We, the Sheeple do love a good escapist story.

K.rudd certainly is a grand story teller.

Lets wait and see what the new gubbermunt actually does.

Sounds like an article written by a spoilt brat who never received a spanking in her life. If NZ was so good why has we had mass immigration from there? I am glad its Mr Rudd that has to put up with the likes of Clementine Ford. Mr Howard certainly does not deserve it.

Runner. John Howard deserves absolutly nothing, though he walks away with a handsome pension and super, plus plenty of perks. For doing what?

Saying Sorry

Though not a labor voter, but just a retired Cockie who in the wheatbelt district of Dalwallinu, in my young days nearly 150 K’s across and taking in the goldmining town of Paynes Find, had much to do with the Wongi and Yamagee tribes, finding them as gracious as or better as many white persons.

It hurts so much to have my own sons and their sons treating today’s Aborigines like low life, mostly caused I believe by today’s political officialdom that we owe no apology.

As one who still regards himself more as an agrarian socialist or unionist, does not only thank Kevin Rudd, our new PM, for the promise to apologise to our original Aussies in the coming days, but also Malcolm Turnbull, who has had the decency and commonsense to try to promise what Canada in the last few years has indeed asked forgiveness of the Canadian Indigines.

In one of my earlier Posts, and as a qualified historian regarding WA history, did report how angry and desperate I felt to write how Midgericoo the ageing father of the exceedingly bright and popular Yagan was simply depicted in colonial reports as shot at 20 paces outside the Perthtown barracks.

Indeed, it has been so long, one could go on to suggest that as also has been suggested by a Roman Catholic Padre that following Canada we could offer permanent representation in our Parliament similar also to Canada - and of course figures in New Zealand, but was part of an official Armistice.

As having a natural bent for all types of history, and still regarded as a writer of unecessary Old Pap stuff by some of our group, might conclude that if the title also includes Left Wing Lunacy, might say the way many of our beaten Libs are still carrying on, must say I am now very proud to be among, what historians do call part of the Avant Garde, or the heralders of much needed change - all this despite among them, the usual raggedy arsed camp followers.

Sneekeepete, Country Gal,

I have to say that I’m disappointed that you two have sunk to the same level as a small group using OLO who simply cannot tolerate freedom of speech for anyone but themselves. Just sitting back and waiting to rubbish someone else instead of putting forward your own sincerely held opinions seems pretty cowardly and empty to me; but perhaps that is a generational thing neither of you understands.

What are your opinions? Where are your original posts supporting Clementine Ford? You are allowed to be positive about articles you agree with, you know. You then make your opinion clear without presenting yourselves as nasty little people who can’t bear anyone who doesn’t agree with them. Most posters seem to be able to manage what you two and a few others cannot.

OLO gives everybody the opportunity to express opinions – even those you and I don’t agree with. Probably, about 80% of the posts here, I disagree with. Probably about 80% of the posters here disagree with my posts. Most of us seem to have tacitly agreed to live and let live, and reserve our scorn or praise for the people who actively seek public opinion by writing articles.

Contributors are invited by the editor to present material for our opinions. It is a waste of time commenting on other posters’ opinions.

It is also, I know, a waste of time trying to conciliate with people like you. The more I respond to you, the better you like it. I will return to the practice of scanning posts upward so that I can see who is making the post and read only those made by people I respect, including those posters with whom I disagree.

You and your kind can take a running jump

Leigh is one of the more amusing contributors on OLO. Bitter and twisted suggesting a generation should have been smothered at birth then furious somebody has a contrary opinion about that!

Clementine, enjoyed your article. As a parent to generation Y'ers all I can say is that they are not nearly as self obsessed and selfish as many of their baby boomer parents many of whom are deeply into navel gazing and self help workshops. Baby boomers developed the whole idea of self obsessive 'individualism'. What's in it for ME, is an older generation's mantra, the ones who could think no further than the mortgage on their investment properties.

Thankfully it wasn't only the younger generation who voted overwhelmingly labor. Many of us focus on a bit more than the mortgage repayments of our houses.