Politicians past and present

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Politics, politicians, elections... topics hardly worth the effort of the rant. Still, good for a couple of good chuckles:

Sign of impending election

How did Andrew Probyn confirm that an election would actually be called? "The Prime Minister's Canberra-based make-up artist was advised not to make a planned trip to the ski-field town of Jindabyne today" (The West, 17 Jul 10).

Yep, that's worth a good chuckle. Unless you seriously believe that politicians should be selected on their ability to run a country. Otherwise, it nicely highlights the important issues of the current election campaign.

Probyn's phrasing does raise some other questions: Does the PM have a dedicated make-up artist based in other cities? Or is this one make-up artist a member of the Canberra-based groupies who follow the PM around the world...

Memories fade fast

It seems that journalists' memories may fade faster than old prime ministers...

Paul Murray has a spray at the aged root rat (Murray's words) who used to be Australia's PM. In general, I agree with Murray's article (Hawke legend crashes to earth, The West, 17 Jul 10).

I do have some sympathy for the old root rat. I mean, read Murray's description of d'Apulget: "[she] looked like an Easter Island statue with rubber lips on speed..."

Hawke is an ex-PM who used his position of power to screw everything in sight, including the country. Now he's just a silly old bugger with a Lifelike Rubber Doll with Mobile Lips. What a sad come-down.

Where I disagree with Murray is his opinions that Hawke was popular due to "his intuitive feel for the national good".

No. Hawke had no interest whatsoever in "the national good". He sat firmly on the fence, on every issue. Worse yet -- he kept a foot on either side.

Hawke had no visible opinions of his own. Whichever side of the fence needed a bribe -- Hawke would offer it. He tried to buy votes and popularity from everyone.

Which may have been why he was popular. Unfortunately he -- and Australia -- were going nowhere.

Keating, though...

I disagreed with most of Keating's ideas, actions and policies. But I did admire the fact that he had ideas, actions and policies.

Keating knew what he wanted to do and pushed people aside in his efforts to get it done. Hawke just sat on the fence with a foot in every camp. And, apparently, a hand up every skirt.

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