Hi Foxy,

The best that can be hoped for from the recent allegations made against those within the Australian parliament is that a cultural change will take place. Its a lot to ask when you have high powered people with an equally high powered sense of entitlement. The lack of a real complaint mechanisms is not by accident, but related to that sense of entitlement that politicians and others in parliament have, the notion that they are special people and know best.

Morrison does not inspire me to believe he favours real cultural change, he has a very conservative attitude towards women and a driving ambition for himself. A dangerous combination for those not empowered to think that he would instigate independent change on their behalf. The last thing Morrison wants is some independent investigative mechanism that is beyond his control. Such a mechanism would be political dynamite. Imagine clandestine discussions taking place behind closed door, beyond the political control.

See. Foxy can be shamed into at least pretending to be even-handed on this. She's even named some of her heroes here. Wonders of wonder.

As I've pointed out before, the real misogynists in this area are those who want to use women to further their agenda. We have people like Paul and Foxy who look at an accusation and determine whether to believe it or not based on who is being accused.

If its someone or some group they dislike, then the accusation and the accuser are immediately and unconditionally believed. If the accused is someone or some group they like, then the accuser is dismissed or ignored.

Shorten accused of rape based on zero evidence and they politely look the other way. Porter accused of rape based on zero evidence and they trip over themselves in the rush to credulity.

If they truly sought to support women they'd treat each case in the same manner. That they don't proves that they don't really care about the supposed victim, just how the supposed victim can be used to advance their agenda.

Foxy and Pauliar,

As you two are hard-wired to completely believe anything claimed by anyone that reflects badly against conservatives and disbelieve anything that reflects badly against left whingers your comments are like a broken record.

That Banks makes a whole series of allegations that are all vague and unsubstantiated should set off any rational person's bullsh1t detector.

Hi Paul,

I agree. Unfortunately I also can't really see things
changing in Canberra under the current government
where the Boy's Club is so deeply entrenched. I will
keep on hoping and fingers crossed though - that with
enough pressure - and possibly quotas - things just
may improve.

What is interesting (and bewildering) is the clear display
on this forum by some male posters. For example - no matter
what I may post, or how I may argue - attempts will be
made to try to "shame" me into "pretending" to be even-
handed while they are anything but even-handed themselves.

It's absurd that these same posters will always support
conservative males no matter what. They will take the words
of these men at face value. Men like Christian Porter,
Craig MacLachlan, et al. Of course Mr Shorten is on the
wrong team. Cardinal Pell isn't.

Yet take Julia Banks - and you get the description of her
as a "rejected and bitter woman." Go figure.

And of course the only man they'll keep dragging up
consistently is one they dislike. If these guys were
balanced and rational and really concerned about things they
would treat each case in the same manner. That they don't
proves that they do not really care about the supposed
victims (esp. female).

If Julia Gillard our former PM was to have walked on water -
these guys would declare - "See she can't swim!"

Perhaps it's a cultural thing or their upbringing. They
may have had very strong dominant mothers (or wives). Went to
private all boy schools (- without much female contact) -
hence their attitudes.

What they don't realize is that just because they choose
labels for women - doesn't mean that these women will
choose to wear them.

Sad really.

cont'd ...

Shadow Minister,

I still have high hopes for you.

Well Foxy, you have as usual got it very wrong. I have never taken sides in these unevidenced assertions of sexual assault.

Indeed in this forum I have stated that I fully support the way the Shorten allegations were handled. Fully support. That's because, unlike you, I don't approach these things based on political considerations. Shorten may have been guilty but there was no evidence sufficient to decide. Equally Porter may have been guilty but there was no evidence sufficient to decide. But people like you want the two cases to be handled entirely differently because of politics.

Similarly I think the O'Bryne example is a disgrace and that what he did shouldn't have raised a yawn let alone ended a career.

But taking these stances requires looking past politics. Clearly you are incapable of that.

__________________________________________________________________

Remember Michael Avenatti? He was the lawyer who represented Stormy Daniels in their attempts to destroy Trump. He also represented Julie Swetnick in their attempts to destroy Kavaugh. I seem to recall people on this forum were rather fond of Avenatti because he was fighting the right people. (No names mind you but the initials of one of these admires was Foxy).

Well Avenatti has been fighting charges of fraud and theft. Hilariously during the trial he opined that Stormy Daniels was a liar and not to be trusted - Trump proven right again.

Anyway, Avenatti has now been found guilty and will be spending the next decade or so in prison. Will the usual suspects learn from this....not a chance.