Dear Hassie,

Now I know that you're simply stirring
by feigning ignorance of The Brisbane Times.
Have a nice evening.

Cheers.

Dear Hasbeen,

“I promise not to disturb you.”

Lol.

Normally when facts are posted in your direction the default response is always bombastic froth but I didn't expect that. Come to think of it do you ever post links or even supporting evidence? I can't recall many.

Well I suppose if you are a man of your word then this is indeed a blessed day.

Perhaps you are after more time to attempt to get 'sweaty' with Foxy, not too excited about your chances old fella.

Dear Foxy,

It is interesting how Hasbeen and his mob don't mind stirring but hate it being returned.

As to Queensland a massive swing against Newman's Liberals in the recent by-election was really telling. I think an Abbott/Newman combination is turning stomachs even for conservative Queenslanders. We don't generally go through too many years with power staying in the hands of the one party at both federal and state levels at the same time.

Interesting times.

Dear SteeleRedux,

Interesting times indeed.

Many people seem dissatisfied with the current political
situation at present - on all sides of politics.

I've
been able to watch "Question Time," recently.
Nothing has changed. It's the same tit-for-tat.
Here in Melbourne we've got state elections later in the
year. They've changed the electoral boundaries in our area
and the excellent Liberal MP that we had has now lost her seat
and is looking for another. She was such a hard worker - and
we're disappointed in the loss. Hopefully the Party
will find a place for her - we need good people in government.

Steelie, Hasbeen's really a lovely bloke,
and has a good heart. I enjoy sparring with him and he's
never seriously mean or nasty.

Foxy,

Regarding Question Time not being much different.

There is one singular difference - and that is the elevation of Bronwyn Bishop to the role of Speaker.

You'd have to travel a long way to witness a more diabolical, partisan and biased performance...she's quite something.

Not only does she fumble about, but she's even taken to warning members before they even speak their point of order. She often dismisses points of order before the member has even begun to make them.

She's inconsistent, and will allow the govt to say things that she shuts down in the Opposition.

If she's a bit tardy in her dismissal of anything regarding the Opposition, her teacher's pet, Chris Pyne, is immediately yapping in her ear.

While the sitting govt has always had the upper hand in QT, with Bronnie presiding, it's now a complete farce.

Dear Foxy,

I will take your word for it about Hasbeen.

I had felt he was rolling out patronising terms of endearment as seems to be the de rigueur toward female posters on OLO so I was just returning the favour as is my want, easily tempered forthwith.

Speaking of us 'clowns' who watch Youtube have you caught up with http://24hoursofhappiness.com/ ? It has been a collaboration between Pharrell Williams and the UN to celebrate World Happy Day and to raise money for UN humanitarian causes. The idea is to create a 24 hour long music video from contributions from all over the globe set to Pharrell's Happiness song. It is drawing to a close now.

This was a submission from Sydney. I love the way it celebrates our diversity and the energy we seem to have going in this country despite our federal government.
http://youtu.be/TpQNu7hXxmY

I know it will bring derision from the old fart brigade on OLO, so be it. I see the youth of today being full of new possibilities for a different future and hopefully they will impact our politics rather than sidestepping it as they seem to be doing now.

Dear Poirot,

I agree 100 per cent with you on Bronwyn Bishop.
I'm totally amazed that she's been allowed to
get away with her biased behaviour. Surely there
must be certain codes that even a speaker must
adhere to and there must be action that the Opposition
could take to protest. She should not be in that
position. Being over 70 perhaps she should retire?

Dear SteeleRedux,

I share in your optimism about our young people.
The ones I work with are very interested in many
important issues and are getting involved.
But then that's not surprising - having people like
yourself as role-models guiding and working with them -
you make a good team. ;-)