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1
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Election 2025 (Poll added)
Last post by DJC -
We have seen some unsavoury incidents involving most, if not all, political persuasions during this campaign.  However, the reality is that they are few and far between.

I have voted in every Commonwealth, State and Local Government election since 1971 in Labor, Liberal, Country Party and swinging electorates.  I have never witnessed any shenanigans at polling stations.  On the contrary, the party and independent volunteers have usually been relaxed and in good spirits.  It’s not uncommon to see volunteers or candidates chatting lightheartedly with their opposite numbers.

The debates between Albo and Dutton may not have been inspiring or entertaining but they were notable for the respectful manner in which both participants handled themselves.  In fact, while Albo and Dutton may have opposing political stances, they are mates.

We may complain about the quality of our politicians and our system of government, but we shouldn’t complain about the manner in which our system functions.  It’s a bit like spectators at our footy matches; there will be banter but it’s generally good-natured and rarely escalates.

It would be a tragedy if footy crowds had to be segregated and it would be a disaster if our elections were marred by violence and hate.

For that reason, I hope that the courts come down hard on everyone from the cyclist who attacked the Palmer supporter to the 17 year old who punched the old fellow … and even harder on the neo-nazi scumbags.
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Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Election 2025 (Poll added)
Last post by DJC -
Well said Lods!

A minor correction; the student who attempted to assassinate Calwell used a sawn-off .22 rifle.  He fired through the window of Calwell’s car, the bullet was deflected and Calwell was injured by shards of glass.

Apparently, the student was motivated more by a desire to emulate the spate of political assassinations that had occurred around the world.  He chose Calwell because of his opposition to conscription and the Vietnam War.
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Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Election 2025 (Poll added)
Last post by Lods -
A couple of takeouts...

Stupid actions at pre-polling stations aren't the restricted to one side of the political spectrum.
We will no doubt see more shenanigans tomorrow.

Elections are emotional times and the policies of parties based on divisiveness and in some cases 'hate' tend to trigger those on opposite sides.
Even at the basic Liberal/Labor level of 'combat' emotions run high at election times.

Demonise the individual politicians on a personal level and you will often get some lunatic who will take that on board and react in a stupid way....luckily, so far this has been restricted to things like vandalising electoral offices or throwing the odd egg or two...but back in the day, during the 60s, Labor Leader Arthur Calwell had a shotgun fired at him. Luckily it was just superficial wounds to the face.

Minor parties can offer you the world...because they have no chance of forming government in their own right.
Independents can be great advocates for their political barrow, and their electorate, but the major decisions affecting our lives are made by those with the power...and that's really a choice of two
We may not be enamoured of that choice but it really boils down to a Labour or LNP  government.



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Blah-Blah Bar / Re: Election 2025 (Poll added)
Last post by DJC -
Just to round things out, a cyclist kicked and punched a Strumpet of Patriarchy volunteer at a Pakenham pre-polling station.  The cyclist's political affiliation, if any, isn't known but his comments indicate that he is opposed to Palmer's policies on migration and multiculturalism.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 7 2025 Post Game Prognostications Carlton vs Geelong
Last post by Lods -
Weitering's a 'general' back there.
We saw that when he was miked up for a game a year or two back.
He was telling players like Doc and Walsh where to go.

Voss has stated that Charlie can choose when to go back.
But if Weitering sees a need at a certain time he probably has a right to give "Charlie's choice" the call.
If the coaches disagree they can always send him back to where he came from.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 8 2025 Pre Game Carlton v Adelaide in Adelaide
Last post by Lods -
Evans led our tackle count in the VFL last week with 8
He also led our inside 50 stats with 7
He had the ball 16 times.

I'm guessing he played a role that was assigned and probably performed that well enough.
Although he didn't have a great impact that's probably a 'fair' performance.

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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 8 2025 Pre Game Carlton v Adelaide in Adelaide
Last post by ElwoodBlues1 -
Quote from: crashlander – on
Our line-up:

B:  [32] Matthew Carroll  [23] Jacob Weitering  [11] Mitch McGovern
HB:  [13] Blake Acres  [26] Nick Haynes  [42] Adam Saad
C:  [20] Elijah Hollands  [9] Patrick Cripps  [4] Oliver Hollands
HF:  [18] Sam Walsh  [10] Harry McKay  [3] Jesse Motlop
F:  [8] Lachie Fogarty  [30] Charlie Curnow  [33] Lewis Young
R:  [12] Tom De Koning  [5] Adam Cerra  [29] George Hewett
Int:  [19] Corey Durdin  [38] Will White  [36] Cooper Lord  [15] Sam Docherty  [2] Lachlan Cowan

Em:  [44] Francis Evans  [25] Jaxon Binns  [27] Marc Pittonet

I wonder what Frankie Evans knows that keeps him in the picture? I can't see any other reason that he's that close to a game.
Binns: I guess he deserves a try.
Pitto: Yeah, he has to be close.
I think Evans had a high tackle count in the last game and maybe is seen as someone who can play a run with role as he seemed to spend a lot of time up the ground rather than down forward.
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Robert Heatley Stand / Re: VFL 2025 Rd 6 Carlton vs Coburg at Coburg
Last post by DJC -
It’s the Vicki Cleary Day match and I hope there’s a good crowd.

I knew Vicki and her death was a tragedy exacerbated by a failure of our justice system.

Well done to Coburg for their ongoing support for this very worthwhile cause, but there’s no room for sentiment on the footy field so go Blues!