Talk about a big week! CHOGM! Melbourne Cup! Kim Kardashian! Well, ok, the last one doesn't deserve a mention... the only reason I do raise it is because it highlights what I believe to be quite a disturbing trend in our society. In what has been a big news week we have had to suffer through the whole 'Kardashian Affair', which has been put forward as deserving of leading news bulletins, front page stories, radio broadcasts, the list goes on! Yes, Greece looks as though it is going to default and be thrown out of the Euro Zone, but was Kim's wedding a sham? Of course the Qantas grounding has serious ramifications for the economy, IR, and travellers the world round, but we will cut Alan Joyce's press conference short to show another five minutes of footage featuring screaming prepubescent girls wearing giant sunglasses and waving "We Heart Kim!" placards as the Kardashians arrive at the airport. Why discuss the Labor leadership when we can speculate over the reason for Kim's divorce? Does she have a secrete Aussie lover (oooh, juicy gossip!)? Nobody can even give me a legitimate reason as to why I should be interested! "Because she is" is not an adequate answer to my question of "why, exactly, is this woman famous?" Kim and her clan are arguably the [giant] ass end of the entertainment industry... and yes, pun intended...
Now that Kim Kardashian has done us all a giant favour and left to annoy some other poor unfortunate country we can get back to what matters. What matters at the moment is how Doug Cameron and Bob Brown got humiliated by Alan Joyce at this morning's Senate Inquiry. The inquiry into the grounding of Qantas jets this past weekend provided few, if any, answers. What it did provide was an interesting insight into Alan Joyce, the man who everyone was quick to vilify for his evil, nefarious acts. What we saw instead was a calm, intelligent man who was driven to this dramatic decision by a greedy union who wanted to 'slow bake' Qantas. Joyce's sole intention was to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible... and his dramatic gambit worked. Now I do not agree that he should receive a 71% pay increase; however I would suggest that he did earn a sizable chunk of it as a result of his brave actions to get Qantas flying again...
The results from the latest Right Side Poll are in, and they clearly show a desire to return to the Pacific Solution and TPV's, with all readers voting for a return to the Coalition's tried and tested solution. This poll is particularly pertinent, given the recent loss of life in Indonesia. The Gillard government must stop the boats before more lives are lost, simple as that. The blood is on your hands Julia, courtesy of your government's continued failure and incompetence. Thanks to all who voted on this issue of great national importance. The next Right Side Poll sees us looking to Europe. I would like to know what you think about the current Greek tragedy that could very well drag the world into another Global Financial Crisis... let me know what you think!
So that's it for another week and I do not think I have ever been so happy that it is a Friday! 'Thank God It's Friday!' just does not seem to cover it! My apologies for being a little absent over the past few weeks but my work/life balance has gone out the window. I'm looking to hit the blog pretty hard next week (got plenty of axes to grind!) so be sure to log on and check it out.
Make no mistake, Gillard is as red as they come, and I am not referring to her hair colour! She is a socialist, an extreme Left-winger, a communist... She has not abandoned her roots, she has simply become addicted to power, meaning that she has needed to conceal her true colours or alienate middle Australia. While she may have fooled some, the harsh reality for those on the Centre-Left is becoming very clear: once a red, always a red.
This week saw the culmination of months of backroom deals, brokering benefits for vested Green interests, and a half-backed and unconvincing national campaign to promote the Carbon Tax. The 18 'Clean Energy' Bills passed through the House of Representatives with great fanfare, with the Labor party revelling in the self-congratulatory atmosphere. It was a surreal scene and reminded me somewhat of the eve of the French Revolution: the nobility dined and celebrated as if all was normal, ignorant and blinded by their hubris, they failed to see that the mob was growing... and that they were angry... Gillard and Co. are, of course, proudly supporting [King of the Nuts] Bob Brown in his quest for a global, socialist government. Many are sceptical, but the evidence is undeniable; Bob won't be satisfied until he and his ilk control the world...
Then we have the fiasco around board protection and the swelling flood of boat people showing up on our shores. Now Gillard's basic red instinct is to just open the boards, but that would have upset every single Australia who still has a semblance of love for their country. No, she played the pretend game, setting up a deal that she knew would fail (and accepting 800 more refugees in the process) and held out until it all collapsed, leaving her - and the Greens - preferred mode of processing: on-shore. Why is this preferred? Well it means that they can give the red carpet treatment, on the tax-payer dollar, of course... These foreigners who come here illegally will now be given comfortable tax-payer funded community based accommodation. That's right, while over a 100,000 AUSTRALIANS are homeless on any given night, Gillard, Brown and Sarah Hanson-Young want to treat these illegal entrants to a nice holiday, and they are even going to give them some spending money... That's right, while you and I have to work for our money and face ever increasing cost of living pressures, Gillard and friends are giving these people between $443 (for a single illegal boat person) and $570 (for an illegal family) a fortnight! Why work when you can grab a boat, paddle around in the water until the coast guard arrives, and Sarah Hanson-Young will be there to roll out the red carpet with giant sack of free money and the keys to resort-like accommodations?! Why reward hard work and achievement when you can tax it and use the money to treat illegal entrants to a luxury holiday?!
Seriously, whoever voted ALP or Green at the last election you need to take a good, long, hard look at yourself in the mirror. Your politically correct bullshit is quickly destroying our great nation and eroding the culture and values that I - and all freedom loving Australians - hold so dear. Speaking of political correctness gone mad, I have the results for the latest Right Side Poll where I asked for your verdict on the Andrew Bolt Federal Court ruling. The response was clear with the overwhelming majority believing that it was a dark day for free speech (82%). Those who believed that it was an important clarification of the law (11%) and who thought that it was a victory against discrimination (5%) were in the minority. Thanks to all who voted, the poll results mirrored that of many conducted on the matter. I only hope that Bolt appeals and that this stain is swiftly removed from the legal system. The current Right Side Poll is looking at the border protection. I look forward to hearing you thoughts!
So that is it for another week. I hope that your Friday goes quickly and painlessly and that you have an enjoyable weekend. Best wishes and I hope to see you all back here next week! Oh, and if the weekend is not coming fast enough for your liking, and you are in need of some random awesomeness, you might want to check out this new blog I have been reading. Have a good one!
It sure has been an interesting week. We have had attacks on our freedom of speech via a terrible miscarriage of justice; nothing less than a heinous assault by the Left on one of the modern day Australian heroes, Andrew Bolt. In addition, was have seen more stupidity from Bob Brown, the man who would tax any and all, yet the liberal media lets his thought bubble go un-criticised (I'm shocked!). So we have a great conservative crucified for exercising his right to speak his mind and ask legitimate questions, yet on the other hand we have the captain of Team Loony Left spouting economic nonsense yet not a peep from the media!
This week it was also Julia Gillard's 50th birthday with the PM getting a puppy. Well, at least there will be one thing in this world that will love her unconditionally... We all know her party doesn't, with the latest Newspoll showing that the ALP would have a better shot with Kevin Rudd in the top job. Rudd even got a little exciting, thinking he was already back in the PM's chair:
Sure, he may have been a little jet-lagged, but it does give us a very interesting window into what the man is thinking, that which is occupying his mind. Make no mistake, the leadership spill is coming sooner rather than later. It will certainly be before Labor's National Conference (December 2-4), giving the ALP and Rudd the perfect platform to launch their election campaign: Kevin11. The party would want to give him a full month or so in the lead up to the Conference, so I predict the spill will occur no later than October 21st; that means you only have 3 more weeks in the job Julia, enjoy them while you can!
Happy Birthday Julia... we baked you a cake...
I was interested in what everyone thought of the Liberal Party's biggest sore loser, Malcolm Turnbull, and it looks as though the Right Side Poll has validated my beliefs on the man. Thanks to all who have voted, with all agreeing that his effect on the party is negative with the two most popular options selected being that Turnbull is a destabilising force and a sore loser, not to mention being irrelevant. This week, I want to know what you think about the Bolt Ruling, is this a blow for freedom of speech in our great nation or a fair ruling. Let me know what you think...
Being Friday, I wanted to leave you with something a little amusing. A story has surfaced concerning not other than the Caped Crusader... no, he wasn't fighting the super villains of Gotham City but rather Christchurch. Have a read, it's good for a chuckle! I wish you all a happy and safe weekend and hope to see you back here next week... Have a good one and enjoy the Grand Final!
This has been a bit of a strange week. Firstly I wish to apologise for being a little absent, my work/life balance this week has been practically non-existent. Which is a pity, because there has been a lot going on, most notably the joke of the year. That's right, I am talking about Wayne Swan being named the number 1 finance minister in the world. This was, of course, only days before the stock market took an absolute beating. Yea, you're doing a swell job, Wayne... Of course this illustrates the point of control; the simple fact of the matter is that Wayne could put on a chicken suit and run around screaming "I'm gunna prop up the economy by laying a golden egg!" and this would do very little as we are part of a global economy. Congratulating Swan on Australia's economy (we are doing 'less bad', not necessarily 'well') is a mute point; if you want to congratulate any one it should be the Chinese. Or, better yet, the decade of hard work put in by Howard/Costello which ensured that the fundamentals were strong and there was money in the bank when the GFC hit!
The other interesting area of discussion this week has been around Julia Gillard's tenuous grip on the Lodge. Commentators and observers have been pointing out that Kevin Rudd appears to be circling, going so far as to begin canvassing the support of those who turfed him out just over a year ago. This really speaks to the heart of Labor's problems right now; in a week where they did get one piece of good news (Swan's dubious accolade) they are unable to gain any political traction as their incompetence blocks out everything. K-Rudd, asylum seekers (still no deal and two more boats showing up today alone), Carbon Tax parliamentary debate... Gillard and Co. are drowning in a sea of incompetence, and the only ones who will suffer from this gross mismanagement of our nation is us!
Come closer Julia, I have a knife shaped object I would like to show you...
I love this country, but sometimes I really do weep for the future and question the intellect of my fellow Australians. I strongly believe in democracy and would never deny anyone their right to participate in a free and open election; but I do, however, question the cognitive faculties of those who vote Labor/Green... They were fooled by Rudd then allowed themselves to be fooled again by Gillard. Who leads the party doesn't matter, they are all of the same ideology, one that is built around waste, debt and rewarding incompetence.
Anyway, now that I have had my little rant for the week I will sign off, as I still have a very imposing stack of work to see to. I hope that your weekend is a little more interesting than what I fear mine will turn out to be! Best wishes and stay safe...
Another week has come and gone, and what do we have to show for it? Parliament is sitting again, debating the Carbon Tax in a record short time space; how can you build consensus on an important policy area when, as a government, all you want to do is ram the legislation through? No debate, no discussion, this is what it is, approve it and shut-up! Hardly sounds like democracy, but that is what Bob Brown wants, ergo that is what Gillard will deliver. As long as Comrade Premier Brown is happy, the wheels of the democracy Glorious Socialist Paradise will continue to turn...
"Will you be my friend? I'll buy you a pie... or four?"
An emerging story is the reaction to Gillard's address at Old Parliament house today, outlining her vision for the Labor Party. It seems as though the PM is after some new friends, setting the goal of recruiting 8000 new ALP members over the course of next year. Where she intends on finding these people I don't know... Actually, on the other hand, there are 4000 'refugees' coming here from Malaysia; perhaps one of the conditions of entry is that you must vote Labor? If they knew what a mess the ALP is, I'm guessing they would chose to remain in Malaysia rather than be associated with Gillard and the rest of the ALP rabble...
"Will you be my friend, tiny ranga?"
What we haven't heard this week is Tony Abbott discussing Industrial Relations, which would disappoint most of our readers as there is an indication from this week's Right Side Poll that this needs to be addressed. This topic has, understandably, polarised our readers, with 75% believing that FairWork must be scrapped and elements of WorkChoices returned, while the other 25% nominated the 'Hell No' option, believing that it would be electoral suicide. I am of the view that it needs to be done if we want a productive economy; WorkChoices was actually really good legislation, but the Union scare campaign destroyed what should have been John Howard's crowning achievement. Whether now is the right time for this discussion, I don't know. What I do know is that if Abbott doesn't want to leave himself open for attack on this issue, the Coalition needs an airtight, clearly communicated IR policy moving into the next election. If there is no clear policy, the Union fear machine will just crank up again...
"Will you be my frie... actually, no, on second thoughts..."
This week's Right Side Poll is looking at something entirely different: Malcolm Turnbull. This week there were murmurings about Turnbull speaking on the Carbon Tax legislation. Will he speak or won't he? What will he say? Is the party gagging him? This episode has highlighted just how destabilising Turnbull can be. So I want to know what you think about the man; is he good, bad, or damaging? Vote and tell us what you think, I'm fascinated to see how this poll turns out...
Right, so that is it for this week and I would like to finish up on a serious note. Within the course of a week we have had World Suicide Prevention Day (10th of September) and R U OK? Day (15th of September). While awareness is important, it is nothing without action. This weekend, if you have a spare moment, put it to good use. Jump on the phone to a friend or loved one and ask them how they are going. If you have a few spare moments, why not get your friends together for a coffee and a chat. Our world can be a lonely place, but you can solve that just by picking up the phone. I wish you all a happy and safe weekend, and remember: if you are struggling with a psychological problem, whether you are just feeling a bit down and blue, you are no alone! There are people who care about you and services available to help out.
The focus this week has been firmly on the Prime Minister and, more specifically, her career prospects which at the moment do not look so good. Record low polling to the point that Fiji's military dictator is more popular than Gillard (hope that doesn't give her any ideas...), the continuation of the Thomson Affair, and, of course, the asylum debate were all in the news, none of it favourable for Gillard and Co. For the government things are just getting worse and worse, which shows that this is a government which hasn't just lost its way, but fallen entirely off the grid!
What made me laugh the most this week was Bob Brown's little rant on 7:30 where he outlined the Greens' policy. Without going into too much detail Bob basically stated that he wanted to open the boarders to any Tom, Dick or Mohammad who could jump on a leaky boat and point it in Christmas Island's direction. What I found the most shocking was, according to Bob, the majority of Australia's actually support this move! I don't know who Bob's chatting with but everyone I speak to on the matter thinks we need to reinstate the Howard Pacific Solution, quick smart! We have all seen what has happened in Europe, most notably the UK; is that really the path we want to go down? I suggest that most logical, sensible people in the community (i.e. those who don't talk to Brown...) would disagree with your suggestion that yours is the popular viewpoint, Bob... Brown, nevertheless, continued on further stating that "we [the Greens] are simply setting policy for Australia"; I think that pretty much sums up the relationship between Brown and Deputy-PM Gillard... don't you think?
Far out man... stop harshing my mellow...
Here's some stats that Senator Brown might like to consider before opening his mouth again:
2002 - 2007: 288 people come to Australia by boat
Post 2007: 11,600 people come by boat
Yea, scrapping the Pacific Solution was a brilliant idea! Thanks Rudd, dismantling Howard's effective boarder security policy is obviously what the majority of Australians wanted; I know it is what the people smugglers were hoping for...
This has been a long, busy, drawn out week and now, finally - FINALLY! - it is Friday, so it is time for a little light hearted silliness... The results from this week's Right Side Poll are in, and it looks as though the Faceless Men should be turning to the ALP Witch Doctors (not to be confused with their Spin Doctors...) to reanimate Australia's war time Prime Minister. Our 14th PM polled the highest, with 67% of the vote going to Zombie John Curtin. Simon Crean was the only other suggestion to receive any votes, with 33%. This is not difficult to believe, after all a zombie would still have more personality than Crean... There was a lot of discussion when Julia got the top job around whether Australia was 'ready' for a female leader. The question now is are we ready for a zombie in the top job? Read the full story...
For this week's Right Side Poll I am interest to know what you think about Industrial Relations; should Tony Abbott and the Coalition being looking to roll back the ALP's FairWork Australia and return to individual contracts? Let me know what you think... Of course, it's Friday, and where would we be without some laughs and perhaps a drink or two (just remember not to overdo it...)? I have included below a clip which, I imagine, is probably what Bob Brown dreams of at night... Oh, and just a warning, there is course language; it is incredibly funny though...
Once again thanks to all who have taken the time to vote on the Right Side Poll and who have dropped in over the week. Don't forget to check out our new Facebook page and tell us what you think of the website. Your feedback is very much appreciated, so please keep sending it through! I hope that you all have an amazing weekend and I look forward to seeing you back here next week...
What a brilliant, wonderful, fantastic week we are having! It is entirely possible that, by this time next week, we will not only have a new PM, but a new election! There have been a lot of stories buzzing about this week, from the bullying tactics used by the PM to silence News Ltd, through to the High Court placing the final nail into the coffin of the much maligned 'Malaysian Solution'. But all of these failures that are coming to light are symptomatic of a far larger, underlying problem facing the government. No, it's not refugees, the plethora of new taxes, or Craig Thomson, it is Gillard herself; she has now become the physical embodiment of all of Labor's failures. The rot has well and truly set in, and there is no way back. For the ALP, moving forward now means moving to the Opposition benches... and getting comfortable because they are going to be there for a while...
So where did it all go wrong? Where did the wheels start to fall off the bright, shiny resurrected Labor sports car that was the Kevin07 racer? Well, first of all, the driver was none too great to start with. The messages were good and the promises even better, but it was all a smoke and mirrors show. Soon, the public got over the K-Rudd love haze and saw his government for what it really was: all spin and no substance. The mistake Labor made was they thought that changing the leader would help; but that is not the case if you do not address the underlying fundamentals which lead to that leader's downfall. No matter how many times you change the salesman, if the product is the same you will get the same results. Simple.
Gillard was, of course, greeted with much fanfare as the nation's first female Prime Minister. However voters didn't appreciate how she got the job and the role the 'Faceless Men' played in organising Rudd's assassination and her ascendancy. Backroom deals and shady 'mates helping mates' scenarios don't sit well with Australians, and the simple fact was that we were dissatisfied with Rudd and wanted our opportunity to tell him what we thought of him at the ballot box. An opportunity we were robbed of. Despite the initial rebound offered by Gillard's promotion, it didn't last long. Her first big public mistake was the dreadful "Moving Forward" speech which clearly showed that the spin doctors were still the ones who were really in charge of the Prime Minister's office.
The election allowed the Coalition to claw back more ground than any of us had hoped for just six months earlier, but it wasn't enough. By giving everything to the Greens, including her soul, Gillard maintained a grip on power, all be it a weak one. Since then it has been nothing but screw-ups and back flips, and we, the people, are getting pretty darn sick of it. It has gotten to the point where every week there is a new back flip, policy reversal/mess-up, or outright lie, and it has to stop. If the ALP waits any longer it will destroy their brand completely. The simple fact is that Gillard and this incompetent government must go, now!
Now that I have got that off my chest, and have made my psychic prediction (Gillard & Co. out of office by month's end) I will get back to the main Friday agenda. Two weeks ago we were chatting about the issue of 'coal seam mining' or 'fracking' and I wanted to know what everyone thought about the issue of big miners being able to enter and survey private farm land without the owner's permission. To my mind it was a gross violation of property rights that shouldn't stand in our beloved nation. Well, the Right Side Poll results are in, and it looks like you agree with me unreservedly: 100% of readers voted that of course farmers should be able to coal seam exploration on their land. This week, I would like your thoughts on who will next lead the ALP once Gillard is knifed? Do Labor move forward by going back to Rudd, or should the Faceless Men chose a new face for 'leader'? Let me know... or join the discussion on our new Facebook page!
As always I like to sign off on Fridays with something a little light and funny. After all, a week's full of political discussion and debate can be quite heavy, and Friday is always the time for a little mischief and fun! I thought this clip would be particularly relevant given that some have accused me of hyperbole when discussing Labour's failures...
I wish you all a happy and safe weekend and I look forward to seeing you all back here again next week. Be sure to vote on this week's Right Side Poll and check us out on Facebook. Now get out of here and have some fun, you crazy Conservatives!
Parliament has returned and it is great to have all our pollies back! After the Carbon Tax debate had cooled and, as Julia desperately hoped that it would just disappear into the background, Tony Abbott made his triumphant return and turned the heat right up to max. With every passing day Gillard has been looking more and more anxious and haggard; I wonder if she has caught the faint sound of her loyal backbenchers sharpening their knifes? Quite frankly I wouldn't blame them, given her dreadful performance. Plus it would set the scene for the second coming of the Labor Messiah, Saint Kevin... Although, given their current polling, it is no longer a matter of who will win the next election, but more how much the ALP will lose by...
Can't we all just get along... so I can get back to taxing... and spending... and some more taxing...
Speaking of elections, the next one may not be all that far away, especially when you consider the recent sordid revelations concerning the nocturnal activities of Labor MP Craig Thomson. It appears that Mr Thomson likes the ladies of the night which, in and of itself, is a scandal, but not necessarily one that cannot be survived. However, what moves this from the 'Naughty, Misbehaving MP' category to the 'Career Ending' pile is that a union credit card was used to elicit the services of these ladies. Moreover, the ALP is bailing out Mr Thomson - who is facing bankruptcy - so that he doesn't lose that incredibly valuable lower house seat. So, if the question of 'what lengths is the ALP willing to go in order to cling to power?' the answer is clear: using the membership fees of hardworking union members for hookers? That's alright. Using ALP dollars to prop up financially - and morally - bankrupt members to keep this sinking government above water? Sure, why not! After all, there are some things money can't by... like that seat Mr Thomson currently occupies. Although, for how much longer is any one's guess...
Outside of the Carbon Tax and Hookergate affair, things are not looking up for the PM. As we speak Julia Gillard is locked away in COAG meetings. What was once a Labor love-in is now, undoubtedly, something more akin to a steel cage death match, with the Liberal Premiers promising to take the PM to task on a range of issues that have got their goat. Good on them, I say. Gillard and Federal Labor have been trying to erode the state's powers and autonomy for too long and it is really great to see that Premier Colin Barnett finally has some backup!
Oh how I hate you Swan! You're such an idiot! The moment the press isn't looking I'm going to knife you good!
So, as we say good bye to another working week, we also pull out the results for the latest Right Side Poll. Thanks again to all who voted, with this week providing another high level of responses, which is great to see! We asked: How should the Government respond to the flood of illegal boats? The majority agree that Howard had it right, and that the Pacific Solution needs to be brought back (62% of votes), followed by turning the boats around (25%) and processing off-shore (12%). On-shore processing received no votes, illustrating that the government's move to increase on-shore processing (i.e. the Northam Detention Centre) is doomed to be condemned by the Australian people. Thanks again for taking the time to have your say, and be sure to cast your vote in this week's poll: Should farmers have the right to block coal seam exploration on their land? Look forward to hearing what you think...
And, as always, given that it is a Friday I thought that I would leave you with something amusing. Now, the above clip has nothing to do with politics at all, but it is still one of the best verbal backhanders I have ever heard! Anyway enjoy your weekend and I hope to see you back here next week. So until then, don't misuse your union credit card and I'll see you on the Convoy to Canberra!
Around this time last week I was sitting at my computer, looking at the blank 'New Post' and wondering how I was going to sum up the week. How do you summarise a whole bunch of nothing? This really does demonstrate just how much can change from one week to the next. This week we have all been on a wild ride with the ASX, and the broader global markets in general, which has seen us plummet to below 4000 before finishing the week largely where we started. We were up, down, and everywhere in between, except steady. The US outlook is not good and just when we thought Europe couldn't get any worse, it starts looking even more wobbly than it did before.
Another reminder of Labor's failure
While the headlines were firmly fixed on the economy, there was considerable attention given the increasingly farcical 'Malaysian Solution'. While the first plane load of Malaysian refugees are set to land this weekend, it looks like we will be stuck with the asylum seekers bound for Malaysia a little longer, as the courts are tied up deciding the legitimacy of the deal. While the courts were busy trying to sort this mess out, another boat showed up uninvited on Christmas Island with over a hundred boat people. This brings the number of boats which have arrived in the past two weeks to three, with over two hundred refugees aboard. If the Malaysian solution was meant to be a deterrent I think we now have the evidence to show that is has failed. This is an expensive exercise with the only results being more boat people and the transformation into a laughing stock on the global stage.
On the global front we also had the UK riots, a dark episode in British history which has surely made the 2012 Olympic committee a little nervous. What a horrific display of the feral nature bubbling under the surface of British society. I hope that Julia Gillard is watching closely, because this is the result of a reckless multicultural program where the door is open to any Tom, Dick, or Mohammad who can illegally enter the country. My heart goes out to all those affected by the rabble who clearly have no respect for their country.
Anyway returning to the issue of economics, I have the results for this week's Right Side Poll. This week we asked our readers to suggest how the government should respond to the recent market turmoil. As the markets got worse throughout the week, the more votes we got and I am happy to announce that this week we had our best response rate ever. The results clearly point to the need for the government to scrap the taxes which seem aimed at hurting our economy, with 90% of the readers saying the taxes must go. 10% votes for letting the markets sort themselves out, while nobody wanted another cash handout to buy a plasma... Thanks once again to all who voted. This week's turnout has been very encouraging with the highest number of votes and hits to the site; it's great to see everyone contributing and having their say! I will be archiving the results from the Right Side Polls as of this week, so if you're interested in taking a closer look at the numbers just click on the Right Side Poll page on the top navigation bar.
This week's Right Side Poll is looking at the issue of off-shore processing; how should the Government respond to the flood of illegal boats?
So that is it from me for another week. As always I wish you all the best for the weekend - make it a good one! - and I look forward to seeing you all back here next week.
Let's face it, this has been a slow week on the political front. The biggest news to come out of the week is only just emerging, with global markets tumbling as everyone gets the jitters. Europe looks as though it is teetering on the edge of the abyss (the only option left is to begin jettisoning some of the weaker EU members) and the American solution to their debt crises was hardly convincing and filled few with the confidence needed to prevent the bear from returning. So where does that leave us? Grasping desperately to the coat tails of our Chinese friends... but even they are starting to look a little shaky... of course it wouldn't be so bad if our PM wasn't further damaging our economy with the myriad of taxes and shackles as she endeavours to destroy what little hope we have left!
The results from this week's Right Side Poll is in, and it is emphatic! All those wonderful folk who took the time to vote agreed that the 'Malaysian Solution' would cost tax-payers an unjustifiably large amount of money for no benefit, resulting in a humiliating farce. Thanks to all those who shared their views on the matter; it is clear that this is just another example of failed Labor policy, an unnecessary blunder to cover up their incompetence! This week's Right Side Poll turns the spotlight on the markets, asking readers to contribute their thoughts on the recent falls.
For those of you who regularly follow what is going on at The Right Side, you will notice a few additions. There is now the opportunity to follow our RSS feed, subscribe to the blog by e-mail, even follow John Citizen on Twitter. For all of the ways to follow Australia's favourite conservative blog, just click on the 'Keep up to date...' tab to see all of the new features available. So please continue to contribute your thoughts and feedback. After all, that is what this blog is all about: like-minded conservatives chatting and debating the big issues of the day. So don't stand on the sidelines, join the fun!
Speaking of fun, it's Friday. While there is doom and gloom on the markets, there is no reason we can't have a bit of a laugh. A friend of mine recently took me on a nostalgic trip down memory lane the other day by reminding me of the Peter Garret parody. I've included the clip below.
Anyway I hope that you all have a brilliant weekend and I hope to see you all back here next week to continue the debate...
