Political mavericks
June 23rd 2010 02:17
I've discussed on this blog the problem of machine politics and political babies, so what about supposed mavericks like Barnaby Joyce?
Well of course he isn't really very different in many ways to the run-of-the mill rural polly, as the independents like Katter show, but the big problem with Barnaby is his unhealthy combination of ignorance and arrogance.
Take his recent swipe at the Greens for even wanting a debate about Australian troops in Afghansitan. As if Barnaby knows the first thing about international relations, military policy, national security or any big, complex topic.
And his work on global warming has been absolutely shameful. Rural people will feel the impacts of GW first, indeed, probably are feeling the impacts already, and one of their key leaders is doing them a great diservice by refusing to even acknowledge the problem.
To be effective, mavericks have to match their refusal to toe the line with genuinely different insights. Barnaby just expects his constituency to believe him because he is Barnaby. Really, he needs to do a lot more homework (or get better staffers).
Well of course he isn't really very different in many ways to the run-of-the mill rural polly, as the independents like Katter show, but the big problem with Barnaby is his unhealthy combination of ignorance and arrogance.
Take his recent swipe at the Greens for even wanting a debate about Australian troops in Afghansitan. As if Barnaby knows the first thing about international relations, military policy, national security or any big, complex topic.
And his work on global warming has been absolutely shameful. Rural people will feel the impacts of GW first, indeed, probably are feeling the impacts already, and one of their key leaders is doing them a great diservice by refusing to even acknowledge the problem.
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