Reasons you will hate me

even andrew bolt is considering whether the Liberals have a future! Oh happy day!

it was all very sexy.

Ding, dong, the witch is dead.
It's bennalong time coming,
Now let's paint the town red(ish).

Hey - your patience paid off!! Congratulations - I hope he does not become another version of Howard. I enjoyed your political ranting. We still have our idiot for another year!

that sounded a bit more communist than it was meant to. Damn you rhyming scheme.

He was a twat though, wasn't he?

Well, wonderful. You finally got rid of the Rodent, and replaced him with Rodent Lite. What a fantastic victory (?!)

Y'all just see this in terms of sporting teams now, don't you...

1095 days until the next election

Costello's done the Bolt, I guess they can both recognise a sinking ship when they see one.

Enjoy your joy while it lasts.

PS I hate you.

I am so deliriously happy. Decided before the party started what a bonus. Stayed up all night ear bashing the losers at the party... Just winding down now. One last drink before bed...

I'm going to crash into beautiful drunken political dreams now...

Oh so happy.

oh yeah anon! you can be sure of that - now go away and die - we've got some partying to do

Yes I voted labor. No, I don't think this is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Why? Because it wouyld be unbelievably naive of me to think the incoming government isn't going to make mistakes and break promises.

I see this only as the least unpleasant of only two highly unpleasant alternatives.

Honestly people, get some fucking perspective.

Well may that be the case A.Pants, but after eleven and a half years of callous bullshit from JWH and co I am savouring the moment of their downfall like a stack of Monte Carlos washed down with champagne.


Next week, perspective. Today - Helen is right. We party down like motherfuckers.

since i voted for rudd PERSONALLY, you'd better,

kelvin

p.s. isn't it marvellous?

I'm not so much excited about Rudd's win as I am the Liberals' loss. Although the ALP are as far right as they have ever been the party does at least have a left side to it as opposed to the ethically bereft dickwads who have been shown the door. Fingers crossed that Greens get the balance of power in the senate otherwise it could be Liberal-obstructionist-tactics-type of Gough time (mother fuckers).

P.S. FFP = "Family First Party" or "Filthy Fucking Pariahs"?

It doesn't matter if Rudd lets us down. He will, just like Bob Hawke did. What matters right now is dancing on Little Johnny's grave. Whoopie!

*happy dance*

*happy pants*

Fair enough.

Tiny bottles of champagne for all.

SPARKLING ROSE

I spent about half and hour doing the can-can on Howard's grave last night. muahah

I am just so relieved it ended the only way it deserved to: complete and utter rejection of the bastard. I was terrified he was going to retire on top last year and we'd never get to see him crushed. Thank god the bastard stayed on... now his legacy is officially mud.

RWDBs: eat it, mothas.

congratulatorians sane australian people! I bow down before your new leader.

you forgot..

I hope you watched the channel 7 coverage. Joe Hockey was 'devastated' according to the highly insightful captions that kept popping up beneath his tearful face every time he said that he was devastated.

I was at Peter Costellos election night wake, and I was at 4 Treasury when he decided to pull the pin and chase the serious dollars offered to those with ability and a degree of political insight.
All of you moronic lefties who hope that water will turn to wine and fishes will feed the multitudes of grifters who believe an elected "left" wing govt will make all of your lives easy be warned. Its all smoke and mirrors and despite a great speech written by a speech writer as talented with words as our beloved Ms Fits, Kevin Rudd will simply continue along a fairly sensible right wing path. There will be tinkering around the edges but in reality it isn't about left and right as middle and middler.
So enjoy your perceived victory. Talk to me in 12 months....
Sorry Marieke , but 21st century Australia is far more complex than lovely " don't fuck it up" slogans..."
And before anyone accuses me of being a liberal stooge I'll happily scan and show my membership to the ALP!

You're probably right, smithy, but this is at least something. The first fed election I voted in was '96, and I suspect the case is similar for many others posting here. This is the first one I like; I'll pretty much take whatever I can get.

Signing Kyoto, at least, is a significant shift.

I have nothing new to add, just want to join this glorious chorus.


In ya jocks reptilian fascists, you cannot corrupt our bodily fluids, eat this and die! YEAH!




Perspective? Pffft... not now please!

What's with all the raining on the parade? At the very least, this victory is a signal that we are not a nation of apathetic, if not disdainful people. We will not stand for an amoral government (well, after a certain amount of time). We will not accept that economic prosperity is the be all and end all. I believe the nation voted the Liberals out on principal, and this should be a sign to the Labor government of what we expect.

It is heartening that it seems that people actual started to give a shit. I needn't leave this country just yet.

Yeah, "don't fuck it up" was obviously devised as an analysis of contemporary Australia Smithy. If your assessment of Rudd's speech is any guide to your political worldliness then I'd venture a guess that you're about 7 years old and have switched on your dad's laptop to play 3D minesweeper. The speech was naff and your "analysis" of Australian politics isn't exactly a lightbulb moment for people who've moved on to long pants (I think you'll find most of it already expressed in comments before your own valuable contribution).

Oh epon_anon..
You superior piece of shit. Read what I said again and then try and analyze objectively the sentiments expressed. I have always leaned more left than right but again Australia has become the middle ground of middle class welfare ( $3,000+ baby bonus regardless of income...Yes Labor supports this with out means testing...I earn over $100,000 per year and my 9 month old will have a great private school education thanks to this largesse)
Rudd labor added nothing to the political debate except " its time for a change" I hope it works. I really do. Until then I'll watch with interest. You can attack me personally but you didn't attack my arguments..you must be a Liberal...Thats their trick....

Free wine and as much fish as you can eat. Kyoto will be signed. A formal apology will be given to the aboriginals. The federal government will take financial responsibility for hospitals and health. Crap industrial relations laws will be scrapped. Funding to education will be increased. Foreign policy will not unconditionally bow to the US, and troops will be withdrawn. On what planet do the Rudd is the same as Howard people live on? They live on the "run me a hot bath, I am going to neck myself, and it has nothing to do with anything else really" planet. Yes, that is the planet. Dance Magic Dance is appropriate to be played now please.

Smithy, little tip for you; starting a paragraph with "All of you moronic lefties" then having a cry about personal attacks doesn't enhance your credibility.
To reiterate for the illiterate, your sentiments aren't news - I'm pretty sure I could out cynic you when it comes to the bland sameness of modern Australian politics. I just don't need to prick anyone's balloons from above to make myself feel better about it. Nor do I need to turn the host of & commenters on this blog into leftie strawmen to create an opening for my inner cynic.
And by the way, it's Mr Superior Piece of Shit to you.

Smithy-
You're sending a kid through private school with the baby bonus?

I imagine many parents would love to know how.

Yes witty Pseudo. Kyoto will be signed..meanwhile China, India and the good old US of A will continue to pollute our planet while providing us with essentials like cheap furniture and clothing (China), more cheap clothing and sporting goods ( India) and more cheap troops for an illegal war (USA). Rudd has said troops will be withdrawn in consultation with our allies. More me too!!!!! Lets bet my house against yours exactly when this withdrawal will take place.
Oh, and when Federal labor apologizes to the Aboriginals for deeds committed by people long past, for things I had no control over and then cops the liability in court for admitting to things it had no control over that happened 200 years ago...Gee I'll be so happy even more of my tax dollars will go to a minority group that has had a huge amount of money thrown at them already.
Education funding increased? Lets see. I bet you in 5 years an average HEX debt for say medicine is the same.
I'm not unhappy Rudd has been given the chalice..I just want people to be realistic. Nectar wont flow in the Yarra and the in 6 months Australia wont be much different from now.
Oh and epon-anon..the speech may have been naff but I've worked on said speech's in a previous life and a lot of thought, time and energy goes into them....They set a tone for a govt. Like i said attack me personally but seriously you have no idea of my left wing political credentials.
I was a true believer when you were at Primary school!

You've "worked on said speech's", Anon? Luckily a spell check isn't required for the spoken word...

In other news, I don't think anyone here is as completely deluded as you paint them. We're not expecting to wake up in Scandinavia on Monday with bicycles and free education for all, the majority of commenters (including me) are just overjoyed that the wee amoral cunt is out. Plus, you know, if nectar flowed in the Yarra, all the fish would get very sticky.

Now, if you'll excuse me:
"Don't tell me not to LIVE, just sit and putter,
Life's candy and the SUN's a ball of butter,
Don't bring around a CLOUD, TO RAIN ON MY PARADE!!!!"

and by Anon, I of course meant smithy.

Ahem.

Just saw the replies while I was composing my responses...epon_anon..describing the people who post on this blog as "moronic lefties" is as accurate as it is sad. Read some of the drivel that is written in the coments.."Oh if Howard wins I'll kill myself" or " Can I bring myself to have sex with a Liberal if I haven't managed to score in ages!!!" Give me a break!
Of course my sentiments aren't news to the larger, thinking community. But on this blogg they are.
Trust me, I'm not trying to make myself feel better. God if I wanted to do that I'd just ignore this forum and enjoy my middle class smugness.
But there are bigger issues and all I'm trying to say Kevin Rudd isn't the Messiah, he wont wave his arm and fix everything people perceive needs fixing and at the end of the day he's just another politician who will make excuses as to why the world is the way it is.
Oh and Sim..how can I send my daughter to a private school with the baby bonus? Its called compound interest..Invest the bonus at 7%,( don't buy a plasma TV) add $50.00 per week for the 12 years until my 9 month old goes to secondary school and wammo..Private school education. Mind you I hope by then Kevin's education revolution has taken over and I can trust my daughter to a State School like I went to....Got me into Medicine at Melb uni! And at Good ol North Geelong High there wasnt a knife in sight back then!
And no I wont call you Mr Superior piece of shit..I dont want to make the average dog turd in my back yard feel it's competing with someone of your obvious intellect! Hey..You started it!

Louise......when your parade is over and you come back to reality in a few months, type at me...When Kevin does something that offends your sensibilities and makes you realize he's just another pollie who has said everything he can to make you love him, much like a guy at a night club hoping to get lucky only then will you realize the truth of what I am saying. Untill then enjoy the delusion....

I don't think you are listening, or giving people enough credit. We aren't saying Kevin is perfect, or will BE perfect. What we are saying is was time for a change, and change is what we have. Which we are happy about. One good thing about living in a democracy is that we can give Rudd a go, and see how he does. If he does shit, we can vote him out next time.

We are excited at the change that has happened, and the POSSIBILITY of what change is to come. Don't be such a patronising arse.

Bec...Giving people enough credit??? God, Howard got in 3 times...How moronic do I think the electorate is??
Again I'll point to the depth of political debate on this blogg..." If I root an Liberal am I a bad person????"...Or Marieke herself " My friends believe I fingered my dog!!!!" ...
Ok I give up..I tried to provide informed debate and a touch of reality to what is a fairly serious issue and I was shot down. Jon Faine, you are right. Bloggs and their attendant comments are a complete waste of time. Shortcut deleted.

Actually, Costello was a true believer when I was in primary school & I think Windschuttle was making the transition from sad Maoist to crap postmodernist (before he became a mediocre historian) so I'm not sure what you're trying to persuade me of. Sorry you can't find anyone real to live out your stereotypes, perhaps you could dress some dolls up in Che t-shirts & make little lefty placards for them instead?

Smithy...you're a member of the Labor Party?

May I ask why?

Well epon_anon, given that you began your attack on me, accusing me of being a 7 year old playing with dads computor and now you throw Windshuttle at me I'm not sure where you are coming from either. I gather you are enjoying Uni and when you get your BA (bachelor of attendance) I'm sure you'll believe its a real degree!!!!
If any of you READ what I've said, my contention is that Kevin Rudd isn't the be all and end all of Australian politics, that true left wing ideals no longer exist in mainstream labor and that if you believe the hype you'll be disappointed.
Anyway I've had enough. Good night, God bless and good luck.....

Costello showed his true colours, by refusing to eat a bowl of dick (for possibly six years) and instead fucks off to greener pastures.

Time to clean the Augean stables ..

Ben,
Because I believe in social equality. I believe that big business doesn't equal opportunity for all. I believe that education is a privilege that shouldn't be dependent on your ability to afford it. I believe If the big end of town prospers it means the workers who help that prosperity should also benefit, not by hoping the wealth filters down but directly through fair wages agreed by collective agreement. I believe in a health care system not dependent upon money but upon need. The private health rebate is obscene in that in guarantees the health funds huge sums of money that should be simply added to the healthcare budget. Rudd in his "me too" campaign said nothing about any of this. Like I have said before the new Rudd Govt is more aligned with Mal Fraser than Ben Chifley. I hope I'm proved wrong. I really do.
But that why I'm a member of the Labor party.
Thanks for asking......

I was at Peter Costellos election night wake, and I was at 4 Treasury when he decided to pull the pin and chase the serious dollars offered to those with ability and a degree of political insight.

and then:

But that why I'm a member of the Labor party.

A card-carrying ALP member at Costellos wake?

But before that:

Anyway I've had enough. Good night, God bless and good luck.....

Please follow your own advice, you're rapidly becoming tired, confused and just a smidgen hysterical.

Smithy, many lefties aren't expecting a great deal from Rudd, either. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy seeing Howard FINALLY get his sweet comeuppance.

If Rudd turns out to be a clayton's Howard, then hopefully Labor will lose seats to the Greens in 2010 and they'll drag him back to the side of light.

In the meantime, Hooray for Nothoward! Three cheers for Nothoward! Long may Nothoward reign!

IMO, you can't blame the public for failing to elect Mr. Latham at the last election - I think people saw that he was not really the safest choice (and his subsequent implosion really proved that) - "better the devil you know" last time around. This time, the alternative was obviously more stable (the impression of extremely similar policies helped with this) - folks felt they could give this guy a go...

The problem with the majority of posters on this site is that although they masquerade as political scientists, in reality the sum of all their collective knowledge on the subject could be compiled on a single sheet of paper. The only reasons any of you can cite as a reason to support the ALP are humanitarian ones (Kyoto, hospitals, Iraq). You consider these issues to be open and shut cases that should just be 'fixed', without ever considering the consequences (FYI our public health system is fantastic). Instead of acting like oh-so-smart undergraduates, I suggest actually researching the issues and then forming a view instead of simply following the neo-hippie movement. I realise this will actually require some effort on your behalf but now that you won the election think of how much free time you will have now that you don't need to come to this site and vent for 3 hours a day.
xxx

Smithy is cool. I have a deep respect for the medical fraternity as I may shortly need their services.
I have a Che t shirt.
500 troops out of southern Iraq within 12 months a cert, one of my houses is in central London, where is yours?
Remove the inflation from the arguement and I will take you up on the cost of a medical degree also, but I would prefer a 2 year window.
Kyoto does not equal solution to everything, agreed.
Government can and will fuck with the High Court decissions as they can legislate against them and have done before, and will of course incorperate compensation considerations in the apology which IS morally necessary if you wish to be proud of our national history (you may dis-associate and not wish to and that is cool too).

Seriously well done Smithy, you sparked debate. I am B+, no known alergies, just try to save the face, my beautiful face.

I wish I was at the Wentworth.

The above Bob Ellis incarnation is being a little twatty.

Anyone who does the "everyone on this blog" sweeping generalisation insult/patronisation is being a bit of a twat.

For example I think I have researched one of your topics as much as possible. There are people that know things on this blog too you know.

I am a twat for being offended by twats that address the entire blog.

Twat, bring it back I say.

I love the Young Ones.

Oh I feel better after a nights sleep....cfsmtb...I studied medicine many many years ago...qualified then hated it. I was at Costellos shin digs because I work in the media, and have done so for nearly 30 years. Not sure what your point was but I think the hysterical line was a bit far from the truth.
WP, well done..you got it! I was just trying to entice some of our younger readers to think a bit more than "Rudd good, Howard evil"...For the record the Howard govt became way to right wing in its last term and was unable to wander back to the middle ground. Howard got lucky with world events in 2001, and then even luckier with a leader like Latham in 2004.
My big disappointment with Rudd was following Howard on huge tax cuts when Australia needs that money to build world class infrastructure into the 21st century. Imagine 30 billion being put into hospitals and universities. Imagine opening up medical school places to train enough doctors to give Australia an even better health system. Thats whats needed, not people like me getting an extra $20 to $30 a week which I'll only spend on a bottle of red anyway.
Anyway Rah Rah and all that. The Rudd slide has happened, now lets see where he takes us....

I know it's not exactly the revolution it feels like, but after almost 1/2 my life under Howard and so many disappointments I'm going to dance and happy cry just a little and be very very hopeful.

I'm also going to keep an eye on Rudd et al. as I hope we all will - our influence doesn't have to end with numbering a box...

My Windschuttle reference was solely about so-called lefty credentials; many can claim to have them but I'm not sure it's the sort of company one wants to keep.
On a technical note, I'd have to disagree with yourself & WP about the apology/legal implications issue. An apology made by the federal government in parliament would be non-justiciable in and of itself. The comments section of RYWHM is probably not the best place for a broader discussion of the constitutional authority of the High Court vis-à-vis the executive/legislative branch.

I'm sorry!

Therese, where are my trousers ?
Umm....

Why is there a goat in the bed ?

Ms. Fits,

I just thought I might take a little of my drinking time to relate the reaction of some of the large Australian diaspora here in London to your readership.

I woke this morning feeling very ill. After Saturdays mornings Labor victory I wasn't in the best of spirits. How can you feel good after drinking since 9am?. I went to the bathroom and hocked up a foamy blob of phlegm into the sink. Strangely enough it resembled the head of John Howard, complete with big foamy eyebrows. I washed it down the sink.

I'd spent the day with smug Labor stalwarts selling Kevin07 T shirts, satisfied Greens happy to have done so well and have watched Howard lose Bennelong and young and frankly quite ignorant children of Labor voters looking for a great opportunity to get pissed at ten in the morning. But we all had a common goal, and we all got pissed and celebrated down in the cellar of the Penderals Oak in High Holborn.

I bought the T shirt, I got drunk, I cheered when Maxine came on the telly. But the hangover is waning, the T shirt needs washing and the realisation has now dawned. We can't give the new Labor Government unnacountable rule.

Despite Smithy's bad timing he is in fact correct. Rudd is more Fraser than Chifley and while we have a right to celebrate we need to remember that the Labor party is ruled by the right faction and needs to be held in check. It is now more important than ever to ensure that this opportunity is not wasted. If the readers of this blog want a real difference they need to let it be known at local level. Join a party. It doesn't matter If it's the greens or Democrats ( chuckle) or Labor, just join If you think the country needs changing. Apathy is retreat. You can't sit back and assume Rudd will no no wrong because he will. Sure he's better that little dishonest Johnnie Rotten but in reality the vote was always between dysentry and a bad case of diarrhorea.

At six months old I was held aloft and kissed by Comrade Gough at a Labor party rally in Melbournes city square. Of course I don't remember it but It's my own lap of honour. I show my friends the pictures that had appeared on all the national dailys. It's not 1975 though and Australia has moved on.

Be reasonable, understand that modern Australia is now an affluent and quite conservative nation and most importantly help Labor, the most progressive party to move in the right direction. Be willing to compromise, that is the nature of politics but for fucks sake get involved. It's more important than ever.

Let's celebrate, but let's get some real change effected and let's join the fight. The party in Holborn was great but this is just the beginning.

Yours,
Mr Molloy.

Some people are never happy are they?

Beautifully put, my friend. And once I sober up, I'll be certain to put your words in practice.




Please note: this may take some time.

smithy,

This:

"Again I'll point to the depth of political debate on this blogg..." If I root an Liberal am I a bad person????"...Or Marieke herself " My friends believe I fingered my dog!!!!"

+ this:

"I work in the media, and have done so for nearly 30 years."

= i don't know *how* you've worked in the media for 30 years; if you can't tell that this is not a hardcore political blog, but rather intended primarily for entertainment purposes, then you're a bit fucking crapcocked stupid, aren't you?

no one with any belief in left politics OR the ALP really believes Kevin is the messiah, just that he's a much more palatable option than that vile dwarf who's just been ousted. the election result is a great moment for some of us who'd forgotten change was possible in the past decade. it almost doesn't matter whether or not kevin delivers - the swing is confirmation that, even if they will swallow bullshit for far longer than neccessary - the australian electorate won't swallow one man's bullshit *forever*.

is the killjoy instinct in you just some grumpy old man thing?

I'm very happy squib, I'm rapturous.
I have a Rudd poster in the window of my Earls court flat. I've worn my Kevin07 shirt till it stinks. I'm surprised I haven't been admitted to A&E with alcohol poisoning.

I just think there comes a time when we need to start working to make Australia the place we all think it should be. It's too easy to think we've won and retire to our smug little worlds until the next election. What's hard is getting off our collective arses and ensuring that we grasp the nettle and take full advantage of this great opportunity.

We can't do this watching the ABC and reading the Age. Be happy and be drunk. Just don't be complacent.

Anon in London sorry that was directed at Smithy a bit belatedly. Mainly because he scoffed at my degrees (though I'm still trying to figure out if journalism is arts, great I don't even know what my degree is, talk about giving ammunition to the enemy)

I wish I'd partied hard but I live in the strange political microclimate of WA and I couldn't find anyone to party with

I hope you're drinking lots of water (sorry recycled sewage). What do you think of the water there? When I worked in Old Brompton Rd and I had my tea break, I used to notice a rainbow film on top of my tea

Ruby et al,
What is it that you hate so much about Mr Howard? I am curious as every time you refer to him it is in the most negative of ways. I realise you are Labor voters, but beyond that, what is the reasoning?

No rainbow over a pint of Kronenberg at the Prince of Teck in Earls court rd. squib. I do drink bottled water at home though. I don't fancy my innards lined with the same thick layer of limescale that coats my washing machine.

As regards Smithy, perhaps his remarks are ill-timed but he does make important points. Maybe in a few weeks time we will all be better able to get over our euphoria (and our hangovers) and start to evaluate our new situation.

Smithy: Eat it. Suck it up. Be a mensch. You lost. Your boy had eleven years and still got the arse on the back of a booming economy. When the W.I.I.F.M pack turn their back on the Liberal Party's taxpayer funded largesse, you have bigger problems than what's said on RYWHM.

I listened to AM on Sunday morning and Tony E played audio of one of the faithful leaving the wake at the Wentworth Hotel crying at the top of her voice: "I hate this country, I hate Australia after what they've done to John Howard..."

To her ilk, I say, as was said to me so many times between 1996 and December 2006 when I stumped for the ALP in debates, "If you don't like it then FUCK OFF."

I'll take Labor Right over the conservatives any day of the week, Smithy.

A great victory, won with intelligence and confidence, rather than spin. I am glad the culture of JWH is dead. I am proud and confident in KR governing my Australia, and representing me internationally

I would have liked to see more celebratory nudity for the KR victory,Saturday night .I did nude up in celebration, but I need not a reason

Suave:The cat..settle down and do a spot of reading past posts. I'm actualy a member of the Labor party. Howard wasnt "my boy", nor is Rudd in any meaningful sense. If Julia had made PM I would have been singing in the streets as she has a lot more left wing cred to really get a social concience going. I'm watching and I'm hopeful that we get a Govt that builds a sense of unity that isnt based on how much we are worth. But given the total sense of "The bland leading the blind" election campaign I'm not so sure.
As far as my remarks being ill timed...well I've always liked a good debate. As far as anon in London goes..My hearty agreement. Its one thing to wax lyrically on a blogg, its quite another to become a part of the game. Join a political party, get involved and be exposed to a huge variety of views.
Time to do some work....

Humm. Not sure if it's a question of bad timing or ... I don't know what is going on here. A debate is not out of the question, but I don't think your approach is helping, Smithy. Most people on this site are obviously happy that Howard is gone, but this business of us thinking Rudd is the messiah ... I'm not sure where you got that idea from. The 'Don't fuck it up' slogan is a pretty good (and funny, coz its rude), way of pointing out that we by no means convinced that he is going to change the world, just that he has the opportunity to do something great. Also, weighing in with the phrase 'moronic lefties', despite your own leftist philosophy, is not a great way to get us onside for a sensible debate!
How about:

Howdy fellow blogposters! What a jolly weekend! Great to see democracy (or demoCRAZY, as I like to call it (hahaha)) in action! But, say, don't you think that there's a risk here of us getting our hopes up a bit much? I'm worried that Rudd really IS howard-lite. How are we going to ensure that he doesn't waste the opportunity to really DO something about ensuring that the benifits of our economic success are shared by all?

Senilitynow..thanks for the advice re my writing style but I think I'll stick to the way I do things..held me in good stead all these years and hey, I have fun poking sticks at people. I think "moronic lefties" may have been a touch harsh..I must have been drunker and grumpier thanI thought!!! Apologies to anyone who feels slighted.
Anyway cheerio....After all this tooing and froing I need a Bex and a good lie down....

Hey, Smithy, glad you've calmed down a bit, but four points:

1/ You can't spell.

2/ Education is a right, not a privilege.

3/ If you're an ALP member who works in the media, you're either a/ breaching the MEAA code of journalistic ethics or b/ not an actual journalist. So don't present this "I work in the media" as some badge of legitimacy.

4/ If you're so fucking wholesome and wise, put your money where your mouth is and donate your baby bonus and unwanted tax cuts to a charity that looks after people who DON'T earn more than $100,000 a year "working in the media".

Scepticism is fine, cynicism is sad. Maybe you need a new job. But lay off the exuberence of youth - this is the first federal election we've voted in that has had an even half-way positive result. Try to remember how you felt in '83 and shut the fuck up, OK?

PS: I'm an ALP member too. We're not all cynical bastards.

:o, are you kidding? I'm sure everyone here has lots of reasons for celebrating the demise of Mr Howard, but surely you only need one... Tampa. That's still it for me -- and (sorry to add to the chorus of wet blankets!!) it still makes me depressed to remember that people blithely voted him back in after that. They may've swung round after realising that, oh crikey, he doesn't have a magic interest-rate button after all -- but that callous, racist, selfish, greedy, insular instincts that let them vote Liberal in 2001 are still there. Yes, I'm a self-righteous sheltered inner-suburban pseudo-socialist -- but I'm right about this one, dammit. If you voted liberal after Tampa -- sorry, I still haven't forgiven you, Kevin07 t-shirt or not.

Hmph, I was celebrating before, now I'm a bit glum. Can someone pour me another drink?

I was so going to leave this alone but young Emma, you have goaded my goat.
Point by Point.
1. You are right..My spelling has dropped off over the years as spell check has made me a tad lazy...I could name quite a number of my colleagues who are forced to use the spell check on our cyber system as well.
2. Umm when did I say education is anything but a right???? Read what I said about pumping tax cuts into Universities....I dream of students having the chance to learn without being saddled with debt. Not sure what planet you are on attacking me on something we are both in furious agreement on.
3. It isn't a conflict of interest to be a member of a political party unless I'm writing opinion pieces...Which I dont. I am a also a proud member of the MEAA. There is nothing in our code of ethics that prevents us from being in any political party, only that we disclose said membership if a story we are doing could be construed as having a conflict of interest.
We have a senior editor, who is still a member of the union, who stood for pre-selection for the Labor party a few years ago. We also have journos who have worked as press secs for both side of politics.
If you are going to make a point do it about something you know about.
4. You have no idea about what I do with my money and what charities I support. To make such a personal attack shows a fair degree of immaturity. I'm making logical points hopefully provoking some thought. Hurling abuse only shows you to be as intolerant of different ideas as some people from the other side of politics.
You also seem skeptical that I'm a journo..Thats your problem., but I guarantee you have seen my work many many times. Oh and how did I feel in 83? Pretty happy, but wary. I'd seen Hawke drunk on many occasions and knew what he could be like.

Right now, the cause for celebration is that Howard has been punished. This is a worthwhile use of our votes as well.

Thanks for your answer, Smithy. Let us hope Rudd is at least closer to Fraser than to Howard.

...No really.... I *AM* sorry.... The last 11 and a half years were really just a cruel joke .... I thought I was actually playing dungeons and dragons... or was it Gor ? I forget... I'm getting old.

....Of course my decisions were made by tossing dice!...

Hi Smithy. Shame we're arguing at what should, obviously, be a joyous time for both of us when our party comes to power, but must respond:

1/ OK. But is laziness an excuse? I don't understand bad spelling (as opposed to typos) - to me, it means a person doesn't read!

2/ Quote: your comment 25/11 23.56: "Ben.......I believe that education is a privilege that shouldn't be dependent on your ability to afford it."

I'm clearly being a smart-arse, because your essential point is sound, but you did call education a privilege, my friend!

3/ Disagree with your interpretation. I DO write opinion pieces, and clearly identify my affiliations when doing so. It's not a problem under the code - opinion is opinion and can be informed by bias. The problems arise when straight reporatge is undeclared. I know that when I was on air at SBS I was forced to give up my party membership. Maybe, as proud MEAA members, we are also in furious agreement about this? But I do know what I speak of - I teach in this area!

4/ Not hurling abuse, and nowhere did I presume to know about your charitable intentions - I was simply pointing out that, if you're so concerned about the middle-class welfare (beautifully described by George Megalogenis on Insiders yesterday as the "frequent flyer" approach - IE: rewarding loyalty rather than need!) of the last government (how lovely to write that!) that you could do more than point out its faults and actually make a stand to donate the undeserved spoils to someone in real need. It's called making a point - something any good journo understands.

Re. '83 and other issues, I'm not actually as young as most on this site, and, had I been a citizen at the time, could have voted in '93. I agree that Hawke, like Rudd, was far from perfect. But let us have our moment of joy, eh?

Mate, if you can't take it, don't dish it. I was responding in kind to your vitriolic earlier posts. You're obviously a good bloke, but if you're going to spray at a bunch of good-hearted people on a blog, then you should expect the same in return.

No I am not joking, like I said, I am curious. Surely it is not just Tampa that has your knickers in a knot?

Not so young Emma...

"The problems arise when straight "reporatge" is undeclared"...Now who isn't proofing their work! Sorry, had to get that one in....
Trust me when I say my spelling is normally a lot better than when I'm well into a bottle of fine vino as I read the comments on this blogg.
I agree with Megalogenis..I wish I'd have written that line. My statement about blowing my tax cut on a bottle of red was meant to be sarcastic, highlighting the lack of need in middle class Australia for such taxation largess.
As far as me being vitriolic in my earlier posts I do get grumpy when people aren't objective about something as important as our elected leaders. I'm happy we have a Labor govt, but at the same time, much like the lover who has been spurned one time too many, I'm incredibly wary that the euphoria can turn to heartache very quickly.
As far as the MEAA issue goes I feel I've always been professional enough to report objectively regardless of my affiliations. Working for SBS is a bit different from the private sector I imagine. in that you must be "seen" to be untainted hence the need to resign from the party. Strange line of reasoning as you would still have a loyalty to the ALP and left wing thinking.
You teach journalism.. RMIT or Deakin? If its RMIT I used to work with your boss, Maree C.
Have a great day Comrade...

:o, sure, I disagreed with the Howard government over plenty of other issues. But the Tampa episode, and the Howard government's treatment of asylum-seekers generally, are what tipped me over from rational disagreement to sheer horrified rage. I think that's what you were asking about? If I have to explain to you why that 'got my knickers in a knot', I reall don't know where to begin -- I think we must be starting from completely opposite moral poles.
cheers

I'm not as thinked as you pissed I am, but I'm very happy, thash for sure, coz de rodent is down the dunny!

to :o
for me it was the lies told so he could follow a moron into a pre-emtive war. Resonsible leaders do everything to avoid war. lies lies lies and more lies, spending $300million+ of our money own spin and self promotion. AWB, Manilda, the shameful treatment of refugees, Hicks hushup and lies lies and nasty racist dogwhistling and nasty attempts to create working poor via workchoices. I could go on and on but if you dont know by now you are just wilfully ignorant and not worth the time.

All I really wanted to say was to Tony Abbott

"Shit happens Tony!!"
All I really want to say is to

Thank god he went away.