I was going to make some sort of point about this business, but I find it so boring that I've forgotten what I was going to say.

Planta,

You are having a bad few moments you didn't even get the Anderson link right...lol

It's http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1585253.htm

You are right that article was written just to get you - it's a right wing conspiracy...lol I already knew about the article... but thanks for redirecting me to it.

But it didn't happen you are correct... Mr Anderson said so, he didn't write it in his diary...lol Why would Mr Rudd have the nerve to question that?...lol

I wish I was a QC.... I'd know what questions to ask then....lol

See : http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18370700%255E1702,00.html

Watching this play out is like watching Gilligan's Island all over again except this is really happening. Will they ever get off the island?

Have you read this thread there are heaps of belly laughs contained in here http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=4169

Non GM Farmer makes some interesting points also that are worthy of some answers.

plerdsus - how can you be bored... the funs just starting...lol

And I'm sticking to that also (for now)...lol

Congratulations to the AWB on selling $1.4 million worth of Aussie farmers wheat to 4 countries.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1585867.htm

It proves that even working under adverse conditions the staff at the AWB are still working hard for the farmers of Australia. Good on you guys!

Good news also that Mr Anderson's position has been vindicated also. The questions still had to be asked especially when he hadn't reported it to parliament like the rules state.

Does wheat have an effect on people's memories?

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18378411%255E1702,00.html

Catch up with the latest info on the Cole Enquiry at the good old ABC... OUR ABC!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1585978.htm

It's nearly a good news day....lol

And just when you thought the AWB scandal had become boring out jumps some more news showing that the Govt intelligence organisations knew more than we have been told.

I saw tonight on lateline where in a clip from a few weeks back Mr Downer actually stated otherwise.

Kevin Rudd has laid the AWM fiasco plainly at John Howard's door by calling him "a liar" based on documents our intelligence services have provided to the Cole enquiry.

John Howard's team are a special breed of people - from what they say they seem to have the skill to only read briefs and other documents that aren't going to be a political problem.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1593843.htm

If Govt officials ignore "intelligence" so easily what other "intelligence" will they ignore today and in the future? Our poor intelligence services must be shaking their heads in utter disbelief. "I know nothing Johnny" is our PM for heavens sake ... he must have known or he is asleep at the wheel!

In this unstable world "created by the selective use of intelligence" is our Government and it's Ministers and staff on top of things and at any given moment might they ignore intelligence for political ends?

If this is the case - Is this how our national security should be run? It is time for all opposition parties and all Australians to now demand that Government ministers be called before the Cole enquiry so we can get to the truth once and for all!

The inquiry also heard from former DFAT official Jane Drake-Brockman.

She said although cables from Australian diplomat Bronte Moules were opened in her name six times, they may have been opened by her personal secretary - she cannot remember.

The cables warned DFAT about allegations of illegal payments.

Ms Drake-Brockman said it was the job of DFAT's Robert Bowker to act on the cables, and he described them to her as a 'storm in a teacup'.

Ms Drake-Brockman was also questioned about a letter she sent to AWB advising that their arrangements with trucking company Alia were not in breach of UN sanctions.

She said that was the advice of DFAT's legal experts and she had no reason to doubt it.

In other evidence before the inquiry, a former federal government employee says she heard of the connection between AWB and trucking company Alia as early as the year 2000.

Former Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) employee Jill Courtney says when she read newspaper reports of the sanction-busting payments she immediately recognised the name Alia.

She says she had heard or read of Alia as a Jordanian trucking company being used by AWB.

She says she could have found out as early as April 2000, but she could not remember exactly how or when, whether it was from someone within AWB, DFAT or otherwise.

Evidence to the Cole inquiry yesterday showed Australian intelligence agencies knew in 1998 that Alia was connected to the Iraqi regime.

Meanwhile, Cole inquiry hearings have been briefly interrupted by serial pest Peter Hoare.

He entered the hearing room and declared himself as a candidate for prime minister.

Commissioner Cole swiftly adjourned proceedings while the man was escorted from the room

BORING...

Congratulations Plantagenet... gee you find the transcript of an enquiry boring... go figure...lol

As with everything the devil is in the detail... what could be going on in that enquiry?

Go read this little article and ask yourself what it could mean to our democracy?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1594202.htm

Are the things being stated by the QC's correct? Is the AWB employees QC right? What could this all mean?

Even though people like yourself can't see what this is doing to our democracy others can. Who protects a democracy more... the "Yes" men, the always vote the same way lobby or the pollies and people who ask questions and continue to question?

Do you reckon that Johnny Howard would sue Mr Rudd for calling him a liar in public? I bet he won't ... our Johnny knows that in a court where he is sworn to tell the truth (unlike in parliament it seems) the QC's would have a field day questioning his version of "the truth".

If he chose to lie there you might even see the spectacle of a PM jailed for perjury... wouldn't that be a sight?

But if our beloved little Johnny has nothing to hide, let's see him take Mr Rudd to court... let's see him challenge the term "liar" in an Aussie court.

Gee imagine calling former members and other members of the PM's staff to testify in a court. Would we uncover a nest of worms?

Little Johnny is brave enough to send our soldiers into harms way, whilst the AWB was allegedly paying kickbacks to the guy we are against, but is he brave enough to face an Aussie court?

Let's wait and see shall we? My money he would never take that risk... he knows what he knew...lol