Great tradition
“Having lost 21 of the last 23 elections, it is a double blow to the true believers and supporters to have to face the fact that one of the party's brightest hopes has been crippled by a campaign that should have been an outstanding success.” -- From a report by the St Ives branch of the NSW Liberal Party on the recent state elections.
Contradictions among the faithful
ALP member Johnno Johnson “the idiosyncratic president of the NSW upper house felt betrayed when Mr and Mrs Nile last week used their combined force to oust him from the influential position he held for 12 years. Mr Johnson thought he had the support of the Niles, with whom he shares fierce anti-abortion and moral convictions.” -- Sunday Telegraph, July 7.
Late news
“He was a prisoner of Treasury. He wasn't independent at all. He sent the country broke. You don't promote a failure do you? ... I don't know why these people don't leave Canberra for a while and see how the rest of the community is living.” -- Former Labor senator Jim McClelland on Paul Keating.
Might is right
“We have the right and the international groundwork for enforcing these resolutions.” -- US White House spokesperson Roman Popadiuk, threatening to bomb alleged nuclear facilities in Iraq.
Borrowed blood
Alan Bond “has been declared dead more times than Dracula. However, I'd say he's down to the last three nails in his coffin this time.” -- Australian Business editor Trevor Sykes on the impending bankruptcy of Bond.
Spoilsport
“The Tax Commissioner, Mr Trevor Boucher, has told banks he will not tolerate them telling cash-strapped companies to ignore their tax bills in favour of meeting their bank obligations.” -- Sydney Morning Herald, July 3.
Like politics
“Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.” -- US Vice President Dan Quayle.
