I'm not sure what bearing this might have on the election results but it is extremely interesting to observe
No offense intended to you bnwt, I don't hold your political leanings against you and neither should you hold my opinions against me. Like MM, I tend to vote on the issues not the Party. Both sides have much to offer and much to criticise. Do we agree on that much?
But seriously, Tony Abbott as Prime Minister? Fair Dinkum? Please, I would have preferred Turnbull actually. At least he offered an intelligent and untarnished alternative perhaps. But Abbott? Even Costello would have been a MUCH better candidate. And to think Hockey also ran for the leadership position? Is that the best they can do? And yet they criticise the present Govt ? *shreak*
Nevertheless, while it might be interesting to observe ignorance in action, I doubt the misinformed prejudices of the vocal minority online will have much impact on this election. The only poll worth worrying about is therefore, the Federal election itself, where we all get to vote on who we think represents reality, not fantasy. Bring it on I say.
I just spent a few hours at a going away party for a local business couple who ran the town Post Office, and who threw a bash at the pub for their customers and mates.
There I met a woman who I considered to be an 'elder', and who I spent an hour with, talking about this very issue. She's a wise old owl, with a great deal of history to share, and which I listened to with great interest. She was born before the second world war and even as a young girl, remembered all its refugees, right through every other war since, and to a different war now and just as many refugees. You could see the look of 'same shite different day' etched on her face. Some things never change do they? War = refugees.
She's seen much more than I, but in this issue of 'boat people' hysteria as an election issue (as unbelievable as it seems), we had to agree, that it stands to reason that (as with every other war before it) the Vietnam war produced huge numbers of refugees, and the current war in the Middle east is also producing refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan. So MM, you are right on the nail with that observation. It is Vietnam all over again isn't it? Why are we there exactly?
Similarly, the neverending civil war in Sri Lanka has produced hundreds of thousands of IDP's who all want to flee what they see as tyranny. We have no part in that one, but we can't ignore the 'push' factors if we want to solve the issue of 'Tamil Boat People' can we?
MM, no offense but for the sake of a few Tamil Tigers amongst the refugees (politics we really don't have a first hand knowledge of), should the Tamils themselves (as an ethnic group) be abandoned? The present Govt is apparently no better from what I've read mate. Hey and that's only two of the countries housing massive numbers of IDP's & refugees. There are around 26 current conflicts Worldwide, with huge numbers fleeing those conflicts. sheesh. wouldn't you? We only get those who can reach our shores. Not a huge problem for us is it? Hardly an election issue is it? I think Mining is MUCH more important in this election don't you MM?
Nevertheless, in the 'boat people' issue, these are the 'Push' factors that Abbott is trying to ignore and underestimate at Gillards expense, just to get elected? And then what ? toughen the borders against refugees in contradiction to our Humanitarian obligations under the UN? really?. Who would seriously consider doing that?
The previous generations never did. Don't we have an obligation to help solve the fall out & CIVILIAN casualties of a war we have and still do take part in for our US allies? Or are we part of the problem? Is that Australian? surely not. We should be hammering the US to help clean up the mess they've created and help their allies resettle these people as we all did after the Vietnam war. JMO.
As you also observe MM, No policy, or 'political spin' is going to solve this problem, (or the mining issue) there is no 'quick fix', there never has been. As long as there are wars, there will be boat people if they can reach our shores and anyone elses. As long as there is mining they will try to dominate us and our Govt to gain access to our resources at the cheapest possible price. They don't give a shite about the destruction they leave behind. (See Gulf of Mexico for a snap shot of what can happen in the name of profit)
Just once, I'd like to see a woman take the helm. I think many will give Gillard the benefit of the doubt, and see if she is able to take a longer term (realistic) approach to issues like refugees, mining, environment, economy, equity for Australian people, hey even the estimated 105,000 Australians sleeping rough each night. Let's not forget our own backyard full of Aussie IDP'S with no refugee camp to call home.
As I've said previously, I think Abbott could learn a lot from Malcolm Frasers approach to the same problem. At least he has REAL experience in these types of diplomatic negotiations in the face of a mass exodus of refugees of war. He would lend credibility to this debate at least, but Abbott relies on Howard? please. Who's really being elected here? A defacto Howard Govt? It's a humanitarian crisis, not an election issue. Shame on all of them.
