Another year, another polly on the ropes over expense claims. Sussan Ley has been on the receiving end of a media pommeling and the collective wisdom is she’s been a naughty minister. She has been dispatched to Coventry and the view is she should settle down and grow accustomed to her new home.
As an observer of various entitlements farragoes over the years, I think Ms Leys’ spending puts her in exalted company, somewhere between Peter Slipper and the guv’nor, Labor’s Mal Colston. Spending $21,000 in a week or so on transport is extraordinary. I didn’t even think it was possible. With those frequent flyer miles, you can forget about the carrot sticks and chardy in the Qantas club. It’s foot-long lobster subs and Moët by the schooner. Hell, they’ll get you your own plane. Maybe even let you fly it.
The Minchin Protocol always sounded like a bad novel and now as it comes to its denouement, it is about as satisfying as an EH Holden Mechanics’ manual or anything knocked out by Clementine Ford.
Full column here.
Patrick Smith has done it again, he’s a headline looking for a story.
Having rightly copped some flack for his article on James Hird, he comes out gunning. A perfect example of hubris is Smith defending his reference to those treating Hird’s post traumatic condition as “boffins” beggars belief. He says the term refers to experts, so hands up to anyone who uses the term with such reverence. Old farts who have lost contact with reality would be closer to common usage.
Sometimes I think Smith and Caroline Wilson are in a marathon of stupidity with their editorials on Aussie Rules. Seems like Paddie has taken the lead. As for timeliness and sensitivity, there has never been a bigger dickhead. And for what purpose?
Lou o TOD
Well done, could not have said it better myself
I haven’t followed that particular controversy but I must take issue with your use of “boffin”. My understanding is that it is British wartime slang for military scientists or technicians and has no particular negative connotations. The Collins dictionary appears to support that.
I’ve always regarded a ”boffin” as an expert. Apparently some of the commenters over on the dark side took it to mean idiots. Well that figures.
I thought the article from Smith was on the defensive side. Back-pedalling, but not back-pedalling. He should have just shut up. He had had his say
Ask Wiki mate, it first began as a sailor’s expression of joking contempt.
Closely related to egghead, nerd or geek.
But read on: the complete quote from Wikipedia (in turn quoting “Life” magazine): “the term ‘boffin’, which first began as a sailor’s expression of joking contempt, has become instead one of affectionate admiration.” The article also says the term has “more positive connotations” than the words you mention, but IMO even those are fairly affectionate terms these days.
In fairness, the article says this positive connotation continued into the post-WWII period but “by the 1980s boffins were relegated, in UK popular culture, to semi-comic supporting characters, such as Q … and the term itself gradually took on a slightly negative connotation.” But I still think you are overstating it.
Yeah we’ll that sorts it out John, not.
Differing opinions are fine, I don’t agree I’m overstating the phrase from my experience. The further from the centre of influence, the more derogatory it becomes.
Back to the point. Why in gods name would Patrick Smith make such an insensitive remark?
There has been some concern that Trump was going to scrap ObamaCare. Lots of condemnation.
Well I see he is saying that everyone in America will have care.
He also intends to get the cost of drugs reduced – and that’s about time too. The price of drugs comes close to extortion at times.
So maybe everyone needs to take the deep breath and see what happens? He may surprise and right some wrongs – especially towards the deprived. In the end he would not want to be seen as a failure. That’s not his style these days.
Okay he’s different – that’s for sure. Unlikeable – yes maybe.
I don’t see the point of criticising his wife either. She is actually fairly typical of a lot of American women – and I’ll stop there. And she may be a very nice person.
I’m not waving a big ”I love Trump” banner. I’m being phlegmatic…..
Provide us with the policy he is going to replace it with? Oh you couldn’t find one? Because it doe NOT exist. He cannot start up a Medicare or National health Service because the Republicans will oppose it as socialism. Provide us with the details of is medicine policy you talk of. Oh nothing there either? It does not exist.Good to see you keep yourself ill informed.
No one knows what his plans are Dismayed. As I said. I’m prepared to wait and see before ranting on.
Do you know they are not going to work? Provide the proof then
What sort of Politician removes a working system without having one ready to go? You said he intends to reduce costs. Well show us the plan, details, policy? Oh there is none. But that is ok according to you. Those 20+ million people will have to wait an see and hope they don’t get sick or injured. these are the same people who voted for him What sort of person supports a politician without knowing their plans for the country? An ill informed one.
X 4:55PM
Very gut X! Dis why we recruit you for propaganda department. When all people are dyink from climate change we can be blemming the terrorist redical Greenies for stopping Jeppenese whale killers from killing all whales and saving the world.
Some people saying nobody believe this but I am saying if people so stupid they thenking AGW is not real then they believe any effing tink. Actually, they do believe any effing tink.
Please to be putting up more links and pictures of melting ices which cannot be believed.
All the best to you. Henry.
Alert JB, your keyboard is pissed.
Non! Extraordinary think happened! I began cogitating on the manipulation of public opinion and Henry Kissinger invaded my consciousness, took control and made me write that.
For the cricket tragics calling out Shaun Marsh’s unfortunate injuries, how about Peter Nevill’s effort last night, being cleaned up behind the stumps by Brad Hodge’s follow through that let the bat go. Now that is Frank Spencer right there.
It seems the early call of a broken jaw has proved not true, but he looked a sore boy heading off the ground. It could be the first case of not out, hit wicketkeeper. Or wicketkeeper out, bat handled.
Sinodinos as Health Minister? Good move that. We can’t cop a minister that wastes taxpayers money flying around looking at investment properties again. Arthur wouldn’t do that – at least not on purpose. On past form his biggest problem seems to be explaining where the money came from rather than where it went.
That depends which Arthur Sinodinos you’re talking about.
The Arthur Sinodinos who was paid $200K for 40hrs a year to sit on the Board of Australian Water Holdings knew the money was going somewhere. And the Arthur Sinodinos who was the Treasurer of the NSW Liberal Party knew it was coming from somewhere. But those two Arthurs don’t know each other, so they never put two and two together.
There was also another Arthur Sinodinos who had never heard of the developer-friendly Free Enterprise Foundation, the largest donor of freshly-laundered funds to the party whose Finance Committee he chaired, but I’m pretty sure he’s never met the other two.
There may be more Arthurs yet to be discovered, but however many there may be, if one of them gets another shot at a ministry, it might be a good idea for all of them to have regular catch-ups to get their stories straight. I hear they have nice meeting facilities on the Gold Coast. They could all fly up in a twelve-seater, and I know a pilot who’s looking for work.
Seenodonors.
Jean Baptiste (17 Jan, 5.42am)
cc. Dismayed
In the ABC’s World Today report you breathlessly posted re the chaps that had earned a few bob more than the rest of us, I also noticed the report included the news of the death of the last man to walk on the moon, Gene Cernan, aged 82.
It was one of the side bar articles and I’m surprised you appeared to have missed it JB, Especially given your keen interest in all matters lunar.
It was far more interesting and important than seemingly whinging and whining about a bunch of so called rich blokes.
I think Malcolm X was spot on when he said – “Envy blinds men and makes it impossible for them to think clearly.”
CotC you again highlight your blinding hypocrisy and need to misrepresent comments . I am definitely NOT envious of the Billion or more people who struggle to survive and provide for their families each day. 8 people hold more wealth than half of the worlds population, 3 people hold more wealth than one third of Australians. Do you see this as the way to further society? Is this the christian “charity” you, when it suit you, want to judge all comers by?
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should eh Carl? God works in mysterious ways?
Or in straight language , “F**k the starving I’m alright Jack! ”
Nobody has walked on the moon Carl. And no-one is likely to for decades if ever.
Don’t insult me, I’ve been around the block too many times for wide eyed children’s “Lets pretend games”.
You can be a rabbit for Kissinger if works for you. , it’s not my thing, so leave me out of it if you don’t want a flea in your Floppsy ear.
Best wishes, your old mate JB who can see straight through your nonsense.
Minister Canavan is again misleading the Australian people making claims that demolishing and then building new coal fired power plants will cut the Nations Emissions 27%. The government own modelling and data shows it is cheaper to build new renewable power generation not to mention the Maximum modelled reduction for his outlandish claims is 12% at the most. He is either the most incompetent Minister or believes he can lie to the Nation. I say both.
Links to the data Dismayed. Otherwise it is just your opinion.
JS I have told you before I am not your research assistant or receptionist. Today you could try the front page of the Australian. Yesterday several other outlets were running the Auditors report. As usual you all you have is to be the opposite and opposing view for the sake of it. By the end of the day you will be hitting out against the ongoing debacle that is your coalitions farce. Out of your depth.
JS. Oops wrong article. The above still applies. Open your eyes get off Breibart and actually enable yourself to read and comprehend something that does not confer you already held bias.
JS get some one to explain this to you.
https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/97a4f50c-24ac-4fe5-b3e5-5f93066543a4/files/independent-review-national-elec-market-prelim.pdf
https://www.lazard.com/media/438038/levelized-cost-of-energy-v100.pdf
Or else they can go Qld’s way and target a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 – which they know is completely unattainable – even before they start trying to pay for it.
But like the NDIS funding nonsense – that I note you have backed away from. All pie in the sky stuff
When are politicians going to realise that it’s better to be honest.
That’s what Trump is at the moment – and the world doesn’t like it one little bit. Heads firmly in the sand.
Okay JB – before you pounce – yes, he’s wrong on climate change. but I think he’s right about shirt fronting China. Obama was very nice. So was the family – but there are many who regard him as one if the weakest presidents ever.
The NDIS was fully funded. Go and check the 2012/13 budget. The only “head in the sand” is yours. Queensland electricity prices spiked all last week at over $400 per mw hour. It is currently about $168 per mw hour. 3 times what is in SA who has all that terrible voodoo renewable energy. I am surprised many here were not screaming about the price hike, oh that right it was coal powered so that is ok. Go and have a look at some of the reports posted. It is already cheaper to build renewable generation. You are correct for once Queensland will not get to 50% by 2030 but they will be on the way. Just like copper coal is last centuries tool. Like the plough behind the cow it has been replaced. It is only those wanting to stop humans from progressing that want to stop the growth of renewable. Australian investment in renewable last year was better than the rest of the world. there is a recent report that shows 90,000 jobs could be created by the Queensland 2030 goal alone. A lot more than the maybe couple of thousand by continuing with coal in that period. That is before you even look at environmental and air quality benefits. Clean coal is as much a con as trump is. For you to state trump is “honest” say a lot about you.
Any thoughts on the Josh Cartwright ride?
gobsmacked.
three months?
they’re kidding.
Gryzly….only that he must have had a complete brain snap. His career has to be over.
Love does strange things to a man.
Ask Razor.
Mack the Knife says never trust a jockey or a half back.
Yvonne 10 00pm.
While Trump in the news lately and talking point around , we the open public must not prejudge that he will automatically fix America up ,he may even stuff it up as I see it. I think you are right on your selection of Trump the villian at large . I have not yet developed confidence in Trump knowing the volatile media and world events of virulent consequences ahead.
Trump maybe a little bombastic or even ludicrous at times ,but a smart hostile apponent to deal with . his pragmatism in advancing ahead is imperitive for the Americans . I think this warning by Bassman is appropriate at a time American politics must have support by the media now that their game is up on crucifying him. If he fails , well lets just express our opinion that he stuffed up . But fallacious media attacks prejudging him as Jacksprat says can lead to Trump having vindictive consequences that will surely hurt. Trump the way I see him ,will take revenge as seen in some circumstances. As for these media cruel events Bassman says that took out on Rudd and Gillard , he does not forget these times . Well look at TonyAbbott who suffered media castigation having media poor their vile over him.
This back on Trump , lets just cool down till we see if he fails or delivers then judge instead of getting all into harrassing and ridiculing each other . Lets not forget Americans wanted change with services dying , more jobs needed . Time will tell is he fails or delivers .Lets leave the “hate” out ,decide later on hoping media this time can straighen their bias out this time in America while telling it as it is.
Reverse order Jack – well done.
Interesting problem – if you want to a reply to an entry then the comment box is under the entry.
If a new comment is required, one has to scroll to the bottom. No problem in a Windows Browser.
Is there an option to “Add” a new comment that can be put up the top?
How is your new toy, the NBN, going. Have you run Ookla, the speed test app, on it yet?
I have a technician here as we speak and hopefully he can sort this. Have been using mobile broadband but the trouble is around here the network can get clogged at times which makes net surfing etc almost impossible. For now it’s fine but hopefully I will be an NBN guy very soon.
I noticed that, JS. I will check it out.
Ask your technician this for me Son. My Laptop will not bring my network list up re wifi/modem. A list of everyone’s in the street does except this machine. 4 other computers in the house (tablets, phones etc) have no problem having the ISP come up in the list. All up, technicians have spent about 11hours trying to fix it. I have Googled everybody on the net that has had the same problem and applied their tricks-sad café still.
How old is your machine Bassman and what operating system are you using.
windows 95 does not hack it anymore
The WIFI modem needs updating Bassy
A few dollars on gumtree will see you right
Reinstall Windows 🙂
That’s a great change in the blog order Jack. Thank you.
In relation to JackSprat’s issue, you may remember I suggested once the blog order was reversed, there needed to be a toggle button on the side to take you to the bottom of the blog, as for the one there now taking you to the top.
This would fix the access to a new comment box.