Yesterday I got an 'Application for a Postal Vote' from my local Liberal candidate. I used the Reply Paid envelope it contained to send him a copy of a poster I have in the back windows of my car which reads; 'Trust Howard ! You must be joking !' Not only will he learn how I feel but it will cost him 50 cents to find out.

Peter Leith. CHELSEA. 3196.

Hi fellow liberals (as opposed to Liberals),

I have been writing a lot of letters recently to politicians and newspaper about a number of issues. I was thrilled to receive a personal response from Natasha Stot Despoja. I was in attendance at the anti war protests and appalled that John Howard had the gall and lack of respect to call us un-Australian and traitors. With demonstrations that exceeded those during the Vietnam war, I expected better. So much for a democratic society.

Having read about the trade agreement between Canada and the USA I am disgusted that we have moved in their footsteps. In Canada after the signing of the 'Free' Trade agreement the US shutdown factories in Canada and relocated them to the US so that Canada not only lost jobs but then had to buy their products back from the US. The US are already considering this process for Holden as Utes are becoming more popular there and if this trend continues to increase they have talked about shutting down ho

Can you believe we've still got five weeks of this to go? Murdoch commentators generally agree that Howard won the first week of this election campaign, while Fairfax journalists reckon it was Latham. Either way, ever get the sense that there isn't a lot being said of substance by anybody at all? Our faltering democracy is locked in a battle of set-pieces and increasingly American style showmanship. Reporters are generally incapable of moving away from the he said/she said dynamic, leaving viewers and readers with the feeling that politicians fundamentally underestimate us, the electorate.

NHJ continues to believe that this election is the most important in our lifetime. As ever, therefore, the most challenging and provocative analysis ain't the mainstream media but online, such as Tim Dunlop's at Road to Surfdom, including this gem on the Murdoch newspapers campaign against the Greens.

It's time li

Hi Margo, you big star!

I am the envy of my friends, because when I bought 'Not Happy John', my local bookshop let me have the last of their 'Not Happy John' bumper stickers. It's in pride of place on the back of our car, and it raises quite a few eyebrows here in our electorate of Ku-ring-gai, believe me. ;)

Now, my friends really want a sticker on the back of their cars too, and who can blame them? I've been toying with scanning the cover of your book and making stickers myself, but I'm afraid that if I use regular sticky paper to print them out, I might be causing long-term damage to my mates' car duco. So where can I get some stickers?

And where can we get badges and t-shirts? I know at least twenty people who'd wear them with pride every day between now and the election. Sure, we can make them ourselves, but you must realise how strong the market for these is.

[Note: I've had a reply from Margo's brother Hamish telling me that I can get the above from John Valder'

Dear Gaye,

You might like to try the Greens, as you've tried everything else!

http://www.vic.greens.org.au/content/

I've been a member for a few years and have found them to be open to discussions, keen to have member input and are really dealing with the big issues: how to live justly and fairly on a planet with finite resources.

Cheers
Fran

I had almost given up

I will be happy to accept enquiries from people wishing to actively support Brian Deegan in his 'Not Happy John' Campaign against Alexander Downer in Mayo. You are not required to reside in Mayo to support this campaign.

All offers of assistance will receive a supporter registration form which will be then forwarded to Brian Deegan's campaign office.

NHJ!(HA): Thanks Neville. We are being flooded with emails asking what to do. If anyone else wants to suggest activities for NHJ!ers in specific electorates, please do so here.

Have just read through the Not Happy, John site after skimming through the book. I have to agree with the fullsome praise of many of the correspondents - we need a 'lightning rod' to channel the political angst!

Congratulations to all concerned and a special thanks to Margo for her ongoing efforts in keeping the bastards, if not honest, at least true to their words.

On Monday, I read how Murdoch's Press, The Herald-Sun with the help of the Liberal/National Party done a hatch job on the Greens, helped along by Alan Jones on Channel Nine breakfast show on Monday morning.

To this point I have a DVD documentary from the USA called 'Outfoxed' (see www.outfoxed.org).

This documentary also reveals the secrets of Former Fox news producers, reporters, bookers and writers who expose what it's like to work for Fox News. These former Fox employees talk about how they were forced to push a 'right-wing' point of view or risk their jobs. Some have even chosen to remain anonymous in order to protect their current livelihoods. As one employee said 'There's no sense of integrity as far as having a line that can't be crossed.'

I have permission from the producers for a public screening. So if anyone knows of a place where I can organise a screening, let me know.

Hi, I live in the electorate of Moore, would like to correspond with like minded people with a view to spreading the word.

Hi, Margo et al.

First and foremost, I'd like to thank you from the bottom of my increasingly cynical heart (watching the unfolding of this election campaign will do that to a person) for giving me something to finally hang my political hat on. (Yes, that was a split infinitive. No, I don't much care.) And I've only read the introduction of Not Happy, John! -- the Great Whomever knows how I'll feel by the time I get to the end of the book!

I have for some years been lamenting the impending death of democracy, as I see representativeness not-so-gradually decaying among our political and bureaucratic institutions. Reading John Ralston Saul's wonderful book Voltaire's Bastards is giving me words and concepts for what have been until lately merely gut feelings about the way in which we are being manipulated by media-savvy career politicians (and bureaucrats). Your book, I have every confidence, will take that process a step further by giving me a more specifically Australian p

I'm looking for people who'd like to get involved in Dickson.

email mail@nothappypeter.com

Monies owed to wheat farmers from several years ago -know the one? The debt that was promised to be paid back to the vendors i.e. wheat farmers and some 20% has never been. The Federal Gov has refused to pay the balance - OK I personnally agree with that part. However, I have been told that all monies from the banks in Iraq have been shifted to American bank/s and for the money to be released each payment has to be ratified by governments other than Iraq. Am not sure, cannot find orginal source to confirm, anyone out there know something?

Given that there is so much sophisticated spin layering JWH attacks on the Westminster system, the Australian people's bullshit detectors are being snowed. It's a bit like the aluminium foil dropped by allied aircraft during WW 11 to confuse German radar. Can we suggest bullshit detector maintenance call out service (magnetic sign for the car door with tax exempt status) or alternatively a 1800 number to a group therapy session.

Betty Cuthbert yesterday released balloons with the names of each of the Vietnamese Refugees imprisoned and detained at Christmas Island. Betty the 'Golden Girl' of Olympic fame had earlier in the week written to the PM and Immigration and Justice Ministers asking for their release.

This is a bold step by an Australian Icon, that she did not take lightly. It was motivated by her meeting with 5 of those released on TVP's and her belief in the freedom to run from persecution.

The Justice Minister could only respond on news that night that he had not recieved her request, which was untrue.

The voice of the people will be heard, despite the pathetic reporting of this event in the West Australian Newspaper on 3/9/04. The Journalist trivialised issues of incarceration and justice in Australia