Belly, so are you saying you approve of these morons and misfits we have, calling themselves, politicians.
Because from what they have done and the actions and decisions they promote and install, they fall well outside the terms of reference they are meant to abide by.
Once upon a time you would refer to them as 'The Honourable, The Minister'.
There is NOTHING honourable about these con-men.
If you dis-agree, others would say, 'that's fine' and move on, I cannot and will not.
Those who do not challenge such obvious wrongs, are facilitating them and their reign of theft and deception.
You believe in a republic, well the reason we are so incensed and repulsed by the idea is that it will open the 'flood gates' to a more aggressive and conniving group of candidates, who know full well that without the Monarchy to watch over us, they have all the freedoms and none of the risks.
Perhaps this may give you a better understanding of where we are coming from.
Even you cannot reject my reasoning based on what I have just written.

Belly,

So I'm old and dithering and I lack comprehension and reading skills so please, please help me and tell me the benefits of a republic that you have listed.
Have pity on an old man, and tell me also where and when I insulted you, I can't find that either and I'd like to give you my humblest apologies if I've insulted you in any way.

I await your kindly and helpful reply.

ALTRAV just a thought, did you notice that post was so much better than what is your normal,
I must admit my behavior has not been good, you bring out the worst in me, without much effort.
Ise Mise, well your self description old man tends to flatter you, after making every effort to get along with you my thoughts are very much worse than your own .
A SIMPLE QUESTION REPUBLIC OR NOT?
yes or no, not pages of insults a pretence you have not seen time and again, my list of benefits
Australians who are not british, just maybe, do not share your view and your mates that a silly old lady sitting in England owns my country/control my government both you and your verbal support team thinks she does.

in that case to stop people thinking like that becoming a republic will be good so you will no longer hold that view

Belly,

The flattery was all your's when you described me as an old worn out strainer post.

Strainer posts are stalwarts in that they help to support all the others, to be likened to something that had always done its job, stood up to the vicissitudes of life whilst always remaining steadfast and true is really a compliment an' I thanks ya.

I am agonizing over my possible insults to you so please put my heart at rest and tell me when and where I insulted you,
and also tell me of one of the material benefits of a republic that will make life better for me and my fellow Australians.

Don't torment me so, as soon as you tell me these things we can bring this long thread to a conclusion.

Please don't hold out any longer.

Belly,

"A SIMPLE QUESTION REPUBLIC OR NOT?"

Now that is indeed a simple question; if you can't be bothered telling us all the benefits of a republic that you have listed, then just give the page number on OLO, because, honestly I cannot find one benefit that you have put forward.

You continue to say that I have insulted you yet you will not tell me, and everyone else, where and when.

Not good enough.

the thread continues
not as a debate but for another kind of baiting purpose
I stay around only because leaving will find some charge me with being a coward
is it worth while, baiting I mean
opinions are free, we each are free to have them.
in truth this country will debate this, well within the next ten years, people on every side of politics have both possible views
yes or no the voters will make their minds up, what ever the out come our history will remain, that part of it not challenged by the very real enemies of us all the PC brigade