The Statesman

[r.magnay]

Okay David, so why do we not see poems from you relating to the good things politicians do, including Tony Abbott?
When I mentioned that too many people vote for personalities rather than politicians, I was not referring to you, unless of course you fit that category, which I doubt so I would never make that assumption.
As for being interested in policies, of course we are, but anyone can present a policy, it takes a politician to execute it...(or a weighted Parliament)
I have believed for many years that politicians don't run the country anyway, the media do.
They had the Russians sending a fleet of battleships out to invade us because Tony Abbott threatened to 'Shirtfront' Putin, that in itself a gross exaggeration of facts, it seems whatever Tony Abbott says has to be taken literally...if it suits the media. It was in fact a destroyer, a battleship, a tender and a tug, hardly a show of power given they were already in the area and it is normal practice for Russian ships to be nearby when the boss is about.
Anybody who dares disagree with how to approach the climate change subject is immediately a non believer or a skeptic, I doubt that there are too many people who deny that climate change exists, (after all, it has been happening since time began) what exactly causes it and how to address it is still not something that is going to be tackled easily but like religion, everyone thinks their idea is the only way that is right!

[Neville Briggs]

Ross, one of the greatest political discussions in Australia was when Normie Rowe jumped up and started belting Ron Casey . People reckon it was a disgrace, NEVER ! it was wonderful. But where do we see that sort of fire now? Sadly nowhere. The political scene has turned 50 shades of beige.

[David Campbell]

A couple of things, Ross. Firstly, you have already seen a poem of mine which praised something good a politician did…at the beginning of this thread. I praised Barack Obama for his terrific speech to the students at the University of Queensland. It covered major world problems…climate change, Russia’s aggression in the Ukraine, gender equality, human rights, the US-Australia alliance, democracy, America’s role in the Pacific, terrorism, Ebola, gay and lesbian rights, trade, the role of China…and many other things. It’s worth reading in full (http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-off ... queensland) In contrast, Tony Abbott spoke about his difficulties balancing the budget (opposition to the Medicare co-payment and the deregulation of university fees), getting rid of the carbon tax, and stopping the boats. The two speeches are so far apart they’re not in the same universe.

Secondly, I’ve only written a handful of rhyming poems about contemporary politics because (and this is significant) it didn’t seem a subject commonly dealt with under the bush poetry banner. Have a look at the poems in the “Poetry” section on the home page and see how many you can find (there’s at least one, because I wrote it). The Kevin and Julia piece was written for presentation at a specific event in 2011, but I didn’t use it in the end because it wasn’t “bush” enough for the audience.

If they're going down well, I'll happily write more!

David

[warooa]

Ross, one of the greatest political discussions in Australia was when Normie Rowe jumped up and started belting Ron Casey . People reckon it was a disgrace, NEVER ! it was wonderful. But where do we see that sort of fire now? Sadly nowhere. The political scene has turned 50 shades of beige.

From memory there was only one decent punch thrown and that landed square on the jaw of Normie after he pushed Casey.

Goodonya David for stirring up that crusty old conservative Rossco

[Neville Briggs]

Yeah you're right Marty. Bruce Ruxton was there too, there's a crusty old conservative

[r.magnay]

...hey Marty, that'll be enough of the 'crusty"....

ever thought of becoming a politician David?....

[Stephen Whiteside]

Ross, part of the trouble with writing poems about how good things are is that it is very difficult to make them entertaining. Also anger, frustration, fear, etc., are far more powerful drivers than happiness and contentment. When things are going well, you put up your feet and reach for another beer. When you have smoke coming out of your ears, you reach for your sword - or your pen.

[alongtimegone]

The world is weary of statesmen whom democracy has degraded into politicians.
Benjamin Disraeli

Even then.

[Bob Pacey]

Well said Stephen I agree.


Bob

[David Campbell]

No, Ross, politics drives me crazy...too illogical for a mathematician! Too many decisions based on side issues that have little or nothing to do with the matter at hand, but have everything to do with back-room power-plays and currying favour. A few manage to rise above it, but not many.

And Stephen's point is a good one. A poetic rant can be good for the soul!

David