Lyn Allison seems to be unfamiliar with the phrase "constructive criticism".

Rancitas

You don't know the real Lawson.

He is more in the vein of the Russian Nikolai Leskov, and much more of the people than either Shakespeare or Rushdie. Like Leskov his work has an earthiness and much resonates even today.

The real Lawson was of the city. He was no whiner. Most of his work was about relationships (True he was a man of his time and focused exclusively on non-indigenous people.) He was so unlike the 'Banjo' who wallowed in the feel good horse poo and symbolised by lonely dancing German nomads.

We'll always differ about the greatness of John. ;-)

"The Prime Minister has elevated the influence of Christian religion in politics. Religion is perhaps more visible now in Australian politics than for almost 30 years, and a growing number of Australians are concerned about this."

Lyn, when you, Andy "Pisspot" Bartlett and Natasha Stott Despoya loose you senate seats in 2008 - good riddance - rendering the Democrats unrepresented in the federal parliament, consider that statements like the above don't help.

The majority of Australians are happy that the religion which forms our heritage (quite a living one too) and so much of our culture is not removed from public life (such as your party's attempts to remove prayers in parliament). What's more, the evidence of students, many of which profess no religion, or who have parents which profess no religion, heading to Christian schools (especially Catholics ones) for the values and virtues professed there shows a society-wide change towards respecting religions, and the place they played and still do play in forming character and imbibed values. We have a division of church and state, but that doesn't mean we seek to disguise and remove our living history from anything to do with government. The Christian tradition is a 2000 year old one, and being the cornerstone of our culture, it should be a lively part of debate, through the Christian members of our parliaments.

It looks like some people here aren't prepared to even look at whether Lyn has made some valuable points.

Remember JH is a Lawyer.... Do you people tell lawyer jokes?

Remember JH is a politician ... Do you people tell politician jokes?

Well I suspect you tell them because they are often true.

Joke 1. How do you tell when a politician is lying? Answer His/Her lips are moving!

Joke 2. What do you call 100 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? Answer A good start!

Funny huh?

It is very easy if you are of a single political persuasion to be offended by criticisms of your man/woman... How can you help it you've voted that way all your life? But if you have voted one way all your life haven't you effectively done your little bit to undermine democracy.

It is your obligation as a voter in a democracy to vote against someone whom you would normally vote for based on issues. Anyone can vote one way all their lives it takes no thought at all!

If you don't take that obligation seriously and jump to the defence of a political figure automatically just because you voted that way all your life are you truly a thinking voter?

That JH has been in power for 10 years .... must surely entitle you and others to think critically and analyze that situation. If you can only see good things from JH's Prime Ministerial reign then you are even out of step with JH himself.

Believe in Lyn or not she has at least got those little cogs working in your heads.

C'mon why don't you admit your political biases to yourself at least.... I have voted for all the major parties at one time or the other and guess what... I'm a thinking, swinging voter.

But don't say you are a swinging voter when you have never done it cause that way you are lying to youself... and that may indicate you're dumb!

After Ran having a dummy spit, I Know J H is not a Marxist, and Andrew Bolt is an Alien from Space (Somewhere), Illuminati even.
Ooo brother, now who is ranting and propagandizing.
The Democrats have more in common than Mao than Andrew Bolt ever could , let alone J H.
But it is good for a laugh. So let’s get back to the Leftist Twilight Zone for good humor.

John Howard is our first Mushroom PM, kept in the dark & fed bullsh*t, a parasite growing fat on the short memories of his electorate.

His epitaph will read "I wasn't told"