Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Charge the PM with treason?

By Tess Lawrence - posted Tuesday, 22 March 2011


But Tony wasn't having any of it and spoke up on behalf of the USA.

" What about espionage, which of course, is the charge the United States would like to lay at the feet of Julian Assange, " he queried.

So now I'm thinking Mary Magdalene. But Julia ain't. She's thinking pincer movements.

Advertisement

"Mr Assange hasn't been charged with anything relating to WikiLeaks........He's got some legal issues relating to personal conduct questions - alleged personal conduct questions in Sweden - and no-one in the United States raised with me, Mr Assange. No-one." I'm thinking Lazarus and Jesus, bejeezus.

But hang on Big Julie. One minute you say you don't know nuttin' and the next thing - you profess to know everything.

And thus it went. Except the next morning the sun arose to a wall of outrage from some sections of the media and politicians asserting Tony Jones and Q and A had ' ambushed ' the Prime Minister by 'setting her up' and having Assange call in. Bollocks.

The fact that any Prime Minister or President for that matter would be rendered insensible by appearing on a television show whose very id is based on taking audience and online questions, is laughable. Is the Prime Minister really incapable of taking a question without notice from one of her citizens, albeit one who wears a tracking device and is under house arrest in a foreign country ?

For a start, why weren't Julia's minders on the ball ? After all, when former Prime Minister John Howard, Dubya's old best friend in the Coalition of the Killing, was on the same show last year spruiking his autobiography ( don't they all ) not only did an audience member chuck his shoe at Howard ( remind you of something ?) but Gitmo survivor David Hicks called in via videolink to ask Howard a question.

I don't recall Howard instigating supporters to bleat public outrage on his behalf. Nor do I recall a particularly virulent level of media criticism directed at Q and A. To mix metaphors, even though the shoe didn't fit, Howard wore it. If Gillard can't stand the heat, then I suggest she get back into the kitchen cabinet.

Advertisement

Tess Lawrence is a journalist advocate and specialist in ethical media services and crisis management and contributing editor at large for Independent Australia. Extended versions of this article have been published on Independent Australia and Truthout. This update has also been posted on Independent Australia.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All

Extended versions of this article have been published on Independent Australia and Truthout. This update has also been posted on Independent Australia.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

14 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Tess Lawrence is a journalist advocate and specialist in ethical media services and crisis management and contributing editor at large for Independent Australia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Tess Lawrence

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Tess Lawrence
Article Tools
Comment 14 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy