As an update to my Crikey piece on the NSW focus group research Graham Young and I conducted last week (cross-posted here at LP), here’s a link to an article Graham has written for On Line Opinion based on the same research.
The latest polls certainly suggest a re-run of the Queensland dynamic – based on the margins of winnable Labor seats, Labor should come very close to its result last time around. Note that Galaxy has a better record in picking state elections than ACNielsen, as The Poll Bludger observes.
Apt description of Indifference 2007, Mark.
Centrebet has Labor at $1.05 and the Coalition has blown out to $6.50.
Graham Young is an fool who deliberately spreads misinformation for ideological purposes.
You do yourself no credit, Mark, by associating with the likes of Young.
And you do yourself no credit, Alex, by repeatedly personalising debates and insulting people with whom you disagree. The cheap shot merchants are on both the left and the right, and the frustration and anger that such comments inspire in me is one of the reasons why I took a step back from blogging.
You don’t agree with Graham on climate change. Neither do I. You have no reason to assume that his beliefs are in bad faith. Graham is very professional and honourable in all his dealings – and I know him well as opposed to all the commenters who like to hide behind pseudo-anonymity and bag others at the drop of a hat, and with impunity. Graham does an excellent job as editor of On Line Opinion, and is very genuine about fostering informed commentary and interactivity in discussions of public topics. He also has very good track records in business and opinion research. The fact that he’s associated with QUT academics, evidently more broad minded in view than you, on a major ARC grant also gives lie to any claim that you might make that he’s a “fool”.
Some people choose to work with others who don’t share their political or other beliefs. The fact that someone votes Liberal doesn’t make them either untrustworthy or unworthy of respect. It seems to me that if you only choose your associates according to the degree to which they share your views, then it’s you who’s losing out. I’m happy to work with him and to be a friend of his. I’ve never had a problem working with people, and having friends, whose politics differ from mine. You evidently do, Alex. But that’s your problem, not mine.
Alex, I don’t know what your problem is, but you need to stop taking it out on People Who Dare To Have An Opinion That Isn’t Yours. It’s boring, dude.
Nice line Mark – but just a rider. Im a cheap shot merchant of the highest order, but I rarely get personal.
i.e It’s possible to be glib, flippant* – and reasonably pleasant!
(*Note that “flip” isnt a word. Its a neuro-amalgalm of these two. So stop it!v You know who you are.)
What a depressing day to be a voter in NSW. I’m certainly struggling with the choice between corruption and fanaticism.
Remember that in NSW we have optional preferential voting so you don’t need to number all of the boxes, this is probably the best part about today’s vote. Bear in mind that as long as you don’t obscure your voting intention (ie. write over the boxes) you can write as much as like on your ballot paper, time for a mini essay.
I’m not convinced that things in NSW are actually as bad as the over-hyped media lamentation would have it. Given the relentless negativism from Fairfax and News Ltd and the harping Shock Jock whinge, you’d think that Sydney was some sort of apocalyptic amalgam of Mumbai and Beirut in which human existence is wretched and tenuous. It’s actually not that bad.
I expect the ALP to lose some skin today – the polls notwithstanding – and they certainly deserve to do so. But if the voters ignore the advice of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Daily Telegraph, the Australian and Alan Jones and re-elect the Iemma government, the post-wash-up chicken entrail gazing might focus on whether interminable Cassandra-like wailings from the Fourth Estate actually connect with lived reality.
Mark @11.26pm:
Hear, Hear!
Also, you cannot identify yourself. Swear as much as you like, but don’t put your name to it or it will be thrown out.
I am glad someone said that Geoff. The lack of infleunce of the media pundits will be obvious when Labor is returned with ahealthy margin
Wow Mark, you’ve certainly read the universe into a grain of sand there.
I’ve been on at least 3 ministerial advisory groups in the last 4 years, and enjoy a tremendous working relationship with people from all corners of the political compass and broader community. Additionally, I have an excellent relationship with my Local State MP (National) and Federal representative (also National).
My work takes me deep into the community where I’ve run training and educational workshops for the – Brethren (unexclusive!), Salvation Army, Catholic Church, Uniting Care, Wide Bay Indigenous Health Forum, Islamic Women’s welfare counsel, CWA and the freemasons!
So the charge that I “choose not to work with those with a different opinion to mine” is demonstrably false, and equally offensive.
My only experience with Graham Young has been witnessing his embarrassing gaffes over climate change. In my opinion he abused his position as editor of Online Opinion, to launch a series of ad hominem and personal attacks on Tim Lambert. That’s where I’m coming from.
Geoff H; I can certainly vouch from personal experience that the Sydney trains as I last experienced them on a daily basis, in mid-2005, are a helluva lot better than those in Brisbane!
And the first time I got onto one of Brisbane’s old buses … haven’t seen a bus of that vintage in Sydney since at least the early 90s (maybe even the 80s, it was that long ago I can’t remember accurately) … they must have sold their surplus fleet to the Brisbane City Council!
Whatever, Alex.
The point of this thread is to discuss the article, and the NSW election. Not to attack someone.
Well that would explain your 500 word post attcking me then.
I didn’t deserve that.
Evidently, you don’t like being criticised, Alex. I’m sorry if I offended you, but perhaps you should think about that next time before you post an irrelevant and off topic comment sledging someone else. I didn’t call you a “fool” or accuse you of distorting the truth for political purposes. You were quite blase about doing that with regard to someone else.
Mark,
What you’re choosing to ignore is the irrefutable fact that I’m always right.
Please remember to view all my future comments in this context.
My view on the election is best summed up by a cartoon I saw today – A man at a polling booth, when faced with the choice of voting for Iemma or Debnam, chooses the third option which is jumping in the car and moving to Quinceland.