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Punch on: Open Thread 14/06/2012

The Punch Team

by The Punch Team

14 Jun 05:00am

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Filed under: Music, Open Thread, State Of Origin

109 comments

A rugby league game happened last night, and at the risk of offending those who don’t care, which is bound to be at least half of you, we couldn’t resist embedding this hilarious video, which parodies QLD’s dodgy selection policy.


The video was made by Denis Carnahan, who’s a talented musician and bloody good bloke, even if he’s from Canberra.

Anyway, football schmootball. What else is on your mind today?

Most commented

109 comments

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    • Zac says:

      05:45am | 14/06/12

      I was wondering if rugby or football is socially healthy. I think it promotes violence, sexism and creates rich kids who has more money for alchohol and girls. No wonder these guys need lessons to be respectful around girls/women. Well, some girls are part of the problem as well.

      Reply

    • Scotchfinger says:

      09:07am | 14/06/12

      let me guess: you’re just the man to teach men to respect women. With some caveats; well, many caveats. In fact, a checklist is required for blokes to assess whether a particular woman is worthy of their respect.

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      03:59pm | 14/06/12

      While I often laugh hysterically at your posts Zac, I’d have to be on the same page as you here and declare the AFL to be the work of the devil.

    • Zac says:

      04:18pm | 14/06/12

      @Admiral Ackbar,

      At least I make you laugh. Make sure you don’t choke yourself when you laugh hysterically lol!. Finally we agree on something. It’s very hard for me to respect men who treat women badly.

    • Admiral Ackbar says:

      04:47pm | 14/06/12

      On a long enough time scale, the probability that opinionated punchers will eventually agree on something will approach 1. Or something. Thankfully we are in a place where we are (within reason) free to express our opinions to those who may or may not agree. Even a lot of mine get through, and I’m an idiot.

    • Hippocrates says:

      06:00am | 14/06/12

      Now that Diesel emissions have been declared as Carcinogenic as UV,Asbestos,Arsenic and Mustard Gas it should be banned from restaurant’s,public places,such as earth and doubtless have to come in plain paper garages

      Reply

    • Scotchfinger says:

      09:48am | 14/06/12

      how do you relate cancer to the humors, Doctor? Excess of phlegm?

    • Little Joe says:

      07:20pm | 14/06/12

      PHLEGM ....... my favourite ‘Hangman’  word!!!

    • TChong says:

      07:14am | 14/06/12

      “any way, football , schmootball”, a QLDer , or someone from a distant province ,(  Adelaide ?)  must have written that.
      One hell of a game, Blues definitely outclassed QLD, even if Cronk hadnt been sent off.

      Reply

    • nihonin says:

      07:32am | 14/06/12

      Another close game, well played both teams TChong, the decider should be a ripper.

    • TimB says:

      07:44am | 14/06/12

      I’m not sure ‘blame’ is the right word here Nossy wink .

      And Queensland got what they deserved. Cronk tried to cheat, thus they were duly punished.

      Suck it Queensland. smile .

    • Tim says:

      07:51am | 14/06/12

      Go NSW

      Nossy, oh how sweet it is.

    • nihonin says:

      08:01am | 14/06/12

      I read the article earlier this morning nossy, had to have a laugh at the ‘we was robbed’ brigade in the comments section.  Game 3 in Brisbane…...pearler.

    • Maroon Blood says:

      08:10am | 14/06/12

      Queensland defence was excellent in the first half, and were the better team in the period between the 60th and 65th minute - the blues were more consistent.  I was screaming at the television - “pass it, run forward, spread out”, none of which my beloved Maroons did.  NSW deserved the win, and I hope the loss is the kick up the backside the boys need to make it 7 straight series.

    • Bill says:

      08:22am | 14/06/12

      Who won?

    • Sniper says:

      08:33am | 14/06/12

      What will NSW do for the next few weeks without their chronic whinging?  I don’t hear them complaining about the poor refereeing?  What gives?  Poor sportsmanship from NSW as usual - if they aren’t winning their yelling how hard done by they were and these past few weeks proved they aren’t ashamed to take it to new lows.

    • TimB says:

      08:49am | 14/06/12

      @ Bill, League won. AFL lost.

    • SimpleSimon says:

      09:32am | 14/06/12

      “Did you see that ludicrous display last night? The thing about Arsenal is they always try and walk it in….”

      I thought it was a cracker of a game. I’m glad NSW are finally playing tough football again, rather than the side-to-side nonsense of the past few years. Looking forward to game 3 actually meaning something, but it’s going to be very tough to beat QLD at home.

    • S.L says:

      09:36am | 14/06/12

      @ TimB you have my vote for comment of the week!

    • wingnut says:

      09:41am | 14/06/12

      AFL has never lost anything to league.

      However from what I was able to watch of the game it was a ripper, hopefully I’ll be able to watch the enitre decider in a couple weeks.

    • Knemon says:

      10:04am | 14/06/12

      @TimB - OK, you made me bite…how did last nights game make the AFL a loser?

    • Bill says:

      10:24am | 14/06/12

      Actually, wingnut, they have the most spacious stadiums. Every person who goes to the rugby has an entire section to himself!

    • Bill says:

      10:43am | 14/06/12

      Don’t waste your breath, Knemon. Debating any of the timmys on this site is like arguing with a barn animal.

    • Tim says:

      11:17am | 14/06/12

      Bill,
      it’s only 11:20am and you’ve already made three posts on Rugby League.

      For someone who doesn’t care and apparently doesn’t know anything about Rugby League, you sure do make a habit of commenting on it.

      Did you get dropped on your head as a baby?

    • TimB says:

      11:27am | 14/06/12

      Oh shoo Knemon. This isn’t about you wink

      Tim nails it though. Look at the insecure paranoia Origin generates in our AFL obsessed friend Bill smile.

      More focus there is on Origin,, the less ground AFL can make in their attempt to make inroads to League strongholds.

    • Bill says:

      11:28am | 14/06/12

      Tim,

      It’s called free speech. I will comment on anything I want and will never justify the reasons why, especially to ignorant trolls like you..

    • Bill says:

      11:45am | 14/06/12

      TimB,

      Now I understand your stupid posts. You’re shit scared about the fact that the national sporting code is eating up the small fan rugby fan base.

      Here’s some free advice. Get on the winning team and start supporting the only code in the country that matters. Rugby is dead.

    • Max Power says:

      12:27pm | 14/06/12

      Who got man of the match?

    • TimB says:

      01:07pm | 14/06/12

      I think you might be right about the head-dropping Tim.

      Look how confused Bill’s latest efforts have been.

    • Dash says:

      07:20am | 14/06/12

      Gee it’s quiet north of the boarder this morning! Where is nossy? I guess they are ashamed that Cronk cheated?

      Reply

    • nossy of QLD says:

      07:54am | 14/06/12

      @Dash look above ya @7.33am Dash - talk about me being a good sport huh!

    • Sniper says:

      08:37am | 14/06/12

      Definitely quiet - only NSW act like children when they lose.  Refreshing isn’t it!

    • Dash says:

      08:54am | 14/06/12

      @nossy of QLD - look above and you’ll see i beat you here this morning 7:20am. I just couldn’t resist mate.

    • Dash says:

      01:41pm | 14/06/12

      @sniper - maybe, but at least they are not a pack of cheats!

    • Tim says:

      07:53am | 14/06/12

      Cooper Cronk cheating.

      Should have been a penalty try. Discuss.

      Reply

    • Sam says:

      08:35am | 14/06/12

      No doubt it was a professional foul.  Heaps of doubt he would have scored.

    • TChong says:

      08:42am | 14/06/12

      definitely shoulda been a penalty try.
      The reffing , this time though, far better than melbourne.

    • TimB says:

      08:59am | 14/06/12

      Agree completely.

      With Cronk holding Carney back, he got to the ball at the *same time* as Slater.

      If Cronk hadn’t have cheated, there’s no doubt in my mind that Carney would have beaten Slater. 50-50 call my ass.

      And I can’t believe the article that Nossy posted painting the send-off as ‘controversial’. What garbage. Cronk’s actions were clear cut to anyone who’s not a doped-up blind Queenslander.

    • Noms says:

      09:11am | 14/06/12

      You are correct Tim,a penalty try ,the kick for the try and a free kick for the cheating,unsportsman like conduct would have been the correct call.Cronk is a cheat and should have been sent off

    • SimpleSimon says:

      09:24am | 14/06/12

      Maybe if it was anyone else but Carney. If there was 1 player on the field who you couldn’t guarantee would have scored, it has to be him!

    • Tim says:

      09:52am | 14/06/12

      Oh,
      and is Dave Taylor’s effort in the first half the worst bombed try in Origin ever?
      All he had to do was fall on the ball and instead he tries to pick it up.
      WTF?

    • SimpleSimon says:

      10:39am | 14/06/12

      @Tim re Taylor’s effort - agreed. In truth, the ball had already been grounded by the Blues (Stewart?), but still, wow.

    • Sniper says:

      10:56am | 14/06/12

      and thus if grounded…not a try….no wonder they bitch about Inglis’s try…they don’t know the rules…

    • Tim says:

      11:35am | 14/06/12

      Sniper,
      did they rule that Stewart grounded it?
      I didn’t think he did and I thought it was ruled that it was a QLD knock on?
      Happy to be corrected if that was the ruling, though I may have missed it because I was too busy laughing at one of my mates who had put $100 on Dave Taylor first try at $18’s.

    • Tim says:

      11:35am | 14/06/12

      Sniper,
      did they rule that Stewart grounded it?
      I didn’t think he did and I thought it was ruled that it was a NSW knock on first?

      Happy to be corrected if that was the ruling, though I may have missed it because I was too busy laughing at one of my mates who had put $100 on Dave Taylor first try at $18’s.

    • iansand says:

      11:43am | 14/06/12

      On the other hand, with Cronk off, the Blues scored twice.  Possibly a better result than a penalty try (although Cronk should have had a holiday after the penalty try anyway).

    • Tim says:

      11:47am | 14/06/12

      oh double post.
      The second one is what I meant to say.

    • thatmosis says:

      08:01am | 14/06/12

      Couldn’t bring myself to watch the farce they call the STATE OF ORIGIN as its far from that.
        Why has it been allowed to get to this point where players can now name the side they want to play for even if their State of Origin is the other side. It makes a mockery of the game and until it is rectified I will have to just watch my team play when they are televised.
      Glad to see that NSW won for a change, must have had real referees for a change.

      Reply

    • Chris L says:

      11:55am | 14/06/12

      It isn’t a game anymore Thatmosis. It’s all part of a master plan where QLD takes over every country in the world by claiming their footballers as our own. I’m annoyed Denis Carnahan spilled the beans on us, but with any luck our campain is far enough along that any resistance will be futile!

    • nihonin says:

      12:35pm | 14/06/12

      resistance will be futile

      Borglander!

    • Chris L says:

      01:57pm | 14/06/12

      We are the Bjelke. You will be assimilated. Don’t you worry about that.

    • nihonin says:

      02:51pm | 14/06/12

      Chris L, by the time they finally got “you you you you you you will be assimilated” spoken, you’d have hightailed it.  wink

    • Dash says:

      08:03am | 14/06/12

      Power bills to rise 20% in Sydney! Awesome! That will fix the worlds weather. All those ALP voters must be so happy to write those cheques out to their energy companies. Perhaps they should hook up to one of those cost effective, easily available alternatives? Oh wait a minute…....... IDIOTS,

      Reply

    • Knemon says:

      09:13am | 14/06/12

      “That will fix the worlds weather”

      How so Dash?

    • Dot says:

      09:23am | 14/06/12

      That would be your liberal NSW government putting up the prices.
      Nice try

    • Tim says:

      09:24am | 14/06/12

      Dash,
      what do ALP voters have to do with it?

      By far the biggest reason for the increases over the last few years is the need to upgrade infrastructure due to population growth and to handle the massive explosion in the use of extremely energy hungry appliances such as air conditioners.

      If people could realise they don’t actually need to sit around wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the middle of winter or a perfectly climate controlled 21deg in summer then maybe your bill wouldn’t be going up so much.

      If you want to blame someone, then that would be a good place to start.

    • AdamC says:

      12:54pm | 14/06/12

      “By far the biggest reason for the increases over the last few years is the need to upgrade infrastructure due to population growth ...”

      Really? What infrastructure?

    • Dash says:

      01:39pm | 14/06/12

      @Knemon - isn’t that what this carbon tax is all about? Global warming. The greatest moral challenge of our time and all. You don’t think the ALP could have any other motivation while we sell coal to China in increasing quantities year after year for the next 10 do you?

      @Dot - So now the carbon tax is the NSW governments fault?? Get a grip love.

      @Tim - Just pointing out that the ALP supporters voted for a government hat is delivering them increased power bills. And increases on all power related items. And for what? Gillard’s wealth redistribution communist tax manifesto.

      And no, you are wrong, the reason is due to the carbon tax. And I cannot believe you are blaming people who have airconditioned their homes. What a typical piece of lefty bullshit to suggest people should not be able to make comfortable lives for themselves and their families. What a joke!

      Those people in our society who educate themselves, work hard and are successful deserve to be punished don’t they comrade Tim. And they should subsidise your handouts as well. This is the type of bullshit that has the ALPs primary at record lows. Liberty is dead in this country.

    • Tim says:

      03:29pm | 14/06/12

      Dash,
      user pays is now lefty bullshit?
      Oh the LOLs.

      People are more than welcome to air-condition their home but due to the increases in peak demand it’s now going to cost them more.

      Comrade Dash, why do you think I should subsidise these people’s energy usage? Isn’t that Socialism?

      The Carbon tax will have an effect this year no doubt, about 6-9% for a typical residential customer according to IPART whereas the total amount for this year’s rise is 16%.
      So about half of this years rise is due to the Carbon tax.

      Do you want to blame the Carbon tax for last years 18% rise too?

      You can ignore the facts if you want to but network improvements due to increased energy demand is the main culprit for these rises and not some lefty government plot to milk you dry.

    • Knemon says:

      03:34pm | 14/06/12

      Sorry Dash, I was having a dig about your weather comment, I’m not sure what power bill increases has to do with such!

      I’m surprised by AdamC’s comment, I thought he was smarter than that?

    • ZSRenn says:

      08:15am | 14/06/12

      I hate You Tube videos that could be funny and interesting because I cannot see them! Any chance of you sending me the file Ant?

      Oh and wasn’t last nights victory a shot in the arm. We may have only just won the game but boy did we leave them scattered all over the field. Every time that “Nancy Boy Slater” got hit I knew we were closer to victory as he needed to use old man Tait to do his work.

      Reply

    • nihonin says:

      10:11am | 14/06/12

      Install flash player ZSRenn, if you don’t want to because you use IE, install one of the alternative web browsers that aren’t imbedded into the OS and use that instead.

    • AdamC says:

      10:37am | 14/06/12

      To paraphrase Montgomery Burns, it isn’t being blocked by your red Chinese masters, is it?

    • SydneyGirl says:

      11:04am | 14/06/12

      LOL AdamC.

      ZSR, good to see the masters have allowed you out on The Punch today.

    • ZSRenn says:

      02:10pm | 14/06/12

      On that point Sydney Girl. I would like to offer Foxtel congratulations for finally including CCTV News in it’s channel line up.This will be a great opportunity for Australians to get a glimpse of what China thinks about itself and the world.

      My favourite programs are

      Crossover: a program which includes foreigners living in China talking about their lives in China

      Travelogue: This program takes us to the far corners of China. It not just the beautiful scenery which attracts me to this show but it displays the diverse culture of the 53 ethnic groups that abide here

      Dialogue: This program discusses China’s policies and tries to explain why China thinks and feels the way it does.

      There are also many cultural programs as well as stories from its team in Africa and the US.

      I am not saying the channel isn’t a bit one eyed about China. It is but at least now Australia will have some balance in its news coverage about who and what China is.

      Who knows you may even come to understand why facebook and you tube are banned. i never have trouble getting on The Punch!

      @ nihonan. Thanks for trying to help but that is not my problem.

    • Karl Gustuf says:

      08:20am | 14/06/12

      What a sham of a game. I can’t believe the totally biased performance from the Refs. You can tell the officials didn’t want a dead rubber going in to Game III in Brisbane.
      I can’t believe that NSW only won by 4, what an amazing effort from QLD to nearly snatch a win despite all the 70/30 calls that went NSW’s way.
      NSW, NSWRL and the ARL now know the blueprint for the Blues to beat QLD, make sure they only have to play against 12 men.

      Reply

    • TimB says:

      08:54am | 14/06/12

      “NSW, NSWRL and the ARL now know the blueprint for the Blues to beat QLD, make sure they only have to play against 12 men.”

      Oh yes, because NSW must have hypnotised Cronk into committing a professional foul.

      Get your hand off it, QLD have no-one to blame but themselves.

    • Dash says:

      08:58am | 14/06/12

      Oh dear sour grapes!

      Cronk cheated!!! I’m an ALF supporter and even I know that Cronk tackled a guy who was looking to score a try when he didn’t have the ball! You cannot be serious. QLD were lucky that a penalty try was not awarded. And Cronk should be suspended for bringing the game into disrepute with such a cowardly dog act!

    • Tim says:

      09:25am | 14/06/12

      LOL.
      D Minus for trolling.

    • Karl Gustuf says:

      10:23am | 14/06/12

      Cronk cheated? How a few weeks change the tune of those in NSW. When Jennings runs 50m to cowardly king hit someone, the penalty was unfair, the sin binning was unfair.  When the Video Ref dares to award a try because he accurately applied the rules, the Refs are cheats.

      Cronk, runs blocking 101, and he is a cheat. Now those from NSW are saying it should have been a penalty try, and the sin binning was deserved, and there are some saying he should have been sent off.

      The only ones needing to take their hand off it, are those from NSW who see one incident as “Part of State of Origin” and the other incident as cheating.  Not only are NSW sore losers, but sore winners to.

      Last nights game was kind of like the Stawell Gift, handicapped so that the lesser athletes have a chance of winning. NSW won’t be able to rely on the ref in Brisbane to handicap the Maroons, to level the playing field.

      They will have to win it on ability and merit, and well, without the Ref, NSW will be weighed, measured and found wanting, for the 7th series in a row.

    • Tim says:

      11:39am | 14/06/12

      Karl,
      you do realise that you can’t block someone when you’re behind them?

      And did you miss the part where he grabbed his shoulder and then tried to tackle him without the ball? Open your other eye.

    • AFR says:

      12:24pm | 14/06/12

      Dash, you’re an ALF supporter? He was ok, but not a patch on My Favourite Martian.

    • Dash says:

      01:49pm | 14/06/12

      @Karl - Yep, that’s the reaction I was expecting. Small man syndrome much?

      You don’t “block” someone by grabbing them with two hands and bringing them to the ground! QLD cheats!

    • Karl Gustuf says:

      02:27pm | 14/06/12

      Small man syndrome, hah, that is funny, especially coming from an AFL supporter.
      My god, what bunch of whingers NSW supporters are, they lose, they whinge, they win, they whinge. They fluke a win off the back of the Refs and still they find a way to whinge about the Refs.
      I can’t believe Greg Bird was man of the match, Tony Archer was the best on ground for NSW by a long shot
      Maybe the blues would win a series if they conecentrated on, I don’t know, playing League, instead of whinging and resorting to thug tactics and dirty cheap shots.

    • Dash says:

      04:22pm | 14/06/12

      @Karl - as opposed to say a sore loser whinging about the Ref?? LOL. QLD resorted to cheating and still lost!

      Oh btw Aussie rules is the biggest winter game in the country. More players, more members, bigger crowds, more money! And it gave you the idea for state of origin, the final 8 system and the salary cap. Be greatful mate.

    • S.L says:

      08:57am | 14/06/12

      Well Qld were behind the 8ball last night. Thurston wasn’t getting away with raking the ball in tackles, Cronk got pinged for holding Carney back, the refs weren’t giving relieving penalties when NSW were on the front foot and good to see one shot of Mal (I’ll search NSW country comps for the next Maroon) Meninga looking shellshocked.
      Full marks to Ricky Stuart for being a real coach and staying on the sideline the whole game while Mal and co stayed in their ivory tower…..............

      Reply

    • Sniper says:

      10:03am | 14/06/12

      Oh wow!  You won the sitting competition too!!!!

      There is no hope for you lot, no wonder the rest of the country has advanced past you knuckle draggers.

    • wingnut says:

      09:50am | 14/06/12

      Scrolling through the comments here, as a Melbournian I look forward to Queensland clinching their 7th straight origin in a couple weeks. Anything to wipe the smugness of you NSWelsmen and women.

      Reply

    • S.L says:

      11:23am | 14/06/12

      And the rivalry between NSW and Vic is only in the mind of victorians…..

    • Bill says:

      12:13pm | 14/06/12

      SL,

      And yet you took the time to reply? It’s only the insecure little nsw boys who ever bring up their imagined rivalry with us.

      Personally, I couldn’t care less about that bogan, crime-infested place called Sydney.

    • S.L says:

      12:52pm | 14/06/12

      I’m not from Sydney Bill.
      Besides I have more to do than check the Punch every 10 minutes. When I read wingnuts comment I replied…........
      What do we have to be jealous about with Victoria? We don’t have a rivalry in any sport! Nobody watches state cricket. Only Eastern Suburbs trendoids watch the Swans. GWS is just a curiosity. The only interstate rivalry that matters is State of Origin League…........

    • gobsmack says:

      01:22pm | 14/06/12

      As a Melburnian, I am grateful that a vast wasteland separates Queensland from Victoria.

    • hot tub political machine says:

      09:52am | 14/06/12

      On my mind today punchers is the concept that television ratings must be lies.

      Why you ask? (so that I can conveniently be a question talker)

      Because I have the best must reliable kind of evidence…….anecdotal evidence.

      I was reading the article below saying Bingle got close to a million viewers and they were mostly aged 18-39. My bsometer went off like a rocket, the needle smashed through the side and a shard of glass implanted itself in my left eyeball….note I will blame any spelling errors on this incident.

      See I’m nearly 30, and the last time I used a tv to watch programming – rather than simply using it as a screen for my DVD’s of games – was in about 2007.

      Here is the key – I’m nearly 30. I’m the grandpa to the 18-21 year olds. They are much more aut fait with the technology than me. They would watch *even less* programmed tv that yours truly. And as I said, I barely qualify as a twenty something anymore but to me the TV is this kitsch thing that is on at my parents when the crows are playing. Imagine what the kids think of it.

      So the idea that the are nearly a million of them tuning in to grandad’s technology simply doesn’t seem believable to me. Anyone know how they get the figures.

      Oh and my second piece of evidence. Over the course of my twenties I had 7 different housemates over 3 share houses. In that whole near decade. Only one of them watched programmed TV – for a grand total of 30 minutes per diem. TV ratings I……..CB.

      Reply

    • iansand says:

      11:45am | 14/06/12

      They were hoping she would get her top off.

    • hot tub political machine says:

      12:26pm | 14/06/12

      but but but…...they already know about the internet. Why would they go to tv for nudity?

    • Ginger Mick says:

      09:52am | 14/06/12

      Labor have announced to the World that huge areas around our shores are national parks.

      They cannot police our shores now.  They have added a new dimension to border protection.

      How in hell are they going to protect these areas from fisherman from other countries?  (and at what cost?)

      They have totally failed the whales in the southern ocean.

      Again they have succeeded in cutting back our fisheries, encouraging import of fish of suspect quality.

      Another red herring has been waved under the nose of Aussies,  what is lurking behind the curtains?  :(

      Reply

    • Peter#1 says:

      10:10am | 14/06/12

      Your video link proves what a farce State of Origin NRL is.
      The tension, the hype, and the controversy in State of Origin has turned the NRL into a second rate version of World Championship Wrestling and the gullible public still think that it’s legitimate.
      Due to the fact that the NRL is big business and that betting on the outcome of matches is legal, the sport has been replaced by greed and results are easily manipulated by the officials or the players.
      Matches, at club or State of Origin level, are no longer a sporting contest but merely put on for entertainment.
      I’m delighted that NSW won and I hope that it is pre-ordained that we win the third encounter in three weeks’ time and I may even watch it.

      Reply

    • Ginger Mick says:

      11:00am | 14/06/12

      Breaking News:

      Labor ‘dirt unit’ unleashed on Opposition

      http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-14/labor-dirt-unit-unleashed-on-opposition/4070120

      EXTRACT:

      “Labor staffers in ministerial offices have been asked to dig dirt on Coalition frontbenchers as the Government prepares to go on to a campaign footing, AM has learned.

      Ministerial staffers have been asked to dig up details on political opponents’ “younger days”, social media posts, articles in student newspapers, and past and present litigation.

      Labor ministers have also been told to be on a campaign footing from next month amid a period of intensifying political attacks inside and outside Parliament.

      There is disquiet within Labor ranks about the request, with one member of the Government telling AM it is aimed at “looking for shit on Labor’s opponents”.

      The Labor MP described the office of Julia Gillard’s director of strategy, Nick Reece, as “a dirt unit,” saying such activities should not be associated with the Prime Minister’s office.”

      MUCH MORE goto website and read more

      This will certainly stir the pot!  grin

      Reply

    • TimB says:

      11:43am | 14/06/12

      Oh this will be interesting.

      Did these goons learn nothing from the sheer amount of egg on Bligh’s face in the QLD election?

    • gobsmack says:

      12:40pm | 14/06/12

      Asked to dig dirt?
      No doubt this will help them bulid empathy with the likes of Gina & Clive.

      Seriously, the Liberal Party doesn’t need a specialised unit to do what the whole party is engaged in.

    • Dash says:

      02:16pm | 14/06/12

      @gobsmack - what’s to dig where Craig Tompson is concerned? Not to mention Gillard’s own weasle words about there being no carbon tax, and an East Timor Solution, and an education revolution and all the other bullshit.

      The ALP appear to be doing all the digging. And they are digging themselves a deeper grave by the day. What will be the next bag of lies they dish up?

      As for Gina and Clive, yes comrade that’s right. We should punish success shouldn’t we. Deamonise the people driving the nation forward and paying all the tax. Get a grip man!

      The ALP and Green parties design all their policies on the tall Poppy Syndrome. Gillard’s philosophy : the successful people paying tax should be punished so we can throw money at the people who are as dumb as dogshit! Give me a freakin break!

    • gobsmack says:

      03:09pm | 14/06/12

      @Dash
      You could avoid your skyrocketing energy costs if you were able to harnass some of that steam you work up everytime the Labor government is mentioned.
      Life can’t be too bad if you’re paid good money to spend all day posting your repetitive rants on the Punch.

    • Dash says:

      04:37pm | 14/06/12

      @gobsmack - Yep Life’s good!

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      12:23pm | 14/06/12

      As much as I hate China, in the case of “forced abortions”, they are utterly correct and the United States is wrong. In the first place it is the state’s right and duty to legislate over population matters. In the second place, it is not a forced abortion, you can pay the fine instead- 150,000 yuan or about $23,000 Australian dollars. Can’t afford the fine for a second child? Maybe they shouldn’t be having a second child. Thirdly, forced abortions over six months gestation are already illegal in China, this province official is acting illegally. And fourth since when has the right to breed indiscriminately been a human right?

      http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-18435126

      Reply

    • che says:

      12:42pm | 14/06/12

      Since we were given reproductive organs? Just a guess….

    • Shane From Melbourne says:

      01:48pm | 14/06/12

      @che- the only organisms to breed indiscriminately without regards to the environment are humans and cancer cells. Both will eventually kill the host…..Humans have developed intelligence, they should be using it to maintain sustainable population levels instead of going hell for leather exponential population growth…...

    • Bill says:

      12:27pm | 14/06/12

      OK, I’ll admit it. I started watching the State of Origin last night, just to see what all the fuss is about. What an amazing and disappointing anti-climax. All I saw was some guy ambling a couple of metres into an opposition player before he was pushed to the ground. This was repeated again and again before someone finally decided to kick the ball (a most unimpressive 20-30 metres) and the whole farce started again. I kept waiting to see some skill, some athleticism, some prowess, but all I saw was a grownup version of the schoolyard british bulldogs (or stacks-on-the-mill).

      When I noticed that there was only one umpire on the ground my belief that this game was so incredibly simple to play and requires absolutely no talent whatsoever was confirmed.  Jog, throw, fall over. Jog, throw, fall over.

      After no one had scored for 20 minutes, I felt like I was watching a game of soccer. So I stopped watching and changed the channel. If this really is the greatest showcase that rugby can put on, then I can understand why the sport only competes with the lowly soccer for public support.

      Reply

    • Tim says:

      01:09pm | 14/06/12

      hahaha,
      first he doesn’t know anything about it and now he’s avidly watching games. Next week he’ll be a Melbourne Storm season ticket holder.

      Although Ignoramus’ powers of perception have failed him again because he thinks there was only one referee.
      I suppose we’ll have to take the rest of his post with a grain of salt when he couldn’t even see the second referee and two touch judges after watching 20mins.

      No wonder he thinks seagulls fighting over a chip is exciting.

    • SimpleSimon says:

      01:33pm | 14/06/12

      Haha, while I’m not a huge rugby league fan, I do enjoy State of Origin. Do you know AFL is just grown men slapping at each other and pulling on each other’s shirt while chasing a ball along the ground, reminiscent of Under 7’s soccer? How little talent do they expect their players to have when they award them a point even for missing the goal?!

      The above is obviously tongue in cheek, I’m just highlighting that reducing any sport to such a level of simplicity and mocking the outcome is silly.

    • Bill says:

      02:19pm | 14/06/12

      Tim, you have NFI do you?

      There is only ONE umpire on the ground in a game of rugby. In the 20 minutes I wasted last night, I only ever saw one person on the ground officiating.  NOT including the boundary umpires.

      The stupid game you follow is about as relevant to the rest of the country as tiddlywinks. It’s no wonder rugby is dead while football increases into areas all around the nation.

    • TimB says:

      02:47pm | 14/06/12

      “Tim, you have NFI do you?

      There is only ONE umpire on the ground in a game of rugby. “

      “Tim, you have NFI do you?”

      Cue idiotic waffle about one referee. HAHAHAHAHA.

      Oh this is priceless. And to think that Billy boy here was calling Tim ignorant.

      Educate yourself:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league_match_officials#Refereeing_systems

      ‘National Rugby League, Australasia: Two referees, two touch judges, video referee, timekeeper.’

      Too funny. What a chump.

    • iansand says:

      03:02pm | 14/06/12

      Bill - There are 2 ground umpires.  Although claiming supremacy for a sport because of the number of people getting in the way of the game is really grasping at straws.  It is like saying that AFL is superior because the goal umpires have great choreography (and I would have to concede that they do).

      Reply

    • Tbird says:

      04:13pm | 14/06/12

      What’s going on with The Punch this week? Pretty uninteresting….
      Is it the short work week this week? Boring contributors, crap articles….at least the comments and replies are as always making me laugh.
      Keep Punching…......

      Reply

    • Scotchfinger says:

      04:32pm | 14/06/12

      the replies are always, ALWAYS, more interesting, entertaining, informed and generally readable than the articles, which are usually earnest and simplistic. Imagine if tubesteak wrote an article on the history of feminism? I would photocopy it and ask for him to sign it!!!

    • Jay says:

      06:22am | 16/06/12

      In this year of 2012 when many believe the world will end it was quite diconcerting to hear that a meteor the size of a city block was sighted for the first time. Thankfully it was not going to strike the earth but if it did it was believed that Canberra would have been the point of impact,. Not such a bad outcome I suppose.It would have resolved a lot of issues for the Australian population.

      Reply
 
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