Keating the Musical 24 August, 2008
Posted by Gianni in Uncategorized.Tags: casey bennetto, keating, Keating the musical
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Something of a more humourous nature, I took mum to see the matinee of Keating on Saturday. This was the second time I have gone to see it ( I saw it in July 2007 last, and the show has evolved a bit since then too). I also saw it screened on ABC2 Wednesday night past.
It still is a brilliant piece of comedy and satire, a delightfully Australian laugh at ourselves and politics.
This particular occasion will be more memorable than the last. I hurriedly booked the tickets online and did not check the exact seating allocation. On my arrival at the Seymore centre, I discovered that I was in an aisle seat, more importantly, the aisle that the “feaky” Alexander D character uses to make his exit from the show. I knew instantly (from previous experience) that I was a marked man. There was nowhere to run or hide, I was going to be “tried on” by Alexander. Indeed, I was picked. Mum said later to me, that I was one of two males in that aisle, the other being an elderly man. I was definately going to be it. Also, In front of me, there were 3 seats vacant in a packed house, so I was sticking out like a sore thumb.
It was all good fun, proving how far I have come in recent years. I wouldn’t have taken to kindly to it all years ago.
There is a clip on youtube here:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwZtDrih3A
This has the “Arse end of the Earth” and “Freaky” numbers in the clip. The embaressing part starts at abour 8 minutes.
How many of you have seen it, or caught the broadcast on ABC2 on Wednesday night? What do you think?
Gianni
Catholic Church’s response to abuse victims 22 July, 2008
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I am a Catholic, so this criticism is not without some thought, but it never ceases to amaze me how cold the Church can be at times to its victims. Cardinal Pell’s media conference today smacked of a victory speech, as though somehow, today’s secret event clears the Church of wrong-doing or neglect. Having seen his news conferences on the Sky Channel in my morning coffee break and lunch hour, I have observed his whole demeanour in the unravelling of this story in the lead up to WYD as one of being inconvenienced by trivial matters.
Today’s media announcement was a very shallow act, a stunt designed to clear the air, and I only hope the four “hand-picked” victims got some healing out of the process.
Having watched the 7.30 Report and Lateline this week, I heard the story of Anthony Foster and felt quite sad for his family. His reaction today is not unjustified, having suffered the loss of one daughter earlier in the year to suicide, and the other daughter with severe disability after being hit by a car.
He feels the Church has not treated its victims with care or compassion, and I would have to say he is correct.
It seems of late, the Church does neglect the marginalised of society. More recently I was horrified to hear the Church deny a paraplegic couple marriage because the groom was impotent, and thus unable to complete the sexual act which is central to the sacrament of marriage. Infertile couples are not denied marriage, even though their marriage would be unproductive. It seems we are really getting so tied up in rules and regulations in a manner not so dissimilar to the Pharisees in Jesus’ time.
In the last few days, I also heard Cardinal Pell making a statement that the western world is not reproducing enough. That view is irresponsible, especially in light of the shortages the whole world is facing due to drought and climate change. The former Federal Government’s irresponsible spending spree, slapping couples faces with money to have babies is likewise in the same vein. How many babies were born, not because they were genuinely wanted, but because they paid for a new Plasma TV?
I have gone a bit off topic here with this rant. I will stop here. But I hope and pray that the Church will change the way it deals with the minorities in the world: the abused, the downtrodden, the marginalised and the lonely.
Return from Break – Quick comment on World Youth Day 21 July, 2008
Posted by Gianni in Politics.Tags: nsw, state government, state politics
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Hi all.
Well since I last posted I have been rather occupied, and unfortunately have neglected this blog. I think given the current state of things in politics, I’d like to pick up from where I left off.
Another of Moir's entertaining cartoons, sourced from The Sydney Morning Herald
I guess this sums the current state of the ALP in NSW. I will be the first to say, that although the opposition has been so woeful in the last few years, I was more than surprised the Government was relected in March 2007. But I believe it will be their last term. No matter how bad the opposition may be, they will get in in March 2011.
After over a decade in power, the ALP is fast coming undone. So many scandals have rocked the Goverment and with all the leadership speculation, the Goverment has now lost whatever credibilty it had.
There is little that can be done to save it. A desperately needed financial injection into the public transport infrastructure comes far too late, and there are not many other carrots left to dangle in front of the voters.
World Youth Day 2008 has been a welcome distraction for the Goverment, but it’s back to business this week.
Malclom Turnbull supports 5c fuel excise cut…or not. 21 May, 2008
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Today’s cartoon comes from the talented Bill Leak of The Australian.
Well, yesterday and today, Malcolm Turnbull has had to come out in support of Brendan Nelson’s 5c Fuel Excise cut. This is not out of genuine belief for the policy, but more to save the face of the Liberal Party which has just imploded after their stunning loss in November last year. Today, they are just barely hanging together in the vacumm of John Howard’s departure.
At today’s Press Club speech, Turnbull was asked directly if he saw this as a policy that would be put to the electorate at the next election, his reply was less than convincing.
It is clear though, Brendan Nelson is a transitional leader.
On the new Governor General 14 April, 2008
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Over at Green Icebergs, my collegue Abstrakt Biblos has posted an interesting article on the appointment of Australia’s new Governor General.
You can view this post here.
Brendan, are you listening? 14 April, 2008
Posted by Gianni in Politics.Tags: brendan nelson, factions, Liberal Party, Politics, right-wing
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This excellent cartoon is by Alan Moir of the SMH. View his gallery here…
It is always tough to be the first opposition leader after years of government. Historically it has always been a hospital pass, a sacrificial role. History will likely repeat itself.
The Federal Liberal party is in tatters after their loss in November 2007. Lost without a clear policy platform, and hurting from a lack of talent. Over the next few months there are surely to be some exits; Peter Costello, Alexander Downer, Mark Vaile to name a few. Due for retirement should be Phillip Ruddock. However, it is seems the right are using jackboot tactics to implant their own, and it seems he is holding out till the next election to prevent his seat leaving moderate hands at this time. The right have done as much in other seats such as Mitchell and Cook.
The right faction of the Liberal Party seem to have an agenda to control the party across all levels to implement their own right-wing ideology. It does not seem to be the Liberal party that came in to being decades ago. It has changed, morphing into something not unlike the right-wing politics that dominates the U.S.
Brendan Nelson’s performance to date has been lacking, and he does not seem to be in touch with the people, nor in control of the party. He doesn’t seem to stand for any particular policy, other than to “spread the word of liberalism”. With the machinations of the right, it seems unlikely that there will be any “small L” liberalism to be had.
It is doubtful that Dr. Nelson will be leading the opposition at the next election, but they will probably have to hold on to him for a lot longer yet. They cannot afford to waste Malcolm Turnbull this early in the game.
The Government is performing well so far, and the Prime Minister has made a stellar entrance to the world stage on behalf of Australia on his first world trip. It remains to be seen how long this will last. It is only early days.
As for Dr. Nelson, if he is to show his leadership credentials, he needs to have a solid policy platform and stand behind it. The current policy suite is flapping about limply about in the breeze like a wet shirt on a washing-line.
So Brendan, if you are listening, take a stand for something and stick with it!
In the beginning… 3 April, 2008
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The origin…
This is hopefully the first of many posts to come.
I would recommend to you the links in my blogroll.
I have a love of political satire, and I would highly recommend the excellent work of Peter Nicholson. Please check out his work here.
This site is a work in progress, with much to setup in the next few days, but I am up and running none the less.
I will leave you with the following Nicholson cartoon, commenting on the elections in Zimbabwe.
Cartoon by Nicholson from “The Australian” newspaper: www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au
