How could you possibly suggest that Pyne is a good performer. He is a deceitful, lying, noodle-headed little turd. He is not forthcoming in what he actually knows about the Slipper/Ashby affair. How could he hang out with Ashby in the Speaker's office and not discuss what has turned out to be the biggest so-called scandal of the year. Paul Keating used to be accused of lowering the tone of the parliament but he absolutely pales in significance since Abbott the head kicker and Pyne the pitbull came along. I have been watching question time since the televising began many years ago. Never have I ever heard such language. That pair are not clever or witty, they are cruel, vicious and deceitful.
I agree that what Craig Thomson has been accused of is very serious, but do you honestly think that if the numbers were'nt as tight as they actually are, the opposition would be going on as relentlessly as they are. Even Bob Katter has refused to vote with the coalition in regards to Craig Thompson. He, like I, believe in innocence until proven guilty. Even Sophie Mirabella is entitled to the same standards even though her ex sugar-daddy's children may think otherwise.
I remember too well what happened with Nick Sherry when Peter Costello was unrelenting in his attack because of travelling allowances. The same thing could very well happen to Thomson. Then everyone will be wringing their hands saying things like "Gee maybe we might have gone a bit too far, we might have to change the standards of parliament". Thomson has a family, he has a new wife, he has children and he has lovely parents who happened to have once lived near me, but now have virtually gone into hiding. There have been many corporate CEO's who have dudded their share holders by taking golden handshakes and running up massive travelling expenses etc in the past. What Craig Thomson did was very similar. When it came to union funds helping to pay for his election campaign, if you remember back in 2007 "Your rights at work" was a major part of the campaign. There may be a blurring of the lines, but I would like to wait until I actually see the report before I pass judgement. I haven't even seen murderers pilloried as much as he has.
I have mostly agreed with your political assessments, but this time you're on your own. There are some coalition MP's that I actually like but I will never give any kudos to the likes of Pyne or Abbott. By the way. I think the reason Abbott isnt suspending standing orders is because he's trying unsuccessfully to shake off the negative image.
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