Okay, what ARE the answers to all the problems? Has Rudd solved any of them? I don't think so. The apology to indigenous Australians has not helped improve their standard of living. Kyoto has not solved climate change. We still lock people up and we are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere. The economy is a mess and getting worse as business heads off-shore to avoid employing anyone here.
Interest rates? Maybe -but only if you are in the position to actually borrow money - most of us cannot afford that.

Dear Col,

You have just proven examinator's case... where he asked
on another thread - that civility be maintained
by us all in posting.

You seemed to feel at that time, that on a public Forum you could
say what you liked. My question is - why would you
want to deliberately use words that offend people? You can
surely make a point without resorting to those kind of
tactics?

You refer to our Prime Minister as:

1) Krudd.
2) Lying socialist.

Why use these 'outmoded' insults?

You ask another poster to 'justify the last three of your stupid
and ridiculous claims.'
And then tell him that 'You have posted
derisory and fraudalent bunkum..'

The poster you insulted did not insult you, or make any claims about the quality and accuracy of your opinions.

Yet you insist in using offensive language in presenting your point of view.

Why

Oh come on Foxy. How many lefties have used the term 'The Rodent', or 'Little Johnny' when talking about Howard. They'r the mild ones too. Or how about the dubya jokes. I cant stand Gerard Henderson, but he had a point when he used to blag on about the 'Howard Haters'.

This is exactly Merideth's point on the other topic you reference. Notice you missed ASymeonakis equating Howard with White Supremicists, and heap it on Col for using K.Rudd.

I'll bet if CJ made a quip at loony assertions like that by BOAZ, rather than Col about ASymeonakis you'd think it was funny and rightly putting them in their place.

Personally I think it is good that Mr Rudd was elected. We had 11 years of good competent Government which everyone took for granted. Now we have an incompetent Government who is into symbols rather than substance (typical of socialism). Hopefully the Australian people who aren't old enough to suffer an incompetent Labour Government will learn quickly. Those who are going to be unemployed due to the ridiculous ETS tax and irresponsible spending will be the first to learn.

What if the Libs had won the last election?

One thing I know for sure we would have a Prime Minister who called voting for the current USA President would be like voting for Al Qaida.

Says it all really.

Dear Houellebecq,

Bravo, you've made your point.

I'll now go and do a bit of soul-searching.
And genuinely try to do better all round.

However, I do want you to understand one thing.

As I've tried to say on another thread - I firmly
believe that there is an etiquette for communicating
online. An informal "set of rules" for behaviour in
computer based conversation. If we all comply to codes
of conduct that make the "play" easier and more enjoyable for
everyone - I'm sure it would be more pleasant all round.
Examinator was referring to all of us - yet it was interesting
to note that only a few really balked at the idea and took
offense.

Perhaps it is a generational thing. I was taught that good manners
mattered. Politeness rules.

Examinator was only advocating minor changes in our behaviour.
He felt that if we all tried we could attract people to the
Forum, not turn them away, or have people leave due to
personal attacks.

Ah well, at least he tried - for which some of us are grateful.