Major stuff-ups all round.

PM's staffer - stupid
Union official - silly
Tent embassy protesters - mob
AFP - keytone cops
PM's security - spooks
Julia Gillard - cinderella
Tony Abbott - terminal foot-in-mouth syndrome

Yep, sure showed us up to the world.

Thing is, the whole fracus could have been avoided in the first place if Abbott had just displayed a smidgeon of diplomatic and political nouse by keeping his mouth shut on a topic that must be the most sensitive of days on the Australian calender. Whether you agree with the sentiments or not.

Going by Tony's record, if he were to be elected our next PM, I would not be surprised one bit that whenever he opened his mouth he would sure to offend not only Australia, but those overseas too.

An insult to all Australians, Andreas? Yep.

the biggest fools are those who voted this totally incompetent Government in along with the Greens.

"The historical reality is that Australian land now equally belongs to all Australian citizens regardless of ethnicity."

wow, what a naive statement, not worth unpacking here

Regarding the events of 26 January, see

http://fieldnotesandfootnotes.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/for-the-record-my-personal-first-hand-account-of-events-that-led-to-gillard-and-abbotts-dramatic-escape-and-subsequent-clash-between-police-and-demonstrators-from-the-aboriginal-tent-embassy

Dear SM,

I often quote from the Lowy Institute, The Age,
The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian,
The New York Times, a variety of links and websites,
and other databases, books, films, et cetera.

As I've written in the past - people should do
their research from a variety of sources. You seem
to have something against "New Matilda," that's fine.
Don't use it. Frankly, I'll use whatever source I
feel adds something to the discussion - and possibly
enlightens us. I don't pre-judge. If an article makes
sense - I'll use it.

Once again - regarding the ACT police officers and their
training and experience. I am not in a position to comment
but if you say that a newspaper verified their expertise -
well that's good enough. I guess. All though, wait a minute,
it was the newspapers that focused on the violence. And showed
us photos of the PM's "fear," even though she later appeared
cool, calm, and smiling, on TV. Right.

"Major stuff-ups all round."

You're so right, bonmot.....the whole unfolding scenario was a debacle from all aspects.

"How embarrassment"