Abbott fleeing from one of his many his blunders

Just in case you missed the edifying sight of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in full flight on Australia Day 2012.............

Video of a gracious Prime Minister rescuing a snide Abbott; http://youtu.be/pndFC1c1SwQ

NSW Police, Steve Cansdell and those intriguing "technical legal issues"

The Daily Examiner 25 January 2012:

POLICE have moved a step closer to laying charges against former Clarence MP Steve Cansdell for falsifying a statutory declaration.

Detective senior sergeant Peter O'Reilly, the officer investigating the matter, said he had sent a brief of evidence to the NSW Police Legal Services section who were working through some "technical legal issues".

He said the case was then likely to go to the Department of Public Prosecutions considering Cansdell's "standing in the community"…...

It is over four months since disgraced former Nationals MP Steve Cansdell admitted breaking the law in order to have a “clean slate” in the lead up to the 2006 state election; the Clarence by-election is over and the new Nationals MP for Clarence Chris Gulaptis is safely sworn-in.

Now NSW Police raise the possibility of "technical legal issues" further delaying the day Cansdell faces court.

A term which perhaps hints at overlapping jurisdictions because of a complaint/s to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption concerning Steve Cansdell's time in Parliament.

One has to hope that these technical legal issues are genuinely the delaying impediment that has been implied, or NSW Police will lose all credibility and be seen as mere puppets of an O’Farrell Government determined to bury Cansdell's actions under a mountain of spin until time past sees the matter fade from memory.

U.S. Pesidential Election 2012: middle-aged wealthy farts show they have enough money to race

In 2010 Barack and Michelle earned US$1.7 million, Newt and Callista earned US$3.1 million and Mitt and his mittette Ann earned US$21.6 million. With effective tax rates of 26%, 31.6% and 13.9% in the order of mention.

The Washington Post
Click on image to grow
those dollar signs

This week the Los Angeles Times told the world that; "the Romneys expect to pay $3.2 million on $20.9 million in income for the 2011 tax year, for an effective tax rate of 15.4%".
No wonder Mitt didn't want to show and tell!

And here's the 2011 IRS tax rates for ordinary Americans.......

Are we seriously considering this fool as our next prime minister?

On one of the most politically sensitive days in Australia’s public events calendar that feckin’ eejit Tony Abbott opens his gob wide:

“FEDERAL Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says it's time to move the Aboriginal tent embassy in Canberra, 40 years after four indigenous activists camped at the site opposite Old Parliament House. “

And this is what happens.....

The Australian: Gillard, Abbott escorted under guard amid Aboriginal Tent Embassy protest

The Sydney Morning Herald

Down memory lane on Australia Day.....

Remembering Mum's vanilla ice cream made with Gold Medal Condensed Milk, served with Aeroplane Jelly and seasonal fruit grown in the backyard

http://youtu.be/GSBizeS62IM

'Steve' Gulaptis MP and Deb Newton share the love........

Gulaptis and Newton...............

The Daily Examiner 23 January 2012

 

CLARENCE Valley Nationals planning a tribute dinner for former Member for Clarence Steve Cansdell have dismissed claims the dinner is a slap in the face for taxpayers.

Critics claim taxpayers forked out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a by-election for the seat when Mr Cansdell resigned last September after he admitted to falsifying a statutory declaration to escape a speeding fine.

Mr Cansdell's successor in the seat of Clarence, Chris Gulaptis, said "there is a lot of love out there" for his predecessor......

Grafton resident Col Brown was more succinct in his criticism.

If you you've got a kid who misbehaves and you give him a lolly instead of a smack, he'll just keep on going the same way," Mr Brown said.

"This is offensive to me, Justice Einfeld copped jail time for doing something similar to this."

 

The Sydney Morning Herald 22 January 2012

 

THE National Party has been accused of profiting from the misdeeds of MP Steve Cansdell.

A ''tribute dinner'' has been arranged to honour Mr Cansdell, who quit the seat of Clarence in September after being forced to admit he falsified a statutory declaration to avoid losing his driver's licence. He faces possible criminal charges.

Up to 200 people are expected to attend the $50-a-head function at Grafton on February 4. The organiser, Deb Newton, Mr Cansdell's former campaign manager, said it was ''not really a fund-raiser'' but any money left over would go to the Nationals' local electorate council. ''There is still a lot of love out there for Steve and a lot of forgiveness,'' she said.

The Opposition Leader, John Robertson, said: ''Fund-raising off the back of the resignation of a disgraced state MP who stood down so his generous parliamentary pension would not be cut off is an insight into the real values of the government.''

The rest of the world.....................

 

The Daily Examiner 24 January 2011

 

PROTEST AGAINST THE CANSDELL TRIBUTE DINNER

Public Event · By Ursula Tunks

• When Saturday, February 4, 2012
• Time  6:30am until 9:30am
• Where  Outside the Clarence River Jockey Club, Powell Street , Grafton, Australia

By waterhen from Waterview Heights on 24/1/2012 at 6:36AM

So the new local Member, Chris Gulaptis states Cansdell made a mistake. Gee, last I knew it was a crime to lie when swearing on a Statutory Declaration and I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary for the Police knew that as well. Cansdell is costing the taxpayer big time by way of salary whilst he covered up his lie, pension for life and the cost of a by-election.
Are there any takers out there for a protest rally at the gates of the venue?
Why should we be saying to our children it is O.K. to lie as the National Party believe it is and when is this matter going to be heard in court?

Oi, oi, oi!

Northern Territory News 25th January 2012