Foxy,

http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/how-to-trash-australias-international-standing-in-three-easy-steps,5902

"The Coalition’s blunderbuss approach to governing the nation and diplomacy has delivered a triple whammy to Australia’s international reputation."

"Their focus in opposition on being masters of spin led to seriously superficial policies. This was certain to find them out of their depth in government. As a result, they have gone from being masters of spin to masters of mismanagement.

The Coalition’s blundering has delivered a triple whammy to Australia’s international reputation. The three major casualties are:

Our regional relationships which were characterised by international co-operation and engagement.
Our world standing as a multicultural nation which is opposed to discrimination.
As a leading achiever in science and an advocate for taking effective action against dangerous global warming."

(Never mind, SM, I know you're allergic to thought provoking and competent analysis - you can go away and read some Murdoch garbage while we're discussing this:)

"Blunderbuss"...magnificently describes the LNP's modus operandi.

Some of our long haired radical ratbags have referenced some utter garbage, but that bit of bull droppings Poirot just posted is about the worst bit of garbage, ever to hit the net.

Do they really think adults will fall for such tripe?

Wow SM, I'm staggered by today's revelation.
SM said; "While Labor was so fond of trashing foreign relationships by indulging in stupid megaphone diplomacy to appeal to the domestic audience, Abbott has adopted the rational approach of constructive engagement." and " I (SM) prefer a government that gets to work to meet its commitments."
Shadow Minister, Does the rational approach of constructive engagement include tapping the mobile phone of the Indonesian President!
ROFLMAO.

Dear Poirot,

Thanks for the link.

It simply confirms what other journalists are finding
and telling us. We certainly won't hear much in
Question Time - where everything is on such a tight leash,
including the new Speaker. Who has declared earlier
that she was going to be unbiased. Ha!
Anyhow - we can always rely on other sources to inform
and -
Once this government will be held up to scrutiny -
all voters may begin to realise just how much has been hidden
from them.

Dear Hasbeen,

Better to be long-haired than short-brained.

Indonesia have recalled their ambassador from Canberra, Wow SM, got to give it to your man Tony Boloney when it comes to international diplomacy, he's the bomb! You got to hand it to your man Tone. I think I prefer Howie in his tracky dacks to this galah. What do you think?
ROFLMAOASTC!

Dear Foxy,

>>Stalin also gave Bertrand Russell a tour of Russia (VIP treatment of course) and Mr Russell wrote an extremely glowing report on his return.<<

Are you sure you are not confusing Bertrand Russell with George Bernard Shaw?

Wikipedia:

In August 1920 Russell travelled to Russia as part of an official delegation sent by the British government to investigate the effects of the Russian Revolution.[43] … In his autobiography, he mentions that he found Lenin rather disappointing, sensing an "impish cruelty" in him and comparing him to "an opinionated professor". “

and

“After visiting the USSR in 1931 and meeting Joseph Stalin, Shaw became a supporter of the Stalinist USSR. … Shaw continued this support for Stalin's system … writing:

But the most elaborate code of this sort would still have left unspecified a hundred ways in which wreckers of Communism could have sidetracked it without ever having to face the essential questions: are you pulling your weight in the social boat? …That is why the Russians were forced to set up an Inquisition …to … "liquidate" persons who could not answer them satisfactorily.”