[Oe List ...] Aussies, catch us up

Fri Jun 25 22:53:09 CDT 2010

This is a penultimate draft of an OpEd in the Saipan Tribune edition on Monday.  Comments are welcomed.  If you want to recommend changes, I am a day ahead of the rest of the USA (same time as Sydney, though).

Rude ungently Down Under

Well, it is actually Rudd, Kevin Rudd to be precise, whountil the 24th was the Prime Minister of Australia, with an 89 percent approvalrating in the polls early 2008.  He was a “man of vision,” with thepolitics of decency as the centerpiece of his government.  “Compassion isnot a dirty word,” he said.  “It is a hallmark of great strength.”

“Time it was, and what a time it was.  A time ofinnocence, a time of confidences,” of Paul Simon of long ago soundsappropriate.  For it feels like only yesterday when Australia redeemeditself from an inglorious genocidal past in the Nation’s Apology, the “SorryCeremony” led by Rudd to expiate for the nation’s hideous sins against theAborigines.  Rudd the academic and diplomat, ushered the promise of newgovernance after the staunch reactionary government of John Howard whose visionof a “One Australia” was a silent affirmation but practical defense of thepreeminence of the Caucasian race over everyone else, especially the AustralianMuslims who were told to integrate, or else.

Seen as steely in determination and polished in performance,Rudd grew up with a keen sense of injustice in a poverty-stricken environment,noting the acts of omissions of the State in its social responsibilities, anddecrying the acts of commissions by genteel people against the marginalized andthe downtrodden.  Rudd heeded the likes of Dietrich Bonheoffer, the youngGerman theologian who wrestled down the ethics of freedom and responsibility inHitler’s Germany, and paid dearly with his life.

The solitariness of lofty-minded Kevin of lowly beginningswould end up being his worst enemy.  Unable to delegate responsibility,reminiscent of Jimmy Carter in the White House who bothered with the minutiaeof the tennis court schedule, Rudd was seen as a small-minded technocrat, anautocratic manager rather than a facilitative leader.  That left him exposed and vulnerable to the hubris ofillusory personal certitude and delusionary self-confidence.  Ruddstumbled along the nation’s desire to put a price tag on carbon emissions, andallowed the government to get into a shouting match with the lords of themining industry.  Non-consultative Rudd succumbed to the inevitable. He was rudely coup’d out of Australia’s PM office.

The new head honcho in Canberra is a dashing brunette. And what a babe, this Julia Eileen Gillard!  A woman in her own right, nota bloke in drag, she comes to the leadership of the ruling Labour Party asRudd’s Deputy Prime Minister before she challenged his primus inter paresstanding.   Julia Gillard is not just a woman; she’s not married,childless, a proud undomesticated feminist unapologetically shacked up with ahairdresser.  “There’s a Sheila running Oz,” headlines Online Mail, andthe first female Prime Minister of Australia comes as a primordial shaking ofthe foundations of a nation heretofore thoroughly blokey.

And she is a Pom (Brit), no less.  Born in Wales, herfamily moved Down Under when she was not yet five.  Of course, had herWelsh family moved to the NMI, she would still be a contract worker, but thatis another story.

Though Australia and New Zealand were the first countries togive women the vote, the islands are not known for recognizing female valuesand promoting feminine virtues.  But Julia is no rudeSheila.  She extolled Rudd for successfully shepherding Oz through theglobal financial crisis without the massive dislocation of workers as hadhappened elsewhere.  She was also clear that the government “had lost itsway.”  When a ship of Stateflounders in a storm with unsteady hands at the helm sans the crew’s trust,then a singular decision before a storm emerges.  Julia pointed her hairdohead-on into the tempest, and said, “I do!”  The Labour Party gave itsunanimous blessings.

The historic ascendancy of lady Gillard to the PM office hassome quiet supporting casts.  The Governor General of Australia, QuentinAlice Louise Bryce wears a skirt, also a first. Professor Marie Roslyn Bashirhas been the State Governor of New South Wales for a decade, and Chancellor ofthe University of Sydney.  USA born Kristina Kerscher Keneally is NSWfirst and recent female State Premier, she with the discernable Ohio twang,following Victoria, West Australia and Queensland’s lead in the female Premierdepartment.  Clover Moore is currently the Lord Mayor of Sydney, aposition she was elected to in 2004.  Are we witnessing the shattering ofthe political ‘glass ceiling’, and would not that headwind be very welcomed inthe CNMI?

President Obama was developing close ties with Kevin Rudd,as George W. Bush did with John Howard (the latter accused of governing on thecoattails of Uncle Sam); he congratulated the new lady PM. (Not too much enthusiasm in that statement, is there?)  They would havemet in the G20 summit in Toronto this coming week, but Gillard decided to stayand consolidate Labour’s facelift before the national elections this comingNovember.  Ironically, Rudd’s declining approval ratings might have beenaverted had Obama proceeded with his State visit to Australia in March, butthat speculation is as valid as saying that the immigration status of aliens inthe CNMI would be clearer had the President done that trip and stopped over inGuam.

Rudd is back-benching in Parliament these days, probably,humming “Rude it to me gently,” as he watches the chamber’s debate.  PMGillard would do well to “Rudd Kevin gently” to the Foreign Minister’sportfolio.  Or, China’s Oz Embassy needs a new Ambo and Kevin speaks Putunghua. There’s a fit!

Jaime Vergara

All that was, Thanks!  All that will be, Yes!  All that IS, Amen!

-----Original Message-----
From: David & Lin Zahrt <chbnb at netins.net>
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Sat, Jun 26, 2010 4:01 am
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Aussies, catch us up

Here's a take on the new PM from a retired work mate of Lin's when we were in OZ in '70's:  

What do you think of our Prime Minister being rolled by his own???  God help this country.  Beryl XO  Julia Gillard was born in Wales (UK) and migrated when she was 3, unmarried, in a de facto relationship with her hairdresser, and never wanted and still doesn't want children, a former industrial lawyer and a real red ragger Unionist.  It was disgraceful what they did to their Leader, Mr  Kevin Rudd, so sneaky. Intrigue!   Intrigue!   He made his mistakes but she was privy to them and in agreement, so was Wayne Swan her new Deputy.  No-one in politics commands our respect these days!   Beryl

On Jun 25, 2010, at 2:47 AM, frank bremner wrote:

 Gday folks!

 It means that Tasmania (I think I'm correct here) is the only Australian state or territory which has not had a female governor, premier, or leader of the opposition.  Currently South Australia has a female leader of the opposition.  In the past Western Australia and Victoria have had female premiers, and the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory have had female heads of government.  And Queensland has a female premier.

 BTW: Julia Gillard went to Unley High School, in Netherby, an Adelaide suburb, and the almer mater of numerous (ahem!) interesting people.

 Cheers

 Frank Bremner 

David & Lin Zahrt
22133 Larpenteur Rd
Turin, IA 51040
-- Doorway to the Loess Hills 

 <chbnb at netins.net>
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