How many pages are we up to for the 'Red Trump' who runs a country on the other side of the world?
For me, living in Victoria, I see the consequences of what our government (s) do everyday and have an understanding of the effect that it has on people - and I agree that it's bad and I'm looking hopefully for a viable alternative.
In the US, I see the dismantling of government, disregard of the constitution, blatant corruption (including from the Pre$ident) democracy falling by the wayside, not treating people decently and no respect for society. The cover ups on the Epstein files are an absolute disgrace - it is surely beyond politics that people (loose use of the word) need to be accountable for their actions, not matter who they are. Lack of justice for migrants. The lack of compassion and kindness that is increasing (this is not unique to the US). I struggle to see how the US is going recover from the destruction from 2020 (we won the election), the insurrection, pardons and denials of the seriousness of what happened on Jan6. (Democrats are no angels with pardons!). The US has a butterfly effect in many countries.
The global political situation is pretty stark.
I see hope in countries starting to work together without the US - we'll see how it all goes!
Shawny raised a perfectly legitimate about the kwality (sic) of the current Vic Labor government. This has actually prompted some interesting commentary and discussion, however, it is a turn off when personal accusations fly.
It is interesting I don't really see a hammering of the Vic government - there should be a greater scrutiny, but everything seems to get shut down pretty quickly, or just run out of steam. It is there, but not as loud as it could be considering there is an election this year.
The major thing that I would disagree with Shawny about is that the current government wasn't legitimately elected as Jacinta wasn't the leader at election time. We all have a dilemma at times about whether to vote for a good local member, or a party that you may be more aligned with. Yes, the 'known' leader at the time may attract/deflect votes, but everyone knows that outside of the leaders' electorate we're not voting directly for them.
It is going to be hard for a lot of people this election - it is hard to argue that the current gov is good, but the LNP or PHON? Yes, we typically throw out a government rather than vote the opposition in - could be anyone's game.
Saw an interesting article that it could be hard for VEC to determine who the 2 party's are - Labor & LNP or PHON, which could then delay the results.
"How people accept this absolute bloody disgrace corrupt bunch of criminals that just happens to be in charge of running our state - running it into the ground astounds me"
Not accepting it, Shawny. This is an absolute disgrace and appropriate action needs to be taken against the appropriate people - with 'I know nothing' or 'I don't remember' not being acceptable.
There are two difficulties that I have. The first is that no one was really made (federally) accountable for Robodebt - one of many horrific actions of the gov of the day. There is a bit of shrug the shoulders - what can we do. The second is that the opposition have its scandals the other way with property development and Lobster with a mobster - once bitten twice shy? Unless we are able to be absolutely convinced that this is no longer going on.
The conflict of interest ($$, power, looking after mates) within parliament is nearly as big as in the AFL.
I think the One nation popularity is due to the appalling Labour Government and the lack of confidence in their attitude to community safety and woeful economic performance. It's a far swing to the right out of desperation and frustration with both major parties being seen as incompetent and not listening to mainstream voters. You add in the Greens who are devoid of any policies other than of the conservation variety and the simplistic policies of Hanson look appealing to voters doing it tough and Hanson's fish and chip shop owner battler image. [/quote]
It's not all about # votes it's where they are that matters. Greens are socialist, which doesn't work in a society that is asking 'what about me?'. Hanson speaks to many different prejudices, like MAGA does, so it is easy to find a platform that suits.
Hanson is probably worth well over 10 million - doing well to maintain battler image. Still yet to contribute anything positive or meaningful to Parliament.
As a curiosity, what is the woeful economic performance - I assume you are referring to Feds? (Vic is blindingly obvious to all!)
Jacinta's fight won't be due to great opposition quality. If Jacinta gets up, it is because there is even less hope in the opposition - labour has 56 of 88 seats. LNP needs to work very hard still (although I think there are some pretty tight seats, which helps)
The now ex-coalition don't want to be in federal government - liberals hold 27 seats, nats 31 (out of 150). Going it alone won't get them anywhere. Nats/PHON is curious, as Hanson has no lower house seats (and never has). Surely it would be impossible to get to 76 seats for them.
LNP whinge no immediate action from Labor after Bondi, when it happens, whinge that it is too fast. Nats tell Libs that three shadow cabinet members are going to vote against the proposed consequences knowing that they will be kicked out from s/cabinet. Nats then threaten to have all other s/cabinet members resign if Libs do kick the 3 out - Libs call them out, Nats resign. Don't know if Utopia/Working Dog could have come up with this.
Hanson is gaining traction as she is seen as an opposition, because LNP have no idea how to be a coalition anymore. Read the One Nation policies, certainly not going to win global citizen of the year, a couple of pie in the sky thought bubbles, a couple of OK ideas and some rubbish (all parties would have a similar mix) - but really with no legislative experience, and if they got in a whole bunch of MPs with no idea as to how parliament works. May depend on preferences but have a stronger Senate presence.
My kids play a lot of games vs. sides stacked with kids with Indian and Sri Lankan backgrounds and the term "pushy parent" is very apt. I'd hate to be the coach of one of those kids, the parental interference would drive you dingbats.
Many parents want the other kids to well, just not as well as their kids! Pushy parents will be that way if the are not reined in quickly. Amazing what putting a #4 down to #11 does as a result of parental actions.
Kawaja is a bit polarising - says some good and some rubbish things. I think in the end a good career in some ordinary sides - a great lesson in perseverance. Fielding could still do with some work.
Swepdon, if you want a leggies, Rocciocelli (sp) WA is having an excellent shield session.
England batting properly except for their horrible get out shots when they ran out of patience looked much more threatening than the first two tests.
AUS team for boxing day - In: Smith, Neser, Murphy. Out: Inglis (for Smith), Cummins (rested), Lyon (inj). Green lucky - too many changes, Usman lucky - boys club means he survives instead of Ingliss. Unlucky again - Webster.
Cam Green is out of credits. Won't bowl, can't bat. He may be seen as "better" than Webster on potential but it's performance that counts. Can't understand what Webster did wrong, dropped for no obvious reason, while some can't get dropped no matter how badly they are playing.
Old boys network. They all salivate over him, yet the public can't see why - averages <34 after more than 50 innings.
Thanks for the Tom Waits lyrics, DJC - I haven't listened to that album for a long time.
I find a lot of comfort and peace as well in music - been listening to Nina Simone's You'll never walk alone, Gabriel's Oboe & Like a bridge over troubled water quite a bit. They all have sadness, strength and some peace in them.
I hope this brings a change to Australia - back to unity and respect. Unfortunately, I can't see it at the moment.
It seems that the gun laws need admin tweaks more than anything eg National digital registers, number of guns to own. Would changing guns laws prevent what happened if the perpetuator is determined enough?
I have a book about the global rise of anti-Semitism. I didn't get far - it is a hard read, but I think I need to get through it now.
Agree - as soon as we thought England were going to declare, went stupidly defensive, which gave them so many free and easy runs and zero pressure.
The notion of not even 25 overs a session is abhorrent to everyone but the players out there. Part of test cricket is that you need to manage bowlers in order to get through 90 overs in a day - taking into account DRS and time that the batting team wastes - they need to be accountable as well. The penalties could be runs - 10 runs for every late over.
Selection is a mess. It doesn't really seem as if they have batting plans - I'm certainly not convinced Head is an opener or that Ingliss is of the right quality! And they obviously don't know who they want to bowl - Starc, Neser, Boland, Doggett and Green - only slight variation. Lyon would have been handy to get through some overs and offer something different. Through the fixturing of domestic cricket, often there is little exposed red ball form leading into the test series - better this year, but there don't seem to be great standouts. Having said that, the only change to the team really needed to be a bat in for Khawaja.
Imagine playing a game where when it is your turn to do the thing that you are paid very well to do, you say 'No thanks. We'll wait until it's a bit easier and we'll slow the game down ridiculously in order to not do what I get paid to" How many more free runs will they get today...
Congratulations to Starc. His form has been pretty solid for a while now, and is getting rewards.
Didn't see a second of the game. But the women played some very compelling and infectious footy towards the end of the season that was quite enjoyable to watch - team spirit was also great.
Very ordinary by Khawaja. Only one not to play shield to get it right, can't field for 30 overs - no way could he be fit and it's not like he does a lot of work in the field - he would have known.
