bananas

Well the ridiculous video that Westbank pulled out talking about bananas does not really deserve a comment (although I guess that in itself is one), but I was quite interested in its parody "message to Tony Abbott" recently released by Australian Youth Climate Coalition. While spoofing the idiotic bananas video, AYCC really drove the point home of the lack of knowledge (or disrespect of knowledge) Tony Abbott has in regards to the economic, environmental and other consequences of climate change. An important part of the message is the explanation that Tony's claims that ETS can cost a lot of money can lead to billions of dollars lost later. That is a point that needs to be repeated over and over again to any "climate sceptic" if you try saving a few dollars now by inaction on climate change - you will be paying much much more in a few years time. What people fail to realise is consequences are not a matter of 50 years from now. It is something that we as humans will be dealing with in the next 12-25 years. And we do not start behaving appropriately now, our economies will be crushed by Global Warming and then humans will just choke on the consequences of their laziness (and their leaders' hypocrisy).
Quite disappointed to read of Liberals' success in this week's by-election. The voters really had a chance to send Tony a "bananas message" of their own. A large part of those electorates chose not to take that chance, recording only a small swing against the Libs. On the other hand Greens had extremely good showing in both districts, which is an indication that environmental issues are raising to the top of the political agenda and many Australian citizens are tired of Labor and Liberal cowardice in dealing with those problems.
Greens really have the chance to step up their game now and position themselves as a major political party who is aiming for a large representation in Senate and some seats in the House of Representatives at the next election as well as dinting the 2-party dominance in the States. Whether they can use the cards that have been dealt to them is up to their leadership. So far they have been quite on the ball when it comes to taking opportunities that come their way, but whether they can play in big leagues remains to be seen.
Liberals and their supporters continue to amuse me. In the last week I have heard quite a lot of comments like "Turnbull is destroying the party" or "Turnbull and his supporters are preventing unity". Excuse me? Didn't Minchinites openly disobey the Leader, when Turnbull was in charge? Did they not campaign against the legislation that their party's representatives negotiated? And now they complain about Turnbull doing the same to them? Don't hate the player, hate the game.