otb,

That particular website contains the transcript of an
interview that Mr Shorten had with Jon Faine.
I chose it simply for that reason.

The transcript
deals with many issues that
most people would be interested in and it shows
what Mr Shorten stands for. Therefore in leaving
this discussion I thought it would be appropriate
to include it.

Of course I realise that no matter what I say -
you will persist with false accusations
and smear tactics.

Mr Shorten explained:

"Real patriots don't try to justify or excuse
their nation's flaws and failings and anachronisms.
They get on and fix them. True patriots don't
shrink from historical truth. They welcome it,
they learn from it. True patriots know that until
a nation includes everyone in its history, in its
society, in its economy - then there is always
more to do..."

Mr Shorten is not the only one who thinks this
way. Malcolm Fraser agreed with this.
Peter Costello agreed with this. Peter Coleman
agreed with this. Denis Napthine agreed with this.
Sir Robert Menzies agreed with this.
Malcolm Turnbull agreed with this.
Julie Bishop agreed with this,
and so did many, many, more, on all sides
of politics.

You obviously have a different opinion.
However, your opinion is not my reality.

I do not hate
white Anglo- Irish Australian men.
I grew up with an Anglo-Irish Australian parish priest
who was and is - a part of our family.
He performed my wedding
ceremony, and has always been and will continue
to be - a part of my life.
I love this country. But - I do not believe in
justifying or excusing our nation's flaws and failings and
anachronisms.

I do not believe in shrinking from
historical truths. We learn from them and we should try
to fix them. I also do not believe in trying to invalidate
the migrant or our Indigenous people's experience.
As Mr Shorten and others have pointed out - "until a
nation includes everyone in its history, in its
society, in its economy - then there is always more to do."

Foxy, for someone who doesn't have a particular barrow to push, it's interesting to note that of 43 previous comments on this discussion, 23 have been yours.

Dear ConservativeHippie,

And out of all those comments what political
barrow precisely was I pushing Sir?

Or because I started this discussion was I
merely trying to keep it going and trying
to broaden it. That's usually the obligation
of those who pick a topic for discussion.
At least in my opinion.

Cheers.

The 'Bill Shorten is better than Tony Abbott' barrow, Foxy.

Foxy, yesterday you declared this discussion has run its course. Today you use the excuse of countering every opinion that differs from your own as "... I started this discussion was I merely trying to keep it going and trying to broaden it. That's usually the obligation of those who pick a topic for discussion. At least in my opinion."

There is a difference in feeding the discussion and hammering home your point at every opportunity. We knew where you were coming from on day one.

Dear ConservativeHippie,

No. I have not stated that Bill Shorten is "better"
than Tony Abbott. I have clearly stated that none
of us really know Mr Shorten. And that I was critical
of Mr Abbott's behaviour - and that as a tax-payer,
and a voter I was entitled to be.

However, if as you state that you knew where I was coming
from right from the start. Then your mind it appears
has been made up from the get-go no matter what I say.
I can only assume that you are therefore only interested
in condemnation, not explanations - therefore I see no
point in any further discussion with you. Whatever floats
your boat old chap. I shall leave you to it.

Cheers.