Commies beat back conservatives in Australia

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071124/D8T42OMG0.html

Labor Party Wins Big in Australia


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Nov 24, 8:49 AM (ET)

By ROHAN SULLIVAN

(AP) Australian Prime Minister John Howard walks past a campaign poster promoting his opposition, Labor...
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SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Conservative Prime Minister John Howard suffered a humiliating defeat Saturday at the hands of the left-leaning opposition, whose leader has promised to immediately sign the Kyoto Protocol on global warming and withdraw Australia's combat troops from Iraq.

Labor Party head Kevin Rudd's pledges on global warming and Iraq move Australia sharply away from policies that had made Howard one of President Bush's staunchest allies.

Rudd has named global warming as his top priority, and his signing of the Kyoto Protocol will leave the U.S. as the only industrialized country not to have joined it.

Rudd said he would withdraw Australia's 550 combat troops from Iraq, leaving twice that number in mostly security roles. Howard had said all the troops will stay as long as needed.



Official figures from the Australian Electoral Commission showed Labor far in front after more than 70 percent of the ballots had been counted - with 53 percent of the vote compared to 46.7 percent for Howard's coalition.

Using those figures, an Australian Broadcasting Corp. analysis showed that Labor would get at least 81 places in the 150-seat lower house of Parliament - a clear majority.

It was an embarrassing end to the career of Howard, Australia's second-longest serving leader.

As little as a year ago, Howard had appeared almost unassailable. But on Saturday he was in real danger of becoming only the second sitting prime minister in 106 years of federal government to lose his own seat in Parliament.

Howard took full blame for the drubbing handed to his center-right coalition.



"I accept full responsibility for the Liberal Party campaign, and I therefore accept full responsibility for the coalition's defeat in this election campaign," Howard said in his concession speech in Sydney.

A new government is unlikely to mean a fundamental change in Australia's close alliance with the United States - its most important security partner - or its growing economic and political ties with Asia.

At home, Rudd has pledged to govern as an "economic conservative," while pouring money into schools and universities. He will curtail sweeping industrial reforms laws that were perceived to hand bosses too much power, turning many working voters against Howard.

"Today Australia has looked to the future," Rudd said in a nationally televised victory speech, to wild cheers from supporters. "Today the Australian people have decided that we as a nation will move forward ... to embrace the future, together to write a new page in our nation's history."

In his concession speech, Howard announced he had phoned Rudd to congratulate him on "a very emphatic victory."




The change from Howard to Rudd also marks a generational shift for Australia.

Rudd, a 50-year-old former diplomat who speaks fluent Chinese, urged voters to support him because Howard, 68, was out of touch with modern Australia and ill-equipped to deal with new-age issues such as climate change.

Howard campaigned on his economic management, arguing that his government was mostly responsible for 17 years of unbroken growth, fueled by China's and India's hunger for Australia's coal and other minerals, and that Rudd could not be trusted to maintain prosperous times.

Labor has been out of power for more than a decade, and few in Rudd's team - including him - has any government experience at federal level. His team includes a former rock star - Midnight Oil singer Peter Garrett - a television journalist and former union officials.

But analysts say his foreign policy credentials are impeccable, and that he has shown discipline and political skill since his election as Labor leader 11 months ago.

Rudd's election as Labor leader marked the start of Howard's decline in opinion polls, from which he never recovered.

Howard's four straight election victories since 1996 made him one of Australia's most successful politicians. He refused to stand down before this election - even after being urged to do by some party colleagues.

Well, it's too bad that an ally may take a turn away. Let's see what this guy does.

I haven't heard anything lately, but have they had any Islamic troubles lately?

KSigMason wrote:Well, it's too bad that an ally may take a turn away. Let's see what this guy does.

I haven't heard anything lately, but have they had any Islamic troubles lately?

None that I know of since the riots and assaults last year.

Who was it that said "people usually get the government they deserve."

I couldn't be happier (well I could, but this is pretty good). This has a much greater impact on me than many world events and its good to see someone even relatively close to my political beliefs is in charge over there. Labor isn't Left enough for me (not many are) but its a step in the right direction. Maybe the pressure on the US will mount to join the Kyoto Protocol now that its all alone, though that has never deterred you guys before.

Bilbo Baggins wrote:I couldn't be happier (well I could, but this is pretty good). This has a much greater impact on me than many world events and its good to see someone even relatively close to my political beliefs is in charge over there. Labor isn't Left enough for me (not many are) but its a step in the right direction. Maybe the pressure on the US will mount to join the Kyoto Protocol now that its all alone, though that has never deterred you guys before.

And that's why we like having Bilbo around. He's not afraid to admit his far left extremism. Just like the nitwit govt in his beautiful homeland.

Bilbo Baggins wrote:Maybe the pressure on the US will mount to join the Kyoto Protocol now that its all alone, though that has never deterred you guys before.

Depends on who wins the elections next year.

I guess if we sell our souls to Kyoto we can increase our pollution like the EU has.

Just like the nitwit govt in his beautiful homeland.

And why are they nitwits? Because they have presided over consistent healthy economic growth? Because they have significantly reduced the national debt of New Zealand after disastrous policies by the opposition? Again, they're not left enough for me, but if you're going to slag off my government you may as well back that up with some facts (I've bolded that because I know you struggle to remember that this forum is actually supposed to be for political discussion and not somewhere for you to spew hatred and absolute bullshit)

Hey if the people of NZ are happy with Socialistas running the show then more power to them. I won't comment on your style of government if you won't comment on mine.

Hey if the people of NZ are happy with Socialistas running the show then more power to them. I won't comment on your style of government if you won't comment on mine.

As the US is the major power in all political, social and economic affairs in the world, I think that its important for me to know what goes on in your country, and comment accordingly. Feel free to comment on my government whenever you want though; I would just like it done with reason and facts, not throwaway statements that have no factual basis.

So Bilbo, what you're basically saying is that while New Zealand is geographically nice, it is politically and economically irrelevant.

So Bilbo, what you're basically saying is that while New Zealand is geographically nice, it is politically and economically irrelevant.

I don't like to say irrelevant (but I wouldn't would I?), but quite minor in most affairs. Not that we haven't ever done important things, but the real power is with those who have the big economies and big armies (though its become more of the former and less the latter).

Bilbo Baggins wrote:

So Bilbo, what you're basically saying is that while New Zealand is geographically nice, it is politically and economically irrelevant.

I don't like to say irrelevant (but I wouldn't would I?), but quite minor in most affairs. Not that we haven't ever done important things, but the real power is with those who have the big economies and big armies (though its become more of the former and less the latter).

But the two usually go hand in hand. And when they don't, like Europe, they are not significant or long lasting.

But the two usually go hand in hand. And when they don't, like Europe, they are not significant or long lasting.

Its becoming less and less so. The economic interdependence of nations today means open warfare between nations is less desireable. The power of the trade boycott is huge, but it is less likely to be responded with through military means nowadays than previously. Armies still have their place, but as the saying goes, money makes the world go round.

What do you mean about Europe?

I would have thought that the global economy and interdependence in trade would have made war less probable but lately I'm seeing that the globe is just being divided up into trading blocks by international corporate groups. When even the deeply entrenched socialists decided to become government sponsors of corporate greed I knew the end was near because the lamb has certainly lain down with the lion.

You do understand that most of the world's problem with GWB is only that his wars have hurt trade don't you? But then again even GWB understands that money trumps everything.

You do understand that most of the world's problem with GWB is only that his wars have hurt trade don't you? But then again even GWB understands that money trumps everything.

He's got to satisfy his corporate masters who saw all the oil in the region, and a huge opportunity to earn big money through reconstruction contracts. If you have an interest, read 'The Shock Doctrine' by Naomi Klein. It's probably a bit too left for most people on this forum but it will give you an idea of where I'm coming from.

When even the deeply entrenched socialists decided to become government sponsors of corporate greed I knew the end was near because the lamb has certainly lain down with the lion.

What exactly are you referring to?

Communist China is still socialist but has bought into capitalism, state sponsored capitalism. Russia and even Venezuela. How about Iran, they are a socialist nation. All subverted by corporate powers, running sweat shops in their quest for money from their corporate masters and no longer interested in the common good of their people. Even NZ is now a huge haven for Internet fraud and ponzi scams, protected by your own socialist government. There are no "good guys" anymore for either side.

Even NZ is now a huge haven for Internet fraud and ponzi scams, protected by your own socialist government.

Again I must ask for specifics.

Communist China is still socialist but has bought into capitalism, state sponsored capitalism. Russia

I agree, but neither of these were ever really socialist. Maybe by your standards, but not mine. More like authoritarian state capitalists. I don't know enough about the economy of Iran to comment.

All subverted by corporate powers, running sweat shops in their quest for money from their corporate masters and no longer interested in the common good of their people.

You seem like a socialist yourself, in the purest sense of the definition. What do you advocate, a social democracy?

He just called Buzzy a socialist!

[grabs popcorn and eagerly awaits the reply ]

He just called Buzzy a socialist!

[grabs popcorn and eagerly awaits the reply ]

Nice try, I didn't call him a socialist, I merely suggested that some of the beliefs he holds could be construed as leaning towards what you guys think is socialism. I wouldn't dare say he was a socialist, I can only imagine the shit-storm that would come out of that.

[Patiently eating popcorn and saying a prayer that Buzzy and his compadres go EOW in the same shape they started the shift.]

Crap, here I am locking up a guy for murdering his preggers girlfriend and I have to deal with some 14 year old from down under calling me a socialist

Oh, lil Bildo, don't confuse clarity of thought with adherence to any particular political agenda. I simply understand the base elements of human nature and that if not checked by both law and the order that comes from the enforcement of wise and just laws any agenda becomes swamped in greed for either money, power or both.

I'm a true believer in evolution in that I feel that if a person can't make it on his or her own they don't deserve to live to reproduce and spread their lazy assed genes to future generations. Welfare and social programs ensure that the least productive among our species have the most time for booty calls while those of us who work to keep their asses fat on governement food end up working 48 hours straight and living on Taco Bueno and Circle K's stale green tea.

Crap, here I am locking up a guy for murdering his preggers girlfriend and I have to deal with some 14 year old from down under calling me a socialist

Not nice.

I'm a true believer in evolution

I thought you were religious? Are you one of those 'God started evolution' advocates?

I feel that if a person can't make it on his or her own they don't deserve to live to reproduce and spread their lazy assed genes to future generations.

What if that person had a terrible unbringing, and with a little help could contribute back to society ten times what it costs to keep their head above water? Do the sons of the rich deserves their money if they do nothing to earn it? What about the single mother who works three jobs and is actually very smart but just can't find the time or money to go to university? What if she could become a CEO? Doesn't she deserve a chance?

Buzzy wrote:Crap, here I am locking up a guy for murdering his preggers girlfriend and I have to deal with some 14 year old from down under calling me a socialist

Oh, lil Bildo, don't confuse clarity of thought with adherence to any particular political agenda. I simply understand the base elements of human nature and that if not checked by both law and the order that comes from the enforcement of wise and just laws any agenda becomes swamped in greed for either money, power or both.

I'm a true believer in evolution in that I feel that if a person can't make it on his or her own they don't deserve to live to reproduce and spread their lazy assed genes to future generations. Welfare and social programs ensure that the least productive among our species have the most time for booty calls while those of us who work to keep their asses fat on governement food end up working 48 hours straight and living on Taco Bueno and Circle K's stale green tea.

DAMN BUZZY!!!! When are you going to retire and run for public office? I'd sure as hell love to have candidates with that clarity of thought and purpose.



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Buzzy wrote:here I am locking up a guy for murdering his preggers girlfriend .

God knows I'd no longer have the restraint to just lock him up. There's too ways to make vermin like that disappear.
I could never do your job.