Great news from Australia:
Australia's opposition has crushed the governing Labor party in a general
election that has returned the Liberal-National coalition to power for the first
time in six years.
Tony Abbott, Australia's new Prime Minister, now has a excellent opportunity to lead the country for many years, because the losing Labor Party has de facto ruled itself out, if one is to believe Bill Shorten, who is the likely new party leader after Kevin Rudd:
Bill Shorten, the favourite to lead the Labor Party in opposition, said the party needed to recognise the electorate had told it to get its house in order.
But he said Labor should not give up on its principles, including the need to have a price on carbon.
“I don't believe anyone in Labor is going to walk away from the issue of putting a price on carbon pollution,” he told Network Ten, flagging a fight with the incoming Abbott government as it tries to axe the carbon tax.
“Because a failure to act on pollution is in fact just making the problem harder for our kids, and that's not the Labor way.”
Read the entire article here
The sooner Abbott manages to axe the tax, the better for Australia. A Labor party which still insists on "putting a price on carbon" must be prepared for a prolonged stay in opposition.
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Saturday, 7 September 2013
What Obama told - or should have told - Putin in St. Petersburg
Finally, a great summary of the G20 "summit" that took place in dictator Vladimir Putin's home town St. Petersburg:
Hopes for a positive G20 summit crumbled today as President Obama blurted to Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a joint press appearance, “Everyone here thinks you’re a jackass.”
The press corps appeared stunned by the uncharacteristic outburst from Mr. Obama, who then unleashed a ten-minute tirade at the stone-faced Russian President.
“Look, I’m not just talking about Snowden and Syria,” Mr. Obama said. “What about Pussy Riot? What about your anti-gay laws? Total jackass moves, my friend.”
Hopes for a positive G20 summit crumbled today as President Obama blurted to Russia’s Vladimir Putin at a joint press appearance, “Everyone here thinks you’re a jackass.”
The press corps appeared stunned by the uncharacteristic outburst from Mr. Obama, who then unleashed a ten-minute tirade at the stone-faced Russian President.
“Look, I’m not just talking about Snowden and Syria,” Mr. Obama said. “What about Pussy Riot? What about your anti-gay laws? Total jackass moves, my friend.”
As Mr. Putin narrowed his eyes in frosty silence, Mr. Obama seemed to warm to his topic.
“If you think I’m the only one who feels this way, you’re kidding yourself,” Mr. Obama said, jabbing his finger in the direction of the Russian President’s face. “Ask Angela Merkel. Ask David Cameron. Ask the Turkish guy. Every last one of them thinks you’re a dick.”
Shortly after Mr. Obama’s volcanic performance, Mr. Putin released a terse official statement, reading, “I should be afraid of this skinny man? I wrestle bears.”
After one day of meetings, the G20 nations voted unanimously on a resolution that said maybe everyone should just go home.
Who knows, maybe Barack Obama will use this kind of language the next time he meets the leader of the world's number one kleptocracy? It would add some real substance to these empty "summits".
“If you think I’m the only one who feels this way, you’re kidding yourself,” Mr. Obama said, jabbing his finger in the direction of the Russian President’s face. “Ask Angela Merkel. Ask David Cameron. Ask the Turkish guy. Every last one of them thinks you’re a dick.”
Shortly after Mr. Obama’s volcanic performance, Mr. Putin released a terse official statement, reading, “I should be afraid of this skinny man? I wrestle bears.”
After one day of meetings, the G20 nations voted unanimously on a resolution that said maybe everyone should just go home.
Who knows, maybe Barack Obama will use this kind of language the next time he meets the leader of the world's number one kleptocracy? It would add some real substance to these empty "summits".