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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

sorry on the hill



So, this morning Mountain Man and I trotted up to the big hill to listen to the big sorry. Chatting on the way up, as thousands of folks converged calmly and sedately onto the hill, we agreed that regardless of our general views of the major parties, this new government had opened the lid on a lovely national sentiment. And we were not dissapointed.


Now I have had very low expectations of Kevin Rudd, but my goodness, he did a fine job today. It was very very moving standing with so many people, listening to that long over due but sincere and well written speach. And I am not too proud to say I wept big duckie tears - of saddnes, of grief, of sorrow, of shame and of empathy.


For the first time since Paul Keating handed down the Native Tittle Legislation, I felt proud to be Australian, pround of this country and our government. I even felt hope!


So it was a little bit of a shock when Brendon Nelson proceed to deliver the most vilest of speeches. A poorly written, incoherent mess of contradictory ideas. He was AWEFUL. It was AWEFULL. And we all looked on in horror. And then we did the only thing we could - we turned our backs. Shame on you Brendon. Shame.




So there we have it - a beautiful expression of a growing national sentiment, hope, and recognition, with a sad little reminder of the impoverished vile little opinions of a few.






5 comments:

Sherd said...

Wish I could have been there.

It's been a good day.

Anonymous said...

My sentiments as well - Kevin Rudd delivered one very fine speech and Brendan Nelson was offensive. Turning our backs on him was an appropriate response. He did not speak for anyone in that crowd and I feel sad that he spoke for some Australians.

Anonymous said...

Oops sorry - a bit quick off the mark. I meant to sign the above comment so have left another one...

mangoman said...

I am glad so many were there to witness it. At the very least it will encourage Kev to keep doing the right thing. I share you low expectations but I am starting to think he may not be a dud.

As for Brendan, he was just paying the piper. We need these constant reminders that, while there are just two viable alternatives, we should leave that one alone for as long as possible.

The Duck Herder said...

Mangoman is BACK!