Comments on: Heart on his sleeve sitting in the gutter at 3am http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/ Blogging politics, culture, sociology and life from Brisvegas Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:58:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: mckenzie http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449225 mckenzie Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:14:05 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449225 After reading a few article bemoaning the pay cut suffered by former Ministers, I have realised that the 'homeless man' Brendan was talking to was, in fact, a former Government Minister, turfed out of his home after an uncaring Rudd Government removed his Ministerial allowance. After reading a few article bemoaning the pay cut suffered by former Ministers, I have realised that the ‘homeless man’ Brendan was talking to was, in fact, a former Government Minister, turfed out of his home after an uncaring Rudd Government removed his Ministerial allowance.

]]> By: Graham Bell http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449218 Graham Bell Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:05:45 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449218 Paul Burns [20]: Tough times call for stern measures .... and a revolutionary, epoch-making change in style. I see no alternative for the Liberal Party, if it is to survive the ditching of Nelson, than to offer the Leadership to .... Bob Katter Jnr. Paul Burns [20]:

Tough times call for stern measures …. and a revolutionary, epoch-making change in style.

I see no alternative for the Liberal Party, if it is to survive the ditching of Nelson, than to offer the Leadership to …. Bob Katter Jnr.

]]> By: Paul Burns http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449172 Paul Burns Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:50:29 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449172 Graham, you may be right. But it soesn't matter. After that speech, and whacking down Tony Abbot on improving Aboriginal life expectancy, Nick Minchin probably sent out an order for several sets of kitchen knives. Trouble is the viable replacements, Malcolm, Joe Hocfkey, are all too "left." Unless Andrew Robb's histrionics over Mr. Tang are a pitch for the leadership., I mean Mr. Charisma himself. In any case none of it matters - its clear from the carers/pensioners/dentistry debate, the Tang affair and Malcolm's recent bloopers that Liberal strategy hasn't changed at all since Howard's undignified departure . Its still lies, lies, lies. Graham, you may be right. But it soesn’t matter. After that speech, and whacking down Tony Abbot on improving Aboriginal life expectancy, Nick Minchin probably sent out an order for several sets of kitchen knives. Trouble is the viable replacements, Malcolm, Joe Hocfkey, are all too “left.” Unless Andrew Robb’s histrionics over Mr. Tang are a pitch for the leadership., I mean Mr. Charisma himself.
In any case none of it matters - its clear from the carers/pensioners/dentistry debate, the Tang affair and Malcolm’s recent bloopers that Liberal strategy hasn’t changed at all since Howard’s undignified departure . Its still lies, lies, lies.

]]> By: Graham Bell http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449159 Graham Bell Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:31:23 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-449159 Everyone: Call me gullible if you like but .... I'm prepared to give Nelson the benefit of the doubt on this one. After all, the silly bully was out of the parliament, and - thank goodness! - out of the country [even if it was merely to bad-mouth us to the Yanks and to make the mainstram media go all gooey and sentimental]. Maybe we'll see more of Nelson's real nature [if that's what it is] - before his sworn friends fill his back with cutlery as is their custom. Everyone:

Call me gullible if you like but …. I’m prepared to give Nelson the benefit of the doubt on this one.

After all, the silly bully was out of the parliament, and - thank goodness! - out of the country [even if it was merely to bad-mouth us to the Yanks and to make the mainstram media go all gooey and sentimental].

Maybe we’ll see more of Nelson’s real nature [if that’s what it is] - before his sworn friends fill his back with cutlery as is their custom.

]]> By: Ambigulous http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448878 Ambigulous Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:35:31 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448878 ;-) Nabakov once bitten twice shy at these eateries, eh? Dolly didn't pay his bill? ;-) Nabakov
once bitten twice shy at these eateries, eh?
Dolly didn’t pay his bill?

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448864 Kim Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:45:18 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448864 Interesting point made by Laura Tingle yesterday. Nelson thundered against being attacked for being idealistic. In fact no one has considered him to be idealistic - everyone's attacked him for being opportunistic. Interesting rhetorical trick. He's also very angry for an emo! Maybe it's the lack of sleep after all those late nights in Kings Cross. Interesting point made by Laura Tingle yesterday. Nelson thundered against being attacked for being idealistic. In fact no one has considered him to be idealistic - everyone’s attacked him for being opportunistic. Interesting rhetorical trick.

He’s also very angry for an emo! Maybe it’s the lack of sleep after all those late nights in Kings Cross.

]]> By: Jane http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448850 Jane Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:13:54 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448850 Oh go on Helen, say it, please. Jokes aside, our friend Horatio has left his "compassion" run a bit late, hasn't he? And making sure that a photographer and Shamaham just happened to be there...... Oh go on Helen, say it, please.
Jokes aside, our friend Horatio has left his “compassion” run a bit late, hasn’t he? And making sure that a photographer and Shamaham just happened to be there……

]]> By: Nabakov http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448771 Nabakov Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:21:09 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448771 What with Nelson now sitting in a Kings Cross gutter and Senator Heffernan prowling around the Wall in search of political dirt, the Fed Libs just might as well move their caucus meetings to a back table at the Bourbon and Beefsteak. "We have a reservation." "Name?" "The Liberal Party of Australia." "No tab or cards. Cash only." What with Nelson now sitting in a Kings Cross gutter and Senator Heffernan prowling around the Wall in search of political dirt, the Fed Libs just might as well move their caucus meetings to a back table at the Bourbon and Beefsteak.

“We have a reservation.”
“Name?”
“The Liberal Party of Australia.”
“No tab or cards. Cash only.”

]]> By: mckenzie http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448753 mckenzie Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:37:31 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448753 The guy who was the opposition leader in Victoria after Naphthine - what's his name -- also tried the 'I'm more compassionate than you are' ploy against the Bracks government, coming out on the side of the workers in strikes and generally being a bleeding heart all over the place, so shocked was he by the cruel and heartless actions of the Labor govt. The public weren't very impressed by this and as you can tell, he left an indelible impression in my mind too (his first name was Robert, it's starting to come back now....nope). Doyle, that's it. Anyway, it didn't work. People have certain indelible impressions of political parties which it's no good trying to play against (so Kim Beazley wasn't believed when he backed Howard all the way on Tampa)- you just have to accept that reality and move on. And one of these is that compassion isn't a Liberal thing. The guy who was the opposition leader in Victoria after Naphthine - what’s his name — also tried the ‘I’m more compassionate than you are’ ploy against the Bracks government, coming out on the side of the workers in strikes and generally being a bleeding heart all over the place, so shocked was he by the cruel and heartless actions of the Labor govt.
The public weren’t very impressed by this and as you can tell, he left an indelible impression in my mind too (his first name was Robert, it’s starting to come back now….nope).
Doyle, that’s it.
Anyway, it didn’t work. People have certain indelible impressions of political parties which it’s no good trying to play against (so Kim Beazley wasn’t believed when he backed Howard all the way on Tampa)- you just have to accept that reality and move on.
And one of these is that compassion isn’t a Liberal thing.

]]> By: Graham Bell http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448711 Graham Bell Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:10:02 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448711 Kim and All: I have no love at all for the Liberal Party [wonder why!!] nor do I have any particular liking for B. Nelson .... but give him his due, he is one of the very few Liberals, since they white-anted John Hewson, who looks remotely like an alternative Prime Minister [and yes, I do exclude J.W.Howard from that very short list - his bum being on the P.M.'s chair for so many years notwithstanding!]. Naturally, the Liberals, unable to abide the thought of actually regaining government, will ditch Nelson - they just can't help themselves. Not wishing to add fuel to the fire but .... the 3 a.m. strikes me as a bit unusual - from the little I've seen, many homeless people have found somewhere, anywhere, to sleep fairly early in the night. If that had been at 5 a.m., I wouldn't have blinked an eyelid because just on daybreak is a great time to get out and find all sorts of useful things just laying around. Kim and All:

I have no love at all for the Liberal Party [wonder why!!] nor do I have any particular liking for B. Nelson …. but give him his due, he is one of the very few Liberals, since they white-anted John Hewson, who looks remotely like an alternative Prime Minister [and yes, I do exclude J.W.Howard from that very short list - his bum being on the P.M.’s chair for so many years notwithstanding!]. Naturally, the Liberals, unable to abide the thought of actually regaining government, will ditch Nelson - they just can’t help themselves.

Not wishing to add fuel to the fire but …. the 3 a.m. strikes me as a bit unusual - from the little I’ve seen, many homeless people have found somewhere, anywhere, to sleep fairly early in the night. If that had been at 5 a.m., I wouldn’t have blinked an eyelid because just on daybreak is a great time to get out and find all sorts of useful things just laying around.

]]> By: Kim http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448566 Kim Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:50:26 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448566 Report in the Financial Review last week, Antonio. I'm going from memory, and the Fin being the Fin, it isn't online for free. It may have been an interpolation by the journo, but my recollection was it was a quote from Greiner. It was a long article - I think he gave an interview on the speech as well as the speech being reported. Definitely stuff in there attributed to him about politics becoming "feminised" anyway. Report in the Financial Review last week, Antonio. I’m going from memory, and the Fin being the Fin, it isn’t online for free. It may have been an interpolation by the journo, but my recollection was it was a quote from Greiner. It was a long article - I think he gave an interview on the speech as well as the speech being reported. Definitely stuff in there attributed to him about politics becoming “feminised” anyway.

]]> By: Antonio http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448556 Antonio Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:36:28 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448556 Kim, where are you getting this stuff about Greiner asking the Liberal party to feminize itself? My understanding is that Greiner read this speech: http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/time-to-stir-up-the-wooden-spoon-state/2008/03/14/1205472079206.html This certainly contained these sentiments: "But let us move with the centre of the body politic on the softer issues, not insult that centre by denying the relevance of its warm and green concerns. Compassion and concern for the planet are fundamental aspects of the national psyche. We must acknowledge the power of symbolism and emotion." But I don't see any gender politics in those statements. Perhaps you are quoting a misquote or an editorial? Kim, where are you getting this stuff about Greiner asking the Liberal party to feminize itself?

My understanding is that Greiner read this speech: http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/time-to-stir-up-the-wooden-spoon-state/2008/03/14/1205472079206.html

This certainly contained these sentiments: “But let us move with the centre of the body politic on the softer issues, not insult that centre by denying the relevance of its warm and green concerns. Compassion and concern for the planet are fundamental aspects of the national psyche. We must acknowledge the power of symbolism and emotion.”

But I don’t see any gender politics in those statements. Perhaps you are quoting a misquote or an editorial?

]]> By: Ambigulous http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448543 Ambigulous Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:53:35 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448543 hi j_p_z, do you require explication of the singular locale: Kings Cross? ibid op cit et al pro tem hi j_p_z, do you require explication of the singular locale: Kings Cross?

ibid
op cit
et al
pro tem

]]> By: j_p_z http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448537 j_p_z Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:49:01 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448537 I have a pretty good gutter-at-3-a.m. story but unfortunately it needs to be told aloud, in order to get the vocal inflections and the timing right... print/screen just don't cut it somehow. "Madam, I do but read madness. An your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow *vox*." -- Twelfth Night I have a pretty good gutter-at-3-a.m. story but unfortunately it needs to be told aloud, in order to get the vocal inflections and the timing right… print/screen just don’t cut it somehow.

“Madam, I do but read madness. An your ladyship will have it as it ought to be, you must allow *vox*.”

– Twelfth Night

]]> By: Kevin Brady http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448523 Kevin Brady Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:57:54 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448523 He still needs the dog whistle though. His talk of 'values' and 'national security' is deeply Howardist. It is really playing to the people who don't want 'them folk' around. National security? From whom? Even the terrorists can't be bothered He still needs the dog whistle though. His talk of ‘values’ and ‘national security’ is deeply Howardist. It is really playing to the people who don’t want ‘them folk’ around. National security? From whom? Even the terrorists can’t be bothered

]]> By: Paul Burns http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448509 Paul Burns Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:08:06 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448509 When I used to sit in the gutter in King's Cross at 3 am in the late 60s early-mid 70s people used to come up to me and ask me if I wanted to buy some acid. Jokes aside, as others have remarked, this new compassion is so phony its beyond belief. Thousands, hopefully millions of Australians will not forget how the Libs under Howard treated ordinary workers, people on welfare, Aborigines, refugees - the list goes on and on. We are a better people now and we will not forget what Nelson and his mates did in our name and to our horror.Nelson, for the moment the dark heart and the lies are gone. I for one won't forget why we caled you the Rotweiller. When I used to sit in the gutter in King’s Cross at 3 am in the late 60s early-mid 70s people used to come up to me and ask me if I wanted to buy some acid.
Jokes aside, as others have remarked, this new compassion is so phony its beyond belief. Thousands, hopefully millions of Australians will not forget how the Libs under Howard treated ordinary workers, people on welfare, Aborigines, refugees - the list goes on and on. We are a better people now and we will not forget what Nelson and his mates did in our name and to our horror.Nelson, for the moment the dark heart and the lies are gone. I for one won’t forget why we caled you the Rotweiller.

]]> By: Cliff http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448506 Cliff Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:57:01 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448506 A rise from 7 to 10 percent isn't much to talk about, and the fact that commentators are making a big deal of it just shows how desparate they are. That being said... I'm personally willing to give Nelson the benefit of the doubt for now... at the very least, even wearing a mask of compassion is better. If compassion is the point on which the opposition will be attacking the Government, then all the better! I think its a great point at which to hold a Government to account. I wasn't a big fan of Nelson as a cabinet member, particularly for his HECS reforms... but I will wait and see before passing judgement on his leadership in opposition. A rise from 7 to 10 percent isn’t much to talk about, and the fact that commentators are making a big deal of it just shows how desparate they are. That being said… I’m personally willing to give Nelson the benefit of the doubt for now… at the very least, even wearing a mask of compassion is better. If compassion is the point on which the opposition will be attacking the Government, then all the better! I think its a great point at which to hold a Government to account.

I wasn’t a big fan of Nelson as a cabinet member, particularly for his HECS reforms… but I will wait and see before passing judgement on his leadership in opposition.

]]> By: jarraparilla http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448500 jarraparilla Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:50:49 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448500 I had the same thought as you, Kim: as satire, the Shamster's piece works beautifully. I suspect it's a little tongue-in-cheek, but the intention is clearly to (a) promote his new political poster boy, and (b) provide some helpful hints. Given that Shanahan is clearly tying his colours to Nelson's mast, does that mean he'll do the honorable thing and go down with the ship when Turnbull finally fires his torpedoes? I had the same thought as you, Kim: as satire, the Shamster’s piece works beautifully. I suspect it’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but the intention is clearly to (a) promote his new political poster boy, and (b) provide some helpful hints.

Given that Shanahan is clearly tying his colours to Nelson’s mast, does that mean he’ll do the honorable thing and go down with the ship when Turnbull finally fires his torpedoes?

]]> By: Helen http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448484 Helen Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:25:45 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448484 <i>The media, Nelson averred, had better get used to him sitting in the gutter at Kings Cross at 3am.</i> There's a kinda obvious reply to this, rather hard to resist. The media, Nelson averred, had better get used to him sitting in the gutter at Kings Cross at 3am.

There’s a kinda obvious reply to this, rather hard to resist.

]]> By: Ambigulous http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448476 Ambigulous Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:03:50 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/03/19/heart-on-his-sleeve-sitting-in-the-gutter-at-3am/#comment-448476 Yes Rx Thousands of voters were more put off by one Keating phrase: "the recession we had to have" than by anything else he and PM Hawke did, I think. The hip pocket has a long, long memory. Yes Rx

Thousands of voters were more put off by one Keating phrase: “the recession we had to have” than by anything else he and PM Hawke did, I think. The hip pocket has a long, long memory.

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