Loose cannons

Unlawful combat

"They will be treated in the right way, not as prisoners of war, because they are not, but as unlawful combatants." — US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld discussing Taliban and al Qaeda prisoners captured during the US war on Afghanistan.

Staying on the message

"They used to rely upon the fact that they thought we were soft. I don't think they think that way anymore.", George "The Crusader" Bush talking about the "enemies" of the United States.

Lizzie can't sack the PM

"The monarchy here is quite different from the monarchy in Britain." — Liberal MP Tony Abbott, addressing Young Liberal convention, January 3.

Be comfortable with racism

"Reconciliation will turn out to be one of the by-products of a society which has finally become relaxed and comfortable with itself. In the meantime, stressing the need for reconciliation can actually be counter-productive." — Abbott again, in the same speech.

A question of timing

"It's all right in the twilight of her career to have a conscience; you've got nothing to lose." — An ALP frontbencher on Carmen Lawrence's call for the party to show more compassion for refugees.

Retro-justice

"Australian leaders of a century ago were not as callous as they are now painted. It is almost as if they are convicted in today's courts without the chance to face trial." — Right-wing historian Geoffrey Blainey.

Slow learners

"One hundred years from now, some of the momentous reforms of our time will probably be looked upon with disdain by historians and politicians who do not know the assumptions and difficulties of our times." — Blainey again.

From Green Left Weekly, January 16, 2002.

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From GLW issue 476