Dear Noisy,

It certainly does put things into perspective.

The concept of public debate is sadly lacking
today in our political arena. I remember reading
no more than a generation ago that anyone with a
message could set up a soap box in Hyde Park,
London and inform, entertain, and, on occasion,
abuse the audience. Today public debate occurs
in a free-wheeling and inconclusive way via the
Internet or as "infotainment" on talkback radio and
so-called public affairs television.

Put our politicians back on soap boxes (or the back
of trucks) in front of the village voters.

Today "wedge politics" is deliberately creating a division
between people. Therefore, interest group self-interest
and antagonism between voters permeates policy-making.
This destroys trust, togetherness, and a caring society.
There's "them" and "us," rather than simply "us," and
much effort is employed in partisan politics which
could be much better used in more positive pursuits.

Frankly I'm sick of it all, as I imagine a lot of people
are.

Lexi

I cannot believe that J Gillard has proposed more draconian laws for asylums seekers than J Howard. She had the opportunity to step away and reinstate on-shore assessment.

I also cannot believe that, for once, I hope the Opposition actually does oppose this new legislation - even though it would be for all the wrong reasons.

Dear Ammonite,

As a lawyer by profession the Prime Minister should
know that she's done the wrong thing here with
pursuing the Malaysian Solution. She's playing
politics and attempting to appear "tough," in the
asylum-seeker debate as a means of what she hopes
will attract votes for her. It won't. And it's a
big mistake on her part. As she will eventually
find out. She should have done what she thought was
the right thing to do - and not given in to playing
the game by somebody else's rules.

It seems more than simply attempting to appear "tough".
Labor, appears to be going out of its way to introduce the most odious policy it can. No human right's protection. Abbott referred to the proposed amendments as "offshore dumping" - and he's right.

What a diabolical little coterie this Labor government has become - myopic, media driven populism exposes them as a party of straw. (and this is from a former Labor voter)

Dear Poirot,

Aren't we lucky in this country.

We will get a chance to have our say at the next election.

Interesting times ahead.

cont'd ...

the following link may be of some interest:

http://newmatilda.com/2011/08/31/thats-it-malaysia-solution