Whitlam memorial...

[gleee58]

There were some mighty fine speeches and moments there today.

It's a shame the PMs dept stuffed the arrangements for so many but great that they broadcast on some large screens outside. 

Imo, some people should have stayed away and made their seats available to those who would have appreciated them.

[lloydslights]

I can't believe the drivel sometimes.

Maybe non attendance by anyone to a memorial ceremony is due to prior unchangeable commitments, or illness, or even to offer some of the emailed invitees of a place within the hall.

To "boo" anyone in attendance at a memorial service or solemn occasion is bad manners and detracting from the spiritual occasion or celebration of a life.

Goodbye and thank you,  Gough.

DEB

[lloydslights]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

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@gleee58 wrote:

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@polksaladallie wrote:

But where was Margaret?

Other wives and even ex-wives were there, but not her.   

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It was rather odd that she wasn't with him for such an event.

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Yes I did think that.

Whilst I don't think they all neded to bring a partner, I think the PM should have. Otherwise it just makes it look like he is popping out for a couple of hours a business meeting.

Somehow bringing a partner makes it a more personal committment rather than just a job to do if you know what I mean.

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I think it may well have been a part of the personal commitment  to their "job specification" for some of the dignitaries.  

DEB

[polksaladallie]

"Job specification"?

Keating?  Fraser?  Hawke?  Howard?

What are their job specifications?

[lloydslights]

I am imagining that their "job" of ex-prime minister and for which they are paid handsomely is their presence at certain functions.

DEB

[lloydslights]

Ms Julia Gillard mentioned at a recent enquiry that she is an ex-Prime Minister. I believe she classes that as one of her jobs.

DEB

[twinkles**stars]

Ms Gillard was foolish to make that statement IMO. I heard her say that and felt some embarrassment. 

[lloydslights]

I was embarrassed too, twinkles, at the time.  

But I suppose she was asked:  Name, Address, Occupation (meaning what is your source of income)

DEB

[boris1gary]

So true

Nick Carroll, the great surf writer, pondered this week how much the current reactionaries forced to attend Gough's ceremony must have hated it all, knowing that not one of them will ever be loved like the man they were forced to honour as a public duty.

"All their fantasies about themselves," he wrote in an online surfing forum, "perpetuated by their favourite media clowns and repeated to each other in the halls of Parliament", all just evaporated "in the presence of actual Australians, en masse in public".

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/comment/brisbane-prepares-for-g20-with-special-force-stranglehold-20141106-11h...