February 18, 2008
Is the Liberal narrative in the Four Corners Howard's End programme a rewriting of Liberal Party history? All these hairy chested minsters are saying that they realized they were doomed, and that they reckoned Howard should have gone around 1996. But then they confess they couldn't do anything about changing the captain of the Liberal ship, so they quietly went down with the ship Stoics one and all. A question of loyalty you understand.
Howard wasn't ready to go and these Ministers didn't think that it was right for them to tell Howard to go, let alone force him out. Of course, they realized that Howard had to go. Change was needed as they had been their too long. But they did nothing. They couldn't do anything on their account. Few could even bring themselves to raise the issue; or even had the access to speak to Howard in person. He was the emperor, and they mere courtiers in the sun king's realm.
None had the courage to challenge Howard on crucial issues like Kyoto or Workchoices. The emperor ruled with an iron fist. In fact they are now confessing on public television----on ABC--- that they really knew nothing about these issues in terms of the negatives or the suffering they caused.
Really? Who is kidding who here? That they were so caught up in the sun king's regal bubble that they had no idea what was happening in the country or the rest of the world? That all the negatives swirling around their court was the hallucinations, paranoia and delusions of the barbaric left?
Saying it all on Four Corners is meant to signify that the confession is to be taken in the serious mode and not as a comedy routine.
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I think Costello's crystal ball was better than anyone elses. It was clear to blind Freddy that the economy was heading for a downturn with some bad times for those on struggle street. Being the treasurer for as long as he was and then to take over the leadership. Boy it was really starting to look like a hiding to nothing whichever way he went. In the later stages of Howard when it looked like he wouldn't win against Rudd he was probably glad he didn't have the numbers. He stood aside with the general perception that he was a good treasurer rather than the guy on everyones dart board. There is a great possibility that he could be seen as the great white hope again if the Labor party stuffs things up/or is perceived to of stuffed things up.
I didn't watch the show last night so don't know if this was covered.
( I'm having a holiday from commenting on blogs....have fun )