I find this mornings headlines disturbing, a few now former Liberal members are charged with distributing pamphlets that are from a non existent Muslim group.
In a seat already in conflict over plans to build Muslim buildings, clearly playing on concerns some have already branded as racist.
The intent? well it says on the pamphlet Muslims should vote Labor, that the ALP supports the murderers who killed so many in Bali?
And while , like it or not I am among those Australians who want my right to be concerned at some Muslim actions[ the impending flogging by the Saud's for one] this pamphlet is racist, it is a lie.
It shouts at the wrong directions Australian politics has taken.
It is far from the only lie but perhaps the worst of very many.
I understand the growing number who do not know what a union is, that is a union made problem.
But to infer unions are evil or that a Rudd government would be run by unions is both a lie and driven by desperate fear, a landslide against such tactics is going to take place and rightly so.
I wait for old John to explain this days headlines to us.

Johny did his best at the press club today and I think he knew nothing about it.
However if we see who took part a few did, shame on them, I question the party's knowledge and say openly more knew than we will ever know.
Of the up most importance this days blogs are full of conservatives in denial, claiming it was a Labor set up or even it did not happen!
see you on Sunday those in denial.

When I first read the article I thought for a moment I'd happened upon a synopsis of a recent episode of Neighbours or some other soapie. The act itself seemed hardly credible. But what stunned me the most was that the only defence I read was that it was a "prank". What the?

A prank ("practical joke or mischievous act" OED) is something people get up to on a Bucks or Hens night. Or that schoolchildren play. Mischief is something that monkeys and babies get up to. How could it enter anyone's head even to think in those terms?

"Letter-droppers get bored" was another explanation. They get bored so they trash reputations, stir up racism and anger, fuel bigotry? Aw c'mon.

I'm sure that down there by now morning shows, radios etc. will be jammed up with comment and the "prank" will be debated ad nauseum. But from where I am sitting up here, as a lone Australian "expert" who therefore is called upon always to explain all things Australian, its going to be hard enough explaining how upholders of "democracy" (Yeah, Demos, the inverted commas are there for a reason), faced with the serious business of helping people decide who will run their country for the next four years,decided to do such a thing in the first place.

But to further explain that they get bored with this task and get up to "mischief"? Cheech.

Remember how the world used to say "Only in America...." preceding some unbelievable report? I think the proper noun in that phrase is gradually being replaced.

We just have to be aware of a disturbing side issue to this infamous act.
Today at the press club while Medea asked John Howard questions on this shambolic issue, his cheer squad jeered the Medea!
Liberal audience clapped every word of Howard's and openly jeered a Medea full of friends conservative reporters.
After Labors train wreck of 2004 the worst I saw was a few who [from my side of politics] blamed the voters!
Stupid, laughable but not a threat.
This time it is different find Sydney Medea blogs, news paper blogs, read the early your says, clearly rough and rude claiming the ALP did it!
this election has seen a country post master not want to serve me! because of my proud union shirt!
Rudeness? endless, in the street, how will the ultra conservatives take this landslide?
How long will it take till the impact of every state and now the federal government being in Labor hands to sink in?
To understand total rejection of ultra right Liberalism?
To take the first step to recovery?
Far too many Leading NSW Liberals knew about this no joke but the party has become one.
After scutineering on Saturday night at Belly's? bliss!
The pain of those abusive idiots at todays press club will drive my joy.

thx for the inverted commas, rom. but i'm holding out for the second person to refer to oz as an oligarchy. he/she can be deputy maximum lider of the people's revolutionary army.

and i'm fair, we'll exchange titles over a bottle of red on each sunday evening strategy and consciousness raising session.

We don't have to exaggerate the problem. It's huge. The fact that
members of a political party can do such a racist act simply illustrates a society that sees homogeneity as not only desirable but mandatory. This will now result in tension between the ethnic groups.

I for one will make my vote count tomorrow - because I don't want Australia to return to the remote, ethnocentric, inward-looking and changeless society of the past. The dull, self-satisfied, and joylessly conformist - "Liberal" Australia that Mr Howard and his party represents.

Dear Belly,

Well, it's almost over. I've had my say and voted today, now in a few hours we'll see the results of what the people of Australia have decided.

I'm really excited this time because I feel that the 'old survivor' might be outfoxed by his shiny new challenger. I hope so. Anyway, I'll be watching the telly tonight to absorb it all... and hoping for good news at the end.

My day on the polling booth was the most interesting of my life of doing that task.
In a conservative booth so very many winked and put the ALP sheet on top saying I hope we win.
Yet one loudmouthed rude very rich and powerful conservative voter just had to declare war on my workchoices shirt and me!
As I told him then he is still in my thoughts his anger feeds me for days to come.
Lets us not divide ourselves, I do truly think Rudd is the man I sold every day of this campaign.
However I highlight my NSW government and its leader we help gagged during this election must this coming week lead!
Sack 2 lost lazy ministers or fail our state and more important every booth worker who got you that win this year to govern other than well is to not govern at all, blood on the sword bloke this week please.

The Howard government used fear tactics all the time to get power. Fear of Muslim terrorists to pass laws that violate our rights. Fear of economic instability under an ALP government.

At least now the voters have spoken.