I was unaware of the impending release of Tanners book or its contents when I started to defend Labor in this thread.
In thread after thread I have tried to put in to words my feelings about the impacts of the media on the way we think about politics.
Tanner has done it for me, my thoughts like anyones, are changing and developing, but not on this subject.
Tanner has said reaction to media is harming the way politics works, in my view all politics all sides.
Lets look briefly at it, brilliant stuff Mr Tanner.
ABC has on its web page comment free news, now that is just as untrue as I claim Shadow Ministers contributions are.
Women and men front faces ask questions that give their opinions.
Clearly green/Labor/Liberals construct the questions /news to highlight personal opinions.
Are we,voters taxpayer better for such a media or are we voting on information that may not be true.
One thing I know we should each of us, look for the good and the bad,the truth in politics and news media.

The SA labor goverment was dead before this issue, the NSW Labor government was dead before Orkopolous, and the other cases of fraud, but what do we see? A shake up, an internal review, or spin?

There,as FG pointed, out is the nub of the thread, and labor values on display.

According to recent reports about the ALP conference it does appear that the ALP is well aware of some of the internal problems and is attempting to redefine themselves. Or put it another way, work out what it is they stand for.

Change is inevitable and often comes as a reaction to changing world and domestic events. The growth of the middle class and inclusion of once-perceived working class skills into that class has meant a natural shift for Labor, and for Liberal/Conservative politicians. However, it is possible to retain a focus on the disadvantaged and on social democratic principles of which both parties have strayed.

My opinion is that powerful interests (akin to Bildeberg theories) have also increased their influence internationally. These groups have increased their reach and are all pervasive (and persuasive) in significant matters like foreign policy, fiscal policies, war and trade. Anyone that threatens the status quo is given short shrift often having their lives destroyed similar to the events surrounding Valerie Plame and her husband Joe Wilson. We have seen similar attempts under Howard to discredit whistleblowers like Andrew Wilkie as mentally unbalanced despite passing high level psychological testing and selective leaking to the media by government on some national security issues.

Belly
I am looking forward to reading Tanner's new book. The influence of the media and constant 24 hour vigil has changed the way politician's work as well as how they respond to media/public scrutiny.

as a former hide tanner
i had a natural minclination to the other tanner
but his spin on the 3 intervieuws i have seen..se him as doing spin

his book will be in the same vein
he point blank refuses to discuss
the very things that need to be diss-cussed

he makes no comment on the many issues
we really need to know about

[bagging the media..dont ecuse him doing media bias spin thing]
and media bagging isnt new..any foopl,knows media spins the news to help out their paid advertisers

and govt is one of the biggest advertisers
true refornm would include a sepperation of the spin dept..from the news dept..from the advertising and pr dept

but tanner hasnt got much to add
he is selling a book..

using the same spin ab-use
..and news cycle..he is trying to use

spin is the name of the game mr tanner
and your a great exponant at ab-using it

clearly your veted by lawyers/publisists
and the alp backroom guys..book
is hardly taking a fresh..look

let alone re-freshing look at the same old problem
absolute power corrupts..absolutly

your simply preparing for a come back
its funny what the folds,..in the hides i skinned hid

mr tanner..you know the folds in your books
wont unfold anything too smelly
your planning a come back

still a party loyalist
who got out when he read the ju-liar writing on the wall
and dont want to be under the spiked heel
of a bleach bottle boys own,..red witch..[with a b]

once she has gone..you will come back
the book[lol]..is just your play
for a replay..of howhard's way

There is little point in any one rebutting claims about Shadow Minister if he continually kicks the leg out from under their comments.
He did so in his last post,I am greatly pleased to understand he has little direction and understanding of politics.
I from post one never defended the grubs and slugs from my party who during/before and after being in Parliament committed sex crimes or any other ones.
I will forever see bigotry and silliness in any claim, Labors culture brings these things about.
I ask every one to see, with a half good leader my party tops the fist preference vote every time.
Do not include, or of you wish ok, the National party two different party's the latter a servant of the first.
Give me no two party preferred just our primary vote.
Of special interest to me ALWAYS has been just who in OLO can be blinded to truth by their own political opinions.
WHO OF YOU WILL TELL OF ABBOTT'S FAULTS?
I will not refrain from talking about open bigotry and flaming in use here.

Belly,

The few predictions I have made have all been spot on. Yours almost without exception have been horribly wrong.

Your facile criticisms of the blatantly obvious Labor flaws do not make you balanced, rather not to notice them would require some level of psychosis.

Pelican,

The changes that the ALP are discussing have been raised at just about every Labor conference for decades. So far there is much talk, but no signs of any concrete change. The leaders have too much personal vested interest to allow the changes to happen.