The Necessity of Reparation for Historic Injustices

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bluediamond started the topic in Sunday, 25 Jul 2021 at 1:26pm

Uni assignment i did a few years ago. This is my take on things. I'm sure this will ruffle many feathers. I hope so.
Love Blue Diamond x

The Necessity of Reparation for Historic Injustices

Introduction – Compensatory Justice
Disparities between the standards of living of humans on this planet have long been a part of our history on this planet. From the wealthy nations of the West to the developing and undeveloped nations on this globe, the diversity in the quality of life when viewed from a moral standpoint are without a doubt grossly unfair.
In this paper I will look at why historic injustices do require some form of reparation. I take a strong stance that we are more obliged to solve current injustices than to provide reparation for every act of injustice in the past. In doing this I will first investigate the historic injustice of the Aboriginal people of Australia and I will look at the argument that they are entitled to some form of reparation and why.
I will incoroporate some interesting views from Jeremy Waldron, Robert Nozick and others which will help me slowly build to my conclusion that reparation should be in the form of Non Indigenous Australians surrendering some of our priveleges as a form of reparation.

Historic Injustices to Indigenous Australians:
Australia the continent was well inhabited for many years long before white settlement. It is commonly known that in 1788 Australia was colonised as a country under the rule of the British Empire, with total contempt for the fact that it was already inhabited by a native indigenous race of people.
The way the original inhabitants have been treated, including forced assimilation, execution, stolen families and not even allowed to be recognised as citizens for a large part of white Australia’s history are also well known facts. (Poole, 1999,pp114-142)
There exists now a situation where there is a large divide between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal Australian’s that can be traced back to the moment Australia was invaded by English settlers and the brutal and unfair treatment that has followed.
So at this point now, in 2013 what is the just and fair way to make amends for past actions?
I would argue that a moderate to large amount of reparation is overdue for this nation of people, the Aboriginal people. But there are many challenges to this view point especially that of how much reparation, and what sort of compensation.

Past injustices or present suffering?
One of the questions raised in an issue like this is whether it is better to provide compensation or reparation for past deeds, which have already been done in a previous generation and cannot be changed, or whether it is better to now provide assistance to those who are suffering in their current situations and consider that as a form of moral duty.
To understand this we need to delve a little deeper into this issue and hear some differing viewpoints.
Firstly we need to understand what the best way to provide reparation. How do we judge what is the best way of giving back and how much? Jeremy Waldron states “The historic record has a fragility that consists, …in the sheer contingency of what happened in the past” (Waldron,1992,p5 )
This is saying that we can’t trace every single injustice back to the original act therefore reparation for every act would be almost impossible because it would ultimately be guess work.
In this statement he has an objection from Robert Nozick who believes it is in fact possible to address this problem by “changing the present so that it resembles how the past would have looked had the injustice not taken place” (McKenzie, 2013)
This would be a way to ultimately provide maximum reparation, but is it the correct approach? I believe this is a fairly radical approach, although it does have some merits in the fact it would be working in a positive way for indigenous people, I don’t think it is entirely the right way to deal with these issues but it is on the right track.
Waldron argues that it is based on too many unknowns. “The status of counterfactual reasoning about the exercising of human reasoning of human freedom is unclear”(Waldron 1993,p10)
Which leaves the question somewhat open about the sort of reparation that is required, but provides one clear answer to the key question. Both agree that yes, reparation to some extent is required. But how much and in what form?
Another philosopher who leans more towards Waldron’s views is Kymlicka. He is somewhat more straightforward in his assessment that property rights in particular for Aboriginals would create “massive unfairness” and also he maintains the argument “Aboriginal rights must be grounded in concerns about equality and contemporary disadvantage. (McKenzie, 2013) I agree with both these views but I don’t think they provide any active solutions.

The Solution?
So if its not handing back all of Australia’s land to the original inhabitants that is the most appropriate way to deal with past injustices, then what is?
I look at the current country I grew up in, as a white Australian. I ask myself why I never had Aboriginal friends growing up, no understanding of Aboriginal culture and why my basic understanding of Indigenous Australians is mostly 200 years old. I look at our flag, a symbol of a nation that stole a country from its original inhabitants, with no recognition of the Indigenous people at all on it. I see that Australia considered Indigenous people as less than people until only 40 years ago and I see the way that Indigenous Australians live a completely separate life to the way of life I know as an Australian. I see that the only indigenous politician I am aware of is a former Olympian and it is because of this fact of her sporting status that I know this. I see no collective power or representation of Indigenous Australians and I see non Indigenous Australians,( a culture built on a history of stealing a land and mistreating its people) still taking, taking as much out of this land as they can, with little to no regard of sharing or giving to the original inhabitants. I see a government that says lots of words about ‘closing the gap’ and bringing the living standards of non- indigenous and indigenous Australians closer together, but apart from nice words, there is no conviction, no follow through, just assimilation , and all that still remains are injustices.
As stated by Sparrow, “Continuity gives rise to responsibility on part of present generations of Australians for our history”.(McKenzie,2013). Although deeds happened in the past beyond our control, what we do now to either ignore, or rectify these issues will reflect on us in history. So if we choose to do nothing, we are contributing to the history of the mistreatment of non- indigenous Australians. And this is simply unacceptable in my opinion.

Conclusion
So what is fair? I believe that the way forward is a surrendering of some of our privileges as non- indigenous Australians. The simple fact is it was morally wrong without a doubt what has happened in the past. And it is also morally wrong without a doubt to ignore these facts and not offer some form of reparation in the present. But how much?
I think that going back to Robert Nozick’s argument is a start. I think Nozick is wrong to make the present resemble the past in every aspect. But I do think that it would be reasonable to restore some aspects of the way things should be. The things that happened in the past were out of our control and we can’t go back to changing the way things were. But we could change the way things are.
For some examples. Why not give at least 50% of political power to indigenous people? It surely would be a fair thing to do considering this is their country. Media control. 50 percent. Industry. Realestate. The list goes on. Why do we not acknowledge the indigenous people on our flag, or better still use their flag? Why is Australia still a part of the Commonwealth when it serves little purpose to any of us and serves as a constant reminder to Indigenous Australians that they are still controlled by the original invaders. These to me are fairly simple reparations that would have minimal impact on Australia as a whole. Perhaps, it would alter the way we live but I think it is our responsibility, morally to forfeit some of our privileges for the greater good. Basically a little bit goes a long way.
In closing, it is a fact that a huge injustice occurred to the Indigenous population and suffering continues to this day. There is no easy solution to such a burden of pain. I believe the only solutions are for the non- Indigenous population to take responsibility and sacrifice our own way of life to bring about an overall equality. Sacrifice is not an easy word. But it all comes down to right and wrong. We are in a position to give, in this current generation. What are we so scared to lose, that was never ours in the first place??

Bibliography
McKenzie,C.”Prof” (2013), Lecture, Historic Injustices and Indigenous Rights, Macquarie University
Poole, R. (1999). Nation and Identity.Routledge, London, pp.114-142
Waldron,J. (1992). ‘Superseding Historic Injustice’. Ethics, 103 (1), 4-28

References
Poole, R. (1999). Nation and Identity.Routledge, London, pp.114-142
Waldron,J. (1992). ‘Superseding Historic Injustice’. Ethics, 103 (1), 4-28

basesix's picture
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basesix Tuesday, 31 Oct 2023 at 10:48pm

sorry, but this was only a 'little-moment' for the politically obsessed and the news-cycle-suckered. You could start a channel called Sky Left, @sypkan, where you bring them bastards to task, fer sure, I'd subscribe!

No-one will give a shit about anything you just said in a few years. It's stoopid Canberra business, and it's dumb, boring shit that will work itself out as best it can, electorates willing. The idea that it necessitates a collateral-damage-trail of things that actually mean something to people... nah... smoke and mirrors, deflection and blaming.

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southernraw Tuesday, 31 Oct 2023 at 11:40pm

I still remember that feeling of writing YES and smiling with pride, feeling like i was part of history, part of a generation that finally said yes and acknowledging our willingness for our indigenous brothers and sisters to ride alongside us.
The dissapointment and shame i feel now is overwhelming.
Fuck, i can't imagine how they must be feeling.
I started this thread with hope, i leave it with a broken heart.

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basesix Tuesday, 31 Oct 2023 at 11:54pm

take heed of you own words, bloke

southernraw wrote:

cant reconnect without a disconnect.
Time out. Face the sun..etc. Aloha :-)

I am down the coast, based on this post. swell never came, but I got wet.
I had a couple days free, and thought, yep, drive, disconnect to connect.
have to head home tomorrow, and I thank you for the wisdom @southern : )

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southernraw Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 12:08am

That's epic @basesix.
Yep my turn now.
Can't wait.
Frothing!!
What you put in you get out :-)
Thanks mate.

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indo-dreaming Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 8:59am
southernraw wrote:

Thanks Sypkan.
Appreciate your reply.
I honestly feel like Labors only mistake was allowing as much autonomy as the system they operate within allows, in the process for indigenous Australians...as they should have....
Was it a mistake. Well maybe an honest one, but one that i'll back.
It was letting the requests of the indigenous Australians regarding the statement from the heart and their hope that a referendum could avoid politics and appeal to the Australian public to say Yes, be let through without fanfare from labor itself, without putting more political spin on something that wasn't theirs to own and allowing it to be its own evolving idea, within the Australian public. It was a question. A simple question. What more could Labor do than accomodate that question. It wasn't their question to own.
Anyway....It turns out, that wasn't enough for the Australian public.
Australian public got stuck somewhere between expecting an explanation of details from the leading Labor party, yet,, in reality, not willing to sit down and listen to what Indigenous Australians have been asking for, for a long time.
If one was willing to just look.....
There's been years of details proposed, discussed, dissected and debated, but the narrative was, there's no details.
So who's fault is that? Labors? They gave the platform, they interfered minimally.
They let it run it's natural course, and when the corridor that they opened to allow this referendum to take place was shut down, they accepted now wasn't the time.
Like i said above.
The conversation gets bogged down in the quagmire of the politics, when in reality, the Labor party politics was minimalistic in it's approach to this. As for the other party, i'll leave that for reflection.
The real question then, is if, No wasn't based on politics, as i've outlined, then what was it based on?
I'll give you a clue.
Starts with R.

Actually it was LNP whom gave to much autonomy they were the ones who got the ball rolling on the USFTH which was done in good will, but when it all came back they realised it was too much and never going to happen and even Turnbull(as left wing as LNP leaders come) rejected it and of course any other LNP leader would also.

Then Labor came in and said we will back it, we will take it to a referendum and then they rushed it through without even draft legislation, you can only assume Labor were over confident due to winning the election and the result of same sex marriage plebasite and Albo blinded by wanting a legacy moment.

The No result wasn't based on racism at all, you thinking that shows how out of touch you are with voters, the No vote was actually based on the complete opposite it was based on people saying, yeah nah sorry that goes against equality we don't want to cement an us and them divide in the constitution.

Disagree if you like, but its irrelevant the majority agree with me and it really does my head in how you people cant understand this, if any group wanted something extra even if they were white like ancestors of colonial settlers, Australia would also reject it, its how we work its part of Australian culture.

BTW, if they had been smart and made it a two part question Voice and Constitutional recognition and right now its very likely we would have Aboriginal Constitutional recognition and if they had been really smart and put the voice in policy first then it would still also be in policy now. (but now even doing this is hard because it would look like they are going against the will of the people, even if most would have no issue of it being in policy only)

Now either might never happen or wont for a very long time, nobody to blame but activist and Labor, both just greedy and well dumb...just lacking any real strategy

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andy-mac Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 9:21am
indo-dreaming wrote:
southernraw wrote:

Thanks Sypkan.
Appreciate your reply.
I honestly feel like Labors only mistake was allowing as much autonomy as the system they operate within allows, in the process for indigenous Australians...as they should have....
Was it a mistake. Well maybe an honest one, but one that i'll back.
It was letting the requests of the indigenous Australians regarding the statement from the heart and their hope that a referendum could avoid politics and appeal to the Australian public to say Yes, be let through without fanfare from labor itself, without putting more political spin on something that wasn't theirs to own and allowing it to be its own evolving idea, within the Australian public. It was a question. A simple question. What more could Labor do than accomodate that question. It wasn't their question to own.
Anyway....It turns out, that wasn't enough for the Australian public.
Australian public got stuck somewhere between expecting an explanation of details from the leading Labor party, yet,, in reality, not willing to sit down and listen to what Indigenous Australians have been asking for, for a long time.
If one was willing to just look.....
There's been years of details proposed, discussed, dissected and debated, but the narrative was, there's no details.
So who's fault is that? Labors? They gave the platform, they interfered minimally.
They let it run it's natural course, and when the corridor that they opened to allow this referendum to take place was shut down, they accepted now wasn't the time.
Like i said above.
The conversation gets bogged down in the quagmire of the politics, when in reality, the Labor party politics was minimalistic in it's approach to this. As for the other party, i'll leave that for reflection.
The real question then, is if, No wasn't based on politics, as i've outlined, then what was it based on?
I'll give you a clue.
Starts with R.

Actually it was LNP whom gave to much autonomy they were the ones who got the ball rolling on the USFTH which was done in good will, but when it all came back they realised it was too much and never going to happen and even Turnbull(as left wing as LNP leaders come) rejected it and of course any other LNP leader would also.

Then Labor came in and said we will back it, we will take it to a referendum and then they rushed it through without even draft legislation, you can only assume Labor were over confident due to winning the election and the result of same sex marriage plebasite and Albo blinded by wanting a legacy moment.

The No result wasn't based on racism at all, you thinking that shows how out of touch you are with voters, the No vote was actually based on the complete opposite it was based on people saying, yeah nah sorry that goes against equality we don't want to cement an us and them divide in the constitution.

Disagree if you like, but its irrelevant the majority agree with me and it really does my head in how you people cant understand this, if any group wanted something extra even if they were white like ancestors of colonial settlers, Australia would also reject it, its how we work its part of Australian culture.

BTW, if they had been smart and made it a two part question Voice and Constitutional recognition and right now its very likely we would have Aboriginal Constitutional recognition and if they had been really smart and put the voice in policy first then it would still also be in policy now. (but now even doing this is hard because it would look like they are going against the will of the people, even if most would have no issue of it being in policy only)

Now either might never happen or wont for a very long time, nobody to blame but activist and Labor, both just greedy and well dumb...just lacking any real strategy

Yeah... Na...

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san Guine Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 9:26am

The concern troll is still at it

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Supafreak Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 9:34am

The no vote was largely because many did not give a fuck about Aboriginal Australian’s , never have never will . It was easier to go along with spud “don’t know vote no “ theme as many simply couldn’t be bothered even trying to understand what the ref was about . If you don’t believe racism is alive and thriving in Australia then you’re living under a rock . I’m not saying this applies to all no voters , some had legitimate concerns. I am saying a very large percentage of no voters are basically cunts .

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andy-mac Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 9:48am
Supafreak wrote:

The no vote was largely because many did not give a fuck about Aboriginal Australian’s , never have never will . It was easier to go along with spud “don’t know vote no “ theme as many simply couldn’t be bothered even trying to understand what the ref was about . If you don’t believe racism is alive and thriving in Australia then you’re living under a rock . I’m not saying this applies to all no voters , some had legitimate concerns. I am saying a very large percentage of no voters are basically cunts .

And those lovely people over at Murdoch media had no agenda either!

https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/news-corps-wa...

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Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 10:13am

freaky

So u think a very large percentage of Australian's are racist c...s !

I believe racism is natural in humans , US and Barbarian stuff , kids love it .

I don't live near the Rock , or under one ( single now :).

I am in Melbourne .

Seems to me , u don't live , anywhere near here .

Somewhere that sounds , sadly , freaky imho !

There are lots of places in our big country , I haven't been to .

Please come and visit , we are very nice , mostly :) .

A lot of people , from all over this planet , do .

So many like it so much , they stay .

We welcome , everyone .

Always have :)

We , is , now , nearly 4 million people ( quite a large % of Australia ) , and growing , daily .

We love our place , always have ,

Very proud to show it off .

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burleigh Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 10:17am
Supafreak wrote:

The no vote was largely because many did not give a fuck about Aboriginal Australian’s , never have never will . It was easier to go along with spud “don’t know vote no “ theme as many simply couldn’t be bothered even trying to understand what the ref was about . If you don’t believe racism is alive and thriving in Australia then you’re living under a rock . I’m not saying this applies to all no voters , some had legitimate concerns. I am saying a very large percentage of no voters are basically cunts .

And here he is. showing your true colours now supa. Some no voters are racists sure, but don't put everyone in one basket. Your words create divide. The yes vote lost because it had no substance, they used the same shitty tactics as Covid thinking people as still so fucking stupid.

It backfired.

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AndyM Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 10:49am

Agree with you to an extent Burls.
There were a shitload of justifications (as opposed to reasons) why people voted No, and the No campaign certainly mined pretty much every one imaginable.
Racism, whether overt or subconscious, played a significant role but how large we'll never be able to quantify.

I think you're still a bit hung up on Covid, but yeah, there's been a growing distrust of power for some time now, and the whole Covid thing really entrenched it.

This inability as a nation and a society to discuss important issues is a major problem and will only significantly undermine our democratic process and enable bullshit artists, conmen and grifters.

The solution?
Fuck knows.
But it'd have to be profound.

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Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 11:38am

I have given a possible serious solution - Onion Boy !

That's profound , sort of .

Lets , try anything !

I don't trust politicians to sort this out now or in the near future .

EVERYONE I speak to have been discussing these issues intimately over the last months .

All the important issues we could think of , from BOTH sides .

The solution is NOT to do what we are doing now .

It is NOT working .

That is fn obvious to an old bloke who , nearly , can't see .

Set up a real , Once and For ALL , Committee ( and I HATE committees ) .

For three years , give them $450 million ( what the referendum approx cost ) to sort the whole thing out .

Money well spent imo .

Strike while the iron is very hot imo .

Tony Abbott has spent more time IN , and WITH , FNP than any non NT and Old politician .

Years more than I have !

Has clout and a heart as big as Phar Lap imo .

Both sides can't complain , much ( in public haha ) .

He can get Sky to support it , as he now runs the place , sort of .

I reckon , he would do the job , for free .

I believe , he would get it done .

All U guys thinks it's Crazy , but that is the sort on pop I am .

I can't think of any , other solution atm .

I had better try and think of one .

Andy quickly said No , shit , I might be onto something .
If U said Yes Andy I would know it's a bad idea .

The Choice of a Chairman is a decision that has to piss off both sides .

Like most good compromises .

Someone has to Unite ALL Australians on this issue .

I have given my very best suggestion to GET the fn job done , which is not a JOB yet .

I bet U love committees .

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AndyM Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 11:24am

Jeez, can you think of a more right-wing, conservative and partisan person?
And you don't trust politicians but you want Abbott to solve our problems?

You're a funny guy.

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Supafreak Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 11:36am
burleigh wrote:
Supafreak wrote:

The no vote was largely because many did not give a fuck about Aboriginal Australian’s , never have never will . It was easier to go along with spud “don’t know vote no “ theme as many simply couldn’t be bothered even trying to understand what the ref was about . If you don’t believe racism is alive and thriving in Australia then you’re living under a rock . I’m not saying this applies to all no voters , some had legitimate concerns. I am saying a very large percentage of no voters are basically cunts .

And here he is. showing your true colours now supa. Some no voters are racists sure, but don't put everyone in one basket. Your words create divide. The yes vote lost because it had no substance, they used the same shitty tactics as Covid thinking people as still so fucking stupid.

It backfired.

@burleigh , what makes you think I put everyone in the same basket ? Read the post again.

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Supafreak Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 11:40am
Pop Down wrote:

freaky

So u think a very large percentage of Australian's are racist c...s !

I believe racism is natural in humans , US and Barbarian stuff , kids love it .

I don't live near the Rock , or under one ( single now :).

I am in Melbourne .

Seems to me , u don't live , anywhere near here .

Somewhere that sounds , sadly , freaky imho !

There are lots of places in our big country , I haven't been to .

Please come and visit , we are very nice , mostly :) .

A lot of people , from all over this planet , do .

So many like it so much , they stay .

We welcome , everyone .

Always have :)

We , is , now , nearly 4 million people ( quite a large % of Australia ) , and growing , daily .

We love our place , always have ,

Very proud to show it off .

I’ve worked all over Australia in a wide variety of jobs , I haven’t just been living in the one spot. Australia is nice in some areas and rednecksville in others .

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Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 11:53am

I think I am hilarious Andy ( often have to explain my jokes though ) .

On this issue , I may come across as a bit flippant , but I am deadly serious .

I wrote above in my last comment , I bet U like committees .

Is that , also a funny idea ?

If it is NOT Tony , I have NFI .

May I ask U for a suggestion ?

Will give me someone to cross off my possible list , as am a bit busy .

U have seen a lot of our country , freaky .

I have lived in Melbourne for all but 20 years .
Most of my family live here , to .

Have met Red Necks . Don't know any .

I think city /country .

Going to School in Mullumbimby , I feel a bit of both .

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indo-dreaming Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 1:15pm
san Guine wrote:

The concern troll is still at it

Mate you clearly dont now what a troll is.

Somebody posting opinions or views you dont agree with doesn't make them a troll, actually discussions where everyone agrees get boring pretty quickly.

A troll is somebody that has nothing to add to the conversation or no interest in the conversation and just tries to stir up shit or attacks the person and just throws around pointless abuse instead of having a counter argument

A classic example of troll was Facto hence why he is no longer here, but your comment above is also ironically a troll towards me, you havent added anything to the conversation, you have no interest in the conversation, you just want to diss me, purely because our views dont align.

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garyg1412 Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 1:17pm
Supafreak wrote:

The no vote was largely because many did not give a fuck about Aboriginal Australian’s , never have never will . It was easier to go along with spud “don’t know vote no “ theme as many simply couldn’t be bothered even trying to understand what the ref was about . If you don’t believe racism is alive and thriving in Australia then you’re living under a rock . I’m not saying this applies to all no voters , some had legitimate concerns. I am saying a very large percentage of no voters are basically cunts .

Ha Ha. That was a very dumbed down analogy Supafreak. But the best and most honest I've seen yet. To that large percentage you refer to, you can call them cunts until the cows come home but that'll hit a dead end at their cranial nerves like most other insightful information.

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Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 2:24pm

Andy

Tony was a LNP Leader and PM .

Probably thought of by people as Right Wing .

I don't care if he is from Timbuktu .

As it is not going to be a political issue ( bipartisan ) , it doesn't matter .

Yes , he is conservative , informed , smart and fair . Perfect imo .

Partisan on FNP issues , perfect !!! To get a Yes in a referendum , everyone has to agree .

My guess , if he was asked , what does he really regret about getting sacked by Turdbull , he would say , not being able to TRY and sort out the FNP issue - Once and For All .

At least he was working hard on it , even if U didn't like his ideas .

He was having a CRACK ! I can't expect any more from any person .

Can't remember Tony taking selfies with other world leaders .

Give him the job .

Australia would love to follow him into battle on this issue imo .

We all won't like , all his and the considered opinions , of an eminent and , well chosen , committee .

We are not supposed to !

But they HAVE to decide things for all of us to vote on .

Perfect . Australia will say Yes , very loudly imho .

Both sides will go ballistic , privately .

Cometh the hour , cometh the man .

Comyn can be one of the eight . The Money Man .

My man is for Chairman is TA .

Every committee needs a deciding vote and THIS Chairman has to have guts .

My man has True Grit .

Please , anyone , suggest anyone , else .

Who , can we chose , that accept the responsibility other than Tony .

My only worry is , HE , doesn't think he can do the job .

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seeds Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 2:25pm

Book smart maybe. Rhodes Scholar. Absolute imbecile in reality.

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AndyM Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 2:26pm

"As it is not going to be a political issue ( bipartisan ) , it doesn't matter ."

Shirley you can't be serious.

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Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 5:55pm

Someone must hate the idea of another committee , or are we just discussing who could Chair it ???

U think a guy who spent most of his holiday's in the Outback , has an impeccable track record of community service , who lead our country , who is a loyal husband , who was invited to do a Rhodes Scholarship and Passed it and was just invited onto one of the most coveted boards in the world ( FOX ) an imbecile .

Anyone U think is smart , seedy ? I can be a smart arse but that doesn't count .

Maybe , U guys still want to play politics .

Don't like Tony because he was Lib and you didn't like some of the things he did ( I bet I liked the big things ) ? If so , how petty !

That rubs out half of the field .

Edit - getting grumpy .

I don't think many of you are willing to give up enough to get this done .

Just want it your way .

If U thought the referendum we just had , had a Yes campaign U liked and believed it , guess what ?

The Australian people , for whatever reason you Redneck haters believe , DIDN'T .

They thought U were VERY wrong !

Millions of Melbournians .

But , U know U are right ???

If U have not listened and want to play politics with another referendum , if U just want to just argue , if U can't help and offer alternatives ( anyone do constructive criticism here ) , if U can't offer any solutions , I might pop down .

I don't have time to waste .

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seeds Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 5:59pm

Seriously! you’ve just red carded yourself proclaiming Uncle Tony is the answer.

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Supafreak Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 6:33pm

Next he’ll be calling for big tony to head up a climate change committee .

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seeds Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 6:48pm

Hehe
Seriously Poppycock your generation are the last generation we need to go….to let the change happen.

Pop Down's picture
Pop Down's picture
Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 7:43pm

OMG

Just got back from a spa and sauna ( ground floor , I am on the 12th , a small penthouse , of course :) all nice a relaxed ( there is also a gym but I find weights heavy ) .

I see I have given myself , another fn Red card . Shit .

Could be the 2nd of the day ..

Shit , sometimes I can be hard on myself .

A fn Red Card ??? I must have thought I was about to stuff up big , again :)

I have bad ideas , I haven't even thought of yet , really .

I must have given myself dissent, a huge spray and reckon I went from Yellow , to Red in a
flash of light . Probably a temper tantrum stomp the feet shit .

F Me !.

Oh , well .

Not sure what penalty I now give myself .

I can't plead a first infringement .

Definitely will get some time off for a very early plea .

If I knew I became umpire , I would have immediately pleaded guilty , to myself , for all the trouble I will accidentally cause .

Who made me fn umpire ?

I love football , played football and never umpired .

Can we check a video replay or something , seeds ?

I hate umpires :)

Freaky , who is running our climate change committee .

We sure need one and I would like to know what they are doing .

Head over to the Climate Thread with any solutions on that important topic .

I would love to read them .

Australia's productivity is dropping with higher energy costs contributing .

We don't want our business's to become less competitive than overseas players , do we ?

A Salty Dog's picture
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A Salty Dog Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 7:32pm

My lasting memories of Abbott are pictures of him standing under signs stating “Bob Browns Bitch”, “Ditch The Witch”, “Juliar….”.

Then there was Gillard’s Misogyny Speech in Parliament. The whole time he laughed and smirked with his mates on the front bench as Gillard tore strips off him: his back turned on Gillard, the spineless prick did not have the guts to face her.

And he never did shirtfront Putin.

But he did eat an onion.

Overall a contemptible, despicable and vile character.

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Pop Down Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 8:25pm

Too Salty

I have seen much worse signs !!! Sooo many times . Everywhere .

Surprised Tony had time to make them .

If he did , am guessing he would have mentioned the names of the turncoats in NSW and Julia .

They did the BIG deal with her that stole the election , remember .

Isn't Bob Brown the guy who complains about windmills ?

You thought Julia's speech , just for Tony . How cute .

U are giving Julia NO credit .

If it was , fair enough he smiled .

Julia had a good smirk from memory , to .

Julia would say Tony has a lovely family .

Look at her Ex !

She was also looking at her own party and U and I .

I reckon Tony has the guts to face U and talk .

If U wanted to fight , he would look after U, I reckon .

Could U last 3 rounds with him ( as he does that Ultra Marathong crazy stuff ( have U done 1 ? )he could go 15 ) .

U must be interesting to think Tony was meaning he would really knock over another world leader .

WOW

U can't get a figure of speech haha A shirtfront is NOT even allowed on a footy field these days .

Trump said that he was going to SPEAK ( shirtfront ) to an Arab leader .

In their chat the Arab leader was proving difficult .

Trump showed him two pictures of lovely homes , his .

Things then went well .

Salty , U don't teak anyone when U really plan to get them , very silly negating tactic ,

Not one issue , that shows me , he made a small mistake ,

If U can't give me a BIG stuff up , U are very small minded imho and I conclude he did a great job .

As I have said , no big stuff ups and a Politician gets a Big pass from me , whatever the party .

Are U a Dog that loves to fight with lots of mates when U here someone mention Tony's name ?

Can't remember reading U before on this thread , but I forget easily .

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tubeshooter Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 8:37pm

Tony Abbott fit to lead??

seeds's picture
seeds's picture
seeds Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 8:59pm

Possibly mentally challenged. Godly though
Is pops Sam Newman?

goofyfoot's picture
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goofyfoot Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 9:26pm
A Salty Dog wrote:

My lasting memories of Abbott are pictures of him standing under signs stating “Bob Browns Bitch”, “Ditch The Witch”, “Juliar….”.

Then there was Gillard’s Misogyny Speech in Parliament. The whole time he laughed and smirked with his mates on the front bench as Gillard tore strips off him: his back turned on Gillard, the spineless prick did not have the guts to face her.

And he never did shirtfront Putin.

But he did eat an onion.

Overall a contemptible, despicable and vile character.

George Pell’s mate? That guy?
Yeah what a champion bloke Tone is

seeds's picture
seeds's picture
seeds Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 10:23pm

Aww yeahs butt he can fix the bloody (probs should fix that) mate.

seeds's picture
seeds's picture
seeds Wednesday, 1 Nov 2023 at 10:18pm

Maaaateeeey

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Pop Down Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 6:59am

Gooffy - Thanks - TA is also not a fair weather friend .
U guys might love all the gossip and shit people write . I don't .
U might like Tall Poppies getting pulled down .

I waited and saw the Judges decision .

Tony was right , again .

He also Stoped The Boats .

Was that bad ?

The job Labor said could NOT be done .

Reform's picture
Reform's picture
Reform Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 7:13am
A Salty Dog wrote:

My lasting memories of Abbott are pictures of him standing under signs stating “Bob Browns Bitch”, “Ditch The Witch”, “Juliar….”.

Then there was Gillard’s Misogyny Speech in Parliament. The whole time he laughed and smirked with his mates on the front bench as Gillard tore strips off him: his back turned on Gillard, the spineless prick did not have the guts to face her.

And he never did shirtfront Putin.

But he did eat an onion.

Overall a contemptible, despicable and vile character.

@ Salty, Someone had to say it, and well done, couldn’t agree more.

Reform's picture
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Reform Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 7:20am

@ Pops, hey Pops! Sorry just quickly!
BTW, Bob Brown is the guy who has the courage (with a Capital C) to single handily stand up to all and any vested companies who are destroyers of the land, not just in Aust. but the whole world.
His legacy will be seen as a kind and caring individual who is a standalone figure, standing up for the rights of the natural world and its environments with all of the trees, animals, insect world, and the ecology it relies upon INTACT! There is an enormous amount that we can be thankful for to “that guy”.
Forget about self-indulgent Tony Pops, he’s a horrible person!!! Hahaha, just horrible!

Pop Down's picture
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Pop Down Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 7:53am

Reform

Totally agree that Bob has True Grit .
He was a great role model for so many , especially young people .

I loved it .

He doesn't have enough , now , for the Chairman Role , though !!

U guys have not even mentioned a fn committee is a good idea .

U guys hate Tony . I am not surprised .

All U can point to though is , he was a c..t .

Fellas - sometimes a c..t is the right person to do a really hard job - like Stopping the Boats .

Especially , if U want it done quickly .

Tony has proved he can get a Solution for a problem no one else could do .

A problem that desperately needed fixing fast .

We have another Big Problem that NO ONE has fixed and U guys have no solution for .

He is young and fit enough to do it again .

U have NO one else in mind .

But U guys vote NO .

U guys are like supporters at a football game .

One eyed .

There is good and bad in everyone .

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 7:36am
Pop Down wrote:

Too Salty

Isn't Bob Brown the guy who complains about windmills ?
.

I think he is the guy that helped LNP win the election in 2019?

If he also had his way, way back when, Tasmania right now wouldn't even have hydro electricity which allows it to run 100% carbon free.

He is a classic example of a Greens leader they just dont live in the real world.

Reform's picture
Reform's picture
Reform Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 7:56am
indo-dreaming][quote=Pop Down wrote:

Too Salty

Isn't Bob Brown the guy who complains about windmills ?
.

I think he is the guy that helped LNP win the election in 2019?

You of course Indo would have that assessment firmly ingrained on that way of thinking. In my opinion..."That" election loss to Bill Shorten was tipped over by the same fear mongers (people) that lost it for the FNP in this referendum, i.e. Is it too far for me to suggest, it was you too, yes?

waveman's picture
waveman's picture
waveman Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 8:05am
Reform wrote:

@ Pops, hey Pops! Sorry just quickly!
BTW, Bob Brown is the guy who has the courage (with a Capital C) to single handily stand up to all and any vested companies who are destroyers of the land, not just in Aust. but the whole world.
His legacy will be seen as a kind and caring individual who is a standalone figure, standing up for the rights of the natural world and its environments with all of the trees, animals, insect world, and the ecology it relies upon INTACT! There is an enormous amount that we can be thankful for to “that guy”.
Forget about self-indulgent Tony Pops, he’s a horrible person!!! Hahaha, just horrible!

NIMBY bob brown:
https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/bob_brown_hypocrisy_exposed_again

Jelly Flater's picture
Jelly Flater's picture
Jelly Flater Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 8:23am

‘ There is good and bad in everyone .’ ;);)

https://m.

san Guine's picture
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san Guine Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 9:03am
indo-dreaming wrote:
san Guine wrote:

The concern troll is still at it

Mate you clearly dont now what a troll is.

Somebody posting opinions or views you dont agree with doesn't make them a troll, actually discussions where everyone agrees get boring pretty quickly.

A troll is somebody that has nothing to add to the conversation or no interest in the conversation and just tries to stir up shit or attacks the person and just throws around pointless abuse instead of having a counter argument

A classic example of troll was Facto hence why he is no longer here, but your comment above is also ironically a troll towards me, you havent added anything to the conversation, you have no interest in the conversation, you just want to diss me, purely because our views dont align.

Hahaha, wasn't actually referring to you but...


https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Concern_troll

GuySmiley's picture
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GuySmiley Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 10:03am

Abbott the brutal bullying opposition leader who outsourced his PMship to Credin wasn’t our worst nor was Morriscum, the worst PM the country has seen is Howard , the unflushable turd - war criminal and domestic neoliberal terrorist.

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frog Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 10:30am

The small target, emotionally themed, celebrity heavy, vaguely worded question, overpromise etc. campaign created a growing sense of bait and switch for millions. Something was not right.

The post ref lash out by the Yes campaign and sudden talk of treaty just seemed to confirm it to be so

Human nature is to hate being conned, scammed, sold a lemon, misled etc. - no matter what the situation. Buyer regret is real. Most of us never forget the times we were conned or were attempted to be so in some deal.

Proof in point on this forum: Harry Cooper was totally obsessed by the Tampa childen overboard lies from decades ago. Why? Mostly cause it was a purposeful lie to the Australian people with consequence.

Whether the referendum was a genuine bait and switch or not, the Yes strategy created that impression. Perception becomes reality and "No" becomes easy.

It was not a rejection of FNP. It was a rejection of another possible con job hot on the heels of the very misleading covid fear / propoganda campaign. It was tied up in the point Leigh Sales made in her Andrew Ollie Memorial talk that we feel we are misled so often in the news and by leaders, that trust is low. Covid just killed the "just trust us" concept stone dead.

A small target in a bright spotlight does not work in that environment. Albo looked like a deer in the headlights as he dodged and weaved to explain the unexplainable - how a modest request would change the world.

Public are now way more wary than a year ago on the motives of the current FN big talkers. New leaders needed?

GuySmiley's picture
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GuySmiley Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 10:37am

“…. Public are now way more wary than a year ago on the motives of the current FN big talkers. New leaders needed?”

Well I certainly hope you aren’t talking about the grifters Price, Mundine and co coz they have never “represented” FNP

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 10:45am

The issue is getting results.

Big talkers are often not so good at doing. Noel's track record on results in programs he runs has been patchy and problematic.

In a diverse mix tribe group, all the high profile leaders have factions of support and none could claim to represent much more than that.

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 1:35pm
waveman wrote:
Reform wrote:

@ Pops, hey Pops! Sorry just quickly!
BTW, Bob Brown is the guy who has the courage (with a Capital C) to single handily stand up to all and any vested companies who are destroyers of the land, not just in Aust. but the whole world.
His legacy will be seen as a kind and caring individual who is a standalone figure, standing up for the rights of the natural world and its environments with all of the trees, animals, insect world, and the ecology it relies upon INTACT! There is an enormous amount that we can be thankful for to “that guy”.
Forget about self-indulgent Tony Pops, he’s a horrible person!!! Hahaha, just horrible!

NIMBY bob brown:
https://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/bob_brown_hypocrisy_exposed_again

Guy Barnett calling Bob Brown a hypocrite. Fuck me I'm going to buy that man a mirror for Christmas!!!

GuySmiley's picture
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GuySmiley Thursday, 2 Nov 2023 at 10:22pm

The #grifterprice filling her dilly bag speaking at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship conference in London FFS, check out the who’s who of that organisation proving beyond doubt who she really represents.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/racism-transgender-athletes-a...

What a vile nasty piece of work she is.

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Supafreak Friday, 3 Nov 2023 at 5:20am

Grassroots campaign from ordinary Australian’s ? https://theklaxon.com.au/white-mans-dark-money-meet-the-bankrollers/