Tony Abbott for PM

[nulla nulla]

ROFL Nulla

Considering his message I'm sure you would Nulla - I'm sure you would.

PS. Great idea for a newspaper - don't pay anyone!! We definitely don't want all those biased drips under pressure. Lets move away from paid columnists whose job it is to follow the daily activities of Canberra and start a newspaper written only by housewives, retired solicitors and unemployed animal activists - can't see any agenda's being pushed there!!

Duckman

I can understand you having a bash at "unemployed animal activists" and to some extent "retired solicitors". But "housewives"?
This was the term used by Tony Abbott recently to describe people in domestic situations using an electric iron. In your context, it is completely denegrating to the women of Australia that elect to try to balance parent-hood with their carreers (working from home) and/or put their carreers on the back burner while providing a stable home environment for their husband and children.
It is usualy a matter of choice and priority in their lives. The ladies that elect to run the home and or work from home should not be treated as second class Australians by you and Tony Abbott ot anyone else.
Their opinions, even when expressed in letters to the editor have as much or more value than your so called "expert" (the drip writing a biased piece of garbage as a paid advertisement for a newspaper trying to curry favour from whatever political party they are lobbying for change to the media rules). ...rolls eyes, laughs and shakes head. Get real.

 

[Julia]

I can understand you having a bash at "unemployed animal activists" and to some extent "retired solicitors". But "housewives"?
This was the term used by Tony Abbott recently to describe people in domestic situations using an electric iron.

Was it? I must have missed that. Do you have a link to him saying that the definition of Australian housewives is people in domestic situations using an electric iron?

Most people live in domestic situations and most use an iron regularly, male or female, single or partnered, with children or without.

In your context, it is completely denegrating to the women of Australia that elect to try to balance parent-hood with their carreers (working from home) and/or put their carreers on the back burner while providing a stable home environment for their husband and children.
It is usualy a matter of choice and priority in their lives. The ladies that elect to run the home and or work from home should not be treated as second class Australians by you and Tony Abbott ot anyone else.

Agree with this, but somehow doubt Tony Abbott or any other politician would be so denigrating such a large voter base as to suggest such women are 'second class citizens'.

Moreover, as Duckman is the proud father of several little ducklings, I doubt he'd dare denigrate his wife's much valued contribution to the duckpond.

 

[Soft Dough]

Was it? I must have missed that. Do you have a link to him saying that the definition of Australian housewives is people in domestic situations using an electric iron?

He said that housewives would hate increased electricity prices due to Rudd's great big tax on everything iirc. Poorly chosen words as he forgot that most women now work so that they can afford to buy houses in the market he propped up.

No different to Kevin from heaven preying on the naivity of Australians by conning them into believing that the great big tax on everything will do anything for "climate change" ( as I guess that even if you do believe that carbon dioxide is driving dangerous climate change ( and therefore disregard the science ) you forget the fact that we can stop all emissions and still make no impact on world output )

 

[So_Cynical]

No different to Kevin from heaven preying on the nativity of Australians by conning them into believing that the great big tax on everything will do anything for "climate change" ( as I guess that even if you do believe that carbon dioxide is driving dangerous climate change ( and therefore disregard the science ) you forget the fact that we can stop all emissions and still make no impact on world output )

If we follow this line of thought it can only lead to Australia leaving the UN, in fact all country's of similar economic size or less (so around 200 country's) not participating in anything global because on there own they don't make a difference....great an Olympic games where there's only 15 country's competing.

We don't make any significant contribution to the Afghanistan conflict so there for we should leave...in fact our armed forces are so small and under equipped to do any good in any situation so lets abandon the armed forces altogether, saves a heap of money we could spend on immigration so we could get to a size where we could make a difference.

Its really just a ridiculous premise to base any kind of genuine argument on.

You guys simply cant get around the fact that Abbott is un-electable, and the "great big tax" argument only really has appeal to Hassonists and other such simpletons.

 

[Calliope]

You guys simply cant get around the fact that Abbott is un-electable, and the "great big tax" argument only really has appeal to Hassonists and other such simpletons.

I guess I must be a simpleton, but I have never heard of a "Hassonist." Perhaps I am just being cynical.

 

[Mr J]

The market says Abbott hasn't got a chance of winning the coming election...according to the heraldsun today the current odds at Centrebet are

• Kevin Rudd $1.20
• Tony Abbott $3.85

1. The house cut on those odds is pokies-like.
2. Second, Centrebet is hardly a market.
3. Odds are offered, so there is a chance of Abbott winning. If Rudd was a shoe-in, he'd be far, far shorter than now.

In fact, typical betting psychology suggests that most people would bet on Rudd thinking he's a sure thing, and that the bookies are actually shading Rudd's price, which suggests Abbott is a better chance than the bookies are leading on.

 

[Duckman#72]

I can understand you having a bash at "unemployed animal activists" and to some extent "retired solicitors". But "housewives"?
This was the term used by Tony Abbott recently to describe people in domestic situations using an electric iron. In your context, it is completely denegrating to the women of Australia that elect to try to balance parent-hood with their carreers (working from home) and/or put their carreers on the back burner while providing a stable home environment for their husband and children.
It is usualy a matter of choice and priority in their lives. The ladies that elect to run the home and or work from home should not be treated as second class Australians by you and Tony Abbott ot anyone else.
Their opinions, even when expressed in letters to the editor have as much or more value than your so called "expert" (the drip writing a biased piece of garbage as a paid advertisement for a newspaper trying to curry favour from whatever political party they are lobbying for change to the media rules). ...rolls eyes, laughs and shakes head. Get real.

Nulla Nulla - can you please explain how I have "denigrated" housewives? Once again you appear to be shooting off on a tangent to rational thinking.

I see housewives as independent, free thinking, motivated people with strong views on many things. The housewives I know, are very keen to have their thoughts and feelings known on many topics. They are also more likely to have flexibility within their daily structure to write to a newspaper, unlike say a dentist or bus driver.

That was my point. I did not make any disparaging comments about the type of views or comments they would make. The same for retired solicitors. The same for unemployed animal activists.

Your original post suggested that paid media "experts" push their own agenda's (selling newspapers/making money for their boss etc) and you would prefer to read letters written into the editor, as they would less likely be biased. Our argument was based on the content of newspaper articles. My theory is that you will potentially have far more biased, agenda driven, opinionated pieces written by members of the public than by paid political observers.

Please don't lecture me on the importance of housewives in Australia and the wonderful role they play by putting careers on "backburner". You seem to have the condescending viewpoint of housewives being mindless, uninspired citizens that would not be in a position to have their own thoughts. Why wouldn't they write into a newspaper???!!!!

Has it really reached the point that the actual word "housewives" is in itself a politically incorrect term? Why are you not getting upset about my use of the terms "retired solicitor" and "unemployed animal activists" being used to describe articulate and passionate people prepared to fight for a cause.

Mrs Duckman is a "housewife" and one of the highest order - she is intelligent, insightful, fully engaged in society and someone whom I have the highest respect for................and she has written into a newspaper!!!!!

The fact that you have interpreted my post in such a way speaks volumes about your views of housewives!!

Now that you have beaten me and Tony Abbott over the head for using the word "housewives" I suggest we get back on topic please.

Duckman

 

[trainspotter]

Oooooooooooooerrrrr ....... I think I would prefer a PM with a backbone referrring to "domestic engineers" as to what they really are (housewives) rather than writing a kids story called Jasper & Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle which follows the adventures of the Prime Minister’s cat and dog at the Lodge. The book is the perfect antidote for those who found his previous work, an essay on the global financial crisis, too patronising and simplistic. OR maybe he should just be doing his God damn job of running the country !

 

[Timmy]

Not looking too good for Mr Abbott according to the polls (of course, still waiting for the only poll that counts ...)

Why Kevin Rudd would win if an election were held tomorrow
From The Australian


It is quite a long, detailed article, set aside some time if you want to read it. I will be waiting on a similar analysis from Antony Green, maybe as a counterpoint or a confirmation.

 

[Timmy]

the "great big tax" argument only really has appeal to Hassonists and other such simpletons.

I guess I must be a simpleton, but I have never heard of a "Hassonist."

My too ... Googled it and something about Israeli parliament?
What's a Hassonist?

 

[Soft Dough]

If we follow this line of thought it can only lead to Australia leaving the UN, in fact all country's of similar economic size or less (so around 200 country's) not participating in anything global because on there own they don't make a difference....great an Olympic games where there's only 15 country's competing.

We don't make any significant contribution to the Afghanistan conflict so there for we should leave...in fact our armed forces are so small and under equipped to do any good in any situation so lets abandon the armed forces altogether, saves a heap of money we could spend on immigration so we could get to a size where we could make a difference.

Its really just a ridiculous premise to base any kind of genuine argument on.

You guys simply cant get around the fact that Abbott is un-electable, and the "great big tax" argument only really has appeal to Hassonists and other such simpletons.

No, your point is invalid as AMERICA is in afghanistan. It would be more relevant if Australia was there alone ( or nearly so )

It is a ridiculous premise to destroy our international competitiveness in a futile effort to do something that :
1. Will not work
2. Does not need to be done.

Unfortunatley those who have no interest in science, and blindly follow our popularist prime minister do not realise that doing something about carbon dioxide is pointless unless the main emitters actually contribute.

 

[Duckman#72]

What's a Hassonist?

I believe it is an underground movement that has developed a cult following over the years based on the beliefs and lifestyle of David Hasselhoff.

Starting out in the late 80's, the movement is often thought of masculine, hedonistic, sexist and shallow. Certainly not thought of very highly by the women's movements.

The Hassonist's resurgence in Australia has been credited to Abbott's rise to the top of the Opposition ranks, through his sexist, uncouth language and his penchant for swimming togs (although this has created it's own controversy, with left-leaning Hassonists declaring budgie-smugglers irreconcilable with core Hassonist values).

Hope this helped.

Duckman

 

[nulla nulla]

Nulla Nulla - can you please explain how I have "denigrated" housewives? Once again you appear to be shooting off on a tangent to rational thinking.

I see housewives as independent, free thinking, motivated people with strong views on many things. The housewives I know, are very keen to have their thoughts and feelings known on many topics. They are also more likely to have flexibility within their daily structure to write to a newspaper, unlike say a dentist or bus driver.

That was my point. I did not make any disparaging comments about the type of views or comments they would make. The same for retired solicitors. The same for unemployed animal activists.

Your original post suggested that paid media "experts" push their own agenda's (selling newspapers/making money for their boss etc) and you would prefer to read letters written into the editor, as they would less likely be biased. Our argument was based on the content of newspaper articles. My theory is that you will potentially have far more biased, agenda driven, opinionated pieces written by members of the public than by paid political observers.

Please don't lecture me on the importance of housewives in Australia and the wonderful role they play by putting careers on "backburner". You seem to have the condescending viewpoint of housewives being mindless, uninspired citizens that would not be in a position to have their own thoughts. Why wouldn't they write into a newspaper???!!!!

Has it really reached the point that the actual word "housewives" is in itself a politically incorrect term? Why are you not getting upset about my use of the terms "retired solicitor" and "unemployed animal activists" being used to describe articulate and passionate people prepared to fight for a cause.

Mrs Duckman is a "housewife" and one of the highest order - she is intelligent, insightful, fully engaged in society and someone whom I have the highest respect for................and she has written into a newspaper!!!!!

The fact that you have interpreted my post in such a way speaks volumes about your views of housewives!!

Now that you have beaten me and Tony Abbott over the head for using the word "housewives" I suggest we get back on topic please.

Duckman

Your comment above is a complete contradiction to your swipe about starting a newspaper based on the input of retired solicitors, animal activists and housewives writing letters to the editor, being of less value in the expressions of their opinions as against that of your "expert" political columnist.

This was a put down on the right of "housewives" to use the means of writing to editors to express their opinions, as is their right under our freedom of expression/print laws. It was also a put down to suggest that their opinions were not worth as much as that of your paid "expert". I am not the one that is guilty of "Once again you appear to be shooting off on a tangent to rational thinking". It appears more likely that you have taken a position of oppositon to my comment without first thinking through your comments. I simply called it as I saw it.

 

[Duckman#72]

Let's move away from paid columnists whose job it is to follow the daily activities of Canberra and start a newspaper written only by housewives, retired solicitors and unemployed animal activists - can't see any agenda's being pushed there!!
Duckman

You didn't answer my last post Nulla. Show me where I implied in the above quote that housewives are second-class citizens?? For that matter show me where I implied that retired solicitors or unemployed animal activists were also second class citizens??Have a good read of the bold type - that is the crucial part of my quote.

Now for your latest post:

Your comment above is a complete contradiction to your swipe about housewives writing letters to the editor being of less value in the expressions of their opinions as against that of your "expert" political columnist

Take the blinkers off Nulla Nulla. Everyone obviously has an opinion - some we'll agree with others we won't. I just think that a full time political commentator like Dennis Shanahan (who isn't overtly linked to a political party - unlike Phillip Adams or Andrew Bolt) is likely to have less bias than letters written in from Billy Bloggs off the street. I didn't even suggest that their letters were "less valued in the expressions of their opinions".

Duckman

 

[So_Cynical]

My too ... Googled it and something about Israeli parliament?
What's a Hassonist?

Yep sorry for the double typo...i meant Hansonist...as in Pauline Hanson believer/follower, someone looking for very simple answers, expressed simply in black and white terms.

Abbott and Bananaby seem to be attracting some Hansonists looking for what Pauline used to provide.

 

[nulla nulla]

You didn't answer my last post Nulla. Show me where I implied in the above quote that housewives are second-class citizens?? For that matter show me where I implied that retired solicitors or unemployed animal activists were also second class citizens??Have a good read of the bold type - that is the crucial part of my quote.

Now for your latest post:



Take the blinkers off Nulla Nulla. Everyone obviously has an opinion - some we'll agree with others we won't. I just think that a full time political commentator like Dennis Shanahan (who isn't overtly linked to a political party - unlike Phillip Adams or Andrew Bolt) is likely to have less bias than letters written in from Billy Bloggs off the street. I didn't even suggest that their letters were "less valued in the expressions of their opinions".

Duckman

Anyone interested can read back through the thread and form there own opininion as to who said what and how it should be interpreted. I stand by what I have written.

 

[Duckman#72]

This was a put down on the right of "housewives" to use the means of writing to editors to express their opinions, as is their right under our freedom of expression/print laws.

Yes, let's call it quits Nulla, before I threaten further liberties of Australian housewives right across the nation.

Put it down to a misunderstanding.

Duckman

 

[Timmy]

I believe it is an underground movement that has developed a cult following over the years based on the beliefs and lifestyle of David Hasselhoff.
...

Hope this helped.

Duckman

Yes, it did thank-you Duckman!

Yep sorry for the double typo...i meant Hansonist...as in Pauline Hanson believer/follower, someone looking for very simple answers, expressed simply in black and white terms.

Abbott and Bananaby seem to be attracting some Hansonists looking for what Pauline used to provide.

Got it, thanks So Cynical. I thought it must have been a typo but wasn't sure if you meant Hansonist or Bassoonist

 

[awg]

Following reports in the press praising the truckie and deriding the Comcar driver, I checked the youtube.

While I agree the Comcar driver was not driving to the best practice, the truckie was downright dangerous, if things were a millisecond different he could be up on negligent driving causing multiple deaths.

You must be able to anticipate any reasonable event on the road, and be able to bring your vehicle to a halt.

The only way to do this is to travel an appropriate distance behind the vehicle in front.

Someone turning right is hardly unforseable, a professional driver has insufficient excuse.

I have come across many situations where a vehicle has been unsafely stopped on the roadway, including breakdowns, roadrage, domestics, drunks, madmen and other unknown causes, and it is up to me to keep a safe lookout and not drive into the back of them.

Watch the vehicle directly in front of you, Driver training 101

I hope Abbott never makes PM, but I would hate to see him go out like that.
Restrained of Abbotts office to praise the driver.
Poor form from the truck company to make adverse comment

 

[nulla nulla]

The driver of the mini bus was able to observe what Mr Abbotts driver was doing (making a perfectly legal right hand turn into private property) and take the appropriate action of overtaking on the left hand side of Mr Abbots vehicle. However there is a suggestion that the driver of the mini bus slowed down excessively to observe the gathered media throng.
The manner in which the semi trailer braked and then swerved off the road to avoid Mr Abbotts vehicle and the bus, could indicate the the semi trailer driver had been too close to the vehicles in front of him, had not observed that Mr Abbotts vehicle was executing a perfectly legal turn onto private property and was then caught out by the driver of the mini bus slowing down excessively to gawk.
The distance in which the semi-trailer was able to stop, however, suggests to me that the semi-trailer was not speeding. The manner in which the semi-driver elected to go onto the verge to avoided everyone was a credit to him.