The Whitlam Government - another US inspired Coup?

[mightyrooster]

I never said inflation wasn't global at the time, as clearly it was. But as usual you highlight my one criticsm of Whitlam, in what I thought was overall a very balanced perspective of the whole situation, while also having a crack at my abilty to read and think for myself.

[Paddo Colt 61]

Of course the Crown has "reserve powers" which are (or were) by long standing convention never used. In fact, the Crown must take advice (instruction) from the majority House leader (the PM) it's the essence of our "Democracy" otherwise we'd have an autocracy with the Crown doing as it pleases. Conventions play a huge role in our "English" Constitution - England wrote it after all.

Kerr made sure that he didn't get any contrary advice before he prorogued the Parliament. He refused to receive the Speaker or take calls. The whole thing was wide and well planned and it seems to me that it was predicated on serving the "security" interests of the USA. Everything seems to point to that - the imminent parliamentary debate on US security installations in Australia, the ASIO raid (it surveilled only the Left) and the involvement of the Royals, no doubt briefed by MI6 who are partners with the CIA. There seems to be no other plausible motive given the exteme nature of it - the numerous breaking of long accepted conventions, that Zac touched on in his post, was unprecedented.

Hawke, in my opinion, was also concerned about preserving the US relationship. He was a classic target for the CIA - conservative religious background, Union Leader, influential, close to government and Capital. In fact the wage demands of the ACTU during the Whitlam period were decidedly unhelpful in the PR sphere and it's not hard to imagine that Hawke began to work against Whitlam at an early stage. He certainly went all out to calm the waters after the coup. My recollection is that he went awol.

As for the Sheeple deciding it, well......Baaaah! Hey Shaquille listen up! Finish up your KFC and go get Lincoln, Jefferson and Beyonce we're goin' on vacation to Disneyland and it's all good yo.

[ism22]

I never said inflation wasn't global at the time, as clearly it was. But as usual you highlight my one criticsm of Whitlam, in what I thought was overall a very balanced perspective of the whole situation, while also having a crack at my abilty to read and think for myself.

I feel that's the problem with old mate. You'll graciously give him a balanced perspective in an attempt to find some common ground and he'll still give you a condescending spray.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

I have a funny Bob Hawke story. I was at a golf tournament at Palm Meadows on the Gold Coast in about 1989. I was a young teenager at the time. It was the pro-am day and Greg Norman was paired with Bob Hawke. The 18th hole is a par 5 with a double water carry. Hawke was about 180 metres from the green in two facing a difficult shot to the green. For some reason my Dad thought it would be a good idea to heckle the PM. As Hawke got ready to play his shot my Dad yells out,"Hey Bob, you better take a picture of that ball cause you are never going to see it again!" I was absolutely humilated and tried to pretend I didn't know my own father. Hawke ignored him, steadied himself and hit a lovely fade right into the heart of the green. He offered a filthy look in our direction and walked off to the green.

[Paddo Colt 61]

I reckon that the CIA moved the Green Voods.

MR. I did get a little annoyed because "He was spending too much money" and " he changed things too quickly" have become cliches always trotted out by apologists and by our fearless "journos" possibly now shamed by the role they played before and after. They have, nevertheless, become conventional wisdoms and I see red (well I am red) whenever that BS is repeated. I don't blame you, those sentiments have almost beome writ for the majority. The problem is that the majority get their opinions from the right wing MSM as you mostly do I would suggest. "Tsar Putin", "Russian Empire", "unprovoked invasion"...that sort of stuff. I mean you faintly praise Whitlam but there is still that lingering feeling that the right wing MSM was/is right and that he and his government were fcuk ups.

Powerful Tories hate change of any degree. They see it as the thin edge of the wedge - "If such and such is allowed to happen, how long before they start looking at the tax system, our grants and our subsidies etc?" We saw the flaring of their fear and loathing this week when the Federal Treasurer, Dr. Jim Chalmers, copped a bucketing from the right wing media over his essay foreshadowing possible fundamental changes to the status quo.

[mightyrooster]

I wasn't parroting what I've read from right wing commentators. Inflation was a global problem back in the 70's due to the rise in oil prices and yes stagflation became a new phenomenon. Expansionary fiscal policy adds to inflation, but is also a method to help stimulate the economy. It was impossible to do the later without adding to the former. But I won't go on as I'm sure I will just be met with another critique and told I cannot think for myself and I'll never be as smart as Paddo.

[mightyrooster]

I feel that's the problem with old mate. You'll graciously give him a balanced perspective in an attempt to find some common ground and he'll still give you a condescending spray.

It's very annoying to be honest. I never get a 'oh yes you are right about that part but.......' No. it's always ignore the 95% balanced, reasoned part and hone in on the 5% part that he doesn't like. This is why I rarely participate in these Paddo threads anymore.

[Paddo Colt 61]

But you're my debating opponent MR, in league to some extent with Heckle and Jeckle and even with Jax on occasion. I admire your earnestness and I'd love to go easy on you, I'd like to praise you to the heavens but.......

Maybe if you said something like, "I gotta give it to him, Paddo talks a lot of sense most of the time and I can see where I, H&J and Jax are clearly the dupes of the MSM" - that would help.

[King Salvo]

I actually met Gough Whitlam when came to open our New School Canteen being one of the Prefects - He was the local member - Werriwa Electorate - He even moved from Cronulla to Cabramatta I recall which was in the Werriwa electorate boundaries at the time.

Actually my Father and Mother got to know Whitlam somewhat through the local RSL's in the area - Campbelltown , Ingleburn when Whitlam opened it and Cabravale Diggers - Dawn Services and other RSL Sub Branch functions and activities.

Even met Paul Keating when he came to Bankstown TAFE to open the refurbished Library as the Local Federal Member for Blaxland when I was working there- A Bloke from His office turned up a day or so before this event to arrange for people to meet him at the function afterwards

No one was that keen to meet him and the Bloke from his office suggested maybe the Union Delegates could meet him - so the Teachers Federation reps and another Bloke and me as PSA reps were roped into meeting him at the small function after official opening - finger food / wine /beer/tea and coffee etc

Strange days in deed

[King Salvo]

I reckon that the CIA moved the Green Voods.

MR. I did get a little annoyed because "He was spending too much money" and " he changed things too quickly" have become cliches always trotted out by apologists and by our fearless "journos" possibly now shamed by the role they played before and after. They have, nevertheless, become conventional wisdoms and I see red (well I am red) whenever that BS is repeated. I don't blame you, those sentiments have almost beome writ for the majority. The problem is that the majority get their opinions from the right wing MSM as you mostly do I would suggest. "Tsar Putin", "Russian Empire", "unprovoked invasion"...that sort of stuff. I mean you faintly praise Whitlam but there is still that lingering feeling that the right wing MSM was/is right and that he and his government were fcuk ups.

Powerful Tories hate change of any degree. They see it as the thin edge of the wedge - "If such and such is allowed to happen, how long before they start looking at the tax system, our grants and our subsidies etc?" We saw the flaring of their fear and loathing this week when the Federal Treasurer, Dr. Jim Chalmers, copped a bucketing from the right wing media over his essay foreshadowing possible fundamental changes to the status quo.

Chalmers always seems to have a strange look on his face - not sure if it's arrogance as he does have some of your traits Comrade Paddo - smartest person in the room syndrome - and like you he's in the wrong room.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

Chalmers always seems to have a strange look on his face - not sure if it's arrogance as he does have some of your traits Comrade Paddo - smartest person in the room syndrome - and like you he's in the wrong room.

Pot Kettle Black

Get back to work and stop wasting the funds of NSW Taxpayers you bum.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

I actually met Gough Whitlam when came to open our New School Canteen being one of the Prefects - He was the local member - Werriwa Electorate - He even moved from Cronulla to Cabramatta I recall which was in the Werriwa electorate boundaries at the time.

Actually my Father and Mother got to know Whitlam somewhat through the local RSL's in the area - Campbelltown , Ingleburn when Whitlam opened it and Cabravale Diggers - Dawn Services and other RSL Sub Branch functions and activities.

Even met Paul Keating when he came to Bankstown TAFE to open the refurbished Library as the Local Federal Member for Blaxland when I was working there- A Bloke from His office turned up a day or so before this event to arrange for people to meet him at the function afterwards

No one was that keen to meet him and the Bloke from his office suggested maybe the Union Delegates could meet him - so the Teachers Federation reps and another Bloke and me as PSA reps were roped into meeting him at the small function after official opening - finger food / wine /beer/tea and coffee etc

Strange days in deed

I consider Mr Whitlam and Mr Keating to both be great Australians and great men. Makes sense that a bum like you would disrespect them.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Chalmers always seems to have a strange look on his face - not sure if it's arrogance as he does have some of your traits Comrade Paddo - smartest person in the room syndrome - and like you he's in the wrong room.

Its the socialist stick-up-the-bum look I'd say. Dealing out the rhetoric praying no-one questions the consequences of the dangerous ideology.

[King Salvo]

But you're my debating opponent MR, in league to some extent with Heckle and Jeckle and even with Jax on occasion. I admire your earnestness and I'd love to go easy on you, I'd like to praise you to the heavens but.......

Maybe if you said something like, "I gotta give it to him, Paddo talks a lot of sense most of the time and I can see where I, H&J and Jax are clearly the dupes of the MSM" - that would help.

Trying a touch of the old style commo manipulation I see Comrade Paddo.

Old Stalin was a master manipulator - not quite sure how they didn't figure it out - covertly causes the problems and is then considered a genius when he solves them by various means - many with tragic consequences one has to say.

[Paddo Colt 61]

No fan of Stalin at all, Kruschev put us sraight on that. More of a Trotski man myself. Continuing revolution and evolution. The Chinese are doing it well.

And while you're at the apology that Voods implied (and richly deserves) add the Teachers' Federation (yeah I got that snipe). Career long member. Started in the Tom Lewis leadership days. Great man Tommy. Gave us a Union with balls -- important things too, like smaller class numbers and more time to teach and to plot the revolution. In those days you had to cover the classes of absent colleagues. Children benefitted from that.