On the subject of personal egos.
A "vain ego"appears to be a prerequisite for any leader of any country. Mr Rudd is in good company in this regard.

Nothing is more cringeworthy in my memory than the love-ins regularly enjoyed between John Howard and George W. Bush. It appeared to be the case than Mr Howard gained a sense of deep personal affirmation from his close association with the "President".

While acknowledging that it is in Australia's interest to keep her ties with the U.S. well polished, it was nauseating in the extreme to see our Prime Minister hitch his wagon so securely to one of the most inept administrations in American History - how dodgy did an outfit have to appear before a man of the supposed intelligence of John Howard saw through the hoopla?

Let's not underestimate the power of our politician's personal egos getting involved in matters of state.

It was Winston Churchill who once
told an audience to "never give in,
never, never, give in..." and he knew
whereof he spoke. Churchill spent the
1930s in the political wilderness
warning of the need to re-arm against
the Nazi threat, and was treated as a
bit of a joke by smaller men.

So of course a bookish, Mandarin-speaking
former diplomat as a Labor Leader and
Prime Minister to some people would
appear as being from another planet.

Ferociously bright and sure-footed, who
proved his capacity as Shadow Foreign Minister,
and has an excellent record of past political
performance,
and who describes himself as a "very determined
bastard," such a man could be accused by some as having
an "ego," instead of seeing the truth - that persistence
pays off.

He's accused of having "an agenda."
In the business of politics there's always an agenda.
His, on becoming PM was to overturn years of government
obstinancy and put wrongs to right by paving the way
for genuine Reconciliation between the Nation's first
people and non-indigenous Australians by an Apology and
then another Apology to the "Stolen Generation."

For many of us this was a watershed moment and it showed
that this Leader was capable of thinking big and backing
it up with effective action.

It's so easy to criticize a government's first term in
office. And forget the previous government's lack of
action after 12 years in office.

And I agree that to escape criticism - "do nothing,
say nothing, be nothing."

Come what may the current Government is rising to the
challenge and attempting to redefine and regenerate
our country and our place in the world.

We have a PM currently who isn't afraid to do whatever it
takes to lead. To win the civil war, Abraham Lincoln had
to democratically take authority away from the states
and invest it in a federal government that he made
bigger and stronger than any America had seen since its
founding.

Judge our current PM by his actions after a second term in
office - it's too soon to judge him now.

Poirot, Howard’s luvvy-duvvy relationship with Bush was indeed spurious, and I mean spew-rious! Upon thinking about that, Rudd does indeed seem a little bit less odious….but only a little little bit!
----

<< Judge our current PM by his actions after a second term in office - it's too soon to judge him now. >>

I have a biiiig problem with that, Foxy.

I say, judge him as he goes. Don’t wait until we’re another four years down the track to pass judgement.

Ok, so perhaps I shouldn’t be too critical of Rudd for having a monstrous ego. But given that you do agree with me about sustainability and population stabilisation, how can you not be totally condemnatory of him for his massively antisustainability-oriented policies?

What about the questions I posed in my last post. Don’t you think he deserves a bucketload of criticism in relation to each one of them?

Should be at work, been home 30 minutes quite unwell.
Tried to continue work with e mails but it was in my in box.
I have been warned, about my posts in this thread.
Lets be clear.
I knew my two posts stretched the limits, but did the ones I addressed not provoke those actions?
I think OLO is a great forum, have only been chastened twice.
And that GY runs a fair ship,but can anyone recommend another forum?
I am giving my future here real thought, I have insulted Howard often, but the increasing bias, yes that is in my view what it is, in calling some not others is a concern,
Oscar the grouch is one of a long line that appear, insult complain, then leave.
Look at the views that I could not find my way to my letter box, think from my point of view about the inflammatory Krudd rubbish.
I am unsure if I want to continue to battle people who throw mud but do not except it back, in truth if I was [ and I was] wrong in posting that was I alone?
And while Graham has every right to be a conservative, others who despise my Labor roots too, I know beyond doubt most Australians intend to vote Labor, that is no crime it is basically a result of conservatives being out of touch.
Quite honest about other forums if you know one please tell me, and much of my rudeness would have been controlled if some did not constantly break rule one, do not divert threads.

Rechtub, I did not read the thread before posting that.
Take a seat, listen carefully,to my every word.
I truly may not be on this forum long, but I did challenge you to put your thoughts on Australian politics 2010 here in print.
If Rudd does not win by an increased majority, I will eat raw the full contents of your bones basket, out the front of a shop of your choice.
Now Ludwig, your understanding of politics does not match your knowledge of Australian trees.
If I know anything, my understanding of politics is my best achievement.
You rechtub now have the chance to prove me wrong, or to put your ideas for the coming year in print.
In the spelling paddock, will return to watch This thread but considering my future
Almost every one who posts here long term has earned my respect.

Belly

<< Almost every one who posts here long term has earned my respect. >>

So why leave us, Belly?

I for one hope you reconsider any idea of moving to another site. You would be greatly missed here. :)