The Mad Monk strikes again.

[Leaping Lindner]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politic ... 5823300045

No mention of men saving themselves for marriage however. So who would they lose their virginity to????

[Psyber]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/tony-abbott-warns-women-against-sex-before-marriage/story-e6frgczf-1225823300045
No mention of men saving themselves for marriage however. So who would they lose their virginity to????

Actually, in an interview on TV I saw he did suggest men should save themselves for marriage too, and admitted he had in his youth fallen short of his own ideals.
I'm saying that in fairness, not advocating for his views...

[Gingernuts]

He's also clarified the context of his comments:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/27/2802087.htm

[fisho mcspaz]

That's the way, Tony! Teach abstinence, not contraception!

[Gozu]

Not exactly sure where to put this but it needs to be highlighted.

"How many jobs will Barnaby Joyce cost Australia?":

http://www.crikey.com.au/2010/02/04/how ... australia/

[Psyber]

I didn't see is performance, but regarding. "How many jobs will Barnaby Joyce cost Australia?", I'd predict a lot less that the bright idea of dropping tariff barriers did.
The legendary "Blind Freddy" could nave predicted the decline in "at home" manufacturing that followed that, and the inability of the displaced workers to train up for the hypothetical boom in IT jobs in our future "clever country". [Pity the Indians got in first there.]

[redandblack]

Oh, Psyber, what a disappointing response. I have to give you some credit, though, for such a partisan diversion of breathtaking irrelevance.

I recall a Labor Treasurer being forced to resign (I think it was John Kerin) for not knowing what some economic initials stood for and he was regarded as a laughing stock because of it.

I suppose Barnaby escapes criticism, not because of a wimp right-wing press, but because everyone knows he actualy is an economic buffoon.

[Psyber]

Oh, Psyber, what a disappointing response. I have to give you some credit, though, for such a partisan diversion of breathtaking irrelevance.
I recall a Labor Treasurer being forced to resign (I think it was John Kerin) for not knowing what some economic initials stood for and he was regarded as a laughing stock because of it.
I suppose Barnaby escapes criticism, not because of a wimp right-wing press, but because everyone knows he actualy is an economic buffoon.

I'm not defending Barnaby Joyce in any way - as I said I didn't see or hear it. So, I have no comment on that.
The job loss issue is something I care about though - there has always been an employment problem for those with limited retraining capacity, and I used to work in the area of assisting them.

I did, and still do, think that dropping tariff barriers and killing off our manufacturing base, which provided low level process work for those who didn't have the intellectual skills to be retrained for higher tech jobs was a major mistake, and that suggesting they would all move into jobs created by the IT boom was naive, to say the least. It was, and is, sad because, now that we are all used to much cheaper manufactured commodities than could ever be produced here, those jobs are not recoverable.

[mick]

I don't agree with Abbott on his issues with regard to viginity, abortion etc. BUT it is great to see a political leader air his personal priciples in public without minders and spin. The "mad monk" has revitalised the opposition,this is a good thing. The boring beige beaurocrat is now going to have to deliver. If Abbott can push "the great big new tax" line effectively, he's a real chance to end up PM.

[Dirko]

I saw a picture of his daughters. If they were my daughters I'd be telling 'em to stay Virgins, but if tempted turn to Lesbianism.....

[redandblack]

I don't agree with Abbott on his issues with regard to viginity, abortion etc. BUT it is great to see a political leader air his personal priciples in public without minders and spin. The "mad monk" has revitalised the opposition,this is a good thing. The boring beige beaurocrat is now going to have to deliver. If Abbott can push "the great big new tax" line effectively, he's a real chance to end up PM.

Not while Barnaby Joyce is his finance spokesman.

As they say, 'a freak show'.

As for pushing the great big new tax line, he's using it every sentence he utters.

bad luck about his joke of a climate change policy

[mick]

I agree Barnaby is a shocker and should go. Unfortunately Rudd has made such a mess of climate change (explaing ETS) and after the debacle in Copenhagen, will it continue to be a big issue? On the Labor side Penny Wong has been less than spectacular, she ticks all the PC boxes so I suppose she'll stay. One thing is for sure increasing taxes is always a big issue.

[Leaping Lindner]

And it just get's better......

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politic ... 5828211437

Let's hope the woman of australia can drag themsleves away from their housework to get out and vote on election day.

It's called the 21st Century Tony......Join us.....You never know you might like it.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

I don't agree with Abbott on his issues with regard to viginity, abortion etc. BUT it is great to see a political leader air his personal priciples in public without minders and spin. The "mad monk" has revitalised the opposition,this is a good thing. The boring beige beaurocrat is now going to have to deliver. If Abbott can push "the great big new tax" line effectively, he's a real chance to end up PM.

Not while Barnaby Joyce is his finance spokesman.

As they say, 'a freak show'.

As for pushing the great big new tax line, he's using it every sentence he utters.

bad luck about his joke of a climate change policy

Or more to the point, every sentence he stutters. Yes, we know he is an embarrassment R&B.

Lindsay Tanner is one of the few on the Government's front bench that I have any time for. He'll eat Barnaby alive!

[redandblack]

Oh dear, Barnaby's been at it again.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 814351.htm

He'll have to go.

[Psyber]

Oh dear, Barnaby's been at it again.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 814351.htm
He'll have to go.

I've read that one and I'll reserve judgement on his accuracy of his opinion until I see some figures.
It may be purely speculative, because, surely, the states have never been close to being unable to fund their borrowings and other obligations before..
Or, have they?

[redandblack]

Psyber, regardless of the figures, it is totally irresponsible of any politician to make those sort of comments.

It's been so since the start of politics in this country.

Do you know that?

Fair's fair, mate, I know we have different opinions, but some things are a no-brainer.

Oh.........

[dedja]

I'll support R&B 1000000000% on this one.

Barnaby is confusing local politics with international monetary policy, Australia's credit rating and the reaction of the world stock markets. This confusion has the potential to spook the markets globally.

Wrong battle in the wrong arena for mine.

He is completely out of his depth and must be removed immediately before he damages Australia's international reputation ... which he is risking solely to score political points.

[fisho mcspaz]

Barnaby is a shocker. I'd say he was the Kyle Sandilands of the political scene, except that the things he says aren't designed primarily to offend people - he actually seems to believe his own bullsh1t.

[Psyber]

Regardless of this guys fitness for the job, which I don't have an opinion on yet until I see a bit more, I am personally concerned about the level of debt that is being run up by our federal government.
I was not convinced the stimulus package was necessary, and while I was never a fan of Paul Keating, I don't think he would have done it - he didn't in 1987 in similar circumstances