Dear Josephus,

Talking about opinions. The following link explains:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/mind-in-the-machine/201609/the-psychology-behind-donald-trumps-unwavering-support

Shadow Minister,

"The troucing Abbott gave Labor?"

Well, let's see. He did not win the support of the
Independents to form government. Indeed, the
Independents were scathing of Abbott's approach to
the negotiations - claiming he begged for their
support.

Then we have the Gillard Government's legislative
record which is substantial and was negotiated
through a parliament where they did not have a majority
in either house and often in the teeth of ferocious
media criticism.

Yet it passed and assented over 420 bills
by the Governor-General. It didn't have ANY bills
defeated in the House of Reps where Abbott only needed
to switch two votes to defeat any bills, or to pass a
motion of no confidence in the government.

Abbott was unable
to prevent the government from either implementing
its program, or -
let alone frustrate Labor's ability to govern.

He was unable to slow down the government's agenda or
force an early election. The most memorable moment (as
seen by us all on television) occurred in the chamber,
when Abbott ran out\to avoid being counted in a vote.

You really need to move on and stop embarrassing yourself
with your one-eyed nonsense. It's tiresome.

cont'd ...

Now that he's advising the British government - he may
well trounce them! What will Boris Johnson then do.
Interesting times ahead.

Dear Foxy,

Thanks for that link - it explains a lot regarding the Republican vs Democrat divide (Conservative vs Liberal divide, in US speak), and most particularly explains a great deal about Donald Trump's following':

"Essentially, they’re not smart enough to realize they’re dumb."
"And if one is under the illusion that they have sufficient or even superior knowledge, then they have no reason to defer to anyone else’s judgment."

'Dumb' and 'Illusion' are key words here - fantastic!

A brilliant explanation, and clearly identifies why Biden and Harris really have the job ahead of them.

That link would also provide some telling and much-needed 'illumination' on the 'Trump' and the 'Joe Biden' threads - and possibly even on the 'Preservation of Species' thread.

I am also impressed with this earlier posting of yours on this thread:

".. politics for all its rough edges is a civilised and civilising calling.
Despite all the obloquy shovelled on the head of politicians they are the men and women who work the machinery of our liberal democratic way of life. They reflect public opinion and at their best lead public opinion and transform it into laws that shape our society and our country."

'Obloquy' - such a magic word! Brilliant!

However, your latest posting serves very well to remind us of the absolute failure of the Rudd/Gillard parliaments to achieve anything constructive in the Climate arena or for enterprise, farming, exports, industrial relations or the environment - but did produce overly expensive school halls and a pink batts debacle, and left a national debt overshadowing the Grand Canyon - despite coming in with a very healthy surplus in the bank.

Smoke and mirrors. Nice try at revisionary history.
Anyhow, I have no further interest. See ya.

Dear Saltpetre,

We all know the facts - they are well documented.
An election was lost by the government rather than
won by the opposition. Infighting, disunity, people
get sick of that. However Mr Abbott's legacy is on
record:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-34241486

And what memorable record Mr Abbott will now leave
compared to the post political achievements of our
other former PMs - like Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard,
we shall have to wait and see.

As I said earlier - interesting times ahead.

So you liked the use of "obloquy".

I could have used - "animadversion", "disapprobation",
"deprecation" "disparagement" "excoriation" or any other
word for disesteem or disfavour or dim view. But I also
liked obloquy. (smile).

cont'd ...

Dear Saltpetre,

I love reading your posts and look
forward to reading them.

Please continue posting.