It aims to be: "A light hearted and satirical, though frequently factual look at Australia and the world."
The Australian sticks to Republic
The Australian newspaper must be commended for their readiness to help the
average Aussie reader. When you purchase The Australian you receive a freebie.
Just ask your friendly newsagent and you will be granted a "Vote YES for
the Republic" sticker.
Hey, Hey, Ho Hum
We knew the day would come when Darryl Sommers would have to "walk the
plank". After 28 blissful years, we will have to wave goodbye to the Channel
9 relic "Hey, Hey it's Saturday". Undoubtedly Channel 9 loves wielding the
axe.. enter the stranglehold of the pay TV monster.
Oldfield makes page 13
Jo Casamento of "The Daily Telegraph" gave MLC David Oldfield a mention on
the 28th October.
"It wasn't exactly a packed house when David Oldfield rose to his feet to
deliver his long-awaited Maiden Speech on Tuesday night."
Fact or fiction? The media coverage was poor, verging on non-existent. Oldfield
was elected on March 27, meaning his speech was 7 months in the making. Perhaps
he was disadvantaged by leaving his run too late?
Mrs Laws' luxury
According to my roving reporter "the Princess" (aka Caroline Laws) has her
own personal chef who arrives at the house daily to prepare her breakfast
and run her bath.
Meanwhile, John fights it out in the courts. It's long overdue, however the
greatest outcome we can hope for is that the seed of suspicion will be planted
in the minds of the listeners. May commercial radio be treated with the greatest
of caution from this day forward.
One Nation... party of whingers?
I know some great people in One Nation. Some fair people, some honest people.
I also have witnessed some who appear to have missed out on their quota.
When Pauline Hanson walks into a room, she attracts people. That is the magnetism
that is Pauline. Was it not David Oldfield who referred to Pauline as "the
product?" Interestingly, I think we are witnessing a role reversal. "The
Product" that is Oldfield is now what be reinforced in the minds of people.
Oldfield, Harris, the Queensland One Nation MPs are all accountable to the
people who put them there. The voters. To a great extent, the members of
the party have every right to question the direction of it. That doesn't
make them whingers, it makes them smart.
To date I have received no complaints from David Oldfield or Pauline Hanson.
Seems that Brian Zarth is the only one perturbed enough to complain.
No retraction and no apology.
We all do it.
We all enjoy it.
We all live for it.
We all just can't stop the urge.
We all gossip.
60 Minutes is one big farce. The Republic Debate proved it. Relief came when
Ray Martin said he would not put his hand up to be President. That was highlight
material. Jason Yat-sen Li looked quite chuffed when a lady offered the
suggestion that he should be President. It was quite amazing how many people
had changed from Monarchists to Republicans by the time the program was filmed.
I'm searching for an explanation - terminal love for Channel 9 perhaps?
I was reminded of a poem which discusses the perplexing absurdity of providing
an ambulance down in the valley as opposed to placing a fence around the
mouth of the cliff. In simple terms. prevention is better than cure. It's
a difficult concept for some to grasp and it applies to Saturday's Referendum.
The greatest fallacy that surrounds it, is that any problems will be "ironed
out" of the proposed Republic if and when it is voted on.
A leopard won't change its spots, so if you don't like the look of the animal,
turn it away at the door.
See you next week on "The Grapevine"
S.S. Wingate
Send me your goss at: thegrapevine@chickmail.com
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