16 May 2008

Brendan Nelson having a go

I’m not exactly a great admirer of Brendan Nelson, but I do think he deserves to be given a chance. I wonder if much of the speculation about his position isn’t just political mischief.

Compared with state leaders Ted Baillieu and Troy Buswell he’s doing a pretty good job in unenviable circumstances.

I didn’t hear his budget reply speech, but reading the news summary it sounds quite good. Read more »

Tags: liberal, nelson, politics, transport
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11 July 2005

Trafalgar anniversary

I read recently that sensitivity towards France and Spain caused a watering down of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

In that famous naval conflict the British under Lord Nelson lost 624 men and not a single ship, while Napoleon’s forces lost 7000 men and 18 ships. It was a decisive moment that set up British naval supremacy for the next 100 years.

Official speeches to mark the occasion cautiously spoke about courage, rather than victory. A reenactment was between blue and red fleets flying no national colors.

I find this odd because of the contrast with celebrations to mark 50 years since the end of World War II.

Every major battle has been commemmorated with great dispays of nationalism, except Dresden of course. There’s more to come, leaving the Germans and Japanese to cringe in their wake.

The Second World War is still in living memory; Trafalgar isn’t. Why should the French give a toss if the world parties to mark the defeat of a tyrant who happened to be one of theirs?

Tags: nelson, news, PR, rant, war, world
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