Its my party and I'll lie if I want to!' (The Rodent)

Robert Manne has written an excellent article at:

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/22/1093113050895.html?from=storylhs

A very articulate and thoughtful piece on critical problems that face us as a nation when the players do not play by the rules and where Howard and co clearly believe they are above the rules. The lack of balances in powers is woefully apparent under the Howard government with its routine abuses of truth, power, and privilege. Instead of humility we get ever growing arrogance, cynical government in the extreme and utter disdain for the voting public of all ages.

Today brings further insults to the intelligence of anyone over 50

Election day is looming and NHJ was greeted last weekend with the re-emergence of our book on the Top 10 Non-Fiction best-seller list. In bookshops in Melbourne and Sydney, NHJ is still kicking goals.

AUGUST RESULTS

Number 5 @ Readings in Melbourne

Number 1 @ Gleebooks in Sydney

Number 3, Non-fiction @ Abbey's in Sydney

Number 7 (all books) @ Better Read than Dead in Sydney

I'll be running an election blog for the Sydney Morning Herald and Age newspapers for the duration of the election campaign. It's called Counterspin.

The aim is to get behind the news, analyse media coverage and debunk the inherent biases in reporting.

Get on board.

John McDonald of Bindaree Beef is backing challengers in National Party electorates. Bindaree Beef has already held meetings with local people in Roma, Taree and Gympie.

Check out this article in the AFR on July 29, 2004 titled

Let's work together for a country we can be proud of again.

Kate

Check it out

It's the one two from the bottom.

Also, according to NHJ!er Peter Jull, Arena magazine (no 72, page 79) has a piece answering Margo's section on NGOs. I can't find a link but check it out if you get a chance.

Thank you Margo for your stimulating book.

I read it on my plane trips from Queensland to visit and care for my ailing 90 year old Dad on the Blue mts NSW. He served in the Middle East and on the Kokoda Trail and understands the futility of war. He is not impressed with Howard's Australia or our involvement in Iraq, a war that will never be won.

I grew up running free on the Blue Mts and later spent 7 years working in Tasmania, climbing mountains and joining with thousands of others to attempt to save Lake Pedder.

Having now lived and worked as a Land Surveyor in Queensland for 30 years my vote has gone to John's team a few times. No more! I just hope that Australians will think long and hard about the big and honest picture and not be swayed this time by a few extra dollars from John.

My vote will be 1 The Greens for our fragile environment, compassion, community and anti war.

Last Night in New York, Kabarett Voltaire. By John Shand September 7, 2004 ? Ground Zero ... Wednesday Kennedy talks the walk. Seymour Centre, September 4 Aeroplanes flying into skyscrapers. Images of everlasting horror. The impossible made real, and the world changed forever. The attacks of September 11, 2001, touched us all, even here, 22 nervous flying hours from the epicentre. After the twin towers of the World Trade Centre were reduced to rubble, the public response was left to George Bush and his cronies in America and around the world. Talk about compounding a tragedy. The exception was the performance poet and actress Wednesday Kennedy. Originally a Sydneysider, Kennedy happened to be in New York that day, and for the next month she filmed, recorded and interviewed her way into the heart of the trauma. The results have been edited and interspersed with her delivery of a live, spoken-word component - part poetry, part reportage - for a package running about 50 minutes.

Following Margot Kingston's lead, we can ask candidates to address the fundamentals of good government/ governance. Here's a possible formulation:

There are many of us who want radical (in the correct sense) alternatives to the

As we all know, a major focus of this election campaign is economic performance & interest rates, & so far we've seen plenty of attempts to scare people about interest rates.

I've been looking for some information that summarises both the Fraser Government's economic record (in which Howard was treasurer) in terms of interest rates, inflation etc as well as something on housing affordability to put the arguments of the benefits of low interest rates in perspective.

Here's an article that raises a few interesting points in a very simple & understandable way I think the parties opposed to the Government need to raise to properly inform voters:

This may or may not be related to the Free Trade Agreement between the USA and Australia, but here are some figures relevant to age pensioners:

At the end of 2003, prescriptions under the PBS scheme were $3.70 per prescription. In January 2004 each prescription went up to $3.80, an increase of about 2.7%

In August 2004, somewhat unexpectedly, and in another of the Howard blows to pensioners, the prescription charge went up to $4.40, an increase this time of 15.8%.

Who has noticed, and who has commented on this?

Not stupid, John!

Hi, I've made some Anti-Howard t-shirts for the election out of this image, Howard in the Guise of Che. If anyone would like some mailed to them, I would be more than happy to do so. You can contact me at: bentleykf@hotmail.com. Thanks:

-niall campbell

Margo,

This book is a blistering and searing account of politics in Australia today, and how democracy is very quickly deteriorating.

I guess I'm sick and tired of hearing Liberals banging on about how they're spreading democracy for everyone to enjoy and embrace.

THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

And I guess I'm also tired of hearing Liberals whinge and sook about why they're always portrayed as mean and nasty and uncaring. We're living in a country where Howard and his cronies have clearly taken us to the dogs with their arrogant, mean-spirited and self-serving policies.

HE DOES NOT GOVERN FOR ALL OF US.

People need to quickly start understanding this.

OUR DEMOCRACY IS UNRAVELLING.

This book is an alternative form of opposition to the government in such a crucial juncture of our political lifecourse. It is books like this one, and others such as Bob Ellis' Night Thoughts and David Marr's Dark Victory that inform the public about the goings on of such a cowardly

Our site has been flooded with emails since the election was called. Many of them are from people empassioned by Margo's book asking, 'what can we do', or 'is there a NHJ group in my area?' One of the most succinct was, 'Could you please tell me the best method of joining politics?'

So I embarked on a wierd journey. I sent out a post to our mailing list suggesting that people email me their electorates and contact details they would be willing to share with others in their area. The response has been great, and since then I have been corresponding with and talking on the phone with many varied people who just want to know what to do.

Our email is defendingourdemocracy@yahoo.com.au . Email me with your name, electorate and contact details you would be willing to share with NHJ!ers in your area. Do so if either, a) you want to find a way to help / start a group, or b) you have an ideal way for NHJ!ers to help in a particular electorate.

We do need all hands on deck, the