Comments on: Intellectual pass the parcel

By: Jimmythespiv

Jimmythespiv — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 07:51:29 +0000

On this logic, Bob Brown would not make the best wartime PM(”Cuddle them I say”). But let’s not discount the random and human factors on this hard / soft issue question - people with qualities rise to the occasion (eg like him or not, John Howard), and often the heavily hyped fail - John Hewson comes to mind. There must be many Labor examples as well.

By: Sacha

Sacha — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 22:46:07 +0000

Isn’t this just the old idea of lefty/social democratic parties being touchy-feely and not necessarily very good with “hard” things such as economics, and righty parties being the converse? (with a fair bit of cross-dressing as Stephen points out)

I’m sure I was aware of this stereotype as a kid in the 80s - the idea must have an older parentage than ‘91.

By: Andrew Norton

Andrew Norton — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 20:09:28 +0000

“I

By: Club Troppo » Wednesday’s Missing Link

Club Troppo » Wednesday’s Missing Link — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 14:04:49 +0000

[...] Andrew Norton complains that Troppo’s Don Arthur stole his “mummy/daddy party” hypothesis (well, to be more accurate it’s George Lakoff’s hypothesis, but Andrew reckons he

By: Stephen Hill

Stephen Hill — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 07:18:46 +0000

But I think politics is often very transgendered - mummy dressing as daddy, daddy dresing as mummy - Liberal governments trying to act social democratic to appeal to some voters (particularly rural voters), think baby-bonus/family benefits. And Labor governments trying to do the reverse to offer the perception they’ll be tough in various areas.

By: Sacha

Sacha — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:20:47 +0000

*laugh* I must be a daddy sans offspring.

By: Andrew Leigh

Andrew Leigh — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:15:44 +0000

It all depends on whether you take a mummy or a daddy attitude to this. If you take a mummy attitude, you should just be glad that your idea is out making its way in the world. If you take a daddy attitude, you need to have everyone know that it’s your kid who’s winning all the prizes.

By: Sacha

Sacha — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:06:41 +0000

When I read the article, I thought of Andrew Leigh referring to your post on the “mummy and daddy parties” some time ago and thought that it was shame that only Don’s contribution was mentioned.

By: parkos

parkos — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:05:37 +0000

In Germany, Sacha, you would be subsidised and free to swim in the Interlaken and elsewhere in the EU, with free education whether you had a job or not. Although a medical degree in Riga would cost you about A$40000 over 5 years, easy entrance requirements mind you.

If it were not for Australian Lithuanian photographer Olegas Truchanas having lots of time to wander through the bush and take photos there may not have been a global green political movement as we know it. His photos inspired the Tasmanian Greens (the world’s 1st green party) who subsequently inspired Petra Kelly and the German greens.

By: parkos

parkos — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:52:17 +0000

Uncle Sam, Mother Russia, Gog/Magog, Father Land..
Is Australia a Sheila, a Bruce or a Thai Pole Dancer of intermediate sex?