Dear Banjo,

I hope that I'm not "bigoted".

You've had quite an influence on me on certain
issues. So, my views aren't set in concrete.
And especially in politics, I tend to change my
mind depending on what makes sense to me.

I guess though that we may interpret things in
different ways. In other words we tend to see
things from a viewpoint of subjectivity (an
interpretation based on personal values and
experiences). Each of us is inclined
to perceive facts selectively and to interpret
them accordingly. All of us will be guilty of
some measure of bias - the tendency, often
unconscious, to interpret facts according to
our own values.

Lexi,

With all due respect there is a world of difference between:

"I am merely pointing out that we all are influenced by various friendships, beliefs, and our ideologies." (Which is a generalisation I agree with.)

and

"I have no doubt whatsoever that Cardinal Pell will have a great deal of influence (consciously or unconsciously) on Mr Abbott should he become PM." Meaning that one man holds sway over your future PM, Especially given the double meaning of "influence" in politics.

Paul,

At least TA does not need to consult the aliens before making a decision, which I understand is standard Green's practise.

► 1:47► 1:47
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvYzLIywCiA

579, well dredged from the bottom muck!

That death stare is withering, like a pre-fight boxer's.

The general populace will forget this and many other examples of Abbott's bald-faced lying and intimidation by September 14, but thanks for a great laugh.

Dear Shadow Minister,

We won't agree on this topic.
I've stated my personal opinion and
in this case I prefer to stick with it.
As I see it - Cardinal Pell is a personal friend of
Mr Abbott's as well as his spiritual leader -
and to me that's quite significant. It may also explain
Mr Abbott on being - anti stem-cell research,
same sex marriage, abortion, and so on.
It's these sort of things that make
many people query Mr Abbott's suitability for the job of PM.
You see things differently - which is fair enoough
but that doesn't change the
fact that many voters don't see things the way that you do.

Lexi, have you even been in close proximity to the NT? Try walking the streets of Alice Springs at night. You'll be lucky to make it from one end to the other without being assaulted by a non white person. Visit Coles at night, and you have to step over the indigenous drunks on the ground to get in. And don't try to collect your mail at the PO after the sun goes down, as you'll be putting your safety at risk. The security people in town are fully uniformed and heavily armed with necessary protective devices, and their overt presence makes one feel like Alice Springs is a Gulag.

The indigenous people in the NT need educated, informed, civilised, non indigenous people to help them break away from their maladjusted, violent, drunken lives. Many of them can barely speak English. They can't help themselves.

Go there, venture out after sunset, open your eyes, and see what's actually happening. The romantic, southern white trendy view of indigenous people there is simply not accurate. The NT indigenous people are in a state of utter collapse.