Jayb,

You are truly laughable.

Where did you learn to debate?

Calling people namsies is primary school stuff.(and it's the juncture where Poirot departs the conversation - call me when you've learned the skill of argument without resorting to puerile labels)

Dear Paul1405,

I'm pleased that you found Denise Allen's article
interesting. Bob Carr's statements on asylum
seekers indicate that the Rudd government has decided
that refugees are fair game and Tony Burke, the new
Immigration Minister will no doubt be required to
follow this path set out so deinitely by Carr.
It appears there are more votes in the "hard-edged"
approach than in showing compassion and tolerance.
And this being an election year - the outcomes will
be fairly predictable from the two major parties.

Here's a link that I found interesting:

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4369418.html

Dear Poirot,

I admire your tenacity.

poirot: call me when you've learned the skill of argument without resorting to puerile labels.

It was a general call, not to you in particular, but you did answer, therefore I assume you, in particular, are feeling guilty.

Poirot, call me when you've learned the skill of argument without resorting to deflection. #-)

Jayb,

I knew it was a general call (and not directed specifically at me).

That makes absolutely no difference to the principle whatsoever.

I don't debate people who resort to the employment of immature and vile epithets which they wield to slap their opponents.

Not respectful.

poirot, you never debate anyone! I can't remember one time you have mounted a reasonable argument on any subject. You deflect everything that is asked of you about all subjects. That's not a debate. That's a joke. You are asked to comment on something & you deflect. Then we ask you about your deflection & you deflect again & again & again. What sort of debate is that?

I think we are all sick & tired of chasing you around the bush & getting nowhere. Grrrr Rowff.

Lexi, "the Rudd government has decided that refugees are fair game"

That is a lie and you know it.

While I have been a critic of the government for its history of maladministration and scandals, there is no evidence whatsoever that Rudd and Labor (and the LNP for that matter) have lost compassion for refugees. Where is your evidence?

Why would you state something that is so obviously untrue? What is in it for you to spread such obviously wrong and malicious gossip against Labor and the major parties generally?

Quite apart from that, what is in it for you to give oxygen to people smuggling criminal gangs who managed to call the shots under the Gillard/Greens government? Their business model farms for windfall profits the well-heeled middle class who can afford high fees to criminals and they kick refugees out of contention for asylum.