Okay, just to clarify this: we have a government that was prepared to use the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq as a pretext to entering war with that country.

These weapons did not exist.

The same government now denies that it was told that kickbacks were paid to the Hussein regime in Iraq at the same time as it was peddling myths like the WMD.

The kickbacks did exist, and the cables saying so were sent to myriad government departments.

So in a nutshell we have a government that perpetuated information that was untrue, while denying hard evidence of information that clearly is true.

I’d love to say we’re in deep shit, but I’m pretty sure it’s too late.

These Fed politicians are just so unbelievable.

But I bet they get away with it - as they got away with declaring war on Iraq (for what again?), Tampa, torturing refugees, wiping away worker’s rights etc. All bought by low interest rates (which they can’t take credit for) and middle-class welfare.

Please, please let there be a whistleblower in DFAT or somewhere that can bring these liars down. I wont be holding my breath…

Has anybody thought of calling the press sex to the inquiry.

They would have seen all the communiques. Would not the warning bells be flashing?

Trouble ahead Alex.

A minister’s personal media advisor would have given urgency to such cables and briefed his/her boss verbally on the perils of overlooking Aussie kickbacks to a regime rat.

And now they take oath and deny.

Our standing in the world community is devalued by our leaders, entrusted to act with proprietary, but instead treat us with contempt in their ‘innocent’ complicity with corrupt regimes.

The maxim ignorantia juris non excusat should apply here.

The AWB inquiry is bigger than God’s underpants/nickers.

Let the heavens fall.

I don’t know! Am I just getting old and grumpy or is there really something quite wrong in this country? It seems to me that most people know that Teflon John and his cohorts are a bunch of lying crooks – and they just don’t care because they think it’s normal.

Teflon plays the game brilliantly though doesn’t he? He will appear before Cole tomorrow, then the next day will be no news Good Friday. By the time people get back to reality next week, no one will remember about his testimony, nor that of the other Sergeant Shultzes we’ve seen over the last couple of days.

What the hell is going on? What has happened to us all?

Great post SA but unfortunately as has been proven time and time again recently in State and Federal elections people vote out of self interest. 

If the majority of people are comfortable they will vote for the status quo and won’t give a rats about asylum seekers, West Papua, Tampa, Iraq, Old Growth Forests etc. 

Even a whistleblower in DFAT is no guarantee of a change of government.  The concentration span of the public is short and come the next election the AWB scandal will be ancient history and dollars and cents issues will be the focus.

Downer and Vaile have just ensured they get re-elected next time with an increased vote.

Only smart-arse lefties, greenies and Democrats think it is clever to be able to remember things.

Most of us want poiticians who get on with the real business of government without being distracted by memos about dubious stuff that might have happened overseas.

The Cole enquiry is a total waste of public money that could have been spent on sending more troops to Iraq.

Get real!

A wheat deal of this magnitude and timing would have made it to cabinet meetings as an agenda item.

Howard would have had his Ministers’ guts for garters if the trade deal had fallen through.

Wheat, iron ore and coal are the staples of the Australian economy.

If no-one knew anything they should sack themselves for stupidity.

Zander of course makes a good Schultz - except for the stockings.

What we will see tomorrow will however be Sir Humphrie Appleby at his best.

Wish I could be there in person.

Its time for some culturalpolitical lynching of the highest order. Utilising contemporary art as the medium. That means a bloody big sign, car stickers, the lot. Starting with a killing field on Canberra’s Parliament House lawns representing the Iraqi death toll by sculptor sublime, Ron Mueck. The largess of humanitys’ tolls. With a pile of wheat next to it.

Our illustrious leaders’ comments reverberating in a sound installation, emanating from its true source just metres down, or the six feet under, that Mr Howard inhabits.