Hasbeen: "No thinking, intelligent person could possibly, rationally, blame the new government for the recent sinking of a couple of boats."

You are such a sad case Hasbeen, grabbing the wrong end of the stick as usual. I am talking about the many drownings during Labor's period in government, where the LNP had no real principle against the Malaysian solution but opposed it for purely political purposes, it is now revealed.

You call me a hater. I can only say that although I was not fond of Abbott before, this exploit has tipped me completely. If your hatred for Rudd, Gillard or anyone whoever else ever had the temerity to lead Labor, was as deep as I feel right now, then I now understand the depth of your hate.

So people drown trying to get to Australia, so what?

We aren't forcing them to risk their lives and no Australian has any reason to feel contrition because of these deaths.

The deaths are the sole responsibility of the adults who chose to take the risk.

Dear Luciferase,

I sometimes watch "The Drum," on Channel 24.
I did last night, and they had the panel discussing
this very issue. A few of the commentators pointed
out that politics was like a play - with the politicians
acting out their various roles. That it was basically
entertainment and drama. That in Opposition Mr Abbott
had a different role to play - his role was to bring
down the government. Which he successfully did.
Now his role has changed - he's the Prime Minister,
and his role is that of a statesman, his rhetoric has
to be diplomatic and calm, toned down, et cetera. He's
been given a different script.

It will be interesting to see whether Labor in Opposition
will follow suit from what Mr Abbott did - whether they
will use his tactics to also bring down the current
government or not. It appears that some of it has already
started with all the publicity on the Liberals
"rorting" of taxpayer's money that
been currently dug up and attracting media attention.
What else is on the agenda? This is only the beginning.

"Italy has declared a national day of mourning after a boat packed with African migrants caught fire and sank off the island of Lampedusa, killing at least 130 people."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-04/italy-delcares-national--mourning-migrant-boat-sinking-lampedusa/4997856

Australia's reaction to drownings, tough titties.
How sad !

cont'd ...

I forgot to add that neither side of politics has
anything to be proud of regarding asylum seekers.
Both parties competed with each other for the
cruelest, harshest policies on asylum seekers -
whatever was done the Opposition matches the
unshakeable determination to return all boats to
their origins and neither side discusses the moral
cost of maintaining a network of prisons - not only
the cost involved, (and now involving the navy) but
the cost to the asylum seekers. Yes, drowning at
sea is a tragedy and a heavy price to pay - but so
have been the policies of our governments to date.

Abbott has as much backbone as a 'slug'. Talked the big talk in opposition but as soon as he was confronted with the problems of leadership he goes to water.
Luciferase is spot on with Abbott, a month into his reign and what has he done, offered mealy mouthed apologizes to both Indonesia and Malaysia for any "misunderstanding" on their part about what he said in opposition on asylum seekers. Its a long way from Canberra to Djakarta and Kuala Lumpur but regardless of what pathetic spin Abbott tries to put on his past statements, the folks up there heard him loud and clear the first time.
Lying comes easy to Abbott, he will have to spend hours in the confessional box next time he fronts Archy Pell.
A bit of light reading about the bloke we have as PM.

http://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2013/09/15/tony-abbott-and-his-friend-cardinal-george-pell-perceived-bias-for-the-royal-commission-into-child-sex-abuse/