A Little Quiz.

[DaveW]

And from the AEC...

http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/how/newsfiles/news110.htm

The Entitlement

The number of Members of the House of Representatives to be chosen in each State and Territory is determined by dividing the number of people in each State and Territory by the quota, and rounding the result to the nearest whole number.

State/Territory          Quota    Number of members     Change 
New South Wales         49.9176          50  
Victoria                36.6519          37  
Queensland              27.9609          28               +1 
Western Australia       14.5049          15  
South Australia         11.4154          11               -1 
Tasmania                 3.5493           5  
ACT                      2.4209           2  
Northern Territory       1.4978           1               -1 
Total                                   149

Note that the Northern Terrtory retained its two seats last election (for a grand total of 150). Both the major parties agreeing to a little fudge. Since the difference between quota and 1.5 was within the margin of error, they concluded that no change was necessary, and passed the enabling legislation.

It worked out in the Coalitions favour; saving Dave Tollner's parliamentary career.

 

[O'Brien]

International Issues
-------

1. Is the UN a corrupt, useless body?

It is most certainly corrupt and has been hamstrung by special interests for a great period of time. It is however worth persevering with, as it is instrumental in assisting a number of third world countries.

1a. If so, why was the US happy to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq with resolution 1441?

Because, for better or for worse it is the only international body currently in existence and achieving some type of international consensus is still important. Tony Blair was also the strongest proponent of RES 1441.

2. Should Iraqi's be able to elect their own leader?

Yes!

2a. If they elect someone like, say; Moqtada Al Sadr, should the result of the election be accepted?

Yes, as long as democratic principles are followed.


3. Seeing as the war was apparently about the liberation of the Iraqi people from oppression, and not WMD or Oil, how come Robert Mugabe is still in power? or Islam Karimov? or the House of Saud? Why shouldn't those places be liberated?

realpolitiks

4. Is/was the Medhi Army from Sadr city a Terrorist Group?

Some members of Mehdi’s army undoubtedly committed terrorist acts…

4a. If so, would you call the French Resistance(who used pretty much identical tactics) a terrorist group as well?

Different scenarios, different motives.

5. Do you think that the money that Australia is expending by having our forces in Iraq should be used to fight local Terrorist groups such as JI?

As I opposed the war in Iraq, then yes I do.

6. In the same mould, do you think that US money and troops in Iraq would be better used on the search for Osama Bin Laden and the fight against Terror?

That and many other things….

7. Do you support the US's 3b aid to Israel?

I neither support nor oppose it, the US is free to disperse aid where and when it sees fit.

8. Do you think that the US should give aid to Palestine, in the interest of international fairness?

I was under the impression that the US had in the past allocated aid to Palestine, nowhere near the amount given to Israel, but aid nonetheless. You also have the added problem of widespread corruption in the PLO, so allocating aid would prove difficult.

9. Does the fact that ******** Cheney's Haliburton corporation is profiteering like wildfire from Iraq bother you? Do you think that Cheney has a conflict of interest? Should the Iraqi people have a role in administering their own Economic Resources and rebuilding their country?

The issue of Haliburton wildly overcharging and profiteering in Iraq is concerning. The Iraq people are playing a role in administering their country’s resources, though perhaps they need to play a greater role.

10. What do you think Australia has to gain from being in Iraq?

A stronger alliance with the US?


11. Will the world be a safer place in 2008?

The world will not be a safer place for the foreseeable future.

Social Issues
-------


1. Should a good standard of education be available to all people, regardless of their ability to pay?

Yes


2. Should private schools recieve Federal Government Funding?

Yes.





3. Hypothetically, if it came down to 4 million in Federal Funding being allocated to Kings College, or Balga Senior High School (which is close to the top of the list of the State Schools in need of repairs and extensive maitenance), who should get the funding?

Balga

4. Should a good standard of Health Care be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay?

Yes


5. Is government control of both houses good or bad?

Depends on ones ideology…

6. Should abortion be legal, and funded by medicare?

Yes, an abortion is a health service and needs to be conducted in a professional manner, we do not want to relive backyard abortions.


7. Do you think Family First will have a positive impact on Australian Politics?

Undecided

8. Reconciliation, yay or nay? Why?

Yes and the process of reconciliation should include an apology to our indigenous community.

9. Gay Marriage, yes or no? Why?

yes

10. Should workers have the right to join trade unions with the hope of gaining fairer wages and working conditions?

They are permitted to do so already.

11. Does Tasmania deserve it's mallproportioned 5 seats in the lower house?

Yes

12. Should Telstra be sold before it can improve rural services?

Since half of Telstra has already been privatised, full privatisation makes sense. I fear the pursuit of improved rural services would be a never ending one, only delaying the full sale.

13. When Tesltra is sold, should it's infrastructure be sold with it or should it remain under Government administration?

In government hands.

14. Does one vote equal one value? Should the size of country seats be increased to ensure equal representation for Rural and Urban voters? (I realise this one is more WA specific, just curious to see what people think)

Yes


15. Will we be better off at the next election then we are now?

Again dependant on ones ideology.

 

[stormee]

I'm doing the same course, how did your mock go?

I got 81%... sortof disappointing for me. I was hoping for 85%.
In TEE though I'm aiming for 90%.
what about you?

 

[stormee]

http://psephos.adam-carr.net/countries/a/australia/constitutions/const4.html

(ii) The number of members to be chosen in each State shall be determined by dividing the number of the people of the State, as shown by the latest statistics of the Commonwealth, by the quota; and if on such division there is a remainder greater than one-half of the quota, one more member shall be chosen in the State. But notwithstanding anything in this section, five members at least shall be chosen in each Original State.

Thanks dave Yeah ok so s.24(ii), meaning its part of the nexus clause. Thats easy to remember.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

I got 81%... sortof disappointing for me. I was hoping for 85%.
In TEE though I'm aiming for 90%.
what about you?

Bit of a slump for me, only 69%, averaged 75% for my schoolwork so I was alright though. Aiming to nail the TEE hopefully.

 

[stormee]

Bit of a slump for me, only 69%, averaged 75% for my schoolwork so I was alright though. Aiming to nail the TEE hopefully.

Still pretty good... i've got the P&L prize for my school last 2 years running, so i spose im not bad at it. My 2nd last exam is Lit on monday fortnight, so ive got a whole week to study solely for PL. Should put me in good stead for the exam.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

Still pretty good... i've got the P&L prize for my school last 2 years running, so i spose im not bad at it. My 2nd last exam is Lit on monday fortnight, so ive got a whole week to study solely for PL. Should put me in good stead for the exam.

I'm neither here nor there on my timetable really, I've got History, English and Discrete next week, then a week till Economics, then 4 days till P+L. So I'm basically doing most of my study for the last two after the first 3 are done.


It's the essays that do me in, I've never been able to write good P+L exam essays for some reason.

 

[Tim56]

Anyone can participate, but I'm interested in what certain people have to say.


International Issues
-------

1. Is the UN a corrupt, useless body?

Corrupt? Tough to say. Useless? In itself it is, but as means to achieve other ends it has some purpose.

1a. If so, why was the US happy to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq with resolution 1441?

Because it was there.

2. Should Iraqi's be able to elect their own leader?

Of course.

2a. If they elect someone like, say; Moqtada Al Sadr, should the result of the election be accepted?

Pointless hypothetical, but a liberal democratic system must be protected.

[quote[2ai. If not, why not?[/quote]

See above.

3. Seeing as the war was apparently about the liberation of the Iraqi people from oppression, and not WMD or Oil, how come Robert Mugabe is still in power? or Islam Karimov? or the House of Saud? Why shouldn't those places be liberated?

I wish Mugabe wasn't in power, but until he does an act of foreign aggression it is not in the national interest of various countries to unseat him. Drawing a moral equivalence between Saddam and the House of Saud is ridiculous.

4. Is/was the Medhi Army from Sadr city a Terrorist Group?

Yes

4a. If so, would you call the French Resistance(who used pretty much identical tactics) a terrorist group as well?

They did not use identical tactics. The French resistance was fighting for a democratically elected government with the broad support of the people. The Iraqi terrorists are fighting to re-impose a murdering dictator.

5. Do you think that the money that Australia is expending by having our forces in Iraq should be used to fight local Terrorist groups such as JI?

Money has not been diverted, so that is an invalid question.

6. In the same mould, do you think that US money and troops in Iraq would be better used on the search for Osama Bin Laden and the fight against Terror?

Democratization of the Middle East is the best long term answer to terrorism.

7. Do you support the US's 3b aid to Israel?

The US can give foreign aid to whoever it wants.

7a. Why?
7b. Why not?

Israel is a democracy which is on the frontline of the war on terror, and whose very existence is threatened by a multitude of nations and terrorist groups, so therefore it is entitled to international support, be it from the US or others.

8. Do you think that the US should give aid to Palestine, in the interest of international fairness?

It is a matter for the US, but as a general principle the US should not give money to a state which sanctions terrorism. There is no principle of 'fairness' which dictates as to how foreign aid should be allocated.

8a. Why?
8b. Why not?

9. Does the fact that ******** Cheney's Haliburton corporation is profiteering like wildfire from Iraq bother you?

They are not profiteering, and in fact have had considerable losses from their operations in Iraq. At least get the facts right when you are asking loaded questions.

Do you think that Cheney has a conflict of interest?

He is no longer a director or employee of Haliburton, so no.

Should the Iraqi people have a role in administering their own Economic Resources and rebuilding their country?

When the provisional government is able to contribute then it should do so. It is unrealistic to expect it to happen from day one.

10. What do you think Australia has to gain from being in Iraq?

Help protect Australia from terror by fighting against it at its source, as well as contributing to the stabilisation of Iraq by providing security and training for the new Iraqi army.

11. Will the world be a safer place in 2008?

I hope so.

Social Issues
-------

1. Should a good standard of education be available to all people, regardless of their ability to pay?

Yes, but there is a mutual obligation involved.

2. Should private schools recieve Federal Government Funding?

3. Hypothetically, if it came down to 4 million in Federal Funding being allocated to Kings College, or Balga Senior High School (which is close to the top of the list of the State Schools in need of repairs and extensive maitenance), who should get the funding?

That question is so stupid that I will not dignify it with an answer.

4. Should a good standard of Health Care be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay?

Yes, but there is a mutual obligation involved.

5. Is government control of both houses good or bad?

Good as it allows the government to carry out reforms which it has been elected to carry out.

6. Should abortion be legal, and funded by medicare?

Yes to the former, no to the latter. I say abortion should be legal as it is a matter of individual choice and should be left to the decision of the mother. Partial birth abortion, however, is murder, and will not alleviate any medical condition. It shouldn't be funded by medicare, because if people are too stupid to use protection, it is not my responsibility to pay for their mistake.

7. Do you think Family First will have a positive impact on Australian Politics?

Too early to say.

8. Reconciliation, yay or nay? Why?

I'm in favour of reconciliation. Am I in favour of the empty gestures implied by the word? No.

9. Gay Marriage, yes or no? Why?

I don't care. It should reflect the view of the people. I certainly don't support judges taking it upon themselves to make laws clearly in spite of the views of the population. It is a form of tyranny.

10. Should workers have the right to join trade unions with the hope of gaining fairer wages and working conditions?

They should be allowed to join unions, although the idea that they will achieve fairer wages and conditions, unless it is in an industry in which the unions use intimidation and illegal practices, such as the building industry.

11. Does Tasmania deserve it's mallproportioned 5 seats in the lower house?

The lower house isn't that bad, it's the Senate that should be changed.

12. Should Telstra be sold before it can improve rural services?

Rural services are good, so it should be sold.

13. When Tesltra is sold, should it's infrastructure be sold with it or should it remain under Government administration?

There is no reason that the infrastructure cannot be sold off, as a private company is perfectly able to provide that service.

14. Does one vote equal one value? Should the size of country seats be increased to ensure equal representation for Rural and Urban voters? (I realise this one is more WA specific, just curious to see what people think)

One vote should equal one value.

15. Will we be better off at the next election then we are now?

The Howard government's program of reform should significantly improve the standard of living for Australians, although it is doubtful the impact will be felt by then. There is no reason that the welfare of Australians will not improve.

 

[stormee]

I'm neither here nor there on my timetable really, I've got History, English and Discrete next week, then a week till Economics, then 4 days till P+L. So I'm basically doing most of my study for the last two after the first 3 are done.


It's the essays that do me in, I've never been able to write good P+L exam essays for some reason.

yeah ive got 4 next week... History tues, Discrete Wednesday, then Chemistry and Ancient History on Friday.. its a bad week.

Essays are generally the hardest bit in PL hey, apparently the average is alot lower than that of the SA section.

 

[Freo Big Fella]

yeah ive got 4 next week... History tues, Discrete Wednesday, then Chemistry and Ancient History on Friday.. its a bad week.

Essays are generally the hardest bit in PL hey, apparently the average is alot lower than that of the SA section.

That doesn't suprise me at all. Short Answer P+L is by far the easiest section of all my exams though, so it makes up for it.

That is a bad week, I probably would've had something comparable if my school offered Ancient History, as I would've dropped Econs. No luck there though, if you can call it that.

 

[stormee]

I probably would've had something comparable if my school offered Ancient History, as I would've dropped Econs.

yeah it suprises me how few schools offer it, the size of the total cohort in WA is something like 350 students, however its probably my favourite subject.. except the 4 essays in the exams part of it.

 

[- PC -]

Don't know. They made huge mistakes trying to link Saddam with terror and OBL and a host of other things. If they just kept it simple and said; "Saddam had weapons. he won't tell us where they are or how he got rid off them. We have given him a fair ultimatum and he hasn't complied. We're going in."

100% agree... Yes Saddam was a pr)ck and a pain in the US backside but it didnt give the US the right to say ''weve had enough lets make a lie up'' Hans Blix..remember him? continually said there werent any WMD...I dont agree with those who say ''the ends justifies the means''..stand up and be honest...

Fence sit. Prefer us not to go to Iraq but our involvement is minimal in action, cost, and risk. I'd say the main driver was to consolidate our relationship with the US thereby ensuring protection and the FTA.

Howard tactically played this very well.

Tactically but not morally...he is in bed with those who lied to get there.

Shouldn't be funded by medicare because others should have to fund people's (usual) carelessness.

Agreed ..contraception shouldnt be funded

But saying 'sorry', no.

What do I have to say sorry for? What did I do? What did JH do? Did he do something wrong(again ) Im with JH on this ..dont do it Johnny..

 

[bunsen burner]

What do I have to say sorry for? What did I do? What did JH do? Did he do something wrong(again ) Im with JH on this ..dont do it Johnny..

I'd be quite happy for the Govt to say sorry if I thought it would achieve anything. Pretty sure it wouldn't make a worthwhile difference.

 

[Ray Nolan]

International Issues
-------

1. Is the UN a corrupt, useless body?

Corrupt, yes. Useless? As a humanitarian organisation, no I feel it does some very good work on that front. As a political organisation, yes and it will continue to be so as long as there is no enforcement mechanism for its resolutions. It will be only ever be as useful as its members want it to be and I think all its members will not allow it to become useful to a point where it seriously impinges on state sovereignty.

1a. If so, why was the US happy to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq with resolution 1441?

Because large swathes of the world want to believe in the UN and can see justification in decisions it so ratifies. It was merely a play for public opinion.

2. Should Iraqi's be able to elect their own leader?

Yes

2a. If they elect someone like, say; Moqtada Al Sadr, should the result of the election be accepted?

Yes

2ai. If not, why not?

N/A

3. Seeing as the war was apparently about the liberation of the Iraqi people from oppression, and not WMD or Oil, how come Robert Mugabe is still in power? or Islam Karimov? or the House of Saud? Why shouldn't those places be liberated?

In an ideal world they would be liberated, but you have to pick & choose your battles. In order to spread the liberal project in the manner that George Bush sees it and in turn hopefully defeat terrorism you need to establish democracy in the Middle East outside of Israel. Iraq offered the opportunity because other justifications such as WMD could be made for doing so. I would have far preferred us to say, 'we want to establish a democracy in an Islamic country in the Middle East and we are going to do it in Iraq' than use the WMD justification.

4. Is/was the Medhi Army from Sadr city a Terrorist Group?

I don't think a such a rag tag group so disorganised could be worthy of the tag! They were more a militia than anything else. Once the Coalition soldiers got the Medhi Army in the open in Najaf it was a Turkey Shoot.

4a. If so, would you call the French Resistance(who used pretty much identical tactics) a terrorist group as well?

Tough one, their tactics would probably come under the definition of a terrorist group, but to my way of thinking the French Resistance were merely a guerilla wing of the Free French Forces ultimately under the command of President de Gaulle.

5. Do you think that the money that Australia is expending by having our forces in Iraq should be used to fight local Terrorist groups such as JI?

There should be enough money in the defence budget to allow for both as far as I am concerned.

6. In the same mould, do you think that US money and troops in Iraq would be better used on the search for Osama Bin Laden and the fight against Terror?

The fight against terror is also now in Iraq, it wasn't to begin with but it is now. However with the situation as it is now and many of these insurgent groups proclaiming loyalty to bin Laden/Al-Qaeda it is now one and the same battle as far as I am concerned. The US must make sure there is the money and resources to win the war in Iraq & Afghanistan.

7. Do you support the US's 3b aid to Israel?

Yes

7a. Why?

The US have the right to give International Aid to whoever they want.

7b. Why not?

N/A

8. Do you think that the US should give aid to Palestine, in the interest of international fairness?

No.

8a. Why?

N/A

8b. Why not?

The US nor any other country should be under an obligation to give aid to a particular country.

9. Does the fact that D*ck Cheney's Haliburton corporation is profiteering like wildfire from Iraq bother you? Do you think that Cheney has a conflict of interest? Should the Iraqi people have a role in administering their own Economic Resources and rebuilding their country?

Does it bother me? No. Is there a conflict of interest? Possibly. Should the Iraqi's play a role? Where possible, yes.

10. What do you think Australia has to gain from being in Iraq?

Closer inter-operability with US Forces, more influence in the Bush White House, combat experience for our forces, and showing the world that Australia is committed that establishing democracy & spreading the liberal project in the Middle East.

11. Will the world be a safer place in 2008?

Now, that Bush has been re-elected I believe it will.

Social Issues
-------


1. Should a good standard of education be available to all people, regardless of their ability to pay?

1a. If so, why so?

Absolutely, a high standard of education is the only way to ensure that the country is a success.

1b. If not, why not?

N/A

2. Should private schools recieve Federal Government Funding?

Yes, they should all receive some level of funding, private school parents pay taxes too and it's only fair that they get some return on their tax dollar in the area of education.

3. Hypothetically, if it came down to 4 million in Federal Funding being allocated to Kings College, or Balga Senior High School (which is close to the top of the list of the State Schools in need of repairs and extensive maitenance), who should get the funding?

Balga, no question.

4. Should a good standard of Health Care be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay?

4a. If so, why so?

Yes there should, it is up to the State to provide a system of subsidised health care for those in community that need it. It is incumbant on those who can afford it to use private services whereever possible to ensure that those who genuinely need it can get access to a good standard of health care that is able to be maintained by its affordability.

4b. If not, why not?

N/A

5. Is government control of both houses good or bad?

I believe it is good, the Government has consistently been elected by the people and should be able to implement their mandate.

6. Should abortion be legal, and funded by medicare?

6a. If yes, why?

It is a woman's right to choose so yes it should be legal and it should be funded by Medicare because Abortion should not only be an option for those who can afford it.

6b. If no, why?

N/A

7. Do you think Family First will have a positive impact on Australian Politics?

Undecided, a return to basic, core family values is a positive as far as I am concerned but their policies on Abortion & Gay Rights leave me cold.

8. Reconciliation, yay or nay? Why?

Practical Reconciliation - Yes. The best way we can make up for wrongs in the past is to make life better for Aboriginal people in this country. Giving them a piece of paper with 'Sorry' written on it and then continuing as we are will not change anything.

9. Gay Marriage, yes or no? Why?

Yes, I don't see why Gay people should not have their love for each other recognised by a legal union. I am all for it.

10. Should workers have the right to join trade unions with the hope of gaining fairer wages and working conditions?

Yes they should, but the Trade Unions should be mindful that their role is to actually be useful to the workers they represent and realise that holding bosses to ransom is no good for the workers or the economy.

11. Does Tasmania deserve it's mallproportioned 5 seats in the lower house?

Yes, the smaller states need protection from the NSW/VIC/QLD juggernaut. If that means greater representation then so be it.

12. Should Telstra be sold before it can improve rural services?

No, and it won't be. The National Party will drive a hard bargain on this score and I think it benefits the Coalition to make sure that the services are up to scratch before the sale.

13. When Telstra is sold, should it's infrastructure be sold with it or should it remain under Government administration?

Tricky one that, undecided at this stage, would need more information on the pro's & con's.

14. Does one vote equal one value? Should the size of country seats be increased to ensure equal representation for Rural and Urban voters? (I realise this one is more WA specific, just curious to see what people think)

I think it does, I think Regional Australia has fairly decent representation in the Parliament so I see no need for changes to the size of country seats.

15. Will we be better off at the next election then we are now?

Under the Coalition I am sure we will be.

 

[medusala]

Joke question surely? The UN is far more than the security council, which is what the second part of your question suggests the first part should have been about.
So seperately

The UN as a whole? Big, bureaucratic and at times woefully inefficient - yes. But corrupt? there's not the slightest jot of evidence to suggest it. Anyone who says yes is simply a non-thinking troll

There is evidence of UN corruption. Oil sales in Iraq for one. This has been well documented. UN peace keepers in Mogadishu caught paying off local militia for another. I am sure there are numerous other examples that one could find if one really wanted to. The non-thinkers are those who believe the UN isnt dictated to by the national interests of the permanent members of the security council.

 

[jim boy]

There is evidence of UN corruption. Oil sales in Iraq for one. This has been well documented. UN peace keepers in Mogadishu caught paying off local militia for another. I am sure there are numerous other examples that one could find if one really wanted to. The non-thinkers are those who believe the UN isnt dictated to by the national interests of the permanent members of the security council.

Crap, no real evidence of corruption in either case. This is just another one of those were far-right nutcases such as yourself put 2 and 2 together to make 5 in order to support sicko-warped beliefs. Topic has been done to death.

Is there no corruption in the UN? Of course not! It's a huge bureaucratic organisation in an odd situation because of the need to maintain diplomacy and respect members rights to their own sovereignity without judgement. This means that from time, like any large bureaucracy, the odd person will attempt and often get away with corruption. (Australian officials included) But as a whole, the UN itself does not participate in corruption.

 

[funkyfreo]

Crap, no real evidence of corruption in either case. This is just another one of those were far-right nutcases such as yourself put 2 and 2 together to make 5 in order to support sicko-warped beliefs. Topic has been done to death.
.

I'm sick of these nutters who draw unjustifyable conclusions to justify sicko beliefs. Remember that Blix guy who rekoned there were no WMDs in Iraq.. oops!

 

[stormee]

why does everybody say balga to the funding question? I mean, for one its not the federal governments responsibility to look after state schools, and secondly, if a state school is in a poor condition, it should br up to the state government to fix it with their own money, not go begging to the federal government coz they spent their money giving kids free royal show tickets to try and win votes.. (Geoff Gallop for those who dont know).

 

[kirky]

I wish Mugabe wasn't in power, but until he does an act of foreign aggression it is not in the national interest of various countries to unseat him. Drawing a moral equivalence between Saddam and the House of Saud is ridiculous.

QUOTE]

I must be missing something - what was the act of foreign aggression that Iraq and Saddam Hussein did? And no, I am not referring to 1990/1991 (that was covered by the earlier war)?

 

[funkyfreo]

why does everybody say balga to the funding question? I mean, for one its not the federal governments responsibility to look after state schools, and secondly, if a state school is in a poor condition, it should br up to the state government to fix it with their own money, not go begging to the federal government coz they spent their money giving kids free royal show tickets to try and win votes.. (Geoff Gallop for those who dont know).

Unlike Dickie Court and his bell tower?

 

[Ray Nolan]

I wish Mugabe wasn't in power, but until he does an act of foreign aggression it is not in the national interest of various countries to unseat him. Drawing a moral equivalence between Saddam and the House of Saud is ridiculous.

QUOTE]

I must be missing something - what was the act of foreign aggression that Iraq and Saddam Hussein did? And no, I am not referring to 1990/1991 (that was covered by the earlier war)?

The two are linked because the 2003 war was brought about by the failure of Saddam Hussein to comply with the deal that engineered the 1991 ceasefire. If anything GWII was merely a resumption of GWI which of course was brought about by an act of foreign aggression by Saddam.

 

[kirky]

The two are linked because the 2003 war was brought about by the failure of Saddam Hussein to comply with the deal that engineered the 1991 ceasefire. If anything GWII was merely a resumption of GWI which of course was brought about by an act of foreign aggression by Saddam.

Yet, again the right wingers and Bush lovers want to justify an illegal war. Yep, you lot will keep on rewriting history until you get a version you are comfortable with.....

 

[Frodo]

The two are linked because the 2003 war was brought about by the failure of Saddam Hussein to comply with the deal that engineered the 1991 ceasefire. If anything GWII was merely a resumption of GWI which of course was brought about by an act of foreign aggression by Saddam.

That is correct. And I may add that if it wasn't for a wimpy Democrat leader called Clinton, who cared more for his winkle than the world, the Iraqi situation would have been settled well before the 21st century, and most likely Al Quada would have been nipped in the bud too.
Having said that, Chaimberlain was a sorry appeaser too, and he was conservative, so weak governments are possible on either side of the divide.

 

[Frodo]

Yet, again the right wingers and Bush lovers want to justify an illegal war. Yep, you lot will keep on rewriting history until you get a version you are comfortable with.....

Name a legal war?

Germans in Poland? Japs at Pearl Harbour?

Which legal framework is accepted by the world as overiding the legal framework of the subject nation? Certainly not the UN.

 

[MillerCHF]

International Issues
-------

1. Is the UN a corrupt, useless body?

The United Nations is corrupt and useless. It should be disbanded immediately.

1a. If so, why was the US happy to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq with resolution 1441?

International pressure. They had to use something to justify it that they thought the Europeans might consider legitimate. Shouldn't have justified it through the UN resolution because the UN resolution is irrelevant.

2. Should Iraqi's be able to elect their own leader?

Yes. However, the elected leader should have limited power for the time being, and only in about a decade should full democracy be put in place. All people are capable of participating in a democracy regardless of their ethnicity or religion. However, if they don't know what democracy is they need to be educated about it first. You can't just stuff it down their throats. The US has the right idea in mind but is doing it too quickly, which is more because of international pressure than because of their own wishes.

2a. If they elect someone like, say; Moqtada Al Sadr, should the result of the election be accepted?

Yes. If that happens when full democracy is in place, it should be accepted. However, if al-Sadr violates the constitution (or the central laws or whatever) then his governance becomes illegitimate. So he can't just turn Iraq into a theocracy against the population's will.

3. Seeing as the war was apparently about the liberation of the Iraqi people from oppression, and not WMD or Oil, how come Robert Mugabe is still in power? or Islam Karimov? or the House of Saud? Why shouldn't those places be liberated?

They should be libebrated. The US is doing the right thing in Iraq, but it is hypocritical when it comes to the overall War on Terror and Oppression. However, to liberate the entire world they'll need European help and the Europeans won't do it.

4. Is/was the Medhi Army from Sadr city a Terrorist Group?

Yes. They terrorised the local population into submission when most did not support them

4a. If so, would you call the French Resistance(who used pretty much identical tactics) a terrorist group as well?

They didn't use identical tactics because the majority of the French population supported them. Different circumstances.

5. Do you think that the money that Australia is expending by having our forces in Iraq should be used to fight local Terrorist groups such as JI?

Some of it should be.

6. In the same mould, do you think that US money and troops in Iraq would be better used on the search for Osama Bin Laden and the fight against Terror?

It's about balance. Lots of stuff needs to be done.

7. Do you support the US's 3b aid to Israel?

Yes. Do you support their billions of dollars of aid to Egypt and Jordan, which are racist dictatorships? Do you support their aid to the Palestinians? Do you support the UN and EU's aid to the Palestinians, which is spent on printing textbooks for 5 year old kids that teach them that the Jews are 'sons of pigs and apes'?

8. Do you think that the US should give aid to Palestine, in the interest of international fairness?

They give aid to the Palestinian Authority. There is no such nation as Palestine. Do you think they should give aid to Rhodesia or Ceylon?

9. Does the fact that ******** Cheney's Haliburton corporation is profiteering like wildfire from Iraq bother you? Do you think that Cheney has a conflict of interest? Should the Iraqi people have a role in administering their own Economic Resources and rebuilding their country?



10. What do you think Australia has to gain from being in Iraq?

Global security benefits Australia

11. Will the world be a safer place in 2008?

No. The world is a fuked up place and I doubt it will ever be safe, although I hope I'm wrong.

Social Issues
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1. Should a good standard of education be available to all people, regardless of their ability to pay?

Some sort of standard of education must be available to all, at least until the end of high school.

1a. If so, why so?

Everybody deserves basic services. But if you want more, you gotta pay.


2. Should private schools recieve Federal Government Funding?

Yes. I went to a private school and there are lots of parents who work bloody hard to send their kids there. 1/3 of Australian students go to private schools, most of them don't come from rich families.

3. Hypothetically, if it came down to 4 million in Federal Funding being allocated to Kings College, or Balga Senior High School (which is close to the top of the list of the State Schools in need of repairs and extensive maitenance), who should get the funding?

Split it between them.

4. Should a good standard of Health Care be available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay?

Basic standard. Nobody should be allowed to die because they can't afford health care. But if we're talking about braces for example, well you can't expect me to pay for some dole bludger to get them.

5. Is government control of both houses good or bad?

They earnt it. Deal with it.

6. Should abortion be legal, and funded by medicare?

I'm still unsure. Should definitely be legal in extreme cases like rape, but as for abortion because some girl was stupid enough to get pregnant at 15, well it might be legal but it definitely shouldn't be funded by medicare.

7. Do you think Family First will have a positive impact on Australian Politics?

More positive than the Greens

8. Reconciliation, yay or nay? Why?

Yay. It won't solve the problems of the Aboriginal community but something symbolic should be done. Howard has failed on the Aboriginal issue - one of the very few issues he has failed on.

9. Gay Marriage, yes or no? Why?

Absolutely not. Marriage is between a man and a woman.

10. Should workers have the right to join trade unions with the hope of gaining fairer wages and working conditions?

Why not? They should have the right to join them or not join them.

11. Does Tasmania deserve it's mallproportioned 5 seats in the lower house?

No

12. Should Telstra be sold before it can improve rural services?

No

13. When Telstra is sold, should it's infrastructure be sold with it or should it remain under Government administration?

Not sure.

14. Does one vote equal one value? Should the size of country seats be increased to ensure equal representation for Rural and Urban voters? (I realise this one is more WA specific, just curious to see what people think)

No they shouldn't be increased.

15. Will we be better off at the next election then we are now?

Yes because Howard is in power