anti-Bush rock star will stand for Aussie Parlaiment

[the Kelly Gang]

Backlash over star's Labor bid
June 7, 2004

OPPOSITION leader Mark Latham has sparked a grassroots revolt in Labor by announcing the offer of a parliamentary seat to former rock star Peter Garrett.

Mr Latham says Peter Garrett has been offered a Sydney seat.


Mr Latham said the bald-headed former front man for the rock band Midnight Oil had been offered the Sydney seat of Kingsford-Smith - one of the safest Labor seats in the country - to fight the election expected by the end of this year.

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9771617%255E2,00.html
*******
Peter Garrett has been a strident crtic of George W.Bush policies and the Iraq War

[Sapphocrat]

1. Oh, bloody ALP...

I don't know what to think of them (or Latham) from one minute to the next!

First, Marky says he won't oppose the same-sex marriage ban, and in the next breath he's condemning "Play School" -- and then suddenly he's a good Bush*-bashing, true Oppo leader again.

Btw, KG, have I ever told you how cool your username is? No, I haven't. Well, it is. Such is life!

[the Kelly Gang]

5. ta..Labor skipped over the same-sex marriage plan as it was'nt

going to be drawn into Howard's wedge politics game which he plays so well..doesn't mean it's right though and I didn't know he condemned Playschool.

Lets face it..Latham is a 'new labor' pollie and very right wing but we are that awfull 'anyone but Howard' stage.

[Sapphocrat]

10. ABH, that I understand...

If the Dems nominated a bag of hammers, I'd vote for it over Shrub.

Well, perhaps "condemned" is a bit strong -- but yesterday, Marky-Mark sided with Howard on the Play School brouhaha. Speaking as an oh-so-concerned parent, he delivered backhanded praise to the concept of "diversity," while chiding the ABC for taking on the task on exposing his little precious one to lesbianism: "...I would rather make that choice as a parent and lead him down that path according to our own values and decisions within the home rather than it coming through TV."

Yeah, like the segment demonstrated a coven of lesbian satanists slaughtering a goat to Sappho or something.

I very much enjoyed this op/ed in this morning's Age:

Just what are they so afraid of? The condemnation of Play School for featuring a young girl and her two mums visiting an amusement park would be hilarious if it wasn't such a frightening lesson in prejudice. ...

Last Monday morning I happened to be watching that morning's show with my 4-year-old and saw the "through-the-windows" segment that has apparently so dismayed senior Federal Government ministers, the Opposition Leader and others. ...

I was interested to see the two mothers, thinking it nice to see a small reflection of the sort of diverse family structures my two children regularly encounter in their social worlds at creche, kinder and the local playgrounds. That this is so may come as a surprise to our political leaders. May I suggest they get out a bit more.

The segment passed without comment, inoffensive and utterly non-threatening. It was nothing more than a brief depiction of four happy people, two adults and two children, enjoying a day out. They were one of a number of families on Play School last week: another segment featured a child preparing to be a flower girl at her grandmother's wedding. ...

In my experience, preschool children have to be taught prejudice. They do not see race or skin colour as anything to be remarked upon, let alone derided. Unless it is pointed out to them, sexual preference is something of which children of this age are utterly oblivious. A person is a person and a potential friend to play with until they are shown otherwise by adults. ...

Worth the full read:
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/07/1086460232421.html?oneclick=true

Well, we can hope Marky-Mark is only playing to the Aussie Right, and will loosen up after he's PM (which must be a given by now, mustn't it? What are Howard's poll numbers these days?). But, given everything over the past few months, I have little faith that a ruling ALP will offer much more than simply being "not Howard."

Paging Mr. Crean... Mr. Crean...? Hello...?

[the Kelly Gang]

11. the difference is : Latham makes mistakes, Howard lies.

[NewHampshireDem]

2. Three Cheers!

Midnight Oil is my all-time fav political band and one of my all-time favs overall. I always expected Garrett would get into politics eventually and I'm glad to see it is finally happening--maybe he'll be PM someday!

Of course, we could use some of his music here today, too. It would capture the current scene in America well.

[rooboy]

3. Isn't this a bit premature? HE HASN'T SAID HE WOULD RUN.

The only thing that's happened is Latham wants to offer Peter Garrett the Labour endorsement for that seat, and the local party members DON'T want him.

As much as I like Peter Garrett on occasions, this is just Mark Latham being a TOTAL DICKHEAD. Jeez, Schwarzenegger gets elected and every politician in the world thinks they can bring in a celebrity to win votes...

[the Kelly Gang]

4. I think it's a done deal from reading between the lines

admitedly the local branch are well pissed off..but I think Garrett has been more policitcally involved than big Arnie !

[rooboy]

8. He hasn't been involved as a local member...

which isn't the same as defending rainforests. Look at Cheryl Kernot - hiring-in candidates is not a good idea and can backfire massively. This isn't a done deal at all.

[Matilda]

6. Peter Garrett has always been very political,

and very articulate about what he believes.

It's a pity the ALP hasn't learned that the grass roots don't take
kindly to being told who they're going to support - I'm sure Garrett
could hold his own in a genuine vote.

[rooboy]

7. My sister studied law with him...

I know all about his politics, and he should be aligned with the GREEN party. Only a fool would think that his positions would be embraced by a Latham government.

[Matilda]

9. Yes, he is closer to the Greens.

It would depend on whether he might want to run for the Lower House
or the Senate (which he did once before). If the latter, I'm sure
he'd run as a Green or an Independent, but if he wants to run for
the Reps, he'd have to go with Labor. Thinking it over, I doubt if
he'd do that.

[Jabbery]

12. Peter Garrett is a hero

The man is brilliant, compassionate, and learned. My prayers are with him and I wish him the best of luck. Aussies would be well-served to elect him.

[WilliamPitt]

13. .