Nice to bump into you, Saintfletcher.
Thought your summary a reasonable one.
By the way, why is this c--p about Goward being drip-fed into this thread- it is supposed to be about Stott- Despoja. While Stott Despoja was standing up for Australians, all Goward was doing was window-dressing for Howard's obnoxious policies while the shekels roled in! Pity Meg was so thick she couldn't spot what 'Tasha and other thinking people spotted.
It's a sad thing when useful public figures get worn down and retire. Mary Gaudron and Maxine McKew also come to mind. As for "branding", ALL the non-right parties have embraced this assinine form over substance post-mod "spin" stuff, as the country has become americanised. And for some reason the Greens seem to have become scared into silence. Far easier for all to fight amongst themselves over the spoils of defeat, as Don Dunstan once said of a defeated ALP, than sublimate ego to fight for something worthwhile.
So spot-destroyer has got tired and disillusioned and cynical and sold out to go home and play mummy?
Well, I suppose I don't blame her. Nonetheless, she has cut and ran. She must know she would have a well of good will back to draw upon bck here in Adelaide. Surely she would stand a chance if some of the old fight was there, but it seems to have evaporated in the face of too much grapeshot, so like a good gentle-woman she will return to home and hearth as a good wife and mummy.
Which reminds me. She was once an Adelaide Uni student. I can't imagine the English dept there not encouraging a good read of Gilbert and Gubar for a bright student. Pity, looking at the result. She now ironically and perhaps even deservedly returns to that very same Attic she once fought energetically for her freedom from, and was released from.
Without a whimper...

Well stated Andrew! 'tis a shame Natasha has seen fit to pursue family aims, but family must come fist at all times. I'll also miss Andrew Murray's insightful input to the Senatorial process.

As for the Democrats, you are completely correct. Only the electorate can and will decide on the future of the 'honesty' experiment. For mine, it has functioned well and I believe will continue to do so. Power to you, and maintain your energy.

Frankgol

The Democrats have consistently argued the case for abortion on demand, refused to release the results of their recent poll because it did not give them the results they wanted, been strong proponents of Euthenasia and been supporters of gay marriage. They were strong supporters along with other parties of the morning after RU486 killing drug. Do you need any further evidence that the Democrats are against plain biblical principals? Pru would be in line with this humanisitic philosophy on most of these issues. The Democrats seem happy to support minorities but seem threatened by any Christians who want put forth a view that they consider intolerant.

The trouble with the Senator's argument is that it ignores the main problem that the Democrats have, which is that the Left and the Right of the party just can't work together any more.

This goes far beyond the normal hatred and mistrust between political factions inside parties. The Democrat organisations have been ripped apart and the alliance between ex-Liberal voters and ex-Labor voters can't be rebuilt in time to stop next year's wipeout.

The GST wasn't the Democrats' fatal mistake. The problem was crazies from both the Left and Right of the party who wanted everything to go their own way, and who were more interested in victory than peace.

Its hard to be a centrist watchdog and also a pseudo-left activist party at the same time, and the Democrats collapsed under the strain.

That is why, IMAO, the Democrats will elect not one single Senator at next year's election, even if for some reason it is a double dissolution.

Not because Stott-Despoja is retiring, but because the internal structure of the party barely exists any longer.

David Jackmanson
http://www.letstakeover.blogspot.com

What is the pseudo-left?
http://www.lastsuperpower.net/disc/members/568578247191

Couldn't we live perfectly well without money?
http://www.lastsuperpower.net/docs/document.2005-01-21.2592308437

Just what are the Democrats doing towards a better Australia these days. Senator Stott Despoja’s role as a mother should come first and foremost in her life. She does not need to be collecting another income whilst she has a hubby for bread winner. So many of us have had to soldier on alone. I was reading your comment on another post, then checked out your blog, now gone full circle. How I hate bloggers who leave no room for comment on their personal blog!

bluffittome,

If you are referring to my blog, then you can click on the words at the bottom of each story - most of them say '0 comments' right now :(

The words read:

Posted by David J on Thursday, October 12, 2006 0 comments

and the '0 comments' takes you to the comment-entering-bit (sorry about the tech talk there).

If not me, who were you referring to?