Sunday, November 10, 2002

 
Michael Danby's been talking to Glenn Milne. It's kind of a proxy war between Glenn and Alan Ramsey.
posted by Simon 1:41 pm

Friday, November 08, 2002

 
Alan Ramsey probably gets about five bucks a word. In today's Sydney Morning Herald his bottom bar ended with this

Finally, a pun to end all puns. Remember, the white rabbit story a few months back from press gallery colleague Geoff Barker? His latest email will mean nothing to anyone ignorant of the Andrews sisters' rousing 1940s hit, Ragtime Cowboy Joe. But if not, then sit back and savour.

Interpol was looking for a man named Joseph, wanted for looting in the Israeli city of Haifa. The suspect, a former flautist and occasional farmer, was described as the son of a Spanish ex-nun and a German salesman. In other words, a "Haifa-lootin', flutin' Teuton, son-of-a-nun from Barcelona, part-time ploughboy, Joe".

A great line to end the week.

Alan shouldn't do jokes, Comrades. And a man with no sense of humour is not one whose political analysis you should take seriously.

I have an embarrassment of talent on my frontbench. I also have a Queenslander called Craig Emerson. Most of them seem to want my job. Alan wants to give it to Mark. His Wednesday and Saturday full frontal assaults won't stop until his will is done.

But I am strong. Mark, while providing colourful copy for the gallery, would be a disaster for the party. And Labor never, ever knifes a leader without giving him one election. Even the Libs don't generally do that, unless your name is Alexander Downer.

Which, of course, mine isn't.

It's been a busy week. I'll bring you all up to date later.

posted by Simon 2:00 pm