It's Bennelong Time for McKew
Destined for doom, or set for success?
When I heard Maxine McKew was hoping to gain preselection to run in the next election, I thought "sweet".
When I heard Maxine McKew was hoping to gain preselection in Bennelong to run against Bennelong John my inner glow faded to a dull ache.
Maxine, or as one friends labelled her several years ago "The thinking man's pin up", commands respect. Her arsenal includes the keenest of intelligence and insight, and that ever present smile that fell just short of mocking, but just past benign. She was rarely a hostile interrogator, incredulous yes, but not to the point of allowing her personal opinion to overshadow that of her interviewee's. She led them in subtle combat, always in control of the flow of the interview, and most importantly she left the viewer to determine the merits of the argument, rather than imposing her point. She was to Journalism, what Alan Jones is to gibberish.
But Bennelong? 1974- present it has been the domain of John Howard. Blue Ribbon Liberal Country. Tory Heartland. Bastion of mental illness. I instantly shuddered at the thought. Coming into possibly the most contestable election of the past 10 years, I couldn't help but think it was the equivalent of betting a diamond ring on the bull in a bullfight. What could Labor's star recruit do for the inhabitants of Bennelong? Some would argue that after 32 years the inhabitants of Bennelong had been rendered Imbecilic, so nothing. However! In a very un-Bjelke-Pedersen occurence, a redistribution of the electorate last year has made Bennelong a much more contestable seat. In fact, in recent polls the unthinkable has happened. Labor is favoured in Bennelong? Surely an anomaly, a blip a mere aberration, but even so. Constituencies strain and migrate and sway and (evolve?). This is a year for Bold moves. This is not a year for safe bets. McKew will not fight them on the northern beaches (as Abbott had half heartedly challenged today), but she will fight them in the Streets of Bennelong... against an opponent who, if were anymore incumbent would be sedimentary rock. This is a year for a Battle Royale of an election. Me? Getting excited about an election? I think I'm coming down with a hot flush.
NSW to be "Fixed"
I had a dog once. He strutted around the yard like he owned it, casting amorous glances at next doors kelpie, household visitor's legs and stuffed toys in equal parts. What a bold, proud alpha dog he was, a true protector of his dominion. Lock up your kelpies, mother's, for fido was in town.
Then one day we took him to the vet, casting guilty glances aside we reassured him we were taking him to be "fixed". I'm sure in hindsight he would have argued if it weren't broke, don't fix it, but a day later he returned home sans his strut amongst other things, and the raging alpha male was as meek as a lamb.
And thus, according to Peter Debnam, is the fate of New South Wales. His campaign call to arms "Let's Fix New South Wales" can mean only one thing. Both the Libs and Labs are employing the same agency to come up with their slogans. Although Labor's "More to do but ... we're heading in the right direction" doesn't threaten castration, it does sound like it may already have occurred.
Other than who can have the most insipid slogan, the NSW election campaign is escalating into a rather ho hum affair. Tough on Crime (both Sides), Save you Money (both Sides), Save the environment (both sides). Might need a little further dentistry.
Labels: Australian Politics, New South Wales Politics
Cheney tells us what our values are
Firstly, hi folks. I have decided to join the chattering hordes with my own blog as I simply couldn't see how collective thought could survive without my input.
That aside, I'd like to kick this little web party off with something I noticed on the news sites yesterday. Mr Cheney, who we have the good fortune of modifying our weapons laws for, yesterday said:
"Americans know that for this country 'standing by your mate when he's in a fight' are more than words in a song. They signify a way of life."
- care of http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200702/s1855702.htm
Very clever of him to ingratiate himself to us via John Williamson lyrics, the oldest trick in the book. However, as noble an ideal of "standing by your mate when he's in a fight" may be, like any great ideal there comes provisos:
1. If your mate goes looking for a fight and picks it himself, standing by him means pulling him out of the bruhaha if he's getting his head kicked in. It doesn't mean blindly diving into the fight that he picked. That's called Assault.
2. If your mate goes looking for a fight and against all available advice, attacks someone, you exercise tough love. You stand back, let him cop a flogging, and waggle your finger paternally, saying "Maybe next time you'll seek UN Approval".
3. If you are dragged into a fight your mate picked, and you truly believe his fight is a just one, you throw yourself in headfirst and genuinely "Stand By Your Mate". You don't act as a token cheer squad, whilst insisting he carries on with the fight. That is cowardice, and should not be rewarded with ingratiating references to song lyrics.
Just a few points to clear things up. Enjoy your stay Mr Cheney and you will be forgiven if you mistake our dear Prime Minister for a duck.
Labels: Australian Politics
