Carbon Tax #1

.@TonyAbbottMHR what exactly is the problem with the carbon tax, besides the fact that Gina Rinehart hates it?

— Sound and the Fury (@sound_fury_pod) October 17, 2013

Media Blackouts

.@TonyAbbottMHR why insist on media blackouts? Don't like the media? Fine, report directly to the taxpayers via a website. We want answers

— Sound and the Fury (@sound_fury_pod) October 17, 2013

The resurrection of "Think Again"

Hi all, It's time to bring this old blog out of mothballs, I think. You see in Australia we have a new federal government, with a leader who, while in opposition, said some stuff that was dubious at best, and flat-out scary at worst. They could prove me wrong. They could get it right and be the best government we've ever had. However, this remains to be seen. And there has been no evidence so far to suggest that this new government will be any good. It's only been 5 weeks, and I want to give them a chance. But there are issues that I can see already, and that is why I have re-opened this blog. Allow me to explain: During the election campaign, the mainstream media (MSM) trotted out the biggest load of shit and this, in my view, helped sway the election towards the neo-conservatives. We all know the media will spin a story in a way that suits its own agenda (isn't that right, Mr Murdoch?) And they're also quite adept at omitting little morsels of truth that just might get in the way of the agenda being pushed. So my purpose of this is to bypass the MSM altogether and contact the politicians directly, via email and via Twitter, to ask questions about the things they have said and the policies they stand by. I don't wish to attack them, slander or belittle them - I just want to ask questions. I don't have the slightest illusion that I will receive a response from any of them, however all my correspondence to them I will post here, for all of you to read and comment on. Of course, any responses from the politicians in question will be posted here too. After all, the people who lead us need to be held accountable for their actions, right? The media were supposed to do that but by and large they have just become apologists for one party or the other. The real accountability for a politician, in my view, lies with the taxpayer. We pay taxes to the government, and that puts food in their mouths and puts their kids through elite private schools. Why shouldn't they be accountable to us? Immigration Minister Scott Morrison wants to suppress information about asylum seekers arriving in this country by boat. He reckons "the media will portray it the wrong way". Fine - I can believe that. But tell me the truth instead. We deserve to know. Let's see how we go. Stay tuned, it'll be an interesting ride. I also encourage you, the reader to ask polite questions and have discussions with members of parliament in a civil manner. Find out as much as you can. Share it with us. There is (or at least there shouldn't be) a premium on information.