Four Corners Exclusive Brethren

Just watched the Four Corners episode on the how the grubby fingers of the Exclusive Brethren poke into many a political pie- including Howard's. The Exclusive Brethren are defended vigourously by Liberal ministers- to the point where Tasmanian senator Eric Abetz (who comes across as a massive creep at the best of times) tried not-so-subtly to paint Greens senator Bob Brown as a Nazi. Bob Brown. Yeah, get your head around that one.

Bob Brown was interviewed for the Four Corners programme. Howard, of course, declined. Bob Brown came across as being terribly reasonable, as usual, saying he doesn't mind the Exclusive Brethren getting involved in politics- he just doesn't believe they should be allowed to do it covertly and in violation of Australian electoral law. Brown also noted:

Notably, they have been able to influence John Howard's WorkChoices legislation with a special exemption for Exclusive Brethren workplaces from union presences, and without the authority of their employees because they're given no say, the Exclusive Brethren is able to ban unions from coming into any of their work places.

Australian electoral law requires certain procedures to be followed when it comes to political advertising, but the Brethren seemed to think they are ordained by God to keep the Chosen One (Howard) in power even if it means wiping their arse with Australian electoral law. They have treated our laws with such contempt, yet John Howard and Peter Costello and Eric Abetz all rabbit on about the Brethren being a 'legitimate' and 'legal' religious organisation. One that regularly breaks Australian, New Zealand and possibly US electoral law, but as long as they have friends in high places they'll always be 'legitimate'. Buying a Prime Minister seems to buy you a lot of leeway with the law in Australia- I can't imagine a small band of nutty Muslims managing to purchase so much influence among high eschelons of Australian politics.

The Exclusive Brethren are crooks. They have no respect for Australia's electoral laws, nor our family courts. They sent out hate-filled pamphlets demonising the Greens and gay and lesbians as 'destroying families' (simply by virtue of wanting to have a family), yet themselves make the most determined of efforts to sever the connections between people who have chosen to leave the cult and their children.

Sure they have a right to their creepy beliefs, but they don't have a right to give a big 'Fuck You' to Australian voters and Australian law. John Howard and his government stand up for this cult because the cult spends enormous amounts of money attacking the Howard government's opponents for them. Hopefully the upcoming federal election will be a slap in the face both for the Exclusive Brethren and for John Howard.

Brad Norington media blowjob special: Brad does the Brethren

Gee, it looks like my feeling that the SMH was becoming a mouthpiece for the Exclusive Brethren might not have been far off the mark. It looks like the EB are making moves to manipulate for media coverage in their favour. Now they actually have The Australian doing free PR for them. Or perhaps it wasn't free- who knows, given the Brethren's propensity for shuffling money around behind the scenes in order to obtain their desired outcome?

Given that the blowjob by Brad Norington (a bit of a specialist in the field of media blowjobs) is such an obvious puff piece I suppose it's no surprise that not the single mention of the way the Exclusive Brethren encourage their members to break the law and defy orders made by judges when it suits their cause is located as a single-sentence afterthought right at the bottom of the article.

Says the Brethren's designated PR man, Daniel Hales:

"We're quite happy to have our beliefs questioned, ethically debated, and points of religion looked at. That's not a problem. We don't mind being criticised. We don't even mind being despised because of it.

"But once it starts to be charged that we're acting criminally, we're acting illegally, we're acting immorally, we're acting against society, then we felt that we really had to put our point of view. We felt that it wasn't fair to our members."

Oh? Setting up fake companies to channel political donations to the Liberal party isn't immoral and possibly illegal? A police investigation not having found evidence of wrongdoing up until now just means that the planning was careful and arses were adequately covered. And besides, why would there be such objection against a Senate inquiry if there was nothing to find?

Openly funding and supporting a mother who indoctrinates her kids to despise and ostracise their own father because he left the cult and then defies a judge's orders to allow the father visitation? That's not illegal or immoral? Sure the suspended jail sentences handed down to the mother and a couple of other Exclusive Brethren members were overturned on appeal for being too harsh, but that doesn't mean they didn't commit the offence in the first place.

Come back and try again when you've got a leg to stand on, Hales.

Children go to Brethren schools. They are not permitted a university education afterwards, which excludes them from careers such as medicine, the law and teaching.

Something I'd like to know- if the Exclusive Brethren don't allow their children to go to uni and become teachers, and are not allowed to associate with non-Brethren, then who are the 'teachers' in Exclusive Brethren schools? Are the schools staffed with qualified teachers? If they aren't staffed with qualified teachers, should they really be getting taxpayers' money to run those schools?

Asked why Brethren children could not attend university, Hales says they would inevitably move away if exposed to campus life.

Hmm, why would they want to move away, I wonder?

Similarly, all Brethren members are expected to marry within the group. Hales dismisses as lies that the sect endorses arranged or forced marriages, but says those who marry outside leave. Asked why, he says: "They would find it wouldn't work."

Translation:

"Our cult is already so kooky that sometimes people become terrified by it and leave. If we couldn't indoctrinate our kiddies from birth then there is no way it would survive."

As for the notion of arranged or forced marriages- I believe him when he says that the sect doesn't do it. There is such a small pool of 'talent' that a young person's choice of who to marry is inevitably limited anyway. As for those marrying outside the cult leaving, their choice to marry is in itself the death knell for their participation in the cult, because they've already realised that 'outsiders' aren't all germ-carrying, hell-bound peons to bohemian licentiousness and that it's possible to have a normal, loving relationship outside the dictates of the cult. Once an Exclusive Brethren member starts thinking for themselves, they are already lost to the cult.

Anyone suffering from a poor public image and wishing to indulge in a pleasurable and relaxing media exposure experience should call The Australian... on 1800-NAUGHTY and ask for 'Brad'.

Cult kooks badmouth Brown

Exclusive Brethren cult-leader Bruce Hales in an old family photo.

The Exclusive Brethren are getting a voice in the Sydney Morning Herald? What next?

The cult has accused Greens senator Bob Brown of, effectively, lying and including 'factual inaccuracies' in a speech to the senate urging them to conduct an inquiry into the Brethren's activities.

The Exclusive Brethren are best known for their belief that John Howard was appointed by god to be Australian Prime Minister, and that engaging in underhanded, crooked, and possibly downright criminal activities in support of Howard were justified as a means to this end.

The Greens leader suggested the inquiry should examine $10 million in government payments to five Exclusive Brethren schools throughout Australia, even though they had a total of just 2,000 students.

Wow.

Brethren schools received funding in the same way as other non-government schools, Mr Hales said.

"Church members, their businesses and schools are subject to exactly the same regulations, laws and scrutiny by government agencies, tribunals and courts as other Australian individuals, businesses and schools.

"We obey the law scrupulously."

Oh that's a laugh and a half, when on numerous occasions the cult supported and encouraged some of its members in directly flouting a judge's orders in a family law case. Not to mention the shenanigans with their possibly illegal operations to hide their efforts to direct money to the Liberal party.

The Brethren called on Senator Brown to stop vilifying the church and it members.

The sect was embroiled in controversy before last year's federal election, when it was alleged it was campaigning for then-environment minister Malcolm Turnbull in his marginal seat of Wentworth in Sydney's east.

All Bob Brown wants to do is expose the nasties, the cockroaches in this creepy religious group and their bizarre ties to the Liberal party. Revealing the truth is in no way vilification.

Court decision legitimises cult edicts

The freaky Exclusive Brethren cult has been criticised by the judge in a court case in which an ex-member of the cult sought custody of his three children, aged 6-16, from their mother, who remains a member of the cult. The mother had cut the father off from access to the children, failing to comply with the court-ordered bi-monthly visits. The wealthy cult had funded the mother's court battle.

During the court proceedings, the mother was asked what she would do if the court granted custody to the father.

The mother said she would want a relationship with them, but only if they were faithful to the Exclusive Brethren

Yeah, that's a mother worthy of having custody over her children. She puts the interests of her religion before the interests of her children.

The judge also ordered that the father was not allowed to expose the children to tv, radio or non-members of the Exclusive Brethren cult.

Despite the judge's criticism of the mother's behaviour, which he described as 'abusive', this is essentially a case of the court enforcing the indoctrination of children into a cult. I have little doubt that if the Exclusive Brethren did not call themselves christian and were not swimming in money that no court in the land would have sent down an order that essentially forced children to remain within a cult against the wishes of a parent.

The judge did point out that up until 2003, when the father left the cult, it was the father himself who was party to enforcing the tenets of the cult upon the children. But so what? If he used to flog them with a belt up until 2003 when he realised he was wrong, would it be 'disruptive' to the children if he suddenly stopped? That's pretty fucked up reasoning.

Of course, the father is still a religious nutbag. He now belongs to another slightly less nutty christian fundamentalist church/cult. The kids are already well-indoctrinated, having expressed a desire never to see their father again (after no doubt being told the man is in the clutches of Satan himself). If the mother has the right to indoctrinate the kids then why not the father?

The Exclusive Brethren are seriously fucked up. What's even more scary is that (despite refusing to vote in elections) they are in bed with the Liberal party and support them financially. Money from people with such hideous beliefs should be viewed as tainted. If an equally nutty muslim cult was giving money to the ALP the government would be all over it. Besides, seeing as the EB refuse to vote in elections, doesn't that mean the Liberal party is taking money from people who are quite blatantly breaking Australian law?

Howard nervous over spotlight on Brethren

(Via Watermelon Rant)

John Howard was all too happy for the Liberal Party to be in receipt of monetary and advertising support from the creepy Exclusive Brethren cult at past elections. Now, however, he's getting hot and bothered as more and more evidence of unsavoury dealings and their crazy, bigoted beliefs are making it into the public arena. Howard has sent instructions for his MPs to refuse dealings with the group via Liberal hard man senator Bill Heffernan. Probably because Heffernan's so nuts himself that Howard can always believably deny having sent out the instructions.

Larry has a good post up detailing yet more of this crazy cult's leanings (the 'Asian Menace', anyone? No wonder they like John Howard). I also just love how John Howard has recently been emphasising how Australians believe in the equality of men and women- this in reference to immigrants needing to adopt 'Australian Values', and a not-so-veiled appeal to the widespread belief in Australia that muslims in general don't believe in equality of the sexes- while the Exclusive Brethren enforce 'values' such as women not being allowed to have jobs (other than 'sexual implement/housewife') and the covering up of child sexual abuse:

The distraught father of the two girls has told The Age that in 2003, before the case was reported to police, the girls' mother came under intense pressure by the Brethren not to report the assaults to police.

"A local Brethren woman quoted the scripture to my ex-wife. She said: 'It would better for a millstone to be hung around your neck and for you to be cast into the depths of the sea rather than go to the police'."

According to the father, one of the Brethren's most senior Australian members also told the victims' mother that she should take the blame for the sexual assaults.

During this time, the wife of the sexual predator was allowed to interview the older sister for several hours. Towards the end of that session, the abuser himself also joined the interview. Under pressure, the girl was forced to retract her complaints and issue a written apology to her abuser and his wife.

"It was a coerced admission that it was because of my own daughter's naughtiness and sinfulness that she had said such a thing," the father said.

I hope Labor does support the Greens' motion for an inquiry into the dealings of the cult, although when Bob Brown raised a similar motion last year, Labor under Beazley opposed it, along with the Democrats. Both claim they'll 'consider' the motion this time around. If anything, supporting it this year is much better timing. Better to drag this stuff up close to an election so the stench of Liberal dealings with the cult is fresh in the public's mind. The results promise to be interesting.

Creepy Cult Campaigning Kicks Off!

Thanks LarryB

THE Prime Minister has met in private the most senior leaders of the Exclusive Brethren, including a man who is being investigated by police over his huge spending on Mr Howard's election campaign in 2004.

In his parliamentary office two weeks ago Mr Howard met Mark Mackenzie, a Sydney pump salesman whose former company Willmac funnelled $370,000 into pro-Howard advertising at the last election. Willmac's spending was subsequently investigated by the Australian Electoral Commission and then referred to the Australian Federal Police for a criminal investigation, which is continuing.

Also at the August 8 meeting were the secretive sect's world leader, or "Elect Vessel", Bruce Hales, his brother Stephen, and elder Warwick John. A Brethren spokesman confirmed yesterday that the meeting with Mr Howard had taken place, but denied they had asked for Mr Howard's help on the police investigation, or offered support for his campaign in Bennelong.
...
A Greens campaigner in Bennelong, Matthew Henderson, said the sect was already working on Mr Howard's campaign. At the Prime Minister's recent walk-through at the Eastwood Plaza shopping centre in his electorate, "there were a bunch of people I went to school with, and who I recognise as Brethren, and they appeared to be more than familiar with the Liberal Party supporters' group".

SMH

This bunch of scummy creeps are in a sticky embrace with the Liberals:

In the 2004 Australian federal election the Raven-Taylor-Hales Brethren were linked to political advertisements campaigning for the re-election of John Howard.^[17][19] The advertisements were funded by Willmac Enterprises Pty Ltd, a company wholly owned by Mark William Mackenzie who is a member of the Brethren.^[20] Willmac's contribution to John Howard's election campaign, totaling $340,000, were later investigated by the Australian Electoral Commission and are currently the source of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Australian Federal Police.^[21] In March 2006, members of the Brethren placed press advertisements and distributed leaflets^[22] attacking the Australian Tasmanian Greens in the Tasmanian state election.^[23]

Prime Minister John Howard has confirmed that he has met with the Raven-Taylor-Hales Brethren, stating he has no problem with the group and that they are "entitled to put their views to the Government".^[24] In December 2006, The Age reported that Brethren representatives met with the Australian Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock lobbying for family law changes to "ensure that a child is not subject to a radical lifestyle change without compelling reason".^[25] It has also been reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that John Howard had a meeting with Brethren representatives in his parliamentary office on short notice early August 2007. ^[26] It is known that the Brethren contributed significant money to the Liberal Party at the 2004 election, although the amount has not been disclosed; rumours range between about half a million to about ten million Australian dollars. Thus, it is possible that this latest meeting between the Prime Minister and the Bretheren was related to funding for the 2007 election campaign but the Prime Minister refuses to disclose any information about the subject of the meeting.

And morons keep going on about how Muslims are trying to change Australia. There will be a pay off. That money isn't free, some secret deal has been done to allow a criminal cult to whisper in the government's ear. Seriously, anyone who plans on voting Liberal at the next election is either ignorant or insane.

The Exclusive Brethren

Previously unseen photograph of the initiation rites for new members of the Exclusive Brethren

Larry B at Watermelon Rant digs further into the pit of poo that is the Exclusive Brethren.

They're not just scary little men who evade tax and throw political mud; it seems they're a lot more ubiquitous and a lot more powerful than they first appeared.

'Values' platitudes notably absent in Brethren court case

The Exclusive Brethren continue to flout Australian law and reject Australian values.

So... when do we get to revoke their citizenship?

An Exclusive Brethren mother and two male relatives have risked jail by failing to present two children for planned access visits with their father.

In February, Family Court judge Robert Benjamin convicted the mother, who cannot be named, her son and her son-in-law and imposed a four-month suspended jail sentence on all three after they did not present the children for their first access visit.

The Age has learned that twice since that judgement the two children, aged 13 and eight, have not turned up for scheduled time with their father.

The father has filed an application with the court, arguing that the mother has contravened Justice Benjamin's orders.

But since February the case has become complicated by the fact that the mother is seriously ill and by her appeal against Justice Benjamin's February rulings and the sentence, which she argued was "manifestly excessive". The decision in that appeal has not yet been delivered.

The illness makes a prison term unlikely. The father has now also launched a bid for custody of the two children.

Sounds like she's trying the Paris Hilton defence. Since when does it say in Australian law that someone is exempt from penalty if they happen to be sick at the time? She was sick and still chose to give Australian law the middle finger. Fuck her.

The Howard Special: deals with religious extremists

I just love how the Howard government seeks to paint the Greens as extremists in an effort to scare Labor out of doing deals with them, and yet Howard's men quite happily do deals with these guys- the Exclusive Brethren.

I know whose influence I'd rather see on the people running the country.

Exclusive Brethren Howard cult seal of approval courtesy of Watermelon Rant.

Religious nutbags gravitate to Howard

Looks like getting chummy with one nutbag religious group isn't nearly enough for John Howard and Peter Costello: they've now hopped into bed with Danny Nalliah, rabid preacher of hatred against gays, muslims and the ALP.

Mr Costello and John Howard held private meetings with Catch the Fire leader Danny Nalliah in August, the same month the Prime Minister met with the leaders of the Exclusive Brethren, which prohibits voting and modern technology.

Mr Nalliah said in a letter to Christians that the Lord had told him to spend "personal time" with Mr Howard and to prepare Mr Costello as the "future prime minister".

[...]

Mr Howard would not comment and Mr Nalliah did not return calls.

A spokesman for Mr Costello confirmed he had met Mr Nalliah many times.

"The Treasurer has met with Danny Nalliah on a number of occasions and has publicly supported his successful appeal against prosecution under Victoria's religious vilification laws."

In a second letter justifying his support for the Coalition to fellow Christians, Mr Nalliah said he was well justified in attacking Labor because they supported homosexuality and abortion.

"I have attached a letter from Mr Rudd to one of his constituencies, where he declares Labor's full support for homosexuality, including the amending of current laws if elected, to support homosexuals," he says.

The Catch The Fire ministries sparked a row with the Islamic Council of Victoria in 2002 when it claimed in a newsletter that Muslims were demons training to make Australia an Islamic state, that the Koran promoted violence and that Muslims derived money from drug dealing.

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found Mr Nalliah and colleague Daniel Scot had vilified Islam under the state's 2002 Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.

However, the Victorian Court of Appeal quashed the order, ruling the VCAT had not used the proper legal test for incitement and so sent it back for a review, where the dispute was mediated.

Mr Costello wrote a letter of support to Mr Nalliah during his legal battle.

The Howard Government has been under fire for meeting with extreme right-wing groups after it was revealed the Prime Minister met Bruce Hales, the elect vessel or leader of the Exclusive Brethren, and other leading members of the reclusive sect in August.

The Wikipedia article for Danny 'Nutbag' Nalliah notes that he was a Senate candidate for the Family First party in 2004. If there ever was an example of why not to vote for Family First, Nalliah is it.

No 'values contract' for Exclusive Brethren

They refuse to integrate.

They refuse to accept Australian values.

They refuse to obey Australian laws.

... And yet John Howard has never said a word against them, never tried to stir up fear and hatred in the community against them, never claimed that as Australian citizens they are required to conform to 'our' values...

Why?


'Seal of approval' via Watermelon Rant.

Fun with Google Analytics

Mal Brough? Wouldn't mind a piece of that!

New keyword searches that have appeared in our Google Analytics:

Mal Brough shirtless (Seriously! Someone out there actually typed that into Google... )

Brooke Satchwell thanking sausages Bronwyn Bishop hair (that's an early one).

Do weed flavoured lollies taste good?

Cocktail cannabise (huh?)

Do exclusive brethren drink alcohol (answer: only if it's being sold by Bruce Hales)

The chaser's war on everything axed (in your dreams, John)

Rudd's First 100 Days

As the final countdown to the November 24 poll begins, Mr Rudd outlined to The Sun-Herald his top five policy goals for the first 100 days if Labor forms government.

Declaring Christmas and Boxing Day the only holidays the first Labor cabinet in 11 years would enjoy over the summer break if victorious, he promised to oversee the implementation of policies in all portfolios.

"I believe leadership is about leading, with clear-cut direction," he said.

If victorious Mr Rudd wants to become known as "the education prime minister". He set five key goals for a Labor government's first three months:

1. Ratify the Kyoto Protocol. "We need to make sure we are around the negotiating table immediately ... for the next round of commitments on reducing global greenhouse gas emissions."

2. Start immediately to negotiate with the states on reform of hospital practices. "That is of crucial importance - we've got $2.5billion on the table but we'll need to frame a co-operative agreement around performance measures."

3. Begin the roll-out of the high-speed broadband network, along with connections to schools. In tandem, open up tenders for the $1 billion school computer program.

4. "Hit the ground running" with the implementation of the $2.5 billion program to upgrade trades training centres in secondary schools. "I went back to C block [the technical faculty] at [his old school] Nambour High the other day - it hadn't changed since I was there. It was like walking into a museum."

5. Begin negotiations with the Americans and Iraqis for the staged withdrawal by mid next year of Australian combat troops. "I have been very blunt with President Bush ... I have a no-surprises policy when it comes to these things."

Mr Rudd said a Labor government would start work immediately. "Christmas and Boxing Day we can have off, then it's to work."

The Labor leader said he wanted to be known as "an education prime minister", someone who didn't just talk about education but fundamentally transformed education as funded, delivered and measured from early childhood through to rocket science.

"This is the pathway to every person's future opportunities."

SMH

I think we're going to be just fine under a Rudd government. I'm a bit suspicious but why commit to a numbered list of things you're going to do and get them printed in national newspapers if you aren't going to do them? I mean people will be able to drag this out, you don't make a rod for your own back like that unless you're serious. I suppose it's always possible this would be a never ever GST moment but somehow I doubt it. Personally I feel like we'll be getting a PM who'll govern for us instead of for the over 55s.

I'm not given to flights of optimism and have little use for narcissistic nationalism but, damn it, Rudd makes me hopeful for our nation, hopeful in a way that can only be betrayed. I just can't see how or where it's going to come. Is he pulling out of Iraq to invade Iran? Does he secretly work for the Exclusive Brethren?

That list is like a 14 year old boy waking up next to a naked, horny Salma Hayek. It just can't be real, but there it is, and suddenly instead of enjoying your dream you've got her under the lights, quizzing her about how she got in, who sent her and what happened to her clothes. Even if he only does two things on that list it'll have been worth it. He's already lashed himself to mast on accountability so he's going to have very little room to maneuver. I guess it all depends on if the Libs fuck this up with their firewall, desperation strategy and the defeated coalition rump led by a smirking Costello frustrate him at every step.

UQ Lakes/Duckpond photos

Spring would have to be the best time to be in Brisbane. I went to uni today and saw my first lot of ducklings for the season, and when Gam and I walked to the Eleanor Schonell bridge via the duck ponds I saw another lot.




The second family of ducks provided a much more picturesque photo opportunity, but the father duck's antics proved such a distraction that most of my photographs wound up being of him! If I'd realised there would be so many cute birds to photograph I would have brought along the good camera.

The babies from the first family.

These little ducks, known as Maned Ducks (because of their terribly impressive crest), or perhaps more aptly 'Wood Ducks' have massive egos and, like the Exclusive Brethren, don't like to mix with anyone outside their own kind. The little babies are much friendlier and more trusting than their parents, who take their job of looking after their offspring very seriously- we've seen other ducklings at the duckpond who appear totally parent-less, and they don't seem to be around very long (although the eels in the ponds probably contribute).

The overprotective 'Dad' of the second family.

In this photo the male has managed to puff himself up to about twice his normal size.
And I managed to chop the top off his head with the camera... oops.

We also saw a flock of corellas on the grass- they're often in one of the fig trees around the duck ponds, but this is the first time I've seen so many on the grass.







Lastly- this is a magpie I spotted on a walk a few months ago in the parkland next to the walkway on the Dutton Park side of the ES bridge. It has no beak. When I first saw it I wondered if I was hallucinating, and of course I was concerned for the poor thing. I suppose it's comforting to see it again a couple of months later, because obviously it's getting enough food to survive.




I note though that its plumage is a bit dirty and scruffy compared with most magpies, and I assume it can't groom itself properly. As I watched it today it was hunting bugs or something and appeared quite well adapted to its disability. I can't imagine what must have happened to it, but I suppose it's good that no-one found it and took it to a vet, because a vet would have seen the injury and euthanased it. Still, I can't help wishing that I could help it out with food or something...

Howard Does Dallas

"They gave a nice bowl to store the tiny, tiny remnants of my dignity in."

I had the misfortune to hear a bit of J-Ho's speech to some Yank nut-club this morning. Apparently he's become a performing seal slapping his flippers for right-wing audiences in America, where they pat him on the head and wonder why Austria would vote such a strong president out. Howard's basically become a house dancer. You pay him money, he comes over to your place and he slowly and seductively exposes his political ideas for an audience who just love big, bouncy socially conservative ideals. He praised St Ronnie the forgetful, Margaret "balls of steel" Thatcher and even admitted to letting the Exclusive Brethren run policy, giving

"faith-based groups direct involvement in policy making and execution"

He still lies six times before breakfast and is as delusional as ever. Remember the secret plan to pull out of Iraq? Well someone should ring Dr Brendan because Iraq is as important as Afghanistan in the fight against 'Islamic fascism', whatever the fuck that is. Also we shouldn't give up our 'core values' to appease 'Islamic fascism', only the non-core values like the rule of law and not sodomising people with glow sticks because we think they might be guilty, oh and killing lots of people.

To go off on a tangent, it's hilarious how anti-Islamic racism has ruined the real message of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He's alleged to have recently called for Sharia law to be included in the British legal system. Predictably the usual nutbags sprang to the defence of volk and vaterland, completely missing the point. Williams' real message was a deeply sinister one, that religion should influence law. He simply cited Sharia law as an example, pointing to how it was possible to allow the faithful to be governed by the laws of their religion. He was probably hoping it'd give him some cover by looking friendly to Muslims. Wrong. Williams' real message was that we should be debating whether religious laws should be subordinate to secular laws as part of the general war on secularism that's been going on around the world since the end of the 20th century. He just ran out in front of his own side wearing the wrong uniform.

To return to our bushy eyebrowed political stripper, Howard also made it clear that workchoices was totally awesome. I guess that answers the question about whether there was a rapemeharderchoices around the corner.

"It would be the first time in 25 years that a major economic reform in my country has been reversed," he said. "In particular, bringing back the old unfair dismissal laws will stifle employment and growth in small business."

SMH

What, you mean the economic growth and employment that occurred before your 'reforms' and continues despite your next lot of 'reforms' never having taken place? Of course his audience would have lapped that up. In America, 'I don't like your face' is a good enough reason to fire someone and Americans work more hours for the same wage than they've ever done before. Oddly enough Howard spent millions on finding out if the millions he spend advertising rapechoices was working. Only 15% of people thought rapechoices was awesome. 65% thought the old system was better, yet nearly 50% of you morons voted for the workchoices you hated so much for so long. Thanks guys.

Which brings us to the finale of the stripper act. Grinding his audience hard he talked about the day he fell in love with Dubya's codpiece.

"I decided it was not a time for 80 per cent allies; it was a time for the US to have 100 per cent allies,"

he said of his decision to invoke the ANZUS treaty.

"And, like Trent told me about how his aunt died, and, like, he was so, so sad, and, like I just had to let him put it in all the way, just this once, I'm not a slut or anything!"

I hope the old whorebag packed his cheerleader costume for his visit to the Oval Orifice. This, Liberal voters, is your great white hope? Some pathetic, irrelevant gigolo, busily fluffing an equally irrelevant meal ticket who'll be yesterday's news in a matter of months. Fucking seriously guys, did Whitlam fly to China to kiss Mao's ass after he left office? It's the intellectual equivalent of a Tijuana donkey show, I can just imagine Wolfowitz (yes, he was there) licking his comb and leering at the stage... eeugh. Dear pets, don't tell me you're surprised that his first public address is to the foreigners he sold his country to? I wish treasonous bastard would piss off over there and never come back.