I have just finished the chapter 'A day in the Life of Our House Under Siege' and had to stop and check my Blood Pressure. I have only once recorded a higher level and that was half time in last years World Cup Final. Fortunately my BP returned to normal shortly after the game. I was able to accept the Poms victory as fair and square. I am sure the venting of some my energy in this comment will allow me to contain my BP continue my reading.

The anger for which I had for JH prior to reading the NHJ had obviously been noted by my son in recent times, consequently the fathers day gift was well chosen and enormously appreciated. I have not been able to put in down all day until the above mentioned chapter, my rage become so intense it became a positive health risk to continue.

I was captive reader from the first sentence of the introduction,'I voted for JHW in 1996'.It is the same admission I feel I have to make in any discussion with friends or family regarding the state of the politics in the last 8 years. I think it is part of the guilt I still feel for contributing to the embarassing outcomes thrust upon us by JH.

I can only thank JH for one act in his whole of term. That was the action taken to restrict firearms in the community. I have no doubt that, whichever party was in power at the time would have acted similarly, however credit where credit is due. There ended my support for JH.

I commend you Margo for gathering all the facts and putting it together in such a readable form. The book should be compulsory reading for all voters before 9th October.

I strongly believe that governments lose elections and it is difficult to imagine the 'popular press' turning against Mr Howard. In reading your chapter on the media, the election is unlikely to have the fairness in the outcome as the World cup contest.

My greatest hope is that Mr Howard loses to the very decent Mr.Wilkie in his own seat of Bennelong.

Col Cadman