jayr

Now, I don't fully appreciate the significance of this story, not being around when it happened. Didn't John Howard make some big thing about nasty immigrants coming to these shores and throwing kids in the sea just before he was rer-elected?

If he was lying or making misrepresentations to the public then isn't it time to say sorry?

Peter

Little Johnny doesn't say sorry. If the Socialists get voted in this year, be assured this incident will play a part.

NickyC

There were suggestions that boat people had done that, but they were very quickly refuted by everyone who knew anything about it. The problem was that the government was happy to let the story run (election time) for way too long, even though they knew it was nonsense.

jad n rich

The whole story was hashed to death for months after it happened. Looks to me like its been dragged up as it election time, the election date should be called soon and suddenly trash on Howard pops up.

Yep the whole affair was unbelievable BUT its scary when you consider this could be the nail in the coffin for Howard and the LUNATIC latham will be allowed to turn us back into a banana republic. I am in total disbelief anyone could vote for that man, whats our hope now? that more trash on Latham smacking wives or getting into brawls comes out. Bloody scary times we need to move on in a more professional international light and yet look at our choice of PM's. :scared:

jayr

I'm no fan of Howard, but Latham is certainly untested. Rumours about his stag video are also interesting. I was more suprised to see that Howard was saying that a Senate inquiry would find him guilty:

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_...55E421,00.html

I couldn't imagine Bush or Blair saying something similar.

jad n rich

I couldn't imagine Bush or Blair saying something similar.[/QUOTE]

Trouble is that statement could be applied so often to so much of what goes on here. We need poliiticans who act and look professional, sure they all make gaffs, but ours seen to permanantely have a foot stuck in thier gobs. I would have just liked to have seen a candidate that looked as if he (or she) could bring our country into the international arena instead of making us look like a load of racist, banana bending, corrupt, hicks. Thats all, just a nice professional diplomatic tactful candidate.

I mean really can you imagine the likes of Mark Latham dealing with the delicate politics required with our very close and hugely populous asian neighbours, whats he going to do, smack one of them in the gob or something. Latham meets Betty grabs her arse or something, oh no weve already done that one

jayr

We need poliiticans who act and look professional, sure they all make gaffs, but ours seen to permanantely have a foot stuck in thier gobs. [/QUOTE]


True, and I'll cite the government, since they make more of the headlines:

What is Alexander Downer going on about with North Korea targetting weapons at Australia before he arrives on a diplomatic mission? Now I'm no expert but i/surely not and ii/keep your mouth shut before entering diplomatic talks.

bondipom

The government portrayed the people on the boat as evil because they would chuck their children off a ship. Turns out they were being thrown overboard because the ship was sinking. Assylum was a huge issue during the last election and the overboard story was used to play on people prejudices to assylum seekers.

Turns out it was a lie and the government knew it was a lie but carried on spinning the story ala Alistair Campbell and Tony Blair.

As for diplomacy, this lot are like Bulls in a china shop and have not got a clue. Latham IMO would be even worse at the diplomacy.

If labour gets voted in (socialism is dead although Americans have funny ideas about that), it will be down to coalition stupidity. Latham is an idiot and I am amazed and how stupid Howard is in not being able to show him up.

Peter

I was being facetious by calling Labor Socialists. To be fair, all three of Australia's major parties practice left-wing theory; the differences mainly are in fiscal conversatism, and social conservatism to a lesser extent. As much as the cynics portray the Nationals as rightist, they aren't truly a right-wing party, not by classical definition. Then again, neither is the Republican Party of the US.

MikeStanton

Of all the pollies, Downer is not too bad. He would have made a hopeless PM (he was leader of the opposition at one time), but he's a bit more diplomatic than the average Oz pollie. Mind you, Oz has a history of making 'foot-in-mouth' political gaffes. Once they made some comment about pre-emptive strikes being OK. Malaysia then responded with something like 'If they try it, we'll wipe Australia out'.

Scary.

Peter

Alexander Downer. Keating was right when he called this guy "the idiot son of the aristocracy."

Re: Malaysia; I suggest people look up the ANZUS treaty. Put it this way; I wouldn't like Malaysia's chances.

bondipom

Mahatir Mohamed was another diplomatic bull in a china shop and thankfully now gone from power. Since then Australia is making some inroads into acceptance in ASEAN circles, a vital local trade power. I do like Keatings comment. Downer is a hopeless diplomat and seems to have a habit of annoying nations. Not a great idea when you consider Australia's size as a trading block.

MikeStanton

Keating and the word 'diplomat' on the same site? That's a laugh!

Remember his comment to Mahatir about being 'recalcitrant' (see http://www.atimes.com/editor/AI08Ba01.html) Being called an 'idiot son...' by Keating is nothing. His usual comment was more like 'scum-bag'. Keating was a total populist - pandering to the lowest common denominator : which, of course, got him elected.

Quinkana

More like a wounded rogue buffalo - but he was always pithy. Good bloke really - couldn't stand bladdy Imperialists - Poms or their tenth cousins.