tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post7758833961208929348..comments2023-09-06T22:30:02.061+10:00Comments on The Knight & Drummer: The Taverner's VoteAmfortashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-61613785081981580462013-08-20T10:50:00.440+10:002013-08-20T10:50:00.440+10:00You can force a man to the polls but the marking o...You can force a man to the polls but the marking of the paper is secret.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-82655047048200002552013-08-20T08:57:08.344+10:002013-08-20T08:57:08.344+10:00I often wonder if it should be Compulsory to vote ...I often wonder if it should be Compulsory to vote over here, but all I think that would achieve is more spoilt ballot papers.<br /><br />A couple of years before our last General Election in 2010 I got involved in an initiative (with a local action group) that was called 'Make Your Vote Count'. The initiative was countrywide. The main aim was to get more people interested in voting. <br /><br />The idea was tested out on the local council elections (and refined for use at the General Election). Every candidate was contacted with a set of questions regarding local issues and public services.<br /><br />The engagement from the prospective candidates was as to be expected. The ones who were confident they would get elected and the new wanabees got in touch. The others were silent...<br /><br />It was an interesting exercise, but it didn't lead to a greater engagement in the voting system.<br /><br />The Sheeples need to be led, hate it when they are led and don't realise that they could make a difference.<br /><br />CherryPiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788084724907992076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-46577837848895769542013-08-19T12:02:33.992+10:002013-08-19T12:02:33.992+10:00Vodka and orange coming up.
My 'history' ...Vodka and orange coming up.<br /><br />My 'history' is on the left column of the blog. I have been a King, a Warrior and an inadvertently very bad man. The latter consequence was a wound so persistent as to lay me low for many years. I am cured, redeemed, by the foolishness and purity of a younger self.<br /><br />The 'real world' self was a psychologist for 25 years, during which time I entered the Realms of many other people wherein Dragons lay in waiting. I was a dragon -slayer and dragon-catcher. Some dragons need tending rather than the sword. I found many a dragon could be put to the service of a village and heat homes rather than burn them down.<br /><br />I do not know much at all about our Chinese chap. He tells of his evils. He acknowledges them and carries the wounds of shame and regret. His wounds will persist too. They are deeper and more extensive than mine.<br /><br />I too, in this instance, bandy the term 'psychopath'. It is an easy term to apply in his case although I tend now to see him as being overwhelmed by evil. Not a 'victim' so much as a willing slave. In Thrall to evil. It is not a mitigation. He himself says, "my personal responsibility for my own evil actions will never vanish". That is likely to be a well-founded prediction.<br /><br />But the landscape of the soul, Uber, is a strange place and it has been known to have healing pools in the oddest of places. It harbours old hermits who can apply leaves and mosses to wounds and to care for severely wounded men. A Human Being can fall into a deep and dark ravine, out of which he cannot climb. It takes someone with a rope, lowered down, to haul him out. I have hauled many a soul from the Abyss. Hopefully someone can haul his out too.<br /><br />One day too, I hope you can be forgiven for supporting Trudeau Hahahahaha. The rot set in with him. But we were all young and impressionable, even gullible, once. Even me.<br /><br />Enjoy the drink my dear. I have added a slice of clarity.<br /><br />:)Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-48729179952618625262013-08-19T11:39:36.616+10:002013-08-19T11:39:36.616+10:00Yes, please, I would like vodka and orange,please...Yes, please, I would like vodka and orange,please.<br /><br />I believe that someone told me that you were/are a psychiatrist?? Then you will know that the word 'psychopath' is thrown around too casually that it loses it's meaning in the real world. I don't use the word 'psychopath' lightly and not all evil-doers are psychopaths. he obviously is however. No, we are not in a position to forgive him or not, as he has no bearing on our lives but he -and his ilk-lay themselves open to judgement. Do you think this man in particular [ a psychopath] can ever be redeemed? Interestingly, I have a friend who is a diagnosed psychopath....so would value your opinion on that.<br /><br />When returning from the UK 2 years ago, I initially settled in Ontario, Canada, but then moved to British Columbia. BC is almost a hybrid of American and UK culture and politics. Too influenced by both but mainly U.S, I often don't even feel like I am in Canada.<br /><br />Canada has deteriorated greatly in the 13 years I have been gone. I almost returned within a month! :) In my opinion, we have not had a decent PM since Trudeau[ the rock star of politicians- all the girls swooned for him.....me, the most.] I met him once which is another story. :) He did not let the Americans have any influence in our country but every PM since, and especially Mulroney who sold the country down the river in the Free Trade deal, have kowtowed to them too much[as they illegally fish our waters, dump their garbage in our landfills, and suck up our water in the dead of the night and flog their tat in our 'hood, closing out our businesses, cornering their market with their cheaper tat]. I am not pro American, as you can see.<br /><br />I lived in Ottawa many years[ Canada's capital] and dated a political news journalists who worked 'the hill' so I saw and heard a lot. Don't even get me started......lol<br /><br />UBERMOUTHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15428848028109037855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-72238709076377161922013-08-19T10:34:06.042+10:002013-08-19T10:34:06.042+10:00Cherie, the election in Oz are an almost purely Na...Cherie, the election in Oz are an almost purely National affair. Hardly anything 'local' is ever done. Candidates do not do meetings or speeches (other than the 'Leaders'). An A4 pamphlet might be posted to you, By some. You see it is Compulsory to vote here. You MUST go to the polls, which reduces the politicians need to attract you. You have to go and find them. What happens is that people vote for Parties.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-80408366757258872882013-08-19T07:01:31.639+10:002013-08-19T07:01:31.639+10:00I am restricted to voting for the local representa...<i>I am restricted to voting for the local representative that will best serve my interests!</i><br /><br />That is exactly how I felt in our last elections. The candidate I chose has mostly represented the interests of all his constituents.<br /><br />It is interesting to hold a hustings just before the elections to see what the various candidates have to say for themselves. Do you do that sort of thing down under?CherryPiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11788084724907992076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-35174858434593067352013-08-19T01:33:12.161+10:002013-08-19T01:33:12.161+10:00Hi Uber.
Have a glass of something?
Oz politics ...Hi Uber.<br /><br />Have a glass of something?<br /><br />Oz politics is a hoot. Far easier to follow than US or UK. Probably a bit like Canadian. (I don't follow Canadian, but would welcome a 'correspondent' to prop up the bar and tell us the goings on).<br /><br />The Chinese chap had a lot more to say (In the Weekend Australian newspaper, but behind the Great Paywall of Oz). You are right of course. His actions were of a psychopath but remember even Saul (St Paul) was a nasty bastard before he did his day-trip to Damascus. So there is hope yet for our Ying Tong chappie. <br /><br />The thing is that no-one can redeem themselves without first recognising the evil they have done and acknowledging it. It is the first step on a long, long road. The 'right'/humane thing to do is assess the sincerity of the apology and encourage further steps along the road, despite one's inclination to whack his knees and stamp on his feet. Evil actions, even the simple day-to-day minor offences we commit have consequences. Those have to be faced. Some are death-dealing. <br /><br />He did really evil things. You and I are in no position to forgive him. He has not impacted our lives. We can judge his character though. That is about as far as we can go.<br /><br />I would like to hear you views further on this.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-70008530618254856512013-08-19T01:08:04.532+10:002013-08-19T01:08:04.532+10:00I have to admit, I don't follow Australian pol...I have to admit, I don't follow Australian politics. <br /><br />I do think though that any man who can finger his own mother to be shot for political reasons is more than an immature lefty and more likely a psychopath.Not only are those actions horrendous,but that he thinks someone feeble explanation and apology cuts it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />UBERMOUTHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15428848028109037855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-58384656396605962812013-08-18T17:47:18.808+10:002013-08-18T17:47:18.808+10:00I deliberately refrained from posting the critique...I deliberately refrained from posting the critique of either party's mates of their respective leaders. I am sure some on his own side will speak low of Mr Abbott, but they will be fewer and far higher views than Mr Rudd's colleagues'. Nonetheless I agree that the choice is limited and we will be asked to vote for local 'representatives' who will not think at all about representing our views but rather toe a party line no matter how repugnant you and I might feel about their actions or character.<br /><br />Such is our Democracy.<br /><br />Personally I would draw my sword and whack a lot of heads and arses, some with the flat and some with the edge, were it not for my having put my sword under the bar-top and taken up the cleaning cloth. The world and its woes are in the hands of the customers at the bar.<br /><br />Drink up. Chose your Grace as needed.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-43544579292923952682013-08-18T13:10:54.122+10:002013-08-18T13:10:54.122+10:00It is an interesting point of view from a somewhat...It is an interesting point of view from a somewhat weird ex-Labor leader - just one of a litany of peculiar decisions made by the faceless men. And now they have re-cycled another weird leader who has had several cracks at getting it right; and he has changed - hasn't he? Well, he must have. After all, he admits it himself. What I perceive is policy made from the plush leather pulpit of one of our planes, at our cost, with our money being promised to ensure the continuation of more pontification, luxury and privilege and great frenetic activity with no real achievement - the blowfly in the beer bottle effect. I notice that K. Rudd always refers to what he promises - never Labor - always "I". T Abbott always refers to "we" referring to his team. It's an interesting difference. I shall now return to pondering on which politician I am able to afford. After all, just as all of you will do, I am restricted to voting for the local representative that will best serve my interests!<br />Peter H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-36667658215969146972013-08-17T22:17:29.892+10:002013-08-17T22:17:29.892+10:00One can hope. But so far I have seen no effort to ...One can hope. But so far I have seen no effort to combat the rampant feminism and misandry in Oz from him or his mates. It might be too much to ask for when he is about to inherit the largest debt Oz has ever had.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-31060663406095104882013-08-17T22:13:40.868+10:002013-08-17T22:13:40.868+10:00 Sounds like a leader we all could use.
outdoor... Sounds like a leader we all could use.<br /><br /> outdoorsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-34743436403365928862013-08-17T20:38:44.688+10:002013-08-17T20:38:44.688+10:00I think Abbott is in with more of a chance than th...I think Abbott is in with more of a chance than the Nige. But hopefully Nige won't be far behind.Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-16963948528784031422013-08-17T20:37:33.777+10:002013-08-17T20:37:33.777+10:00Several weeks of gaffes to go yet, M'dear. Man...Several weeks of gaffes to go yet, M'dear. Many fine dinners to enjoys them over.<br /><br />Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-20223625186254191822013-08-17T20:34:17.327+10:002013-08-17T20:34:17.327+10:00That's some good stuff! He would have my vote!...That's some good stuff! He would have my vote! mala265https://www.blogger.com/profile/08846847345350932713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-44180866891780106022013-08-17T17:57:11.008+10:002013-08-17T17:57:11.008+10:00It's good to see that there is a growing numbe...It's good to see that there is a growing number of "alternatives" to the lefty crowd in politics. In the UK there is Nigel Farage, and it seems in Oz you have Tony Abbott.Rocking Philosophyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02306620476342393259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-56551107487691212462013-08-17T15:32:35.277+10:002013-08-17T15:32:35.277+10:00Some Honey for this bear !!Some Honey for this bear !!Amfortashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474382097575605017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-776872662073607566.post-86639323079797467142013-08-17T15:29:54.934+10:002013-08-17T15:29:54.934+10:00Could not have put it better! Spread this "wo...Could not have put it better! Spread this "word"!<br /><br />SupergrizzlybearBearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04120988826151130291noreply@blogger.com