howie’s halfpipe

1. tim :

   Date: November 10, 2005 @ 7:35 pm

   I disagree, I think John Howard is doing the right thing by this country, and has done a good job so far with America. Why? Because he has to, we need America for a lot of things… plus, good things have out of the decisions John Howard has made concerning George Bush and America.

2. Beth :

   Date: November 10, 2005 @ 8:34 pm

   i dont agree. i think john howard is screwing up our country. in dan’s words: (australia) “sucks giant testicles”

3. James :

   Date: November 11, 2005 @ 12:09 pm

   First of all howie, I don’t agree, and find what you have put up offensive. I am sorry to be blunt, but that makes a mockery of our governemnt and america.

   If it wasn’t for america Australia would be Japanese. And so many other things.

   You guys HAVE NO RESPECT for our governemnet, and I am disguisted at your continous mockery, hatred and lies. I understand you have different points of view to me, thats ok- but I believe you are being contradictory to what the bible says about the authorities in place, our obedience to them and having respect for the people god has put in authority to us.

   Our governemnt are genuine people. If you have not met them, or talk to them and continue to say things like “Our government is going to the dogs” etc, then you are uneducated.

   My local member is liberal, and she is A CHRISTIAN!!!! And as a memeber of the young liberals, I can tell you there are A LOT OF CHRISTIANS in the governemnt. To suggest that they are heartless people, who only care about having more power and interested in their mown motives is FALSE!!!! You are judging those people, without meeting them.

   And i say this. You are just as gutless to say things and portray things on your blog. If you think australia is americas puppet - then fine. But i say this, think about the people in the governemnt as real people. Who do have values and have concrens about our country. Read the 1300 page IR reform proposals and see that what is being presented by the unions and opposition as BLATENT lies.

   Most of all, respect that what god has institued.As laid out in romans.

4. James :

   Date: November 11, 2005 @ 12:24 pm

   debate the policies. Don’t make it personal.

5. howie :

   Date: November 11, 2005 @ 3:19 pm

   It seems James that are making it quite personal too. But thankyou for raising your opinions about the Government.
   If we all agreed and lived the Governemtn Australia wouldnt be a very nice place. Its good to have idfferent political views and opinions, it stimulates debate and awarenss that me may have missed if we didnt listen to other people views.
   I think I’m just trying to make a statemnet, i dont Hate John Howard or George W but i do not like their policies and procedures and descisions that they make.
   Sometimes i think they forget about the accountability they have to the People rather than to the $$
   And sure you cant at all times make 20 million people happy and agre with your policies but i think John could try harder to me more in line with Aussuies and actually listen to what us as a nation are requiring of him.
   I think our imigration laws are appauling and if i’m supposed to thank God for the Authority that he has given this country am i supposed to ignore the 10 commandments am i supposed to ignore the ‘Love your neighbour as yourself” ??? Should we not be embracing the hurting and opressed in the world and taking them in under our wing, feeding them and housing them and working to get decent human rights for all people.
   I agree we need to pray for our leaders, they have a damn hard job and with the pressure theyt are under they are bound to make mistakes and descisiouns that are going to affect the nation in a bad way. I think we need to Pray that our leaders are working in line with God’s will and that they are adhearing to the laws that God has placed on us.
   If i went around saying how good the government was and posting on here about how good we are at helping refugees i would be holding up a gian facade. And if everyone was quiet and didnt stand up for what they believe then the Governement would see no harm in all the descisions they make.

   I do think that Medicare is one of the best inventions around, so thankyou to the australian governemtn for free health care.

6. James :

   Date: November 11, 2005 @ 4:08 pm

   sorry if i sounded harsh.

   i didn’t say we should thank God for the governemnt. I said we should repect the authority that God has set in place.

   And when you state they should listen to aussies, and be more in line with them are you reffering to your point of view? Because i believe the governemnt is listening to the majority of Australians, and not the minority. You should take note the governemnts majority INCREASED at the last election, which would indicate to me that John Howard is listening to the australian people and doing what they want.

   You shouldn’t loose the 10 commandments or love thy neighbour. But remebr the context they were given in.

   I have differing opinions on the refugees. Mainly because i believe the government did the right thing in its policy to stop illegall immigrants from risking their lives on boats, and to stop the illegal people smuggliing.

   And that the majority in detention are so because they aren’t telling the truth about their identity, and the government has the responsibility to make sure people who come to this country are who they say they are.

   However, you may have noticed the change in policy of letting out woman and children. That did not come from protests, rather from within the young liberal party discussions, and people concerned enough to make a policy recommendation, and it gained the support of 3 liberal members, and they put pressure on the governemnt to do something about it

   The same with the recent increase in overseas aid funding, policy created in the young liberals and put up to be reccommended. There are people within the liberal governemnt aware of these things.

   The governemnet has the responsibility to creat an environment that will produce 170,000 new jobs a year. We live in a generous country, and are one of the biggest givers in terms of capita in the world.

   and what we may think is best for us may not be. Consider that. Many times we think ideas or things will make situations easier, but in the long run will afect us more negatively.

   And Australia does not do what America tells it. Australia jmade its own decision.

   The problem with poverty in the world is that unless some dictatorships are removed, poverty will not end. Even if you eliminate all the debt. In fact Poverty is going to get worse. Why? Because the bible says so. That as the time before Jesus comes closer things in the world are going to get worse.

   Australia stood up for human rights to remove Saddam Hueissan. But people seem to think we should have left him alone. There are a lot of places where I believe military action needs to occur to stop the oppression and poverty of people.

   But will anyone do it? Peopl don’t realise that theres a price for freedom. But nobody wants to pay the price. I don’t think we have “human rights”. I think this is a nice idea. Jesus laid down his rights, and we should do the same.

   And I do not like the Un, because it is one of the most corrupt organistaions on this planet. They seem to not have the guts to follow through with things, and make fair assesments. Why were the french and russian governemnets against Iraq? Because they were receiving subsidised oil from saddam!.

   I know we’ll never agree, but from my point of view- and being involved in politics Australia is far from being George Bushes puppet.

   And finally, I think we have to be careful about how we aply the bible to our governement. A lot of the priciples outlined in the Bible are persoanl and written to us. It is not a book written to tell governments how to run a government.

   I have met John howrad. And Peter Costello. They are really genuine guys. Their not evil - and want to screw everyone over and get what they want.

   But it seems everyone who blogs and is associated with this blog are all left wing supporters. and I can’t chnage that. What I can change though is this. The way the prime minister is referred to. Comments like I don’t like that man, or the one above that “australia sucks america like testicles” - i think we as christians can do better then that.

   John Howard is a person. You may not like his policies. Fine. But like it or not, he is our leader, and it takes maturity to give respect to someone who deserves it, even when we disagree with them.

7. Ty :

   Date: November 12, 2005 @ 5:08 pm

   do love a good political debate, but man, can’t you make your points shorter. I would tend to side with the person who uses less lines to say what they think. Is that the ADD generation. so if both sides could please stae their case as a catchy slogan, that woudl be really helpful

8. Tom :

   Date: November 12, 2005 @ 11:02 pm

   “Don’t make this debate too hefty,
   I’m just a simpleton lefty!”

   How’s that?

9. Beth :

   Date: November 14, 2005 @ 8:49 pm

   James are you that random that posted on my political rant blog udner the name of Joe? Becuase you said exactly the same thing the random Joe man said. About the 1300 pages whatever of the IR reforms..

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