“When a man gives his opinion, he’s a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she’s a bitch.” Thus spake Bette Davis, and her droll maxim might help explain the outpouring of readers’ wrath that greeted a decision by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to throw open Kiwi doors to the men from Manus Island. Stephanie sidestepped the ad hominem attacks and orthodontical humour to make an excellent point which earns her co-comment of the week:
“Ms Ardern’s offer to take men from Manus Island was an unfriendly and opportunistic act to elevate herself politically and to belittle NZ’s greatest and closest ally, Australia. If she really had the best interests of everyone concerned in her heart, she would have used her diplomatic channels to make the offer in private. Her decision to make it in a blaze of publicity was to elevate herself politically and to politically damage the Australian Government.”
She also offered a note to Bill Shorten:
“In terms of Australia’s border security, there is a huge difference between making a deal with the US to take asylum seekers and making a deal with NZ: namely, there is no possible easy pathway into Australia from the USA but there is from NZ.
“Making a deal with NZ could open the way for another tidal wave of boat people seeking ‘asylum’ but most of whom will probably be economic immigrants, and if Bill Shorten can’t see that, then he can never be trusted with Australia’s border security.”
A ploy, agreed Peter:
“There’s no downside for her because everyone knows they will end up here anyway. A cynical and obnoxious look-at-me ploy.”
Egregious, said Eric:
“She was Tony Blair’s adviser, he opened the gates to immigration. You only need to see the state of the UK to understand what an idiotic policy that was ... Why is it the left wing parties never fully articulate there immigration policies during their election campaigns, especially when it seems to have such a priority once in power?”
No Jacindamania for James:
“ ‘I think it’s clear that we don’t see what’s happening there as acceptable; that’s why the offer’s there.’ Well, as long as they’re prepared to take EVERY arrival that comes as a result of their ‘offer’ rather than leaving us to clean up the resulting mess.
“I bet when Australia turns up with a boat of a few thousands who now want the same ‘offer’ (including another thousand or so bodies of those who drowned) on NZ’s doorstep, Ms Arden might grow up and realise that policies have consequences. She’s such a lightweight.”
Paul protested:
“This is what happens when you vote a muppet into office that has absolutely no idea of the problems associated with people smugglers and won’t listen to those that do. Sovereign Borders has been an outstanding success despite the likes of SHY and the Greens.”
Rick reflected:
“As A Kiwi I know that whatever label you pin to Winston Peters you can be sure he is nobody’s fool. To preserve his position he will make sure that nothing ‘rocks his boat’. His public image is his most treasured possession.
“A silly slip of the tongue by an inexperienced lefty will not be allowed to come to fruition, I will put the money I won on The Donald on a wager that says NZ will not be taking any boat people.”
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“Baby you can drive my (subsidised electric) car, yes I’m gonna be a star.” That was the gist of energy minister Josh Frydenberg’s message, as he charged that his critics would all be driving electric cars within the decade. Beep beep, replied Judith Sloan, who thought Josh must be having a laugh. Dennis was direct:
“Here’s a thought: stop subsidising everything and balance the budget.”
John said:
“Norway has removed a lot of the subsidies and tax perks of electric vehicles and guess what? Sales plummeted by about 90pc.”
Peter was peeved:
“As an elderly couple we are sick of our taxes and higher energy costs subsidising others capitalising on their green dreams. Let market forces, not government interference, prevail.”
A setback, said Stephen:
“Just when there is a glimmer of hope that MAYBE the current government is on track, one of their senior ministers comes out with this rubbish.
“Tesla is nothing but a mammoth rent seeker existing solely due to hand-outs from governments ... and off we go again! It seems that there is an endless list of worthless projects on which government can spend other people’s money.”
Chris was confused:
“Didn’t we just turn off the money tap for General Motors and Ford?”
Jason S thanked Judith:
“Those who can’t afford EVs will subsidise those that can, just like solar hot water systems for the home.
“Frydenberg is championing a system employed at great cost in Norway, a high taxing socialist utopia which with great hypocrisy lives off the wealth of exporting oil to the world.”
MikeO looked at the mileage:
“I drive a dreaded diesel. I could drive from where I live in Canberra to Bourke and back in two days. I would only have to fill up once in Bourke. Bourke is 715km away.
“I have calculated the characteristics of a Tesla S. There is no comparison unless you build the infrastructure for fast charge power stations. Currently the ones that exist down the east coast are less than 200km apart so you need to build three or four of these stations to recharge between here and Bourke. Let us say to be generous three. My travel time at the speed limit is about eight hours to that you can add for the Tesla at least three hours.
“They say they have a range of about 500km. I doubt that is at the speed limit of the roads. So a Tesla S, which costs about four times my vehicle, would be dead on the road at about Nyngan. To charge it up from some 10 amp outlet, the normal household, one that’s going to take over 18 hours.”
Jock was shocked:
“We all know that worn out batteries are a huge waste problem with lots of nasty chemical products to be dealt with their disposal. Has anyone ever considered the environmental problems of disposing millions of large car batteries every year?”
Ashley advanced:
“Critics may well drive electric cars in the future. However these future vehicle will run for much longer between charges, cost a heck of a lot less and most importantly, probably not be subsidised by the taxpayer.”
Ian iterated:
“If everyone switches from petrol and diesel to EVs, we will definitely need nuclear power to generate the needed electricity. About time, too, as good old Australia is the only G20 country that does not use nuclear power.”
Ken’s considerations earned him co-comment of the week:
“If people wish to buy electric cars that is their right and a few do. In doing this they are clearly accepting the costs and other problems such as charging times. They should not expect others to subsidise their choices. If people wish to use conventional vehicles that is also their right.
“What has been happening in the last 10 years or so is that governments (with limited knowledge, limited experience, a lot of ideology, massive subsidies and favouritism) are forcing ‘things’ on the public through legislation and in some cases a substantial helping of indoctrination.
“The recent electricity and NBN debacles have left a lot of us worse off and have substantially added to national debt ... It is therefore necessary that governments get out of the way and let things happen on the basis of what people feel is in their best interests.”
Erasmus elucidated:
“Nobody is arguing against electric cars. We’re arguing against SUBSIDIES for electric cars.
So let the market decide. And for God’s sake, don’t start trying to pick winners.”
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Sir Elton John announced he was letting the sun go down on his touring career, to mixed reviews from readers. Mike grabbed the mic:
“ ‘I’m still touring ... after all these years.’ Recall he had a hit, Burn down the Mission, circa 1971? Hope his health makes it through to the planned date, 2021.
“He may have to adopt a moderate rock-style lifestyle at his age. Wish him well. Can afford to retire.”
Arvid admired:
“An amazing body of work, none of which would have been as popular without Bernie Taupin. Good his name changed. Sir Reg just doesn’t have the same ring. I hope he and his dearest find peace during his retirement.”
Geoffrey was sceptical:
“If his priorities had really changed he wouldn’t be doing another ego-boosting marathon. He’d just announce that he has quit to be a more family-oriented guy. It’s not as if he needs the money.”
Keith was caustic:
“Don’t worry about famine, death, destruction, floods, and the rest of the terrible happenings in the world. Wait till the idiot in huge glasses gives a press conference about his life, children and how the rest of us do not understand SSM, then pfft, all over.”
Egil was economical:
“Why not stop? He was great. Now less so.”
Paul preened:
“I expect Milo Yiannopoulos is hoping to acquire some of his stage clothes.”
P9 to play us out:
“Tiny Dancer is still great.”
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Another retirement was forced when Rafa Nadal injured his hip playing Marin Cilic, who will contest the men’s final at the Australian Open. After an uncharacteristic post-loss hissy fit, readers returned serve with grunts and groundstrokes. David went down the middle:
“It’s a bit rich for Rafa to complain. For years he has consistently breached the time limit between serves (more than 40pc in this match) and the incessant grunting and yelling is just another way of intimidating opponents.
“Great players like Federer do not stuff around between serves and do not need to grunt and yell. To quote Tomic, go home and count your millions. Tennis has moved on from you.”
An ace from Andrew:
“The better player won on the day Rafa so get over it.”
Wes whipped one out wide:
“Most years we have certain individuals have a whinge about the conditions of the Australian Open. Several years ago Andy Roddick said the heat and the conditions are what makes the AO unique. It is not only a battle of skill but ... will!”
Brad took an extra bounce:
“Sadly Rafa, it is age. You are not 18 anymore. It is sad, but a new generation is coming through as it did when you started.
“You elect the tournaments you play and you choose the ones that have made you a multi-millionaire many times over. So I am afraid there is little sympathy here.”
Janis hit an unexpected drop shot:
“I think wearing baby pink is not a winner’s colour, more a loser’s colour. Nadal’s baby pink gave Cilic a psychological advantage.”
Last swing to Jason, channelling John McEnroe:
“@Janis You can’t be serious!”
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Easy to point the finger
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