‘Think you’ve got it bad? I support the Crows and the ALP’

Little big man: Eddie Betts turns his back on the Crows for his Carlton homies.

Welcome to the column where you provide the content. David Penberthy set the cat amongst the Crows today when he revealed superstar Eddie Betts is to turn his back on South Australia and go back to Carlton, where he got his start. Bill bemoaned his double-bunger of bad luck:

”Think you’ve got it bad? I’ve struck the daily double, I support both the Crows and the ALP. Both of them are on their backsides at the moment, lying in a muddy ditch with one leg in the air, vital signs are bad, fingers are pointing, vultures are circling, but that is exactly the time when true supporters (or believers) stay true.

“Good luck to Eddie, he has been a role model both off and on the field and every true Adelaide supporter wishes him nothing but the very best.”

Russell reckoned:

“Unfortunately for Eddie his demise as a footballer in the Crows forward line has a come at a time when the Crows are on the slide. Clubs are ruthless today look what Clarko did to the Hawks in the recent years to regenerate his list. The Crows forward line has been leaking like a sieve and it is time for the kids to stand up. He will be missed if he goes elsewhere but wish him all the best and thanks for your magical time at the club.”

No boos from Brett:

“I will still cheer for Eddie wherever he plays. If other Crows fans around me boo him they will cop a mouthful from me. He is a legend and an inspiring gentleman.’

Forgiveness from Frank:

“I’m from Adelaide, I’m a Crows fan. I love Eddie but I understand.”

Paul’s position:

“Pretty well a one team town due to the fact most of the sports commentators in Adelaide all barrack for the Crows and stupidly expect them to be challenging for the premiership every season.”

Mick mused:

“Eddie transcends football rivalry. This clearly shows the depth of the issues the Adelaide Crows have. Excellent summation of the feeling in the city at present.”

Too old, said Edward:

“The reality is that the Crows know that Betts is over the hill and it’s time for him to go.”

High praise from Paul:

“Eddie has been one of Adelaide’s best and he is the best role model for Aboriginals young and old. He is also the biggest draw card that Adelaide has ever had. Adelaide’s loss is Carlton’s gain. Malthouse should never had shunted him in the first place — one of his worst calls!”

Anthony argued:

“Betts leaving probably highlights how fractured the Crows are. As for a rebuild, well, if it’s just players rotated out then they’ll be going nowhere. When you look at every successful sporting club, it starts with a strong management team, right now it’s an exclusive boys’ club.”

Last word to Lee:

“I will be sad to see Eddie go and Crows fans will wish him well. Eddie is a national AFL icon, and unfortunately near end of playing days and perhaps something good to offer Carlton or Suns.

“The Crows need to turn this into positive PR, with other grey clouds overhead turning into thunder storms. Heads must roll at Crowland, seems so many ineffective highly paid ‘so called experts’ on the payroll and a bloated coaches box.”

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Trumped up: Chinese Australian writer Yang Hengjun, pictured with his wife Yuan Xiaoliang, has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of spying. Picture: AP

The arrest in China of Australian citizen Yang Hengjun on the charge of espionage has predictably caused a new set of troubles in the Australia-China relationship, wrote Greg Sheridan, who argued it was hardly racist to call China to account on the matter. Mark was mystified:

“What astounds me is that people in Yang’s situation actually travel back to China and expect that the regime won’t act because they have an Australian passport. Now we have a full blown international incident to deal with.

“To the Chinese government if you look Chinese or were born in China you are their property regardless of subsequent actions or claims you might make. If you are in any way critical of China just stay away from the place and save your new country from having to spend precious resources and political capital to try to save you.”

Dodgy, said Rodger:

“I was born in Shanghai China in 1948 but I do not look like a Chinaman. Also, when I left China in 1949, I was of stateless nationality. I have been an Australian citizen since 1959.

So, I wonder if China or the PRC has a claim on me as its citizen should I ever visit mainland China?”

Nicholas noted:

“@Rodger you’d probably be put in the same bin as either the KMT ‘splittists’, or a ‘neocolonialist’. If they ever found out. I wouldn’t go to the PRC and start talking about Hong Kong, democracy, Tiananmen Square, or the Chinese invasion of Vietnam if I were you.”

Andrew earns comment of the week:

“We are not yet a satellite state orbiting China. But we are very close to being captive of its gravitational field.

“The threat to our nation’s independence is so obvious that it hardly needs to be stated. Economic dependence leading to corporate surrender to China; internal socio-cultural colonisation by ethnic Chinese residents and students of our educational, research and cultural institutions promoting pro-Beijing propaganda; fear and greed based political conformity to Chinese wishes in local, state and federal governments.

“These are threats that cannot be wished away. They are based on the economic power of China and the growing influence of corporate, professional, scientific and cultural elites that have sold out to China. The usual fear-based responses such as buying nuclear submarines will not counter this economic and socio-cultural surrender to Chinese wealth.

“What is needed is a long-term strategy. Part of that strategy is building a strong Chinese led internal resistance to Beijing’s ambitions and influence within Australia. Leaders of Hong Kong’s protest movement may have a part to play. We can no longer allow China unchallenged control of Chinese language Australian media.

“We are in the midst of a new cold war that is being fought in the world of ideas and narratives. The false Chinese narrative concerning the protests in Hong Kong is at war with the truth. It is a beacon signalling the allegiance of Australian Chinese-language media. Could we please have an investigative journalist report on the coverage of the major radio programs and Chinese-language newspapers in Australia?”

Daniel declared:

“100pc need an independently-owned Chinese language newspaper in Australia.”

Garry agreed:

“Yes, we do need to counter Chinese Communist propaganda in the local Chinese diaspora.

But get the nuclear submarines anyway! And the tanks, missiles etc. And national service, including local Chinese!”

Rod raged:

“China is not a free democracy. It’s an aggressive bully that does not share our values. Australia will come to regret its close relationship and economic over reliance on China.”

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Power louse: Dan Andrews gives a powerpoint presentation run on sparks from the windmills of his mind.

Judith Sloan took aim at states shedding power and their responsibility, led by the Victorian government, aka Danandrewstan, and the looming disaster created by its ridiculously ambitious renewable energy target. Ivan was ready:

“I got myself a little diesel powered gen set to run my lights fridge and aircon over the summer. Not losing my frozen consumables again. Expensive but it can actually run the whole house when wired up right. Diesel by the litre is still dearer but I think soon it’ll be cheaper than being on the grid.

“Till then it’s a good back up. Even though pumping out diesel fumes isn’t great for the environment. Never thought I’d be supplying my own electricity 10 years ago. Funny how we seem to be going backwards in power.”

Michael revved up:

“I purchased a petrol model which hums along nicely and powers the fridges, the freezer and the TV. It’s nice to think that my home is independent of governments’ stupidity — at least until Australia runs out of fuel.”

Frank reflected:

“I have gone down the same path myself. Reflecting on where Victoria seems to be heading reminded me of my very early days living in a (very) small Victorian timber milling community where lighting at night was provided by a Tilley pressure lamp.

“Refrigeration came in the form of a Coolgardie safe, television did not exist and radio, only available at night, was powered by a car battery. We had a cow that provided milk enabling mum to make our own butter. She also baked homemade bread in the woodfired oven, harvested and preserved fruit and vegetables from the garden and made full use of any wild native foods in the area.

“The thing Green zealots need to take away from this is the fact that even at this very basic lifestyle we were not ‘Carbon Neutral’.”

Bryan was blase:

“Not much point dropping a line to our Anna. She is currently preoccupied about what to do with the real premier of Queensland, who is a wealthy multi-property investor, big end of town, far left Green activist. You certainly can’t make this up.”

Don’t worry, be happy, said Helen:

“You should be grateful that they are saving the planet. And that is winning Green voters in the main and getting them elected. Fossil fuels are evil. Invented by avaricious capitalists. Wind and solar are virtuous. And moral. And free. Everything will be fine in the long run. Won’t it?”

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