A Government in Disarray

So we end 2016 with the continuation of depressing headlines about the LNP Government.  Front and centre, we have Mr Abbott laying the blame squarely at the feet of Mr Turnbull, pointing the finger with claims “it's all his fault.” Laying down the challenge that Liberal unity is Malcolm Turnbull’s duty. Wise words from someone who was incapable of holding the party together himself. 

I'm fast reaching the view that no one can hold this party together. Abbott certainly couldn't, Turnbull can't. There are too many factions who are simply not willing to compromise. We have far too many 'look at me' 'look at me' inflated egos sitting on the backbench. There are certainly far too many manipulating behind the scenes; within Government, Federal and States. Then we have the deal makers. It's a sodding mess.  

The attitude of some that it's my way or else is endemic. The constant veiled threats of 'I'm going to take my ball and play in another field' if you don't meet my demands are frankly childish. Malcolm Turnbull should haul the likes of Bernardi, Christensen and even Abbott into his office and read the riot act. “Pull your heads in or blasted well go. Enough of the games.” If they walk and that means we go back to the polls, so be it. Labor will romp in and probably stay there for fifty blasted years. 

I’ve reached the point of beyond caring. Why should I continue to defend this bunch of self absorbed egotist? I'm disgusted with the lot of them. I mean the lot of them. As for those holding Turnbull totally responsible for this, wake up! Yes, he played a role but this mess isn't just down to one person. One way or another, they are all to blame. Voters who continue to play the game of ‘voter roulette’ and want to continue the old ‘oh we don’t like him chuck him out we want another’ are equally at fault for geeing up the renegades. 

The tragedy is, some of the good things that have been achieved over the past few months get lost in the wash. The duplicity of Labor hardly gets a mention and therefore the challenges besetting the country because of that are rarely discussed. 

To quote an old Aussism. The place has gone to the dogs. 

I hope you have a Merry Christmas because I very much doubt we’ll be having a very Happy New Year if we continue to go down the same path. 

If You Come Across An Angel

Something different today from my usual political rant. This day twelve months ago I said my final goodbyes to my husband. It was the second hardest day of my life. So today has been a day of reflection, memories and sharing. It was a result of that sharing that I came across this piece.

If You Come Across An Angel

Every day, in the world around us, real-life angels are doing the things they do and bringing more smiles to the world around them.

Real-life angels build bridges instead of walls. They don't have hidden agendas. They tend to be the ones who understand what you're going through. If they sense that you're hurting, they do whatever they can to help you. Real-life angels understand difficulties and always give the benefit of the doubt.

They don’t hold others up to standards they can't live by themselves. They are what “inner beauty” is all about. They don't hold things against you. They only thing they hold.. is you ..

They take your hand in theirs when you could use some guidance and direction in your life. And they support you in your attempts to do what is right.

Real-life angels multiply your smiles and add to your integrity. If you if You Come Across An Angel, you are one of the luckiest people of all. If someone in your life is like an angel to you, it's important to thank them … for the blessing.

~ Douglas Pagels

I've been blessed in having many angels in my life. Both real-life and the other kind. I wouldn't have got through the last twelve months without them. It made me think that perhaps that is what is wrong with our world today. We have too few real-life angels. People who really care and are there to help us up when we are hurting or struggling. To hold out a hand when we fall and to help us back on the path when we stray.

So as we head into the final few days before Christmas and then onto New Year and the resolutions we all make, my wish would be. That more and more people made a resolution to be a real-life angel in 2017 and beyond. What a wonderful world we would see emerge if they did. My resolution will be, to at try and do more than I do to help others who need it.

To quote John Lennon. "You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will be as one."

My Non-traditional Christmas Tree

I wanted to do something different this year rather than just put up the usual Christmas Tree. If truth be known, I was also a bit worried about my cat, the orange flash. This is his first Christmas and he is into everything. But, I was looking for something that had a meaning. So, I decided to decorate a cherry blossom. 

The Cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. It’s a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful, but that it is also tragically short. 

December for me is a more somber month, as I reflect on the passing of three members of my family including my much loved husband, Richard. In 2016 we also welcomed new members into our family. For one of those new members the passing of a life holds special memories having lost her baby daughter some years ago. 

So, my tree is a symbol of the remembrance of those we have lost and the celebration of the beauty of their lives. Recognition of and welcome to the news ones we have gained. And, a reminder that the most important thing in life is love and to treasure each moment we have with those we hold most dear.  That for me is what Christmas is all about. 

So from mine to yours. Merry Christmas. 

How long are we going to continue letting ourselves off the hook?

The usual brigade of conservative knockers are having a field day commenting on columns in the media about the senate mess. And, the compromises made by the government in getting legislation through over the past few weeks. Many of the comments are along these lines.

“You can't blame voters for voting in cross-benchers.  More and more voters are desperate for a decent government.” True, we are desperate for better government across the board. But, YES I CAN AND I DO blame voters for some of the mess. I wonder how long we are going to continue letting ourselves off the hook.

Never has the comment ‘you reap what you sow’ been truer. .

You may not agree with what I am about to say, but it's what I believe based on my experiences. What I read and hear.

We are never going to change how major parties function if we don’t get involved. The percentage of voters who join political parties is pathetically small & it continues to fall. We will never drive the necessary change sitting on the outside chucking rocks. Or, if we continue to simply use the ballot box to wallop parties at election time. That achieves nothing but the chaos we have now.

I believe in the values of the LNP. But, we have problems. We are a diverse group. A mix of Liberals and Conservatives. It is indeed a broad spectrum or 'broad-church' as John Howard labelled it. That causes a lot of friction both within and outside of the party. We appear incapable of reaching a middle ground where everyone feels they have won something. That goes for our elected representatives as well as those of us out here in 'voter land'. Far too many expect everything to go their way. That's not fair nor is it facing reality. We should be critical of silly decisions, absolutely. But many of the criticisms levelled at the current government in my opinion are unfair. The constant whinge that they do nothing is wrong. They may not do everything you or I desire but they are getting things done under difficult circumstances. Trouble is a lot of people use FB or Twitter as their reference source without looking at what is actually being delivered.

I know I shouldn’t read the comments sections in the media. All it achieves is to make me feel more desperate about our country and our society. But, I do read them. More fool me. Ripping into politicians in the comments section achieves little. If it did, things would be changing. They're not. Neither will whinging about it on social media.

People have to be involved where it matters. We need more on the front-line. We need more to join parties. Or get involved where they can help drive the change we so desire. I accept many people don’t want to join political parties. But numbers are dangerously low. This has to be addressed. People need to given a good reason why involvement is important.

We live in a democracy. Albeit a democracy that is a tad flawed. But, it's better than any alternative I’ve seen. This means “rule by the people”. It is therefore important that people should have a say in what happens and what is decided.

Politics is all around us. Decisions people make on our behalf affect our everyday life, from jobs, economic security, physical security, health, schools to travel to our environment.

So how do people have their say and influence what is decided? There are many ways; some of them include

•          Campaigning,

•          Signing a petition,

•          Joining political parties and,

•          Becoming involved in pressure groups,

•          Voting. Voting it appears is the only thing far too many people do.

Let's face it; there is a hell of a lot more non-members than members. We have power. But it's got to be directed to where it gets the greatest traction. I believe that's working at party level. We’ve heard ad nauseam that branches are stacked. True, many are because there are not enough of us who are not driven by blind idealism signing up.

Far too many people don't do their homework before they vote. I've tested that time and again. I never cease to be amazed why people vote for candidates they know so little about. Politicians don't just lob up. We put them there. So whilst we can all be outraged and hacked off with those senators who we've witnessed over the past week playing politics and embarking on ego boosting power trips. We put them there. A little bit of homework prior to the election might have just given people the hint of what to expect. I do wonder how many of those throwing bricks at politicians are actually prepared to stand themselves. Obviously, it’s not very many.

One of those commenting in the Australian today, in fact, one of those who said ‘don't blame voters’ came up with this list.

In the next election, can we please have it writ large…..

• Career Politicians - DO NOT APPLY.  Taxpayers will doubtless shoot you on sight.  Your day is done.

• Requirements for Politicians: HONEST, blunt speaking, patriotic persons to apply ONLY. Not declaring past illegal behaviour will ensure you receive a jail sentence.  Any candidate who thinks they must do and act instantly on instructions from any and/or all unions will be refused entry to the parliament.  (Guards are now armed with live ammunition to take care of such miscreants. 

• Deterrents:   Unions/unionists need NOT apply.  ANY past association with unions will immediately disqualify you.  Any unionist who has appeared before TURC.

•  Independents:  Only those prepared to put their country FIRST and not their petty pipedreams need only apply.  All independents, upon election, must sign (in their own blood) to NEVER EVER hold the Govt to ransom in passing Bills that benefit the country.  ALL Bills must be viewed on their merits - and not what you think will get your own personal thought bubbles passed. 

Another added:

1. Make parliament sit for a minimum of 150 days per year. This year they sat for just over 40 days. The US Congress averages 140 days a year.
2. There should be a law that if the party in government wants to change its leader mid term there needs to be a plebiscite and the Australian People approve the change or it doesn't happen. Political parties need to know we find this dumping of Prime Ministers to be unacceptable.
3. Have fixed elections, every THREE years. Many people propose fixed four year terms but that is too long given how poor our governments are and out of sync with our senate system. You don't need 4 years to get your ideas up and running. Whitlam had most of his work done before the first parliament even sat :-) 

I'm not sure I'd be quoting the Whitlam era as the pinnacle of good government. But, I'm not on the right of politics and it's her opinion.

There are some sensible suggestions, albeit some a tad emotive and perhaps a bit misguided.

I posted my views expressing that I do blame voters. We appoint these people via either ticking the box when we vote. Or by just accepting what is served up by way of candidates.

I think this following reply to one of my comments sort of proves my point.

“I think you are being a tad unrealistic. Firstly, most people only think about politicians only when what they are implementing impacts on them personally.  Secondly, not all people are interested (even remotely) in politics.  Just like the mere thought of studying astronomy makes my eyes glaze over.  Most people rely on intuition, or blind faith in the party of their choice to get the right pollie.”

Well, that intuition and blind faith is really working isn’t. You wouldn't buy a house, or a new car or even a laptop without doing your homework. But there are people who rely on their intuition and blind faith when choosing the group who makes decisions that impact on nearly every area of our lives.

Another suggested I needed to be a bit more respectful. Stating, “It is the politicians who promise much and deliver little. All the research in the world cannot overcome blatant hypocrisy and irresponsibility by the politicians they elect. On almost every issue spoken about you could use as an example.

Voters do not all have to be actively involved in the political scene to be responsible citizens.

We are to be responsible citizens in whatever field of endeavour we are involved. And so we expect the same of those involved in the political scene.

I'm glad voters express their comments here as it provides a great way to provide not only direct feedback to our political leaders, but also some common sense insights that the media often miss.”

Yes, to be fair I do read the occasional commonsense input to media columns. The vast majority however are simply rants.

But if too many people feel the same as those responding to my comments do. If more and more just stand back and put all of the blame on those we elect without considering that perhaps some of this is down to us, how will it improve?

The bottom line is, if we as citizens are not prepared to put our hands up, nothing will change. We’ll just continue to see an endless procession of career politicians, staffers and union hacks augmented by cause activist independents sitting in our parliament. If we as citizens are not prepared to do our homework and just vote on gut feel or a slick PR address then don't complain when we end up with rabble.

I contribute a lot of political input via membership, lobbying, talking to people and yes, writing blogs. But I could do more. I need to look at ways of achieving that.

There is no Messiah out there who is going to save us. At the risk of being accused of over use of cliché, “No pain, no gain.” If we want change and we sure as hell need it, we need to “invest a bit of our own skin.”

Bill Shorten - Australia's Trump with a Twist

I am passionate about many things. Open and responsible free speech being one of them. Equally, I abhor violence. However, my demeanour is rapidly changing when it comes to Bill Shorten. To use a good old Aussieism, I’m rapidly reaching the point where I could gladly smash him with the proverbial shovel. 

I am sick and tired of Shorten’s insults. His hysterical outburst over what were reasonably considered and sensible points raised by Peter Dutton with regards to the impact of immigration failures (that being the mix coupled with inadequate vetting) in the past. This outburst is the final straw. His manipulation of the truth is astounding. 

Amanda Vanstone put it succinctly in the Australian today when she said, “Shorten’s the one fanning racists fires over immigration.” She said “ Mr Shorten’s remarks reduced an important debate to the “lowest common denominator.” Spot on.

Of course the comments to Ms Vanstone’s column attracted the usual bag of support. Plus as expected when presented with the truth a fair smattering of vitriolic attack. This one in particular stood out, because it's typical of what we see expressed by so many today.  It was penned by a woman named Jane. 

“Seriously [Sic] Amanda Vandastone, you ought to be ashamed.

Mr Dutton you are a disgrace. 

Thank you Mr Shorten for calling him out.

We must call out racism wherever it occurs. It is not acceptable in a decent and peaceful  multicultural society.

What is devastating is that he must have such powerful influence in the [Sic] Turnull government because he should have been sacked on the spot.

This is highly unusual and should be examined.”

Firstly, Dutton is a Government Minister. You would expect him to have a powerful influence. If he doesn’t, he shouldn’t be there. By the mere fact, we have been relatively unscathed when it comes to on-shore terrorist violence (despite the threats) he’s obviously doing a good job. So, I contest that Jane is showing her blatant ignorance with her ‘highly unusual and should be examined’ nonsense. 

Facts appears to have escaped Jane. We stopped being a decent & peaceful multicultural society when people were murdered on the streets. When dozens of young men, many born in Australia left the country to fight with terrorist organisations in the Middle East. In turn,  to have those same people appear in ISIS propaganda video’s threatening us and inciting supporters on home soil to commit terrorist acts against us. Our security and Federal Police operatives along with the help of many from the Muslim community have thwarted those acts, thank our lucky stars.  

We lost our peaceful multicultural society when we looked on in horror, at an Australian child holding up the severed head of a man caught and murder by those very terrorists, people on our shores openly support. 

We lost our peaceful multicultural society when dozens and dozens of  youths (both Sudanese and Islanders, many recently arrived on our shores) formed gangs who terrorise, rob and bash people on the streets of Melbourne. 

So, I suggested Jane that she might like to actually LISTEN to what Peter Dutton said in response to a question/s asked by Andrew Bolt. For the record, it was Bolt, who first raised Fraser's well acknowledged (even by Fraser) lapses in immigration rigour, as that applied to some migrants during his reign. Then, I suggested she might like to read through Hansard (Monday 21st) to understand what Peter Dutton actually said in response to Bill Shorten's pathetic attempt to lampoon him.

We have a problem with both violence and the threat of terrorism in this country. Sadly, the percentage of law breakers and terrorist sympathisers within some sections of our immigrant community is too high. Sticking our heads in the sand, suppressing discussion and verbally attacking and slurring the messenger will not fix it. The problem needs to be discussed openly, maturely and with a commitment to do just that, fix it. The only people who should be sacked are those attacking the very people who are trying to do something about the problem. Peter Dutton should not be sacked. Bill Shorten most certainly should be.

Bill Shorten and Labor’s strategy on attacking Peter Dutton is hard to fathom. Are they arguing against Mr Dutton acknowledging the Fraser Government made some mistakes? It’s a fact. They did. Fraser eventually listened and changed the strategy. But, alas in many in cases it was too late. The foundation for problems in the future was also set. 

Is Labor’s  argument that this historical fact must be buried and that we can’t talk about the impacts today of the bad decisions of  ‘yesteryear’? In the context of what Mr Dutton said in the Bolt interview about taking time now to thoroughly assess the 12,000 who are coming from Syria, to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past, I contest that references to past mistakes is relevant. Or are Shorten  and Labor's motives more sinister? 

Bill Shorten is turning into the lefts version of Donald Trump. During Trump’s campaign, he said some pretty terrible things about certain groups. He stirred up a lot of hostility.  By the very nature of many of his comments he gave rise and legitimacy to the rise of the Alt-right and neo-Nazis. When questioned this week about seeing Neo-Nazis raise their hands in a “Seig Heil” salute chanting “Heil Trump, Heil our people, Heil Victory” Trump’s comments were, “It’s not a group I want to energise. And if they are energised I want to look into it and find out why.” All he has to do is turn the mirror on himself. There is his answer. 

Bill Shorten similarly, fuels the racist debate with his selective subtraction of pieces of conversations to score political points. Then, Shorten throws racist slurs based on those subtractions. Shorten tries to suppress the truth and close down open and mature debate. He fuels the fires of our Alt-Right but from a different perspective. It's not about personal adoration for Shorten, as it is for Trump. 

I believe Bill Shorten deliberately seeks to motivate and stir up racial divide. He knows others will go out and issue threats against his own supporters; against the people of the left. More alarmingly, we also end up with threats being made against our broader immigrant community.  Isn’t that exactly what Union bosses do? The load ‘the guns’ and others go out there and ‘fire the bullets’. 

Mr Dutton singled out the many thousands of wonderful law abiding immigrants we have in this country. As Mr Dutton stressed many of them are from the Lebanese community. Of course, that is one piece that has been selectively culled by Mr Shorten in his assault. Shorten also stirs up members of our immigrant community who may not be fully aware of what has been said or the context in which it was said,  Thus, by his actions, Shorten is driving even greater social divide. In other words, he is doing what he said he would do. Lead like a unionist. 

So putting on my cynical hat. Trump and Shorten are either so stupid they are oblivious to the impact they have on the behaviour of others. For the record, I don’t think either of them are stupid. Or, they are wilfully manipulating the populous for political gain; divide and conquer, stuff the consequences. Either way it's extremely dangerous. Both should be resoundingly condemned. 

Why Do We Justify Politicians Lying To Us

When are we going to say to our politicians enough of the lies we will not tolerate this any longer?

Political lying has reached endemic proportions and, it's getting worse. I want to make it clear that my gripe isn’t essentially a critique of the merits or not of Brexit or Trump winning in the US. I am using these merely as examples of lying to the public to gain power. We face similar in our own Australian political landscape. Mediscare being a very relevant example. 

There is a ground swell building in the UK against the Brexit leave vote. People voted to leave based on what people like Farage (now claiming he 'made' Trump the stupid man) told them. Within a few days the wiser ones started to realise they may just have been sold a pup. So, many are now saying that want a new referendum. This has led to interesting debate within social media circles.

More and more Brits are realising they voted based a pack of lies with absolutely no clue what Brexit would mean for them. They voted on nationalism (which definitely has a place) and immigration (which needs to be controlled).  Many voted on the money that would saved as a result of leaving the EU being reinvested in the NHS. Now of course Nige is saying he never promised that. It's BS, he did. Others said they were sick of the EU and their draconian rules and interference. I am with them on that. Then we have those who voted on the basis of racism and hate. Let's not pretend they didn’t. It's not helpful to shy away from reality. Now of course the truth is hitting home. Many of the promises made will not and can not be delivered. They never were going to be. They were lies. Personally, I struggled to understand why anyone would vote on something so important without the facts. It was one hell of a leap of faith. But people did. 

Whilst we are at it, why is Nigel Farage still a member of the European Parliament? Happy to take the perks whilst they last? Hypocrite that he is. 

We just seen similar in the US. Where the most outrageous lies in the form of promises were made to gain votes. Within a couple of days the back-flips started. They always were going to. This is a small but important example: 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2016/11/11/if-you-voted-for-trump-because-hes-anti-establishment-guess-what-you-got-conned/

What really floored me was when someone last night on twitter (a lawyer no less) stated, “People always vote on lies and half truths aka opinions.” When he was challenged on this point he reiterated, “Arguably all politicians lie.” Certainly a lot do. The lawyers final comment really sums it up. “Which is why votes aren’t invalidated by lying.” In others words, lying is OK that's how the system works. 

That prompts me to ask. Is there an acceptable level to this endemic lying that has become par for the course? What lies should be tolerated and what ones shouldn’t? The lies are becoming more and more outrageous. I consider them blatant in the extreme. Have we reached the level yet where we the people on mass say we've had enough? Or, will it take a monumental catastrophe to bring us to our senses? 

I understand perfectly why people don’t trust politicians. But hey, we've obviously confirmed it's OK for them to keep lying to us. We vote for them and in the case of Brexit, people think that lying is OK. The lawyer did and others supported him. It’s the old reap what you sow theory. We set the benchmark by what we are prepared to accept. We've accepted it so, we have no one to blame but ourselves. 

From what we see being played out on the world stage it seems ‘we’ are suckers. We simply fall for the salesmen’s pitch because they tell us what we want to hear. The collective ‘we’ doesn’t give a rats when someone points out what is being promised is a lie and it can’t be delivered. Far too many support their own side when they lie but attack the opposition for the same. With regards to Trump’s lies, I've had people say to me, “He was only saying that to get the vote. He didn’t mean it.” They seem to think that is acceptable. Well in my book it is not acceptable. 

I have a great admiration for those people who are standing up and saying we expect better. The Brexit new referendum people are an example. They are the ones saying we were lied to, we now we want the truth. Then, they want the opportunity to reassess based on facts and be given the opportunity to vote on those facts. We should be appalling that, not attacking them. 

People (globally) are saying enough of the lies. Yet, they willingly vote for people who are lying to them and just accept it. Worse, they defend it. I admit I am really struggling to understand the logic of that.

If we are serious about change, we must stand up and be counted. We have to say enough. No more lies. No more opinions. We deal with facts. If we don’t, then don’t be surprised when nothing changes for the better and we continue to be treated like mugs. 

It's down to us. Demand better. 

A Response To : Plight unmasks the injustice of 18C

Hedley Thomas's column in the Australian today highlighted the plight of Kyran Findlater one of those snared in the QUT net. For me, it was alarming in the extreme. If you haven't read Hedley Thomas's column please do. Because if ever there were justification for amending 18C and removing the AHRC I believe this is it. 

Hadley Thomas column

There was one comment to this story that I think is worthy of sharing. I have the permission of the writer to share it. 

Dear Kyran

I hope you get to read the comments. I have moved from being appalled to saddened with the way you have been treated. In the ordinary course of things, I think it is irrelevant for me to state my ethnicity in any debate because it doesn't inform the substance of my argument. I will make an exception on this occasion and tell you that I am black and of South African origin. I state this with the hope that someone in govt will read and see that the very people of my skin colour they are seeking to protect are unambiguously appalled. I have lived in Australia for 5 years and there's never been a day I have ever felt conscious of my ethnicity because ordinary Australians are the most welcoming people. I cannot stay silent when a fellow citizen like you has his reputation impugned for daring to speak his mind. I shed a tear when I read that you offered to pay $3500 in what can only be described as a ransom payment. This is wrong on many levels and I hope that in speaking out Australians see that we are all united in demanding an end to 18C. 

The law has encouraged a culture of victim hood in ways I presume it never intended. What I find offensive about 18C is that it is based on a racist presumption that people like me cannot handle robust debate and need to be protected from offence and insult. By default we are cast as a class of citizens to which the law is prepared to grant rights not accorded to the majority simply because of our ethnicity. My place in society is not strengthened by depriving you of your fundamental rights. You and I have never met and probably never will but the law as it stands pits us against each other simply because we look different. Yet, when I became a citizen I pledged to fight alongside with you should Australia be attacked militarily. By extension I believe I have to stand and fight with you when our shared Australian values are attacked in my name. It is contrary to good conscience for someone like me to whom Australia has given a lot to turn a blind eye whilst you are stripped of your dignity, reputation and adorned in a cloak of criminality. 

I will do what I can to fight the good fight so that you and I are reconciled by laws that treat us equally. The injustice you've suffered is an injustice to me as well and to be honest it has really hurt me emotionally. I will do everything I can to fight for changes to the law. I hope one day you and I can meet and share a beer (non-alcohol beverage for me).

Regards to you and your entire family.

Andrew M

I don't mind admitting I found this response extremely moving. Like Andrew, I shed a tear over what he wrote. How lucky we are to have people like Andrew call Australia home.

We Set The Benchmarks By The Standards We Accept

So the election is over and the unthinkable has happened. Donald Trump is now President-elect; the leader of the free world.

I don’t like Trump. I’ve made no secret about how I feel. But he has played a blinder in tapping into people's fears; their despair, their need to lash out at governments who they feel hasn’t listened to them. I do understand how people feel. I have felt the same. But what worries and disturbs me the most is three things. One, people have turned to a morally corrupt man like Trump because there were no alternatives. Two, and the most disturbing for me is the signal sent to the world that racism, sexism, lying and sexual assault is OK. I'll forgive you because you listen to me and my concerns. That it's acceptable to attack and assault those who don’t agree with you. That it's OK to demean prisoners of war and people with physical disabilities.

The willingness to sacrifice principles and overlook reprehensible behaviour because a person claims they will fix my problems astounds me. In my experience those who lack principles rarely achieve anything for others, other than more chaos and disappointment. You can’t address a lack of principles if you have none yourself.

Hillary Clinton carries a lot of baggage. She was a very poor alternate choice. She is far from blameless but she has also carried the burden of the man she married. She is not the only woman to ever stick by a cheating husband and she won't be the last. I suspect a reasonable percentage of those condemning her for it are possibly not blameless themselves. But I wonder if she were a man would she have been treated so harshly. After all millions were prepared to overlook Trump’s treatment of women. Then we have his failed businesses and the resulting disastrous impact that has had on so many people. His skiting about ripping off taxpayers, the very people who he claims he will now champion. But, let's face it, he’s made his money. He can afford to be sanctimonious. If he really was your champion, he’d give the money back on principle. Then, we have his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. A convicted pedophile known for having underage sex slaves and who Trump called ‘a great guy’. Does that sound like a person with good judgement?

The list of Trump’s questionable practices is very long indeed. In addition, he is still to front court over the operation of Trump University, facing claims that dozens of people who were ripped off. How ironic that we have referred two of our Aussie Senators to the high court to test their worthiness to hold representative office over business and criminal dealings. In both of these cases they are far less than anything Trump has done.

Within 12 hours after securing the position of President-elect Donald Trump’s statement on banning Muslims from US has disappeared from his website. In commenting on this one person wrote in response to a column, “Surely, this is a goo (sic) thing! Told ya he's not a bigot. Those were just buzzwords to get redneck votes.”

I thought these were brilliant replies.

“So when those rednecks you refer to realise his words were just buzzwords and they turn on him, I wonder how he will react. Will he boot them out? Attack them as he has so many others who disagreed with him? More importantly how they will react.”

“The most positive thing his supporters have been able to say about him is "Don't worry, he doesn't believe a word he says, he's just a lying political scumbag". I hope that's true.”

“I'm not sure it's any improvement at all.  If he was just a bigot, we could possibly call him misguided.  In this case, he's a liar and a hate-monger that intentionally stirred up hate and anger aimed at a minority religious group for his own benefit.  That seems a whole lot worse to me, so unless I start hearing an apology from Trump and assurances that he isn't going to single out Muslims or tolerate any discrimination against them, I'm not giving him a pass.”

An American friend sent me this recently. Sorry I didn’t share it before the election. It's strong but it made me think.  

http://www.gq.com/story/donald-trump-voters-read-this

The world desperately needs people of principle and of good character to lead us out of the predicament we find ourselves in. We need leaders who can engage us in the discussions without using the language of violence, fear and divide. We need leaders who can address concerns quickly without creating world war 3. Trump sadly (for me) isn’t that person. He lacks principle and there are far too many question-marks over his character. If I cannot respect the person, how could I support them speaking for me?

But where are the principled and honourable champions of the downtrodden, the unrepresented, the disenfranchised, those who feel they have no voice? That for me is a most vexing question. I simply don’t see them coming forward. So people turn to the Trump’s and the Farage’s of the world. That scares the hell out of me. Our relatives have been down these paths before. We need to listen to them.

We set the benchmark by the standards we accept. If we are willing to trade-off those standards in accepting leaders who have none, we shouldn’t be surprised when nothing changes for the better. In fact, there is a very real possibility it could probably end up a lot worse.

Unlike Brexit the impact has been largely on the United Kingdom and EU and to a lesser degree the rest of the world. The US decision however, has wider reaching impacts because so much is tied to the US dollar and US trade. Many of the things that Trump has said if enacted will have dire consequences. Whilst I suspect millions would like to live on their own little islands independent of the world around us that is not reality. Certainly not for small countries like Australia we simply don’t have the population or the resources to survive on our own.

As for Donald Trump, he hasn’t changed overnight. I suspect he can’t, but I pray I’m wrong.

Our Voice, Our Rights #DENIED

We are rarely given the opportunity to express our opinion about changes to specific laws that impact on us and our loved ones. Sure, we vote for political representatives and the policies they present. But even when our chosen party wins government, there is no guarantee the commitments they make will be delivered. Time and again we are let down when policies are reneged on. Sometimes the reasons are legitimate but more often than not it's because the minority ends up ruling the political process. Just block it. Or, the party we chose and put into government finds it can’t afford the promises they make. 

At the last election, we were presented with the proposal to allow a plebiscite on same sex marriage. The party that presented that proposal won. The assumption being a plebiscite is something the majority want; the opportunity to express an opinion. Of course the mud has been slung in both directions. As for too many of our elected representatives they do not question the raison d'être of the process they simply follow their party line blindly. BLOCK stuff you and me. Stuff what the public voted for. 

Those of us who support the plebiscite and who have the temerity to express our opinions have been treated extremely poorly by many on the opposing side. The nasty personal attacks accusing us of wanting to vilify and sledge are regularly thrown at us. Sure, there are those who will. But I’m of the opinion the vast majority simply want the choice to say what they think. Be it yes or no to gay marriage. That’s what I want. 

In reading through the no pitches during the senate debate last night, we see the usual counter-argument that John Howard didn’t go to the people when he amended the marriage act. Of course, those playing this card ignore two things. One, the circumstances that necessitated swift action at the time. Secondly, because he didn’t, doesn't mean we shouldn’t go to the people on the current proposed change. 

As for those who play the abuse card. Denying people the right to express their views won’t stop that. In fact, in my humble opinion it could make it worse. Most Australians, if they are sensible and reasonable do accept  the umpires decision. I’ve heard many express the opinion; let people say what they think and then let's put it to bed. Put up and then shut-up. That's exactly how I feel. 

I thought Senator Jacqui Lambie summed it up beautifully with her closing statement in the chamber last night when she said. 

“Just as we senators are able to put our points of view and test what we believe is true and sacred about marriage in this great chamber of debate, so too must we give all Australians the opportunity to put their points of view and test what they believe is true and sacred about marriage in an even greater chamber of debate: the Australia beyond this parliament and the local ballot boxes where people of this great democracy can have their say. I fully support this legislation.”

As I said in my opening. We aren’t given the opportunity to have a direct say very often. I am extremely disappointed it's been taken away on the rare occasion offered. As for those who denied us, they should be drop kicked from a very great height.  

Anti-Establishment Movement

I’m all for challenging the status quo and challenging the establishment. I’ve never been what you would call a good rules person. My Dad always said I was ‘born ‘agin the government’; he was right. Far too many rules serve only to inhibit us. Far too many decisions are made that serve the minority and those with their hand out.

That said basic rules such as those taught to us as children (being raised in a Christian society) have merit.  Whether you subscribe to the specific doctrine is another matter. But the rules of decency, honesty, charity etc., make good common sense.

We are going through turbulent times, both globally and to a lesser degree here in Australia. We hear ad nauseam how angry people are. How disenfranchised people feel. I don’t dismiss it, it’s a fact. We are seeing a lot being played out all too graphically in the US with the run-up to their election. We see this played out on social media daily.

But a question I ask myself all too often of late is this. Why are so many people who are leading the anti-establishment charge such goddamn awful people? So many behave like disrespectful bullies. They are aggressive in the extreme.  With Donald Trump his morals both personally and professionally are questionable. I will say Hilary Clinton appears to be no better but she isn't championing the anti-establishment cause, Trump is. We see the same in our own country. Dare I say, the worst hide behind their Christian halo? They are nothing more than frauds in my book.

I’m not sure what it says about society when people like that manage to attract followers. Perhaps it’s because people just listen to the lines they are being fed and don’t look beyond to the legitimacy of the person. They are simply looking for someone to ‘save’ them. The demigod syndrome. Or, is it a matter of strike back and pays back. Lashing out and jumping on board with the first person who says what they are thinking regardless of the consequences. Perhaps it is like following like. Who knows, but it worries me. I get the overwhelming feeling this will not end well.

What we desperately need are people with values who live those values and who have credibility to challenge the establishment. We don’t appear to have people like that anymore. If we do, they certainly don’t get a voice. Instead, we are left with the dregs.

I think it’s a very scary trend. What to do about it, I’ve no idea. I guess there is not much I can do apart from (in my very small way) keep talking about it and demanding better from those who seek to lead. Keep searching for role models.  Then make others aware they are out there.

No one is perfect. But when we choose leaders, we should choose those who are closest to an expression of our values and our aspirations. To do otherwise, is to betray the very things we say we stand for. Because at the end of the day, our behaviours reflect our values. That goes for who we pick to lead us as well.

Get Off Your Backside & Take Responsibility For Yourself

That probably got your attention. I should add its not personally directed at you, unless you are in one of the groups on my hit list.

A few things have happened recently regarding the culture of entitlement and victimhood. We really need to be talking about this stuff. Freely, openly and, honestly.   

I’ll start by saying I was delighted with the announcement from the High Court of Australia confirming they have thrown out the challenge by four former federal MP’s to retaining Gold Passes entitling them to free travel for life. They are now entitled to 10 domestic free trips per year. This greedy bunch; Barry Cunningham, Tony Lamb and Barry Cohen (Labor) John Moore (Liberal) wanted more.

It has emerged, this High Court decision has saved taxpayers MILLIONS on top of our annual $40MILLION pension bill; current payments to former politicians.  Had the High Court upheld the appeal, 350 ex-MPs and 100 spouses would have benefitted. So well done and three cheers to the seven member bench of the Court.

Yesterday, Linda Burney, Labor MP was in printed sprouting on about domestic violence within the indigenous community. Ms Burney highlighted one particular case that resulted in the death of a young woman. Yes, it is both very sad and appalling. Yes, there’s a problem. But I object to this statement.  “The blame for that murder lies firmly with the person who committed the crime but the failure of the system is the result of government funding cuts.” Every time it comes back to money.

Ms Burney went to say, “The violent history of colonisation, policies of forced removal and the breakdown of kinship structures have long-lasting legacies. It must engage those in communities already battling the issue.”

Ms Burney goes on to lay blame at the feet of Liberal state and federal governments. Stating Policy failures rest with government, not communities who have been crying out for decades offering solutions, only to be ­ignored.

These problems are not new. Ms Burney wants to blame the problems on our violent history, forced removal and the breakdown of kinship structures, they didn’t happen yesterday. How many more years have to be spent on trying to fix these issues? We already contribute millions and millions annually to indigenous causes. So from where I sit, it’s not about money or which government is in power. It’s about the status of victimhood and entitlement. Take ownership and fix the problems yourselves.

I read an interesting article recently. It was about peacekeeping and justice. They made some excellent points. This one really resonated; it was about claims of deservingness. How that can lead to societies where rights and access to state resources depends on what group you belong to rather than on fairness and equality. So, special rights can present a problem for social justice.

Based on research conducted by Vamik Volkan the article also highlighted victims tend to behave selfishly. This is led by a sense of entitlement to ‘equal the score’. We see this behaviour a lot during the indigenous discourse. I’ve been wronged so you pay. Professor Volkan observed such “exaggerated entitlement” in studying groups of victims that make claims for their own group regardless of the costs and consequences for others. In the globalised field of peacebuilding, the status of victimhood has experienced an “upgrading”. Victims have had an almost sacred “aura” now.

We are really struggling as a society in Australia to keep up with the demands on the public purse. We have been warned time and again we are living beyond our means. But still they line up for more. This is the point Professor Volkan is making. Where we have entrenched entitlement it is all about them and their group. They don't consider or care about anyone else. It's so selfish.  

How many times do we have to hear I’m entitled because of what happened two hundred ago? Or  the stock standard I’m entitled because I can’t get a job. More likely far too many are not prepared to sacrifice anything in the efforts to actually get a job. Then we have those who are ripping off the system based on both entitlement and victimhood. The list is too long. To long to cover each group but disability cheats are way at the top.  

Get off your bums and do something constructive with your lives should be the message we send. Whenever sobs stories emerge I am reminded of the wonderful Nick Vujicic. Nick is an Aussie. He was born with no arms or legs. His motto, “No arms, no legs, no worries.” Nick has a career, a family and a wonderfully productive life. Pity more didn’t follow his lead. If he can do it. So can so many others who will never have to face the challenges Nick has.

Whilst the example of greedy politicians and, our indigenous are coming from different standpoints the mindsets are the same. My group deserves more than your group. We see the same with many welfare recipients. Recently we were made aware of whole families feeding off the public purse, year, after year, after year. The trouble with these entitlement parasites is people who really need and deserve help are struggling to get it. Worse still, they have political parties doing their bidding for them. It’s galling when you think it about it. We pay politicians (who rip us off) to do the bidding for the ‘entitlement’ “victimhood’ industry to rip us off even more.

“A society where victims become the protagonists based on the ‘compassion and entitlement economy’ based on the ‘commoditisation of so called suffering’. Entitlement and victimhood has become extremely profitable bringing with it self-appointed moral authority crusaders, contrived political legitimacy and significant economic victimhood industry benefits.”

Oh what an incestuous society we have created.

Women Have A Responsibilty To Call-Out Reprehensible Behaviour

I was told to calm-down over Donald Trumps comments about women. Well, I won’t. 

In response to my last blog on Trump one man suggested I should consider the behaviour of the women Trump was talking about who encourage men to behave as Trump does. When I enquired if he also considered women in short skirts were asking to be raped, he told me I had a problem. I needed help, and I was a hypocrite (I’m still trying to figure out the hypocrite bit). I’m not the one with the problem but any man who blames the victim sure as hell has one. I’m also betting he’s not all that well informed on Trump’s background. 

I feel very strongly about the objectification of women. No female should be subjected to such oafish, demeaning comments as those spoken by Trump. No, father should ever agree it's OK for a shock jock to say on radio his daughter is "a piece of ass". Fathers are supposed to protect their daughters, not support and condone their objectification. 

My condemnation of Trump has nothing per se to do with the US election. To me, both candidates are equally bad. Albeit for different reasons. I don’t live in the US, so I don’t get to vote, anyway. My condemnation (and concern) is based on broader issues. That of the vilification of women. Plus, the hypocrisy and inconsistency with which various behaviours are treated.  

Thousands of women are abused, demeaned and treated as second-class citizens. When the possible leader of the free world behaves the same way, the signal it sends out is, (as far as I am concerned) it's OK. It’s OK to demean women. It's OK to talk about groping them because they are attractive. It's OK to call women fat pigs, dogs, bimbos and slobs because to you they are unattractive or they've had the temerity called you out. Well, it's not OK in my book.

People say what Trump has said is all this in the past. Sorry, it isn’t. Even if it was, it shouldn’t matter. It wasn’t 10 years ago when he said to a female contestant on The Apprentice it would be nice to see her on her knees. What he is suggesting? A woman’s place in the boardroom is on her knees? Seriously, what Neanderthal thinking that is!! 

In commenting in recent times on sexual assaults in the military Trump slighted both men and women with this comment,  “What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?” So rather than condemn the crimes he suggests men and women are incapable living together? To be honest, that's as bad as Muslim men suggesting women have to cover themselves because they can’t trust themselves. 

Only last year he took a crack at Arianna Huffington (not for the first time) tweeting, “How much money is the extremely unattractive (both inside and out) Arianna Huffington paying her poor ex-hubby for the use of his name?” He poked fun at her over her divorce. Is that the behaviour of someone who respects women? Not in my book. He attacked her because she stood up to him. 

Of Carly Fiorina he said "Can you imagine that, the face of our next next president? I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?" No, he isn’t supposed to say things like that, but he does. When he does, and it's condoned then others follow the lead. 

In making those comments (some in the last 12-months) Trump has all but affirmed that he does not respect women or regard them as equals. 

I know what it's like to fight to be treated as an equal. I’ve been put down by men who think and act like Trump. I know many others who have as well. Why? Because there is a certain class of man who has a problem with strong women. Those men will resort to trying to belittle woman. I can look after myself and I don’t cave into bullies like that. But not everyone can fight their corner. 

What really saddens me is this. We now have a man in Trump. who has the desire to be the leader of the free world who thinks so little of women. His voice will reach much further than the bullies I’ve encountered. But in essence he’s no better than them.  

It is blatantly obvious Trump has a long history of pigeon-holing of women as either just a piece of ass or ugly losers. When you analyse it, you start to realise women with a voice, women with power, threaten Trump’s world view. The “bimbos” he simply disregards with condescending, disrespectful rhetoric. When it comes to the power group, Trump extends to those ladies, no less than some straight-up brutal attempts at assassinating their character. He doesn’t attack their credentials because he can’t. He resorts to personal assaults. As they say, it's a weak man who has to try and demean a woman to feel powerful. 

In the course of an exchange yesterday, it was stated all men speak and act like Trump toward women. In my experience they don’t. But for those who do, then with respect it might be time for a bit of reflection and soul searching chaps. It is 2016. Remember those women you are demeaning are someone’s daughter, sister, wife, perhaps even mother. How would you feel if someone spoke about your daughter, or your wife in a smutty, tasteless, manner? So. I will continue to speak out and condemn it, in the hope society will strive to be better. 

We have no right to criticise the repression of women by any other culture if we willingly support sexism, denigration and bullying of women in ours. Whilst many demand women be treated as equals by other cultures. We are simply hypocrites if we don’t demand the same from ours. We should certainly demand the same from those who seek to lead. Making smutty comments is bad enough. But, to suggest that a woman will allow you to do anything to her if you are powerful enough is simply appalling. Particularly if you have desires to be the most powerful man in the world. 

When Bill Shorten verbally assaulted a woman in a pie shop, conservative supporters in Australia went into meltdown. Rightly so. Many of those same supporters are cheering Trump.  A misogynist is a misogynist, regardless of circumstances. We can’t condemn one and cheer the on the other because we sit in different political camps. 

In preparing a leadership paper recently, I came across a list of how to recognise an  “Asshole at work”. How to spot the red flags: 

• Personal insults
• Invading one’s “personal territory”
• Uninvited physical contact
• Threats and intimidation, both verbal and nonverbal
• “Sarcastic jokes” and “teasing” used as insult delivery systems
• Withering e-mail flames (I’d add in Trumps case tweets) 
• Status slaps intended to humiliate their victims
• Public shaming or “status degradation” rituals
• Rude interruptions
• Two-faced attacks
• Dirty looks
• Treating people as if they are invisible

Hard to argue with any of that and it reminds me very much of Trump. 

Trump in issuing his apology last week said. "I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly I played along. I'm very sorry.” The chump was 60 for heavens sake. Trump is now 70 years old. He is still attacking women so what's his excuse now? 

I was pleased to see that at least one of the political leaders of this country has the cuts to call Trump out. Derryn Hinch in responding to Pauline Hanson defence of Trump said,  a "normal man" would not do what Trump claims to do to women. 

"The man is a sexual predator and is a disgrace," Hinch said. Hear, hear.

On the other hand we have the oafish Nigel Farge insisting Trumps comments amount to 'alpha male boasting'. Well that's OK then. It just boys being boys.

One comment on the Presidential election. To think this has been relegated to the level of who can be the most obscene is a very sad indictment of society today. The world deserves better. John Oliver said,

"Do me a favour - look up into the sky right now...
Higher..no higher still..
Do you see that?
Way up there, way up, above the clouds..
That's ROCK BOTTOM.
And we are currently down here."

Oliver is 100% correct.

So back to my starting point. I will not ‘calm-down’. Whilst I am free to voice my opinion I will. Just because ‘all’ men behave badly as suggested, it doesn’t make it right. Just meekly accepting the status quo is not in my DNA. To the idiot who obviously believes ‘women are asking for it’ in other words, blame the victim, grow up.