Most words change over time. The origianl, clinic meaning still stands. It is the usage of words that define their meaning.

Sure words change, but I think this is a particularly telling change. It is significant that it's a word used to label people, and it has been changed in order to label people who actually don't fit the definition, but retains the original definition so as to retain the very same connotations.

Why don't we change the definition of Rape, so we can use it with more safety against non-rapists, while still retaining it's effect?

What about pedophile?

I ask, why was it so important to use this word as a label for people who didn't fit the original definition

Houelly if you, or a PM want respect from me, they are going to have top earn it. They started with a clean slate, & it was them who dirtied it.

At no stage did I ask these people to put themselves forward to control our destiny. They chose to ask for my vote, & filled the ether with their words. They all had the same chance to earn my respect, & even affection, if they did a good job, & told us what they believed.

Until I detect some respect for us coming from Canberra, it's a bit rich to ask us to offer our respect

When some of them know they can not get my, [or others] vote if they tell me what they want to do, & chose to lie straight faced, to deceive us of their intentions, they have blown all chance of ever getting my respect, or I expect the respect of most of us. For you to now decry our lack of respect for these cretins is rather foolish.

When it gets to the stage where you can't believe a single word coming from these people, the only thing we can feel for them is disgust. Disgust is hard to swallow. When it makes up throw up, those who caused the feeling are bound to get splashed.

If there were any justice these people would have disappeared under the mountain of disgust they have caused. That they haven't is disgusting in it self.

So please try your suggestions in Canberra, respect is one thing that must come from the top down

sonofgloin,

I used to feel the same way about a former (still-beloved-by-many) PM who was quietly known for his anti-Asian racist tendencies while a Cabinet Minister, his frequent reference to aborigines as "boongs" in private conversation and he damaged many aspects of my life with his regressive policies.

Somehow his personal flaws were conveniently overlooked by the media.

Nevertheless life goes on if you care to let go of your anger.

In the end they are all just members of the same Party and they and their media and corporate masters are just yanking your chain for their own self-interested purposes.

Do you really think things will miraculously change under new management or will we just swap one set of complaints for new ones?

People dedicating their lives to something they believe in should be congratulated and respected. Self interest is something that drives 99% of the population. Both Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott are desperate for the top job. You don't stab a current leader in the back if you are not desperate. When self interest over rides the good of the people it is difficult to respect that person. No doubt Labour supporters think that applies to Abbott and Liberal supporters think it applies to Gillard. It really is only a matter of degrees of self interest.

At the end of the day the leaders have the opportunity to do what is good for the nation or what is bad for the nation. God will ultimately be there judge and preferably their Saviour. Really like all leaders they are puppets. They can serve God and the greater cause or self and self interest.

I still think you underestimate how hard it is to please all people all the time hasBeen.

How confident are you, given the job, that you would never have to compromise on your principals?

How long do you think you would stay in the job if you never were allowed to change your policy, and never allowed to compromise one thing to achieve another?

'At no stage did I ask these people to put themselves forward to control our destiny.'

And yet you didn't ever put yourself forward. You allowed them the chance by not competing in that race, and further, if you ever voted, helped them in achieving the position.

' if they did a good job, & told us what they believed.'

Yet Gillard said she believed old ladies would not vote for her, so in order to maintain her position to enable her to please some of the people some of the time, you berate her for this honesty.

'When it makes up throw up, those who caused the feeling are bound to get splashed.'

That's quite funny. Kudos.

But did they cause the feeling, or were they victims of a system perpetuated by us, that makes any other method a sure fire ticket to losing their job?

'If there were any justice these people would have disappeared under the mountain of disgust they have caused.'

And be replaced by who? They are people doing a job that displeases many, with the impossible expectation to please people with competing needs and desires, and to make decisions that will be popular on the micro and macro level, and in the near and far future.

I believe that's quite difficult, and I don't think I could do better.

You?