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:22 pm
Cystal skulls – wasn’t that an Indiana Jones movie?

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 5:23 pm
Swan must have done the initial count – and had trouble when he ran out of fingers.

He has to get naked to count to 21.

Actually, if Wayne Swan counts all his fingers and toes, he can make it to 24! That might be 28. Not sure if he has 6 or 7 toes.

Oh come on

27 Feb 12 at 5:23 pm
She was extra screechy today.

Probably a reaction to the media pumping up her tyres over the last week declaring Aggressive Julia impressive. It’s Real Julia, version 7, or 8 or whatever.

Ivan Denisovich

27 Feb 12 at 5:25 pm
Not sure what to think about this.

It’s his baby, isn’t it?

Hospitals in the States get pretty psycho about potential baby-theft, CL. They’d get sued for gazillions if someone stole a Kennedy baby, especially. If he tried to take the tyke out without following the proper procedure first, and they didn’t recognise him, they would’ve asked him to stop… and he assaulted one of them for their trouble.

Maybe the “child endangerment” charge was because it’s probably not best to be fighting and kicking nurses whilst holding a newborn baby in your arms.

Nazi nurses and entitlement-minded American aristocracy. Lethal combination.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:27 pm
“Cystal skulls – wasn’t that an Indiana Jones movie?”

No idea but it was some documentary where they were putting these skulls in energy zones on the earth and the one I glimpsed at was in Arizona. Can see the upcoming primary will be interesting.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 5:29 pm
Steve of Brisbane said:

, which all sensible conservatives (currently, Harry Clarke and me is about the tally)

You both suffer from chronic cases of Catallaxy Derangement Syndrome (CDS). You are obsessed with this blog. Look at the spittle-flecked invective you two hurl at it at your own blogs. Catallaxy owns your souls.

So please stop calling yourself sensible. You are deranged.

Furthermore, you are about as conservative as a deranged person is sensible.

Oh come on

27 Feb 12 at 5:29 pm
Bolt:

I actually like Arbib. Is it OK to say so?

No. FFS, use your loaf, Bolta. The little prick is a mercenary who, having gored and sullied democracy, will likely move on to an ALP sinecure that will allow him to “spend more time with his family” and graze deeply in the nose back of taxpayer money.

Little shit.

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 5:29 pm
Actually, if Wayne Swan counts all his fingers and toes, he can make it to 24! That might be 28. Not sure if he has 6 or 7 toes.

4 7′s are 28. So one of the limbs would be carrying 8 digits. That gets him to 29.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:30 pm
Abu

I think we’re losing Bolta. Call the medics. It could be a minor stroke.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:31 pm
JC, his attempts to sound bipartisan are transparent and doomed to fool no one.

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 5:33 pm
“Albanese is a ~~genleman~~ man of honour.”

“I actually like Arbib. Is it OK to say so?”

Trollolololol.

Bolt’s trolling his own peanut gallery.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:33 pm
Mr Arbib’s unit in ‘’Sea Breeze’’, only 100 metres from the surf at Maroubra, was purchased in the name of his wife, Kelli Field,

Why, if not to raise suspicion in dodgy deals involving assets, do ALP folk have different surnames to their spouses ?

Arbib/Field
Rudd/Rein
Bligh/Withers
etc

Jumpnmcar

27 Feb 12 at 5:33 pm
With that many fingers, maybe he’d be most effective in the typing pool?

Oh come on

27 Feb 12 at 5:33 pm
nose bag, not nose back.

Can’t blame the ipad for that one…

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 5:34 pm
Nazi nurses and entitlement-minded American aristocracy. Lethal combination.

Nazi nurses and entitlement-minded American aristocracy and the allure of some easy settlement cash.

I think he and his wife have, like, four children – so I think he probably knows how to carry a baby. He says it was the lunging, interfering nurse who threatened the baby’s well-being. He was also with the mother and baby’s physician and he was okaying the fresh-air stroll.

I’m inclined to support him, at this stage.

Americans are becoming security idiots.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 5:34 pm
Juliar in the RED jacket.
Pedro, care to gloat a little ?

-Jump.

Red is to hide the bloodstains.

Call in Dexter to analyse her jacket for blood spatter. Two DNA profiles should emerge, one belongs to Rudd, the other Arbib.

Pedro the Ignorant

27 Feb 12 at 5:35 pm
Americans are becoming security idiots.

Yes.

Seriously yes.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:36 pm
A retired fireman, and creator of the popular children’s character, Fireman Sam, was detained at an airport for questioning why a veiled woman was not checked by security.

Read the rest yourself – but do not discuss openly under penalty of imprisonment

Myrrdin Seren

27 Feb 12 at 5:39 pm
Albanese is a genleman man of honour.”

I think he means that in the Calabrian sense.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 5:41 pm
detained at an airport for questioning why a veiled woman was not checked by security.

Excellent. Next time I fly I’m donning a burqa.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 5:43 pm
I reckon Bolt is buttering people like Arbib so they go on his show.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 5:44 pm
Obviously a victim of global warming.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:44 pm
Meryl Streep’s Oscar speech.

Thanked her hairdresser of 35 years.

Didn’t mention Margaret Thatcher once, even though she was the pioneer of all women powerbrokers in the modern Western world.

Small, graceless and indicative of a deeper mediocrity of character.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 5:45 pm
Excellent. Next time I fly I’m donning a burqa.

Me too.

It would be racist, sexist and homophobic to question my self-identification as a Gay Girl from Damascus.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:47 pm
I think he means that in the Calabrian sense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYabrQrXt4A

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 5:48 pm
Spot, security is controlled by the PC mob to the extent no one of ME appearance, or wearing a weapon of mass deception, gets searched in a Western country. The terrorists win.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 5:50 pm
Everyone involved in that assault at Gatwick airport ought to arrested and jailed.

I seriously hate Britain and its vomitous culture.

Enoch Powell was right.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 5:56 pm
I seriously might try it next time. I get stuck flying commercial in the States a fair bit, and since I have a medical device with some metal bits in it I get the full TSA “Freedom Pat” every fricken time.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 5:58 pm
A friend of my wife’s was recently detained and held in custody for 5 hours at LAX because she had stolen an iPad. Turned out that she had picked up the wrong iPad in the clusterfuck that assembles after the scanning.

Missed her flight and was threatened with all sorts of crap. No apology given when they discovered her iPad sitting in another tray.

Infidel Tiger

27 Feb 12 at 6:04 pm
I get stuck flying commercial in the States a fair bit,

If you mean cattle class then I’m sorry to hear of your troubles.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 6:04 pm
A retired fireman, and creator of the popular children’s character, Fireman Sam, was detained at an airport for questioning why a veiled woman was not checked by security.

Title of that article should have been “Postman Pat Down”.

Sorry.

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 6:06 pm
Speaking of serious loathing, the loathsome Chris Christie…

What Rick Santorum said:

Santorum: Obama is ‘a snob’ because he wants ‘everybody in America to go to college’.

Not all folks are gifted in the same way,” Santorum told a crowd of more than 1,000 activists at the Americans for Prosperity forum in Troy, Mich. “Some people have incredible gifts with their hands. Some people have incredible gifts and … want to work out there making things. President Obama once said he wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob.”

As the crowd applauded, Santorum continued.

“There are good decent men and women who go out and work hard every day and put their skills to test that aren’t taught by some liberal college professor trying to indoctrinate them,” he said. “Oh, I understand why he wants you to go to college. He wants to remake you in his image. I want to create jobs so people can remake their children into their image, not his.”

OK. Good points.

But look who bumbles in, cellulite rolls all aquiver:

Chris Christie: ‘Over The Line’ For Santorum To Call Obama A ‘Snob’ Over College Policy.

It wasn’t over the line at all, you fat galoot.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 6:07 pm
Or not. Sorry.

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 6:08 pm
Got to laugh at poor Jooles. Her big day arrived, victory claimed and then Arbib steals her thunder.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 6:10 pm
Just seasoned the grill on my new Bubba Keg. Any recommendations for slow-cooked MEAT recipes?

http://www.bigsteelkeg.com/

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 6:11 pm
No, I just mean commercial, ie United, Southwest, etc. Doesn’t matter whether you’re eventually going to end up seated in first class or economy on commercial airlines, you still go through the same hellish security theatre experience. It’s not so bad on smaller private planes out of regional/feeder airports.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 6:12 pm
I heard he was gonna get sacked, but decided to quit … to save face!

OK, sorry – that’s the best I could come up with.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 6:13 pm
Word on the tweet is that Kristina Keneally is a possible replacement.

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 6:16 pm
You really don’t like Christie, CL.

Jc

27 Feb 12 at 6:16 pm
Despite many things I don’t like about Santorum have to agree with him on this one.

President Obama (ALP) once said he (they) wants everybody in America (Australia) to go to college (finish high school).

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 6:18 pm
In the senate, Fleeced? Bit too obscure for Kenneally, but certainly it would be Gillard’s choice!

Now… MEAT recipes?

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 6:18 pm
Arbib stepping down is an excellent result. He was a terrible minister, by all reports.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 6:19 pm
Now… MEAT recipes?

slow cooked meat recipes

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 6:20 pm
Monty

You can’t be serious as assistant treasurer he kept deficit spending at only $100 mil per day.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 6:21 pm
I hate it when link doesn’t work…

slow cooked meat recipes

Fleeced

27 Feb 12 at 6:22 pm
Oh, please.

http://twitter.com/news_com_au/status/174030481308925952

Laboring on: Party winners and losers: LIVE BLOG: Follow all the dramatic action on one of the most historic day… http://bit.ly/y3Ox99

Hyperbowl.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 6:23 pm
Abu

Try a red emperor in foil . Make sure it’s well oiled etc so it slow cooks in oil and it’s own juices.

It likely like the first meal you would get in heaven.

Looks like a good contraption. Might look into it.

Jc

27 Feb 12 at 6:24 pm
Abu, was going to recommend the whole seasoned Barra* i did last night, but you’d have to cut it in 3 pieces to fit

(* 86cm, caught and on ice less than 4 hours)

Jumpnmcar

27 Feb 12 at 6:25 pm
Try these. Abu.

Beef

Lamb

Hugs and kisses.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 6:25 pm
Rick Santorum sure knows how to win Independents:

Rick Santorum on Sunday took on separation of church and state.

“I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state are absolute,” he told ‘This Week’ host George Stephanopoulos. “The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country…to say that people of faith have no role in the public square? You bet that makes me want to throw up.”

The GOP candidate was responding to comments he made last October. He had said that he “almost threw up” after reading JFK’s 1960 speech in which he declared his commitment to the separation of church and state.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 6:26 pm
To be fair to Santorum, a lot of American food makes one want to throw up.

m0nty

27 Feb 12 at 6:28 pm
Thanks to all! Hadn’t considered fish but now I’m a-hankering for it…

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 6:28 pm
Arbib stepping down is an excellent result. He was a terrible minister, by all reports.

Yea, like he was worse than Shane Wand. Judging by the sea breeze deal at least arbib can count money.

Go away Monster. We can see right through your sudden slide to bi-partisanship, you tool.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 6:29 pm
Steve what are you doing here?

“Things to do for a week or two…

But I’ll come back to moan if Kevin Rudd become PM again. “

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 6:29 pm
Don’t go for local snapper. Only go for red emperor as they’re much better tasting and the first cook ought to be an experience.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 6:30 pm
Kelly, Because the lying never ends with Steve.

Steve, when will you stop lying?

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 6:30 pm
86cm, caught and on ice less than 4 hours

Pretty big barra!

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 6:30 pm
kelly, it was a shame to leave Catallaxy alone given the events of today. I didn’t promise at my blog to not come here, by the way…

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 6:33 pm
To be fair to Santorum, a lot of American food makes one want to throw up.

Like what?

Monster, you’re 40 kilos overweight judging by the pic Gab once plastered up. In fact the girth overlapped my screen What are you eating that is so different to the average American porker, monsieur gourmand?

JC

27 Feb 12 at 6:34 pm
Try a red emperor in foil. Make sure it’s well oiled etc so it slow cooks in oil and it’s own juices.

Yes.

I also do Atlantic salmon this way, with a few other bits and pieces thrown in. Delicious.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 6:37 pm
Steve that is true you didn’t promise not to come here but it is the same thing or can’t you live without the cat? If you are busy you are busy.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 6:38 pm
Abu, for most fish add some dill and a splash of white wine, sea salt and pepper, plus butter (oil OK but butter makes a pleasant change in flavour), then seal foil well. Serve with a flourish (counters any disaster).

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

27 Feb 12 at 6:42 pm
kelly, it was a shame to leave Catallaxy alone given the events of today. I didn’t promise at my blog to not come here, by the way…

Translate:

“You are too much for me Catallaxy, you sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you.”

spot

27 Feb 12 at 6:42 pm
“I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state are absolute,” he told ‘This Week’ host George Stephanopoulos.

Just like the Founding Fathers.

———————————

Why Rick Santorum Is Surging With Women Voters.

Looks like Santorum’s ‘women problem’ is a bit like Abbott’s ‘women problem.’ Which is to say, he doesn’t have one.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 6:43 pm
That reminds me – where’d MaryBob get to?

spot

27 Feb 12 at 6:44 pm
Now I’m majorly hungry.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 6:47 pm
That story is about Republican women only, CL.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 6:48 pm
Pinch of nutmeg on salmon before cooking also makes it taste creamy. True.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 6:51 pm
This shows how much I care about our ABC, but I had no idea Dan Hannan was on Qanda last week. Watching it now.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 6:54 pm
“Pretty big barra!”

My eldest and is mate got five( gave me the smallest!!) ,and a couple of 90cm+ king salmon.
JCs right, the Reddys are goooood!!
My preferences are Barramundi Cod and Maori Wrasse, but sadly both are now illegal to catch and keep( unless you’re an original inhabitant,say no more)

Jumpnmcar

27 Feb 12 at 6:54 pm
“I don’t believe in an America where the separation of church and state are absolute,” he told ‘This Week’ host George Stephanopoulos

Madison argued for a strict separation of the powers of church and state, not rabidly anti Catholic know nothing agenda.

.

27 Feb 12 at 7:02 pm
Rick Santorum:

“Why would the people of Michigan, put up someone who can’t make the fundamental argument at the core of this election and give that issue away to Barack Obama?”

Pretty inmportant question.

Doubly so as Romney persistently defends Romneycare.

“Calling Romneycare “the model for Obamacare,” Santorum said of Obama and Romney’s health care programs that “on their very foundation they are the same.”

“In some respects, Gov. Romney’s plan is worse,” Santorum added, noting that while Obamacare forced small businesses with fifty or more employees to provide insurance or face penalties, Romney’s health care plan started the penalties at the ten- employee threshold.”

Ouch!

JamesK

27 Feb 12 at 7:19 pm
Not much point in doing fish on a kamado-style rig. Fish wrapped in foil you can just throw on some coals.

For the kamado I’d roll with some free range pork belly – trick is getting the super high heat either at the start or the end to get the crackling right. You can just slow cook it for three hours then hit it with a blowtorch at the end.

I am doing this this weekend with a free range pork shoulder:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/15/magazine/the-bo-ssam-miracle.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Fuck yeah!

Not doing it on the bbq though. Maybe next time.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 7:21 pm
My fav pic from a blow by blow account of today.

Jumpnmcar

27 Feb 12 at 7:22 pm
Mitt Romney, unspeakable douchebag:

Mitt Romney went to the Daytona 500 NASCAR race Sunday in what should have been a chance to show he’s one of the guys. Instead, in casual conversation with an Associated Press reporter at the Florida track, he reminded people once again that he is not exactly a regular Joe.
Asked by the AP reporter if he follows NASCAR, Romney responded, “Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans. But I have some great friends who are NASCAR team owners.”

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 7:24 pm
Les:

What the hell is wrong with that?

I have a friend whose brother builds engines for the winning teams.

His bro reckons he once went to a NASCAR conference at the Waldorf in NYC but didn’t know the conference room it was being held. He knew as soon as he walked in he was at the right venue. There were countless bum cracks showing.

The owners are red necks you idiot.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 7:30 pm
I’m sorry, did I read someone post something about Romney? Does anyone care right now?

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 7:31 pm
Hear tell that Romney had actually looked into buying NASCAR team himself, Les, but NASCAR refused to let them race with a puppy strapped to the roof.

~GrrrrRomney~

spot

27 Feb 12 at 7:32 pm
JC, I think it defeats the purpose of attending NASCAR to show you are a man of the people.

The man really is an insufferable knobhead.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 7:33 pm
Les, would you prefer Romney, or home schooling, sweater wearing, fertility promoting, Prince of Darkness is out to get America Santorum?

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 7:38 pm
Steve, you know that I support the President.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 7:40 pm
Les:

It’s only red neck sport left. That also includes the owners.

Who is Romney going to hang with, Billy-Bob and Earl?

Get over this Romney hatred les.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 7:44 pm
“Les, would you prefer Romney, or home schooling, sweater wearing, fertility promoting, Prince of Darkness is out to get America Santorum?”

Well another way to look at is if Santorum was opposition leader in Australia Gillard or Rudd would win in a landslide.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 7:46 pm
Well another way to look at is if Santorum was opposition leader in Australia Gillard or Rudd would win in a landslide.

And if Gillard or Rudd were the Democrat nominee in America, Rick Santorum would win in a landslide.

And?

spot

27 Feb 12 at 7:48 pm
Yes I know, Les, but you seem more upset with Romney than Santorum. What Santorum has said over the years makes him a much more spectacularly “how on earth could they be thinking of nominating him?” candidate.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 7:49 pm
Americans just don’t hate or fear Christians as viscerally as you all seem to do.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 7:50 pm
Kelly,

Stop being an imbecile. Australia isn’t America. That’s the mistake housebusband, Steve Stepford makes.

That’s the average polling at Real politics.

49.8 Obama(D)+6.0
43.8 Santorum (R)

Santorum is a contender.

anyone who makes the mistake of confusing our politics with theirs is making a big mistake.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 7:55 pm
Steve, for some reason I don’t despise Santorum as much as I do Romney.

I think Romney is up there with Rudd and Oakeshott in the punchability stakes.

I agree Santorum is a wack-job – don’t get me wrong – but he is a sincere dickhead, as opposed to Romney, who is just a despicable, soulless c___.

Same as Rudd.

Santorum, on the other hand, would certainly be a menace to humanity if he ever got into the White House, but I think he actually believes what he says.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 7:55 pm
“And if Gillard or Rudd were the Democrat nominee in America, Rick Santorum would win in a landslide.”

Spot what makes you think this, Obama has the same economic policies as our mob. Agreed Gillard might have a problem as she is not religious but Rudd would do ok. Handouts to industry GM or Holden what is the difference? Handouts to home owners we already have our version of that and the ALP proposing policies like that of the US. I can’t tell any significant difference between Obama and Rudd.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 7:55 pm
Seriously, I don’t care what your political beliefs are – check out this link then tell me that Romney isn’t a douchebag.

http://www.slatev.com/video/romneys-abortion-record-spin-vs-truth/

All decent people, regardless of their political views, consider Romney a walking anus.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 7:57 pm
Americans just don’t hate or fear Christians as viscerally as you all seem to do.

It’s true. The old establishment protestant churches are basically are now dead and buried pretty replaced with the Green religion in America. The hatred is now reserved to the Catholic church here by the ex-protos.

It’s not like that in the the US.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 7:58 pm
JC I am not saying we have the same politics because it depends on the issue. Some things the US is left of us and other things we are left of them. They are more religious and much more fundamentalism in religion depending on the state of course.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 7:59 pm
Spot what makes you think this, Obama has the same economic policies as our mob.

But you’re not judging Rick Santorum on his economic policies. You’re judging him on his religion and personal beliefs system. You hate him because he’s a practicing Christian.

So my point is that Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard would be equally on-the-nose character-wise to Americans.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:00 pm
Jeez. This freaking Ipad is going out the window,

It’s true. The old establishment protestant churches are basically now dead and buried pretty replaced with the Green religion in Australia. The hatred is now reserved to the Catholic church here by the ex-protos.

It’s not like that in the the US.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:01 pm
“Prime Minister Julia Gillard would be equally on-the-nose character-wise to Americans.”

Agreed

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:01 pm
Anyone see the oil price?

I heard Robert Shiller the other day, mention (off hand) that we were probably in an oil bubble.

It does seem difficult to see the fundamentals supporting the current price.

CraigS

27 Feb 12 at 8:03 pm
But you’re not judging Rick Santorum on his economic policies.

True.

Zero tax for manufacturing. 100% depreciation allowances for equipment bought in the first year. Corporate tax down to 17%.

Buy stocks is Santorum gets in.

I don’t like the idea of differential taxes, but it could attract a lot of votes in the rust belt states.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:04 pm
“I don’t like the idea of differential taxes,”

You mean like the ALP MRRT?

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:07 pm
Tallageda nights was a good movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgFZvO9DJIc

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:07 pm
Anyway, speaking of NASCAR owners… Rick Hendrick supports Be The Match. So that’s all right then.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:09 pm
That too Kelly.

I’m talking about Santorum’s ideas though, you old cow poke.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:09 pm
Exactly Santorum not only is a fundamentalist christian he has other policies as good as our Labor Party.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:11 pm
spot: I have no problems with Christianity at all, and accept that American politicians are much more likely to wear their religion on their sleeve than Australian ones.

But – there are limits on how comfortable people should be with this. Candidates who:

* help organise evangelical rallies to “pray for America” shortly before announcing their own candidacy
* sing Gospel songs at press conferences, even after allegations of being a bit of a sleaze have started to come out,
* give talks to Catholics about how the Prince of Darkness is out to get America and how Kennedy’s attitude to church and state makes him want to vomit

are trading on their religion in a way that I think should discomfit people.

It hasn’t always been that way in recent history.

George W Bush, in some documentary I saw, was said by some fellow who used to be in his same bible study group to be a very genuinely serious guy about his faith. Yet I didn’t get any feeling that Bush as President made too much of his religion – it was a private matter, as it should be.

I used to defend Bush against left-ist attack that he was dangerously religious.

But if Santorum were to win, with his non metaphorical talk to young Catholics that Satan is out to get the very special place called America; well, lefties probably would have something to genuinely worry about there.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 8:12 pm
Fundamentalist Christians might take issue with you lumping traditional Catholics in with them, Kelly.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:13 pm
sing Gospel songs at press conferences, even after allegations of being a bit of a sleaze have started to come out

What about Kevvy Rudd’s third wheel good samaritanism at his sunday press conferences?

.

27 Feb 12 at 8:14 pm
Fundamentalist Christians might take issue with you lumping traditional Catholics in with them, Kelly.

…and vice versa.

.

27 Feb 12 at 8:14 pm
Ah, the kiddie is back.

Excellent.

Waiting with quiet amusement for the next chapter in the kiddie’s ongoing saga entitled ‘Lez the self beclowner’.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 8:15 pm
Tillers. Romney has to do what he has to do. I prefer the soulless c word.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 8:16 pm
Hi Alan, this is Steve from Brisbane.

I used to defend Bush against left-ist attack that he was dangerously religious but there are limits on how comfortable people should be with this.

(sorry, Steve, couldn’t resist.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:16 pm
Exactly Santorum not only is a fundamentalist christian he has other policies as good as our Labor Party.

Kelly,

zero tax for manufacturing and 17% corporate tax rate is not anywhere near Liar’s Party policies, you idiot.

Last time I looked, The Alliance was attempting to drive manufacturing out of this county and help turn us into an Eco-touriost destination.

Stop talking crap.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:16 pm
But – there are limits on how comfortable people should be with this.

How would you feel if Americans on an American blog started harping on about how “comfortable” Australians “should be” with, say, a childless adulterous atheist living-in-sin-with-her-hairdresser ex-communist as their leader?

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:17 pm
Romney, Santorum (far less), Gingrich little more… all these dudes would be a reasonable replacement for the present one.

Les, you just hate middle aged white American males.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:18 pm
I don’t lump fundamentalists and non fundamentalists together. I do lump fundamentalists of different sects together though. I don’t actually know if Santorum is a fundamentalist but if for example he is a creationist then I would call him that.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:18 pm
dot: I have no problem with people criticising Rudd for being sure to welcome the press on leaving Church on Sundays.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 8:19 pm
It’s true. The old establishment protestant churches are basically now dead and buried

Yup. Schismatics never lose the habit. It takes very little time before they fracture into oblivion. What’s it been less than 500 years?

I am utterly certain the Catholic Church will be booming 500 years from now. Scientology, Greenism, the Church of England? One with Nineveh and Tyre.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 8:20 pm
. Romney has to do what he has to do.

But what’s he going to do? Honest question, what is he going to do?

pro choice or pro life?

Romneycare, Obamacare, both, neither?

Auto bailout or no?

Do you think maybe he will do whatever is the most politically expedient thing on economics?

Do you really trust Romney to make bought decisions on the deficit, or do you think he will just pander?

Can you really stand spending four years listening to him laugh?

And how about driving to Canada with the dog on the roof of the car? Does a man who would do that have the moral authority to stand up to Chavez and the Mullahs etc?

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:21 pm
I don’t lump fundamentalists and non fundamentalists together.

You called Santorum a “fundamentalist Christian.”

I just pointed out that fundamentalist Christians would take issue with that. And as Dot pointed out, his fellow Catholics mightn’t like the association either.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:22 pm
spot: there is no doubt that a large number of American Democrats and Independents are put off by the exact same things I am talking about re Perry, Cain and Santorum.

It’s not just a case of Australians, who are by nature more shy of overt displays of religiosity in politicians, not liking it.

steve from brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 8:23 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqTd3KJndFY

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:25 pm
“bought decisions” = “tough decisions”

DYAC!

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:25 pm
But what’s he going to do? Honest question, what is he going to do?

pro choice or pro life?

Both. He says he’s strongly pro-life but he also winks to the pro-choice types he won’t do a thing about it. And he really can’t. He’ll wipe around the edges.

Romneycare, Obamacare, both, neither?

Obamacare is gone under him. That’s certain. I have no doubt about it.

Auto bailout or no?

No. he would never get one through the congress again. Ever.

Do you think maybe he will do whatever is the most politically expedient thing on economics?

No. He has Mankiw and John Taylor advising him. They are pretty strong dudes.

Do you really trust Romney to make bought decisions on the deficit, or do you think he will just pander?

He will cut the deficit, but he’ll also allow the Fed to go lose and offer a supply side kicker to the economy.

All quite respectable to be honest. He’ll cut the deficit slowly.

Can you really stand spending four years listening to him laugh?

No. Turn the volume off.

And how about driving to Canada with the dog on the roof of the car? Does a man who would do that have the moral authority to stand up to Chavez and the Mullahs etc?

He obviously watched Vacation.

Les, I don’t know why you think that is a bad thing. Don’t you see dogs always sticking their heads out the window and taking in the breeze. You see them hanging their heads outta tradie’s utes all the time. They love that shit.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:29 pm
spot
I admitted I don’t know if Santorum is fundamentalist already.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:31 pm
So when Obama recently preached that he had God on his side re. more punitive taxes for successful folks, that just sickened you right to your little concerned Catholic conservative core, ay Steve?

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:31 pm
Bullshit, JC. It will be a pander fest with Romney the likes of which you have never seen.

But it will be great for the Gucci-jean wearing crony-capitalist bankster community, so I can see why you would enthusiastic for him.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:32 pm
spot: there is no doubt that a large number of American Democrats and Independents are put off by the exact same things I am talking about re Perry, Cain and Santorum.

You are not American stepford. They give a rats arse what you think. In fact I’ll have a vote both in the primary and the election which you won’t as I got my kid to register so I can vote defacto.

It’s not just a case of Australians, who are by nature more shy of overt displays of religiosity in politicians, not liking it.

STFU, you idiot. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. The president who talked about religion the most and went to church more than any other was Clinton and no democrat or indep had a problem.

You really are a gas bagging turd, Step.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:33 pm
Bullshit, JC. It will be a pander fest with Romney the likes of which you have never seen.

What do you mean?

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:34 pm
Obamacare is gone under him. That’s certain. I have no doubt about it.

Yeah? How does he get repeal through the senate?

If he wins, do you think he will control the house post-2014?

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:34 pm
spot
I admitted I don’t know if Santorum is fundamentalist already.

He’s not, Kelly you imbecile. He’s Roman Catholic. STFU please.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:34 pm
The president who talked about religion the most and went to church more than any other was Clinton and no democrat or indep had a problem.

Ha ha, you watched the Penn Jillette video I posted last week.

Alex Pundit

27 Feb 12 at 8:35 pm
Yeah? How does he get repeal through the senate?

If he wins, do you think he will control the house post-2014?

Depends by how much he wins by. If he has momentum the senate will go along with him.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:35 pm
What I mean is that the man has no beliefs. He just wants to win.

At least Obama, Bush, Santorum etc have/had agendas.

Romney is just a very shallow man.

He has proven that he will say anything to get elected, so I presume he will say and do anything to stay elected.

What issue do you see Romney fighting on?

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:37 pm
Kelly, maybe the problem is that you don’t realise that there’s a difference in the US between the word “fundamentalist” used as a generic adjective, and “a fundamentalist Christian”, which is what you called traditional Catholic Rick Santorum.

Fundamentalist Christians are a different breed than Catholics, is all. We church quite differently

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:37 pm
Ha ha, you watched the Penn Jillette video I posted last week.

Lol… Yea I was pretty surprised at first and then I recalled the idiot was always talking about religion and stuff.

He also did a Ruddster and got himself filmed coming out of a church each Sunday too from what i recall.

No one believed him though.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:38 pm
“But it will be great for the Gucci-jean wearing crony-capitalist bankster community”

Les who are you talking about Romney or Obama or both? Both get plenty of donations from the Banksters as you call them.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:38 pm
This shows how much I care about our ABC, but I had no idea Dan Hannan was on Qanda last week. Watching it now.

Interesting that he and Alain de Botton have been in country and featuring on media.

Invasion of the Brilliant Bald Brits.

Even though the Bottom has a stunningly rare Double Starred First from Cambridge, he doesn’t seem to say anything profound. An atheist, his stuff about the psychological and cultural value of religion is what another countrymen of his, Basil Fawlty, might even call the bleedingly obvious. At least his civility is to be welcomed; it’s in stark contrast to the clanging boilerplate bitterness of atheist Talibani like Stephen Fry.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 8:41 pm
Depends by how much he wins by. If he has momentum the senate will go along with him.

Bullshit.

That makes as much sense as IQ49 arguing that he could bring about an independent Kurdish homeland using nothing but “airpower” (his word).

Dem senators aren’t going to change their votes from a couple years ago to give Romney a huge legislative win straight off the bat.

That’s crazy talk.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:42 pm
What issue do you see Romney fighting on?

I think he really believes the economics he espouses, which to be honest is good enough for me other than the China bullshit they are all going on about.

I also thinks he really believes the stuff about tightening up the borders and illegal immigration.

I think he would be a more reliable partner to Israel is important to me.

I also think he would hold on with the military and not cut as deeply.

That’s about it. Nothing really like swinging for the fences.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:42 pm
Pork shoulder recipe gets two thumbs up. That’s why I bought this slow cooker… Want to get into beef brisket that cooks for 20 hours…

Abu Chowdah

27 Feb 12 at 8:43 pm
That makes as much sense as IQ49 arguing that he could bring about an independent Kurdish homeland using nothing but “airpower” (his word).

Dem senators aren’t going to change their votes from a couple years ago to give Romney a huge legislative win straight off the bat.

Then he will simply stop funding it. They will cut it around the edges until it’s gutted beyond all recognition.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 8:43 pm
Les
Do you seriously think Romney adopted Romneycare solely for electoral reasons to pose as a democrat in Mass? I don’t think so.

The genesis of Romneycare was a proposal by two Heritage Institute economists. I believe he sincerely believed in Romneycare as the most effective way of tackling healthcare reform for his State. It appealed to the pragmatic technocrat in him.

It’s wrong to say he has no beliefs whatsoever and is only interested in winning for the sake of winning. RomneyCare showed he was clearly willing to do what would have been unpopular among his Republican base *once he was in power* because he sincerely thought at the time it was the most efficient response to the healthcare issue.

I think there would be natural limits on what he would be willing to do for political expediency – he could not do what rebelled against his inner Management Consultant. He believes in what works – he would therefore be an economically sound moderate Republican president – pro free trade, pro lower taxes and fiscal discipline and making the occasional pro-life noises (like Reagan) to appease the true believers.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 8:43 pm
“Fundamentalist Christians are a different breed than Catholics”

To me fundamentalist means in the religious sense that you take things from your holy book literally nothing to do with the particular religion or sect.

Or using the online dictionary you are using the second definition I am using the first.
1. A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition to secularism.
2.
a. often Fundamentalism An organized, militant Evangelical movement originating in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th century in opposition to Protestant Liberalism and secularism, insisting on the inerrancy of Scripture.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 8:44 pm
Or using the online dictionary you are using…

I wasn’t using an online dictionary, dear. I was using personal knowledge and experience.

You said

Exactly Santorum not only is a fundamentalist christian he has other policies as good as our Labor Party.

Santorum is not a fundamentalist Christian. You will rile both traditional Catholics and fundamentalist Christians if you persist.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 8:54 pm
But Jason I think Romneycare was popular in the People’s Republic of Taxachusetts, wasn’t it?

So how is it an example of Romney not doing what is politically expedient?

I’ve said before that as a hardcore radical leftist I don’t mind many of Romney’s positions.

He’s pro-healthcare, pro taxing the “1%” (as Romney calls them) and pro deficit-spending in recessions.

I just don’t think he has any principles of his own, than (as you point out) extreme confidence in the methods of management consultating.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:54 pm
“consultating” LOL

goddamn autocorrect never does anything when it actually should

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 8:55 pm
“God Told Me To Run”: Herman Cain.

Obama: God told me to enact ObamaCare.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 9:00 pm
3. NATO officials promised to meet Afghan nation’s demand of bringing to justice, through an open trial, those responsible for the incident and it was agreed that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice as soon as possible.

For killing US soldiers in the recent riots? Nah. For burning Korans.

Because grovelling to the enemy will bring about peace – Barack Hussein, 2012.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:01 pm
Romneycare was politically expedient but he probably would not have gone along with it if it also violated his sense of good policy according to his inner Management Consultat (which you have acknowledged is a factor in his decision making). It also shows that he is not overly shackled by ideology which can be a good thing as long as he is constrained by other considerations (which you have scknowledged he is) – he would be trusted to some extent because of his technocratic mindset and demonstrated competence on such matters to filter out clearly bad policies as long as he had suitable economic advisors). Again this goes back to my point – he is a return to good old fashioned Eisenhower Republicanism (IKe was clearly also something of a technocrat as an army engineer) and there are worse things in the world.

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 9:04 pm
Spot Why will someone curse me with a snake?

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 9:07 pm
“Fundamentalist Christians are a different breed than Catholics”

To me fundamentalist means in the religious sense that you take things from your holy book literally nothing to do with the particular religion or sect.

Kelly, have you heard of the Protestant Reformation? Luther’s primary teaching was sola scriptura – the Bible as teaching guide to everything, as literally as possible.

That was his one big stupid idea.

Catholics have a Magisterium – the teaching authority of the pope and bishops resolving theological questions using Sacred Scripture but interpreted in a way held to be consonant with the will of God. This is what is called Tradition (upper case).

We have a holy book – the Bible – but it is not, nor was it ever, an uncritically, literally solo fount of authority.

So no, Catholics are not ‘fundamentalists.’

Unlike protestants, Catholics don’t believe that Jesus rode dinosaurs around the Holy Land or that the CIA invented AIDS.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 9:08 pm
Management Consultat (which you have acknowledged is a factor in his decision making)

Yeah, but I didn’t say it admiringly.

As far as I am concerned, all management consultants are Jeff Skilling until proven otherwise.

there are worse things in the world

I agree with that. You could say the same about KRudd.

But they are both still insufferable douchebags.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:10 pm
Settings, choose General > Keyboard, then turn Auto-Correction on or off. Auto-Correction is normally on

please …

pete m

27 Feb 12 at 9:11 pm
You could say the same about KRudd.

Except that Romney is probably immeasurably brighter than Rudd

jtfsoon

27 Feb 12 at 9:11 pm
Spot Why will someone curse me with a snake?

Sigh.

I give up.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 9:13 pm
“teaching authority of the pope and bishops resolving theological questions”

If you follow these people without question or your own opinion then you are fundamentalist and apparently not christain fundamentalist.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 9:16 pm
Unlike protestants, Catholics don’t believe that Jesus rode dinosaurs around the Holy Land or that the CIA invented AIDS.

What a charming show of respect from the Currency Lad for proponents of other religions.

Of course, if anyone parodied Catholics the way he parodies “protestants”, the Currency Lad would be bitching and moaning.

But he feels entitled to mock other religions (even other branches of Christianity) and to caricature their beliefs.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:16 pm
And yet the only one taking conspicuous offense is Les.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 9:23 pm
Associated Press rigs poll for Obama. News at 11.

This week the AP again reported that their polling firm had determined that Obama would beat any of the Republican candidates but we looked at the raw polling data and once again, the AP and GFK had cooked the numbers by sampling ten percent more Democrat/Democrat leaning than Republicans. Nearly all national polls have determined that there is an even split between Republicans and Democrats, and some pollsters give a slight edge to Republicans. For example, a Gallup poll taken at roughly the same time period that shows Romney with a four point advantage over Obama and Santorum in a dead heat. For the AP, which like the other mainstream media outlets, have made an issue of demanding disclosure from political donors seeking special treatment from the government, this is much worse. This is a news agency getting apparent special treatment from the government in exchange for obvious political news coverage that benefits the Obama administration which controls the purse strings for at least part of their polling firms business.

http://pjmedia.com/tatler/headline/ap-rigs-poll-for-obama/

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:23 pm
Jeff, my bloody toilet brush is smarter than Rudd. Even it doesn’t pick fights with a turd it can’t dislodge…

Winston Smith

27 Feb 12 at 9:24 pm
I observe and report, Spot. That’s all there is to it.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:25 pm
Awwwwwwww Gab is having a boo hoo because she doesn’t like the polls.

Poor dear. But where have I heard that plaintive cry before?

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:27 pm
No ‘boo hoo’ at all. I observe and report, Les. That’s all there is to it.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:31 pm
That post, Les, is from July 2004. With the benefit of hindsight, tell us whose polls actually ended up being accurate – those which said that Bush was ahead or those which were dead cert that Kerry was as good as in.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 9:32 pm
jason is spot on. There is only thing you need to know about Romney. And that one thing is a million miles away from being a Mormon – or even a Xian. Romney is a BAINIE. If you have never been a management consultant, or worked with them, you need to take a crash course. Romney is as likely to act contrary to his inner-Bainie, as Howard was likely to say “sorry” for the stolen generations.

Setting up a state-wide universal health insurance scheme that satisfies distribution and welfare variables is Bain 101. It was in Romney’s DNA. One positive of a President Romney would be that he would sack most of the academic macroeconomists within 200 miles of his earshot.

Peter Patton

27 Feb 12 at 9:34 pm
“Setting up a state-wide universal health insurance scheme that satisfies distribution and welfare variables”

And corporate welfare as insurance only puts the price of health up.

kelly liddle

27 Feb 12 at 9:37 pm
Except that Romney is probably immeasurably brighter than Rudd

At least 25% brighter, and 1000% more worldly and sophisticated.

Peter Patton

27 Feb 12 at 9:37 pm
That post, Les, is from July 2004. With the benefit of hindsight, tell us whose polls actually ended up being accurate – those which said that Bush was ahead or those which were dead cert that Kerry was as good as in.

You missed the point, Spot, which was that people who are behind in the polls always blame AP.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:38 pm
Seven States Sue To Stop Contraception Mandate

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:39 pm
That post, Les, is from July 2004

Sherlock fucking Holmes.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:39 pm
people who are behind in the polls always blame AP.

Yep. Sure.

the AP and GFK had cooked the numbers by sampling ten percent more Democrat/Democrat leaning than Republicans.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:41 pm
http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/weight-loss/mitochondria-rejuvenating-diet-the-nutritional-experts-bash/#more-4828

Interesting take on nutrition, involving a TED talk.

.

27 Feb 12 at 9:44 pm
Of course, if anyone parodied Catholics the way he parodies “protestants”, the Currency Lad would be bitching and moaning.

No I wouldn’t. I’d fight back, as everyone knows.

I accept the freedom of Obama, for example, to believe that the CIA invented AIDS and the Jews are the root of all evil.

But what JC says is true. Protestantism is basically finished. When was the last time you discerned anyone giving a crap what a protestant leader stated? Nobody cares.

If you follow these people without question or your own opinion then you are fundamentalist and apparently not christain fundamentalist.

Everyone is free to follow their own opinion. But if your opinion is that Jesus rode dinosaurs or that killing babies is OK (see Obama, Pelosi et alia) is Christian, then you’re not a Catholic.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 9:46 pm
This is a news agency getting apparent special treatment from the government in exchange for obvious political news coverage that benefits the Obama administration which controls the purse strings for at least part of their polling firms business.

That’s paranoid. Shadow government. Oooh. Go tell Graeme.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:46 pm
What a charming show of respect from the Currency Lad for proponents of other religions.

The kiddie is good, very good. Less than 90 minutes from my comment to his next self-beclownment.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 9:46 pm
Les

At the time Romney signed Romneycare the rate of insured in The Peoples Rep. of Mass was around 94%. When he left the governorship the rate had climbed to 98%. In other words the impact was small.

The rate of insured in the entire US was around 70%. It is expected, if fully enacted, that Odumbocare will add trillions to the blossoming deficit. There is no way in hell that Romney would accede to that sort madness. This is why I believe he’s sincere in wanting to dismantle the program.

The Mass plan was small and the impact was never of the same size. Additionally, Romney has also said that he believes and still does support Romneycare, as it was a state sponsored program. He does not support a national system and has gone on record as saying that he would support block grant type arrangements for Medicare and Medicaid to the states. He believes the states should manage their own programs.

So yes, I do believe Romney is against Odumbocare.

JC

27 Feb 12 at 9:48 pm
IQ49.

Please don’t call me “kiddie”. It’s very hurtful.

If you lay off me, I promise never again to call you a pompous jackass or make fun of you for your incompetent amateur strategising.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:51 pm
Romneycare has nothing to do with Obamacare. The United States was set up precisely so that states could and would set up Romneycare-like programs, while deliberately making it as hard as possible for the FEDS to do stuff like that. Obamacare IS anti-American; Romneycare was as American as apple pie/

Peter Patton

27 Feb 12 at 9:51 pm
“AP reporters didn’t … tell readers how “skewed” May’s poll was. Forty-six percent of those surveyed identified themselves as Democrats, 29% as Republicans, and 4% as independents (after classifying leaners); 20% didn’t know. By contrast, the latest available party identification results from Rasmussen as of April have the GOP at 34.8%, Dems at 33.5%, and 31.7% as not affiliated. Gallup, in an aggregate of 21 separate polls conducted last year, shows a Democrat-Republican split of 45%-44%.”
Since all major polling firms consider the Democrat to Republican ratio of voters to be virtually even in number, AP/GfK’s statistical model of 46% sampling of Democrats and 29% Republican would give the appearance of significant advantage in the outcome to a Democrat, in this case Barak Obama.

GFK ought to be recruited to “improve” Gingerella’s numbers.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:51 pm
Stenographers Guild talking points memo, Tuesday, February 28.

1. Must use three of the following four adjectives in articles about Julia Gillard: “feisty,” “strong,” “passionate,” “determined.”
2. Must use three of the following four abstract nouns in articles about Julia Gillard: “vision,” “compassion,” “fairness,” “steel.”
3. Must argue the following: that this leadership spill “will be the making of Julia Gillard.” say that we “now know who she is.” DO NOT MENTION that spill showed that her shower of a government was a toxic fustercluck of a shambles.
4. Must use following phrase in articles about Tony Abbott: “relentless negativity” and “Dr. No.” REMEMBER, if more than half of Australians get their wish and this horrible man becomes Prime Minister, we might get a BAD government – and no-one wants that.

James in Melbourne

27 Feb 12 at 9:52 pm
When was the last time you discerned anyone giving a crap what a protestant leader stated? Nobody cares.

To be fair, CL, that may be because Protestants look to God, not to a man, for their instructions.

There is no Baptist, Presbyterian or Methodist “Pope”. Just the Big Guy himself.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 9:54 pm
James didn’t you get the other memo issued at 1.55pm?

5. If the carbin tax is mentioned, point to Abbott’s $70 gazillion black hole.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 9:54 pm
Gab, the polls are reasonably consistent. Those pesky facts…

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html#polls

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 9:56 pm
I wonder how long Rudd’s going to be a happy little Vegemite on the back bench?

Watch him twitch during the next Dullard fuckup (which is anticipated to start unfolding in approximately 4 minutes and 23 seconds).

I reckon Rudd should have said quite openly “I only have one shot in the locker”.

Oh come on

27 Feb 12 at 9:58 pm
Stenographers Guild talking points memo, Tuesday, February 28.

JournoList!

spot

27 Feb 12 at 9:59 pm
My dear kiddie, the word aptly describes your behaviour, ignorance, hubris and cognitive disability.

You amuse me, and cheap entertainment is all the rage these days.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:00 pm
Well at least AP/GFK is consistent at skewing the polls, Les. Obama approval rating in May ’11 at 60%? Come on. Twas a fairy tale.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:01 pm
gab, the kiddie probably also believes the current US ‘official’ unemployment stats. Leftardish adult-children are very gullible, that way.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:06 pm
My dear kiddie

But that’s your generic insult, 49. You call people “kiddie”.

Can’t you come up with a special insult just for me? One that really gets me where it hurts?

49, I’ve clearly hit the mark with my insults about your failed public service career and your hilariously incompetent amateur strategising.

Why can’t you do me a similar courtesy and give me a personalised insult? Go on.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 10:15 pm
What’s even funnier, Mk50…

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow’s new favorite word: ‘Vaginal’

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:15 pm
Oh, my…

Please don’t let Gingeralla Vuvuzela hear that one!

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:17 pm
Wikileaks is interesting.. look what you can dredge up on slime like our good mate
Mamdouh

duncan

27 Feb 12 at 10:20 pm
Can’t you come up with a special insult just for me?

Why would I bother?

One that really gets me where it hurts?

Again, why would I bother? You are a provider of mild amusement, nothing more. I am quite indifferent. Why should I care if you are rich or poor, happy or sad? When we are discussing things like Afstan, and you think we are discussing the US west of the 1870s, that’s amusing. Your utter inability to comprehend a discussion on modern effects based warfare despite repeated explanations is amusing.

You take yourself so seriously, kid, and that too is amusing.

It’s a little like watching a dancing monkey.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:24 pm
Can’t you come up with a special insult just for me?

Bless your heart, child.

I could hear your spoon banging on your highchair tray table there from my front porch.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 10:30 pm
Can’t you come up with a special insult just for me?

Differentiation is discrimination and you lefties just hate that. So asking Mk50 to treat you above all the other lefties is just incitement to discrimination. Shame on you, Les.

Gab

27 Feb 12 at 10:34 pm
It’s a little like watching a dancing monkey.

Or a dog racing madly through the house, who on the third lap forgets to jump.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 10:35 pm
To be fair, CL, that may be because Protestants look to God, not to a man, for their instructions.

I don’t think so, Spot. Most mainline protestant sects long ago decided to accommodate themselves to secular fashions and ideologies. I’d say this is the exact opposite of looking to God for guidance.

The evangelical protestants’ influence has endured somewhat more potently and healthily, precisely because their concerns, and the way they collectively express and celebrate them, have been properly ecclesial – which explains also the simpatico between them and Catholics on many issues.

Millions of individuals cannot be millions of little person-churches. That is not Christianity. It is New Age slop and egotism. There is one body and that is the Church and one head and He is God.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 10:35 pm
I could hear your spoon banging on your highchair tray table there from my front porch.

Beautiful. Just beautiful. LSHMSFOAIDMT*

Told you he was great at self-beclownment, Spot!

(Laughing so hard my sombrero fell off and I dropped my tortilla)

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 10:36 pm
Your utter inability to comprehend a discussion on modern effects based warfare despite repeated explanations is amusing.

But you see, 49, that has no sting.

Simple fact is that I merely picked out some obvious holes in your ridiculous amateur strategising.

It wasn’t that I didn’t “comprehend” your discussion. I understood what you were saying – I just thought your ideas were moronic.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 10:44 pm
And also, 49, I think you should be prosecuted for crimes against the English language.

I haven’t heard so much jargon, obfuscation and perversion of the normal meaning of simple words since I took an undergraduate English class many years ago.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 10:45 pm
IQ49 calls me “kiddie”.

But look where this sophisticate gets his catchphrases.

49 – please pierce me no more with your rapier wit.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 10:48 pm
He googld it. LOL. He googled it. LSHTIFOMTDMOWIDHATDMBIIDIWNHL!

*Laughing so hard that I fell on my toy dancing monkey, oh wait, I don’t have a toy dancing monkey, but if I did I would name him Les.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 10:54 pm
The “grievances” of the occupy mob:

“Larry in SF” has more details about the purported “victims” of Wells Fargo. In each case, the foreclosure seems perfectly justified: One homeowner neglected to have fire insurance on his home (who even does that?), so when it caught fire and nearly burned down, he couldn’t repay the huge loan he took out to make the expensive repairs. Another homeowner used her house like an unlimited credit card, running up a gigantic “equity line loan” which she could not repay. And another homeowner overextended on housing speculation in a downward-trending market, eventually going “underwater” on her mortgages.

Even their sob stories are shit.

http://pjmedia.com/zombie/2012/02/26/occupiers-foreclose-on-wells-fargos-ceo-john-stumpf-auction-off-his-home/

twostix

27 Feb 12 at 10:57 pm
that has no sting.

Good grief, kid, what on earth makes you think it was meant to?

As for ‘Laughing so hard my sombrero fell off and I dropped my tortilla’, it’s a comment in use by several Texan friends. It specifically recalls a memorable night on the turps at a very fine Texas BBQ restaurant, where one friend met a stunning young Mexican lass bearing a bottle of Tequila (one of several)… she’s now his wife.

I still can’t drink tequila. Lone Star, on the other hand….

In any case it’s somewhat different from the results of your googling.
But congratulations on being able to use google.

Well done.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:00 pm
He googld it. LOL. He googled it. LSHTIFOMTDMOWIDHATDMBIIDIWNHL!

mmph… lips, don’t unpurse….mmmmph…
bwahahahahahahahahahaha……

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:04 pm
Postscript:

I don’t really say that with any joy, Spot.

While it’s true that the Catholic Church is the One True Church – and that those without it are heathens and to be pitied and prayed for – I do (in all seriousness) lament the destruction of that powerhouse of order and civility that was the old American and European protestant Christianity, its faults and pathologies notwithstanding.

C.L.

27 Feb 12 at 11:05 pm
An organized, militant Evangelical movement

The Fundamentalists weren’t militant.

CL; go easy on us Protestants. I maintain respect for Catholics and have at least some understanding of why they do and believe what they do and believe. You could afford to do the same.

Protestants have zero political clout because of the lack of a central authority and the willingness of the media to skip anyone widely regarded across the denominations in favour of idiots like Spong.

wreckage

27 Feb 12 at 11:05 pm
Comment of the night, Spot.

I dips me lid to the master!

Yet work on the Morrow so bed (and the delightful bride) beckon. Besides, no way can I compare to or compete with Spot.

Mk50 of Brisbane

27 Feb 12 at 11:07 pm
While it’s true that the Catholic Church is the One True Church – and that those without it are heathens and to be pitied and prayed for…

Welp.

Better someone’s prayers — even those of an idol-worshipper (j/k) — than a poke in the eye with a stick, I always say.

And if I wake up one day suddenly feeling all Catholicky, I’ll make sure the Big Guy knows to give you the credit.

In the meantime, here’s to tolerance and praying for those we think are on the wrong path rather than blowing them up.

Cheers.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 11:16 pm
49, you are too modest.

Who can forget your hilarious racist japes about “Paleosimians” and the “Preshizzle”.

You are quite the humorist yourself.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 11:16 pm
While it’s true that the Catholic Church is the One True Church – and that those without it are heathens and to be pitied and prayed for

H’mmm. Call me a sola scriptura lunatic, but:

http://bible.cc/romans/10-9.htm

wreckage

27 Feb 12 at 11:17 pm
But Mark, Les won. He’s now got his own personal epithet:
LSHTIFOMTDMOWIDHATDMBIIDIWNHL
I always was a sucker for small children and helpless animals.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 11:20 pm
LSHTIFOMTDMOWIDHATDMBIIDIWNHL

Pronounced “Le Shit* Fomtod Moo-ow Id Hat Dimbie Dew Nul”.

*Yes, I know, but I couldn’t resist.

wreckage

27 Feb 12 at 11:33 pm
Pronounced “Le Shit* Fomtod Moo-ow Id Hat Dimbie Dew Nul”.

Yep, that’d be the traditional pronunciation, I think. We’ll have to ask JC.

spot

27 Feb 12 at 11:38 pm
Comedy gold. Magic.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 11:38 pm
Haven’t laughed this hard since the series finale of Home Improvement.

Les Majesty

27 Feb 12 at 11:39 pm
I’m pretty sure JC pronounces it “LOL Fuck off, you fucking fuckwit”, which is, incidentally, also how he pronounces “Good day to you sir” and “I believe that answers and thoroughly refutes your assertions, above.”

wreckage

27 Feb 12 at 11:44 pm
series finale of Home Improvement

I never saw it, and refuse to, clinging instead to the belief that the entire cast fell into a woodchipper and the crew could not react in time to save them.

wreckage

27 Feb 12 at 11:46 pm
That the best you got, Les? Sheesh, my 11-year-old niece puts me down better than that.

“Omigod, that was so funny I forgot to laugh”
*eyeroll*
*hairflip*

spot

27 Feb 12 at 11:47 pm
H’mmm. Call me a sola scriptura lunatic, but…

There follows Romans 10:9:

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Sure, but if you’re like Obama (for example) and confess that with your mouth while supporting infanticide with your deeds, all bets are off.

Matthew 7:21:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

What to do, what to do…

Matthew 16:19:

“And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed, even in heaven.”

Peter being Pope Peter.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:13 am
Bunyip: love media suggesting Julia Gillard has a flatulence problem.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:15 am
CL: as an agnostic, I’m rather put off by the overweening intrusion your church would have on my spiritual life. If I were god-fearing, I think I’d rather the direct-line approach.

As a small government guy, I also find the enormous bureaucracy that the Catholic church appears to be offputting, too.

PS. I am not fundamentally anti-Catholic. In fact, I come from very, very, very old English Catholic stock, would you believe – one of the few families who refused to convert in the face of the threats (well, not just threats) of Henry the XIII. My father was educated by Jesuits in the UK – I was the first male in our family not to be. So my paternal line has a historically strong connection with the Catholics.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 12:20 am
PM yesterday:

THE member for Griffith has served this nation as minister for foreign affairs with distinction, following many of the initiatives in foreign policy that he entered into for this nation when prime minister. Amongst those major achievements include the creation of the G20 . . . and include the work he did to see the creation of the East Asia Summit.

K. Rudd created the G20? BBC News December 16, 1999:

THE need to co-ordinate policies between the world’s large industrial countries and these fast-developing countries has led to the launch of a new international economic group . . . the so-called G20.

And the EAS? DFAT website:

AUSTRALIA participated, as a founding member, in the inaugural East Asia Summit . . . on 14 December, 2005.

PM, October 10, 2010:

I’M just going to be really upfront about this; foreign policy is not my passion.

The one time Gillard tells the truth, it’s an understatement.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 12:20 am
Remember this?

It’s a warning to America if it embraces the green policies of Spain but is of equal importance to us suffering under the Gillard and Brown rule.

Alex Pundit

28 Feb 12 at 12:23 am
Tubbie Milne was on Q&A this evening expounding the virtues of the carbon tax how it will transform our economy, make us wealthier and create lots of jobs.

No one pulled her up on it. No one. What a disgrace these animals are allowed to get away peddling such bullshit.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:34 am
CL: as an agnostic, I’m rather put off by the overweening intrusion your church would have on my spiritual life.

It doesn’t intrude, let alone overweeningly, into anyone’s life. Membership isn’t compulsory.

Chesterton once observed that protestant apologists dislike a pope but they’re perfectly comfortable with a billion popes, all imagining themselves to be infallible.

It just won’t do. Something is either true or it isn’t true. A man cannot believe, via his “direct-line approach,” that terminating the lives of the disabled or the aged is OK – and still call himself to be Christian. Because he isn’t. That’s just one example.

As a small government guy, I also find the enormous bureaucracy that the Catholic church appears to be offputting, too.

I think you’d have to explain whether you’re referring to the Vatican (most of whose bureaucrats work for virtually nothing) or to Church bureacracies globally. Certainly, in CEOs in Australia, to take one example, they are notoriously overstaffed boondoggles of administrative inefficiency. I’d agree.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:38 am
You know, as much as it pains me to say it, this is seriously fucked up. If the state bungles the evidence it ought to live with the consequences.

http://www.news.com.au/national/law-slams-door-on-tony-mokbels-escape/story-e6frfkvr-1226283376332

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:38 am
“Sorry” Pete Beattie hails the advent of the Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Real Julia:

“This can turn out to be, and I think it will, one of the best things that could have happened to Julia Gillard,” Mr Beattie told ABC TV.

“She did engage with the Australian people in a way over the last few days that she hasn’t previously.”

The former Labor premier said Ms Gillard had gained strength and confidence from seeing off Mr Rudd’s challenge.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:43 am
In the Mokbel/affidavits matter, the government is essentially saying that its police officers – alone amongst citizens – have the right to break the law.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:53 am
Fucking amazing isn’t it and the cops get a free pass.

Mokbel’s a first rate prick and killer of that I have no doubt, however there is no due process if the cops fuck up and the government covers it up by retrospective legislation.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:56 am
This will send Dot crazy.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:56 am
Matthew 16:19:

“And I say to you, that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.”

“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound, even in heaven. And whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed, even in heaven.”

So, just in case I missed it, is it now a core Catholic doctrine that anyone not officially affiliated with the Catholic hierarchy goes to hell? because it was my understanding that this was not the case.

I’d like to know the Catholic orthodoxy on this question, so if I am damned by the Papacy, can you give me a reference?

I would have said that the clear cross-reference to Matthew 7:21 would have been

Ephesians 5:5

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person–such a man is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Because the obvious sectarian references would be from Acts, where the subject of religious purity is gone into in some depth, and concludes,

Acts 15:29

You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

In other words, do not commit gross acts of sacrilege or of sexual immorality.

Now, since I have not (now or ever) committed gross acts of sacrilege against the Catholic Church, and I am not guilty of unrepentantly maintaining ordinary immorality, on what grounds am I excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven?

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 12:59 am
The woman who played Thatcher may be a miserable, mean-spirited, narcissistic oaf but the woman who played Palin defends her subject’s smarts, guts and drive.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:03 am
Certainly, in CEOs in Australia, to take one example, they are notoriously overstaffed boondoggles of administrative inefficiency.

Sorry, I’ve worked in organisations run by the everyone-but-Hillsong Protestants and they’re understaffed and underpaid. The exception might be the Uniting Church which turned out, in hindsight, to be a giant, Christian-themed property swindle.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 1:11 am
…is it now a core Catholic doctrine that anyone not officially affiliated with the Catholic hierarchy goes to hell?

No.

?

Does that help?

—————————–

The original point (JC’s) was that Obama, the love media and the leftist establishment don’t really bother attacking or brawling with protestantism anymore. At one and the same time, they: 1) imagine themselves to be exemplars of its ‘spirit’ (‘whatever I think is OK is OK’) and, also, 2) regard it was a neutered irrelevance culturally.

They battle the Catholic Church because it won’t yield and won’t obey the state’s universal power. They hate it – hate it to the point of insanity – for that reason.

Do you think they care less what this person thinks or says?

Remember what I said above too:

I don’t really say that with any joy, Spot.

…I do (in all seriousness) lament the destruction of that powerhouse of order and civility that was the old American and European protestant Christianity, its faults and pathologies notwithstanding.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:17 am
….the Uniting Church which turned out, in hindsight, to be a giant, Christian-themed property swindle.

Really?

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:24 am
GregoryNo6 is going to Hell, that’s for sure & certain.

spot

28 Feb 12 at 1:27 am
The original point (JC’s) was that Obama, the love media and the leftist establishment don’t really bother attacking or brawling with protestantism anymore.

My pet theory is that Protestantism got too accustomed to cultural dominance, respectability, and seeing the church down the road (often one with big crosses and statuary) as The Real Enemy.

The Church of England has some interesting writers but no brawlers, and the rest have just bled out catastrophically in maybe the last 20-30 years.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 1:29 am
JC; local congregations signed over their property on joining. Now the Uniting Church is one of the largest property owners in Australia, and saw no reason to permit congregations who wanted “out” to take their property with them, including when the Uniting Church abandoned most of the core moral teachings of Christianity.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 1:35 am
Control control perhaps ought to be based on a minimum IQ of 50.

What an idiot. What a moron.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUacUmhI7U4&feature=player_embedded#!

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:38 am
Thanks Wreckage. Never knew that.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:41 am
Wreckage

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.”

If you follow this you will be a very lonely person and you can’t be a politician or lawyer. Does this mean all the politicians and lawyers are going to hell?

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 1:45 am
BBC boss admits Christians are attacked by the broadcaster but Muslims get a softer press because they tend to kill people:

BBC director-general Mark Thompson has claimed Christianity is treated with far less sensitivity than other religions because it is ‘pretty broad shouldered’.

He suggested other faiths have a ‘very close identity with ethnic minorities’, and were therefore covered in a far more careful way by broadcasters.

But he also revealed that producers had to consider the possibilities of ‘violent threats’ instead of polite complaints if they pushed ahead with certain types of satire.

Mr Thompson said: ‘Without question, “I complain in the strongest possible terms”, is different from, “I complain in the strongest possible terms and I am loading my AK47 as I write”. This definitely raises the stakes.’

Christianity gets less sensitive treatment than other religions admits BBC chief.

Of course he didn’t say “Muslims” but we know what you mean, Mark, you insufferable coward.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:53 am
USA Today poll:

Santorum clobbering Obama in swing states and nationally (he’s also ahead of Mitt The Inevitable)…

In the poll, Obama lags the two leading Republican rivals in the 12 states likely to determine the outcome of a close race in November:

•Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum tops Obama 50%-45% in the swing states. Nationwide, Santorum’s lead narrows to 49%-46%.

•Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney edges Obama 48%-46% in the swing states. Nationwide, they are tied at 47% each.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:57 am
I am not a Catholic, but am happy that the Catholic Church is a large, independent source of moral and diplomatic power despite its faults. It upsets the right people for starters, makes them very angry. And it destroyed Communism, totally smashed it, ground it into dust, another reason why the “anti-clerical” (i.e. totalitarian and pro-sharia and jihadist) Left are angered by the Church.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 2:01 am
It’s too early to tell, however this shitty isn’t good for odumbo. The GOP’ers are having serious fights amongst themselves and yet they score higher than Odumbo.

I think JamesK may be onto something we don’t understand well. Santorum is attracting the blue collar worker in the swing states like Ohio and Penn which are vital to re-election.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:06 am
I wouldn’t write off American protestantism. Revivals are part and parcel of its history in that country. Have been for 300 years. I’d venture to suggest that mega-church hubris, however, is washed up.

In Europe, however, it’s dead.

Catholicism – itself weaker than it should be – is the last hold-out on the Continent against Islam and what Benedict XVI has called the “dictatorship of relativism.”

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:13 am
1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.”

If you follow this you will be a very lonely person and you can’t be a politician or lawyer. Does this mean all the politicians and lawyers are going to hell?

Smartarse answer: it is to be hoped. Genuine answer: do not allow yourself to become associated with a person who claims to be a Christian but who clearly is not, because if you do so his reputation will reflect poorly on you and on the faith, and conversely, your good reputation might lead others to trust him and so come to harm. The context is dealing with the reputation of the faithful in a moralistic and potentially hostile world.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 2:16 am
Santorum’s pitch about college not being everyone’s thing, that Obama is a snob, was brilliant retail politics.

Gotta hand it to him. He’s not stupid.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:17 am
Catholicism – itself weaker than it should be – is the last hold-out on the Continent against Islam and what Benedict XVI has called the “dictatorship of relativism.”

It SHOULD be the last hold-out against Islam, but Pope Benny’s rhetoric would suggest otherwise. Has he ever called for a halt to Islamic migration to Europe?

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 2:17 am
Wayne S. hates the Catholic Church, for instance (mainly on account of his supporting Communism). That’s one piece of evidence the Church are doing the right thing. But it’s not the whole picture.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 2:19 am
Tim Blair’s Daytona 500 link reminds me of what I love about US religiosity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhKELP-7UD8

You can see how Mitt Romney wouldn’t exactly blend in.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:51 am
you gotta laugh..

“Thank you for Goodyear tires that bring performance to the track and thank you for Sunoco fuel.”

You gotta respect the South, it’s where the American warrior class comes from.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:59 am
This chucklehead again.

“Australian Catholics trying for a family should ignore these words from an old, irrelevant and arrogant man, and use any means available to create a family that so many of us take for granted.”

“To deny Catholics the right to use all forms of fertility treatments is not only insensitive, but unchristian as well.”

*headdesk*

spot

28 Feb 12 at 3:32 am
Christianity gets less sensitive treatment than other religions admits BBC chief.

Enough. Get rid of it, sell it. The latest propoganda exercise from TASS UK:

http://melaniephillips.com/jobs-the-bbc-and-the-socialist-workers-party

Never a better time, either, it seems:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9107485/George-Osborne-UK-has-run-out-of-money.html

Ivan Denisovich

28 Feb 12 at 3:35 am
Kenny Powers

Stay off my beach.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_UoYrQlU-g&feature=player_embedded

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:39 am
If this guy wasn’t a cop he would be charged with attempted murder.

http://www.news.com.au/national/policeman-set-rope-trap-for-trail-bikers/story-e6frfkvr-1226283246940

It’s disgusting that we have a different set of laws for police, who are by and large much worse people than the average person in the community.

Yobbo

28 Feb 12 at 3:43 am
Speaking of disgusting, why were those korans burnt in the first place?

Afghan detainees at Bagram Air Base wrote inside Korans as a method for passing messages to fellow detainees, defacing the holy books in a manner considered blasphemous within Islam

local religious leaders who came to look at the damaged material as part of an investigation into the incident were “shocked by what they saw.”

Pages of the Korans contained many handwritten messages and in some cases printed notes were found inside the books. This official described the messages as “extremist” in nature.

No rioting over that, though. Unbelievable.

I know. Let’s apologise again. That should do the trick.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 3:53 am
I gotta admit. Mitt is hilarious sometimes

http://www.smh.com.au/world/santorum-rejects-total-separation-of-church-and-state-20120227-1ty2j.html

Still, his campaign seemed sensitive to the caricature of Mr Romney as a multimillionaire who is disconnected from ordinary voters. It arranged for him to mingle for two hours with fans and drivers at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. He told them that he recalled speeding up and down the streets near his home in Michigan, which he likened to an illegal racetrack.

But the crowd booed Mr Romney, who occasionally struck a discordant note, as when he approached a group of fans wearing plastic ponchos. “I like those fancy raincoats you bought,” he said. “Really sprung for the big bucks.”

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/santorum-rejects-total-separation-of-church-and-state-20120227-1ty2j.html#ixzz1nc8vqWUf

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 6:59 am
Paul Kelly on Gillard:

“this performance of Thatcherite strength”

Yeah, right.

James in Melbourne

28 Feb 12 at 8:58 am
Yobbo,

What we need to do is bring back private prosecutions. That should fix the reluctance to prosecute. Any aggressive, greedy barrister would jump at the chance to put cops away as attempted murderers.

.

28 Feb 12 at 9:14 am
Paul Kelly on Gillard:

“this performance of Thatcherite strength”

James in Melb, that is jsut standard Paul Kelly hyper-bowl.

Kelly loves all leaders of the Lie-bore Party, this is what the Oz’s sage said about that multi-term PM Mark Latham when covering the Lie-bore Party Conference in 2004:

Mark Latham is turning into the sort of
leader that almost nobody in politics
expected just two months ago – his strength
is media image, communications position
and a type of “new generation” chemistry. If
the Howard Government is starting to get
alarmed (and it should be) most of the Labor
Party is just agog. It can hardly believe its
luck, so far. It took a gamble on Latham and
its senior MPs are rubbing their eyes in
astonishment. The ALP today is a case
study in what a dose of hope can do to a lost
cause. Latham’s speech to the ALP national
conference and its media coverage confirms
the bad news for John Howard.The PM must
have choked at the stunning page one
coverage in his favourite paper, The Daily
Telegraph, let alone what it signifies – that
the media is becoming fascinated with the
Latham phenomenon.

Token

28 Feb 12 at 9:15 am
http://www.news.com.au/national/law-slams-door-on-tony-mokbels-escape/story-e6frfkvr-1226283376332

Fuck me I am livid. You wonder why nutters like Pat O Shane hate cops, there is your answer. They bought to be charged for perverting the course of justice. EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM.

Light relief:

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/television/why-chook-is-crying-foul-over-underbelly-series/story-e6frfmyi-1225870048227

.

28 Feb 12 at 9:28 am
The once mighty Britannia is officially lost:

I again stated that I had not made a racist remark but purely an observation that we were in a maximum security situation being searched thoroughly while a woman with her face covered walked through,’

Mr Jones said that when he had made his original remark, the guard had appeared to agree with him, saying: “I know what you mean, but we have our rules and you aren’t allowed to say that.”

To his surprise he was met on the other side of the barrier by officials who detained him for an hour in an attempt to force him to apologise for making an offensive remark.

Oh god.

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 9:32 am
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/travel/news/fireman-sam-creater-under-fire-for-racist-remark-at-airport/story-fn32891l-1226282466468

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 9:33 am
I would like to point out that, just as the journalistic pack were wrong in their early enthusiasm for how devastating Latham would be against Howard, the near uniform expectation that Labor will lose the next election when it is still so far away (barring death, resignations or other mayhem) is not showing appropriate journalistic caution.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 9:34 am
“Unity”

KEY cabinet ministers are in the firing line for “payback” after voting for Kevin Rudd in yesterday’s leadership spill.

Senior government sources confirmed Robert McClelland is expected to be dumped from cabinet in a reshuffle to be announced by Julia Gillard before the end of the week.

Ms Gillard yesterday would not rule out demotions of key cabinet ministers who supported Kevin Rudd, claiming any changes would be based on merit.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/payback-time-as-pm-julia-gillard-culls-kevin-rudds-mates/story-e6freuy9-1226283387611

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 9:36 am
One telling anecdote that illustrates how Greece ended up in the mess it did.

http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2012/02/an-anecdote-of-athens.html

A friend and I met up at a new bookstore and café in the centre of town, which has only been open for a month. The establishment is in the center of an area filled with bars, and the owner decided the neighborhood could use a place for people to convene and talk without having to drink alcohol and listen to loud music. After we sat down, we asked the waitress for a coffee. She thanked us for our order and immediately turned and walked out the front door. My friend explained that the owner of the bookstore/café couldn’t get a license to provide coffee. She had tried to just buy a coffee machine and give the coffee away for free, thinking that lingering patrons would boost book sales. However, giving away coffee was illegal as well. Instead, the owner had to strike a deal with a bar across the street, whereby they make the coffee and the waitress spends all day shuttling between the bar and the bookstore/café. My friend also explained to me that books could not be purchased at the bookstore, as it was after 18h and it is illegal to sell books in Greece beyond that hour. I was in a bookstore/café that could neither sell books nor make coffee

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 9:39 am
LOL! Leftists try and shut down Murdoch in the UK and instead create a monster:

Rupert Murdoch has confirmed on Twitter that the first Sunday edition of the Sun sold 3.26m copies – the biggest sale of a UK newspaper for four years.

“Amazing! The Sun confirmed sale of 3.260,000 copies yesterday,” he tweeted at his official @rupertmurdoch account. “Thanks all readers and advertisers. Sorry if sold out – more next time”.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/feb/27/rupert-murdoch-twitter-sunday-sun

And much gnashing of teeth and howls of outrage emanated from inner city ghettos everywhere.

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 9:42 am
Personally, I am always dubious about the wisdom of coffee shops in bookstores if they are means by which cheapskates can read an unpaid for book and get coffee stains on them.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 9:42 am
Book sales are illegal after 6 pm?

My God, this from the place that gave us Socrates?

.

28 Feb 12 at 9:46 am
Steyn on Q&A next week. How I wish he was on a panel with:

Waleed Aly
Tanya Plibersek
Tubbsie Milne
Andrew Marr

I would enjoy that.

James in Melbourne

28 Feb 12 at 10:10 am
Personally, I am always dubious about the wisdom of coffee shops in bookstores if they are means by which cheapskates can read an unpaid for book and get coffee stains on them.

What doe your socially conservative soul think of people who frequent libraries?

Token

28 Feb 12 at 10:12 am
My God, this from the place that gave us Socrates?

Not really, that was over 2000 years ago and what have they done since?

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 10:16 am
My God, this from the place that gave us Socrates?

Now it’s the place that requires shareholders to provide chest X-rays and stool samples…

Andreas

28 Feb 12 at 10:20 am
Libraries are fine. I like them. That probably makes me a socialist by most small government right wing thinking.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 10:26 am
Your initial snide left wing quote Sob:

Personally, I am always dubious about the wisdom of coffee shops in bookstores if they are means by which cheapskates can read an unpaid for book and get coffee stains on them.

My question requesting a similar value statement about the people who frequent libraries:

What doe [sic] your socially conservative soul think of people who frequent libraries?

Sob’s avoidance of the question:

Libraries are fine. I like them. That probably makes me a socialist by most small government right wing thinking.

Even when given a simple question you disemble and dodge in as dishonest fashion as the orange vuvuzela you worship.

Token

28 Feb 12 at 10:30 am
Latest Science: Warming Causes Snow“>

Woolfe

28 Feb 12 at 10:32 am
Isn’t Gillard just great Steve?

I never hear people say this in real life.

.

28 Feb 12 at 10:34 am
Steyn on Q&A next week. How I wish he was on a panel with:

OMG, watch the twitter feed whilst he’s speaking. It’s gonna be full of temper tantrums and swearing.

Alex Pundit

28 Feb 12 at 10:35 am
Holy ski slopes, Batman!

Woolfe, your link she no work.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:35 am
Sorry Gab,
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/melting-arctic-causes-snowier-winters/story-fn3dxity-1226283572251

Woolfe

28 Feb 12 at 10:42 am
This is brilliant !

CHINESE mining officials are surprised when they learn that they do not need to bribe Australian officials to secure mining projects in this country, a former Australian senator has privately told international security intelligence service Stratfor.

“They simply cannot get it in their heads that the rule of law applies to mining projects in Australia. They refuse to believe that they have a right to receive a mining lease subject only to complying with relevant environmental permitting conditions. They think you have no credibility unless you tell them that you need to bribe someone.”

Deep analysis in Beijing –

‘Channels report officers of mineral resources departments in Australia are honest.’

‘What – fool, go back and try a different bribe – the capitalist running dog lackeys have clearly fooled you. Tell them we want the Pilbara and will toss in a new Audi’.

I am not sure who Assange is making look like a goose with this one, but I suspect the Chinese are the ones wearing the cream pie this time ?

Myrrdin Seren

28 Feb 12 at 10:44 am
I really hope Stratfor sues Wikileaks. Don’t know if they can legally, but they should be able.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:49 am
Woolfe, that’s good news given we were assured some years ago that children in the future will never know snow. Hazaar!, now kiddies won’t be deprived of building snowpersons.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:51 am
Token, the cheapskates who take a fresh book off the shelf to read while having a coffee in the shop are the sort of people who should be in the library instead.

I am always telling my kids to not read books in bookshops that they are not going to buy. It’s because I like to buy books that don’t show signs of having been overly pawed already, and consider lengthy reading in the shop is detracting from the value of the stock for the shop owner.

Even when I am saying something in support of small business and its property rights, I get attacked.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 10:55 am
A TALIBAN suicide car bomber targeting NATO troops at an airport in eastern Afghanistan killed nine people overnight, the seventh day of violence over the burning of the Koran at a US airbase.

Obama to apologise to Karzai, again, shortly.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:00 am
This is outrageous. A must watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OuIahM4mB-8

.

28 Feb 12 at 11:02 am
I get attacked.

OMG! Who’s attacking you, Stevie? Come, lay down on the couch. I’ll get you a cold compress for your forehead and you can tell me all about it.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:03 am
CL

I do (in all seriousness) lament the destruction of that powerhouse of order and civility that was the old American and European protestant Christianity, its faults and pathologies notwithstanding.

How fair is it to say that Anglicanism has been torn apart from one side by the crazies in Africa, and from the other side by atheist Episcopalians in New England?

Peter Patton

28 Feb 12 at 11:07 am
Thank you Gab for your support. But if you really cared for me, you would vote for Julia.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 11:08 am
wreckage

Protestants have zero political clout because of the lack of a central authority and the willingness of the media to skip anyone widely regarded across the denominations in favour of idiots like Spong

Is that true even of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

Peter Patton

28 Feb 12 at 11:11 am
AUSTRALIA will continue to pursue a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council despite the demise of Kevin Rudd, its key backer.

What? Does news.com.au know something we don’t??

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:13 am
Seriously. Watch that John Stossel thing.

http://blog.libertarian.org.au/2012/02/28/must-watch-john-stossels-illegal-everything/

.

28 Feb 12 at 11:14 am
Climate change – the gift that keeps on giving? Explains panics on everything – floods, droughts, snows, ice-ups, hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis (I kid you not), winds, oceanic oscillations, and the gulf stream. Secondary research spin-offs in vegetation and trees, reefs, islands, insects, animals, human populations in health and welfare, and not to forget seriously-funded important work on its impact on menopausal hot flashes (see Bunyip recently).

Offers a box to be ticked in every grant application.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

28 Feb 12 at 11:16 am
OCO

CL: as an agnostic, I’m rather put off by the overweening intrusion your church would have on my spiritual life. If I were god-fearing, I think I’d rather the direct-line approach.

As a small government guy, I also find the enormous bureaucracy that the Catholic church appears to be offputting, too.

Ironically, the main reason the early Roman Xians were able to prevail was that the church has modelled its geographic and adminisitrative organisation on the Roman state.

Peter Patton

28 Feb 12 at 11:17 am
I did, Dot, but couldn’t last the distance. Too depressing.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:18 am
Dot, I’ve been whistleblowing America’s descent into fascism and ‘law enforcement’ fetishisation for some time.

I’ll watch the vid, sans shock or surprise.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 11:20 am
Steve

I am always telling my kids to not read books in bookshops that they are not going to buy. It’s because I like to buy books that don’t show signs of having been overly pawed already, and consider lengthy reading in the shop is detracting from the value of the stock for the shop owner.

If a bookshop is set up so cozily and invitingly that it seems to invite in store reading, then it is up to the owner to disabuse the latte-sippe readers otherwise.

Peter Patton

28 Feb 12 at 11:30 am
Does Kinokuniya in Sydney have a coffee shop inside? Not that I recall, and it is the best bookshop in Australia now. I think.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 11:34 am
Thanks Dot.

I watched it. The EPA should be closed down with maximum prejudice. What they did to that family over their home is unconscionable. Fucking evil bastards.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 11:40 am
You should be allowed to go after public servants and sue them personally if they have fucked up.

Directors and senior executives are personally liable.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 11:41 am
Steve, I don’t know, but I could sometimes spend a whole day in a Barnes & Noble in New York.

Peter Patton

28 Feb 12 at 11:43 am
Even when I am saying something in support of small business and its property rights, I get attacked.

It’s called recoil.

look dummy, if the store owners didn;t want you to act that way they wouldn’t be encouraging it. They most likely figured it a good way to sell a book you dummy.

go away and stop moralizing.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 11:51 am
Police officers who baselessly invade people’s homes (as per the video) should be licitly shoot-able too.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 11:54 am
Does Japan finally crack in 2012?

http://rt.com/business/news/tsunami-debt-credit-japan-031/

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:00 pm
The Gillard Triumphant! Triumph! is already turning sour. Lots of talk of revenge today and pleas for the more popular Rudd to be given a job.

Looks like the Grate Negoshater is bungling another situation.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:06 pm
Haha JC. The story to the right of that one confirms what I suspected, that the US is bailing out the Euro. You said I was too into cloak and dagger stuff.

.

28 Feb 12 at 12:07 pm
Hahhahahaha Putin’s a first rate dick, but you gotta love this ad. The Ruskies aren’t infected with any Western PC bullshit.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/a-documentary-with-unprecedented-access-to-russian-leader-vladimir-putin-has-been-aired/story-fnb64oi6-1226283631486

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:10 pm
Dot:

They’re talking about Fed swap lines to the the Euroweenies.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:11 pm
Guardian ‘science’ writer: ‘climate change’ causes earthquakes and volcano eruptions.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:18 pm
No, the volcano eruptions are caused by cow farts.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:21 pm
You know what. The basic fact is people just don’t like that much.

RASMUSSEN POLL: Obama Approval at 45%, Lowest in Month — Falls Behind Romney, Paul…

Romney 45% Obama 43%…
Paul 43% Obama 41%
Obama 45% Santorum 43%
Obama 49% Gingrich 39%…

JC

28 Feb 12 at 12:26 pm
Via Bunyip…

My God, what an incestuous rabble:

1. Mark Arbib has been living in Canberra with Alexandra Williamson, the daughter of the HSU President Michael Williamson, who is being investigated by the police. Ms Williamson is a staffer in the office of the Prime Minister Julia Gillard. I have to wonder why she has not resigned or why Gillard has not gotten rid of her, maybe Mr Arbib has had something to do with that?

Bunyip asks some other inconvenient questions.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 12:26 pm
Peter Patton:

Is that true even of the Archbishop of Canterbury?

he’s a squish, but yes.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 12:33 pm
I am sitting here eating a laksa at my desk because of emergency evacuation of the Myer Sydney Food court – it was pandemonium all over – no idea what the problem was

RodClarke

28 Feb 12 at 1:03 pm
They’re talking about Fed swap lines to the the Euroweenies.

Ah yeah you picked that. Who is the cloak and dagger man now, JC!?

.

28 Feb 12 at 1:06 pm
Steyn on Q&A next week.

expect the host to pause for extended bouts of clapping when someone criticises Steyn. Then cut Steyn off from responding with the “I’ll take that as a comment” rule.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 1:06 pm
Dot

Ah yeah you picked that. Who is the cloak and dagger man now, JC!?

there was nothing secretive about the Fed’s actions. the Fed crated a swap line with the Euros and late last year they cut the interest rate.

It was a US dollar liquidity initiative and perfectly in line with macro policy. Even Bagehot would agree.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:09 pm
Andrew C. McCarthy looks at the disgrace of the “Islamophilic” Barack Obama’s apology to the hideous animals protesting about the torching of their putrid ‘holy’ book in Afghanistan.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:12 pm
Dad;

Jones rule for Q&A is now 3 lefties and 2 conservatives. 4 lefties as one obviously include him.

That fucking program is an open scandal.

And he all those tactics down to a fine art, as you suggest. He’s such a partisan taxeating parasite.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:14 pm
oops … and he has…

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:15 pm
Public hospitals:

A vulnerable patient was bitten by a rat more than a dozen times as he lay sedated in an NHS residential hospital.

Nurses only realised what had happened when Jason Ketley stumbled down the corridor with the rodent hanging from his neck by its teeth.

They dislodged the creature and killed it, but Mr Ketley was left with about 12 deep puncture wounds where he had been badly bitten on his shoulder and neck.

Patient’s horror after nurses find rodent with teeth sunk into his neck.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:20 pm
Why does Victoria Beckham never smile?

Honestly, she’d scare a dog out of a butcher’s shop.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 1:31 pm
Could someone explain why this is so off the mark?

However, Santorum included a dubious claim that high gas prices, rather than suspect lending practices or complex Wall Street trades, torpedoed the housing market in 2008 to trigger a recession.

“We need to look at the situation with gas prices today,” Santorum said. “We went into a recession in 2008 because of gasoline prices. The bubble burst in housing because people couldn’t pay their mortgages because they were looking at $4 a gallon gasoline.”

When questioned later by reporters, Santorum backtracked slightly, insisting that energy prices were a factor in the recession while apologizing and saying he would “make sure that I will be much more specific when I talk about it.”

Santorum should not have backtracked at all and he ought to have been rude to CNN for their dishonest partisanship. His claim that gas prices were the spark for the recession is interesting speculation, one that pro-Democrat pundits such as James Kunstler have also put forward. The effect on interstate trade and long commutes from $148/b oil must have been devastating.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 1:35 pm
Public hospitals:

Fast forward to the Year 2040 when they are filled to the gunwhales with Single childess women of this generation(as they live longer) with no family or next of kin.

Imagine how they will be “treated” by the dominant young and vibrant culture of 2040 that will replace the children they should have had.

RodClarke

28 Feb 12 at 1:38 pm
However, Santorum included a dubious claim that high gas prices, rather than suspect lending practices or complex Wall Street trades, torpedoed the housing market in 2008 to trigger a recession.

God they are biased filth. What is this rubbish doing in a news story?

We need to have a Council of Guardians to oversea the media and shut down newspapers that run Leftist lies.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 1:39 pm
oversee

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 1:39 pm
No he is right. Whomever taught him economics is good.

High “gas” prices, the strain of the war and other macro factors (such as widespread falling productivity growth, perhaps a nod to Austrian “misallocation”) knocked over a vulnerable and deeply rooted house of cards that was the US mortgage sector – which had tentacles everywhere, like commercial paper.

There was a ‘recession’ however in March 2007. The later one was in part caused due to the credit crunch.

The value of properties also fell because of higher gas prices. It’s like what you say Fisky about interstate or interregional commerce. Read your von Thunen!

.

28 Feb 12 at 1:40 pm
Does Kinokuniya in Sydney have a coffee shop inside?

Yes

Not that I recall, and it is the best bookshop in Australia now. I think.

Yes

RodClarke

28 Feb 12 at 1:43 pm
Yes, that’s logical, isn’t it? If properties increase in value partly due to their proximity to services and amenities and their rentability to people wanting to access them, then the effect of higher oil prices would be to lengthen the distance between the property and the services around it. And gas prices were rising all through 2007 and then peaked in mid-2008. There is a case to be made that gas prices brought the house of cards down. Santorum mustn’t let the Leftist Zombie media (who know nothing about economics) pretend that they are reasonable.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 1:49 pm
Fisky

Dude, you’re on a tear today.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 1:52 pm
Imagine how they will be “treated” by the dominant young and vibrant culture of 2040 that will replace the children they should have had.

What do you mean? With their loads of disposable income for cute inner city apartments, cocaine, clubs and eating out they’re vastly superior than “breeders” .

The future? LOL

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 1:56 pm
Didn’t Democrats at the time insist that higher petrol prices were driving the US to recession?

And when anybody mentioned Freddy and Fannie, this was the response from Barney Fwank and friends.

This is just another patently transparent attempt by the love media to create a ‘dumb’ Republican.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:01 pm
This is just another patently transparent attempt by the love media to create a ‘dumb’ Republican.

Yea, but Santorum fights back. He isn’t as eloquent as Gingrich, but he has enough smarts to give it back.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:09 pm
Waiter drops tray of beers on Angela Merkel:

http://viralfootage.com/?p=22059

Possibly unemployed now.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:15 pm
Why does Victoria Beckham never smile?

lol… never noticed before – you’re right. She tries to do a serious pose I think – but she’d look far more attractive if she smiled.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 2:17 pm
She smiles in this video though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P842Tmi6lrc

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 2:17 pm
Why does Victoria Beckham never smile?

lol… never noticed before – you’re right. She tries to do a serious pose I think – but she’d look far more attractive if she smiled.

I belive the answer is she has very English teeth.

Token

28 Feb 12 at 2:18 pm
However, Santorum included a dubious claim that high gas prices, rather than suspect lending practices or complex Wall Street trades, torpedoed the housing market in 2008 to trigger a recession.

This is not only a dubious claim, it’s out of this planet stupid.

It’s a miracle it took until 2008 for house prices to collapse.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 2:18 pm
Hey: Judith Curry is a co-author of the new paper arguing that loss of Arctic sea ice is indeed causing the snowy winters of the last few years in parts of the NH.

Skeptics won’t be able to complain that it’s coming from someone on the “Team”, then.

I would also remind people here with no memories that one or two papers did predict this might happen before the recent snowy winters. (Maybe in about 2007 or 2008, if I recall correctly.)

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 2:22 pm
Personally, I am always dubious about the wisdom of coffee shops in bookstores if they are means by which cheapskates can read an unpaid for book and get coffee stains on them.

Holy shit, we agree on something.

Kinoyuniya is excellent, but there is also a bookshop on the other side of the QVB that has been there longer and is as good. Fantastic language section and it’s connected to Galaxy, which is great for SF etc.

Of course none of them is a patch on Foyle’s in London.

Abu Chowdah

28 Feb 12 at 2:23 pm
Don’t know if it’s been brought up yet, but both Romney and Paul are up over The One in a new Rassie poll.

The Rassie Poll

Alex Pundit

28 Feb 12 at 2:24 pm
And the Democrats want to create another low-income housing bubble with “predatory lending standards”.*

*In case anyone is wondering, “predatory lending standards” is the term you use after the bust against the same people you were forcing to expand credit to the unemployed.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 2:27 pm
Shut up, Steve. Nobody cares.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 2:27 pm
Rick Santorum’s economic policy in the WSJ.

looks fine to me. There could a few debates around the edges but it’s solidly GOP.

By contrast, in my first 100 days as president, I’ll submit to Congress and work to pass a comprehensive pro-growth and pro-family Economic Freedom Agenda. Here are 10 of its main initiatives:

• Unleash America’s energy. I’ll approve the Keystone Pipeline for jobs and energy security, and sign an order on day one unleashing America’s domestic energy production, allowing states to choose where they want to explore for oil and natural gas and to set their own regulations for hydrofracking.

• Stop job-killing regulation. All Obama administration regulations that have an economic burden over $100 million will be repealed, including the Environmental Protection Agency rule on CO2 emissions that’s already shut down six power plants. I’ll review all regulations, making sure they use sound science and cost benefit analysis.

Enlarge Image
santorum
santorum
Getty Images/Illustration Works

• A pro-growth, pro-family tax policy. I’ll submit to Congress comprehensive tax policies to strengthen opportunity in our country, with only two income tax rates of 10% and 28%. To help families, I’ll triple the personal deduction for children and eliminate the marriage tax penalty.

• Restore America’s competitiveness. The corporate tax rate should be halved, to a flat rate of 17.5%. Corporations should be allowed to expense all business equipment and investment. Taxes on corporate earnings repatriated from overseas should be eliminated to bring home manufacturing. I’ll take the lead on tort reform to lower costs to consumers.

• Rein in spending. I’ll propose spending cuts of $5 trillion over five years, including cuts for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. I’ll propose budgets that spend less money each year than prior years, and I’ll reduce the nondefense-related federal work force by at least 10%, without replacing them with private contractors.

• Repeal and replace ObamaCare. I’ll submit legislation to repeal ObamaCare, and on day one issue an executive order ending related regulatory obligations on the states. I’ll work with Congress to replace ObamaCare with competitive insurance choices to improve quality and limit the costs of health care, while protecting those with uninsurable health conditions. In contrast, Gov. Romney signed into law RomneyCare, which provided the model for ObamaCare. Its best-known feature is its overreaching individual health-care mandate. But it shares over a dozen other similarities with ObamaCare and has given Massachusetts the highest health-care premiums in the nation, and longer waits for health care.

• Balance the budget. I’ll submit to Congress a budget that will balance within four years and call on Congress to pass a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution which limits federal spending to 18% of GDP.

• Negotiate and submit free trade agreements. Because many Americans work for companies which export, I’ll initiate negotiations in the first 100 days and submit to Congress five free trade agreements during my first year in office to increase exports.

• Reform entitlements. I’ll cut means-tested entitlement programs by 10% across the board, freeze them for four years, and block grant them to states—as I did as the author of welfare reform in 1996. I’ll reform Medicare and Social Security so they are fiscally sustainable for seniors and young people.

• Revive housing. I’ll submit plans to Congress to phase out within several years Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s federal housing role, reform and make transparent the Federal Reserve, and allow families whose mortgages are “underwater” to deduct losses from the sale of their home in order to get a fresh start in difficult economic times.

I’ll work with Congress and the American people to once again create an economic environment where hard work is rewarded, equal opportunity exists for all, and families providing for their children can once again be optimistic about their future.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:28 pm
Re Germans and beer carrying: I do not understand how the women carry 6 or 8 1 ltr beer steins in their hands at Oktoberfest without dropping them. Is there a secret to this revealed only to maidens in Bavaria?

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 2:31 pm
CL – German Chancellor gets a beer shower.

We should teach this trick to waiters in Canberra. Moments like this make a dull day better. Ta.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) B.

28 Feb 12 at 2:31 pm
All sensible stuff from Santorum.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 2:32 pm
Nobody cares.

and thereby prefer to be ignorant on an important issue of international consequence.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 2:32 pm
The intellectual lioness of the senate was on Q&A last night. This is what the communist , Tubby Milne had to say about economics.

CHRISTINE MILNE: No, I don’t. I think Australians actually want people in a parliament to work together to deliver policy outcomes and if you look at this period of Government, there is a real concern across the country about climate change. There was discussed about the fact that neither of the major parties were prepared to take any really serious action on it and we have delivered, in this period of Government, a significant change. It is a major economic reform. It’s something that has been achieved by people of different persuasions sitting around the table and working it through and it will be the basis of the whole transformation in the Australian economy and that is something that is essential if we’re to stay competitive, if we’re to lift productivity and rebuild manufacturing. There are so many good things coming and we have to work to deliver those. If you had had a majority Government of either persuasion, you would not be having a clean energy finance corporation with $10 billion going into renewables. We would be way out (indistinct)…

So raising energy prices will help manufacturing according to this lunatic.

Mind you no one picked the moron up on it.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:35 pm
Re Germans and beer carrying: I do not understand how the women carry 6 or 8 1 ltr beer steins in their hands at Oktoberfest without dropping them. Is there a secret to this revealed only to maidens in Bavaria?

Yes, the secret is ‘handles,’ science boy.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:37 pm
I always imagine them being heavy in my weak and puny hands…

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 2:43 pm
“Watch that John Stossel thing.”

Yes watched it and happy Australia is not that bad. Yes we might be getting there in some areas (federal carbon cops comes to mind) but with drugs and prostitution we are much better.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 2:46 pm
“Mind you no one picked the moron up on it.”

Looking at Barnaby’s face whenever such stupid things are said is good enough. Christine Milne also said the opposition has a $70 billion black hole and nobody would let Barnaby speak just laughing at him when he tried to talk because he can’t tell in 5 seconds the entire opposition economic policy or give an exact number.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 2:51 pm
Yes watched it and happy Australia is not that bad.

Are you out of your mind.
For instance:

Did you read what happened in Victoria? The cops fucked up on processing key procedural court docs and the government is enacting retrospective legislation.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:52 pm
Police militarisation idiocy watch:

Police ‘surge’ promised under LNP government.

Queensland would gain an extra 1100 police officers on the frontline while a second police helicopter would be rolled out in the southeast corner under a Liberal National Party $275 million policy…

Under the plan, the state would gain an extra 1100 frontline police officers over four years, including an initial “surge” of 300 next financial year.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:52 pm
Yea I noticed that and that disgusting taxeating parasite, Tony Jones basically stopping him from telling the story.

Barneby didn’t help himself though by incoherently babbling through and answer.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 2:54 pm
JC was mostly referring to our drug and prostitution policies which are far better than the US. We still don’t have indefinate detention without trial in a military prison as the NDAA permits that should mean something. Unfortunately the Australian government it appears would let the US do it to our citizens without protest though as they did with David Hicks.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 2:57 pm
How is this not a criminal act of electoral fraud?

Bligh gives angry commuters a free day.

QUEENSLAND Premier Anna Bligh has tried to make amends for a morning of transport chaos, giving thousands of furious commuters a fare-free day tomorrow.

The campaigning premier made the $1 million gesture today after an electrical fault stopped trains passing through Brisbane’s major city stations.

The ALP must pay this $1 million.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 2:59 pm
Steve,
The ice isn’t melting.
http://ocean.dmi.dk/arctic/plots/icecover/icecover_current.png

Woolfe

28 Feb 12 at 3:01 pm
JC was mostly referring to our drug and prostitution policies which are far better than the US.

How would you know, Kelly? Are you a John? Hookers get picked up here too although the laws are a little laxer for legal brothels. However even those are tightly controlled and hookers outside the legal umbrella still get picked up.

Houses here are raided for drugs too in SWAT style and although prison time may not be a long, it’s long enough and carries the same sort of relationship in prison time comparison to other crimes vis vis the US and here.

We still don’t have indefinate detention without trial in a military prison as the NDAA permits that should mean something. Unfortunately the Australian government it appears would let the US do it to our citizens without protest though as they did with David Hicks.

Hicks was a combatant, you idiot. Stop mixing all this shit up in one pot.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:02 pm
There is a case to be made that gas prices brought the house of cards down.

No there isn’t. Read The Big Short by Michael Lewis. The whole stinking pile of shit was destined to fail.

People who aren’t making any repayments don’t give a damn what the price of gas is.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 3:04 pm
IT:

The sub prime/ liar loan markets were a smallish subset of the entire real estate market and centred in particular regional areas of the US.

The sub prime collapse happened well before there was a general real estate collapse.

There is a case to be made that the broad real estate shock may have been caused by the commodity price shock and a Federal Reserve that simply went too tight causing the whole thing to fall in a heap.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:08 pm
“Token, the cheapskates who take a fresh book off the shelf to read while having a coffee in the shop are the sort of people who should be in the library instead.”

Maybe they would be if libraries served decent coffee. It is a disgrace that they ban food and drink from libraries. I can understand not allowing it in the bookstacks, but in the reading and study areas? If people can be relied on to be relatively civilized in bookshops that sell coffee, I don’t see why the same wouldn’t apply in libraries.

Mother Hubbard's Dog

28 Feb 12 at 3:09 pm
I watched the Stossel bit on the weekend while the wife was out and I was allowed to put foxnews on (no fox when she’s home – them’s the rules).

I was very pleased with his discussion of raw milk and liberty.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 3:12 pm
There is a case to be made that the broad real estate shock may have been caused by the commodity price shock and a Federal Reserve that simply went too tight causing the whole thing to fall in a heap.

There’s no doubt that ALan Greenspan is one of history’s biggest morons, but to call a couple of trillion dollars of subprime loans a small subset takes the sort of chutzpah that can only come from being a crony of the Wall St wanker set.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 3:13 pm
The whole point of bookstores is to let you read the first chapter and decide if you want to order it from Amazon.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 3:14 pm
I was very pleased with his discussion of raw milk and liberty.

If you value freedom and health you should demand raw milk.

Pasteurised milk is poison.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 3:16 pm
The whole point of bookstores is to let you read the first chapter and decide if you want to order it from Amazon.

You can already do that on Amazon. The whole point of book stores is to go broke and to create lettable space for tattoo parlours and $2 shops.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 3:19 pm
IT

Alan Greenspan was gone well before the crash. he was gone in 2006.

but to call a couple of trillion dollars of subprime loans a small subset takes the sort of chutzpah that can only come from being a crony of the Wall St wanker set.

Lol.. sub prime wasn’t $1 trillion .

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:20 pm
“Hicks was a combatant”

Yes and if you agree that someone has a right to trial then he was treated disgustingly. The English eventually asked for there citizens back but we did not.

“Hookers get picked up here too although the laws are a little laxer for legal brothels”

With QLD laws there are legal brothels and a girl can work on her own. Yes they are not allowed to walk the street and nor should they be able to if you had a restaurant or a house you might not like working girls out side your door.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 3:21 pm
Why does Victoria Beckham never smile?

The top of her head would fall off.

badm0f0

28 Feb 12 at 3:24 pm
The UKification of Australia:

Since the election of Rudd in November 2007, public administration, education, and health sector jobs have accounted for nearly six out of 10 of the 760,000 jobs created, instead of the longer-term two out of 10. This is why unemployment is not running at 7 per cent.

At a conservative ~$60,000 a year for 400,000 thats:

$24,000,000,000 a year or
$461,538,462 a week.

That’s why Labor “need” a massive new tax and the health rebate cut – to pay for all these new Labor government clients and voters.

And what happens when the taxpayers vote in a responsible government who wishes to turn off the tap?

http://afr.com/p/opinion/labor_votes_leaking_away_GDPOP0lPqL9318TQWsoHhN

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 3:25 pm
Yes and if you agree that someone has a right to trial then he was treated disgustingly. The English eventually asked for there citizens back but we did not.

I dunno and don’t care what the Brits did. Hicks was found on the enemy side and picked up by the Americans. He was treated in the way the US Supreme Court eventually decided that enemy combatants could be treated and didn’t deserve a civil trial. Fuck him, he got off lightly.

With QLD laws there are legal brothels and a girl can work on her own. Yes they are not allowed to walk the street and nor should they be able to if you had a restaurant or a house you might not like working girls out side your door.

Kelly, a street hooker is not going hang around a quiet suburban cul de sac as there won’t be any money in it.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:25 pm
Can’t get through the Stossel vid – it’s making me too angry

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 3:25 pm
Total value of subprime mortgages was estimated at US 1.3trillion.

You and your Wall St buddies personally lost a couple of hundred billion… but that’s okay the taxpayer paid of your “debts”.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 3:26 pm
Raw milk – the elixir of Liberty.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 3:29 pm
“to call a couple of trillion dollars of subprime loans a small subset”

I remember the good old days back in the 80s and probably early 90s when the federal government used to still talk in millions not billions and now the US talks in trillions not billions.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 3:29 pm
You and your Wall St buddies personally lost a couple of hundred billion… but that’s okay the taxpayer paid of your “debts”.

No , the taxpayers made around $25 billion from the banks side of the TARP.

First off the loss wasn’t 1.3 trillion as the mortgages still anchored some value even if it fell by 50%.

What I said was that that sub prime was in fact a small subset of the entire credit markets which is the US is around $40 trillion.

Stop getting into a Birdian frenzy.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:31 pm
I remember the good old days back in the 80s and probably early 90s when the federal government used to still talk in millions not billions and now the US talks in trillions not billions.

Same game, but bigger numbers kel. Just add a couple of zeros.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:33 pm
Stix

They haven’t hired 400,000 extra people in government.

They ought to fire 80% of those bludgers, but those numbers haven’t gone up by 400,000 since the Liar’s Party has been in government.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 3:35 pm
What do you mean? With their loads of disposable income for cute inner city apartments, cocaine, clubs and eating out they’re vastly superior than “breeders” .

The future? LOL

Your right, the’ll be comparitively cash flow and asset rich amoungst a teeming underclass.

Just imagine how vulerable they will be. No kids, no husband, and often no siblings or extended family,
Its a recipe for disaster.

RodClarke

28 Feb 12 at 3:35 pm
If you value freedom and health you should demand raw milk.

If you like cheese that actually has flavour, and doesn’t taste like shit then yes, absolutely you should demand raw milk.

It might seem trivial, but the raw milk ban is the ultimate nanny state bullshit, by a government that has absolutely no idea about what they’re banning. Some half-baked scaremonegring about listeria disguising a protection racket by makers of universally shit Australian cheese like Millawa who would lietrally be creamed if vastly superior and cheaper French, Spanish or Italian cheeses were imported.

End result is you only get shit cheese in Australia, much like the shit cars of the automotive protectionist days.

It’s simply not a problem in France – pregnant women regularly scoff fromage au lait cru.

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 3:38 pm
i wonder why prostitutes are called working girls, like don’t the rest of us females work or something?

like ‘working families’ what about single people and couples who work, don’t they count or something.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 3:42 pm
“a street hooker is not going hang around a quiet suburban cul de sac as there won’t be any money in it.”

So people who choose to live in the inner city deserve prostitutes outside there door do they?

“He was treated in the way the US Supreme Court eventually decided that enemy combatants could be treated”

They also decided certain forms of torture are not ok too, now you are showing your real colours JC. Prior to the ruling he was not treated the way the US Supreme Court allows. There is no doubt that the following happened to Hicks “outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment” It is still the same subject about how a government treats people.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 3:43 pm
“Can’t get through the Stossel vid – it’s making me too angry.”

I stopped at the point of the Geheime Staatspolizei raid on the grocery store.

Just unbelievable.

Winston SMITH

28 Feb 12 at 3:45 pm
“like don’t the rest of us females work or something?”

Same reason Americans never go to the toilet.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 3:47 pm
i wonder why prostitutes are called working girls

dunno – does it hearken back to less enlightened times when paid work was men’s domain and women were expected to stay at home, and the only women who earned their own income did it on their back?

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 3:48 pm
Second last day of summer, and Sydney finally gets its hottest day of the season at 33.4 degrees.

LOL… must be some of that cooling caused by global warming.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 3:50 pm
Um yuk
If you guys want to eat the stuff that comes out a cow unpasteurised but treated with bacteria, that’s no skin off my back. Just keep that crap away from my nose.

I don’t understand the appeal of cheese, much less cheese made of raw milk.

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 3:52 pm
Shutup Kelly, you’re being deliberately obtuse.
Under the Geneva Conventions, Hicks could have been shot on capture as a francs tireur.

“According to Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949, irregular forces are entitled to prisoner of war status provided that they are commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates, have a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance, carry arms openly and conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. If they do not do meet all of these, they may be considered francs-tireurs (in the original sense of “illegal combatant”) and punished as criminals in a military jurisdiction, which may include summary execution.”

Winston SMITH

28 Feb 12 at 3:53 pm
and does anybody really eat blue vein cheese or is some sort of snobby brainwashing thing going on

candy

28 Feb 12 at 3:53 pm
Fleeced

Didn’t you know it is climate change now? I saw this on the TV and they said in the TV version could have cooler winters in a warming world.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 3:55 pm
Oh, how could anybody not like cheese? (Not a fan of the blue stuff though).

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 3:56 pm
Except the ice hasn’t been melting – despite claims every year that ice might disappear from the north pole.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 3:58 pm
Yes candy, the child bride eats it like it’s going out of fashion.
Utterly revolting crap.

Winston SMITH

28 Feb 12 at 3:59 pm
They haven’t hired 400,000 extra people in government.

?

public administration, education, and health sector jobs

They are all paid either directly or indirectly through taxes.

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 4:01 pm
My mum loves Gorgonzola *shudder*

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:02 pm
i like that cheese you don’t even need to put in the fridge until it’s opened, Kraft cheddar, it’s just so totally totally processed and just delicious.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 4:03 pm
“the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld on June 29, 2006, that they were entitled to the minimal protections listed under Common Article 3″

Winston no I am not go to this link and read and click on the Article 3 link.

Also now that the battle ground is planet earth you could be picked up in Aus taken to the US and locked up without trial as it is the war on terror. The arguement that they would not do this is irrelevant the law exists.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 4:03 pm
this is stomach churning

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casu_marzu

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 4:05 pm
jfsoon – go try a Brie de Meaux, preferably one made with spring cow’s milk. You’ll have to go to Normandy to do so, as it’s illegal here.

Then you’ll understand what cheese is all about. You can sesiously taste the grass that the cows eat, even the mushrooms on the forest floor.

As for blue vein cheese – two words. Roquefort and Gorgonzola. Seriously, seriously good.

The laws were finally relaxed a few years ago to allow some brands of Roquefort in. But the Australian govt, who have no f–in idea, make a determination of which batches are and aren’t allowed.

Maybe a compromise is warranted here – the govt can put e.coli warning labels for delicate petals like Jason Soon, and the rest of us can cheerily ignor them and just eat the stuff

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:08 pm
‘this is stomach churning’

ick, i’d rather eat deep fried tarantulas.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 4:09 pm
…casu marzu goes beyond typical fermentation to a stage most would consider decomposition, brought about by the digestive action of the larvae of the cheese fly Piophila casei. These larvae are deliberately introduced to the cheese, promoting an advanced level of fermentation and breaking down of the cheese’s fats. The texture of the cheese becomes very soft, with some liquid (called lagrima, from Latin for “tears”) seeping out. The larvae themselves appear as translucent white worms, about 8 millimetres (0.3 in) long.[1] When disturbed, the larvae can launch themselves for distances up to 15 centimetres (6 in). Some people clear the larvae from the cheese before consuming while others do not.

Oh, yuk…

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:10 pm
“ick, i’d rather eat deep fried tarantulas.”

So Candy you have been to Cambodia?

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 4:12 pm
I tried spiders once but they were a bit tasty something like a grass hopper but certain larvae are ok deep fried.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 4:14 pm
I’ve eaten beef sashimi i.e. raw beef. I quite enjoy my bloody steaks. I’ve partaken of those Thai noodle soups which have cubes made of dried pig’s blood.

But I’m damned if I’m going to eat the shit that comes out a cow’s udders treated with bacteria

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 4:15 pm
i like that cheese you don’t even need to put in the fridge until it’s opened, Kraft cheddar, it’s just so totally totally processed and just delicious.

I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. I’m generally against all government regulation, but I’d support a Trade Pracitces rukling here banning them from using the word ‘cheese’. ‘Processed crap’ would be more accurate.

Soon, I like all kinds of cheese but my fave is washed rind, the stuff that pongs like two-week old dirty socks. The pongier the better. A good Munster, Taleggio or Livarot.

But you got me, I wouldn’t touch casu marzu with a bargepole. I wouldn’t ban it though

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:15 pm
So Candy you have been to Cambodia?

nope, just adverse to maggotts

candy

28 Feb 12 at 4:15 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nam_tok_%28food%29

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 4:18 pm
Must be an Asian thing. While I adore the cuisine of SE Asia in general, some of the foods eaten in China, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos gross me out far more than stinky cheese.

I even did roast guinea pig in Sth America and it was Ok, a little fatty, once you’d gotten over being served what was essentially a large rat on a plate.

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:20 pm
casu marzu

What fascinates me is how dishes like that began.

I guess in this case it’s pretty obvious. Somebody was preparing a cheesey meal and left it too long, came back and found it infested with bugs, then applied some kind of five ~~second~~ hour rule to its brush with dirtiness and eventual larvae infestation and ate it anyway.

A starving peasant, he pronounced (in Italian), “Hey, this izza pretty good!”

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 4:20 pm
Jason did you eat much dairy as a kid? Is dairy eschewed in Asia? All of the Korean and Vietnamese shops near where I used to live had no dairy (I didn’t ask so I might be wrong).

I’d steer clear of maggot cheese though.

.

28 Feb 12 at 4:22 pm
#

Jason did you eat much dairy as a kid?

Actually I did and still do. But just plain old pasteurised milk with cereal (yes yes I know IT will say avoid all grains but having it a few days a week hasn’t hurt me).

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 4:24 pm
I’ve eaten beef sashimi i.e. raw beef. I quite enjoy my bloody steaks. I’ve partaken of those Thai noodle soups which have cubes made of dried pig’s blood.

Had some shredded raw beef dish at Korean restaurant once… it seemed a weird dish, but thought we’d give it a go. Then they bring it do the table, crack a raw egg into and stir it up. It didn’t taste too bad, but not my cup of tea

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:25 pm
“Is dairy eschewed in Asia?”

In Thailand they have a school milk programme.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 4:25 pm
CL – How do you think cheese was discovered in the first place?

I’m guessing that a few thousand years ago, someone in the Middle East was carrying milk in a bag made out of an animal’s stomach. They rode their donkey all day in scorching heat and funnily enough the milk had changed texture at the other end, and they decided to try it anyway.

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:26 pm
Steak tartare is good

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 4:26 pm
One time whilst intoxicated I did eat raw pork in some dingy karaoke in Thailand. They put lime juice on it but I think is a dangerous idea.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 4:27 pm
Some statistics from the Commonwealth APS employee database – legal depts only:

Overall Public service Gender:
Men | Women
65309 | 88006

Legal:

Attorney Generals Dept:
Men: 527
Women: 917

Commonwealth DPP:
Men: 152
Women: 310

Family Court of Australia:
Men: 172
Women: 372

Federal Court of Australia:
Men: 75
Women: 156

Federal Magistrates Court:
Men: 12!
Women: 110

Every single deptartment save a couple which are balanced are massively discriminatory against men.

Many more disturbing stats available here: https://www.apsedii.gov.au/apsedii/CustomQueryx33.shtml

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 4:28 pm
Every culture has their weird stuff… A Scottish friend of my mother loved tripe enough that even talking about it made her mouth water. I think that maybe started as poverty food? But she had it as a kid, and grew to love it.

Just look in any butchers and see the stuff they sell.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:30 pm
twostix
Yep it is time for some affirmative action. Talk to our boss who is a women and a lawyer.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 4:31 pm
If you have a look at that TED talk I linked to, organ meats are apparently necessary for adequate nutrition. The MD chick who came up with that diet looks as though she has “cured” herself of MS, so I’m gonna say it’s valid.

.

28 Feb 12 at 4:32 pm
Steak tartare is good

I once watched a guy order steak tartare at what passed for an up-market restaurant in Habana Vieja. Given how sick I got after unintentionally drinking non-bottled water from the same place I’m pretty sure he must have died.

badm0f0

28 Feb 12 at 4:32 pm
Yeah, Fleeced – lots of oldies speak fondly of tripe.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 4:34 pm
One time whilst intoxicated I did eat raw pork in some dingy karaoke in Thailand.

I certainly hope “raw pork” isn’t one of those nasty euphemisms.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 4:36 pm
i wouldn’t eat any of that raw stuff even with gravy, and gravy is good with just about everything.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 4:36 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

TEDxIowaCity – Dr. Terry Wahls – Minding Your Mitochondria

Dr. Terry Wahls learned how to properly fuel her body. Using the lessons she learned at the subcellular level, she used diet to cure her MS and get out of her wheelchair.

.

28 Feb 12 at 4:36 pm
How the fuck do you guys eat raw meat.
It’s disgusting.

Wifey and I were caught out at a wank restaurant where they called the disgusting crap sashimi. I started eating it thinking it was tuna and after the third gulp I realized it was raw meat. I gagged.

I wanted to choke the chef.

Jc

28 Feb 12 at 4:36 pm
There’s virtually no dairy in SE Asia – issues with refrigeration among other things, but a cultural thing. Now there’s a bit because of Western influence, mut mostly powdered or long life.

It’s not till you get to India that you find lots of yummy buffalo youghurt etc.

Had some shredded raw beef dish at Korean restaurant once… … they bring it do the table, crack a raw egg into and stir it up

sounds like steak tartare

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:37 pm
If you have a look at that TED talk I linked to, organ meats are apparently necessary for adequate nutrition. The MD chick who came up with that diet looks as though she has “cured” herself of MS, so I’m gonna say it’s valid.

Interesting… can’t say organ meats have ever appealed. I could manage a steak and kidney pie, but that’s probably as far as I could go.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:38 pm
Remind me to never serve Papachango a sliver of Coon on a SAO.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 4:38 pm
JC I thought that you were more cultured than that. Top quality sashimi is delicious with soy and wasabi

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:40 pm
How the fuck do you guys eat raw meat.

In the case of the Korean, it seemed to be marinated, which “cooks” the meat.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:41 pm
Coon is still dodgy and made from cheese offcuts, but it’s passable for the kids. It’s vastly better than that Kraft processed crap. I like the name too; they haven’t given in to the PC Police.

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:43 pm
Dr. Terry Wahls learned how to properly fuel her body. Using the lessons she learned at the subcellular level…

That’s her on the right.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 4:43 pm
How the fuck do you guys eat raw meat.

Beef carpaccio is delicous.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 4:43 pm
That’s better than a soggy Sao.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 4:44 pm
Raw beef is fantastic.

A properly cooked steak is raw on the inside, warmed up a most.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 4:45 pm
Thank you, Les, for lifting the conversation…

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 4:45 pm
Cultured in what way papa. … That the thought of raw meat disgusts me.

It’s not fucking sashimi.. It’s raw meat.

You may as we’ll devour a live animal with your teeth papa like wild animals.

Jc

28 Feb 12 at 4:45 pm
‘Kraft processed crap’ on saos – my kind of snack.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 4:46 pm
If you dudes want the ultimate raw meat challenge, yuou’ve got to go to Peru Ecuador or Chile and have ceviche. Raw shellfish and other seafood, ‘cooked’ in lime juice with some chillies and corn kernels. You can even drink the marinade, called leche de tigre or tiger’s milk, as a hangover cure.

it’s absolutely delicious, but you want to be careful buying the stuff in the markets where the raw shellfish has been sitting in the sun for several hours… especially in the Andes a few hundred km from the sea…

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:47 pm
Catallaxy – the place for Real Tough Men. They even eat raw meat.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 4:49 pm
Jc they serve beef sashimi in jap restaurants. It is an authentic dish not a wank. You eat it like any other sashimi.

jtfsoon

28 Feb 12 at 4:49 pm
JC I suppose you’re one of these dudes who has to have their steak burnt to a crisp so it’s not ‘raw’ on the inside? Gotten beyond meat and two veg yet?

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:50 pm
the place for Real Tough Men

except JC who has a delicate constitution

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:51 pm
to have their steak burnt to a crisp

I prefer my steak not to say “moo” when I stab and cut it.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 4:53 pm
My mum loves Gorgonzola *shudder*

Gnocchi with gorgonzola, worth selling your first born for.

Nic

28 Feb 12 at 4:54 pm
ceviche.

Yummo. I had the Fijian equivalent and was surprised at how delicious it was.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 4:56 pm
except JC who has a delicate constitution

What do you expect from a guy that irons his designer jeans?

badm0f0

28 Feb 12 at 4:58 pm
Gnocchi with gorgonzola, worth selling your first born for

agree, it’s sensational, but probably one of the richest dishes I’ve ever had. I swear that stuff expands in your stomach, adnnI challenge anyone to have more than a tiny bowl

Gab, as they say, cut its horns off, wipe its arese and chuck it on a plate.

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 4:58 pm
Ceviche is fantastic and I have had it in restaurants in the US and Australia. Very easy to make. The citrus actually cooks the fish.

Had raw dolphin fish (wahu) in Fiji, with nothing but coconut milk and chilies. Fish had been caught about 20 minutes before we ate it. Frickin amazing.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 5:00 pm
Ceviche Frickin amazing.

Sounds even better than fish fingers.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 5:02 pm
JC I suppose you’re one of these dudes who has to have their steak burnt to a crisp so it’s not ‘raw’ on the inside?

JC is one of those blokes who sidles into a premium steakhouse wearing his pressed Gucci jeans, a Louis Vuitton man bag draped over one shoulder and asks for the porterhouse cooked very well done with Heinz Ketchup.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 5:03 pm
cut its horns off, wipe its arese and chuck it on a plate.

Why bother with the plate? Just bring in a cow and bite it!

Yuk. All that blood oozing on a plate. Barbarians.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 5:04 pm
You forget to mention he’s smoking Dunhill menthols.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 5:05 pm
And wearing Italian air force cuff links.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 5:05 pm
As long as JC doesn’t wear socks with Jesus sandals, he can continue to iron creases in his jeans.
You’re alright by me, JC.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 5:07 pm
You forget to mention he’s smoking Dunhill menthols.

I think you mean More’s.

badm0f0

28 Feb 12 at 5:07 pm
And wearing Italian air force cuff links.

They go nicely with that yellow silk cravat.

badm0f0

28 Feb 12 at 5:09 pm
He’s also wearing a black Armanit-shirt tucked into his jeans, just in case the t-shirt covers the Gucci label.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 5:11 pm
NOthing wrong with classy well made Jesus sandals, as long as the man’s toenails are neat and clean with good foot care.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 5:14 pm
Yep I make ceviche when askled to bring an entree for the Chritmas meal. Beats prawn cocktails, which is basically crap tined prawns, iceberg lettuce and a mix of mayonnaise and heinz ketchup.

Depending on what mood I’m in I may or may not tell people the ‘cooking’ method.

I’m trying not to piss myself laughing in open plan with that description of JC

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 5:25 pm
Bloody ‘ell.
We’ve had fire for how long?
And some of you lot still don’t understand its relationship with food?

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 5:26 pm
WTF is going on here?

Where do I start.

1. Soon.

raw meat is disgusting.

2. Papa.

No. I think medium steak is perfect. Unlike you I don’t like seeing blood in my plate.

3. bado

stop trying to get in on the act. You’re still a trainee libertarian whose training wheels are always come off.

IT
4. I don’t wear those named jeans and for a ~~lady~~ bloke wearing moisturizer you ought to be the last one throwing the dirt around.

5. Les

Hardly. Dunhill menthols sound disgusting. You may as well not smoke.

and yes I do have cuff links, which I may wear if snazzing up in a suit.
All gentlemen should have a few sets.

Gab.

You have permission to shoot me in the head if I was ever caught wearing any form of sandals. And file down the bullet so it causes the most amount of pain.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:31 pm
Sod the lot of you bloody philistines. I’m having a pyrex jug of noodles straight from the factory via a packet like the good lord intended, and like the cardiologist told me not to. Fuck him. And fuck the horse he rode in on. Although some of you sick bastards would eat it as well.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 5:35 pm
JC
I am dissapointed you are actually one of the latte-set or city wine sipper. Big tough guy behind a computer but in real a softie.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 5:36 pm
not even birkenstocks JC? What’s your choice of footwear in warm weather then?

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 5:37 pm
I am dissapointed you are actually one of the latte-set or city wine sipper. Big tough guy behind a computer but in real a softie.

Kelly what are you talking about? What, raw meat makes me want to puke and so that suddenly makes me a softcock?

Have you been drinking this afternoon again?

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:39 pm
of course Jesus sandals look nicer on a man who has a nicely formed fairly muscular calf, i forgot to add that.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 5:41 pm
not even birkenstocks JC?

Honestly, you may as well have your penis surgically removed.

What’s your choice of footwear in warm weather then?

Drivers, summer weight sneakers, or light shoes with leather soles. Never wear full rubber soles in summer.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:41 pm
with a hint of a tan, not pasty.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 5:42 pm
Are you a hippie Candy?

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:42 pm
I have been drinking XXXX which real men like me or Steve can drink for you that is too strong apparently as you have said previously.

Don’t like beer.
Don’t like to see a bit of red on the plate.
Can’t wear sandals because they don’t go with the rest of my designer clothes.

A bit of a pattern I think.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 5:42 pm
no JC just happy

candy

28 Feb 12 at 5:43 pm
Drivers, summer weight sneakers, or light shoes with leather soles.

Good. No thongs. That’s classy, JC

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 5:44 pm
“What’s your choice of footwear in warm weather then?”

Thongs, of course.
Preferably double pluggers.
There are further options?

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 5:45 pm
In JC’s defence, a latte-set city wine sipper would love sashimi, dahhling, because it’s so exotic. But not from sushi sushi in Chadstone shopping mall, heavens no.

Has to be from some obscure Japanese eatery where they’re on first-name terms with the chef who’s from Kyoto, and has to be real blue-eye tuna. (Funny how they go apeshit about Japanese whaling but are cool with eating far more endangered but smaller fish)

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 5:45 pm
In summer, JC is seen wearing salmon espadrilles with Versace jeans, cut off just below the knee, and crisply pressed.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 5:46 pm
In summer, JC is seen wearing salmon espadrilles with Versace jeans, cut off just below the knee, and crisply pressed.

my that sounds delicious

candy

28 Feb 12 at 5:48 pm
sod defending JC. Sneakers in summer or lightweight leather shoes? sounds like an italian boy who still lives with mamma

papachango

28 Feb 12 at 5:48 pm
“In JC’s defence, a latte-set city wine sipper would love sashimi”

So papa he doesn’t even make the grade in that group how weak can you get.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 5:48 pm
Castrol makes better bear that XXXX and that comes in an oil can, Kelly.

I like beer. But quite honestly I don’t like most Australian beers. I like Amstel, Stella….

I think the best beers in the world is actually Moretti dark and Asahi.

No, Kelly I don’t wear sandals.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:49 pm
What do you wear papa. What sort of footwear do you wear in the summer?

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:52 pm
Kelly, you are a taxi driver. Try wearing deoderant and reading a street directory.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 5:54 pm
JC, I had you pegged as a straight-talking New Yorker, but all this Europoofery coming out is really concerning. I bet you speak French, don’t you?

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 5:54 pm
Kelly is a confused Ron Paul voter who loves big government. Don’t listen to her advice on anything, except perhaps mastering the UBD index.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 5:55 pm
In all seriousness I read somewhere that when the japs took a liking to beer they sent people to Europe to go tasting beers and go back home with the recipe.

Japanese beers were modeled on the best European beers in Europe and they have some of the very best mass produced stuff there is.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:56 pm
JC I will concede a small amount because you are willing to buy Chinese or Thai produced beer.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 5:57 pm
I get it, it beating up JC on Tuesdays. Don’t make a habit of it people as you’ll come out of it second best

Kelly, IT is right for a change.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 5:58 pm
Doesn’t really matter where the beer is made, Kelly. If it’s made to the formula it should be okay unless say the air temp affects the fermenting. Dunno. Don’t think so.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:00 pm
“Kelly is a confused Ron Paul voter who loves big government.”

Fisky First of all I am a him and I hate big government but accept that government does play a role in infrastructure which includes schools and hospitals and created many industries which could not have been created by the free market such as Golden Circle. My main concern with modern government is that it acts against national interest in favour of stupidity and it is too large not that it should dissapear.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:02 pm
…..and created many industries which could not have been created by the free market such as Golden Circle

The canned food people?

there’s no industry the government has created that the private market couldn’t. Stop kidding yourself.

If the government was out of the telco business, you’re telling me you would not have had a landline?

Stop being an idiot. They retarded development.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:04 pm
“Try wearing deoderant and reading a street directory.”

IT is half right I am very proficient at reading a street directory and as far as wearing deoderant that is not a real issue as the average taxi fare is only 6 minutes and even if I stink they will put up with it as it is more hassle to get another cab.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:05 pm
JC will drink any sort of beer, provided it is hand crafted and at least $15 a bottle.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 6:06 pm
Yeah, Golden Circle could never have been started by private enterprise!

Did your leprechaun type that?

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 6:06 pm
Government must control public infrastructure that is fact. So many industries rely on infrastructure and could not exist with out it so it is important.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:07 pm
God, imagine catching Kelly’s cab after
JC was in it…. That mingling odour of armpit sweat and Versace after shave…. Blecccch

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 6:08 pm
Les

Stop being an idiot. Some of the imported beers are actually cheaper than the Australian prems.

Take a lookeee.

http://danmurphys.com.au/beer-cider?s_kwcid=TC|14354|imported%20beers||S|p|9139517809&gclid=CNiyy_eNwK4CFSVNpgodtz6EOA

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:09 pm
Thank you, Kelly, that’s enough dear. Now hurry up and take me to Martin Place. And no “scenic routes” please.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 6:09 pm
“God, imagine catching Kelly’s cab after
JC was in it…. That mingling odour of armpit sweat and Versace after shave…. Blecccch”

Best laugh of the day.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:10 pm
JC will drink any sort of beer, provided it is hand crafted and at least $15 a bottle.

JC is the Mayor of Portlandia.

Is the chicken local, JC?

.

28 Feb 12 at 6:12 pm
Government must control public infrastructure that is fact. So many industries rely on infrastructure and could not exist with out it so it is important.

Oh, like who owns the fast freeways around Brisbane? The ring road system.

Most of the suburban secondary streets were actually built by the developers once you get into the middle suburbs in the Australian cities.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:12 pm
Yeah good point JC.

Highways are often actually just nationalised traditional footpaths or stock routes.

.

28 Feb 12 at 6:13 pm
Les.. I don’t wear aftershave and I don’t wear jewelry except a watch, you dill.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:13 pm
If the government was out of the telco business, you’re telling me you would not have had a landline?

That’s right, even Somalia figured out how to provide private telcos. They’re swimming in them.

Chop chop, Kelly, and don’t be trying to rig the meter on me.

Fisky

28 Feb 12 at 6:14 pm
What’s wrong with men wearing aftershave??

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 6:15 pm
The government owns and controls those roads. This is not an issue about who built them. Private enterprise is much better at building roads. It still needs the government control which can be effective or not. Even the so called private roads are fully controlled by government. The toll roads in Brisbane are mostly government owned Local and State. The ones you might call private are only leased from the government.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:16 pm
Kelly,

If you watch that Stossel video the Australian Libertarian Society link to, you’ll see the only free market for taxis in the US is in DC, of all places.

A pro taxi plate lobbyist gets paid $770 per hour. I’m pretty sure he’s “working” 40 hour weeks.

Do we have such a scum ridden lobbyist group keeping plates locked up in Australia?

.

28 Feb 12 at 6:16 pm
The Japanese do men’s aftershave and skin care products very well. Not overpowering like European aftershave.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 6:17 pm
Last case of Asahi i purchased was made in China, Sapporo in Canada and Kirin in Australia? Don’t mind Boags but going through Beer Menopause so am confused.

Used to love red wine but gives me terminal heartburn these days.

Woolfe

28 Feb 12 at 6:19 pm
“If the government was out of the telco business, you’re telling me you would not have had a landline?”

Private or public ownership is not the issue. The issue is a lot more pragmatic than that and that is cost and outcome. Government will still control any infrastructure whether you like it or not. The trick is for that to be effective.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:19 pm
The Japanese do men’s aftershave and skin care products very well. Not overpowering like European aftershave.

Of course Stepford. Of course you’d know that.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:26 pm
“Do we have such a scum ridden lobbyist group keeping plates locked up in Australia?”

Yes we do and is one of the strongest unions in Auystralia. See now I am about to buy a licence I hope and I dissagree with the system but I also do not agree with an open market or the LDP position. You can use market principles to achieve a good outcome. The number of taxis should be limited but the current method of limiting numbers is not appropriate. For example a much smaller barrier to entry with a non tranferable licence that is truely owner driver would be the best in my opinion probably along with what happens now. The way to impliment the market principle is to not put the fares up unless the supply of taxis is insufficient. Having too many taxis on the road as will happen in a totally free market will reduce efficiency not increase it and also just annoying for other road users with taxis blocking some areas.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:27 pm
Steve what are you doing I just said that JC was a whimp because he can’t even drink a real beer like XXXX and now you are saying you are just like him but in a different way.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:28 pm
Kelly,

You’re over the fucking shop. You’d vote Ron Paul who is basically libertarian and you sound like a national party voter.

Your political beliefs are incoherent.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 6:29 pm
Kelly has beliefs?

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 6:31 pm
Having too many taxis on the road as will happen in a totally free market will reduce efficiency not increase it and also just annoying for other road users with taxis blocking some areas.

Stuff that. I had to walk home on Saturday night because I couldn’t get a damn taxi. I was almost sober by the time I darkened the doorway.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 6:38 pm
No JC I am pragmatic and also do comparisons and choose the best in my opinion. If I only ever voted for policies I liked then I would never vote. I will vote LNP in the coming election even though the leader ran up $1.5 billion in debt for Brisbane and has only campaigned on spending more that is because I think ALP is worse not because I think the LNP position is good. I am actually considering joining the LNP if I have my taxi already. The pragmatist in me made this decision easier because LDP although I agree with most of their positions are not likely to gain any power any time soon. You know the positions I dissagree with reasonably well but this is not a big issue as I dissagree with Liberals hand out mentality but think maybe this could be reduced as it is not a core belief unlike it is whith Labor.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:39 pm
Brissie Steve.

The Japanese sandalwood is the crucial ingredient.

Kelly of Kenmore

28 Feb 12 at 6:40 pm
Having too many taxis on the road as will happen in a totally free market

No it won’t. If there is an oversupply then some cabs businesses will not survive, so the market balances needs with the supply. This is basic.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 6:47 pm
“Stuff that. I had to walk home on Saturday night because I couldn’t get a damn taxi. I was almost sober by the time I darkened the doorway.”

Yes I know and if there were true owner driver licences where only the owner can drive this problem would be reduced. If you live in a big city go out on a Tuesday night and see how many taxis are sitting around with no customers. Inefficient.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:48 pm
You’re getting hustled Kelly. What about the right to work?

.

28 Feb 12 at 6:50 pm
“If there is an oversupply then some cabs businesses will not survive”

Ok then you only want foreigners to drive taxis as there is no minimum wage. If owning a car is the barrier to entry unemployment will dramatically increase the supply of taxis it is not really the way to go. Totally free entry means just have registered car and do you really want a convicted rapist or murderer driving you home?

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:52 pm
“What about the right to work?”

The right of foreign students to work which come from countries where the basic wage is $2 per day? This was the case until very recently in QLD but now they require that a foreigner holds a QLD licence for at least one year.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 6:54 pm
Of course Stepford. Of course you’d know that.

Actually, I think that’s more IT’s territory. Along with squirrel safaris.

badm0f0

28 Feb 12 at 6:58 pm
Ok then you only want foreigners to drive taxis as there is no minimum wage.

I do?? If there’s no revenue how does the cab owner pay for all expenses? He doesn’t, so his biz folds.

If owning a car is the barrier to entry unemployment will dramatically increase the supply of taxis it is not really the way to go.

I’m sorry but I don’t understand your point here.

Totally free entry means just have registered car and do you really want a convicted rapist or murderer driving you home?

Stop the dramatics. You can still have checks on drivers when licenses are issued for taxis. All I meant is the number of licenses issued shouldn’t be restricted. Let the market sort this out, not government.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 6:59 pm
Ok then you only want foreigners to drive taxis as there is no minimum wage.

As long as they speak passable English and I don’t have to repeat an address 37 times, I really don’t give a shit where you were born, Kelly.

Hey, why do you guys still wear uniforms with those military style shirts?

JC

28 Feb 12 at 7:03 pm
“You can still have checks on drivers when licenses are issued for taxis”

Not in a purely libertarian sense you can’t as that is impinging on the rights of someone who has completed there sentence. So should we do this for all industries it will mean a collapse in semi skilled mining wages to around $200 per week instead of $2000 plus per week at the moment for a truck driver for example. Think through the consequences if you do this to the entire Australian business landscape.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:05 pm
“I really don’t give a shit where you were born”

I never spoke about place of birth only nationality.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:07 pm
Not in a purely libertarian sense you can’t as that is impinging on the rights of someone who has completed there sentence.

hang on a minute ago you were on about murderers driving taxis and now you’re saying it’s okay because they’ve done their time? I have no idea what you are talking about here. Pick a position and stick with it.

So should we do this for all industries

I thought we were talking about taxis? When did we jump to everything else in the world? You’re jumping around like a grasshopper on speed.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 7:11 pm
Kelly,
Many mine sites have a mandatory police clearance requirement prior to entry.

Woolfe

28 Feb 12 at 7:14 pm
Gab
I am having an arguement and want to find out what your position is or anyone else here. With talking about Australia of course why should immigration law be allowed to be broken when no employer can do that only a non employment situation like taxis. The truck driver bit I am talking about mines.

My Position is restricted entry to Australia and restricted entry in the case of taxis but done in a different way to which it is done now to lower fares/increase incomes of drivers while improving service. No worker whether self employed or not should have unfair competition from foreigners unless it is passed on to all Australians.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:20 pm
Paul Kelly on Gillard:

“this performance of Thatcherite strength”

I think he is referring to present day Thatcher.

Comment made with the utmost respect to Thatcher.

CraigS

28 Feb 12 at 7:22 pm
What do you wear papa. What sort of footwear do you wear in the summer?

Birkenstocks. Practical, comfortable and actually not too ugly, provided you don’t wear white socks with them like ze Germans…

I’d go deck shoes for slightly dressier occasions, but they’re soooooo eighties

Papachango

28 Feb 12 at 7:23 pm
The unemployed 19-year-old from Victoria – who spoke to news.com.au on the condition of anonymity – doesn’t go out much and doesn’t have many real friends

He said a sense of power was important to how people behaved online. “You’re far more likely to be a troll if you’re a relative weakling elsewhere,” he said.

Cyber-researcher Karyn Krawford claims that extreme trolling may be a sign of mental ill-health.

Sounds just like the trolls we get around here.

CraigS

28 Feb 12 at 7:27 pm
“Sounds just like the trolls we get around here”

Then come on Craig don’t be a weakling and name them.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:30 pm
I am having an arguement

With whom?

why should immigration law be allowed to be broken when no employer can do that only a non employment situation like taxis.

IS this a moral, legal or ethical argument you’re having? Who is allowing the law to be broken? Who is breaking the law?

My Position is restricted entry to Australia and restricted entry in the case of taxis

lol I’m sorry but that sentence has me in giggles. What does immigration have to do with taxis?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 7:32 pm
My Position is restricted entry to Australia and restricted entry in the case of taxis

Are taxis being imported without restriction? Is that what you mean?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 7:34 pm
“Who is allowing the law to be broken? Who is breaking the law? ”

Gab don’t know where you live but if you are in Brisbane Sydney or Melbourne go and look at a taxi rank at night the drivers are Indian students mostly and they are breaking the law with government help by working more than 20 hours per week which an employer would not allow. The way this is being done is by saying that only driving time is counted not waiting time. Full support of ALP and coalition as neither have done anything about it.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:38 pm
Sounds just like the trolls we get around here.

well thr and the kiddie, maryt and others do resemble that comment….

Mk50 of Brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 7:38 pm
Then come on Craig don’t be a weakling and name them.

No, the argument would be that calling people names on line is the act of a weakling.

I say nut up and do it to their faces.

CraigS

28 Feb 12 at 7:40 pm
they are breaking the law with government help

Then surely the taxi association (don’t know what it;s called) should be taking this up on behalf of the industry?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 7:42 pm
Totally free entry means just have registered car and do you really want a convicted rapist or murderer driving you home?

Um yeah because I like catching the train with them!

.

28 Feb 12 at 7:44 pm
“taxi association”

Taxi council is the owners of the taxi licences and they are the ones doing it. There is no drivers union of significance and even if there was Australian’s are in the minority now at least at night time so how could they go against the majority of members?

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:45 pm
“Um yeah because I like catching the train with them!”

Thanks for lightening up my rant.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:47 pm
Australian’s are in the minority now at least at night time

How did this happen? Did the students fill a void because other drivers refused to work at night?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 7:48 pm
Nearly all of the restrictions on taxi licences and permits were originally from the taxi companies trying to limit competition.
They were bloody effective.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 7:49 pm
Gab

Well gradually because they would accept lower incomes. It is foreign students not Australian students. The best example is in Brisbane that the number of taxis on the road on a Sunday night has roughly doubled but there was no shortage before but foreign students will work for less. I don’t have any hard evidence only anecdotal but it has also reduced the number of customers because people don’t want to catch a taxi where the driver can’t understand them and doesn’t know where he is going. I have absolutely nothing against the foreign students only against my government although you will find some drivers do.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:55 pm
Winston

Don’t go too hard on the taxis every form of public transport is highly restricted which I actually agree with but it is the methods I often dissagree with.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 7:57 pm
but it has also reduced the number of customers because people don’t want to catch a taxi where the driver can’t understand them and doesn’t know where he is going.

Doesn’t sound like you alone can resolve the situation. So I ask you why you would consider buying your own cab then?

As you cannot resolve the “immigration/student” issue yourself, then can you increase your revenues? If you own the cab/license you work for yourself and can employ a second person to work the cab when you’re off-shift, I assume. Your point of differentiation is that you can speak English and know how to get to the requested destination, plus your employee ensures the cab is not idle. Can this be done?

I guess I’m saying if you can’t beat the “illegal” system, then go around it. Otherwise why go into the business if you believe you won’t make money to cover your costs and make a profit?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 8:06 pm
That was obviously not the point I made, Kelly. But if you’re too bloody thick or too bloody E’d out to get it, then it’s your problem.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 8:13 pm
Gab

The reason to buy a cab is because I don’t want to drive for someone else again. The income should be ok but takes long hours like 60 per week and the more hours worked then the higher the hourly income as the fixed costs are very large. It is a case of can’t beat them join them because I dont’ think that roughly 15% of the fare should go to someone who owns a financial instrument. So it does come down to doing this because I do enjoy driving a taxi although I have not done it for about a year. The cost of buying versus renting is about $1200 versus $1500 per week including the almost certain appreciation and the cost of buying is fixed unlike rental which will rise faster than the costs of a licence which is about half of the fixed costs. The main reason I did not buy a taxi up to know is that I don’t want the hassle of looking after all the paper work and being forced to work long hours but have decided that is what I want now. I don’t intend to have any drivers only myself as that is just more hassle.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 8:24 pm
Winston my comment was actually also a bit indirect pointing out to anyone that might read it for example LDP why do they only have a policy about taxis not buses, limos, ferries, air travel and even trains if they believe this free market thing.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 8:27 pm
Is Kelly Liddle Hamish from Webdiary? Didn’t he drive a taxi??

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 8:32 pm
I don’t intend to have any drivers only myself

Pity. I hear there’s a glut of foreign students ready to work. Which means your cab could be employed a minimum of 80 hours per week.

Just a question: if you own your cab what’s to stop you canvassing for business with corporates in the city, for example?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 8:33 pm
Kelly you are being a concern troll now.

http://www.ldp.org.au/federal/policies/Privatise_deregulate.html

.

28 Feb 12 at 8:38 pm
There is nothing in reality that stops private bookings of taxis although there are actually laws against it. I do not intend to do that because it will not increase income in my opinion and ties me down to working even more. Some drivers do do that but normally for long airport jobs that are profitable. Further comment about the foreign students having the one year waiting time is likely to reduce there numbers making it easier in the next few years and in the political sense the situation of having foreign workers will either become easier everywhere or more difficult and in both cases I am ok because if is every where is good for my shares and taxi driving as they will go and work elseswhere and if reduces then is good for taxi driving. Bad for many workers though if becomes too open.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 8:43 pm
Dot
fair point but it is not a privatisation issue we are talking about a regulation issue and they are different. Many public transport systems such as taxis are private and you say you will open the free market up to them but not with the other public transport only privatise.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 8:49 pm
That news.com.au article just couldn’t help having a dig at people who don’t kneel at the altar of Climate Change:

“Social distance can cause a 55-year-old climate change sceptic with a job and a mortgage to behave like a spastic donkey with strange malicious behaviour,” said researcher James Heathers, of the University of Sydney.

Why mention this? A cheap and desperate attempt to further the meme the warmists are desperately trying to propagate that climate change skeptics are crazies, just at the moment that their entire ideological edifice is crashing down around them.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 8:49 pm
There is nothing in reality that stops private bookings of taxis although there are actually laws against it.

Just like murder and indecent exposure.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 8:59 pm
SoB

* help organise evangelical rallies to “pray for America” shortly before announcing their own candidacy

What, you scared that they may receive some advantage?

kae

28 Feb 12 at 9:00 pm
IT
No one is going to lock a taxi driver up for accepting a phone call and picking a passenger up.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 9:01 pm
Having too many taxis on the road as will happen in a totally free market…

!

This is like the recent ‘crisis’ of plummeting food prices.

——————————-

… I just said that JC was a whimp because he can’t even drink a real beer like XXXX.

Kelly, I’m more Queensland than the cane toad on Wally Lewis’s verandah and I don’t go near Fourex.

——————————-

What’s wrong with men wearing aftershave??

One of the few interesting anecdotes in Bill Waterhouse’s otherwise boring autobiography concerned his family’s purchase of the Australian agency rights to Faberge back in the 50s. So they had to push aftershave. But he says it was an uphill battle because men here considered bottled scents unmanly.

The very notion of ‘after shave’ is an absurd invention designed to create a utilitarian, masculine rationale for wearing perfume. The last thing you want to do after shaving is to splash alcohol-ridden solution over your face. Ouch. You learn this in your teens, the painful truth behind the bogus splashing freshness ads becoming seared into your consciousness epidermis.

That said, I usually have a bottle that somebody has given me and will occasionally wear it. Women like some brands. Drakkar Noir was popular in the 90s. They’re a useful, long-lasting de-ponger but you don’t want to smell like a perfumed gigolo.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 9:07 pm
You learn this in your teens, the painful truth behind the bogus splashing freshness ads becoming seared into your ~~consciousness~~ epidermis.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 9:11 pm
CL, there are lots of expensive colognes which, if daubed in the right places, will attract the ladies in droves.

Seriously. Women dig men who smell like expensive – well-chosen – cologne when they lean in close.

Cheap shit is to be avoided at all costs.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:13 pm
They’re a useful, long-lasting de-ponger but you don’t want to smell like a perfumed gigolo.

I don’t know any “perfumed gigolos” but I’m not thinking about cheap aftershave, such as Old Spice or Blue Stratos. Gucci Pour Homme II is rather nice. And for those of you with sensitive skin, there are many aftershave lotions on the market that moisturise and soothe your delicate facial areas.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:16 pm
As for Drakkar Noir – wide-eyed, gaping-mouth emoticon

And Faberge, responsible for Brut 33 – 12 wide eyed, gaping-mouth emoticons.

Seriously, dude. WTF?

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:16 pm
As for any Drakkar product – if I wanted to smell like floor cleaner, I’d spray Pine-O-Cleen under my arms and save some money over that shit.

Brut 33 should be classified as a biological weapon.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:18 pm
I would think taxi driving is a difficult job, driving around young kids Friday Saturday nights and they’re drunk and all that, and some real bozo passengers, and some inherent danger in the job. But i guess there are nice chatty pleasant passengers too, regulars and so on and you’re not confined to an office.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 9:18 pm
Dot
As far as privatisation goes of any essential services it is the governments job to put the screws on to make sure the public recieves a good outcome and this does not appear to be the case in any parties policy. With essential services the public will not be happy or advantaged by the free market failing. The free market regularly fails as you can see with the current sovereign debt crisis around the world and the subprime crisis in the US. You can say that it is because of government but it is also the free market reaction to the conditions in front of them. Any service that is a monopoly in a “free market” will have the company extracting all they can get and this is important to stop through organisations like ACCC although I do not agree they function as well as they should due to the laws they are enforcing I think.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 9:25 pm
Old Spice is nice

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 9:27 pm
“taxi driving is a difficult job”

Candy it really depends on your persona and most customers are good it is just the ones who are swearing and even threatening that are not enjoyable. If you drive a taxi it is much better if you are patient with traffic and people.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 9:28 pm
James, stop trolling!

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:29 pm
There’s only one thing good about Old Spice…

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:30 pm
OCO,

If you can’t move Sandalwood you can’t move any merchandise.

.

28 Feb 12 at 9:30 pm
Old Spice is nice

Cool ads aside, no… not it isn’t.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 9:31 pm
As for Drakkar Noir – wide-eyed, gaping-mouth emoticon

And Faberge, responsible for Brut 33 – 12 wide eyed, gaping-mouth emoticons.

Seriously, dude. WTF?

I was relating a story about the Waterhouse family, OCO. They own the company’s Australian agency rights. It was the only ‘aftershave’ aroundwhen they bought into the company but, in Australia, it was a hard sell. Men used soap and that was it.

As for brands, I take what people buy me as gifts. I’m not an expert and wouldn’t be seen dead buying myself a bottle. You might as well put a sign on yourself that reads “Liberace.”

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 9:31 pm
That was the very best ad in the last decade Gab.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 9:32 pm
“NO” it isn’t, not “NOT”.

I hate it when you see the typo just after you clicked “Submit Comment”, but can’t do anything to change it… and the page loading symbol lingers there a while – taunting you.

Fleeced

28 Feb 12 at 9:33 pm
You might as well put a sign on yourself that reads “Liberace.”

Oh please! Don’t be such an old fuddy duddy.
Nothing wrong with a nice smelling man. In fact, it’s sexy.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:35 pm
I would think taxi driving is a difficult job, driving around young kids Friday Saturday nights and they’re drunk and all that, and some real bozo passengers, and some inherent danger in the job. But i guess there are nice chatty pleasant passengers too, regulars and so on and you’re not confined to an office.

I used to work with a guy on the gold coast who drove taxis and he reckoned drunk middle aged women on Friday and Saturday nights were the worst passengers by a mile.

twostix

28 Feb 12 at 9:35 pm
Hahaha you are indeed a man’s man, CL. Good thing you’re a Catholic, as it means pulling has never been high on your agenda when out on the town.

However, those of us that have gone through wild oats sowing periods understand the power of a carefully selected, expensive and appropriately applied (ie. not “you smell like Paco Rabanne climbed up your ass”) cologne.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:38 pm
The ad certainly had cut-through, James, but I wouldn’t buy a bottle of it for any man I was fond of.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:38 pm
It would be valuable to see the rate of tax the politicians that are trading on envy in Australia are paying…

Mr Livingstone, who has called for a top tax rate of 80 per cent, has made attacking “the rich” a key part of his campaign to retake his old job at this May’s election. He has criticised tax avoiders, saying: “These rich b——- just don’t get it… No one should be allowed to vote in a British election, let alone sit in Parliament, unless they pay their full share of tax.

Token

28 Feb 12 at 9:41 pm
Red Ken shows how it is done:

Could you follow Ken Livingstone’s lead and pay 20pc tax on £232,000 income?

This is the man who campaigns on each the rich:

Ken Livingstone, who has attacked tax avoiders as “rich b——-” who should “not be allowed to vote”, has avoided at least £50,000 in tax by having himself paid through a personal company.

Token

28 Feb 12 at 9:43 pm
CL is right on the money:

The very notion of ‘after shave’ is an absurd invention designed to create a utilitarian, masculine rationale for wearing perfume. The last thing you want to do after shaving is to splash alcohol-ridden solution over your face. Ouch.

Yep. It’s perfume. It’s called “aftershave” – that sounds so blokey – so that men don’t have to admit that they’re putting on perfume. And I am highly skeptical of OCO’s claim that it helps pick up women.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 9:43 pm
…eat the rich:

Token

28 Feb 12 at 9:44 pm
“top tax rate of 80 per cent”

Sounds a bit harsh I think a top rate of 50% would be good and it is a reduction on the current rates regarding foreign investment.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 9:44 pm
Less is always more when it comes to aftershave and perfumes. Smells can be be overpowering.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 9:45 pm
And I am highly skeptical of OCO’s claim that it helps pick up women.

So am I.

However, those of us that have gone through wild oats sowing periods understand the power of a carefully selected, expensive and appropriately applied (ie. not “you smell like Paco Rabanne climbed up your ass”) cologne.

Dude, don’t over egg the cologne. How much is that crap; 40 bucks a bottle?

Women are interested if you smell like perfume. They want to know other stuff.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 9:47 pm
And I am highly skeptical of OCO’s claim that it helps pick up women.

Then you’d be wrong. It’s not the sole draw card, but it certainly adds to the package being presented.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:47 pm
“Less is always more when it comes to aftershave and perfumes.”

Thats good because I don’t wear any which is the least you can get so I am your man.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 9:47 pm
No, he isn’t, DD. And I’m not sure which generation you’re hailing from, but I can assure you that from Gen-X downwards, it helps. A lot.

Of course, it’s not everything. If you’re a tosser wearing a nice cologne, you’re still going to be dissed. However, if you can bring it even marginally, it’s going to help get you over the line. Women love a good cologne.

Ask Gab.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:48 pm
Less is always more when it comes to aftershave and perfumes. Smells can be be overpowering.

I was stuck on 2 hour flight next to a man who was a BO bomb, there are time when more perfume is not enough.

Token

28 Feb 12 at 9:48 pm
What drove me crazy when I was a young dude on the hustings was that 70′s/80′s cheap stuff gals wore. I think it was called Husk or something.

I used to buy it for gals to splash lots on as it sent me awl. It cheap and all that but what an effect.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 9:50 pm
it is the governments job to put the screws on to make sure the public recieves a good outcome

If you mean it is the government’s job to sell for a substantial profit on behalf of the shareholders (taxpayers) then yes. Otherwise, the answer varies from “sometimes” to “hell, no”.

With essential services the public will not be happy or advantaged by the free market failing.

When a company fails you go down the street. When government fails you have to leave the country.

The free market regularly fails as you can see with the current sovereign debt crisis

FMD.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 9:51 pm
JC: I didn’t say you can walk into a room and stand in the middle wearing some cologne women find sexy and grin like and idiot and that this along will have women flocking to you. No. You still need to bring it. BUT it’s very complementary to the procedure.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:51 pm
You’re right, OCO. I’ve never relied on aftershave to pull women. Smells like Eau de Desperation.

Honestly, you and Papa on food and perfume remind me of Cedric and Bob.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 9:51 pm
Ask Gab.

Wifey tells me she likes the smell of it and I tell her nicely to go find someone that is prepared to wear it.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 9:52 pm
You have to make sure you’re wearing the deodorant that does the job for you, before worrying about extra-nice smelling cologne etc.

wreckage

28 Feb 12 at 9:53 pm
I’ve never relied on it, either. Anyone that did wouldn’t get far. However, it has helped me punch above my weight.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 9:53 pm
And I’m not sure which generation you’re hailing from, but I can assure you that from Gen-X downwards, it helps. A lot.

By the time a woman is leaning in close enough to smell the perfume on your neck, she’s already interested.

Conversely if she’s not into you, all the aftershave in the world won’t salvage your lost cause.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 9:54 pm
And I’m not sure which generation you’re hailing from, but I can assure you that from Gen-X downwards, it helps. A lot

My kid, went out a few times smelling of that crap and I told him if I ever smelt the house or the vicinity of his room like that again he’d be thrown out.

He reckons guys his age use it a lot as it helps with gals.

He doesn’t use it any more I think.

Disgusting.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 9:55 pm
By the time a woman is leaning in close enough to smell the perfume on your neck, she’s already interested.

Exactly, daddy dave

candy

28 Feb 12 at 9:55 pm
You have to make sure you’re wearing the deodorant that does the job for you,

That’s a given.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:56 pm
wreckage
who kept giving money to the broke governments was it the free market? Both the free markets and the governments failed.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 9:56 pm
This is a perfect example of superstitious thinking: misattribution of the causal agent to an extraneous detail.
You got laid; you were wearing aftershave; the chick complimented you on your aftershave at some point; therefore it was the aftershave wot done it.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 9:57 pm
I’ve never relied on it, either. Anyone that did wouldn’t get far. However, it has helped me punch above my weight.

Bullshit. they either like you or they don’t. It’s not because of the smell of perfume you’re wearing.

Dude, if they are close enough to smell that crap then you’re possibly some ways on the home stretch, unless you really fuck it up by not closing the deal.

If it’s some sort of mental support, then keep using it. Whatever works.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 9:58 pm
JC you get the nice aftershave, not the cheap stuff, and don’t drown yourself in it.

Look there’s nothing wrong with a guy not wearing aftershave, but wearing aftershave says more.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 9:58 pm
And I am highly skeptical of OCO’s claim that it helps pick up women.

No no. Henry Waxman (left) swears by it.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 10:00 pm
JC you get the nice aftershave, not the cheap stuff, and don’t drown yourself in it.

Look there’s nothing wrong with a guy not wearing aftershave, but wearing aftershave says more.

It says what exactly, Gab.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 10:00 pm
If you want a smell that picks up chicks, don’t shower after making sweet love to your lady friends.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:03 pm
You got laid; you were wearing aftershave; the chick complimented you on your aftershave at some point; therefore it was the aftershave wot done it.

I don’t think anyone is saying that. Nothing wrong with smelling nice. It’s just that simple. Plus it says the guy takes care of his personal hygiene, looks after himself and can be bothered to go that extra effort of applying a little aftershave.

But if it scares you that much, challenges your masculinity, then by all means don’t wear it.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:03 pm
You know what, times change. Growing up, I’d rather die than wear that crap.

I’ve been out of the dating market for a long, long, long time. Things change. If OCO, Gab, Candy, wifey and others say it helps, then you roll with the punches.

You got fucking adapt to the market place or you’re dead and it’s that extra 1 or 2% that gets that makes the vig.

I changed my mind, I’m with OCO on this. Whatever works.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 10:05 pm
cologne… cologne… after shave…

Can we all call it what it is?

PERFUME.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 10:05 pm
CL

Dude, just go with it, if it makes a tiny difference. Don’t be so stubborn. Don’t go smelling like perfumery.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 10:07 pm
JC if you’re going to get an aftershave fragrance pick one that you feel entirely happy with because you like it and not because of an ad or someone else recommending because that doesn’t work.

If you like it and feel nice and just comfortable and at ease wearing it, that’s the ticket.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 10:08 pm
CL told us the other night he only wears a tie when he steps out for the night. So maybe cologne in his case is not necessary

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:09 pm
If you like it and feel nice and just comfortable and at ease wearing it, that’s the ticket

So Old Spice then.

It’s nice.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 10:11 pm
Candy:

You mistaken me. I’m not choosing any fragrance as I don’t need to seeing I’m not in the dating market. Wifey adores me anyways.

I was talking about if I was young again and in the swing of things and if this market had turned to men wearing cologne.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 10:12 pm
wreckage
who kept giving money to the broke governments was it the free market? Both the free markets and the governments failed.

kelly liddle
28 Feb 12 at 9:56 pm

I thought this terribly silly line was referred to by

misattribution of the causal agent to an extraneous detail.

Kelly, don’t you understand how governments borrow money?

Entropy

28 Feb 12 at 10:12 pm
Plus it says the guy takes care of his personal hygiene, looks after himself and can be bothered to go that extra effort of applying a little aftershave.

If a woman is basing first impressions on the smell of your aftershave, then you’re wearing too much of the damn stuff.

As OCO noted, it’s good for up-close-and-personal interaction. It’s a nice moment, I suppose, if a woman compliments you on your expensive perfume. But it’s not a deal maker or breaker; it’s not going to get an uninterested woman interested. In fact it kinda says, with a hint of subdued, smiling desperation, “I’m hoping to meet a woman.”

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:13 pm
Of couse I’m never lavish in application.

Just enuff to CONTROL the female stampede in reponse to testerone fueled raging masculine natural musky phermones

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 10:15 pm
Then wear it on odd nights, Dads. That way you’re building in the possibility it helps a smidgeon rather than going all in.

JC

28 Feb 12 at 10:16 pm
But it’s not a deal maker or breaker;

I agree. I just think it’s a good thing for a guy to smell nice. I’m certainly not that superficial to refuse to go out with a guy just becuase he doesn’t apply aftershave.

with a hint of subdued, smiling desperation, “I’m hoping to meet a woman.”

Really? The guys I work with all wear aftershave but I don’t sense in them a desperation. Far from it.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:18 pm
it’s a wonder you’ve got time to come on this forum Jamesk with all that female stampeding going on

candy

28 Feb 12 at 10:20 pm
To impress the ladies you should also show them your ability to eat copious amounts of uncooked livestock and game.

Chicks really dig that stuff.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:20 pm
It’s all the more difficult Candy as I’m too much of a gentleman to beat ‘em back with the proverbial

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 10:21 pm
When I said leaning in, perhaps I could have described that better. What I meant was in your orbit. Like if you were at a club or bar. She should get the occasional waft of your cologne. Not clobbered over the head by it.

Before I was with wifey, I had an inordinate number of female friends. Still have some. Trust me – or if not me, them – good aftershave/cologne/whatever you want to call it on a guy is a BIG tick in his favour. Of course there’s plenty he can do to untick that box. It’s not a magic elixir. But anyone here who claims it doesn’t have any effect, well….sorry but you either don’t have much experience with women or you’ve been out of the game too long.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 10:22 pm
Really? The guys I work with all wear aftershave but I don’t sense in them a desperation. Far from it.

They wear it to work? Mon dieu. That would drive me nuts.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:22 pm
“Kelly, don’t you understand how governments borrow money?”

Maybe I do not but as far as I know no country has forced anyone to buy bonds and for the most part it is free market or as free as any other market in the world. With Greece it was especially free as they held a currency in common with others so there was no problem transferring the investment to another country. If the free market was successful then the Greek bonds would have dropped down far enough for the government to take notice long ago.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 10:23 pm
What a pack of barbarians!

A close shave with Italian Proraso (eucalytus and menthol) soap and an old fashioned safety razor, witch hazel astringent and a good dose of manly and traditional Bay Rum will beat all those poofy “colognes” hands down in getting the ladies attention.

Personally I think mixed cordite and mesquite BBQ smoke is the finest scent ever invented, but I am told otherwise by the distaff side of the family.

They have no taste, of course.

Pedro the Ignorant

28 Feb 12 at 10:24 pm
daddy dave sounds like a thorough gentleman and would not need after shave to attract female attention anyway. some things never change.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 10:25 pm
The smell of linament and Craven A’s will get the sporty chicks.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:26 pm
That would drive me nuts.

Why? It’s not like you can smell the aftershave a 50 paces. Most women wear perfume at work too. No one is fainting from all the scents in the air either.

I work with foundry guys up, office guys, research guys, city and regional and overseas and most of them wear aftershave. It’s not a big deal.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:27 pm
Yes, there seem to be some very 1950s style attitudes to male grooming being displayed on this thread!

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 10:29 pm
OCO, I can tell you really believe this, but I am equaly convinced that you’ve been sold a bag of pups. I totally concur that it’s good to be clean, well-groomed, not smell bad, and so on. Perfume…? I guess I could be convinced but right now I’m not.

Trust me – or if not me, them – good aftershave/cologne/whatever you want to call it on a guy is a BIG tick in his favour.

If ‘female friends’ is a euphemism for girlfriends then you have clearly done extensive market research on this thing and I must revisit my skepticism.

But… if these friends they really were just platonic female friends then, if I can put it like this, the magical charms of your aftershave didn’t have much impact on real-world events.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:30 pm
I don’t understand it, OCO. Just thinking about it, the males I work with range in age from about 35 to 60.

Anyways, if you don’t want to wear aftershave, then don’t, but it certainly isn’t poofy if you do wear it.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:32 pm
If a lady wants to attract a man she should wear her legs behind her ears.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:33 pm
I work with foundry guys

Who wear aftershave? We used to call them the deceased!

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:34 pm
DD, for the most part I meant friends. I actually really enjoy the platonic company of females. OK, some were girlfriends and then became friends, but many were just friends. There’s no reason to think they were being misleading. They go crazy for good cologne on a guy. If they met some hot dude at a club the night before, it’d always be something they’d mention “god he smelt so sexy”.

It’s also why they so often buy it for their boyfriends.

Nope, women love a well-chosen cologne on a man. Absolutely love it. I’m convinced of this fact.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 10:35 pm
Yes, IT. Out in the country and they’re no pussys either. Tough as. But real gentlemen.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:36 pm
I work with foundry guys up, office guys, research guys, city and regional and overseas and most of them wear aftershave. It’s not a big deal.

No. it’s not a big deal. And if you were in the dating market I would say that it would still not be a big deal.

Yes, there seem to be some very 1950s style attitudes to male grooming being displayed on this thread!

I’m not against it. I just think the marginal impact of aftershave on success with women is non-significant.

OCO, You’ve discounted your charm, your looks, your networking, your hours spent talking and wooing and listening and laughing and dancing and trying to make women laugh and entertaining them and everything else that goes into courtship, and put it all down to perfume.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:36 pm
and put it all down to perfume.

As I said earlier, it’s part of the package, an added benefit, if you will.

And yes, OCO, “god he smelt good” scores extra points.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:39 pm
OCO, You’ve discounted your charm, your looks, your networking, your hours spent talking and wooing and listening and laughing and dancing and trying to make women laugh and entertaining them and everything else that goes into courtship, and put it all down to perfume.

If you go back and read what I’ve said on the topic from start to finish, I think any reasonable person would agree that the above is a wholly inaccurate – nay, ridiculous – summation of my position on the matter. Seriously, DD, that’s entering the realms of lazy trolling.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 10:40 pm
See what Gab is writing, Daddy. See. Please. That’s what I’ve been saying all along. Not “cologne will solve all your women problems!” which is what you seem to think I’ve been saying.

Oh come on

28 Feb 12 at 10:41 pm
They wear it to work? Mon dieu. That would drive me nuts.

Not as nuts as having to be assaulted by some bloke’s stench.

Give me aftershave every time. If I want the horror of being assaulted by some other man’s funk I can endure that experience in a cab or souq. No fucking thanks.

Because that’s what you smell like if you don’t wear any: a Palestinian taxi driver working three shifts back to back.

Abu Chowdah

28 Feb 12 at 10:43 pm
There’s no reason to think they were being misleading. They go crazy for good cologne on a guy. If they met some hot dude at a club the night before, it’d always be something they’d mention “god he smelt so sexy”.

No, I’m sure they weren’t misleading you, but there are other things going on here.

For many women, it’s easier to talk about perfume and other mundane things than the more visceral aspects of sexuality. Also, women sometimes like men to be a bit androgynous but that enjoyment does not always translate into sexual desire. (an example of this – not the only example but a good one – is the way many women like hanging around with gay men).

So while the women may have remarked on the ‘sexy’ way a man smelt, that may have been a socially acceptable substitution for other feelings and sensations that they experienced at the time.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:43 pm
Not as nuts as having to be assaulted by some bloke’s stench.

That’s what anti-perspirant is for.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:45 pm
I have no skin in this “debate”, I have given up shaving for lent…

.

28 Feb 12 at 10:48 pm
Great case study behind the Lynx/Ax deoderant brands:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/10/can-a-commercial-be-too-sexy-for-its-own-good-ask-axe/246863/

Target market: Nerds and dorks.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:50 pm
daddy dave sounds like a thorough gentleman and would not need after shave to attract female attention anyway. some things never change.

Why thank you Candy.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 10:51 pm
Oh right. Then you are absolved. I’m talking about the clueless fuckers who don’t wear any deodorant. The ones who get bars of soap at the work Christmas gift party.

Abu Chowdah

28 Feb 12 at 10:52 pm
Loved Barnaby’s comment on QandA last night.

you need positive polls. We’ve got them. We’ve got them out there but we can’t get daylight because every time we try to get out about dams or about zonal taxation or about inland rail, all these things that we are going to do, what happens is the Labor Party come up with another catastrophic train wreck and just suck all the oxygen out of the place.

Alex Pundit

28 Feb 12 at 10:52 pm
Yes, there seem to be some very 1950s style attitudes to male grooming being displayed on this thread!

Men in the 1950s knew a thousand times more about dressing and grooming than men nowadays, OCO. Watching the poofily stubbled, shirt tail dangling, tattooed, tie knot-ignorant bozos at the races, for example, is an embarrassment. Have a look at some old photos of Australian men at the races in days gone by. They could dress.

You seem to be conflating perfume with grooming.

As for labourers wearing aftershave, I call bullshit. What are they labouring on, the band stand for the Elton John tour?

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 10:55 pm
Some guys actually think a squirt of deoderant will be a magical elixir:

The Axe Deodorant Effect as shown very prominently in TV ads show that any person using it will become irresistible to females has surely gone haywire at least for one Guy, 26 year old Vaibhav Bedi. He has filed a case against the FMCG company, which owns the Axe brand of men grooming products, for ‘cheating’ and causing him ‘mental suffering’. The plaintiff has cited his failure to attract any girl at all even though he’s been using Axe products for over seven years now. Axe advertisements suggest that the products help men in instantly attracting women.

http://aware.instablogs.com/entry/axe-effect-a-beating-with-broom-from-maid/

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:56 pm
Did I mention that I occassionally apply moisturiser?

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 10:58 pm
I’m with C.L.

Young men these dress like crack dealers. At least in the early 1990s they all thought they were Kelly Slater or Laird Hamilton.

.

28 Feb 12 at 10:59 pm
Is it scented moisturiser, IT?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 10:59 pm
As for labourers wearing aftershave, I call bullshit.

I only put forth my observations and experiences. I have no reason to lie.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:01 pm
Because that’s what you smell like if you don’t wear any: a Palestinian taxi driver working three shifts back to back.

Wrong, Abu. Perfumed men, sans a good old-fashioned spray of deodorant, smell even more sickly-revolting because they’ve got that whole combo of BO and Homme de Nanci happening. It makes matters worse. Like being imprisoned in the armpit of Boy George during his court-ordered street sweeping days.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 11:02 pm
If you look at movies from the sixties men certainly wore well fitting tailored suits and were very well groomed. There’s a tremendous style from the sixties, I like it very much.

People seemed to be nearly always thin too so could wear clothes beautifully.
The cigarettes though, well we can do without that now.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 11:03 pm
The best deodorant is odourless Mitchum. It will cure stank even if you do three shifts back to back in a cab in Mumbai.

.

28 Feb 12 at 11:04 pm
The plaintiff has cited his failure to attract any girl at all even though he’s been using Axe products for over seven years now

I expect thousands may be able join him in a class action lawsuit anonymously, IT.

He shoulda used Old Spice.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:04 pm
As part of their grooming habit, men in the sixties also wore aftershave.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:07 pm
Wrong, Abu. Perfumed men, sans a good old-fashioned spray of deodorant, smell even more sickly-revolting because they’ve got that whole combo of BO and Homme de Nanci happening. It makes matters worse. Like being imprisoned in the armpit of Boy George during his court-ordered street sweeping days.

Well if you’re straight and the claims about pheromones and scents are correct – then I expect straight women to love it.

.

28 Feb 12 at 11:07 pm
I’m talking about the clueless fuckers who don’t wear any deodorant. The ones who get bars of soap at the work Christmas gift party.

Yes, I agree; and I’m not one of those guys. And it’s an awkward social situation. How do you explain to someone that they need to use deodorant?

But a hundred years ago (and for all the millennia before that), people didnt wash with soap every day. They all had BO. And guess what? Nobody noticed.

We’ve become hyper-sensitised to the scent of other humans because that scent has become so rare.

daddy dave

28 Feb 12 at 11:08 pm
Usually Old Spice, Gab

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:08 pm
it’s true there’s young blokes don’t know about deoderant and have to be told, and also need some pretty strong stuff for their work in hard jobs. If mum or dad don’t tell them how will they know they pong.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 11:08 pm
I only put forth my observations and experiences. I have no reason to lie.

Of course, Gab. No offence intended.

———————–

Bunyip has an anecdote about Julia’s days of dirty weekends with Craig. You think she’d be more discreet about her fling with this theretofore married man.

No class.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 11:09 pm
Not just Old Spice, james.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:11 pm
The plaintiff has cited his failure to attract any girl at all even though he’s been using Axe products for over seven years now

Nothing to do with the fact that he has a head like a smashed pie, dresses like a ’20′s pimp, and finished school at age 12.

Oh noes, it is all about the pong.

Pedro the Ignorant

28 Feb 12 at 11:11 pm
After shave? You blokes slap it on your faces after you’ve shaved?

Hahahahahaha!

Like, that shit burns!

It’s better with a bit of ice. Then it doesn’t burn the crap out of your tonsils.
But it does gives ya really funny smelling farts when ya play Dutch Ovens with the missus…

Jeez this threads over run with poofters again.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 11:16 pm
contact lenses are stored in little tiny containers provided by your optometrist, i have them. You don’t put the in a tumbler of water it degrades them and you wouldn’t know left from right.

candy

28 Feb 12 at 11:18 pm
As part of their grooming habit, men in the sixties also wore aftershave.

Very few in Australia. You’d still be considered fruity if you wafted around with aftershave in the 60s.

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 11:19 pm
You blokes slap it on your faces after you’ve shaved?

Apparently not, Winston. However IT uses moisturiser. Scented too.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:20 pm
Is it scented moisturiser, IT?

Smells of moisturiser.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 11:20 pm
Wrong, Abu. Perfumed men, sans a good old-fashioned spray of deodorant, smell even more sickly-revolting because they’ve got that whole combo of BO and Homme de Nanci happening. It makes matters worse. Like being imprisoned in the armpit of Boy George during his court-ordered street sweeping days.

Maybe, but I tend to think the dude that uses some cologne isn’t going out with his arm pits smelling like raw meat marinating in an obese person’s bum crack.

Abu Chowdah

28 Feb 12 at 11:21 pm
I gave ‘Cravache de Roger Piguet’ the cold shoulder Gab.

The Aqua Velva chap though does look very pleasantltly surprised by what the airhead is doing beneath the field of vision.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:22 pm
I’ve got this cocktail recipe that has Old Spice, Kahlua and a bit of coconut cream in it.
It has other stuff as well, but I can never remember them.

After a couple or ten of schooners of ‘em, your head feels like a bucketful of smashed crabs in the morning, but.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 11:23 pm
Perhaps this is more Yu, James?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:24 pm
After a couple or ten of schooners of ‘em, your head feels like a bucketful of smashed crabs in the morning, but.

It’s probably the coconuts that plays havoc with the system the next morning Winston.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:25 pm
Bitches like to get a whiff of raw milk when you move in for the kill. It sort of paralyses them.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 11:26 pm
Probably right JamesK.
It’d be all those saturated cholesterols and stuff.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 11:28 pm
Dear Doomlord

The Open Forum is loading slower than an asthmatic snail.

Might we have a new open forum thread, please?

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:28 pm
Anyone still put talc down the y-fronts? That’s how I roll. If the ladies be smelling that, you’re home.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 11:29 pm
…and those poofy little umbrella things keep getting up your nose, or sticking you in the eye.
Sneaky buggers.

Winston Smith

28 Feb 12 at 11:30 pm
Look down, back up, where are you, Gab?

You’re on a boat with the man your man could smell like

“I’m on a horse”, Gab.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:30 pm
I know you’re mocking me, James, but that was funny.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:33 pm
Lots of OMG buzz about Warren Mundine replacing Arbib in the Senate.

40 years after Liberal Neville Bonner first sat in the Upper House.

Well done, Labor.

That wasn’t so hard, was it?

C.L.

28 Feb 12 at 11:34 pm
40 years after Liberal Neville Bonner first sat in the Upper House.

I’m assured that Neville wasn’t a proper Aboriginal by many lefties.

Infidel Tiger

28 Feb 12 at 11:36 pm
No. Indeed not.

I was mocking me Gab.

I love that ad.

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:41 pm
Anyone still put talc down the y-fronts

Candy aka Phil does before (s)he posts at Graeme’s.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 11:44 pm
Thank God the 3 hour aftershave discussion is finished.

Still, at least it once again showed the extraordinary 1950′s (or maybe even 1850′s) standards of masculinity of CL.

I assume young people’s (including male’s) habits re pubic hair trimming just won’t past muster either.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 11:44 pm
pass muster…

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 11:44 pm
Here’s another version, James.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:44 pm
FUck off Steve. Enough with the pubes, you dirty perv.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 11:45 pm
Steve

I don’t want the nitty gritty details, but just how do you go from discussing aftershave directly to pubic hair? What kind of mind thinks like that I wonder.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:49 pm
Oh Steve just thought he’d run it up the flagpole and see how salutes, so to speak.

Mrs Steve has gone to bed and there’s nothing that dirty old tax-dodging perv would love more than engaging the Currency Lad in a late night discussion of pubes.

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 11:52 pm
how = who

Les Majesty

28 Feb 12 at 11:52 pm
“Might we have a new open forum thread, please?”

Gab I know you are powerful as evidenced by the new thread being moved up 6 hours last week but now you want it moved up one day don’t push your luck.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 11:52 pm
Very good.

“moo”

JamesK

28 Feb 12 at 11:53 pm
Gab, IT mentioned talcing his groin.

The conversation had headed in that direction. But it is a great example of a matter of grooming which the born-in-the-wrong-decade CL must find horrifyingly unmanly.

steve from brisbane

28 Feb 12 at 11:57 pm
Gab OK I am wrong.

kelly liddle

28 Feb 12 at 11:57 pm
Steve goes straight for the groin again.

Sicko.

How was the evening stroll around the Pinkenba shit farm?

Pedro the Ignorant

28 Feb 12 at 11:58 pm
Kelly

It’s a mid week open forum. What better day than a Wednesday…it being mid (working) week.

I only ask our magnanimous and handsome DOOMLORD for such considerations, but you can also make the request.

Gab

28 Feb 12 at 11:59 pm
Smelling nice but neither obnoxious nor poncy is very definitely a point in one’s favour. I’d call that an incontrovertible fact from my limited observations.

The same goes for women. Pretty is good, laughing at my jokes is better, but pretty, laughing at my jokes and smelling really good…. yeah.

wreckage

29 Feb 12 at 12:00 am
“IT mentioned talcing his groin.”

What are all you people on with conversation like this soap and running water great and if you want to put some perfume or powder on then go for it.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:00 am
Shut up Kel.

JC

29 Feb 12 at 12:01 am
IT mentioned talcing his groin.

The conversation had headed in that direction.

Typical lefty, always blaming others for his own decisions and actions.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:01 am
Gab the midweek thing is coming I am sure but my earlier comment I got the timing wrong.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:01 am
Steve, what did you wear to the church dance to attract the ladies? Those blind girls usually have a fearsome sense of smell, so it would have to of been subtle.

Infidel Tiger

29 Feb 12 at 12:02 am
But it is a great example of a matter of grooming which the born-in-the-wrong-decade CL must find horrifyingly unmanly.

Who gives a shit. There’s a necktie bearing your name tag in the ladies’ room, Steve.

Les Majesty

29 Feb 12 at 12:02 am
We both got out timing out, Kelly, due to the slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through mud page loading.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:04 am
What are all you people on with conversation like this soap and running water great and if you want to put some perfume or powder on then go for it.

Kelly, we would be happy (and so would your paying passengers) if you just washed your armpits weekly. Let’s deal with perfume at a later date. And forget altogether about trimming the pubes.

Les Majesty

29 Feb 12 at 12:05 am
What are all you people on with conversation like this soap and running water great and if you want to put some perfume or powder on then go for it.

Kelly, we would be happy (and so would your paying passengers) if you just washed your armpits weekly. Let’s deal with perfume at a later date. And forget altogether about trimming the pubes.

Les Majesty

29 Feb 12 at 12:05 am
I also remember in my 20′s a guy telling us how embarrassed he was to be caught by the female cleaner entering his bedroom while he was in the middle of giving himself a groinal talcing in the nude. Still makes me laugh, actually.

steve from brisbane

29 Feb 12 at 12:05 am
A comment so nice I had to say it twice.

Les Majesty

29 Feb 12 at 12:06 am
Steve what is it with you with groins and powder?

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:06 am
IT mentioned talcing his groin.

The conversation had headed in that direction.

Towards my groin? I better tell the trouble and strife I’m expecting visitors.

Infidel Tiger

29 Feb 12 at 12:07 am
I don’t think powder is the issue, Kel.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:08 am
Some of Charlie Sheen’s best nights in involved groins and powder.

Infidel Tiger

29 Feb 12 at 12:08 am
I hate it when you see the typo just after you clicked “Submit Comment”, but can’t do anything to change it… and the page loading symbol lingers there a while – taunting you.

Fleeced, the quantitative measurement for that period of time is an ohnosecond.

“Oh no!” *facepalm*

spot

29 Feb 12 at 12:09 am
Things that make Steve laugh:

- passenger jets flying into mountains

- horses kicking little girls

- some poor immigrant cleaner trying to earn a honest dollar and make a better life for her kids being subjected to one of Steve’s perv friends powdering his genitals.

He’s a sick, tax-dodging fuck, this Steve.

Les Majesty

29 Feb 12 at 12:10 am
Things that make Steve laugh:

- passenger jets flying into mountains

- horses kicking little girls

- some poor immigrant cleaner trying to earn a honest dollar and make a better life for her kids being subjected to one of Steve’s perv friends powdering his genitals.

He’s a sick, tax-dodging fuck, this Steve.

Les Majesty

29 Feb 12 at 12:10 am
Hey midweek moderater make a new forum.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:11 am
Les

You’ve got the hiccups.

Hold you breath, that should make it stop.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:11 am
He’s a sick, tax-dodging fuck, this Steve.

This bears repeating.

Infidel Tiger

29 Feb 12 at 12:11 am
Les has developed tourettes comments.

steve from brisbane

29 Feb 12 at 12:12 am
He’s a sick, tax-dodging fuck, this Steve.

OK.

Pedro the Ignorant

29 Feb 12 at 12:14 am
Could y’all please stop talking about cologne, groins and pubic hair?

I’m mean, seriously. How gay is that.

Steve especially – kindly get your head out of other blokes’ crotches. That shit’ll scare the horses.

spot

29 Feb 12 at 12:15 am
Looks like there is no moderator because no midweek forum so can say anything without getting sensored.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:16 am
hahaha Nicholson does an excellent cartoon!

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:17 am
Could y’all please stop talking about cologne, groins and pubic hair?

Catallaxy is Austrlia’s leading bisexual and gay blog.

Infidel Tiger

29 Feb 12 at 12:22 am
C&P: Henry was right.

Wild child Henry Ergas and Alex Robson – The social losses from inefficient infrastructure projects, 2009:

A POSSIBLE range for unit per-customer costs for the NBN’s 100Mbps service is between $125 per month and $225 per month.

The Sydney Morning Herald, April 28, 2009:

SPEAKING at the National Press Club in Canberra this afternoon, Senator Conroy described Mr Ergas’s figures as “wild”.

Not so wild after all. The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday:

TELSTRA is to charge between $80 and $150 a month to use its national broadband network services, and has also revealed plans to keep customers paying for copper-based telephone connections for as long as possible.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:23 am
Censored.

Or if you are a Catholic, censered. Ha ha. A joke. (I used to like lighting them up as an altar boy.)

steve from brisbane

29 Feb 12 at 12:24 am
One thing with Julia Gillard cartoons they get the nose right but what about the ear lobes because they do Abbotts ears right. Look at a few pics of her face with her ears showing if you don’t know what i mean.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:26 am
Catallaxy is Australia’s leading bisexual and gay blog.

NTTWWT.

But still. I feel like talking politics, not pubes … so I’m heading back to GayPatriot.

spot

29 Feb 12 at 12:26 am
Gab well you won’t need a midweek forum with the faster internet but you might have to pay more tax and fees for the service.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:30 am
Can you believe that Gillard bungled the appointment of Bob Carr to the Senate? Apparently she wanted to parachute him in and make him Foreign Mincer.

No wonder the redheaded harpy’s eyes look like pissholes in the snow. She is having a bloody nightmare of a year.

Infidel Tiger

29 Feb 12 at 12:31 am
“She is having a bloody nightmare of a year.”

Good maybe she can do an Arbib and quit.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 12:33 am
Can you believe that Gillard bungled the appointment of Bob Carr to the Senate? Apparently she wanted to parachute him in and make him Foreign Mincer.

No wonder the redheaded harpy’s eyes look like pissholes in the snow. She is having a bloody nightmare of a year

Dude, her entire career has been like that. We are just the fuck ups now in public, that’s all.

JC

29 Feb 12 at 12:46 am
Didn’t know what you were referring to, IT, so I looked it up:

Mutiny kills PM’s Bob Carr plan

JULIA Gillard was forced to withdraw an offer to make former NSW premier Bob Carr her foreign affairs minister after senior ministers rebelled and demanded Kevin Rudd’s vacancy be filled by one of her supporters, Stephen Smith or Simon Crean.

In a breakdown of Labor stability and the Prime Minister’s authority, Ms Gillard was told she could not appoint Mr Carr as foreign minister and parachute him into the Senate to fill the vacancies left by Mr Rudd and NSW right-wing powerbroker Mark Arbib, who on Monday announced his shock resignation as a senator.

Ms Gillard offered the job to Mr Carr, Labor’s longest-serving NSW premier and respected national Labor figure, last week when Mr Rudd resigned to contest the leadership ballot, and before Senator Arbib announced his resignation from the ministry and Senate to create a NSW vacancy.

Ms Gillard’s choice, backed by some senior ministers, faced a mutiny from other ministers and factional leaders, who said she couldn’t give the job to an “outsider”.

This must be the “unity” they’ve all been sprouting about since Kill Rudd II.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:50 am
Ms Gillard’s choice, backed by some senior ministers, faced a mutiny from other ministers and factional leaders, who said she couldn’t give the job to an “outsider”.

Damn, and she’s such a great negociator too.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 12:53 am
She’s baaaaaccccckkk! Doing what she does well. fuck everything single thing she touches.

JC

29 Feb 12 at 12:55 am
“fuck every single thing she touches.”

I believe Craig Emerson was married.

Bunyip

29 Feb 12 at 1:02 am
I believe that’s a zinger, Prof.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 1:05 am
Ms Gillard’s choice, backed by some senior ministers, faced a mutiny from other ministers and factional leaders, who said she couldn’t give the job to an “outsider”.

Ahahahahahahaha.

She gets Clean Air and the within 24 hours the nation’s capital is again rocked by a Gillardian pong.

————————–

Steve, if you’re asking me (it’s always me or Abbott when it comes to genitals) if it’s unmanly for a man to Brazilianise his balls etc, honestly – you need an answer? Yes. But if you want an airstrip, pops, go for it. Whatever floats your boat. Just please spare us the details.

C.L.

29 Feb 12 at 1:25 am
Bad economic news from the US,

Durable goods orders fall 4% in January

Alex Pundit

29 Feb 12 at 1:26 am
This probably means that the US economy started this year weaker than expected.

Alex Pundit

29 Feb 12 at 1:29 am
Alex:’

There is a reason for that.. possibly.. a tax credit that was available expired in December and that may have had a large impact. It’s worth raising an eyebrow, but not going for the sell button just yet.

JC

29 Feb 12 at 1:32 am
Japan dumps carbon dioxide tax.

—————————-

This is just so humiliating and hilarious.

Remember yesterday’s talk about Julia Gillard’s ‘new authority’?

JULIA Gillard was forced to withdraw an offer to make former NSW premier Bob Carr her foreign affairs minister after senior ministers rebelled and demanded Kevin Rudd’s vacancy be filled by one of her supporters, Stephen Smith or Simon Crean.

In a breakdown of Labor stability and the Prime Minister’s authority, Ms Gillard was told she could not appoint Mr Carr as foreign minister and parachute him into the Senate to fill the vacancies left by Mr Rudd and NSW right-wing powerbroker Mark Arbib, who on Monday announced his shock resignation as a senator.

What a total clown.

C.L.

29 Feb 12 at 1:39 am
Interesting JC. Could be.

But even more bad news via Drudge.

House prices in 18 out of 20 U.S. cities fall to 2002 levels.

Alex Pundit

29 Feb 12 at 1:50 am
Alex.

Lol.. I know most of the news is shit. Greece was defined as a formal default today. Tomorrow evening out time (think it’s Tom or Thursday) the ECB will be announcing their 2nd 3 year unlimited lending facility and that’s expected to be huge again, showing the banks need more cash.

But the market is taking all that in stride.

As for US house prices falling.. yes it’s true, however there is a reason for that and it’s also been anticipated too.

Banks have been accelerating their foreclosure sales of late after technical slowdowns.

JC

29 Feb 12 at 1:56 am
Also keep in mind that 2 nights ago the stat for home sales was well up, so it maybe showing stock is moving but buyers in those markets are still extracting good deals from the sellers.

JC

29 Feb 12 at 1:58 am
Men in the 1950s knew a thousand times more about dressing and grooming than men nowadays, OCO.

Bullshit. You’ve been watching too much Mad Men, CL. Well, in a certain social classes, you may be correct, but amongst the great unwashed (as it were), the typical Aussie bloke is much more aware about grooming today than he was in the 1950s.

Oh come on

29 Feb 12 at 5:07 am
Great case study behind the Lynx/Ax deoderant brands:

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/10/can-a-commercial-be-too-sexy-for-its-own-good-ask-axe/246863/

Target market: Nerds and dorks.

Er yeah – how much did they spend on that case study? I could have told them that. Anyone who buys a can of $5 spray in the hope it’s going to help them with da laydeez is either 14 or a nerd (and not a cool, savvy, discerning nerd) or a dork.

Look, some people don’t seem to want to accept that a man wearing a tasteful cologne can have a strongly favourable effect on a woman. No, it’s not pixie dust. But it helps. I have encountered this truth year after year after year – both from direct experience and also from what women who have no reason to lie have pretty much universally told me. I have NEVER heard a woman denigrate the manhood of a man wearing cologne tastefully, or compare him to Liberace. Yet intransigents on this thread are willing to do so, in the face of insurmountable evidence to the contrary, buttressed only by their narrow prejudices. That’s in spite of the fact there are women here telling these guys direct to their faces that they are wrong about what they think women want (or don’t want). OK, that’s fine, you guys keep doing what you’re doing. But please drop the faux-macho crap. The world’s moved on and sorry to say but you’re now in the minority.

Oh come on

29 Feb 12 at 5:29 am
Steve again dials up the icky factor to eleventy:

Thank God the 3 hour aftershave discussion is finished.

Still, at least it once again showed the extraordinary 1950′s (or maybe even 1850′s) standards of masculinity of CL.

I assume young people’s (including male’s) habits re pubic hair trimming just won’t past muster either.

Steve, apart from the fact that you’re a creepy fucker of the highest order, why did you think it was an appropriate time to start discussing pubic hair trimming?

Hrm. I seem to have answered the question in the question.

Oh come on

29 Feb 12 at 5:41 am
Steve again dials up the icky factor to eleventy

It’s what he does. It’s who he is.

spot

29 Feb 12 at 6:01 am
#OCCUPYFAIL: AgitProp hoax exposed. “Sorry, The Restaurant Receipt Left By That Nasty, Rich Banker Is A Photoshop Hoax.”

Seriously, leftoids. Stop making shit up. You’re going to get pinged.

spot

29 Feb 12 at 6:03 am
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott opened combat with his favourite subject: reminding Ms Gillard that she had promised during the last election campaign that there would be no carbon tax. Now she was introducing just such a tax and had admitted she had made mistakes she regretted, would she ‘’rescind her deception’’ and put aside the tax until she took it to the next election?…

‘’Putting a price on carbon was the right thing to do and I stand by it,’’ Ms Gillard began… And then, in her well-practised manner, Ms Gillard turned the question on its head and got stuck into the opposition… Mr Slipper called for her to be ‘’directly relevant’’ to the question.

Ms Gillard sailed on, and the Speaker hollered again for her to get back to the subject at hand.

The Prime Minister …wasn’t for turning. It was a battle of wills. Mr Slipper triumphed. He simply turned off the Prime Minister’s microphone, told her she would no longer be heard and sat her down.

Ms Gillard appeared thunderstruck.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 7:15 am
Maybe C.L. is right. If men like perfume and women like cologne, why don’t they just but it for themselves and load up on the shit?

I smell like roses and jasmine.

.

29 Feb 12 at 7:54 am
Seriously, leftoids. Stop making shit up. You’re going to get pinged.

Did Spot not notice the fake government surveillance camera in front of Orwell’s house that was run by Reason and Menzies House a week or two ago? It was noted here by gullible types like CL.

Steve from Brisbane

29 Feb 12 at 7:54 am
Did Spot not notice the fake government surveillance camera in front of Orwell’s house that was run by Reason and Menzies House a week or two ago? It was noted here by gullible types like CL.

What the fuck are you talking about Stepford?

.

29 Feb 12 at 7:55 am
Gillard pulls the plug.

The federal government is closing a rebate scheme that has provided $320 million to householders who install more environmentally-friendly hot water systems.

Junior climate change minister Mark Dreyfus says Labor’s renewable energy bonus scheme will close at the end of June – but systems must be ordered by Tuesday.

Not. Happy. Jules.

The Australian Greens were quick to criticise the government’s decision to wind up the scheme.

Deputy leader Christine Milne said it shouldn’t have been cancelled on Tuesday evening without any notice when it was scheduled to be phased out in the middle of the year.

“This scheme should have been extended, not cancelled early, particularly not at such ridiculously short notice and with no reasons given whatsoever,” Senator Milne said in a statement.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 8:00 am
Gillard pulls the plug.

So will we be seeing an industry assistance package to rescue to industries in the coming months?

After all Holden, OneSteel & the aluminium industry are getting the bucket loads of public cash, why should these businesses miss out? Why won’t someone think of the children…

Does anyone track the amount of money spent by the government to cover the unpaid employee entitlements using the scheme set up by Howard? Now the bubble is going to pop and overnighters are going to go out of business, the taxpayer will have to cover another bunch of spivs.

Morons.

Token

29 Feb 12 at 8:32 am
“Ms Gillard appeared thunderstruck.”

Good stuff.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 8:33 am
“After all Holden, OneSteel & the aluminium industry are getting the bucket loads of public cash, why should these businesses miss out?”

Token what are you on about that is a list of big dirty polluters? I thought the government hated big dirty polluters.

kelly liddle

29 Feb 12 at 8:34 am
JULIA Gillard was forced to withdraw an offer to make former NSW premier Bob Carr her foreign affairs minister after senior ministers rebelled and demanded Kevin Rudd’s vacancy be filled by one of her supporters, Stephen Smith or Simon Crean.

In a breakdown of Labor stability and the Prime Minister’s authority, Ms Gillard was told she could not appoint Mr Carr as foreign minister and parachute him into the Senate to fill the vacancies left by Mr Rudd and NSW right-wing powerbroker Mark Arbib, who on Monday announced his shock resignation as a senator.

What a total clown.

It works like clockwork:

1. The Stenographers sing as a choir that the PM needed fresh air, or whatever they are told to say by the PM’s staffers

2. The Masta Negotiator has pulled another disaster out of the hat.

3. The Stenographers move into cover up mode, saying they are bored or blaming Abbott.

Token

29 Feb 12 at 8:39 am
I forgot the link. Still agape the story was printed in the love media.

In the Age

In the SMH.

”Putting a price on carbon was the right thing to do and I stand by it,” Ms Gillard began, her eyes turning flinty in the style she has assumed following the Great Unpleasantness of the past week.

Hilarious stuff.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 8:40 am
Token what are you on about that is a list of big dirty polluters? I thought the government hated big dirty polluters.

Kelly as you know, the warmanistas:

1. On the 1 hand implement taxes to make these businesses uncompetitive

2. Gives the same businesses buckets loads of industry assistance (tax payers money) to save the uncompetitive businesses

Simple isn’t it!

Token

29 Feb 12 at 8:41 am
FRANKSTON City Council is blaming the federal carbon tax and the state landfill levy for a rate rise of almost 10 per cent.

The 9.4 per cent increase will be higher by about 3 per cent from last year’s 6.6 per cent increase.

Franskton won’t be the only council to do this either.

Good stuff. Gillard.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 8:45 am
Don’t these pathetics loser females & beta males realise how small this makes them?

The hosts of the Channel Ten program The Circle are facing a furious backlash after making disrespectful comments about Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts-Smith, suggesting he was brainless and “not up to it in the sack”

..But their flippant treatment of Corporal Roberts-Smith, who single-handedly stormed an enemy machine gun position in Afghanistan, angered viewers, who have flooded the television show’s Facebook page with furious comments.

When you read the article, the man said and did nothing to get this comment by this princess whose only achievement is to look pretty and present music programs:

“He’s going to dive down to the bottom of the pool to see if his brain is there,” quipped former Channel [V] host Stynes.

Even better, Luvvie Negus shows what a pathetic cowardly beta-male he is:

Negus responded: “I’m sure he’s a really good guy, nothing about poor old Ben. But that sort of bloke, and what if they’re not up to it in the sack?”

Another host questioned whether Negus was suggesting “that he could be a dud root?”, to laughter from the audience.

Token

29 Feb 12 at 8:46 am
Polling the ladies:

Cpl Roberts Smith, VC MG

http://images.smh.com.au/2012/02/29/3081464/ben-roberts-smith-swim-729-420×0.jpg

George Fungus

http://images.theage.com.au/ftage/ffximage/2010/02/17/negus_wideweb__470x373,0.jpg

.

29 Feb 12 at 8:53 am
lol, Dot.

Like asking to choose between

Old Spice Man II

and

Richard Simmons.

Gab

29 Feb 12 at 8:58 am
Don’t these pathetics loser females & beta males realise how small this makes them?

They don’t posess enough self awareness to realise they are complete tossers.

Carpe Jugulum

29 Feb 12 at 9:02 am
My God, I missed the scent debate (only chavs call it perfume).

Personally I hate most scents because they irritate my sinuses and cause rhinitis. After shaving I find that a good odourless moisturiser is far more effective than any alchol-based cologne. And it keeps the skin looking young.

I ave no social or moral objection to men wearing cologne. It is only when they layer it on in rich profusion and come into my air-space that I wish that we could go back to the days that CL favours, when men stank of honest sweat, not of fairy dust. But then again I feel the same about a lot of women’s scents too. My wife has discovered that Chanel No5, wore discretle dooes not irritate the sensitive nose.

Rococo Liberal

29 Feb 12 at 9:03 am
Negus is massively beta male. Probably up there with Stevie and his pubic grooming

Tiny Dancer

29 Feb 12 at 9:08 am
Personally I hate most scents because they irritate my sinuses and cause rhinitis.

Had that experience exactly this morning while waiting for the train. This lady who’s standing next to me starts laying on the scents and applying all kinds of stuff to her hands and face and I start sneezing.

what is it with so many women doing their grooming on the train nowadays?

jtfsoon

29 Feb 12 at 9:15 am
Gillard having he mike turned off was a sight to behold.

Seriously, it’s like the squawking of the last Dodo.

Entropy

29 Feb 12 at 9:16 am
Gillard having he mike turned off was a sight to behold.

Seriously, it’s like the squawking of the last Dodo.

Such dignity and gravitas.

Ms Gillard sailed on, and the Speaker hollered again for her to get back to the subject at hand.

The Prime Minister, who appeared to have been studying Meryl Streep’s Oscar-winning depiction of Maggie Thatcher in The Iron Lady, wasn’t for turning. It was a battle of wills.

Mr Slipper triumphed. He simply turned off the Prime Minister’s microphone, told her she would no longer be heard and sat her down.

Ms Gillard appeared thunderstruck.

Token

29 Feb 12 at 9:39 am
I’ve opened up a midweek forum.

Sinclair Davidson

29 Feb 12 at 9:40 am
Cut the public service by 10% and we will save more than just their fully costed labour rate (including rent & depr on equipment.

ALMOST 10 per cent of the senior officials running the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry were investigated last year for fraud, internal documents show.

The allegations against the eight executives represented a fraction of the hundreds of fraud investigations conducted inside the department during the past two years.

A Herald investigation into corruption inside the federal government has uncovered irregular tendering, salary overpayments and massive regulatory failures within the agency.

Token

29 Feb 12 at 9:44 am
Bullshit. You’ve been watching too much Mad Men, CL. Well, in a certain social classes, you may be correct, but amongst the great unwashed (as it were), the typical Aussie bloke is much more aware about grooming today than he was in the 1950s.

I’ve never watched a single episode of Mad Men and don’t even know what it’s about.

Men in the 50s of all classes certainly dressed better than today’s tattooed, unshaved, shorts-wearing, thong-loving yobbos. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply bizarre.

You’re conflating perfume with grooming again.

C.L.

29 Feb 12 at 9:48 am
That’s unfair, CL.
I don’t have a tat.
And I shaved last Saturday before I went to the pub and got shitfaced. (Have to keep the standards up.)

Winston SMITH

29 Feb 12 at 10:26 am
Kenny Powers is back. This series looks freaking awesome. Kenny is now a CEO of a sportswear company that also sells cologne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI_9Yxr0blo&feature=player_embedded#!

Kenny giving a speech as CEO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtoHYGq_Oy8&feature=player_embedded

JC

1 Mar 12 at 6:42 pm
CL: if I’m conflating “perfume” with grooming, well you’re conflating (one very basic aspect of) dress sense with grooming. Men today have a far more sophisticated idea about grooming than men from the 1950s. Grooming is more than being able to tie a Windsor knot for your Sunday best because you’re off to church.

And if you don’t know anything about Mad Men, how come you’re so enamoured with one of its leading ladies?

Oh come on

1 Mar 12 at 7:56 pm

Catallaxy Files

Open Forum: February 25, 2012

1,372 Responses to 'Open Forum: February 25, 2012'

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