Groupthink

Posts Tagged Peter Costello

News not news, edition 2847

Oct 23

Posted by thewetmale in Media, Politics | 4 Comments

From page one of today’s Sydney Morning Herald

What’s going on here is that former PM Jon Howard has written a book, that book is being launched with the help of extracts published in the SMH’s rival, The Australian, Peter Costello has responded to the extracts that are about him, and the SMH is playing the role of spoiler by having a story related to Howard on the top of page one to compete with (I assume) similar headlines on The Aus.

Going over leadership squabbles of a government that was dumped three years ago is not page one material. That Howard and Costello hate each other is not news. That politicians are playing out their squabbles via journalists is not news. In reality all this amounts to is two leading mastheads giving away free advertising for a book publisher and a bloke with an already very handsome personal income, a person that those same mastheads would’ve once claimed to hold accountable for his power. If you were the spin doctor working for HarperCollins you’d have to be pretty pleased with yourself, although given the way the Canberra circle jerk works I don’t think you could say this is much of an achievement either.

(And yeah, getting some bloke on a blog to bang on about how crap the MSM is isn’t exactly news either. Oh well.)

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Brendan Nelson upstaged till the end

Oct 25

Posted by David in Politics | 8 Comments

You have to feel for Brendan Nelson, who was once just one step, plus a political generation and an additonal 49 per cent approval points, from being the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia.

It’s sad that a man who is a doctor, wore an earring, rides a motorbike and plays guitar was never a serious contender for the highest office of the land (if you don’t include AFL CEO).

Even sadder was the way he spent his last day in his electorate; holding up a hastily written sign saying “thank you” to the people of Bradfield whom he served for 14 years.

Through a teary eye and endlessly furrowed brow, he must have felt heartened as passing drivers beeped their horns, blissfully unaware that someone had written “honk if you’re horny” on his placard.

Sadder still was Brendan’s going away party, where as guest of honour he was upstaged by estranged partners John Howard and Peter Costello.

You have to feel for Brendan. Who hasn’t had a party where they had to invite a couple of friends who just split up, only for that to become the biggest issue?

I can imagine him calling John Howard to invite him Little Johnny saying “eeeh, will Peter be there?”

“Yes John,” replies Brendon.

“Do I have to sit near him?”

“No, you don’t even have to talk to him. You’re both my friends so please don’t make me choose. Do it for me. Please?”

A similar conversation probably ensued with the former treasurer

“Is he bringing that bitch Jeanette?” Pete may or may not have asked.

The Australian reported that when Howard and Costello were reunited in their first public appearance together since the 2007 election loss and Brendan’s soiree there were no outstretched hands from either man when they came within range.

Jesus, there must be some really bad blood there.

In Liberal Party terms that’s as serious as what happened at my friend Livio’s 18th birthday party; attended by then newly separated couple Mick Wikowski and Sharon Zammit.

Sharon threw West Coast Cooler in Mick’s face when she saw him chatting up another girl. Mick, his eyes burning, called Sharon a slut causing her to throw a plastic chair at him. Boy was Livio’s mum angry.

Let’s hope Brendan had a good night and was able to secure the limelight long enough before all the talk was on whether or not Johnny would attend Pete’s farewell.

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