Hi there Thinker 2...

I'm duly chastened apropos comparing US Politics with our system.

My sorry tale of some of the rudeness occasioned upon myself, at the hands of one, Paul Keating - it amounts to nothing in the scheme of things.

Further, I totally agree with most of those here, when they rightly acclaim the efforts and character of PK with those that are the necessary 'wherewithal' associated with true leadership.

And the many other qualities that PK had, that we no longer see or experience in the Australian political landscape.

Someone said herein, that PK could never be bought ? How very true. He was his own man. If the only identifiable defect that PK had was his abrasive style, well so what. We're all big boys.

After all he was the leader of our country, not an overly sensitive senior constable.

Hi there back o sung wu, I'd like to think that Paul Keating himself (if he were reading this critique) would feel a little chastened and humbled by your gracious remarks.

cheers T2

..and a gentleman. A few years back while I was walking down a street on a bit of a narrow footpath, he took a broad step aside for me to pass, with his companion.

Agree with all the above said. He could be called a street fighter but at least he had passion and conviction, and BELIEF which is sorely lacking today especially in Labour politics.

Hello there CONSTANCE...

I believe you're correct when you say PK exhibited exemplary manners. I've actually seen evidence of that trait myself.

Further, I noticed women were very much attracted to him too. He had that ready smile which he used to good effect.

I don't really know why he chose to be such an abrasive individual at times ?

In my experience, the absolute rudest of them all was Garath Evens.
On one occasion, I pulled a 'Close Protection' shift with this bloke, when he was at his Sydney Office. Apparently there was a high 'Threat Assessment' on him. And, at the time he was Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Anyway, he claimed his detail was "too close to him" and we should be far more discreet ? He possessed a very low tolerance for police, even those who had carriage of his personal protection. Emmmmm ?

Could write a book on some of these people.

Hi guys,

Many years ago my cousin was assigned to Pauline Hanson when she was touring in northern Victoria. To the consternation of the rest of us he claimed he found her really attractive, something that surprised him to no end as well.

He is still in the job so I'm dying to see if he manages to get the PM to look after whether he just has a thing for redheads.

Hi there CSTEELE...

I'd have to concur with you with respect to Pauline Hanson. I think you said it was your cousin or brother who was a member of the Fed's, where I was with NSW. Of course they (the Fed's) had far greater access to the VIP'S than us.

Nevertheless, I did have the opportunity to be 'up close and personal' with Ms Hansen. Indeed, she's very vivacious even beguiling. And the little time I had with her, I found her to be most polite and somewhat self-effacing.

Another notable lady who I found to be most attractive (at the time), was Lindy Chamberlain.

We had a job in Darwin which necessitated taking a statement from a crim in the Berrimah womens gaol. We were met at the gate by the Deputy Supt. and as we proceeded across to the office my offsider enquired about their 'star guest' Lindy. Our attention was directed towards a women mowing the lawn, not thirty feet away.

We were confronted with this lithesome, very attractive, tanned lady with dark, short hair. Indeed, it was none other than Lindy Chamberlain herself. Naturally, we didn't speak with her, she was not the individual that we needed to interview...In conclusion, it would appear a sub-tropical climate, together with the sparten conditions of gaol, must truly agree with some folk.

Thankfully, Lindy was proven to be innocent pf the charge that landed her in gaol.