A Message From Your Prime Minister - OzChess

11-02-2007, 02:56 PM

To all Australians,

Mr Speaker, Members of the Opposition, Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I first say how much I love cheap tracksuits. And I do want to say I regard it as a great personal honor to wear them whilst I am Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister.

As you all know, this next election will be a hard fought affair. It's going to be a tough fight, but like the diggers of old I will face it head on, albeit without much hair. Every morning as I walk around lake Burley-Griffin, early at dawn, I am reminded of sacrifice and jingoism that I represent. Like the Anzacs of old I share a kindred spirit with those brave WW1 veterans, who died at Gallipoli, so that I could become Prime Minister. For I too have walked at dawn before first light, albeit in sweatshop produced Chinese runners. But Mr Speaker dare I say it, where was the member for Griffith to be seen whilst I carried the baton in the relay for Australia? Does he have anywhere near the cricketing experience I have to lead this county?

A vote for Labor is a wasted vote because Labor is UnAustralian. My strong economic management has given Australians jobs and work for the dole. Work the key to economic growth. The building block for all cricket teams. Without work there is more work and without that work is an eight week cut off period from the dole. And that can only be a good thing. With low interest rates and full unregistered unemployment there is more time for cricket and swimming. The coalitions economic policy is the generator of this economic growth. More joke jobs and unregistered 1 hour part time employed exist now then ever did, under a Labor government! Furthermore we have cut government spending and at the same time raised privatised government spending. Government needs to be kept at a bare minimum. Therefore I have decided by decree to privatise the position of Prime Minister. Only experienced Prime ministers need to apply.

Thank you.

John Winston Howard.

**phild707** · 11-02-2007, 03:16 PM

I love it.

You have my vote John (for the Logies)

I wonder if we will get a response from Kevin Rudd.
Maybe there will be a debate.
Anyone got a spare worm?

Spiny Norman · 11-02-2007, 03:29 PM

I can predict Kevin07's response: ME TOO !!!

**Chessic-Adventures** · 11-02-2007, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Hon. John Winston Howard

To all Australians,

Mr Speaker, Members of the Opposition, Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I first say how much I love cheap tracksuits. And I do want to say I regard it as a great personal honor to wear them whilst I am Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister.

As you all know, this next election will be a hard fought affair. It's going to be a tough fight, but like the diggers of old I will face it head on, albeit without much hair. Every morning as I walk around lake Burley-Griffin, early at dawn, I am reminded of sacrifice and jingoism that I represent. Like the Anzacs of old I share a kindred spirit with those brave WW1 veterans, who died at Gallipoli, so that I could become Prime Minister. For I too have walked at dawn before first light, albeit in sweatshop produced Chinese runners. But Mr Speaker dare I say it, where was the member for Griffith to be seen whilst I carried the baton in the relay for Australia? Does he have anywhere near the cricketing experience I have to lead this county?

A vote for Labor is a wasted vote because Labor is UnAustralian. My strong economic management has given Australians jobs and work for the dole. Work the key to economic growth. The building block for all cricket teams. Without work there is more work and without that work is an eight week cut off period from the dole. And that can only be a good thing. With low interest rates and full unregistered unemployment there is more time for cricket and swimming. The coalitions economic policy is the generator of this economic growth. More joke jobs and unregistered 1 hour part time employed exist now then ever did, under a Labor government! Furthermore we have cut government spending and at the same time raised privatised government spending. Government needs to be kept at a bare minimum. Therefore I have decided by decree to privatise the position of Prime Minister. Only experienced Prime ministers need to apply.

Thank you.

John Winston Howard.

Very cute speech Mr Prime Minister

While you are here can you please tell us what your next policy to 'assist' the Aboriginal of Australia will be, and whether children should once again be removed from their parents and taught 'traditional' western values to spare them from abuse, which according to you is widespread in Aboriginal communities?

Spiny Norman · 11-03-2007, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

While you are here can you please tell us what your next policy to 'assist' the Aboriginal of Australia will be, and whether children should once again be removed from their parents and taught 'traditional' western values to spare them from abuse, which according to you is widespread in Aboriginal communities?

I happen to know just a little bit about this topic. Why don't you your head in ...

**Iconoclast** · 11-03-2007, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

... and whether children should once again be removed from their parents and taught 'traditional' western values to spare them from abuse...

Children in crappy circumstances will survive and do as OK as any other kid. Children with syphyllis, untreated broken bones, and inability to read must be removed and the parents sterilised, both black AND white AND Christian AND
"alternative."

**Chessic-Adventures** · 11-03-2007, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by frosty

I happen to know just a little bit about this topic. Why don't you your head in ...

Mate

You're pretty gullible if you think that less than 6 months out from a federal election Howard 'suddenly' decided to take action on Aboriginal issues like abuse within Aboriginal homes because it had reached a crisis point.

I don't think that abuse in these types of homes is any more prevalent then it was when Howard was fiurst elected. Beware of election spin stats mate.

Spiny Norman · 11-03-2007, 05:51 PM

I am personally dealing with people who have suffered sexual abuse in their communities in the N.T. ... its YOU that is making political statements about it ... its YOU that is putting spin on it.

I think its good that something is being done. I don't give a rip about the election. I care about the kids and the families of the kids. I couldn't care less if it was less/more/similarly prevalent before/after/during the election.

Something needed to be done, and I'm glad that it is.

**Chessic-Adventures** · 11-03-2007, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by frosty

I am personally dealing with people who have suffered sexual abuse in their communities in the N.T. ... its YOU that is making political statements about it ... its YOU that is putting spin on it.

I think its good that something is being done. I don't give a rip about the election. I care about the kids and the families of the kids. I couldn't care less if it was less/more/similarly prevalent before/after/during the election.

Something needed to be done, and I'm glad that it is.

I am not the only one who is cynical about the timing of Howard's initiative. Also, I don't think that sexual abuse in the home can be remedied with more police officers on the streets of NT. Please explain how more police will reduce this sort of 'private' crime. If you can give me a good answer then maybe I will accept that honourable intentions motivated the governments action instead of improving their electoral fortunes.

**Arrogant-One** · 11-03-2007, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

I am not the only one who is cynical about the timing of Howard's initiative. Also, I don't think that sexual abuse in the home can be remedied with more police officers on the streets of NT. Please explain how more police will reduce this sort of 'private' crime. If you can give me a good answer then maybe I will accept that honourable intentions motivated the governments action instead of improving their electoral fortunes.

Its possible that its both good policy genuinely motivated to help others, yet at the same time opportune timing for such policy. Aboriginal affairs, however, hasn't emerged as much of a campaign issue so far (and I doubt it will before the election date). Most Australians probably don't want to talk about or deal with the issue.

AO

**Iconoclast** · 11-04-2007, 12:40 AM

Listen you blokes. We agree on more points here than disagree - right?

1. Something has/had to be done.
Agreed?
2. The Libs are only doing it because of theeir dire electral prospects.
Agreed?
3. Therefore it is a case of the right thing for the wrong reason.
Agreed?

Spiny Norman · 11-04-2007, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Iconoclast

1. Something has/had to be done.
Agreed?

Yes, wholeheartedly agree.

Originally Posted by Iconoclast

2. The Libs are only doing it because of theeir dire electral prospects.
Agreed?

No, that's a political statement, unsupported by actual evidence. It might be correct, but nobody has shown that it is correct, other than by offering political 'spin'.

Originally Posted by Iconoclast

3. Therefore it is a case of the right thing for the wrong reason.
Agreed?

No. It might be, but that hasn't been shown, only asserted.

Spiny Norman · 11-04-2007, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

I am not the only one who is cynical about the timing of Howard's initiative.

For sure, but that doesn't mean you're right ... it just means that some people agree with you. People once thought the world was round too, didn't make it right. You'd have to offer some evidence. e.g. perhaps you've seen a memo where Howard tells his party "We need to do something in the N.T. with aboriginals in order to distract people from XYZ". I would find something like that convincing. Over to you. Otherwise its just an unsupported assertion.

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

Also, I don't think that sexual abuse in the home can be remedied with more police officers on the streets of NT.

Not completely, no. Of course not. Has anyone claimed that? Or are you suggesting that police ought to be going into people homes to check for sexual abuse?

Do you even understand what it is that they are doing up there in the N.T.? Do you understand the nature of outback communities, especially the aboriginal settlements? Their social structure? Their isolation?

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

Please explain how more police will reduce this sort of 'private' crime.

I can only tell you what I have observed first hand. I don't make policy, nor am I trying to support their particular solution. Rather, it is you who is trying to assert that it is politically motivated, so it is up to you to provide evidence of that.

Now ... since the intervention began a few months ago, I am personally aware of a number of cases of childhood sexual abuse which have surfaced in the N.T. ... and it is my belief (I am not asserting it as a fact) that this is a direct result of the intervention raising people's awareness of the problem, and giving them confidence that if they now speak up someone will listen to them.

I think that's a good thing.

Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures

If you can give me a good answer then maybe I will accept that honourable intentions motivated the governments action instead of improving their electoral fortunes.

I'm not trying to convince you of that. Your beliefs about governmental motivation are your own business. Just don't start suggesting that we ought to believe that the motivations are impure without being prepared to offer something like real evidence that this really is so.

**Iconoclast** · 11-04-2007, 11:10 AM

I opine that the Libs are only doing it because of theeir dire electral prospects.
Agreed?

Originally Posted by frosty

No, that's a political statement, unsupported by actual evidence. It might be correct, but nobody has shown that it is correct, other than by offering political 'spin'. [bold by icono]

What is actual evidence?
Very strong circumstantial evidence is afforded similar weight as material evidence.
The fact that Howard has unsheathed his sword in NT and declared an indiginous epiphany 11 years after he started and 11 weeks before a difficult election is damning.

So, the evidence IS there. Howard is do the right thing for the wrong reason.

**Arrogant-One** · 11-04-2007, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Iconoclast

So, the evidence IS there. Howard is doing the right thing for the wrong reason.

But in this instance I think actions speak louder than words, and this is more of a credit to Howard than a liability. No doubt the Aboriginal peoples of Australia struggle with many issues, alcohol and substance abuse among them. But I will say this much, I think Australia's Aboriginees are much better off than the first peoples of Canada and the USA. We all deserve a pat on the back for that accomplishment I think, even though there is still room for improvement.

11-02-2007, 02:56 PM	#1 (permalink) #1 (permalink) (View Moderation Comments)
Hon. John Winston Howard Posts: n/a	A Message From Your Prime Minister To all Australians, Mr Speaker, Members of the Opposition, Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I first say how much I love cheap tracksuits. And I do want to say I regard it as a great personal honor to wear them whilst I am Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister. As you all know, this next election will be a hard fought affair. It's going to be a tough fight, but like the diggers of old I will face it head on, albeit without much hair. Every morning as I walk around lake Burley-Griffin, early at dawn, I am reminded of sacrifice and jingoism that I represent. Like the Anzacs of old I share a kindred spirit with those brave WW1 veterans, who died at Gallipoli, so that I could become Prime Minister. For I too have walked at dawn before first light, albeit in sweatshop produced Chinese runners. But Mr Speaker dare I say it, where was the member for Griffith to be seen whilst I carried the baton in the relay for Australia? Does he have anywhere near the cricketing experience I have to lead this county? A vote for Labor is a wasted vote because Labor is UnAustralian. My strong economic management has given Australians jobs and work for the dole. Work the key to economic growth. The building block for all cricket teams. Without work there is more work and without that work is an eight week cut off period from the dole. And that can only be a good thing. With low interest rates and full unregistered unemployment there is more time for cricket and swimming. The coalitions economic policy is the generator of this economic growth. More joke jobs and unregistered 1 hour part time employed exist now then ever did, under a Labor government! Furthermore we have cut government spending and at the same time raised privatised government spending. Government needs to be kept at a bare minimum. Therefore I have decided by decree to privatise the position of Prime Minister. Only experienced Prime ministers need to apply. Thank you. John Winston Howard.

11-02-2007, 03:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
phild707 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Burnie International Airport Posts: 218	I love it. You have my vote John (for the Logies) I wonder if we will get a response from Kevin Rudd. Maybe there will be a debate. Anyone got a spare worm? __________________ "A prudent question is one half of wisdom". Francis Bacon

11-02-2007, 08:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Chessic-Adventures Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 204	Aboriginal Policies Originally Posted by Hon. John Winston Howard To all Australians, Mr Speaker, Members of the Opposition, Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I first say how much I love cheap tracksuits. And I do want to say I regard it as a great personal honor to wear them whilst I am Australia's second longest serving Prime Minister. As you all know, this next election will be a hard fought affair. It's going to be a tough fight, but like the diggers of old I will face it head on, albeit without much hair. Every morning as I walk around lake Burley-Griffin, early at dawn, I am reminded of sacrifice and jingoism that I represent. Like the Anzacs of old I share a kindred spirit with those brave WW1 veterans, who died at Gallipoli, so that I could become Prime Minister. For I too have walked at dawn before first light, albeit in sweatshop produced Chinese runners. But Mr Speaker dare I say it, where was the member for Griffith to be seen whilst I carried the baton in the relay for Australia? Does he have anywhere near the cricketing experience I have to lead this county? A vote for Labor is a wasted vote because Labor is UnAustralian. My strong economic management has given Australians jobs and work for the dole. Work the key to economic growth. The building block for all cricket teams. Without work there is more work and without that work is an eight week cut off period from the dole. And that can only be a good thing. With low interest rates and full unregistered unemployment there is more time for cricket and swimming. The coalitions economic policy is the generator of this economic growth. More joke jobs and unregistered 1 hour part time employed exist now then ever did, under a Labor government! Furthermore we have cut government spending and at the same time raised privatised government spending. Government needs to be kept at a bare minimum. Therefore I have decided by decree to privatise the position of Prime Minister. Only experienced Prime ministers need to apply. Thank you. John Winston Howard. Very cute speech Mr Prime Minister While you are here can you please tell us what your next policy to 'assist' the Aboriginal of Australia will be, and whether children should once again be removed from their parents and taught 'traditional' western values to spare them from abuse, which according to you is widespread in Aboriginal communities?

11-03-2007, 11:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Spiny Norman Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 223	Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures While you are here can you please tell us what your next policy to 'assist' the Aboriginal of Australia will be, and whether children should once again be removed from their parents and taught 'traditional' western values to spare them from abuse, which according to you is widespread in Aboriginal communities? I happen to know just a little bit about this topic. Why don't you your head in ...

11-03-2007, 02:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Iconoclast Immoderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 1,006	Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures ... and whether children should once again be removed from their parents and taught 'traditional' western values to spare them from abuse... Children in crappy circumstances will survive and do as OK as any other kid. Children with syphyllis, untreated broken bones, and inability to read must be removed and the parents sterilised, both black AND white AND Christian AND "alternative." __________________ The individual is hopeless without the group. The group is hopeless without its individuals.

11-02-2007, 03:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spiny Norman Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 223	I can predict Kevin07's response: ME TOO !!!

11-03-2007, 04:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chessic-Adventures Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 204	Election timing Originally Posted by frosty I happen to know just a little bit about this topic. Why don't you your head in ... Mate You're pretty gullible if you think that less than 6 months out from a federal election Howard 'suddenly' decided to take action on Aboriginal issues like abuse within Aboriginal homes because it had reached a crisis point. I don't think that abuse in these types of homes is any more prevalent then it was when Howard was fiurst elected. Beware of election spin stats mate.

11-03-2007, 05:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Spiny Norman Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 223	I am personally dealing with people who have suffered sexual abuse in their communities in the N.T. ... its YOU that is making political statements about it ... its YOU that is putting spin on it. I think its good that something is being done. I don't give a rip about the election. I care about the kids and the families of the kids. I couldn't care less if it was less/more/similarly prevalent before/after/during the election. Something needed to be done, and I'm glad that it is.

11-03-2007, 06:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chessic-Adventures Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 204	Police? Originally Posted by frosty I am personally dealing with people who have suffered sexual abuse in their communities in the N.T. ... its YOU that is making political statements about it ... its YOU that is putting spin on it. I think its good that something is being done. I don't give a rip about the election. I care about the kids and the families of the kids. I couldn't care less if it was less/more/similarly prevalent before/after/during the election. Something needed to be done, and I'm glad that it is. I am not the only one who is cynical about the timing of Howard's initiative. Also, I don't think that sexual abuse in the home can be remedied with more police officers on the streets of NT. Please explain how more police will reduce this sort of 'private' crime. If you can give me a good answer then maybe I will accept that honourable intentions motivated the governments action instead of improving their electoral fortunes.

11-03-2007, 09:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Arrogant-One Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 1,682 ICC Handle: Just2Good FICS Handle: Advantage	Not An Issue For Most Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures I am not the only one who is cynical about the timing of Howard's initiative. Also, I don't think that sexual abuse in the home can be remedied with more police officers on the streets of NT. Please explain how more police will reduce this sort of 'private' crime. If you can give me a good answer then maybe I will accept that honourable intentions motivated the governments action instead of improving their electoral fortunes. Its possible that its both good policy genuinely motivated to help others, yet at the same time opportune timing for such policy. Aboriginal affairs, however, hasn't emerged as much of a campaign issue so far (and I doubt it will before the election date). Most Australians probably don't want to talk about or deal with the issue. AO __________________ . ... for it is always the person not in the predicament who knows what ought to have been done in it, and would unquestionably have done it too . . . ~ Charles Dickens novel ~

11-04-2007, 12:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
Iconoclast Immoderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 1,006	Listen you blokes. We agree on more points here than disagree - right? 1. Something has/had to be done. Agreed? 2. The Libs are only doing it because of theeir dire electral prospects. Agreed? 3. Therefore it is a case of the right thing for the wrong reason. Agreed? __________________ The individual is hopeless without the group. The group is hopeless without its individuals.

11-04-2007, 08:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
Spiny Norman Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 223	Originally Posted by Iconoclast 1. Something has/had to be done. Agreed? Yes, wholeheartedly agree. Originally Posted by Iconoclast 2. The Libs are only doing it because of theeir dire electral prospects. Agreed? No, that's a political statement, unsupported by actual evidence. It might be correct, but nobody has shown that it is correct, other than by offering political 'spin'. Originally Posted by Iconoclast 3. Therefore it is a case of the right thing for the wrong reason. Agreed? No. It might be, but that hasn't been shown, only asserted.

11-04-2007, 09:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
Spiny Norman Suspended Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 223	Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures I am not the only one who is cynical about the timing of Howard's initiative. For sure, but that doesn't mean you're right ... it just means that some people agree with you. People once thought the world was round too, didn't make it right. You'd have to offer some evidence. e.g. perhaps you've seen a memo where Howard tells his party "We need to do something in the N.T. with aboriginals in order to distract people from XYZ". I would find something like that convincing. Over to you. Otherwise its just an unsupported assertion. Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures Also, I don't think that sexual abuse in the home can be remedied with more police officers on the streets of NT. Not completely, no. Of course not. Has anyone claimed that? Or are you suggesting that police ought to be going into people homes to check for sexual abuse? Do you even understand what it is that they are doing up there in the N.T.? Do you understand the nature of outback communities, especially the aboriginal settlements? Their social structure? Their isolation? Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures Please explain how more police will reduce this sort of 'private' crime. I can only tell you what I have observed first hand. I don't make policy, nor am I trying to support their particular solution. Rather, it is you who is trying to assert that it is politically motivated, so it is up to you to provide evidence of that. Now ... since the intervention began a few months ago, I am personally aware of a number of cases of childhood sexual abuse which have surfaced in the N.T. ... and it is my belief (I am not asserting it as a fact) that this is a direct result of the intervention raising people's awareness of the problem, and giving them confidence that if they now speak up someone will listen to them. I think that's a good thing. Originally Posted by Chessic-Adventures If you can give me a good answer then maybe I will accept that honourable intentions motivated the governments action instead of improving their electoral fortunes. I'm not trying to convince you of that. Your beliefs about governmental motivation are your own business. Just don't start suggesting that we ought to believe that the motivations are impure without being prepared to offer something like real evidence that this really is so.

11-04-2007, 11:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
Iconoclast Immoderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Wollongong NSW Posts: 1,006	I opine that the Libs are only doing it because of theeir dire electral prospects. Agreed? Originally Posted by frosty No, that's a political statement, unsupported by actual evidence. It might be correct, but nobody has shown that it is correct, other than by offering political 'spin'. [bold by icono] What is actual evidence? Very strong circumstantial evidence is afforded similar weight as material evidence. The fact that Howard has unsheathed his sword in NT and declared an indiginous epiphany 11 years after he started and 11 weeks before a difficult election is damning. So, the evidence IS there. Howard is do the right thing for the wrong reason. __________________ The individual is hopeless without the group. The group is hopeless without its individuals.

11-04-2007, 02:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
Arrogant-One Tin Cup Champ 2004 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 1,682 ICC Handle: Just2Good FICS Handle: Advantage	Comparitively Australia is Doing Well Here Originally Posted by Iconoclast So, the evidence IS there. Howard is doing the right thing for the wrong reason. But in this instance I think actions speak louder than words, and this is more of a credit to Howard than a liability. No doubt the Aboriginal peoples of Australia struggle with many issues, alcohol and substance abuse among them. But I will say this much, I think Australia's Aboriginees are much better off than the first peoples of Canada and the USA. We all deserve a pat on the back for that accomplishment I think, even though there is still room for improvement. __________________ . ... for it is always the person not in the predicament who knows what ought to have been done in it, and would unquestionably have done it too . . . ~ Charles Dickens novel ~

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