[SOC] more tidbits

[Ian C. Purdie]

Lloyd Lachow wrote:

>
> Boy, it just gets better and better.  Here are a
> couple of other nuggets pulled off of website news
> sources.

Gets better and better...

[FIRST ONE]

On ABC "Lateline" one of the author's of The Observer Magazine article titled -
"Revealed: US dirty tricks to win vote on Iraq war"
 - was interviewed. The interview basically covered the substance of the leaked
memo, establishing the veracity of the memo and so forth.

http://www.observer.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12239,905936,00.html

Interestingly, this item has not appeared in any mass media news in Australia
that I am aware of. Further the author revealed that extensive arrangement had
been made for him to be interviewed by Fox-News, NBC and CNN.

At the last minute, those interviews were all suddenly cancelled. He was told
"head office" has dropped the story. Censorship by the mass media?

[SECOND ONE]

Yesterday was the last sitting day for our parliament for a few weeks and as
the TV version was the usually boring Senate, I elected to listen to Question
Time in the House of Representatives on radio which provides full coverage.

Toward the end of QT, the two independents sprung a surprise on everyone by
moving a motion to suspend standing orders for a full debate on Australia's
position on the war on Iraq.

http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/latesthansard/rhansard.pdf
- look for "Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders
Mr ANDREN (Calare) (2.52 p.m.)�I move:" PDF pages 51 to 59 of 104, official
Hansard pages P1253 - 1261. [good for 24 hours then archived]

Page 58 / P1260 is especially interesting because it demonstrates how the whole
issue was ultimately handled.

"Mr Swan�Mr Speaker, those thugs have gagged debate on the most important
question before the people of this country. They have gagged debate in this
parliament and they are going to do it again."

Mr. Swan was subsequently ejected for 24 hours. Another important undertaking
given on page 57 /1259 by Mr. Abbott [manager of government business] said:

"As the Prime Minister has made abundantly clear inside this House today and
outside the House on other occasions, this parliament will have a vote before
Australian armed forces go into action in Iraq, if that is ever to be the
case."

"He has committed the government to recall the parliament to put this great
question of war or peace to the vote if that is what it comes to. I want to
make it very clear that there is no-one on this side of the parliament who is
racing to-wards military conflict. Everyone who has considered this matter at
all understands that war is a dreadful thing...."

None of that was ever reported in the mass media. Censorship by the mass media?

My usually very reliable sources of information suggest that if [as has been
called for] this matter be debated beforehand and, voted upon on a "conscience"
basis, that Australian forces *WOULD* be recalled.

So how can I and others not conclude that BS, lies, distortion and,
misrepresentation haven't overtaken common sense.

ABC-TV programme "4 Corners" will next Monday, present an interesting story of
how this mess came about.

American Dreamers

"As US-led forces prepare to storm Iraq, former Washington correspondent
Jonathan Holmes looks at what's driving America... and finds it's more than
weapons or oil. More �"

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/

72/73's

Ian C. Purdie
Budgewoi N.S.W. Australia - Co-ords S33�14', E151�34'
VK2TIP "I'll give ya the TIP mate" QRP-L #1978. SOC #171 FP#91
http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/