Hannibal

I'm not here to make friends and suspect I've succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Nonetheless, my point stands. You're losing focus of the issues.

I couldn't read it all due to being a non-subscriber. It's one thing to acknowledge the country's history, but to "right the wrongs of the past", "respect customary laws", such as "payback", etc., to offer "totem poles" ? You're kidding me. Actually, you won't be. No wonder this country will never move forward. It is far too concerned by what divides us and not what unites us.

Judith Sloan on SPC Ardmona: So who is telling lies? Shadow Industry Minister, Kim Carr, and local Liberal MP Sharmon Stone are a tag-team when it comes to accusing the Prime Minister of uttering porkies about the excessive workers’ conditions and restrictive practices. The trouble is that the evidence is there for everyone to read. The SPC Ardmona EBA does provide for wages which are 40 per cent above the award; does contain superannuation contributions of 11.5 per cent (above the norm of 9.25 per cent); does allow for some cashing out of sick leave; does provide excessive redundancy payouts for the majority of workers; does provide for a day of leave to attend the Food Preservers’ Picnic and numerous RDOs; and the list goes on. And if the various allowances are so trivial, they should have been cashed out and eliminated years ago.

Robbie, What were you saying about Left wing teachers ? Here they are speaking for a bunch of primary school kids. They really are a disgrace.

Forties are "autumn years" ?

Unions destroyed our manufacturing industries years ago. You're too late.

My gut feeling is I don't know. And I won't know until I know.

I often look at Richmond's list and try to weigh up the differences. Many consider them to be pushing top 6. Cotchin and Deledio are better mids than anything we have. They have a better explosive finisher in Martin. They arguably have better flankers in Newman, Grigg, Houli and Morris, although none of these are world-beaters and any gap can be easily bridged. They have a better ruck in Maric. It's fair to say that they edge us in some areas, but it's really the midfield where they usurp us. They also have years under the same coach, so they've been building for a while. We can have a more dominant forward-line and at least equal them in the back-line, if not shade them with a competitive midfield. The bottom line is that we need a couple of Viney, Tyson, Toumpas, Salem, Trengove to become AA quality midfielders. If it happens we'll be knocking on the door of the 8 quickly, if it doesn't we'll be middle of the road.

Where have I said I want him to play "every" game ? The way footy is played these days it's difficult to measure impact by goals. Hogan could have an 8 mark 20 possession game, be one of our best and not kick a goal. I certainly anticipate he'll average in the top 10 for B&F votes per game, and an average of 2 goals per game is well within his reach. I unashamedly declare him to be the best key forward I've seen arrive at the club in 40 years, which is not meant to sound disparaging to Schwarz, Neitz and to a lesser extent Lyon. And yes, I'm more than comfortable with this opinion before he's played a game. The best key forwards were often borderline stars at 19 (yes, not their first seasons) and Hogan is mentally and physically ready to make an impact. He's far more mentally and physically ready than Franklin and far more physically ready than Cameron. Subject to conditioning and injury I'd expect Hogan to play 18-20 games.

What part of happy to disagree don't you understand ?

I'm happy to disagree and be bullish. Hogan is going to be a superstar of the competition (and I'm not insinuating you disagree). He plays every game at 19. Of course he'll have quiet games, he did at Casey last year, but his footy smarts, aggression, strength, running ability will see him impact games from year one. Like Tony Lockett, Hogan is a man child. I'm not expecting Hogan to be a 19 year old Lockett (79 goals), who was already a superstar having debuted at 17 and kicked 77 goals as an 18 year old, but I have NO doubt Hogan will surprise many, including Melbourne supporters who are nervous about the hype.

OK, great. Thanks for the reminder of the very complex Yugoslavian wars. It's changed everything.

OK, it's efficient. It's either viable, or not. Seems not.

Not withstanding your general sentiments I believe Hogan's impact in year one will surprise many.

Why should tax payers keep bailing out inefficient businesses ? You can't keep propping up industries hand over fist. Bet the union got them great unsustainable conditions, which has no doubt helped the workers cause.

From the bootstudder to the President you're known and loved. With special thanks to Machsy.

The problem is their policy is working and they hate it.

Lots of independent members. If I never posted again (some people probably aren't that lucky) or you never did, I wouldn't give a continental. I don't know you, have any interest in you, and no doubt live miles away. You'll understand if I don't feel part of a community. Look, you do and I don't. You may be right and I may be wrong. Who cares ? It's no community in my eyes. You love the last word, so by all means, bore me silly again...

Right now, most importantly, is that their policies are working. In good time I'm sure more information will be shared. The Left are more concerned by secrecy that strategies that are saving lives. It beggars belief, I know.

I agree. Way too long.

Even if I'm quoted by others you don't have to read the content, you poor sensitive soul. The deaths you quoted weren't at sea, so that may explain less media reporting. You Lefties must be hating the fact that Abbott Abbott Abbott's policies are working. And of course the Govt. are right to provide limited information as not to divulge their strategies. You know, the strategies saving lives. Btw, I don't remember "your initial" point. You'll have to enlighten me again. I suspect we both don't overly care whether you do or don't.

We're independent forum members. I'm not part of any tribe or community on here.

Leftists are a fascinating case study. No boats or deaths in 6 weeks, yet it's "heartbreaking what is happening now". You ought be ashamed. You'd rather be proven right than save lives at sea. How disgraceful of you. Did we hear a word from you over the Rudd, Gillard, Rudd years when the flood gates opened and thousand of lives were lost ?

You seem to think we're a tribe. We're not.

Faced with success where they only failed. Labor and the Greens are reduced to demanding the Abbott Government reveal its secrets to journalists and the people smugglers. It’s a strategy that makes them look both stupid and spiteful - not to mention reckless: The head of Customs, Michael Pezzullo, told the inquiry that withholding information also helps keep Australian officials safe at sea. ”We frankly don’t give a damn about the media cycle and what’s going to be said on [ABC show] Q&A; and all the rest of it,” he said. Excellent strategy. As it happens, it should be adopted by Labor itself. If Q&A is for it, Labor should almost certainly be against. The above is from Bolt's blog. I love Bolt. You can please yourself.