Punch on: Open thread 14/02/2012

patsy says:

11:43am | 14/02/12

I’ve had my photo taken with Alice Cooper (who looks better in person)and John Entwhistle.  Don’t say Who?

jg says:

12:05pm | 14/02/12

Jammed with Russell Morris, we were his support band.

Also had some fun mucking around on piano with Barry Crocker once, he was playing the same venue as my band was playing. He was playing the huge auditorium, we were playing in a small dingy bar

Also had a beer in London with Pete Doherty from the Libertines.

Oh, and met Bob Geldof in Marrakesh in the souks. He’s an arrogant nob.

patsy says:

12:31pm | 14/02/12

@jg-that’s sounds so much fun! Except for Sir Bob.

Anubis says:

08:13am | 14/02/12

@ TimB - add another article in todays papers that point out that Julia and her crew had prepared a leadership speech two weeks before they knifed Rudd, in the time frame when she was loudly pronouncing her support for Kruddy. Another blatant and obvious bout of lies from the PM. She didn’t fare well on 4 Corners did she Nossy?

http://www.news.com.au/national/kevin-rudd-should-have-seen-coup-dtat-coming/story-e6frfkvr-1226270164213

Gillard’s chooks are all coming home to roost now. Wonder when the Craig Thomson results will be released?

Knemon says:

08:54am | 14/02/12

@ TimB - IMO, I reckon you’re wrong with your belief that PPM doesn’t matter, go and ask your boss (Abbott) what he thinks, I’m certain he also would disagree with you, I’m sure Abbott would prefer to be leading in the PPM than lagging behind, regardless of the 2PP position. The popularity of a leader of any party plays a big part when voters walk into their polling booth on election day. Just saying

nossy says:

09:15am | 14/02/12

@TimB - this calls for song Tim - sing along with nossy fella!  ahahhahahah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9fs_6v20Cw

TimB says:

09:15am | 14/02/12

Knemon, who cares how popular you are as an individual if your party stinks? As the Labor luvvies loved to spout when Kevin got rolled: We elect the party not the Prime Minister. PPM is a sideshow.

“The popularity of a leader of any party plays a big part when voters walk into their polling booth on election day. Just saying”

It plays a part. Not necessarily a big part, but a part. But it’s one that’s factored into the 2PP figure already. 2PP is the main game here and you know it.

Denny says:

08:41am | 14/02/12

No lets just look at 2PP. Pretty consistant figures dont you think?

Maybe we could focus on Gillards pathetic performance on 4 corners. It is obvious that she is a sneaking deceptive vindictive viper. Her performance just continues to get worse. The Australia day riot that her staff organised will continue to be a chain around her neck but there is nothing she can do except continue her lies. If she told the truth then the preferred PM margin would blow out to 15 or 20 points. Sorry nihonin we were not going to talk about that were we?

ibast says:

09:09am | 14/02/12

I’m hardly a Lib Rusty but I do wonder if the switch in the preferred prime minister polling may be a catalyst.  I suspect another couple like that may see her in trouble.

nossy says:

09:17am | 14/02/12

@ibast I think Gillard has been “gone” for some time ibast - that Abbott has now just crawled 3 points only in front of her is even more disturbing - enter Ruddster!

TimB says:

10:10am | 14/02/12

@ ibast, indeed.

I don’t know why, but this morning when I saw the headlines, I had the sneaking feeling that this might be it for Gillard. She’s been slow boiling for a while now, but if the ALP’s hand was ever going to be forced, it’s now.

- Crappy polls that show no sign of recovery.
- Inept policy handling- Ask Malaysia.
- Constant stupid moves like 4 corners
- Idiotic staff

She’s beyond recovery IMO.

I’m not predicting a leadership spill because they’ll just be making their situation even worse I reckon. But if they’re stupid and/or desperate, and it *does* happen…I have the feeling it will happen very soon. Just a vibe I’m getting.

Either she’s gone in the next few months or she’s there to the bitter end. Nothing in between.

TimB says:

10:12am | 14/02/12

@ ibast, indeed.

I don’t know why, but this morning when I saw the headlines, I had the sneaking feeling that this might be it for Gillard. She’s been slow boiling for a while now, but if the ALP’s hand was ever going to be forced, it’s now.

- Crappy polls that show no sign of recovery.
- Inept policy handling- Ask Malaysia.
- Constant stupid moves like 4 corners
- Idiotic staff

She’s beyond recovery IMO.

I’m not predicting a leadership spill because they’ll just be making their situation even worse I reckon. But if they’re stupid and/or desperate, and it *does* happen…I have the feeling it will happen very soon. Just a vibe I’m getting.

Either she’s gone in the next few months or she’s there to the bitter end. Nothing in between.

Chrs L says:

11:04am | 14/02/12

I suspect that even if they offer Uncle Kevvie his old job back he’d probably turn it down and watch Gillard sink beneath the waves. Wouldn’t blame him if he did.

nihonin says:

12:26pm | 14/02/12

Thanks Denny, made my day lol.  Personally
I din’t thunk Julia is great as PM and she deserves
all the caning she gets, but wow your reaction.

nihonin says:

05:28pm | 14/02/12

Denny, I’m conservative in my views and opinions, I was having a bit of fun, all the conservatives here and non conservatives here would know it was a lark.  I never meant for anybody to get hurt in the process.  Also it’s hard to post from an iPhone, i recommend, don’t do it, especially if you’re in a hurry.

ibast says:

01:18pm | 14/02/12

let’s add in there some “bikie” laws that undermine our freedom of association too.

RyaN says:

10:56pm | 14/02/12

@M: because they are that thick that they think that the ammunition is being bought from legal gun stores.
OR
They just want to erode your rights further and this is a great excuse.

Erick says:

07:52am | 14/02/12

What “4 Corners revelations”? Some of us don’t watch propaganda TV.

AdamC says:

08:02am | 14/02/12

It was certainly another misstep for Gillard. Why did she grant them an interview if she wasn’t going to answer any questions? Rudd really outplayed her on this one!

jg says:

08:02am | 14/02/12

Because it showed Gillard in a seriously bad light?

After all Farr’s hatchet jobs on Abbott I suppose we can’t expect him to come out and speak about the disaster that is Gillard.

Tim says:

08:15am | 14/02/12

I think we need an investigation into why those questions were asked of Julia Gillard and not Tony Abbott?
How did Andrew Fowler know all that information? Who was he in contact with? Was it all a set up?

I’m sure Erick will be with me.

TimB says:

08:33am | 14/02/12

@ Erick, it’s about when Gillard knifed Rudd. Bolt’s got a summary on it here:

http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/gillards_deceit_exposed/

Sounds like a fun watch, have to check it myself when I get home.

TChong says:

08:37am | 14/02/12

Beats me, jg
Punch has never been shy about sticking the boot in.
( thats the attraction of this site)
Give them a day or two, and they will.
For the record- I reckon 4 Corners has sealed the PMs fate , as being one of the most inept, feet in mouth , ham fisted individuals who has ever held high office.
The party machine, at some stage , ,must ask themselves if she worth it.
Maybe Rudd is waiting to be “asked”, or maybe he just doesnt want to lead the next Opposition.

TimB says:

08:55am | 14/02/12

Tim, has there been a race riot (or similar) triggered because of that question yet? Has evidence come to light that Liberal media advisors were running around behind the scenes verballing Julia’s answers? Is there any hint of a connection between Tony Abbott’s office & Andrew Fowler?

If the answer is no to those questions, one can only wonder why you’re so insistent on making yourself look like a goose.

onlooker says:

08:56am | 14/02/12

I watched 4 corners, it certainly cleared a lot up for me, I had an idea she had planned the ousting of Rudd but that certainly confirmed it for me. Kevin Rudd was a workaholic by the sounds of things he had a high work ethic, and I suppose he expected The Labor Party to work too. Anyone who was upset with the Kevin Rudd ousting and I have friends who vote Liberal who were upset also, its a shoddy act who watches 4 corners , won’t be voting for Gillard. The Americans knew before we did that she was going to challenge..shame shame shame

Gloria says:

08:57am | 14/02/12

Same here! Perhaps Punch has begun to feel sad and sorry for Julia Gillard as a person like I have. As PM of this country I am disgusted with her and it has reached the stage I loathe her for the embarrassment she has bestowed on me and my country. Please as PM of this country she needs to be replaced by another Labor MP. I don’t really care as long as she is not my PM. While she is our PM she will always defend the indefensible, always having to lie to justify the Rudd coup for the position she holds as Australia’s PM. She will think we are fools and what ever she says has to be believed because she is the PM.

As a person I feel sad and sorry for someone who is highly educated not to have the common sense and common decency to realize that every time the public is exposed to something like the 4 Corners revelations last night that her credibility is further shred to tiny bits! She will be remembered for nothing else but for her dishonesty. Sad so very sad!

As

Tim says:

08:58am | 14/02/12

Haha,
methinks Erick will now think that “Propaganda TV” was a great piece of investigative journalism.

Knemon says:

08:59am | 14/02/12

LOL - One day the ABC is nothing but a bunch of left-wing propagandist loonies, now all of a sudden they’re seen in a different light, go figure?

jg says:

09:28am | 14/02/12

Sorry, it appears that Farr has written a piece about the Four Corners episode.

However, even then, he can’t quite bring himself to criticise Gillard.

jg says:

09:31am | 14/02/12

Got to agree Chongie, she’s completely destroyed the ALP brand for years to come.

And Australia can’t afford to have a weak ALP.

It does appear that Farr has belatedly written a piece so credit where it’s due.

Gratuitous Adviser says:

09:42am | 14/02/12

All’s well now.  Somebody must have woken Malcolm Farr up and he is tackling the “Why did she do the interview angle”. 

It was a classic 4 Corners that only the ABC can do with credibility and a reasonable degree of impartiality.  I am also glad they have rested from the constant gay marriage and refugee issues.  I was sick of turning them off.

SimonFromLakemba says:

09:47am | 14/02/12

hahahaha propaganda TV, so never watch Fox News Erick or read News Ltd? or because that’s right wing it’s OK?

The hypocrisy is great here, ABC is ‘propaganda tv’ but when it sticks the boot into Gillard its great!

Gratuitous Adviser says:

09:58am | 14/02/12

Erick
You need to widen your scope.  It’s not cool to have that Nut/Bolt and Alan Jones as your only research sources.

Tim says:

11:34am | 14/02/12

TimB,
what does the race riot have to do with it?
I’ve said that Tony Hodges, Kim Sattler and the activists were to blame. And they embarrased the PM

But apparently it’s all about the journalist and where a timely and relevant question came from. That’s what Erick wanted investigated.

If you weren’t so one eyed you’d be able to see that. Unfortunately the Lib blinkers are on too tight.

TimB says:

11:44am | 14/02/12

“what does the race riot have to do with it?”

Tim if you don’t know the answer to this question I can’t help you. No-one gave a stuff about the question until the riot happened and the staffer involvement came to light. Ponder on why that is.

Tim says:

12:57pm | 14/02/12

TimB,
Go back and read Erick’s comment from yesterday or his comments on the issue previously.
A journalist asking a relevant question is a non-issue, just like the journalist asking Julia Gillard questions last night was just doing their job.
You think I’m a goose for taking the piss asking for an inquiry over Gillard getting asked tough questions yesterday but Erick is being entirely reasonable asking for an investigation into why a journalist asked a question on Australia day.

Perhaps you should think about that.

You ask:
“Is there any hint of a connection between Tony Abbott’s office & Andrew Fowler?
In return I’ll ask:
Well is there a hint of a connection between Gillard and the ABC reporter?

The race riot (if you can even call it that)  wasn’t caused by a journalist asking a question, It was caused by people twisting the answer to that question and angry people behaving disgracefully.

TimB says:

01:44pm | 14/02/12

“Well is there a hint of a connection between Gillard and the ABC reporter? “

That’s just it Tim. Apparently there was. Unfortunately I can’t find the link to where I read this right now (I’ll try looking again when I get home, it was a couple weeks back now & Google is no help).

But as I recall, it was claimed that the Canberran ABC contact that passed on the question to the Sydney based reporter has close ties to the PM’s office. Probably the go-to reporter whenever her office issues media statements or something, I guess. Perfectly innocent, but the opportunity exists for something to have been passed on.

That’s why Erick keeps asking the question. but for some reason you guys keep isolating the question from the events that followed and you *cannot* do that. The events in question wouldn’t have happened had that question not been asked. So it’s perfectly feasible (unlikely but feasible) that someone in the PM’s office asked the ABC to put that question to Abbott.

Given that, it’s not out of line to expect a full investigation.

Tim says:

03:11pm | 14/02/12

TimB,
I’ve not seen any link between the PM’s office and the ABC reporter and even if there was you’re still saying that the PM’s advisor knew that Abbott was going to answer the question the way he did.

It’s quite common for members of one office to get reporters from another office to ask a question.
The Tent Embassy anniversary was a fairly big story in Canberra, it’s extremely unsurprising that the Canberra office would want a question asked about it. In fact, I would have been more surprised if they weren’t asking about it.

Tim says:

03:33pm | 14/02/12

TimB,
I still can’t find any link after doing some searching.
Even A. Bolt just asked the question and included some innuendo in his post that the media advisor and various journalists knew each other.

Stop the Presses - Media Advisor knows journalist.

But I’m sure Erick knows better.

TimB says:

03:55pm | 14/02/12

“you’re still saying that the PM’s advisor knew that Abbott was going to answer the question the way he did. “

Not at all Tim. Remember, the staffer completely misquoted Abbott anyway, and passed on something that he *claimed* Abbott had said even though he most assuredly did not. Which means it didn’t really matter *how* Abbott answered the question. The protestors never bothered to verify what was said until after the fact, so it didn’t even have to be close.

And like I keep saying, I completely agree that taken in isolation, the question was perfectly natural. But taking into account the events that happened afterwards its entirely possible that the question was not as routine as it first appeared.

I’ve gone over this more than enough times so, this is my final say on the matter:

Do I honestly believe there was some grand conspiracy? No. As you and most others believe, it’s more likely to be the result of stupidity from all involved.

Is the theory *possible*. Yes. Yes it is. Means, motive and opportunity all exist. It’s entirely possible (and a decent possibility, not a ‘winning the lotto’ possibility). Thus I believe it should be investigated in the name of transparency.

What *I* don’t understand is why you seem to be so adamant that it *isn’t* possible. Why ‘This is the most likely explanation’ translates in your mind to ‘This IS the explanation’. There’s a world of difference between those two stances.

jay-ded says:

09:56am | 14/02/12

meh.  I thought it was pretty lame myself.

Kim Jung Gone says:

12:13pm | 14/02/12

Marx is usually a very good writer, but occasionally he writes a shocker.
Today’s piece was a shocker.
I suspect he was feeling lonely and scribbled this on a coaster in a pub long after closing time had come and gone.
Perhaps the unloved appreciate the company of this article?

I’m so wonely

TimB says:

09:32am | 14/02/12

I doubt that Nossy.

Last poll was 40/37/23 (Gillard/Abbott/Und)
This poll is 37/40/23.

If it was just about Gillard, then she would have dropped on her own and the undecided number would have gone up. Instead Tony gained 3 points.

Not that it matters anyway . Gillard is going to get trounced regardless of PPM.

BTW This isn’t the first time Tony has led this poll. He was beating the snot out of Gillard from June last year (CT announcement), all the way to November. That’s 10 polls in a row.

Coincidently that timeframe seems to correspond to the time period when you fell off the Julia bandwagon, only for you to jump right back on around the end of last year…Hmm.

Another interesting thought too. Didn’t Parliament shut down right around November? And it only started up again the other week….Maybe it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind ?

nossy says:

09:49am | 14/02/12

@TimB yes but Timmy as a Member of the Liberal Party you have to come on and defend Tones - its your duty fella - nossy realiases that.

TimB says:

11:01am | 14/02/12

The rain is all down here Fairs ,

Good luck with the interview! What’s this one for?

nossy says:

11:01am | 14/02/12

@fairsfair   hang in there fairs - no news is good news. Now Gav and I had just finished our beach jog/surf this moring when these two Personal Trainers approached us with their cards etc - I said “look at us - do you think we need a Personal Trainer?”  Both of us are fittness buffs - I am still holding out for a Tarzan movie role in case it ppops up so cant afford to be flabby! Oh well times must be tough in the PT business I suppose?

Ben C says:

11:03am | 14/02/12

You want wet season fairs? Come down to Sydney.

Ben C says:

11:05am | 14/02/12

You want wet season fairs? Come down to Sydney.

fairsfair says:

11:18am | 14/02/12

Maybe the monsoon went south? Its hella humid though. Try 38 degrees with no rain in the afternoon to cool things down. Its tough when it goes on for days. It is very unseasonal - though we have had a few years of super wet, maybe I am just used to it being wetter than normal.

Thanks Nossy - I keep telling myself that, but after being so confident after the interview, it is hard to have that feeling stick around.

This is a completely new one TimB (#3). Govt job. I will see how I go!

TimB says:

11:37am | 14/02/12

Government job? Augh! Our Fairs is becoming one of them .

fairsfair says:

02:45pm | 14/02/12

Champs,

I got it!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just attended my Govt interview, which went really well, but when I got back, the offer was waiting for me. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!

Worst timing - I have just wasted those govt people’s time and my own, but I am super stoked.

Hello 50% payrise, better working conditions and an employer who will pay me to finish my uni! I’m in love with my own life this Valentines Day!!!!!!!

nossy says:

03:00pm | 14/02/12

@fairsfair   well done fairs - we will miss you on the blog as you knuckle down to your new demanding position - cheers!

Knemon says:

03:08pm | 14/02/12

@ fairsfair - “I think this is the crappest open thread I have seen in a while”

I’m curious as to how you differentiate? Seems like the same old same old to me.

All the best with your latest adventure. Now that you have a public service job you will be able to spend even more time on The Punch.

jay-ded says:

03:10pm | 14/02/12

Congratulations Fairsfair.  Well done! 

TimB says:

03:26pm | 14/02/12

Congrats Fairs!

2 things.

1. “I have just wasted those govt people’s time”- Who cares, it’s the government .

2. What impact does this have on The Punch’s Cairns correspondent? Seanr is a pretty shifty chap IMO. We’d hate to have to rely on him

Aitch B says:

04:00pm | 14/02/12

Hearty congratulations, fairsfair….. well done!!

jay-ded says:

11:29am | 14/02/12

Ben C, that’s terrible.  Is your pup okay?

Ben C says:

12:02pm | 14/02/12

@ jay-ded

Sick, sore, and feeling sorry for himself right at this moment. Copped a broken jaw, had the broken bone taken out, now missing his lower left canine (along with the numerous others that he lost due to him not being a willing participant in oral hygiene exercises, or even bothering to chew his food - it’s in the mouth and straight down the throat).

Other than that, he should make a full recovery. We brought him home from the vet hospital this morning, no solid foods for the next fortnight.

jay-ded says:

12:46pm | 14/02/12

Thank goodness he’s still alive Ben C.  Best wishes for your pup.

Shane* says:

12:07pm | 14/02/12

I got my hopes up that it was Simon Singh, the bloke who brought the psuedoscience of chiropractic to its knees in Britain. Legend.

But no, it’s Simon Sheikh, the bloke who cheapens the concept of democratic invovlement by deliberately recruiting the uninformed or the stupid. Pass.

TimB says:

12:32pm | 14/02/12

Hell, I’d do that. Even for just a year, that’s an extra 17 grand in my pocket.

Might be tricky with a unit though. Especially one that’s at the back of the block and not the street. :(

Tim says:

01:01pm | 14/02/12

Try getting that through our planning laws.

No chance.

jay-ded says:

01:14pm | 14/02/12

Oh go on Tim - burst my bubble.  :(

Tim says:

01:46pm | 14/02/12

jay-ded,
maybe it’s different elsewhere but you should have seen the pain my neighbour went through just to get a solar hot water heater put on his roof.
Someone down the road complained that it would ruin the look and amenity of the street. Took over 6 months to get settled.

Australia is the land of the NIMBY.

Slothy says:

01:55pm | 14/02/12

Knemon - Angus Young proposed to my partner’s mother when they were just a pub band. She turned him down, stating he was going nowhere and would never do anything.

Buh bow.

Knemon says:

03:00pm | 14/02/12

@ Slothy - “Going nowhere”...they are one of the world’s biggest grossing bands of all time….we all make bad decisions! That could be an understatement in your partner’s mother’s case?

nossy says:

03:35pm | 14/02/12

@jay-ded   plenty of jobs around jay-ded - look at this enterprising young man - works with gas - sort of in the “mining” field isnt it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MAqG6BObmc

Simon says:

04:11pm | 14/02/12

Last I remember some were blocked.