T'was the night before Christmas.

 
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He wouldn't, would he? Bet he would at least think about it.

Have a very merry christmas.

Coag Meeting, a love in by ex 60's hippies?

 
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Oh, wasn't it nice to see them all together, loving and hugging at COAG. How long before they realise Kevin isn't Santa, but the boss.

They will merely be the foot soldiers in delivering Kevin's vision for health, education etc.

And you know what, I don't think it is a bad thing. I struggle to see what value the state governments add. I know there are regional issues to take into account, but does having a government in every state mean this is well dealt with. We've got Brumby, and I don't think we benefit.

Parliament will now sit for 5 days.

 
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It is so typical of new governments, management, relationships, to start off by wanting to clear the decks of the old, bad, ways and demonstrate to the world that things can be done better, in a more open way.

Then, the first compromise is made, and it is completely justifiable, however,in doing so the government, etc, has to stray just a little from the principles it was established on. Then it happens again, perhaps a little further and deeper, then a little more. Then the press find out about the first transgression. We all know what happens next, and before you know it they've been in power for two or three terms and they are starting to get just a little on the nose.

Then, the cycle starts all over again, and again.

Bali Conference for Climate Change.

 
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Shouldn't be cynical, I truly hope this is a time we will look back on and say that change really occurred. I don't just mean Bali, but the general change in attitude we are seeing worldwide.

The one thing that annoys me, is when Western Countries, particularly America, won't commit until countries like China and India can make significant reductions. My view, lead by example. I know they are hiding behind this argument to protect their own industrial base, buttttttttttttttttt.

Julia's Prime Minister

 

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It is a momentous occasion, our first female pm, albeit just while the boss is away. I did like her comment, about hoping some young girl, somewhere, would see that and see that it is possible. Or at least words to that effect.

However, does anyone imagine she had free rein, no pun intended. The list would be long, the follow ups relentless, and control would not be relinquished. Kevin is the sort of leader that would only go into surgery under local anesthetic, least he may not be available to ensure the "correct" instruction was issued, and then followed.

Also, will there be a leadership deal. Julia is only several years younger, and just as ambitious. Ok, I just wanted to be the first to say it.

Bali and Green Coal

 


I saw a bit of the 7.30 Report tonight, and while I didn't really listen to what was said, I did hear them mention the coal industry, at the same time as Bali, and reducing carbon emissions.

Now, I'm sure scientists have thought about, researched, tested, discussed, written papers etc to the nth degree. However, the solution to pump the emissions deep into the earth seems fundamentally flawed to me. Man watched smoke disappear into the atmosphere for years and honestly believed, because it disappeared, that no harm was one. Isn't it possible, that simply pumping it underground is the modern equivalent. We can't see it, so it isn't harmful. Is this the solution future generations will thank us for.

To me, the logic is the same as piping the fumes to China, and releasing them there, because no one would really notice.

And yes, I am using a PC, and lights, that are fueled by coal power plants. The TV is also on.

I have opted for green energy on my power bill, if that helps.

Kevin Andrews gets a new job.

 

Brendan Nelson has shown some quality, demoting Kevin Andrews to nowhere. The man is a disgrace and should have never been a minister. Even if he was doing Howard's dirty work, he did it badly. I'm sure not even John Howard wanted him to handle the Haneef case the way he did. You can imagine Howard saying, "Look Kevin, all I wanted was to raise the fear factor and do a little dog whistling on the racism thing. What in the hell did you think you were doing." "Ummmm, errr, ............".

Also, Tony Abbott got demoted, pity, I had lots of material for him. Hopefully, for me, a comeback.

Labor- Is The Big Storm Coming

 



Still having trouble publishing pictures, as such resorting to Picasa, to upload. I must admit my brain doesn't cope. I also have to apologise, the site is messy, better get that man in I was promising to do.

Labor, may also have a mess to deal with, depending on how things pan out economically. Hope they don't complain too much about the previous government, bit of a turn off.

Business and Politics. Scary Monsters

 

Best I could do, I seem to be having all sorts of problems up loading the pictures. It is a bit small, however, click on it and it becomes scarily large.

Post Election and Big Business.

I have to say I am grumpy. I've just heard about the banks starting to introduce interest rate increases above and beyond those that result from increases in the cash rate. I know it was discussed as a possibility before the election, but it is no surprise that they waited until after the election to actually do it. The reason is obvious, they didn't want to become part of the political debate, particularly as the election rhetoric of both parties would have been to take steps to stop the banks.

Now, everyone can see that banks margins are under pressure, particularly if you look to the short term movements in markets. However, the banks have aggressively chased instruments, such as securitisation, to improve margins in the last decade (and beyond) with spectacular success. Given the profits they have generated, it would seem, and I am happy for someone to argue otherwise, that they had capacity to pass on some of that benefit to their customers, but chose not to do so.

Now, when the markets ebb, well perhaps more than ebb, in the opposite direction they demand that the customers compensate them for such market movements.

Isn't this having an each way bet.

I'm sure, that when profits are announced in 12 months time we will see profits that are higher than this year. And, they will be announced as having been achieved in an increasingly difficult market. Fagan hell.

Labor's Ministerial Portfolio Allocations

You just wouldn't want it would you, immigration, the widow maker of portfolios. Admittedly John Howard put dills into it, Kevin Andrews and Phillip Ruddock were the stand out dills, but it just isn't going to make you sexy with the electorate. You have the dilemma for appearing tough, for certain, significant, sections of the electorate, but then you get beaten around the head for any injustice carried out by your department, or in Andrews' case the minister.

I wonder how Rudd sold it.

And just on Kevin Andrews. Who voted for him, I bet that's a party stopper question in his electorate.

Labor's first meeting as government.

Must be exciting, though not without trepidation. I mean I would be scared, working for a control freak like Kevin Rudd. Have your heard him being interviewed when discussing the ministry, the twinkle in his eye when he discusses setting benchmarks etc. Look, having peaple like him can be good for the country, they can get things done, I just feel sorry for those working for him.

Kevin Rudd's Victory Speech

They all do it, the first Prime Ministerial speech, promises open, accountable government, a determination to unite the country and to establish a new beginning.

Then things to start going wrong, the new leader feels trust has been betrayed, or he starts to receive bad press and gradually the open door will close.

However, I won't be cynical, this is a new beginning and I'm sure the patterns of the past will not be followed.

A new beginning.....

The Night Before The Election

It's almost over, the policies, dirty tricks, we can now reach for the prize, the sausage at the church fete, Ummmmmm.

Liberals and the racist leaflets

John Howard and the leadership of the Liberal Party claim they had nothing to do with this, and it is quite possible they didn't. However, they have created a party machine where, in the past, the use of race has been a legitimate (not in my opinion, I stress) weapon to include in political warfare. I imagine most observers of previous elections would agree.

So, while the racist leaflets may not have been approved by the leadership, I can't help thinking that an example, for behaviour, tactics etc, has been established at the most senior levels and it is no surprise that it would be imitated at more junior levels, albeit, in this case, not all that junior.

True leadership would set an example to follow, not poor behviour to imitate.

Julia Gillard was late.

Oh my god, how awful it would have been to walk into Federation Square, late for a radio interview. Would you have been tempted to say you were only half as late as Tony? I didn't hear the interview, however, I understand the tension was detectable, that's always delectable.

I have to say I am enjoying the election so far, Howard wanting to talk about the future, not the past, except when talking about Labor. Kevin sticking to the script, to the frustration of the journalists. Th only thing I would like more of is the gaffes, sure, we have had some good ones, but not that many. Both parties have been reasonably disciplined. Disappointing really.

Kevin Rudd's Cocky Little Smirk.

I do love it when the Libs are under pressure, it usually bursts out through Downer's mouth.

I can't believe Alex believes such comments help. Surely he must realise that tantrums appear, to the public, as just that, behaviour of a child that can't get it's own way.

John Howard - Another Bad Poll Cartoon

The polls haven't moved again, they are still bad for John Howard. I'm reading more and more that it is demographics, with the youth vote going to Rudd. Seems a little like the Whitlam era when a generation wanted change. I think that time the war, in Vietnam, had a lot to do with it. Now it's housing prices. That is of course an oversimplification, however, the generational change factor is the interesting one. I wonder if it would have been an issue if Costello had been leader. So, I'm sure, does he.

John Howard, "Give you the money"

When it rains........ Actually, that's the other thing that is going wrong for John Howard.

He really can't take a trick. I'm sure the auditor was wrong, it would only be a coincidence that Coalition seats benefited from pork barrelling in the last election. Further, even if it was deliberate, he's atoned, he is giving everyone money this election. Try and find someone who wouldn't benefit from a coalition victory, or a Labor victory for that matter.

Bring on the election and prosperity for all.

John Howard - Fiscally Responsible?

Who said John Howard is the political master of our times? Personally, I just think he has just come up against dud opposition in the recent past. Today's efforts by Rudd prove that. Rudd simply fed Howard a dummy, ie the "me too" strategy, which led Howard on a spending spree, only to leave him exposed as being fiscally irresponsible, the very charge he made against labor. Where can he go now?

If he does manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat, and "that trick never works", then I agree, he should be labelled the best politician of the generation, if not all time.

If he doesn't, and the liberals are decimated, then he will have a very sad, and lonely, retirement. I'm not saying that anyone deserves that, however, he does to deserve to pay the price of his winning at any cost style of politics. Particularly, given the price some people have had to pay to allow him those victories.

Howard and Rudd, Economic Managers?

If you didn't laugh you would cry. The election is being fought, in a large part, on the relative economic managment skills of the Howard team vs the Rudd team. And they are roughly equal. Both are incompentent.

First, both pursue tax cuts causing increases in interest rates and further rises to come.

Then, they propose to solve the housing affordability crisis by encouraging buyers to, effectively, spend more. That is, they are simply encouraging increased demand without trully addressing the supply issues. Under both parties housing will just get more expensive.

Howard has done this once before with the first home buyers scheme. Such schemes only make housing more expensive, particularly if the supply issues aren't addressed.

I think I am going to have a cry.

Rudd's Nuclear Power Plants.

Two weeks to go, most of the money spent, it's now time for the scare tactics to really crank up.

Also, some dirty politics might even be a bit of fun. Say a senior christian pollie caught with his/her pants down.

They can do it in England, we should be able to do it here. We can beat them a just about everything else, why not the pollie scandal Olympics. Just before an election would truly be a gold medal performance. We deserve more than a politician running late, or forgetting the script. Give us sleaze.

John Howard says sorry. Got yah.

This is what happens when the suburban solicitor becomes Prime Minister, every word is dangerous and treated with up most care. Why, well someone might sue. A nation perhaps?

Imagine the proposal to Janette, a carefully worded set of draft documents, formalised after careful consideration and advised amendment. Please God, say he at least lit a candle.

John Howard, Rabbit Outta a Hat, Again? Cartoon

Can he do it? While he has stayed on message, and been given some gaffes to work with, John Howard hasn't found his Tasmanian timber workers this time. Can he pull the rabbit out of the hat? To quote Rocky, "Aw, that trick never works".

Interest Rates Increase Cartoon.

No doubt about John Howard, he keeps trying and trying. Having lost the interest rate argument, particularly in the face of a, highly, probable rise tomorrow, he changes tack and tries to argue that given rates are rising, largely due to international factors, that only experience can manage the economy.

Will this generate interest in another term for a Howard Government?

Peter Garrett Cartoon

Poor Peter, tripped up again. "No I didn't". Who knows, it did seem like a silly thing to say, and that's what most mistakes are.

Part of me thinks that Steve Price saw a silly joke as a chance to make a name for himself. Still, while politicians make mistakes, journalists make careers. Steve's got to eat.

I equally profit from the mistake, no mistake, no cartoon.

Tony Abbott says SSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I actually enjoy Tony Abbott, he is a character, even if he is one that is so intense. I particularly like watching him being interviewed by Kerry O'Brien. What he says to Kerry isn't that interesting, the fun is in trying to work out what he is thinking. Actually, no it isn't, he's usually thinking the same thing.

Treasury Debate, or what ever it was called.

Look forward to seeing the ratings for that one. Why can't we have a bit of verbal biffo, some colour, some fun for the audience. Why didn't I just go outside, it was a beautiful day.

Peter Costello Cactus

Guess it was fun to see the kid ask the question about the cactus, at least, his parents would have enjoyed it, and the grand parents when they see the video, and the next door neighbours. Aren't you glad you don't live next to them.

God got his, or her, first mention as well. Nice.

John Howard takes a bath.

OK, a bit of silliness to start the week. Also, I'm allowed to make bald jokes, being a paid up member.

Howard is taking a bath in more ways than one at the moment, and it must be frustrating, given he seemed invincible such a short time ago. Sadly, everyone, bar John Howard, can see pretty clearly why he is on the nose right now.

Equally sadly, I think, we don't really believe that things will change under Labor, however, at least there is the potential for change and many believe that is worth trying.

Haven't done enough Kevin Rudd cartoons, I just can't find angles to take with him at the moment. It is always the one that is getting the pie in the face that is the funny one.

John Howard

The man is extraordinary. With a straight face he has tried to scare us about union bosses running the country, illegal immigrants becoming terrorists etc.

Then, with a equally straight face complains about Labor running scare campaigns.

How do you react, is it just fun, or do you get just a tiny bit grumpy because he clearly thinks we are stupid?

Once again, I don't think the other side is any better. That being demonstrated by the way their campaign has been conducted.

Inflation and interest rates.

OK, they haven't gone up yet, but everyone thinks they are, and of course that's the final nail in the coffin, or of course the straw.

Unions and Nuclear Power

Forget economics, hospitals, education and terrorism. The real battle is going to be the respective scare campaigns. Nuclear Power Plants in your backyard, or Union Bosses running the country, which is the scariest?

I must admit I don't understand the Libs. Using my peasant logic, I would assume that every time you mention unions you remind everyone about Work Choices. That, has to be bad for them.

Debate

Political debates, they are a bit like car racing, not very exciting, until someone loses control. Not sure who won, not sure anyone really cares.

Howard's History

So, he's given us the "definitive" history to be taught in our schools. Perhaps it should have theme music, "Happy Days" for example.

I'm on holidays for a week, no doubt I will come back to a declared election. Look forward to it.

The Death Penalty

If you want anymore proof that they will do, and say, anything to get elected then this debate provides it. Both parties, and leaders, oppose the death penalty. However, both know, plenty of voters, in talk back land, believe in the death penalty, particularly in cases where it applies to terrorists like the Bali Bombers. As such, an issue of principle is navigated around, Rudd, or forgotten, Howard, in the pursuit of votes. Personally I will vote for the first one that stands on principle.

Howard puts his hand in "his" pocket.

Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where the sun always shines, birds always sing, and the electorate is not committed.

I am going to organise a petition in my local area to confirm that we are in fact a swinging electorate. And, here is our list of demands.

The Flu

Hi

No posts the last few days, I have the flu and I feel utterly miserable. Will post again soon.

Regards


Ian

Football Finals

Now, I can't get more laberal than this.

Good luck, hope your team wins.

Drought relief, almost as good as rain.

Does anyone remember when Bob Hawke was elected, and it rained after a long drought. Couldn't happen again, could it.

The Election.

What are we all waiting for. OK, I know we are waiting for one John Howard to consider the tea leaves, wind direction, chicken dropping etc before making a decision.

Why wait, everyone knows whats going to happen at the next election, just do it.

Well, maybe, just maybe, he feels like the condemned man who has been asked to set his own execution date.

Tax Rates, Ummmmm

I love it when Kevin is asked a question he doesn't know the answer too, the awful pause, the look for a compromise answer, the realisation that the compromise has been seen through. Good television.

See I am laberal.

OECD on Education

There is something wrong when we can spend billions on political advertising, when education, health etc all need additional funding. I also know both parties are essentially the same in this regard, both truly laberal.

End of the Week

Last cartoon for the week. Site is still messy, I'll see what I can do.

The soap opera is getting better. Look forward to the weeks ahead. I admit I haven't been terribly laberal, but I will endeavour to add a bit more balance, albeit, that I should follow the patterns set by the issues making headlines.

Ps. Did modify the cartoon, slightly, think it reads better now.

Howard Commits to Retire

Before he gets too excited Costello should look very carefully at the words Howard has used. Sounds, to me, like he has used his usual careful suburban solicitor speak to say he will be staying as long as humanly possible.

If he only goes half term, would Howard see that as being half full, or half empty?

This, in all probability, is an academic discussion anyway.

Leadership Tension

Sorry this post, and cartoon, is a little late. Tried to post last night, didn't work. Most likely my fault.

If they think getting the leadership off Howard is difficult, wait until they try to get him out of Kirribilli House.

Everyone loves leadership tension. I would have liked to see Peter Costello get the leadership. It would be a bit like seeing Collingwood finally move in front in the last quarter of the Grand Final, only to see a free kick given against them in front of goal, just before the siren.

Beattie retires, with a message for the electorate.

This is great fun to watch, a beautifully stage managed campaign. How do you counter the experience argument, get a Premier to resign (at least manage the timing of the resignation) to emphasise the benefits of change.

I wonder if Alex will open his mouth again?. The impression that Rudd is a show off swat may have stuck, if Alex hadn't sounded like a spoilt brat by saying that Rudd was a show off for speaking Mandarin. Even so, it's not something that will have a big impact, just fun to watch.

We sell Uranium to Russians.

The whole uranium debate is full on contradictions and hypocrisies. However, before I comment I should admit a few of my own.

First, I can't claim to be truly green, particularly as just churning this out is burning heaps of energy. We do use green energy at home, so supposedly our electricity is carbon neutral. However, I do have a fair bit of leakage after that.

Second, well I can't think of one now, but I did say that there is more than one contradiction and hypocrisy in my life.

However, they appear, to me, to pale compared to the uranium issue. Let me summarise.

1)Why is it satisfactory to sell uranium to Russia, with stringent controls, when they just sell their own uranium to anyone else they want.
2)Uranium is not green, despite the comments of the Prime Minister and President, while the waste has a self life of several million years, approximately.
3)Why is it acceptable for the West to have nuclear power, but we don't trust certain countries to have such power sources. If it is safe, and green, then let them use it as well. I know the response to this. However, if that reponse is a valid argument for not trusting some countries with this power source, then common sense should lead us to the argument that this energy source is inappropriate in today's world.

That's enough for now, bit of a rant.

Still sorry about the site, is messy, but so is my house.

Bush meets with Howard

The men of steel meet. It was tempting to make a comment re men of steel, the need for oil and, despite their efforts, both looking exceedingly rusty. However, I just can't link it all together. You get the idea though.

Brown Supports Howard over Gunns

This is interesting, will Howard be able to do Labor in Tassie again. Less likely, but we will see.

The big issue for the week is APEC, trying to work out an appropriate cartoon.

What does APEC stand for? How about "Automated Politician Enlargement Contrivance".

At one stage APEC was viewed as opportunity for Howard to show the statesman to the electorate. However, now it is probably better, electorally, that he isn't photographed with George Bush.

Malcolm and the trees.

I have always felt that Malcolm Turnbull sees the environment as the best path to the lodge. While current events provide some good press, I think, longer term, Malcolm's ambition won't be hampered too much by these events.

Has Howard ever gone full term?

It may be just my memory playing tricks, but I don't think Howard has gone full term before. He has always carefully selected the most opportune time to go, nothing new in that for any PM, however, this looks like a man putting off the inevitable, or praying for a miracle.

Kevin Rudd releases IR Policy

He was never going to please both sides, however, to upset both is not a bad effort. Actually, it's pretty weak, as everyone can see what he has tried to do.

Kevin Andrews and Trust

They don't get it. After the breach of trust that led us to the Iraq war they expect us to again trust them with compelling evidence provided by our intelligence services. I can't. I accept that Dr Haneef may in fact be someone we should be concerned about, but to date Kevin Andrews, or John Howard and the Federal Police, have said, or done, nothing that would justify giving them our trust.

Some commentators say that John Howard is the smartest politician of the current generation, I can't help feeling he has just come up against weak opposition.

However, if he has managed to get Kevin Rudd to admit poor judgement a sufficient number of times to create doubt in the electorate, then John Howard will have shown his genius. Will watch the polls with interest.

The site is still messy, sorry, I will fix it, eventually.

Not sure what to make of the Kevin Rudd affair. These things tend to come out when we, the voters, need to be distracted from other issues. There has been a lot of commentary about interest rates lately, is it possible this story will divert our attention? Let's see.

It's probably fair to say the cartoons to date haven't been too Laberal, I will try to balance this out. Depends on what interests me the most when I sit down to draw.

Another cartoon. If only Dr Haneef realised that this was all that was required.

I have to apologise for the layout of this blog, it does need a little work. Had a look at the instructions, made as much sense as the instructions that came with the flatpak bookcase that is currently stored in the shed.

Better get a man in. Who though, an electrician?

This may take a while. I'll work on a plan.

This is my first cartoon, based on events in Australian politics today.