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.