Tag: John Lord

Informed Comment

Know your place – » The Australian Independent Media Network

“Know your place” is a phrase used in the past by members of the Liberal Party when they observed, in their view, members of the Labor Party acting above their station.

The lessons of the last election should have left an indelible scar on those involved in the Luddite politics of the past decade. Have they not understood that the people, in their judgement, said they had had enough of their rancid unempathetic behaviour? Yet they go on unmoved as if nothing transpired while trying to give the Leader with a public image of a racist bigot a personality transplant. Queensland excepted.

But the attacks led by the Opposition leader Peter Dutton could have a fatal effect on the proposal. He knows that history tells us that without the support of the opposition, the referendum won’t pass. That is unless the people vote as they did in the election and decide to confirm their thoughts of May 21 2022, with a resounding yes vote that shatters conservative negativity for decades to come.

Source: Know your place – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

The year ahead – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The real enemy of neo-conservative politics in Australia is not Labor or democratic socialism. It is simply what Australians affectionally call “a fair go.” (John Lord )

Source: The year ahead – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Ideas for a better democracy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australians are sticklers for tradition when it comes to our Constitution. Despite 44 proposed changes, only eight have ever been successful.

Source: Ideas for a better democracy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

A comprehensive to-do list for Labor in 2023 – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The year 2023 will be a hard slog for the government. Perhaps a momentous one in terms of urgency and necessity. There is no point in prioritising one over the other because they are all critical.

Source: A comprehensive to-do list for Labor in 2023 – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

2023: A year of change, of progress – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The fact that the people of Australia almost lost faith in our system of Government is unsurprising. To say that we were ambivalent about our politicians was an understatement and that we were ashamed of them was undeniable. We still are with some.

However, 2023 presents the Government with a unique opportunity to continue with the policy agenda introduced in the last half of 2022 and right the wrongs of Howard, Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison. Never has a government inherited a more incredible mess but never has a leader come along who is more capable of fixing it.

Source: 2023: A year of change, of progress – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Does conservatism have a future now that liberalism is down for the count? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The first thing I asked myself before commencing this piece was, does conservatism have a future? By conservatism, in this instance, I refer to the philosophy practised by the LNP over the last decade or so. ( John Lord )

Source: Does conservatism have a future now that liberalism is down for the count? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

We may find a way into a better future by looking at our past – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Life is about doing things, not having things (but it’s probably too late now). ( John Lord )

Source: We may find a way into a better future by looking at our past – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

It was a week before Christmas, and these things caught my eye… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

His evidence was continuously in conflict with that of others before him, quiet’ sharply at times. He denied he knew-was told that this new method of debt collecting was illegal from the start or at least five years before the courts reached that conclusion

Really, as the Minister of three departments, overlapping robot debt over time, “nobody ever told him.” Couldn’t lie straight in bed is a term Australians often use.

He then got stuck into those public servants he thought should have told him but didn’t for whatever reason.

 

Source: It was a week before Christmas, and these things caught my eye… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Opinion

Letter to the editor from Morrie Moneyweather Jnr – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Anyways I was writing to tell yous that Dad passed away on May 21 this year but I have been waiten for the right moment. Anyways it looks as though the moment has passed so the shock will be won’t be as much of a jaw dropping moment to yous as it might have been. You know what he was like about getting it “alright.”

Just what he wanted me to tell all you left wing latte sipping loonies of the proletariat. You vodka drinking Bolsheviks who can’t afford a decent bottle of Merlot without any intelligence, like a lot of things, is, beyond me.

You know Barnaby was right about you lot just a lot of commies .The thing is, you commies don’t understand the fundamentals of conversation. The free market and capitalism. Conservatives (LNP) believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty and traditional values.

Sorry I got carried away in the moment. I’d ask for forgiveness if I knew how to spell it.

Source: Letter to the editor from Morrie Moneyweather Jnr – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Please don’t ask the LNP about their future until they come out of denialism first – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Presenting facts to people who have reasoned by their feelings that they are right is futile. (John Lord)

Source: Please don’t ask the LNP about their future until they come out of denialism first – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

To be truthful, “sorry” is a word so hard to say – » The Australian Independent Media Network

When you think there isn’t much to write about in politics, the system spews out an avalanche of year-ending scandals, policy decisions, election results and reports.

Source: To be truthful, “sorry” is a word so hard to say – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment, LNP

Promises, Promises, Promises – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The Model of LNP Promises

What’s a promise or, more specifically, an election promise? Is it a guilt-edged set-in concrete commitment made during an election campaign? What if the circumstances change after the campaign making it impossible to fulfil? Is a promise a legal commitment? Is it nothing more than just a proposal? Tony Abbott said this about promises

Tony Abbott said this about promises before the 2013 election

“It is an absolute principle of democracy that governments should not and must not say one thing before an election and do the opposite afterwards. Nothing could be more calculated to bring our democracy into disrepute and alienate the citizenry of Australia from their Government than if governments were to establish by precedent that they could say one thing before an election and do the opposite afterwards.”

That is an unambiguous promise that one couldn’t take any other way than how it is written or spoken.

Yet:

“The day before the 2013 election, Tony Abbott said there would be no cuts to education, no cuts to health, no changes to the pension, no changes to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS,”

Source: Promises, Promises, Promises – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

A view of Trump from Down Under – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The ability of thinking human beings to blindly embrace what they are being told without referring to evaluation and the consideration of reason never ceases to amaze me. It is tantamount to the rejection of rational explanation. ( John Lord )

Source: A view of Trump from Down Under – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

There’s always something to write about – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The political writer’s life was much easier when the previous government was in power – almost a scandal or some form of corruption every day. We didn’t have to think much about what to write. Now with a more sensible government in power, we have to think more deeply about what keys our ever-sensitive fingers hit.

But that is not to say there isn’t anything to write about; here are a few examples.

Source: There’s always something to write about – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

We have gone beyond the point of no return – » The Australian Independent Media Network

What in the intellects of seemingly reasoned people would render them incapable of rational thought? It is a question I have constantly asked myself over the past decade as we slowly descended into the consequences of an overheating planet. Inevitably, I do so more often as I approach my final years.

As one day seeps into the next, the world as we know it weeps in protest, fighting the pains of its rape by nations uninterested in saving it.

Source: We have gone beyond the point of no return – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

If you believe in God… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I saw the following words on Facebook and noted that the author was unidentified. However, further perusal revealed that they were highly sage in content. As my enquiring mind would dictate, I decided to digest the words and see if they were sympathetic to my journey. I separated their thoughts and married them to quotations from my writing. My thoughts are in quotes and I haven’t attempted to expand on the person’s writing; instead, I have allowed my quotes to speak for themselves.

Source: If you believe in God… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Power for no other reason – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

In the recipe of good leadership, there are many ingredients. Popularity is but one. It, however, ranks far below getting things done for the common good. ( John Lord )

Source: Power for no other reason – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

A Budget that will marry economics with the common good – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The common good, or empathy for it, should be at the centre of any political philosophy. However, it is more likely to be found on the left than the right. ( John Lord )

Source: A Budget that will marry economics with the common good – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Racism and all its ugliness (Part two) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

John Lord is much too polite in his summary of Andrew Bolt whose career has been built on sensationalism and muddying the waters of real journalism, news, and information while trashing us as a society with a somewhat belief in universal human values and rights for years. Bolt’s even admitted to being a lazy journo and it’s why he became an obit writer. To escape the work and verification involved. Basically, Andrew Bolt has been a privileged a-licker in News Corp’s corporate world and been handed a megaphone to argue he’s “free” to be a shit and citizen who can say and promote whatever he wants in our democratic and civilised society without consequence. Yet in the same breath, he complains he’s been treated unfairly and demonised for being a champion of civilised, mannered and polite debate in leftist boganville. Bolt from his platform of privilege freely spits on Australia’s multiculture, our diversity, and even the means by which we search for truth declaring science simply another fact-less religion.

Bolt has fundamentally made it clear he hates Melbourne and lets us all know he does. Whether its fo for theatrical emphasis, showmanship or money it doesn’t matter does it? The man has spent years complaining us and Melbourne and Australia have returned the feeling. So much so that Bolt hides and even holidays outside of the country whining he and his family walk in fear. He’s living proof that hate begets hate and it shows in his ratings that aren’t really even “his” but are shared ratings with others in the Murdoch stable and they’re either shrinking or small in this land of 25 mill.

Bolt is a self-made idiot. An isolated man who dreams of retiring to an Amsterdam barge one day. There was no mention of his family in that dream. Or the fact it’s a city twice our size and the problems he claims he hates here. Basically, Bolt wants to hide from people and count his money read books written by others look at paintings and listen to opera in the bowels of a boat. It’s a very very individual thing he has going to be paid by a corporation that does much the same globally for money. News Corp has simply abandoned journalism, news and information in exchange for cash for propaganda, influence and putting lipstick on pigs.

My thought for the day

Why do we, as a supposedly enlightened society, need to enshrine in legislation the right to hate each other? That isn’t enlightenment at all. ( John Lord )

Source: Racism and all its ugliness (Part two) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Racism and all its ugliness (Part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The recent accusations of racism against the Hawthorn Football Club had the same effect on me as it has on many other occasions. I have experienced it in numerous forms. I love my country, but the truth of it is that racists walk among us.

Source: Racism and all its ugliness (Part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Put niceties aside, Albo – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I was immediately taken aback when I read that the Opposition was negotiating “in good faith” with the Government for their support in introducing the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC).

Good faith sounds more like bargaining for an exemption from the obvious. At first, I thought I was mistaken.

Source: Put niceties aside, Albo – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

More of the same – » The Australian Independent Media Network

1 Here are a few jaw-droppers that are guaranteed to shock you. They are not of my pen, although I have written about many of them. So, if you thought you knew it all, you didn’t. Indeed, their unworthiness may surprise you to the point of embarrassment. I know the list surprised me, and I like to think I’m on top of this stuff. Revelation is but one step away. Click this link: Achievements of the Coalition Government.

Source: More of the same – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Trump is out of office but not out of mind – the legacy lingers – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The Liberal Party has always been a party of elites and would-bes. The idea that economics and society are intertwined is abhorrent to them. Economics is the domain of the wealthy and privileged, and culture belongs to those of class and privilege. ( John Lord )

The stench of Donald Trump’s presidency still lingers around the United States of America, dispersing itself on the populous with a dulling effect. It is a rotten rancid odour that inhabits not only the United States but also the world.

Would-be right-wing dictators are increasingly taking over countries that were once stable democracies. These leaders all have one thing in common: All sought power for themselves under the pretext of improving the lives of the marginalized and the poor.

Democracy is threatened worldwide by authoritarian despots or dictators who deny their people a genuinely democratic vote.

Source: Trump is out of office but not out of mind – the legacy lingers – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

What angers me most is the bloody secrecy and the belief that you can get away with it – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

In the recipe of exemplary leadership there are many ingredients. Popularity is but one. It however ranks far below getting things done for the common good. (John Lord )

Source: What angers me most is the bloody secrecy and the belief that you can get away with it – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

The inevitable question arises: Should we have an Australian as head of state and become a republic? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Our lives have become controlled by the noise of the mass media. The sad thing is that we listen. (John Lord )

Source: The inevitable question arises: Should we have an Australian as head of state and become a republic? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Just ousting Morrison and his cronies alone improved the tone of our governance, but is it enough? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They make the most of everything they have.( John Lord )

Source: Just ousting Morrison and his cronies alone improved the tone of our governance, but is it enough? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Stage three tax cuts: Are they justified? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

 

My thought for the day

The basic test of any nation surely must be the manner in which it treats its most vulnerable.( John Lord )

Source: Stage three tax cuts: Are they justified? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Restoring trust in the political system after a political hatchet job – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Re-establishing trust in Government is one of the essential things the Albanese Government can do.

Until Morrison came along, I considered Tony Abbott to be the most extraordinary liar ever to walk the plush green carpet of the House of Representatives. He, however, proved to be amateurish alongside Morrison. So good was his lying that he took it to heights never before witnessed in Australian politics.

Now with an inquiry into the duplicate ministries scandal and a Royal Commission into Robodebt, the Coalition thinks it’s all a hunt to discredit Scott Morrison, and we should “move on” from all the cock ups they ever made.

John Howard advised Tony Abbott that it would be foolhardy to implement Royal Commissions into Pink Batts and the Unions because, in the future, such actions might turn around and bite you on the bum. That is precisely what has happened.

 

Source: Restoring trust in the political system after a political hatchet job – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Guilty of lying to us, or just omitting to tell the truth? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The ability of thinking human beings to blindly embrace what they are being told without referring to evaluation and the consideration of fact, truth, and reason never cease to amaze me. It is tantamount to the rejection of rational explanation.

We would be a much better society if we took the risk of thinking for ourselves, rather than allowing ourselves to be manipulated and obstructed by the unadulterated crap served up by the media, self-serving government and self-interest groups. (John Lord)

Guilty of lying to us, or just omitting to tell the truth? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Scott Morrison – a man for all reasons – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The right to vote is the gift that democracy gives. Suppose a political party is not transparent in supplying all the information necessary to exercise this right. It is destroying the democracy that enables it to exist. ( John Lord )

Scott Morrison – a man for all reasons – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

What is your ideal society? Do you have a view? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Ask yourself: Does the democracy we have make you feel good about your country?

PS Your thoughts on an ideal society, please.

What is your ideal society? Do you have a view? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Restoring a democracy that the Neo-Cons butchered – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for today

People like Andrew Bolt and Alan Jones, who write and comment outrageously based on payment for controversy, will eventually pass on as Gough Whitlam did. They will be quickly forgotten, but he will go down in the annals of Australian history as a decent, optimistic, passionate and sagacious Prime Minister who made an enormous contribution to Australian society. Something they could never aspire to do.(John Lord)

Restoring a democracy that the Neo-Cons butchered – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

By the People and for the People: a Fairer Tax System and Stronger Economy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thoughts for the day

Never in the history of this nation have the rich and the privileged been so openly brazen.The rise of narcissism and inequality and the demise of compassion illustrate the state of the world.( John Lord )

By the People and for the People: a Fairer Tax System and Stronger Economy – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Question Time, a referendum, boats, more corruption and other matters – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

 

Nothing matters more in life as to live it decently. And you don’t need any form of religious belief or political allegiance to do so. Be as humane as you can possibly be.( John Lord )

Source: Question Time, a referendum, boats, more corruption and other matters – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Damning words and how to use them to tell the story of Morrison’s downfall (Part two) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The government’s words and actions questioned the essence of the word truth. Or they at least devalued it to the point of obsolescence. ( John Lord )

Damning words and how to use them to tell the story of Morrison’s downfall (Part two) – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Damming words and how to use them to tell the story of Morrison’s downfall (Part one) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The Coalition Government’s performance over its time in office had been like a daily shower of offensiveness raining down on society. Surely performance or lack of it must have meant something.(John Lord )

Damming words and how to use them to tell the story of Morrison’s downfall (Part one) – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

We have a conundrum: The Greens want to flex a bit of muscle, and Labor wants to exercise its authority – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

In terms of the environment, I wonder what price the people of tomorrow will pay for the stupidity of today.

(Often repeated since 2013) ( John Lord)

We have a conundrum: The Greens want to flex a bit of muscle, and Labor wants to exercise its authority – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

A new beginning for the Left and good riddance to the Right – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Since 1910, non-Labor governments have governed for two-thirds of the time and Labor for one-third.

In their governance, the right has attracted a proliferation of odd xenophobic people who have sought to plaster their thoughts on every parliament wall, from religious extremism to coal is good.

The true Liberalism of Menzies is now dead and buried and has been replaced by a brand of Conservatism unique to American politics. The Liberal party exists in name only.

 

Source: A new beginning for the Left and good riddance to the Right – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Will the Opposition achieve relevancy? Only time will tell. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Without a single thought or platform of their own, the LNP under Peter Dutton’s leadership is grasping at Republican strategies in order to regain power. It’s not for Australia’s sake but simply for their own benefit. Like Dutton the strategy is entirely unoriginal or relevant..

My thought for the day

The ability of thinking human beings to blindly embrace what they are being told without referring to evaluation and the consideration of reason never ceases to amaze me. It is tantamount to the rejection of rational explanation. ( John Lord )

Source: Will the Opposition achieve relevancy? Only time will tell. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Opposition to continue recycling old policies, while the government gets on with the future – » The Australian Independent Media Network

1 Apparently, after being soundly defeated at the election, the Coalition still thinks there is mileage in continuing to oppose climate change while supporting coal. This sort of talk takes us back to the Neanderthal age. It’s flat Earth stuff.

Source: Opposition to continue recycling old policies, while the government gets on with the future – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

The difference between manners and civility – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Meanwhile LNP Senator Hughes is outspoken in the media and acting as if it were Question Time calling the Australian Teaching Profession Marxists. Sounding like a an American Republican Trumpster she’s attempting to bring full blown “culture wars” to Australian politics. However, all she is doing is demonstrating her’s and the LNP’s ignorance. In her best un- Woke fashion Huges wants the Australian teaching profession cancelled, demonstrating she hasn’t a clue what even the term Woke means when demanding our children need to be taught what’s right rather than develop the skills of learningand assessing what’s right for themselves.

One of the promises the new Prime Minister made during the election campaign was to create or recreate a more civil parliament and, for that matter, a more tolerant and reasoned society. Most would all agree that we want our politicians to put their better minds to the problems confronting us. We want the screaming and disrespect to end.

The difference between manners and civility – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Dutton, Speers, and that pathetic interview – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I regret that I’m compelled to write again about the Leader of the Opposition. In what was an interview about the past, he told us everything about the style of leadership we can expect from him. Let’s call it “Liberal Negative” to give it a name.

Dutton, Speers, and that pathetic interview – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Only Labor can implement the much-needed change we need – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day Sometimes wisdom jumps a generation. Well, we can always hope. ( John Lord )

Source: Only Labor can implement the much-needed change we need – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

About “Boofhead” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day It is far better to form your own independent opinions relative to your life experience and reason than to allow yourself to be blindly led by others. ( John Lord )

Source: About “Boofhead” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

From being horrible in government to being hypocritical in opposition – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day Often life is an experience of random unidentifiable patterns and indiscriminate consequences that don’t always have order nor require explanation. The more we relate to others, the more we get to know ourselves. ( John Lord )

Source: From being horrible in government to being hypocritical in opposition – » The Australian Independent Media Network