Australia General Discussion

[Simfan34]

So... the Government continues to dive to depths of horrible even I didn't think possible.

* Abbott (without Cabinet or Party Room consultant I on or approval) has decided to re-instate the ranks of Knight and Dame of the Order of Australia. Something the Hawke Government removed in 1986 and John Howard in 11 years refused to touch. In fact, John Howard made a comment today that he disagrees with the decision and sees it as "slightly anachronistic" and said he would refuse a Knighthood if offered... that's correct, John Howard is more in touch with modern Australia than Tony Abbott.

How supremely excellent!

[Simfan34]

Maybe he deliberately overreached with such a far-right wing budget so that the compromise he thinks he'll get will be what he actually wanted all along. Also, maybe he thinks that he's better off being unpopular right now and that he can count on increased popularity down the road in two years, when he thinks the economy will pick up again.

I like the guy, but I don't get the impression he's clever enough to do this.

[Simfan34]

There's a fleet of Russian warships off the coast of Queensland ahead of the G20, and while I know I'm playing into various people's hands... I'm offended. Really offended. How dare Russia attempt to put fear into Australian hearts after our (generally idiotic) leaders refuse to roll over on the death of 38 of us after the plane was shot down.

Abbott, you pugilistic SOB, you now have my permission to eschew diplomacy and to shirtfront Putin in a way he won't forget.

The shirt fronting has been delegated to the Koalas:



But Russian ships off of Australia- the hell?

[Simfan34]

Have they deciphered the flag at this point? We know it is not an ISIS flag, but does it have any further context?

I saw this picture on the BBC:



Which depicts the shahada (la-ilah... etc, "there is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet") on a black field, which considered in that specific context is usually associated with jihadism (as opposed to it on, for example, green, as it is on the flag of Saudi Arabia), but no, not any particular group, as opposed to, say, this arrangement including the "seal of Muhammad" and in a cruder style, which is associated with al-Shabab and ISIS specifically.

The fact the attacker had a flag at all, and this is pure speculation on my part, suggests to me that whoever is behind this planned in making it seen at some point, which they wouldn't if, say, they had planned on blowing themselves up. Not sure if this is relevant or how much it is if so, but something that occurred to me as I was writing.

[Simfan34]

The Bulgarian lady director of UNESCO will get the job.

[Simfan34]

The Bulgarian lady director of UNESCO will get the job.

It is not Europe's turn.

It is Eastern Europe's turn, however.

[Simfan34]

Well the rumblings are is that it's time to put them in. The government has already declared their support, a year out.

[Simfan34]

Is this good news for Abbott or are people assuming he'll be ousted?

[Simfan34]

What kind of assistance? Isn't Holden (i.e., the Australian auto industry, if I'm not mistaken) shutting down in two years or so anyway? Or is this assistance relating to this transition?

[Simfan34]

What union would a professional or creative type join? Or a diplomat? Or just anyone not in a sector that has a union?

[Simfan34]

Who came before?

[Simfan34]

He'll have to try harder! Even the softest dictator is able to make state television work to his liking!

[Simfan34]

If Abbott was smart he'd cut her loose, no?

[Simfan34]

Joe Hockey is setting up a Parliamentary Friendship Group with Labor's Katy Gallagher about the push for an Australian Republic.

Very interesting to see Hockey make such a public push for this now, but also encouraging from the point of view of the republican movement and the momentum that its been trying to build as of late.

Disgusting. Hope he's sacked.

[Simfan34]

So this will all come to naught?