Foxy, Belly, Jockey, etc

There is nothing stopping you posting threads. If you complain that OLO is becoming biased in one direction, it is because you are posting very seldom, and then the basis for your threads are seldom topical.

Take this thread for example, I noticed that JG had made a slur on TA's integrity, and then a few days later done exactly the same thing. And Hey presto, what was the coalition's point of challenge yesterday in parliament?

My threads, while obviously focused in one direction, are always topical and accurate. However, if there is only one voice speaking, there will only be one voice heard.

GY does not accept all my threads, but either he is rejecting most of yours or you are not trying.

Foxy, that’s not a post I would have expected to see from you. I’m referring to your first post.

Criticising Shadow Minister for daring to start this thread is taking a bit far IMHO. Why aren’t the malfunctions or perceived malfunctions of the Labor party suitable material for OLO or for public debate? What’s wrong with someone repeatedly raising this sort of concern? Or repeatedly raising concerns about one major political party but not the other?

If you and Severin think SM is overdoing it, then isn’t it you who should give it a rest by way of not responding?

Now, I would consider the integrity of our politicians to be extremely important. So, when they say something in unequivocal terms and then proceed to do something different, a serious infringement has been committed. When this happens regularly, as it does, our whole democratic system is badly undermined.

We really do need a system of accountability and integrity. Perhaps a political ombudsman who can explore all complaints of lies or misleading statements made by pollies and have the power to pass judgement and issue penalties where appropriate.

I wouldn't complain, SM is the best thing the ALP and Greens have going for them (as far as OLO is concerned).

SM is not always factually correct but we all have the same opportunity like SM, to post responses, present statistics or to start new topics.

Fact is we can all be a bit blind to our own side - that is a human reality, but we should also at times be self-critical, that is the only way real reform (parliamentary or otherwise) will be achieved.

It is no good always cheering your side from the stands, when you can full well see them kicking the boot in, cheating or engaging in a bit of under-arm bowling.

Dear SM,

I'm going to take what you've said on board,
and think about it. However, as you know
when the right buttons are pushed we all react.
And, to me at least, you've been coming across
as a man with an axe to grind. The only type of
threads that you've been posting have been ones
that were focused in only one direction - that
of negativity against the current government.
Hence my responses to balance things up.

Of course there are moments when one can think
that, "Gee, I shouldn't have said that, or maybe
I should have said it differently." Well, okay
maybe I need to work on my presentation - it
is important to be conscious and compassionate and
act with great civility - but it is also important
not to forsake your own wisdom because you fear you
will lose something. What's more important?
Losing face, or losing your integrity?

Whether it is in our relationships or in the
workplace, it seems we are always negotiating our
own voice and always afraid of speaking what we feel.
As a little girl, I was shy. I wasn't comfortable
with my own ideas, never believing they were worthy
of being heard. As I grew older, I was afraid of my
own strength and worried that if I showed too much power
it would make me less attractive to men, or a threat to
women.

It's only now that I throw down the gauntlet. I've
discovered the only path to happiness is to really be all
thay you can be. To be secure and unafraid of speaking
you own mind. If your intentions are not just to win the
game, then you can feel good if you've spoken your mind
without malice or anger but just from the depth of your
truth.

Wouldn't it be good if our politicans could be truthful and courageous, and not have to be concerned with the thoughts of their partners in crime, To join the party, they have to promise to agree with the party, even if they throughly disagree with the decisions, and from what I have seen, there are not too many who are prepared to stand up against bad decisions, in any party. From what I have seen, there are not many if any workers in the liberal or labor party, even though their constitution says they will look after the workers. Have a look at the careers of those in the cabinet, and opposition shadow cabinet, Lawyers seem to be totally against the workers and a successful economy, neither Wayne Swan or Peter Costello can be claimed to be anything but destructive to the economy, nor can any of the earlier PM's or Treasurers, execpt Harold Holt, at least he tried and mostly it worked, but didn't suit the following treasurers, they can't understand any logic or intelligence, but they like the brown stain on their face.

Good for you Foxy.

At least you didn't wimp out like others.

I look forward to crossing swords again.