‘A captain should go down with the ship. Poor form to be first in lifeboat’
“Traditionally a captain should go down with the ship. Poor form to be first in the lifeboat.”
Tibor smelled a rat:
“Interesting timing, given the relatively widespread view that her party will likely lose the next election.”
Damn, Daniel:
“It is hard to admire the decision to leave now. A more courageous and accountable person would have accepted that whatever the consequences of her approach to governing, she should stand and bear the consequences.
“As it now stands, it will be someone else’s fault when the day of political reckoning comes, and a more realistic spotlight is turned on the consequences of her policies.
“So we will forever never know if she would have won the election they will certainly now lose in a landslide. Her deputy has already said ‘not me’, and good on him. He must be livid at what she has just done.”
Just Quietly whispered:
”Always better to leave before you get the sack (which must have been imminent). Ardern was the party’s choice to promote and implement their agenda and she did that well. The majority of her party must have been happy with her –- mighty hard to believe and understand.
“I haven’t met a Kiwi who thinks other than that Ardern has undone all the good that existed in NZ prior to her government. I was looking forward to seeing how things went in the next election, would the people have woken up to what has happened?”
Sir James of Punchbowl said:
“Jumping before you are ordered out, is classic Peter principle ... saw it many times in corporate world. Watch the big jump to the UN.
“When you have a soft parent, that lets you miss school, allows you to get up late, blow off housework, gives you compliments and gives extra pocket money for nothing ... you will always like them. Doesn’t mean you will end up a happy, fulfilled and productive person. Likely the opposite. That's how I see what Jacinda has done to NZ.”
David’s take:
“We were over in NZ in October last. This is a country divided by race and getting worse. New Zealanders who are not Maori are not happy people but do not call out the changes for fear of being called racist. Sound familiar?
“Australians should read about 3 Waters and other legislation and make up their own minds. Jacinda leaves parliament in a worse state, perhaps she is suited to work at the UN. They would love there and all her woke ideas.”
Edward agreed:
“One thing not mentioned by Greg or other commentators is Ardern’s divisive actions in regard to race relations between Maori and non Maori.”
Max mused:
“The mess she has left in NZ, will take much time effort and money to eradicate. Woke, socialist governance is a recipe for disaster, as history has shown. Take note Albo, listen and learn.”
Duncan declared:
“The reality for Jacinda is she can’t see how to clean up the mess she has made which brought her to the conclusion that clearly she is not the right person to be PM. Gestures and slogans are simply not enough to make a safe, generous and prosperous nation.”
Chris said:
“She’s 42 years young, has a comfortable majority in a unicameral parliament in an insignificant country (geopolitically) and ‘the tank’s empty’ after five years? What a wimp.”
Dave’s take:
“She is great example of what passes for narrative versus reality these days. Her reality of delivery was appalling, but she made everyone feel warm and fuzzy.”
Compliments from Karen:
“Greg – you’ve absolutely nailed it! A spot-on analysis. Hard to comprehend how she was so lauded along the way.”
Adam was aghast:
“Why oh why does The Australian keep on bashing our neighbour’ Prime Minister: she never attacked us, was the choice in 2 elections of NZ people!”
Chris lent on Keating:
“All tip and no iceberg.”
WA John suggested:
“The real reason she is not contesting the next election is also pure politics. She would be caned at the polls, and that would take the shine off her image.”
Jason said:
“Encapsulates the complete disconnect between virtue signalling, vacuous wokeness; and hard economic realities that actually make a real difference to the disadvantaged. The irony.”
Ian added:
“She reminds me of all our teals ... smiley and friendly, box ticking with intention but ineffective in the end.”
Dee’s take:
“Im a leftie and love stirring you lot up on here. Gotta say when Greg Sheridan talks I listen more often than not. The style over substance points are well made here.
“He can write clearly and succinctly about complex issues. Issues are complex because humans are complex. He doesn’t point to simple solutions because he knows they don't exist and if they seem to red flags ought be raised appropriately.”
Simon aka PPR said:
“I seem to remember graphics of Julia Gillard standing in front a scene of devastation with the caption ‘My work here is done’. A recurring theme perhaps?”
Tony was tough:
“Ardern was a media party girl but totally lacking in the important role she was given as NZ Prime Minister and an anathema to the true spirit of ANZAC. No wonder she is getting out before the axe falls.”
Jim said:
“The glories of empire and all those loyal Anglos and all their belief that they actually have any legitimacy invading, occupying and pillaging the resources of a country whose indigenous occupation goes back at least 50,000 years before the poms were even cave dwellers.”
Charles J reckoned:
“The tank will quickly refill. I suspect that there is more to this sudden exit. A better paid job offer perhaps? Or maybe something smelly about to be exposed? Or maybe she has finally grown up and realised socialism doesn’t work?”
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Republican George Santos, 34 – if that is even his name – may well be the greatest liar to have ever been elected to Congress, a fantasist without peer whose list of false claims, and actual background, have grown ever more bizarre by the day; an alleged thief, fraudster, Walter Mitty character and even a drag queen named Kitara Ravache. Bemused summarised:
“Trump-inspired fantasist and yet to be acquainted with the truth.”
Craig asked:
“Will Netflix be filming him?”
Nancy said:
“It would be funny, but with no way to get rid of him for falsifying his life story to get on the ballot, one really has to wonder at the system that allows such abuse. Then we have a party that isn’t a party, but is a voting block and untouchable as they work together like a party, set up by one man.”
Andrewr reckoned:
“If Congress doesn’t vote to rid itself of such a fraudster it is a sad commentary on those who are prepared to retain him for partisan purposes.”
James explained:
“It’s all about winning. This is the type of candidate required to swing a Democrat seat to the Republicans. Don’t blame him, blame the dopey electors who are influenced by charades.”
Support from Simeon:
“I’m struggling to understand what he has done wrong here. He has simply beaten all other politicians at their own 21st Century game. All he has done is prove beyond any doubt that that rich woke urban folk will vote for any fantasy.
“If you don’t believe in concrete right and wrong, truth and untruth, then hey presto you will get a fraud. You cannot claim buyer’s remorse, if you are stupid enough to accept any lie as truth.”
Swinging_Voter was sad:
“Increasingly our democracies are showing that character does not matter. Keeping power is more important than maintaining standards. Partisan support warps ethics, and trumps honesty. I’m no expert, but does this fairly sudden change in societal norms not signal something we should all be very concerned with?”
George Santos is the first gay jewish catholic hispanic black caucasian son of immigrants Ivy League graduate cancer survivor Republican member of Congress whose ancestors survived the Holocaust and died on 9/11 who was also a drag queen. Is there anything this guy can't do!? https://t.co/61oO5jzByg
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 18, 2023
Barny2448 said he should go far:
“Not a bad summary for a politician: narcissistic, delusional, unable to differentiate between fact and fantasy. He could succeed in most states in Australia or excel as a teal.”
John rejoiced:
“I love it. This guy is the gift that keeps on giving.”
Andrew reckoned:
“No different to some of the other fringe republicans. At least he hasn’t made preposterous and antisemitic comments about lasers zapping California from outer space. The Republicans don’t have the courage to get rid of the duds.”
TonyW said:
“What is not being discussed is how he managed to shift enough Democrat voters to his side to actually win in New York state. Could it be that he is closer to those on the left, such as Buttegieg, Fetterman etc. that they believed they recognised one of their own? If a drag queen had been elected on a Democrat ticket it would now be held up as a demonstration of ‘diversity and tolerance’.
“And don’t say it is the lies that make a difference. This guy never falsely claimed to have seen incontrovertible evidence of a president colluding with Russians. That is the Democrats standard of truthfulness that shouldn’t be forgotten.”
London to a Brick:
“Santos is proof that once you allow your ethic and moral base to sink to so low a level as to embrace Trump, it opens up a very slippery slope and there will be no end to the deterioration of the quality of people in the party unless the good ones stand up and be counted and condemn unequivocally the ugly flirtation with Trump and all he stands for. If they don’t do that they will never stop the rot.”
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After Andy Murray’s epic win over Thanasi Kokkinakis blew out until after 4am and which saw Murray refused a toilet break, players said the Australian Open was in danger of becoming a sick joke. Linda agreed:
“Great effort Andy - what guts. AO organizers pathetic.”
Cameron complained:
“Tis also very unfair on the player who will have to front up to another match after such a marathon. Such bad organisation.”
Gordon said:
“Murray threw Djokivic under the bus last year to be on the ‘popular side’ and has become a perpetual whinger. They get paid massive amounts to entertain and get TV rights so occassionally they are inconvenienced.”
Ian D opined:
“In match of epic length decided by a minuscule margin, Andy Murray emerged victorious not because he outplayed Thanasi Kokkinakis but because he out-thought him. On the brink of defeat Murray realised he could not out-hit Kokkinakis and shrewdly adjusted his game to induce unforced errors from his opponent. Seeing no reason to adapt his own game “Kokkinakis not only obliged but persisted for the duration. Of the many elements in what unfolded over the final three sets, Kokkinakis’s reluctance to attack the net stood out. When serving and in protracted rallies Kokkinakis was presented with countless opportunities to approach the net but rarely took them. This suited Murray who knew the longer a rally lasted the more likely he was to win the point. Ironically, it was Murray who became the more effective net player.”
101010 was extreme:
“Andy Murray needs to take the AO organisers to the UN International Court on the Rights of the Individual, for breaches regarding an individuals right regarding bodily functions! I’m sure Mr Tiley can provide Andy with details! Sounds like one of the games of this century, pity I wasn’t awake to see it!”
Less is more, said Michael:
“Time for the men to play best out 3 sets same as the ladies. After all the prize money is the same.”
Ian was shocked:
“What’s the thing about toilet breaks? Are they supposed to pee in their pants like bike riders?”
Last word to Manvinder Gréwal:
“For TV and other commentators saying that early morning finishes are ‘normal’ for tennis, including Grand slams, that’s simply not true. Wimbledon and the French open never have these, albeit they play matches during daylight hours.
“I suspect the real issue is Australia’s time zone relative to Europe and the US and it’s in the organiser’s interest to have matches played late to maximise revenue.”
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Powerful display of military deterrence as UK steps up
Old alliances between nations that share bedrock values matter, which is why Britain’s sending 3000 personnel and the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales for Exercise Talisman Sabre matters.
Protect minors from bad choices
Laws and practices allowing minors to opt for radical medical gender treatment, against the wishes of parents, are irresponsible and wrong. The Greens’ lack of respect for free speech on the matter is deeply disturbing.
Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Greg Sheridan reckoned Queen of woke Jacinda Ardern left a trail of chaos in her well-meaning wake, failing in substance but succeeding wildly in image, while making the likes of Dan Andrews look like Ayn Rand. ‘Saint Jacinda’ pulled the pin as Prime Minister before a likely election drubbing later this year. Gordon reckoned it was the mother of all bailouts from one who began their voyage at the World Economic Forum: