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HAPPY SORRY DAY II

The apologies just kept coming on Happy Sorry Day:

Two of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s staff will apologise to Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson after they turned their backs while listening to his speech today on the stolen generations.

Mr Rudd said in question time he had been informed that his media advisers Lachlan Harris and Tim Gleason had watched Dr Nelson’s speech in the Great Hall of Parliament House.

“I’m further informed that at a time when a large part of the rest of the gathered throng in the Great Hall turned their back ... that the two members of my staff in question did so as well,” Mr Rudd said.

Harris is a feral, belligerent fellow who threatens to “trash” journalists who aren’t Rudd-compliant. On TV news last night he looked sheepish and embarrassed; apparently not all apologies lead to happiness. Gleason’s divorce from NSW health minister Reba Meagher caused her to flee the Cabramatta homelands for a refugee’s life in Coogee.

Mr Rudd said his chief of staff had “counselled” the pair.

Not the terrible counselling! AIEEEEEEEE!

“I understand further that the two individuals, if they have not done so already, will be corresponding with the leader of the opposition to extend an appropriate apology.”

Prepare the giant screens - this will be bigger than the day man landed on the moon.

Posted by Tim B. on 02/13/2008 at 11:56 AM

  1. Mr Rudd said his chief of staff had “counselled” the pair

    Hopefully not like I “counselled” my wife last night.

    Or maybe he did.

    Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2008 02 13 at 12:05 PM • permalink

  2. What exactly did Rudd chastise them for?  After all, they’re just copying their dear leader.

    Posted by murph on 2008 02 13 at 12:08 PM • permalink

  3. RE: the apology.

    What’s that group called…

    NOT IN MY NAME

    Yeah, that’s the one.

    (‘Course, I’m a Yank. so what the hell do I know, but it’s a general opinion, not a specific one.)

    Posted by Andrew X on 2008 02 13 at 12:14 PM • permalink

  4. A stint at the Ministry of Social Inclusion would get them back on their feet.

    Posted by yojimbo on 2008 02 13 at 12:21 PM • permalink

  5. Two of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s staff will apologise to Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson after they turned their backs while listening to his speech today on the stolen generations.

    Oh no, that’s not enough.  Reparations.  We needs billions in reparations.

    Posted by wronwright on 2008 02 13 at 12:55 PM • permalink

  6. Aren’t all these forced apologies just a little bit embarrassing? Extend an “appropriate” apology?

    How about a sincere apology? Or don’t extend one at all.

    Was it rude behavior or principled behavior? At least have the balls to stand up for (or sit with your back turned) based on what you believe.

    Posted by Forbes on 2008 02 13 at 01:09 PM • permalink

  7. They want reparations? Wow, didn’t see that coming.
    Snort.

    Posted by Latino on 2008 02 13 at 01:35 PM • permalink

  8. Mr Nelson should be writing a strongly worded letter and seeking significant compensation for this snub.

    Posted by surfmaster on 2008 02 13 at 02:25 PM • permalink

  9. I’m reminded of Clinton apologizing for the slave trade while in Africa. Basically, he was apologizing to the people whose ancestors captured and sold the slaves in the first place.

    Me, I’ve made it a policy to never apologize for something I’m not personally responsible for. Keeps things simple.

    Posted by Rob Crawford on 2008 02 13 at 04:29 PM • permalink

  10. Nelson was in a no-win situation on this. Had he chosen not to speak he would have been reviled too.

    Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2008 02 13 at 04:30 PM • permalink

  11. Brendan Nelson should stop whingeing. He looks like a big sook. The Liberals need a better leader than that so that when the inevitable disappointment and anger sets in at the Rudder’s leadership, they’re in with a chance.

    Posted by TimT on 2008 02 13 at 05:02 PM • permalink

  12. Here’s a selection of letters from today’s Australian.

    Gayle Hannah says we can now all “be sisters and brothers without feeling that we must constantly apologise”.
    Ian Houston feels “pride”.
    Ange Kenos is relieved Australia now has “a great statesman”.
    P. M. Adams is “proud to call myself Australian”.
    M. Pearce found the occasion “uplifting”.
    Jonathan Hill “can take pride”.

    All this sententious twaddle is about how THEY feel.

    Posted by chrisgo on 2008 02 13 at 05:30 PM • permalink

  13. I notice that Rudd’s two staff members turned their backs on Brendan Nelson and began the slow clapping to drown him out just as he was spelling out the facts:

    - That many aboriginal Australians continue to live in terrible conditions

    - That their children are subject to physical and sexual abuse and to serious neglect

    - That most of the efforts made so far have been misconceived, impractical, mismanaged and ineffective

    - That the allocated funds have been misspent or have gone missing altogether, and

    -  That last year alone $3.5 billion was spent on aboriginal Australians, in addition to the $0.25 billion spent only on the Northern Territory intervention.

    Why did they and the aboriginal representatives also present and slow clapping not want those facts to be heard?

    Posted by ann j on 2008 02 13 at 05:52 PM • permalink

  14. “I’m so Worried”Sorry from Monty Python’s Contractual Obligations Album
    I’m so Sorry about what’s hapenin’ today, in the middle east, you know.
    And I’m Sorry about the baggage retrieval system they’ve got at Heathrow.
    I’m so Sorry about the fashions today, I don’t think they’re good for your
      feet.
    And I’m so Sorry about the shows on TV that sometimes they want to repeat.
    I’m so Sorry about what’s happenin’ today, you know.
    And I’m Sorry about the baggage retrieval system they’ve got at Heathrow.
    I’m so Sorry about my hair falling out and the state of the world today.
    And I’m so Sorry about bein’ so full of doubt about everything, anyway.
    I’m so Sorry about modern technology.
    I’m so Sorry about all the things that they dump in the sea.
    I’m so Sorry about it, Sorry about it, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry.
    I’m so Sorry about everything that can go wrong.
    I’m so Sorry that people won’t like this song.
    I’m so Sorry about this very next verse, it isn’t the best that I’ve got.
    And I’m so Sorry about whether I should go on, or whether I should just stop.
    (pause)
    I’m really Sorry because I ought to have stopped.
    And I’m Sorry about, it’s the sort of thing I ought to know.
    And I’m Sorry about the baggage retrieval system they’ve got at Heathrow.
    (longer pause)
    I’m so very Sorry because I should have stopped then.
    I’m so Sorry that I’m driving everyone ‘round the bend.
    I’m Sorry about the baggage retrieval system they’ve got at Heathrow.

    Posted by eeniemeenie on 2008 02 13 at 05:52 PM • permalink

  15. It was a perfect bit of symbolism to end a day of symbols. As soon as Nelsom started to talks about the facts of the matter, the luvvies turned their backs and would not listen.

    Posted by Gibbo on 2008 02 13 at 05:56 PM • permalink

  16. #13

    Forgot to add that, rather than a Happy Sorry Day, it was a very Sorry, Sorry Day.

    So much delusion and so much smug self-congratulation. 

    All leading to nothing.

    Posted by ann j on 2008 02 13 at 06:05 PM • permalink

  17. #13, 16

    My typo -  $0.5 billion was spent on the Northern Territory intervention (in six months).

    Posted by ann j on 2008 02 13 at 06:12 PM • permalink

  18. Rudds’chief of staff is Epstein who ran the Animal farm under Keating.
    The same suspects keep re-appearing.
    Reba is known as minister of the sick and dead in NSW. But no apology from her.

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 02 13 at 06:45 PM • permalink

  19. It was a silly day full of sorryspeak.

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 02 13 at 06:47 PM • permalink

  20. I’ve never had much time for Nelson, and still regard him as a seat-filler, but he deserves great credit for the crap he had to put up with yesterday.  The behaviour of all the back-turning asshats just proved how right Howard was not to show up.

    Posted by cuckoo on 2008 02 13 at 06:48 PM • permalink

  21. #13 Ann J

    Why did they and the aboriginal representatives also present and slow clapping not want those facts to be heard?

    Yes. It only proves that the truth hurts. I still wonder what these people want to happen. What do they think will actually, physically help aboriginal people. As I (and many others) have said before decades of throwing money at the problems seem to have achieved nothing.

    Posted by kae on 2008 02 13 at 07:01 PM • permalink

  22. When the SGA sheila on RN spoke of her immediate feelings of relief when kevni used
    the word of power, my immediate thought* was “That must have been some deep and terrible damage to your psyche you’ve been nursing, lady.”
    *Although what my neighbours probably heard was
    “Oh FFS!”

    Posted by lotocoti on 2008 02 13 at 07:09 PM • permalink

  23. In solidarity with my Australian brothers and sisters I would like to offer my most humble American apology as well. Not for mistreating aboriginal Australians , but for being a 52 yr. old white guy. Isn’t that what this pathetic spectacle of contrition is all about ?

    Posted by greene on 2008 02 13 at 07:16 PM • permalink

  24. I would like to send my local MP a bunch of poison ivy for Valentines.

    SorryI can’t find any.

    That would be the only social inclusion she would get around here.

    Posted by Pa Feral on 2008 02 13 at 07:32 PM • permalink

  25. “The apologies just kept coming on Happy Sorry Day:”

    Yawn.

    Pity parties bore me to tears.

    Posted by Dave Surls on 2008 02 13 at 07:47 PM • permalink

  26. Im sorry for Rudd’s “sorry"s as I now see that the next step will be exactly more of the same—money and stay the “noble savage” and dont take any respsonsibility—whats new,except Nelson silly dill is wedged big time whatever he does—except get kicked out and commitments overturned—?
    And meanwhile the POOR BLOODY ABO children and they are sweethearts to see in the flesh—get raped, sodmised, starved, left illiterate while Blackie adults drink .... !!

    GRR!

    Posted by Jazza on 2008 02 13 at 09:16 PM • permalink

  27. Just wanted to share this: Everything you need to know about why you’re sorry, you racists.

    Posted by Machiavellian on 2008 02 13 at 09:31 PM • permalink

  28. I am sorry for what happened to the aboriginals, as if looked with a unbiased view it was pretty bad.

    Ok the official sorry is out, get over it and move on.

    Posted by artful-dodger on 2008 02 13 at 10:04 PM • permalink

  29. OT, but here’s something I’m genuinely sorry about,

    Smoky Dawson has died.:(

    Posted by Pogria on 2008 02 13 at 10:08 PM • permalink

  30. Crikey! I am pissed with this unmitigated mind wank that just took place. Did anyone see the bloke that was white as the driven snow in the aboriginal colours beanie, clamp his mits firmly over his shell likes as he turned his back on Nelsons speach. He had such a sanctimonius, offended look on his face. I fair dinkum felt like jumping the bastard and giving him a good kicking. And the glamorous ‘Doctors wife’ in Melbourne that was horrified at the insensitivity of Nelson speach. London to a brick she probably would’nt know an Aboriginal if she tripped over one dead in the street. Well I do lady, I have lived in small towns all over this nation and lived next door to them and been robbed by them and had my car stolen by them and had my dog poisoned by them so shut the fuck up bitch!! and get back to your Castle in Toorak.

    Posted by WaZoBia on 2008 02 13 at 10:10 PM • permalink

  31. Introducing the Mac$tolen: take away now, pay heavily later ...

    Warning: may contain traces of white meat.

    Posted by egg_ on 2008 02 13 at 11:23 PM • permalink

  32. Candy for Kevni!!

    Posted by Mr Simmon on 2008 02 14 at 12:59 AM • permalink

  33. Curious - were Harris and Gleason the FIRST to turn their backs? In other words, did they plant themselves in the crowd for that purpose?

    Haven’t seen any of the sorry show because I have a weak stomach.

    Posted by Contrail on 2008 02 14 at 01:15 AM • permalink

  34. #21 kae just your comment.

    “decades of throwing money at the problems seem to have achieved nothing.”

    Made many rich. Where do the hangers-on live?

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 02 14 at 01:37 AM • permalink

  35. Will sorry be like the old songs:
    The half-coloured will fade away.
    But the Cash-sons go rolling along.

    Posted by stackja1945 on 2008 02 14 at 02:28 AM • permalink

    36. Page 1 of 1 pages

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