Is Abbott a sexist misogynist?

There has been a lot written about Abbott after Gillard's blistering attack on Abbott. Is the leader of the opposition a sexist misogynist?

I wouldn't think so, not on his own. But in a pack of blokes he'd probably be up there leading the cause. I've seen it time and time again. Not with Abbott but hanging with a group of blokes, it occours with bullying, sexism and every kind of behaviour that pushes the boundries.

One of the worst was with a group of Christian leader who late into a party started making references to people orientated to the same sex. It deeply disturbed me. I'm happy if people dissagree with me, but when the conversation starts denagrading people as humans. I suppose why  I was disapointed was a lot to do with myself, not pulling people up: reminding them that they are created in Gods image and worthy of respect and love.

In my youth I gladly went along with being a bully: now my biggest crime is not speaking up.

Abbott, I get the impression that he is not willing to lead; to speak up when he hears something is wrong. Rather he just chuckles and goes along with the blokes.

I supose that is why I'm constantly impressed with Malcolm Turnbull. He was one of the first to speak up against Alan Jones with his 'Died in shame' comment.

Abbot needs to speak up when he hears something which is wrong. Even if it means bruising those on his side...

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Same sex parenting and qanda.

Much is been made of the 'heart felt response' by Penny Wong and Joe Hockeys reply to the last question of same sex parenting on qanda on the ABC last night.

I sort of felt sorry for Joe Hockey. He sort of sounded honest but I'm not sure he had his heart in it. His response just reminded me someone who was towing the party line for the sake of the team. The Prime Minister is in the same situation, except she probably is in the minority for her party.

I'm pretty sure that if a conscious vote was given to the coalition on marriage equality, and put to the parliament it would get up.

 

You can watch the program here

Minority Government

Last week the Government with the help of independents got through their carbon emission trading scheme, through the lower house. I've a few thoughts on this.

• There have been more significant legislation passed through this parliament with this minority than a government with a majority. I think Howard's GST, was the last significant large reform. I'm under the impression now that independents are a benefit to the political system. Not only for the ability to vocalise issues, but to apply pressure on the government to do something about real community concerns.
• Love her or hate her, Julia Gillard will be looked on historically as a significant reformer, especially if she makes it to the end of term; Even if the Coalition repeals a lot of her legislation, her negotiation with independents and getting legislation through is significant, considering her limitations of a minority government. 

Get the Afghanistan out...

I think we should get our troops out. Enough is enough this war is primarily George Bushes' when he decided on the vengeance option after the twin towers of 9/11.
As a Christian I don't think the 'just war' theory adds up. Maybe in defence but not for offence.
Australia is just tagging along with what George Bush started.
If you look at the military deaths in Iraq they are 4744, in Afghanistan they are 2166. The casualties for the 9/11 are 2977. Something is not adding up here!
For me I'm convinced there would have been a better way. Vengeance has not worked.

Thus for me I'm disappointed that both major parties in Australia are for keeping the troops in Afghanistan. I'm also saddened that there are not so few Christian voices speaking up about pacifism as an option.
Not surprising the Greens are walking the line that Jesus would have taken...

Related articles

• Security strategy: The age of uncertainty | Editorial (guardian.co.uk)

Its gone...Climate assembly

The citizens assembly on climate change has gone. Not supprising it was a poor idea.

I could see, as Julia was defending the 'Citizens assembly' during the campaign, her mind ticking over; *who thought up this idea!!*


As I wrote during the election campaign::

The problem I see with it is that their is no actual leadership in a citizens assembly. I would rather vote for an environmental plan than somthing that 'might' happen. It's just to wishy washy for me.

Probably a good idea as 'opposition Abbott' would just bag everything out of it even if was a good idea.

Better just having this committee of parliamentarians and then leading stongly from it.

Tony has with his negative stance, let down the conservative side of politics, not allowing anyone on the committee. Thus no conservative influence on environmental policy in Australia.

Related articles

• Gillard scraps climate assembly (news.theage.com.au)
• Climate committee is no citizens assembly, thank God (thepunch.com.au)
• Abbott slams climate assembly (news.theage.com.au)

The real reason Tony Dosn't want to go to Afganastan...

Tony Abbott tells us that he didn't want to be Jet lagged when he got to Europe. That is his spin...

From the Herald Sun

Mr Abbott revealed he did not travel with Prime Minster Julia Gillard to see troops in Afghanistan because it would have made him too tired to meet with the British Conservative Party leader, David Cameron in Britain.

Well this is another 'opposoition for opposition sake. The old mongrel Tony.

The real reason he he dosn't want to go because he would have been seen with Julia. It would have looked as if he as on the same page as Julia.

This time it has backfired...

Related articles by Zemanta

• Abbott forgoes troops for sleep (heraldsun.com.au)
• Gillard makes Afghanistan visit (heraldsun.com.au)

Election 2010 :: Labours Enviromental policy

Rumours today of Labours environmental policy,  as reported by the ABC

A re-elected Labor government would ask a new "citizens' assembly" for climate change advice, under a key part of the ALP's new climate change policy set to be launched by Prime Minister Julia Gillard today.

I cannot but agree with Mr Greg Hunt our local man at Flinders who said

 Julia Gillard's proposed "citizens assembly" will fail to produce action.

The problem I see with it is that their is no actual leadership in a citizens assembly. I would rather vote for an environmental plan than somthing that 'might' happen. It's just to wishy washy for me.

The only person talking any sence in Malcolm Turnbull

"The Coalition's policy is not the ideal from my point of view I grant you that, I'd like to see a market-based solution, but I'll tell you this, it does have the potential to meet the emissions reductions targets by 2020," he said.
"The real question is the policy. Everyone knows where I stand, I've stuck to my principles on it. But the fact is, we have got a policy, Labor has nothing."

I think he is right. Labor has nothing!

The Bunny

Watching Tony Abbot the first day of the election remind me of a rabbit caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic. Staring all it could say was

"Big new tax"

"Labour, go backwards"

"No Carbon Tax under liberals"

He genuinely looked off guard sprouting the thin short crisp slogans he has been saying ever since he became opposition leader.
Mind you Julia Gillard is starting to push her slogans as well "Labour the way forward" etc etc.

Its just a shame that elections and important issues can be reduced to one liners. 

No Deal, Rudd.

Interestingly their was a deal on the table on the 23rd of June, with Mr Rudd, Ms Gillard and the others in the Labor leadership group. From the 'Crickey' blog::

Oakes’s question revolved around a claim that Kevin Rudd offered to Gillard to stand aside closer to an October election if polling indicated, and senior party figures agreed, that Rudd was an impediment to Labor’s re-election, an offer Gillard rejected after being told by factional leaders that she had the numbers to topple Rudd.

So what does it all mean?

Julia was hungry, hungry for power.
Kevien was trying to get more time. Rally the troops.

Either way, I think Rudd should have been given another go. While Julia should have taken the reins second term. This in itself would have extended Labours time in power. An agreement like that seems fair. But then again these agreements have happened both sides of politics and usually backfire in someone's direction.

Julia the Athiest

Nathan Hobby over in Perth has pointed out a link about Julia Gillard being an Atheist. The article left me with a few questions, most importantly: I'd like to understand how she came to this position coming from a Church background.

I suppose my greatest dread with Julia being an  Atheist is that all Christians who have political agendas in Australia will come out of the closet! (I wonder if Danny Nalliah had any prophesy on K Rudd's downfall.) We will then end up with a real American electoral system. Although Australia has had a few Athiests lead the country Bob Hawke and more than likely a few closet Atheist.

I do belive that having a 'Christian', label is a positive in an election. Implimenting a Christian position is more of a positive for me during an electoral term. So strong social justice, a pacifist position, a strong green component and treating all people with equality is very important. If an atheist such as Julia can implement these policies then I'm ok with her. I doubt either the ALP or the Liberal will bring in an pacifist position, so this then like all elections brings the choice down to the lesser of two evils. I believe that God is big enough to implement his will though Atheist.

On the side. While I think that Kevin is a genuine Christian, I think he went a bit to far with the press conferences outside the Church which he attended! It just cheapened his Christian faith.