Posted on 10/13/2007 7:03:10 PM PDT by naturalman1975
When I read Alexander's speeches, I find myself asking how I might better explain to my friends and family the necessity of being intolerant to the intolerant. In other words, a commitment to tolerance in a liberal democracy requires free people draw a line in the sand. We have no choice but to fight anyone who crosses that line, if we intend to maintain our freedom to live as we do. But when you've lived a tolerant American/Australian/British/European life among tolerant people, society presents itself as though there are no limits to an individual's opportunities to succeed. The articulation of "lines in the sand" that, if crossed require violent confrontation, feels surreal to a populace that knows little or nothing about confrontations of the sort that demand hardship and sacrifice in the name of God, the State or both.
These are hard times for principled men. Indeed, it's times like these that demand their success and perseverance.
Australian federal election to be held on Nov 24
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-10-14 14:02
CANBERRA — Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced here Sunday that the federal election will be held on November 24.
Howard visited the Government House earlier in the day and asked Governor-General Michael Jeffery to dissolve the 41st federal parliament for a November 24 election
“Earlier today I called on His Excellency the Governor-General and he has granted on my advice a dissolution of the House of Representatives, there’ll be an election held on the 24th of November,” Howard said at a press conference.
“The writs will issue on the 17th of October, the (electoral) rolls will close on the 22nd of October, the nominations will close on the first of November,” he said.
He stressed that the ruling coalition government is running the national economy very well, with the unemployment rate reaching the 33-year low in September, adding the government would also unveil policies that would lift living standards.
The prime minister admitted that the government has no right leadership on indigenous affairs, saying past policies of separate indigenous development were wrong.
Howard said the coalition government also looks after Australia’s national security well. He said Australia’s troop deployment in Iraq was in the national interest, while admitting many people disagree with him on the issue.
Howard also ruled out setting a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the election campaign, saying “We’re getting advice on what is the appropriate target and we’re going to announce that next year.”
Meanwhile, Howard said he would not be attending this week’s Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ summit in Tonga.
“I do not think it’s appropriate, now that the election campaign has started, that I go,” he said, adding he will ask somebody else to go on his behalf.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2007-10/14/content_6172992.htm
I just love having Freepers all around the globe!!Thank you so much for your postings and for the Australians being there for us.
I like to be an optimist - but Howard and the coalition are absolutely miles behind in the polls.
Based on my own experience in the UK with parliamentary democracy - it would be one of the greatest comebacks in perhaps any election in history for Howard to retain power.
It’s very sad - because he has as far as I can tell, been an amazing PM and his respect amongst freepers is well deserved. He is genuine Conservative.
They’re not as far behind as they appear at first glance - at least not in terms of the chance of winning the election.
The critical number to look at is the two party preferred vote - the 2PP. And at the moment Labor is ahead 56-44 on that number.
The 2PP poll is taken across the country as a whole. If Labor and the Coalition’s votes were equally spread across the electorates, this would put Labor in a very comfortable position. But the fact is, the votes are not even distributed.
63 of the seats in the Federal Parliament are considered safe or very safe. A further 41 are considered fairly safe.
This leaves 46 marginal seats - 23 of which are currently in the hands of the coalition, and 23 of which are currently the hands of Labor.
150 seats in total.
The coalition currently holds 87 seats, Labor 60 with 3 in the hands of independents.
To form a majority government Labor needs to take 16 seats away from the Coalition. They could probably form a minority government if they took 15 seats.
The magic number though is 16 - Labor really needs to take 16 seats.
In 2004, Labor achieved 47.3% of the 2PP preferred vote. The Coalition achieved 52.7%.
To win 16 marginal seats from the coalition, Labor needs a uniform swing of 4.8%.
In other words, to win, Labor realistically needs to raise its 2PP vote from 47.3% to 52.1%.
Let’s say Labor wins 51% or 52% of the 2PP vote - a clear majority - in that case, we’d expect to have a Parliament - in that case, we’d wind up with a Parliament with 76 or 77 Coalition, 71 or 70 Labor. The coalition would hold onto government.
Labor realistically needs to win more than 52% of the 2PP preferred vote to form a majority government. They are currently polling 56%. That’s enough to win - but it means we are going into this election with Labor 4% ahead of where they need to be to win, rather than the 12% that a cursory glance at the polls would suggest.
On the 2PP preferred vote, Labor actually finished ahead in 1998, 51% to 49% - but the Coalition wound up with a Parliamentary majority of 80 to 67 in that election. This just illustrates the dangers of focusing too much on that 2PP number.
Good informative post. Thanks.
I like the fact the consevatives in Australia call themselves Liberals. I wonder how different our political terminolgy would have been if the Republicans had chosen to call call themselves Liberals back in 1856.
Interesting. Thanks for the info.
Howard
BTTT
btt
What a wonderful poem on your homepage! I’ve never been to Australia, but it’s on my list of travel goals. Though I did once have an Aussie room mate from Dubbo - fair dinkum mate. ;)
Please forgive me but I must say... There is no such thing as a "MODERATE" Conservative. You are either a Conservative or you are a liberal. You are either a good person or a bad person. In the world of absolutes there is only good and evil. NOTHING lies in between. Only the minds of the rebellious believe in living in a gray (moderate) world.
The way I see it this topic is irrelevant. One "Moderate (liberal)" gang leader or the other. Doesn't matter. With either one - Australia, like the US and most, if not all, of the world going to hell in a hand-basket.
JMHO
Then... With McCain/Fiengold nothing would be said.
So, do you ever put out campaign signs in your lawn?
I like it, too. I refuse to use the word “liberal” to describe authoritarian leftists. What they represent is as far from classic liberalism as anything could possibly be.
almost ROFLMBO! (Never)
Of course; works best with a 'fair and balanced' media.
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