Honesty in politics

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Last updated on August 5th, 2017 at 04:07 am

A statement of indisputable accuracy from the NSW Treasurer:

The NSW Treasurer, Michael Costa, has called Tim Flannery an “idiot” …

Mr Costa, a renowned climate change sceptic, made his comments in question time in the Legislative Council, saying the environmental campaigner Mr Flannery was wrong to say that dams were going to dry up because of climate change.

Mr Costa referred to “idiots like Tim Flannery saying it’ll never rain” as he launched into a tirade against the theory of greenhouse gases.

He said Mr Flannery and others continually came up with “ridiculous propositions” and told Coalition MPs he would not have appointed Mr Flannery Australian of the Year.

Flannery’s response:

“My reaction is just lofty disdain,” Mr Flannery said.

UPDATE. Thanks to Ian Deans, here’s further from Costa:

These people do not understand climate cycles. When it comes to the climate they are alarmists and cannot see beyond the end of their noses. They create division, panic and fear so that they can rustle up a few naïve people to vote for them at election time. Climates change. If there is one constant about climates, it is that they change. I do not mean that they are changing now; but they have changed over history. We will continue to see climates change, and rain cycles will vary from drought, to normality, to heavy rainfall incidents. That is the reality of the world …

UPDATE II. Flannery has used the lofty disdain defence previously:

“So I intend to single mindedly get on with the job of dealing with climate change, which means treating articles like this with the lofty disdain they deserve,” says Flannery.

He’s a climate change disdainalist!

UPDATE III. Melissa Sweet reports:

Another critical difference between global warming and obesity is that the latter lacks an Al Gore or Tim Flannery.

Oh, I wouldn’t say that.

Posted by Tim B. on 06/28/2007 at 09:25 PM
    1. “My reaction is just lofty disdain,” Mr Flannery said.

      I’m gonna try that the next time I screw up and someone points it out.

      What?  I was speeding?  I answer your speeding ticket with lofty disdain.

      What do you mean my checking account is overdrawn?  I pay your penalty fee with lofty disdain.

      Say, this disdain thing is easy.

      Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 06 28 at 09:30 PM • permalink

 

    1. I don’t much care for Costa normally. I might have to revise my opinion. Good on him.

      Posted by walterplinge on 2007 06 28 at 09:30 PM • permalink

 

    1. “My reaction is just lofty disdain,” Mr Flannery said.

      The arrogance is strong in this one.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 09:33 PM • permalink

 

    1. O/T but interesting:

      Muslim boxer Omar Shaick was yesterday handed a two-year ban for refusing to give a urine sample because his religion prohibits him from exposing his genitals to strangers…

      He steadfastly refused to co-operate, on faith grounds…

      “One of the key foundations of the WADA code is that all athletes, irrespective of religious belief, must provide a sample,” Ings said. “It is common and widespread that people of this religious belief do provide samples.”

      The Australian

      Posted by walterplinge on 2007 06 28 at 09:34 PM • permalink

 

    1. Lofty disdain?

      Is that what’s it’s called with your hand in the till and your head up your arse?

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 09:34 PM • permalink

 

    1. “Lofty Disdain”, “Intellectual Arrogance”, “Cultural Relativity”, “Selective Memory”. Just a few of the amazing superpowers at the disposal of Captain Flannel, the Amazing Green Guardian of Gaia’s Goodies.

      Posted by Abu Chowdah on 2007 06 28 at 09:35 PM • permalink

 

    1. Like all our state parliaments, the NSW Parliament is a shameful waste of a potential site for mini-golf, however full credit to Costa for showing some ticker.

      I wouldn’t mind seeing the full transcript of what he said.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 28 at 09:40 PM • permalink

 

    1. “My reaction is just lofty disdain,” Mr Flannery said.

      As he looked up from his prone position on the sidewalk, after being pasted a good one on the beezer.

      Posted by paco on 2007 06 28 at 09:41 PM • permalink

 

    1. He took his public relations advice too literally.
      The brief said “respond with lofty disdain.”
Posted by daddy dave on 2007 06 28 at 09:43 PM • permalink

 

    1. A fitting penalty would be for Flanners to slip on a puddle and perhaps fall under a bus. The Minister for Transport could give a similar report.

      Maybe Costa should reply a la Marieke Hardy:

      “nice attitude, fuckwit”

      Posted by Nic on 2007 06 28 at 09:44 PM • permalink

 

    1. The interesting adjective is “lofty” ?

      The term is a little hard to define but we can hazzard a guess that this is the type of disdain you get because you are a higher /superior being.

      Heard a radio report last night indicating that this month was one of the wettest Junes ever seen on record in Sydney…

      Tim hasn’t opened his lofty mouth too much lately about this…presumably because it might fill up with something even wetter than the usual dribble which issues forth ….

      Posted by Wacko on 2007 06 28 at 09:45 PM • permalink

 

    1. From previous:
      Tim Flummery: International <strike>Australian</strike> Arsehole of the Year

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 09:45 PM • permalink

 

    1. Or, as Wodehouse might have put it: “I drew myself up to my full height and registered Lofty Disdain. Wasted, of course, since it was a telephone interview and no one could see me.”

      Posted by paco on 2007 06 28 at 09:46 PM • permalink

 

    1. Flannery’s response: “I know you are but what am I?”

      Posted by Dan Lewis on 2007 06 28 at 09:48 PM • permalink

 

    1. #4 Clearly Omar has not hear of the “lofty disdain” defence

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 09:50 PM • permalink

 

    1. #6 Abu Chowdah… good stuff, but needs more GGGGGGs

      How about the genuflection grasping godlike guardian….etc No? oh well…siggggggghhh!

      cheers
      rodC

      Posted by Rod C on 2007 06 28 at 09:50 PM • permalink

 

    1. This is a boundless source of imagiantion:

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 09:51 PM • permalink

 

    1. I’ll see yer lofty disdain and raise ya one supreme indifference.

      Posted by MissM on 2007 06 28 at 09:52 PM • permalink

 

    1. He acknowledged climate change could bring more rain but overall it would lead to a drier climate.

      He really really said this too?  Another legendary quote for the “egg on face” quote book on Tim Flannery.

      How on Earth does this fuckwit think he can convince us that with more rain we’ll end up with a drier climate?  Seriously fucked in the head stuff.

      more rain = more flooding = more water in dams = more exaporation and more rain = drier climate.  Did I miss a step?  or 200?

      ps sorry for the language, but in this 1 instance I willing use up my daily allowance of F’n swearing at the f’n f’wit.

      sigh – now I think they were wasted …

      Posted by peter m on 2007 06 28 at 09:52 PM • permalink

 

    1. #12

      Tim Flannery: Internotional Man of Renown.

      For him it’s all notional, he won’t pay.

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 09:53 PM • permalink

 

    1. * evaporation – sorry.

      Posted by peter m on 2007 06 28 at 09:53 PM • permalink

 

    1. Red Kezza: Professor Flannery, what is your response to the poor, the coal workers, Australian working families, who would have to cope with your planned coal taxes?

      “My reaction is just lofty disdain,” Mr Flannery said.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 09:53 PM • permalink

 

    1. #7 – You can read the comments in full here. Press Control-F and search for Flannery (or idiot).

      In the same answer, Mr Costa said:

      These people do not understand climate cycles. When it comes to the climate they are alarmists and cannot see beyond the end of their noses. They create division, panic and fear so that they can rustle up a few naïve people to vote for them at election time. Climates change. If there is one constant about climates, it is that they change. I do not mean that they are changing now; but they have changed over history. We will continue to see climates change, and rain cycles will vary from drought, to normality, to heavy rainfall incidents. That is the reality of the world…

      Nice!

      Posted by Ian Deans on 2007 06 28 at 09:54 PM • permalink

 

    1. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Anyone wth a beard is a freaking weirdo. There’s also a better than average chance they can’t be trusted near tethered animals.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 09:54 PM • permalink

 

    1. Hey, #17, let me finish before you post!

      This is a boundless source of possibility:

      Wellington: Come on there Cambronne, surrender, damnit, or we blast you to pieces.

      Cambronne: merde Lofty disdain.

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 09:56 PM • permalink

 

    1. I am overwrought with ambivalence towards Flannery.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 09:57 PM • permalink

 

    1. From Flannery’s an Idiot article:

      He (Flannery) acknowledged climate change could bring more rain but overall it would lead to a drier climate. “It [climate change] is demonstrable and scientifically provable and we need to take it into account when we make decisions.”

      Yeah, more rain but it’ll be drier. Sure. Cover all those bases, hedge all those bets!

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 09:57 PM • permalink

 

    1. Lofty disdain, hmmm, it sounds like the guy who went to a fancy dress naked, with his penis in a dessert. When pressed as to what he had come as he said ” I am fucking disgusted”.

      Posted by Nic on 2007 06 28 at 09:58 PM • permalink

 

    1. #9
      Flummery’s public relations advisor: “I said: ‘Respond with Lefty disdain’!”

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 09:59 PM • permalink

 

    1. ” lofty disdain”?

      is that like wandering around with your head above the clouds for so long that you cant see that rain is pissing down from them??

      Posted by bailador on 2007 06 28 at 09:59 PM • permalink

 

    1. I am starting to wobble a bit less.

      Posted by Lefty Wobbling Right on 2007 06 28 at 10:00 PM • permalink

 

    1. Flummery to self:
      ‘The rain to explain is mainly a pain …’

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 10:03 PM • permalink

 

    1. #27 Kae, In fact climate change is not

      scientifically provable

      . To do that, you have to form hyopotheses and make experiments that support or negate them.

      Or is he omnipotent and has already made the experiemtns?

      This is just a preamble. The point I want to make is that anyone who actually understands the scientific method and follows it cannot make such a rediculous statement.

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 10:04 PM • permalink

 

    1. #23 Thanks Ian. Here’s another good bit:

      The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: The question referred to economics and certainly I am entitled to refer to the Greens economic policy, because that is the benchmark of a failed economic policy. If people want to see an economic policy that will destroy not only this State but probably the nation if it is ever implemented, they need only look at the Greens policy. That unfundable policy, which is based on economic illiteracy, will lead to significant job destruction. I made some comments the other day about a desalination plant. The Government has made a decision to go ahead with desalination to drought-proof the Sydney metropolitan area. It has chosen a range of strategies to meet that objective.

      The Hon. Duncan Gay: There was snow at Crookwell yesterday. It will all be flowing into the catchment.

      The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: That is what I love about these people. When the drought was at its worst, I kept saying, “It will rain”. But the Greens and idiots like Tim Flannery said, “It will never rain.”

      The Hon. Melinda Pavey: He is the Australian of the Year.

      The Hon. MICHAEL COSTA: You made him Australian of the Year, not me! Well it has started to rain and it seems as though it is going to rain forever. These people do not understand climate cycles.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 28 at 10:05 PM • permalink

 

    1. Posted on last thread, with working link.
      Another budding tool..Now Ian Thorpe is an “eco warrior”

      He visits coal mines near Newcastle, scuba-dives over bleached coral reefs, hikes through doomed old-growth forests in Tasmania and visits some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes where the effects of climate change are devastatingly visible.

      Must see TV, no doubt

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 10:06 PM • permalink

 

    1. #33 to follow on, I personally do not think Flim-Flam-Man is stupid. Just like Fruit-Fly-Guy, he is dishonest, lying to feather his nest with the money of gullible people.

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 10:06 PM • permalink

 

    1. #33
      Did I say it was?
      Why you pickin’ on me?

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 10:07 PM • permalink

 

    1. ..has called Tim Flannery an “idiot” – just four months after Mr Flannery, the Australian of the Year, launched a climate change forum set up by the Premier.

      I would have called him a dumb dumb much sooner than 4 months! lol

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 10:08 PM • permalink

 

    1. #35 Why would Thorpe visit parts of the reef hit by cyclones? I spent two weeks on teh GBR and 18 months ago and it was all very healthy, except where cyclones had passed through. Same in the caribean.

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 10:08 PM • permalink

 

    1. #34 Margo’s Maid

      The Hon. Melinda Pavey: He is the Australian of the Year.

      What? Hon. Melinda Pavey thinks that the Australian of the Year is somehow infallible?

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 10:10 PM • permalink

 

    1. Some nong out where I live (in the country) has written a letter to the local rag about climate change and how we must do something or we’re all doomed.

      I’ll scan it when I get home and link it here. You can all laugh at his gullibility. I’d send a letter refuting his ideas, but it’s a bit like banging my head against a brick wall.

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 10:12 PM • permalink

 

    1. #27 Yeah, more rain but it’ll be drier.

      At least he’s made a stand. There’s no way on Earth that there will be less rain but it’ll be wetter. Nope.
      Good onya Flums. Someone’s gotta take a stand.

      Posted by daddy dave on 2007 06 28 at 10:12 PM • permalink

 

    1. Given what Costa of the Australian Labor Party says at #38 about the Greens economics, looky lou at what this economist has to say:

      The Greens economic policy is, quite simply, the most coherent and intellectually-defensible document of its kind ever put forward by an Ausralian political party.

      Note that this economist appears here in this craptastic bias-ometer.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 28 at 10:14 PM • permalink

 

    1. #39
      Thorpie’s on an eco-jaunt (self) promotional tour for one of our PayTV providers.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 10:14 PM • permalink

 

    1. 43 LOL

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 10:15 PM • permalink

 

    1. I watched this. Never again.

      null

      They look like David Hicks!

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 10:16 PM • permalink

 

    1. #43

      Craptastic. Good, woody word.
      I like it.

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 10:17 PM • permalink

 

    1. #39, 44 I don’t know why but I find this from Thorpe hilarious:

      “There’s a difference between knowing what to do and doing it,” he said. “I don’t want to be answering my grandchildren (saying) ‘We could have done this, but didn’t feel like we had to’.”

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 28 at 10:19 PM • permalink

 

    1. #39 Wimpy

      Looking for bad stuff, I guess. Not much point in snorkelling around a good bit of reef or an undoomed patch of rainforest.

      Casting himself as an “eco warrior” surely can’t hurt the metrosexual image and therefore sales of his poofy clothes, jewellery, purrfume and other retail junk.

      You can learn heaps about lots of stuff at 24 years of age having spent the last 20 years swimming up and down a pool.

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 10:20 PM • permalink

 

    1. #35 you know, at least celebrities like Thorpe, various rock stars etc have an excuse. They’ve been told by many important, reputable people that this is an important issue. Al Gore, the IPCC, the Kyoto Protocol. What are they supposed to think?
      Flannery, on the other hand, has set himself up as the expert authority. No excuses for him.

      Posted by daddy dave on 2007 06 28 at 10:21 PM • permalink

 

    1. Ian Thorpe: “I don’t want to be answering my grandchildren (saying) ‘We could have done this, but didn’t feel like we had to’.”

      Unless science finds a way for two men to breed, you won’t be telling your grandchildren jackshit.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 10:22 PM • permalink

 

    1. Thorpe said.

      “I don’t want to be answering my grandchildren (saying) ‘We could have done this, but didn’t feel like we had to’.”

      Does he have children?

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 10:23 PM • permalink

 

    1. #32
      Flummery to self:
      ‘I view the rain on the plain mainly with disdain …’

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 10:24 PM • permalink

 

    1. Whilst Thorpie was a great swimmer, at the risk of being branded “Unaustralian” I have always been of the view that out of the water he is just a fuckwit.

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 10:24 PM • permalink

 

    1. LOL I’m pretty lofty disdain isn’t the sort of thing you can employ merely by invocation.

      Posted by TallDave on 2007 06 28 at 10:25 PM • permalink

 

    1. #51 OK there must have been some arriere memoire hanging around, UI wondered why I asked.

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 10:27 PM • permalink

 

    1. 52/ He’ll adopt a dolphin.

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 10:28 PM • permalink

 

    1. #51 I dont’t know much about Thorpes breeding inclinations and that for the purposes of this discussion it is irrelevant.  The whole anthropogenic global warming hysteria is scientifically unsound.  It is important that the fallacies of AGW be brought into the forefront of media.  Comments like the above do not faciliate this.

      Posted by Lefty Wobbling Right on 2007 06 28 at 10:30 PM • permalink

 

    1. #54 – Holds several world records, innumerable national titles and a swag of gold medals in fuckwittery. Proof Delivered.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 10:30 PM • permalink

 

    1. #54
      Prolly the general consensus.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 10:30 PM • permalink

 

    1. No Tim …. Look at the camea, Tim!..

      Now, more disdain. Come on,. you know how to do that!! disdain.

      No, concentraaaate .. DISDAaaiiIN!!

      Yes, yes that’s it, good Tim good.

      Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 06 28 at 10:30 PM • permalink

 

    1. #54, that is very unaustralian of you. Nobody who brings gold home for Oz can be referred to as a fuckwit. I’m pretty sure it’s in the constitution somewhere, along with native title, the recipe for Vegemite, and the right of women to go topless at the beach.

      Posted by daddy dave on 2007 06 28 at 10:33 PM • permalink

 

    1. Now Ian Thorpe is an “eco warrior”

      He visits coal mines near Newcastle, scuba-dives over bleached coral reefs, hikes through doomed old-growth forests in Tasmania and visits some of the country’s most picturesque landscapes where the effects of climate change are devastatingly visible.

      He visited Bendigo recently to shoot a segment on drought stricken regional cities and it pissed down for days – record rainfall.

      Maybe the `Thorpe’ effect differs from the gore-effect in that his presence causes not extremely low temperatures but abundant precipitation.

      I wonder if he’s visited NSW and Gippsland recently.

      If so, perhaps he should be encouraged to pop out to `the back of Burke’ for a week or so.

      Posted by Peter W on 2007 06 28 at 10:33 PM • permalink

 

    1. Interesting how the SMH in Tim’s link calls Costa a ‘climate change sceptic’, but as the quoted material in #23 shows, Costa is anything but.

      A little more precision, please, journalists. “Human-induced climate change sceptic” or “anthropogenic climate change sceptic” or “sceptic of raving predictions of Armageddon which are based on fabricated evidence and piss-poor climate models”.

      Posted by Crispytoast on 2007 06 28 at 10:33 PM • permalink

 

    1. #58 – Too true. But I’m a horrible, vexatious, bastard, who never misses an opportunity to sink the slipper in to people who have achieved far more than I ever will. I’m not a tough guy, but I play one on the internet.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 10:36 PM • permalink

 

    1. #58
      No, but they do serve to undermine the personal credibility (absent any other credibility) of those who piously sprout rubbish and evoke the whole family image to convince others.

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 10:36 PM • permalink

 

    1. #51
      Fair comment (and hilarious).
      Thorpe raised speculation about (his) grandchildren, if only for overly cliched spiel.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 28 at 10:44 PM • permalink

 

    1. Oh I forgot It’s Friday, so it’s poem time.

      Down past the shore of destitution,
      I walk quietly through a field of broken dreams.
      I drag my tattered wings amidst the tarnished halos,
      and lost integrity of angels fallen before me.
      I feel the cold winds of discontentment,
      and the emptiness of forgotten deeds.
      The horizon is distant and clouded ,
      and I struggle to find the perch I feel from,as well as embrace the unforgiving earth beneath my feet.
      My fall from grace has left me further from heaven, and closer to my sins.
      face to face with them at last,
      with my head out of the clouds,perhaps now my soul can take me higher then my wings ever could,
      and I can find the true meaning of freedom,
      as well as myself.

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 10:48 PM • permalink

 

    1. # I plead guilty to having done the same on other issues.  The high priests of AGW wish to have the dissenters burnt as heretics at the stake.  (I wonder what my carbon footprint will be when they burn me?).  Most scientific reporting in the media is absolutely woeful (Robyn Williams!).  With the media it is the lunaticsrationality challenged who are running the asylum.  It is important that they have no excuse to ignore the criticisms of AGW.

      Posted by Lefty Wobbling Right on 2007 06 28 at 10:48 PM • permalink

 

    1. I’ll bet Mr. Flannery wishes he could have used his ‘Boots of Escaping +2’ instead of the failed attempt to use ‘Lofty Disdain’. My personal reaction was one of gut-wrenching laughter. Another Irony-Deficient Ass-Hat.

      Another Score for the Anti-New World Order. Man its been a bad week for the fascists. US Senate Kabuki collapses, Green-nutters receive repeated shots to the groin. Happy Friday.

      Posted by brett_l on 2007 06 28 at 10:51 PM • permalink

 

    1. I meant to reply to at post #69 I was replying to post #62.  I should have proof read my post.  Global warming must be overheating my brain.

      Posted by Lefty Wobbling Right on 2007 06 28 at 10:52 PM • permalink

 

    1. Brett, I’m still frisky you obviously didn’t read my final Pasahs comment.

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 10:54 PM • permalink

 

    1. Having trouble getting your lofty disdain off the ground? Does your arrogance come across as mere buffoonish egotism? Has the self-evidence of your brilliance acquired a coat of rust?

      Well, then, Tim Flannery, have we got a product for you! Paco Enterprises’ subsidiary, Self-Help for Life, Inc. (motto: “Helping You Hone Your Delusions of Adequacy”) has a 12-step program that will put you back in the saddle, leading the cavalry charge on global warming in no time. “Professing Antagonism, Contempt and Obloquy” will give you the confidence you need to enter the arena of public ideas armed with only a turned up nose, a scornful gaze and a sarcastic tongue.

      With this program you will learn:

      – The secrets of ninja polemics, which will enable you to deal out death stars of wit with lightening speed.

      – The Look: Combining good grooming with high fashion to initimidate your opponents without uttering a word.

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      And so much more! Try this program, for only $19.95 per lesson. If you’re not completely satisfied, then Ảש Д π § δ ψ ۞ề – and we’ll put that in writing! So don’t delay, order today!

      Posted by paco on 2007 06 28 at 10:58 PM • permalink

 

    1. Flummery could do Victoria (aka Brackistan) a really good service. and show his Mandrake and other superhero powers. The flood surge at Lakes Entrance will, I understand, be backed up this arvo as the tide comes in (another GW/CC caused phenomenon) The answer is simple.  Merely rush lord f#^%witery down there and he can look at the ocean WITH LOFTY DISDAIN, causing Gaia to quickly reverse the tides. Been tried once before, admittedly, but I bet professor CANery wil beat King CAN’T.
      Too easy, Campese
      Cheers
      RodC

      Posted by Rod C on 2007 06 28 at 11:00 PM • permalink

 

    1. As well as being an idiot, Flannery has a cloth ear for the English idiom. ‘Lofty disdain’ is a jokey-pejorative cliche.  You normally use it about another person to suggest that they’re a bit up themselves (cf. ‘she looked down her nose at me’).  No-one who meant to be taken seriously would use it about themselves.

      Posted by cuckoo on 2007 06 28 at 11:04 PM • permalink

 

    1. #28 Nic: It took me a while, but I finally got it. Very clever!

      Posted by paco on 2007 06 28 at 11:04 PM • permalink

 

    1. Thorpe raised speculation about (his) grandchildren, if only for overly cliched spiel.

      I have no idea what my grandparents thought about any issue. Perhaps they were socially aware and concerned about the great issues of the 1920s for their grandchildrens’ sake.  If they were concerned it was a waste of their time as I and my siblings don’t give a toss.

      There might be a few concerns of the 1920s that are relevant today but I can’t think of any. The concerns, if any, of Molly and Harold of Largs Bay went to the grave with them, forgotten and unlamented.

      My children aren’t in the least interested in my parents’ views on anything, even though one is an ardent globalwarmist.

      Posted by walterplinge on 2007 06 28 at 11:06 PM • permalink

 

    1. #46 1.618 carbon cops

      I rarely watch tv so have missed out on this intellectual jewel, and anyway the abc never did comedy well.  Read the script ….“Verne’s attempts…… were flawed with bad science”

      Can’t say the’ve got it ALL wrong.

      Cheers
      RodC

      Posted by Rod C on 2007 06 28 at 11:13 PM • permalink

 

    1. #64 Crispy: In my experience, most AGW sceptics have always accepted that climate change is real and ongoing.
      But we should expect there to be more and more of this defence from the media as AGW crumbles into Anthropogenic Global Climate Change, Non-anthropogenic GC Change,  Non-global C Change and finally, Climate Chaos.
      If there is one aspect of climate that has been scientifically proven, it is that climate is by nature chaotic.

      Posted by Skeeter on 2007 06 28 at 11:13 PM • permalink

 

    1. #76 Paco

      Old Oz Navy saying, mate for a career non-enhancing move—to put one’s c%^k in the custard.

      Cheers
      RodC

      Posted by Rod C on 2007 06 28 at 11:17 PM • permalink

 

    1. #24 Infidel Tiger
      Ma Feral has asked me to let the dog off the leash after reading your comment. Yet she refuses to let me be clean shaven (something about being married to me is bad enough, why should she look at me)Someone please help.

      Posted by Pa Feral on 2007 06 28 at 11:24 PM • permalink

 

    1. 80 Rod C

      Well shound’t that make Nic’s # 28

      “ I am fucking disgustedcustard”?

      Posted by El Cid on 2007 06 28 at 11:27 PM • permalink

 

    1. #70

      A great week
      Noel Pearson putting the Blundstone into those deserving it and Costa same way with AGW and in parliament.

      Glimmers of light in these dark days indeed.

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 11:34 PM • permalink

 

    1. Reminds me a friends when Courtney Cox leaves a breezy message for Tom Selleck saying “I’m breezy.”

      Posted by aaron_ on 2007 06 28 at 11:36 PM • permalink

 

    1. Thorpe revealed, in a recent interview in a woman’s mag, that he wanted to have 4 children*.

      *He didn’t disclose how he would achieve this goal :).

      Posted by Kami on 2007 06 28 at 11:37 PM • permalink

 

    1. Perhaps he should have said he took the criticism with a “cocked snoot” except that might be thought by some to be form of weird nasal sex.  OTOH, it is Flummery.

      Posted by JorgXMcKie on 2007 06 28 at 11:39 PM • permalink

 

    1. ‘They have changed over history.’

      This is the physics of their reality. Can you be really sure? People, this is the key question to ask. Can you be sure the reality is superficial? I ask you to explore this concept while we post here today.

      Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. What are we existing in?

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 28 at 11:39 PM • permalink

 

    1. The PM’s appointment of the Flannelled Fool as Oz of the Year has to be one of the great political master strokes of his career.

      He has sized Flannery up as an egotistical, opinionated, radical environmentalist with no understanding of economics who would create all sorts of climate cacophony that a gullible media would spread far and wide.

      His radicalism has sharpened the difference between the government’s measured, sensible approach to the (non) issue and Labor’s economically catastrophic, hysterical plan.

      Perhaps Costa has worked out the danger Flannery poses to federal Labor and is trying to ameliorate any damage.

      Posted by Jack Lacton on 2007 06 28 at 11:39 PM • permalink

 

    1. #24 – Infidel, my beard is treating your comment with lofty disdain!

      Posted by bondo on 2007 06 28 at 11:42 PM • permalink

 

    1. #67 1.618,
      energy can’t be created or destroyed, but it can change form (e.g., sunlight to plant life to animal life to coal to fire to heat), and it can move around (sun to earth, back out into space; or from one part of the earth to another). There’s no need to panic. The laws of physics don’t say that the earth has to say exactly the same temperature.

      Posted by daddy dave on 2007 06 28 at 11:48 PM • permalink

 

    1. The battle of the giants :-).

      Both Costa and Flannery are incapable, inept drudges.

      Which portfolio is Costa fucking up at the moment? He’s been whoring around for a while…

      Posted by Honkie Hammer on 2007 06 28 at 11:49 PM • permalink

 

    1. #88 Jack

      I agree. I think JWH has certainly played the long game with Flanners and he hasn’t disappointed.

      As to Costa’s spray being part of some other grand plan, at this stage I am happy to beleive that Costa just had enough.

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 11:49 PM • permalink

 

    1. At the risk of been heaped with scornful remiss, I will accept there are exceptions to my rule.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 11:49 PM • permalink

 

    1. #73 paco

      If you’re not completely satisfied, then Ảש Д π § δ ψ ۞ề – and we’ll put that in writing!

      I didn’t know HP Lovecraft was a contract lawyer….

      Posted by JonathanH on 2007 06 28 at 11:52 PM • permalink

 

    1. #93 IT

      Yeah I liked that Chris Christofferson

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 28 at 11:52 PM • permalink

 

    1. #68 you’re in good form, 1.6 – what have you been up to?

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 28 at 11:56 PM • permalink

 

    1. #96 – Page 32 of Tim B’s copy of the Kama Sutra.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 28 at 11:59 PM • permalink

 

    1. #73 Paco – Are there free steak-knives with that?

      Posted by Fast Eddie on 2007 06 29 at 12:00 AM • permalink

 

    1. The full Costa spray from Hansard

      Posted by Pickles on 2007 06 29 at 12:00 AM • permalink

 

    1. “Lofty disdain”: he just doesn’t understand.  Some people who struggle with English might describe themselves as “opinionated” when they mean forthright.  Similarly, you wouldn’t ascribe “lofty disdain” to yourself… unless you’re an arrogant wanker.  Oh well, fair enough…

      Posted by anthony_r on 2007 06 29 at 12:05 AM • permalink

 

    1. To paraphrase an old joke:

      If you’re not an arrogant prick, take one step forward………Ahem, not so fast, Flannery!

      Posted by kcom on 2007 06 29 at 12:15 AM • permalink

 

    1. Has ‘idiot’ Flummery now granted us permission to treat him too with ‘disdain’?

      Posted by Bonmot on 2007 06 29 at 12:17 AM • permalink

 

    1. BTW, Costa normally bothers me (he reminds me of Uncle Fester), but on this he seems the only pollie on the Labor side to have the guts to say what they really think!

      Posted by Bonmot on 2007 06 29 at 12:19 AM • permalink

 

    1. #92
      With e.g. Alcan apparently expanding their aluminium smelting operations in the Hunter (c/- mareeS), they’re prolly after a discount on their bulk electricity and nervous about the Flummers talk about increasing prices.
      Pragmatism prolly made Costya speak out against the Flantard.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 29 at 12:19 AM • permalink

 

    1. #102
      We need permission?

      Posted by Pa Feral on 2007 06 29 at 12:27 AM • permalink

 

    1. Aluminium production uses awesome amounts of power, and is known in its molten state as “liquid electricity”. About 10 per cent of Australia’s electricity is used producing aluminium.

      Aircraft which take us to taxpayer funded environmental conferences have many components made of aluminium. Raise a strong, light-weight, compact, impermeable, and safe can of your favourite beverage to this magnificent metal!

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 12:36 AM • permalink

 

    1. Important meetings here.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 12:54 AM • permalink

 

    1. Don’t forget these ones.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 12:56 AM • permalink

 

    1. #108 – It’s jolly good thing that video-conferencing thing never took off. All those frequent flyer points are a gaia send!

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 29 at 12:59 AM • permalink

 

    1. #107
      Scary site: a multimedia resource for environment and development policy makersReeks of lofty Lefty disdain …

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 29 at 01:09 AM • permalink

 

    1. #96 – Page 55 of Tim B’s copy of the Kama Sutra. Ah, enlightenment with the Pasha bulker man himself!

      Friday arvo Phew…Finished .. yeah! Bye lovely people.

      Posted by 1.618 on 2007 06 29 at 01:21 AM • permalink

 

    1. #109:

      All those frequent flyer points are a gaia send!

      IT, not to mention supporting the local sex industry…….

      Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 06 29 at 01:38 AM • permalink

 

    1. The big conference you simply must attend is this one.

      10,000 international delegates are converging on Bali for it. How many do you think are paying their own way? Ha ha! Trick question!

      Are you still a climate change sceptic?

      Didn’t think so! Young Americans are also invited to attend – just make sure you can demonstrate a commitment to climate change advocacy.

      Applicants who are naive and supple are especially encouraged to apply.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 01:42 AM • permalink

 

    1. #113 – I have totally misjudged these climate catastrophe chaos changoid calamity types. Not only do they pick the best darn conference venues our money can buy, but they are doing it all in the great capitalist tradition – by transferring money from the stupid and gullible.

      Bravo, you cocktail skolling bandits! Bravo!

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 29 at 01:48 AM • permalink

 

    1. #113 – Still a sceptic, but am willing to endure free foreign holidays – I mean academic conferences – in order to re-examine the evidence.

      Posted by Ian Deans on 2007 06 29 at 01:50 AM • permalink

 

    1. These people do not understand climate cycles. When it comes to the climate they are alarmists and cannot see beyond the end of their noses. They create division, panic and fear so that they can rustle up a few naïve people to vote for them at election time. Climates change. If there is one constant about climates, it is that they change. I do not mean that they are changing now; but they have changed over history. We will continue to see climates change, and rain cycles will vary from drought, to normality, to heavy rainfall incidents. That is the reality of the world…

      Michael Costa

      ‘In August was the jackal born;
      The Rains fell in September;
      “Now such a fearful flood as this,”
      Says he, “I can’t remember!”’

      Rudyard Kipling

      Posted by geoff on 2007 06 29 at 02:06 AM • permalink

 

    1. 113 – me suspects a clash between this conference and the:

      3rd Annual Gathering of Young Suicide Trainees JI Bali branch.

      While not wishing death on anyone, it would be tragedy indeed if the climate change terror mongers were shown real and present terror in the form of a real human terrorist.  Still, quite brave of them to gather all in 1 place on a low lying island – and I thought they were Gaia converts!

      Posted by peter m on 2007 06 29 at 02:06 AM • permalink

 

    1. #117 Quite so

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 02:17 AM • permalink

 

    1. #43
      From Onymous Lefty’s blog: ‘Earnest Lefty’ perhaps?
      As a poster pointed out in the thread, the crapometer was a bit of fun.‘Progressives’, by their (malcontent) nature, appear to find fault (with society) and so seek to perform social ‘engineering’*.
      The centre right are pragmatists (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it) who take issue with the (extreme) Left.
      Labor has been continually moving to the Right (following public attitudes?) to the effect that the KRudder has difficulty in distinguishing his policies from Howard’s.

      *With no engineering qualifications.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 29 at 02:18 AM • permalink

 

    1. The seriousness of climate change really hits home when you are drinking an exotic cocktail by an infinity pool. It’s a hardship only a select few should have to endure, but it is for the greater good.

      Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 06 29 at 02:20 AM • permalink

 

    1. #117

      And of course there is the real danger of GW/CC induced volcanic activity from which Bali suffers regularly.

      Cheers
      RodC

      Posted by Rod C on 2007 06 29 at 02:21 AM • permalink

 

    1. #119
      Context: Jeremy’s taking his rating on the crapometer all-too-seriously.

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 29 at 02:25 AM • permalink

 

    1. #120
      They may make a concession to the impoverished locals and back their room air-con off a degree?

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 29 at 02:30 AM • permalink

 

    1. #123 I think you will find most are against in-room climate change.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 02:41 AM • permalink

 

    1. #113
      Pic worth a thousand words?Some are left to the slideshow whilst others chum up?

      Posted by egg_ on 2007 06 29 at 03:07 AM • permalink

 

    1. Re linked pic. Is it just me, or does the Goracle look more like Jabba the Hut everyday?

      Posted by SandiM on 2007 06 29 at 04:06 AM • permalink

 

    1. > Ảש Д π § δ ψ ۞ề

      What is the wave-function of Jewish electrons?

      Posted by Rob Read on 2007 06 29 at 04:32 AM • permalink

 

    1. He’s a climate change disdainalist!

      For once Tim I disagree with you. I suggest the Flan is actually a truth disdainalist.

      Posted by DropDeadUgly on 2007 06 29 at 04:53 AM • permalink

 

    1. #126, SandiM”

      Is it just me, or does the Goracle look more like Jabba the Hut everyday?

      The Goracle has decided to sacrifice himself in an experiment involving consuming as much carbon-based food-stuffs as possible.  While this action deepens his actual foot-print, the experiment hasn’t shown whether or not it reduces his carbon foot-print by absorbing the carbon directly into his own body.

      Buying his carbon credits feeds this … er … experiment, and thereby, possibly saves the world.  There is just no end of sacrifice the Goracle is willing to make for the good of Gaia.

      Posted by saltydog on 2007 06 29 at 06:36 AM • permalink

 

    1. Britain has a Flannery. His name is Phil Jones and he is an academic from the University of East Anglia. Like Flannery, he writes scary climate change books. Like Flannery, he has turned climate change into a nice little earner. Like Flannery, he is prone to outrageous claims. Last year he predicted 2007 would be hottest year yet. Today he has come out with a new doomsday prediction – 2007 will be second hottest year yet.

      Posted by Contrail on 2007 06 29 at 07:26 AM • permalink

 

    1. Goracle looks like Jabba the Hutt?

      I know his plan. When the earth is dead he’s going to be a suitable planet for us to move to.

      Posted by kae on 2007 06 29 at 08:14 AM • permalink

 

    1. Britain has a flannery? Try this.

      Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 06 29 at 08:17 AM • permalink

 

    1. Jebus, Tim!  That picture of Al Gore just about knocked my eyeballs out!

      I’m convinced Gore is storing up fat for when the sea levels rise and there’s no more pizza and cheeseburgers to be had.

      Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 06 29 at 09:29 AM • permalink

 

    1. #91, battle of the giants indeed. I am actually startled to observe Costa being even remotely correct on anything at all, up to and including finding his arse with both hands, a map and a flashlight.

      Posted by wreckage on 2007 06 29 at 10:36 AM • permalink

 

    1. #120 “The seriousness of climate change really hits home when you are drinking an exotic cocktail by an infinity pool. It’s a hardship only a select few should have to endure, but it is for the greater good.”

      You forgot to add “The seriousness of climate change really hits home when you are drinking an exotic cocktail by an infinity pool 8000 miles from home.”

      Posted by kcom on 2007 06 29 at 11:42 AM • permalink

 

    1. # 129 saltydog: Holy crapola! Ya mean, when he explodes it’ll save the world???

      #131 kae: Walkin’ on all that squishy stuff? Yuk!

      Posted by SandiM on 2007 06 29 at 12:42 PM • permalink

 

    1. #136, SandiM:

      Well, his demise would certainly save the world a lot of grief, but I meant that he is apparently trying to absorb as much carbon as possible.  When he dies, we can construct a special landfill somewhere on his estate—complete with the requisite liners, et al—and bury his accumulated carbon mass forever.  It is an enormous sacrifice on his part, and is to be commended; he looks like he is trying to wipe out AGW all by himself.  Of course, if he overdoes it and explodes, the whole thing could backfire.

      Posted by saltydog on 2007 06 29 at 05:17 PM • permalink

 

    1. #47 Kae: ‘Craptastic’ was first used on The Simpsons, I believe, a decade ago in the form of ‘craptacular’.  Great words, great cultural barometer.

      #100 Exactly. ‘Lofty disdain’ is a term of criticism applied to someone who is – to use the Australian -‘up himself’.  He’s been an avid reader of his own overheated publicity for years.
      Self-criticsm is the sincerest form of Flannery?

      A new term for the Gorefile is appropriate – Piggy McGore
      “Making the most of telling others to use less.”

      Posted by Barrie on 2007 06 29 at 10:52 PM • permalink

 

    1. #127 What’s the frequency Kenneth?

      Posted by dean martin on 2007 06 30 at 05:00 AM • permalink

 

    1. Wiki sux

      Posted by dean martin on 2007 06 30 at 05:00 AM • permalink

 

  1. #138 Barrie
    I don’t watch Simpsons. I married* a Bart look alike. Why would I want to be reminded of that?*now divorced.

    Posted by kae on 2007 06 30 at 05:06 AM • permalink