Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 Just saw it. Well, I know what will be dominating our news headlines all week. Here is the ABC report: http://www.abc.net.a...am-dies/5828836 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 Just found this academic paper on the issue. It talks specifically about the dismissal and about the line between investigative journalism and conspiracy theories in general. Very interesting conclusions indeed: http://www98.griffit...2/1/32006_1.pdf That was truly a fascinating read, I read whilst I was eating and almost spilled my tacos all over the keyboard, I was that captivated..Although I'd have to say that one hopes that investigative journos approach their material objectively, they investigate evidence and report sound conclusions; which, to any reasonable person (should that person exist), would arrive at the same conclusion if, or when, confronted with the same evidence. Conspiracy theorists, on the other hand, approach evidence by attempting to shape it to suite a particular agenda, this ranges from the crack-pot to the misinformed/uninformed, a la FOX NEWS. Conspiracy theorists hold on to this and often dismiss genuine evidence to the contrary as additional conspiracy. In terms of the Nixon and Ford administrations meddling in the politics of other nations, one only needs to look at examples in South America, South East Asia and the Middle East for evidence that this was going on all over the world at this time. but it was a fascinating read. Re-bumping this so that guests/lurkers/drive-by traffic can read the academic paper linked above on the conspricacy theory about the Whitlam dismissal (allegations of US involvement) if interested. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ra Ra Rasputin 99 Posted October 20, 2014 Just saw it. Well, I know what will be dominating our news headlines all week. Here is the ABC report: Do you reckon we'll all get a day off work for the funeral? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 Just saw it. Well, I know what will be dominating our news headlines all week. Here is the ABC report: Do you reckon we'll all get a day off work for the funeral? The last time a PM died was McMahon in 1988. What happened back then? Can anyone remember? UPDATE: Correction - Gorton died in 2002. If they gave us the day off work, it must have been fairly forgettable (much like his term in office.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guest Posted October 20, 2014 Gough Whitlam dead at 98!. the 8th hit of 2014! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 All the fawning and praise over Gough's legacy and his "service to the country" has already begun. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-21/gough-whitlam-dead/5828840 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 Just saw it. Well, I know what will be dominating our news headlines all week. Here is the ABC report: Do you reckon we'll all get a day off work for the funeral? Well, the politicians have just given themselves the day off at least! "Following the news of Mr Whitlam's death Federal Parliament was closed for the day as a mark of respect." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Zorders 1,271 Posted October 20, 2014 How about Schmidt next for a really-fuckin'-old-guy-who-was-head-of-a-foreign-country-but-you've-never-heard-of-his-arse double? Also I didn't know Mr Gough and his friend were Vader fans.... (sorry that's one for the wrestling fans again) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 SBS give a cursory overview of Gough's career as well: http://www.sbs.com.a...olitical-career I didn't know that, amongst everything else, Gough also "appeared to show little concern for the victims of Cyclone Tracy." w***er. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 How about Schmidt next for a really-fuckin'-old-guy-who-was-head-of-a-foreign-country-but-you've-never-heard-of-his-arse double? Also I didn't know Mr Gough and his friend were Vader fans.... (sorry that's one for the wrestling fans again) Just FYI, the "and his friend" is actually the 1960s rock singer, Little Pattie, cousin of recently-dead Christina Amphlett of the Divinyls. Amphlett definitely had the more talent of the two... Little Pattie's there because she sang Gough's election campaign theme song. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Zorders 1,271 Posted October 20, 2014 Oh right. Wow, this is like you guys' Thatcher or something isn't it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 Oh right. Wow, this is like you guys' Thatcher or something isn't it. Sort of. In terms of economic divisiveness, that would be Paul Keating (who copied all of Thatcher's policies under the label "Economic Rationalism.") In terms of divisiveness because of bungled implementation of otherwise-extremely good policies and the huge controversy and constitutional crisis surrounding the dismissal then, yes, Gough's your man. I don't know if there will be much divisiveness or bitterness at his funeral, the way there was at Thatcher's because it was all so long ago but it will be interesting to see if any old wounds are reopened. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 ABC now have a full obit up, where you can read all the gory details for yourself: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-10/gough-whitlam/3945026 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest ding dong the whichisdead? Posted October 20, 2014 Oh right. Wow, this is like you guys' Thatcher or something isn't it. Not really, he was a "progressive" (left-leaning) politician, unlike Thatcher; he had a brief premiership (less than a full term), unlike Thatcher; he was easily outmanoeuvered by his main political enemy etc. Maybe an anti-thesis of Thatcher? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Zorders 1,271 Posted October 20, 2014 Oh right. Wow, this is like you guys' Thatcher or something isn't it. Not really, he was a "progressive" (left-leaning) politician, unlike Thatcher; he had a brief premiership (less than a full term), unlike Thatcher; he was easily outmanoeuvered by his main political enemy etc. Maybe an anti-thesis of Thatcher? I meant in terms of reaction upon death, fucknut. (p.s. Holy shit, look at the front page... we have "details"! They're followin' and everything!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinegar Tits 607 Posted October 20, 2014 I got all excited until I noticed he *wasn't* on my list Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 UK obit: ex-Prime Minister Gillard on ex-Prime Minister Whitlam: http://www.theguardi...n-in-our-nation "I attended Gough’s 90th birthday party at Machiavelli’s in Sydney in 2006." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
time 8,641 Posted October 20, 2014 How about Schmidt next for a really-fuckin'-old-guy-who-was-head-of-a-foreign-country-but-you've-never-heard-of-his-arse double? Also I didn't know Mr Gough and his friend were Vader fans.... (sorry that's one for the wrestling fans again) I want one of those t-shirts for the next DL-Con! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 20, 2014 How about Schmidt next for a really-fuckin'-old-guy-who-was-head-of-a-foreign-country-but-you've-never-heard-of-his-arse double? Also I didn't know Mr Gough and his friend were Vader fans.... (sorry that's one for the wrestling fans again) I want one of those t-shirts for the next DL-Con! Someone was just asking about them on one of the newsites. Apparently you can still buy them from the Whitlam Institute! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Wicked Witch of Westmi Posted October 21, 2014 Oh right. Wow, this is like you guys' Thatcher or something isn't it. Not really, he was a "progressive" (left-leaning) politician, unlike Thatcher; he had a brief premiership (less than a full term), unlike Thatcher; he was easily outmanoeuvered by his main political enemy etc. Maybe an anti-thesis of Thatcher? I meant in terms of reaction upon death, fucknut. (p.s. Holy shit, look at the front page... we have "details"! They're followin' and everything!) When Maggie Thatcher died, her "fans" have propelled "Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead!" to #2 on the UK singles chart; if fact, the theme of the day of her death had inspired numerous punk-ish songs (Pete Wylie [ The Day That Margaret Thatcher Dies!…: ; Hefner: The Day that Thatcher Dies: ) years before she actually kicked the bucket. I'd doubt that good old Gough Whitlam would get a similar treatment. But feel free to prove me wrong! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Body Snatcher 44 107 Posted October 21, 2014 How about Schmidt next for a really-fuckin'-old-guy-who-was-head-of-a-foreign-country-but-you've-never-heard-of-his-arse double? Also I didn't know Mr Gough and his friend were Vader fans.... (sorry that's one for the wrestling fans again) I want one of those t-shirts for the next DL-Con! Someone was just asking about them on one of the newsites. Apparently you can still buy them from the Whitlam Institute! http://whitlam.force.com/shoppingCart Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
time 8,641 Posted October 21, 2014 How about Schmidt next for a really-fuckin'-old-guy-who-was-head-of-a-foreign-country-but-you've-never-heard-of-his-arse double? Also I didn't know Mr Gough and his friend were Vader fans.... (sorry that's one for the wrestling fans again) I want one of those t-shirts for the next DL-Con! Someone was just asking about them on one of the newsites. Apparently you can still buy them from the Whitlam Institute! http://whitlam.force.com/shoppingCart Thanks, I might just enquire! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 21, 2014 Oh right. Wow, this is like you guys' Thatcher or something isn't it. Not really, he was a "progressive" (left-leaning) politician, unlike Thatcher; he had a brief premiership (less than a full term), unlike Thatcher; he was easily outmanoeuvered by his main political enemy etc. Maybe an anti-thesis of Thatcher? I meant in terms of reaction upon death, fucknut. (p.s. Holy shit, look at the front page... we have "details"! They're followin' and everything!) When Maggie Thatcher died, her "fans" have propelled "Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead!" to #2 on the UK singles chart; if fact, the theme of the day of her death had inspired numerous punk-ish songs (Pete Wylie [ The Day That Margaret Thatcher Dies!…: ; Hefner: The Day that Thatcher Dies: ) years before she actually kicked the bucket. I'd doubt that good old Gough Whitlam would get a similar treatment. But feel free to prove me wrong! That definitely won't happen. Anyway, put it this way: the conservative side don't really have a reason to loathe him - after all, they won! His governement was dismissed and then the Liberals were voted in at the next election. His ALP supporters won't turn the funeral into a time for recriminations either. If ever there is a controversial, it will be when his arch-rival and successor Malcolm Fraser dies (and I think Whitlam and Fraser buried the hatchet a while ago anyway.) I expect there to be more animosity around the funeral of Keating (for bad economic policies) or John Howard (Iraq and Afghan Wars.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 21, 2014 Gough quotes: http://www.abc.net.a...whitlam/5829298 Note this one: "Conscription is an impediment to achieving the forces Australia needs. It is an alibi for failing to give proper conditions to regular soldiers. We will abolish conscription forthwith. By abolishing it, Australia will achieve a better army, a better-paid army – and a better, united society." So he wasn't even ending conscription because it was the morally right thing to do or because the Vietnam War was a terrible mistake. It was purely for utilitarian purposes. Ie, he did the right thing, for the wrong reason. :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davey Jones' Locker 1,324 Posted October 21, 2014 Letters: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-21/gough-whitlam-letters-of-note/5829520 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
