Bob Brown Resigns
 

Bit of a shock to hear this today, a bloke I do have a bit of time for and like him, or loathe him, a man who has done a lot to change the face of Australian politics (for the better IMHO).

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-1...leader/3948496

Interesting to see the Wikipedia page for Bob has already been updated to include today's announcement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Brown

A lot of people bag Bob and anyone who supports the Australian Greens, but one thing any honest person must admit is he is/was a "conviction" pollie (even if you don't share those beliefs). We really do need more people like Bob from all parts of the political spectrum.

My idea of a champion.
I don't have to agree with people to find them champions ... like you I appreciate people leading from the front on unpopular thigns and always with civility.

We were in TAssie in the early 60s ... he did it very tough in the public arena ... how he kept going I have no idea.

Good luck to him!

He stood up, he got in, he made or induced major reforms to Australian policies and general thinking.
He left without kerfuffle.. in all he outstripped most other Australian politicians.

I have nothing but respect for how he handled it all.

If anything he deserves his retirement more than many others in our political scenery.

Did Annabelle poach some of my lines? I note that story was posted at 5.20 pm and included the line

"And there's Julia Gillard, who in all likelihood will not mourn the departure from politics of a leader who – like him or loathe him – was a genuine conviction politician."

At 12.08pm I posted

"a bloke I do have a bit of time for and like him, or loathe him, a man who has done a lot to change the face of Australian politics"

At 1.03pm I posted

"... but one thing any honest person must admit is he is/was a "conviction" pollie."

Just great minds Woollybutt ... you both described him well.
Even T (who worked for the HEC in those early 60s days ANd was old-fashioned (as so many of us were) about homosexuality) wouldnt have a word said against him on the basis of his ethics / convictions.

My interest in politics is something I got from my Dad ( who was often a rather staunch follower of those to the political right and far from my own leanings). I can recall getting into a good debate at the pub one time (where many "good" political debates take place) and there was me arguing against the views of my father and others involved in the conversation. One bloke decided to bring Bob's sexuality into the argument and was really surprised when my old man turned on him and told him to pull his head in.

The title given to many as "Australian of the Year" may often be viewed as political and probably is, but I would like to point out it's a title held only by Bob in our current parliament AFAIK and that must mean/say something.

I', like a huge number of people, are very happy to see him away from his meddling with Australian politics. And hopefully the Greens will also fade into obscurity rapidly as well so that cannot damage the country any further.

Good riddance.

The press have been making a big thing of the resignation, how will the greens remain relevant now etc. I don't think they understand the green movement at all, they want to fit it into their paradigm about politics and personalities. The green party is just a bunch of people who use that name and want to push policies relating to the environment etc. That doesn't mean they represent the "green movement" as such, though they do further ideas that most environmentalists agree with. At heart they are just a bunch of environmental careerists, though I agree they have been doing a good job. The green movement is much more than a few personalities, and will keep going with or without Bob Brown et al.

See, that's exactly how I feel about the Libs, the Nats, the Lib Nats, KAP, the DLP, Family First and so on. But, apparently, I only have one vote and it's equivalent to my neighbour's vote...

*shakes fist at democracy*

What I really need to do is be a multi-billionaire in mining or media, so I can influence the govt after all the votes have been cast.

I wish Helix would stay away from her meddling with Australian politics. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.png

Yep, there's nothing like dissenting opinions to bugger up a democracy.

I for one can't wait until we all wear the same coloured boiler suits, have the same hair cuts and get on with "progress" with no social or environmental conscience.

I agree.
Fortunately that's not what I said or inferred.

Meddling with Australian politics? What kind of statement is that?


Just layers of irony there.

See if you lived next to Gina Rhinehard, your vote would be worth less than hers .. strange world hey?

How did I miss this?!
http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/smile.png
*waves to jennajones* who brought it to my attention .

oh and this ... lots of good laughs in this whole topic ...
"Greg Jericho ‏ @GrogsGamut; Today's newspapers demonstrate that when it comes to The Greens, the media knows a lot about the Democrats."

onyabbottlookingatthings:

looking at greenies

“WITHOUT YOUR LEADER…YOU ARE NOTHING! YOU HEAR ME? NOTHING! MWAAAAHAHAHAHA”
- Tony Abbott, Liberal Villain.

http://theblatantgentleman.tumblr.co...ng-at-greenies

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2...io9yo1_500.jpg