Australian political changes and US political foolishness

[tcpip]

It seems that the West Australian Labor government has been re-elected by the skin of its teeth. A very cogent explanation of why the election was so close by crankynick basically blames a poor Labor campaign, although the Liberals were helped by astoundingly biased reporting from the West Australian newspaper. In a very sensible effort to shore up what has become a particularly unpopular government, the Labor Party in New South Wales has finally rid itself of the pro-privitisation treasurer and Premier; the former was sacked by the latter and then the latter was sacked by his parliamentary colleagues. I have hopes that Nathan Rees and Carmel Tebbutt will be able to 'do the right thing' and regain the trust of the NSW public.

Far to the north and east, the U.S. political landscape received a shockwave of sorts when Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain appointed Sarah Palin as the Vice-President nominee. This self-described "bulldog with lipstick" has come with a lot of attention, with her viewpoints on banning books, teaching Creationism in schools (but not comprehensive sex eduation), and opposing abortion in nearly all instances. What is remarkable about the choice is that (a) it shows how much the Republican Party is still under the influence of the fundamentalist religious lobby which seeks to impose their narrow worldview on the American public and (b) how irresponsible, divisive this choice is which, yet another sign of how completely unfit McCain is for the office of President.

In my own life everything is going very well. Ran a good game of RuneQuest on Sunday (Borderlands, Jezra's Rescue for those who know such things), and have received some excellent endorsements for RPG Review. Have been dealing productively with a number of work issues relating from everything from a particular Drupal module, HR and motivation issues for administrative staff (I've decided that our new administrative staff should at least do our Introduction to VPAC Computing course to give them a better sense of what we're on about), to dealing with some unprofessional behaviour from a software vendor.

Comments

[tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com]

And aren't we partying now that Morris Whiney Bastard Iemma is gone.

With the cabinet reshuffle the other day, prior to the lot of them getting the boot, it almost looked like absolutely everyone in cabinet was corrupt and/or completely incompetent. We live in exciting times.

[ironed_orchid]

Has anyone actually called the WA election yet? I thought the Libs and Nats would form a coalition and win... but it still seems crazy close.

The West has always been revoltingly pro liberal, I remember studying bias in the media by looking at how it portrayed ALP and Libs in primary school.

[aske.livejournal.com]

After that Republican National Convention everyone seems to be a little "John who?"... argh. I'm a little disappointed with the way he's changed over the past few years, for a while there he seemed to be the most sensible person the GOP had. And even though this Palin campaign has come out with guns blazing it seems like it could unravel quite easily. Looking forward to seeing how Palin holds up in the firing line of reporters and Biden.

Also, I've never considered myself to be one to buy into all the knee-jerk anti-American sentiment we throw around in Australia, so it pains me a little to say it, but I don't have much faith in the American voting public to dig a little deeper into these candidates (on both sides) beyond the jingoistic rhetoric they'll be copping through TV ads and sound bites. There was an interesting column about the election in The Age today, I think it was sourced from The Guardian, you might've come across it. Can't remember the author or the title for the life of me, though.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

The West? Biased? Say it ain't so!

The West actually took "the national newspapers" (including the Sunday Times) for not picking a winner. It's a disgrace.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

Your math? Nonsense.

According to that link:
Labor - 25 (likely)
Liberal - 22 (likely)
National - 4 (likely)

There are two independents - Bowler (ex-Labor, corrupt fuck who should be hurled from the steps of the parliament by the Sgt at Ars) and Janet "Liberal" Woolard.

Unless you expect the Nationals will suddenly overthrow decades of tradition I make that Labor 25, Coalition 27 and Independent 1.

That the Greens got a vote TWICE that of the Nationals and no seats is a tragedy.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I see my PM used a loophole to call an election early. He's scared that a surge in the polls for Obama will hurt Conservative chances for a majority government. So the election was called after the US election, yet will happen sooner.

Was wondering if you ever poked about on Moorcock's Miscellany, where the US election is also being discussed on the forums, and where we're also well-wishing Mike and Linda, neither of whom are in particularly good health at this time. :(

[taavi.livejournal.com]

The book banning thing is an urban myth, apparently.

value 4 $ ?

[decrypt-era.livejournal.com]

another sign of how completely unfit McCain is for the office of President.

What do you think of the idea that Republicans want to lose this one?

[tempusfrangit.livejournal.com]

Get me OUT OF THIS COUNTRY.

[idyllic.livejournal.com]

What the post-convention bounces show is that Americans have a pretty short term memory. Obama did spectacularly after his convention, and now McCain bounced right back. Neither one will last. Minor slips, trips, and blunders will take place before long. I think Palin is very liable to say something mind-blowingly stupid, so it's best (for her) to say it sooner rather than later. Anything that happens in the week leading up to the election will have the greatest effect. That's why they're trying to shield her from the media. This just shows how insecure Republicans are with her, and how unbelievably irresponsible they are. They know she's just a time bomb of mistakes waiting to go off. It's sickening how she allows herself to be used and treated this way. Makes the whole "will women vote for her?" argument even more laughable.

In the end, I don't think adding Palin to the ticket is going to make an earth-shattering difference. VP's never do. If anything, it will come from the perception that John McCain is a moderate "maverick" and Obama is a loony lefty urban elitist black Muslim man.