Sunday, October 28, 2007
Another bad campaign day for PM, by Michelle Grattan - The Age - 28th October 2007
The political embarrassment in the small shopfront in North Parramatta was palpable. It was one of the bad moments of the Coalition's campaign, of which there are now a few.
For once Howard's Saturday did not take him to Bennelong. Instead he turned up in a Labor seat that the redistribution has made Liberal.
The chances of Liberal candidate for Parramatta Colin Robinson reaching Parliament in the present climate appear zilch, but Robinson has a special claim to fame. He's a member of the Electrical Trades Union ("proudly so," the PM said). That means he shares a kennel of sorts with Dean Mighell.
The ETU is a punching bag for the Government but Robinson can be held up to prove the PM's point that he's not against unions as such — anyway, Robinson has never been an official. (Robinson said people very rarely talk to him about WorkChoices and don't complain about it, which seems rather surprising.)
Howard's day began badly. A Canberra Times poll in the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro indicated that Special Minister of State Gary Nairn may be headed for a big loss. This was at odds with Liberal polling Howard reported to the party room before Parliament rose. A Nielsen Online national poll had Labor ahead 56-44 per cent.
The PM had no fewer than three press secretaries in attendance for his doorstop in the shopfront. After some Howard words about full employment and union thuggery, questioning soon turned to why he hadn't agreed to Turnbull's proposition. "What we need is a new international agreement … with all of the major emitters," the PM said. He did not talk about what was said in cabinet, he said, relaunching into the need for a new international agreement, a line he delivered at least half a dozen times.
Howard's (and later Turnbull's) failure to deny it has effectively confirmed the report about Turnbull's proposal. It is very damaging for the Government, showing ministers divided over what has been a key difference between Labor and the Coalition. Turnbull also emerges publicly as the good guy on climate change, something that won't endear him to a few of his colleagues.
The proposal apparently came up as ministers cast around for ways to improve the Government's fortunes as it headed to the election. It is not that surprising it was rejected. It would have gone back on what the Government has said for years. Whether such a last-minute repentance would have done much good is questionable anyway — it might have just been seen as total expediency. But that it was discussed is a measure of the Government's concern about the climate change issue, and its wider situation.
Asked whether he was worried about electoral defeat, Howard scoffed yesterday, asking for the next question. That was when David Luff, one of the press secretaries, decided enough was enough, and ended the news conference.
The PM soon made for his car, telling journalists to go and see the new anti-union power ad Joe Hockey was launching. Then he sped off. We are left to speculate about who leaked the Kyoto story — in which Turnbull declined to comment on the cabinet discussion but agreed that there were arguments for such a "symbolic" move — and with what motive.
The cabinet has usually been nearly leak proof. Perhaps some are now writing the history before what they see as a likely defeat.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Candidates to face off at public forum - St George and Sutherland Shire Leader - 25th October 2007
Liberal candidate Scott Morrison will face Labor's Mark Buttigieg and the Greens' Naomi Waizer at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery on Tuesday at 7.30pm.
Mr Buttigieg has been hailed by the Sutherland Climate Action Network as being "well ahead of his own party" on climate change.
Forum organiser Jonathan Doig said Mr Buttigieg's responses to the environment movement's survey at TheBigSwitch.org.au had been impressive.
"It's exciting to see a local politician openly support what the scientists tell us is necessary, which the vast majority of voters also want," he said.
"We look forward to a lively and informative debate on Tuesday night."
Mr Doig said Mr Morrison had not yet responded to The Big Switch survey, but has agreed to attend the forum. Candidates will present their climate solutions and then face audience questions.
The forum will be introduced by University of NSW renewable energy expert and author Dr Mark Diesendorf.
Details: 7.30pm Tuesday, October 30, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, 782 Kingsway, Gymea. Entry by donation. No bookings needed, 0409 049 185.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Rudd yet to give the nod on Sunday debate, by Stephanie Peatling - The Sydney Morning Herald - 16th October 2007
http://www.abc.net.au/midnorthcoast
Two national television networks are busily making arrangements for a debate between the two leaders to take place this Sunday night, but whether the Labor leader, Kevin Rudd, will turn up has yet to be confirmed.
The ABC and Sky TV are preparing for a 90-minute debate between the Prime Minister, John Howard, and Mr Rudd that will be organised by the National Press Club.
The ABC is planning to broadcast the debate live on television, radio and the internet from 7.30pm, with commercial networks also expected to show it.
Although Mr Howard is keen for the encounter, Mr Rudd refuses to say whether he will be there. Mr Rudd wants three debates, including one on industrial relations, over the campaign.
"Let's be fair dinkum about this," Mr Rudd said.
"If you get to this Saturday or Sunday, at the end of the first week of a six-week campaign, will all of Mr Howard's policies be on the table? No, will all of our policies be on the table? No."
Mr Rudd also wants to establish an independent commission to set the terms of election debates. He said it was "silly and just wrong for the government of the day … to set the rules, the timing and the contents of the debate".
But Mr Howard scoffed at the idea saying it was "the bureaucrat coming out in Mr Rudd, rather than the leader".
He is unlikely to change his mind and agree to any further debates.
A letter from the federal director of the Liberal Party, Brian Loughnane, to his Labor counterpart, Tim Gartrell, put no less than 15 stipulations on the debate.
The Great Hall of Parliament House will be the venue for Sunday night's debate. A panel of five journalists will be chosen by the National Press Club.
Sky TV confirmed the political editor of its news channel, David Speers,would moderate the debate.
The Greens leader, Bob Brown, weighed in, saying there should be three debates and he, too, should participate.
"There are many issues where Labor and the Coalition have exactly the same position … The Greens are the real opposition and should be included in the debates," Senator Brown said.
The Greens - Craige McWhirter - Solar power to Re-energise Mackellar - 22nd August 2007
By powering common household items, I will be bringing home the practical reality of solar power at Winnermerey Bay on Saturday, from 10-4pm and Avalon Markets on Sunday, from 10-4pm.
I’ll be taking an array of 6 solar panels to public parks, providing an opportunity for people to get hands on experience with solar power. The panels will be running a variety of household electrical goods, such as televisions, water pumps, DVD's, computers and even a Nintendo Wii console.
By taking renewable energy out to the public, I will be demonstrating the viability of renewable energy to the general public and commencing my efforts to re-energise the electorate of Mackellar.
Once people begin to become familiar with renewable energy, they will realise that climate change is not an economic cost but an economic opportunity that this nation cannot afford to miss.
By failing to make renewable energy affordable to the average Australian, Bronwyn Bishop and the Howard government have failed the Australian people by placing their ideological faith in iron-age fuels such as coal and the ironically named "clean coal" before the best advice of our leading scientists and economists who are advocating national investment into renewable energy.
The Greens believe that the transition to renewable energy can provide a jobs-rich era of sustainable economic prosperity. It's an opportunity that we can't afford to miss out on.
More information: Craige McWhirter, 0415958783
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Media Man Australia Politics
Media Man Australia Politics
Media Man Australia Environmentalists and the environment
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
e: greg@mediaman.com.au
w: www.mediaman.com.au
Friday, March 09, 2007
Media Man Australia Politics Profile Updated
Penny Wynne profile
Politics profile
Manly For Families Blog
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Politics Profile Update
Media Man Australia Politics
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Political Media Updates
Virgin Star vs Virgin Group of Companies - Network Nine 'A Current Affair'
Michelle Leslie - 'The Bulletin' - Markson Sparks - Messages On Hold - Shane Warne
Virgin Star vs Virgin Group of Companies - ABC, Channel Seven 'Today Tonight', Australian Financial Review 'Rear Window', BBC, Virgin Radio, Media Channel, New York Times, Washington Post
More news soon.
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
e: greg@mediaman.com.au
w: www.mediaman.com.au
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Protests - Manly Beach This Friday, Free Beaches For All, IR etc
Join us this Friday at Manly Beach to protest against Manly Council.
It will be "Blood On The Sand" and "Beach Blast 2005".
Remember, "Sack the Council!"
Tell Crikey Media, ABC, SMH, The Tele, Nine (ACA and Today), ...anyone. Read all about it!
IR is big news and so is keeping Australian beaches free for all. Go People Power!
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
Member: Manly For Families
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Is New Orleans the beginning of the end of the war in Iraq? Margot Kingston's Web Diary
I guess there's not any oil in New Oleans. I didn't see too many celebs standing on the roofs there either. At least they got Fats Domino out of there, and Channel Nine did there little thing...made great tv, for the right price. Pity they left behind 20 other Australians! Network Nine can get a few Aussies out of the mess, but the Australian Government can't get people out of there. Is this the new WaterGate? Suitable name. The Flood gates may have opened to the impeaching of President Bush. Someone needs to tip off John Howard and George Bush...perhaps they should use Howard Baer's www.theanonymousemail.com After all, Howard established www.politics.com Amercian appears to be its own worst enemy. Perhaps Iraq and China may want to give the Yanks a helping hand?!
Saturday, September 03, 2005
The Dos and Don’ts of Disaster Relief -Sydney Morning Herald - Radar blog
What is it going to take to get George Bush the ass?
Ok, he knows there's WMD's in Iraq, because his government sold them into there, we have another Vietnam going on, and now he can't clean up his own backyard, and the world was focusing on Bali and Live8 a few months ago.
Here's an interesting exercise...grab a copy of the bible, read some of the quatrains of Nostradamus, witness world events, and compare the "coincidences".
Howard Baer from www.theanonymousemail.com has invented a great way to top of politicians and such about all sorts of matters, without fear of repercussion.
Who are those 3 anti-christs anyway?
My mate Steve Cooke in Scotland must have known something when he established www.worlddisasterhelp.org
Bob Winstead in the US from "Entrepreneurs" fame did well to establish www.unity05.com
Something tells me that Red Cross is going to be very busy in the coming days, weeks, months and years. At least people with too much money can find plenty to spend it on these days.
Stay tuned for more big news.
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Sexing up the election - Sydney Morning Herald - Radar
Kissing babies is so five minutes ago. With this election, the accessory for the debonair pollie is not a screaming rugrat to plant a wet one on, but a secret sordid past, writes Georgia Lewis.
Why risk catching a day-care centre cold when you can tell the world how you kissed someone other than your wife instead?
The member for Parramatta, Ross Cameron, apparently tired of the hypocrisy of his Mr Family Values persona, thought confession might be good for the soul - and the poll - and admitted to an affair with "an exotic solicitor". Whether the voters are as forgiving as his wife remains to be seen, but maybe he thought he'd catch some Bill Clinton-style charisma as a result. Like the revelations of former prime minister John Major's affair in Britain, it does make one look at a seemingly boring guy in a new light.
Mark Latham copped a mouthful from his former wife about what a terrible husband he was. There was tittle-tat about whether the relationships with his first and second wives overlapped and others came out of the woodwork with claims about a raunchy buck's night video. Latham made a tearful plea to leave his family alone, but maybe wasn't that embarrassed when he said: "Can I give you the breaking news? I had an active love life before marriage."
There was a certain swagger about him as he went on to say that it'd be big news if he didn't have an active love life as a single man. Especially as John Howard lived at home until his wedding day at age 32. It was Latham's big chance to win the blokes' vote by coming across as a skirt-chasing legend, a connoisseur of western suburbs strippers and a wearer of breast-festooned barbecue aprons.
Whether this will work for Latham remains to be seen. It's just another one to add to their list of differences. Will Aussies go for a bloke who put it about a bit? Or will we stick with a bloke who probably tucks his singlet into his freshly ironed underpants?
Whatever the case, pollies' secret pasts at least make this already tedious campaign a little bit more interesting. If only we were allowed to enjoy the skeletons in the closet of female politicians in the same way, instead of seeing them burned at the stake a la Cheryl Kernot. Seriously, folks, we haven't evolved that much at all.
Sex sells...even in politics. The exception proves the rule, and the exception is this case in John Howard. Look at what happened in the California Recall election. When the Arnold "scandal" broke re : Oiu Magazine interview, his popularity went up. Some other sexy and entrepreneurial candidates also got a decent media guernsey including Abner Zurd (Lori Fontanes, film maker), Mary Carey (adult actor) and Larry Flint (adult industry entrepreneur). Arnold Schwarzenegger proved to be the complete package. It appears that Ronald Regan had the formula of charisma, acting, sexy charm and smarts, right all along, and others have followed.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Article: Businessman risks jail for e-mail secrecy, by Jessica Coomes
Web site owner says he won't tell on user
Jessica Coomes
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 23, 2005 12:00 AM
SCOTTSDALE - A Web site that would be nothing without its anonymity is being compelled to reveal the name of a customer.
But the site's founder would just as soon go to jail as unmask the user.
TheAnonymousEmail.com, based in Scottsdale, lets subscribers send e-mails without attaching their names.
One anonymous user sent e-mails to several employees of Mobilisa Inc. in Washington state, and attorneys for the company secured a subpoena this month to force the Web site to expose the sender.
"I won't give up my company. I won't give up this person's name," said founder Howard Baer of Scottsdale, who's expecting contempt of court charges. "If I have to go to jail, that's what I'll do. I haven't had a vacation this year anyway."
Mobilisa, which develops mobile devices for the government and military, did not want to comment on an active case.
If the content of the anonymous e-mails had threatened someone's life, Baer said he'd be the first to reveal the name. But as far as Baer can tell, the e-mails exposed a couple's affair.
"Is it a nice thing to do? I guess that's anyone's opinion," Baer, 63, said.
"Is it illegal? No."
Baer has started several companies and now operates four. He wouldn't say how many people subscribe to TheAnonymousEmail.com, which has four employees.
The site has been up since the end of April and has been threatened with legal action four to five times, Baer said. But this is the first time the threats have come to fruition.
"If we beat this one," Baer said, "I think it'll hold off anyone else."
Saturday, August 20, 2005
PRESS RELEASE: COURT ORDERS THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL.COM TO TURN OVER SUBSCRIBERS NAME AND PERSONAL INFORMATION
COURT ORDERS THE ANONYMOUS EMAIL.COM TO TURN OVER SUBSCRIBERS NAME AND PERSONAL INFORMATION.
AnonymousEmail. President refuses to cooperate citing First Amendment Rights
TheAnonymousEmail.com is operated by The Suggestion Box, Inc., a privately held corporation headquartered in
Corporate contact Media Contact:
Howard Baer Tel: 480-773-7754
Tel: 480-385-3850 Cell: 480-862-9094
Email-hrbaer@aol.com Email: Melanie@Mcbridecomm.com