Lake has had a doctorate since 1987, a Masters since 1973, and a BA since 1968, and this is the best argument she has: Those who disagree with her are "patriarchs".

Disgraceful. It's an insult to the academe, an insult to the reasoning process, and an insult to the tax payer for funding her.

It just goes to show that the last thing on a feminist's mind is harmony and equality. They want division just like every other political group.

Let's face it, the aged pensioners need a hand.  Whilst probably well-intentioned, snatching babies from their mothers left scars which still echo down the generations leaving untold suffering in their wake.  So apologising, whilst being merely a word, was some attempt (possibly cynical vote-procuring) to put it right

I'm no fan of Gillard, but if I'm honest, I have to commend some of her initiatives

It's not that long ago that women were given no option other than accept that their male colleagues, in whatever capacity, were given sometimes double the pay for the same work.  It was reasoned that men had famiies to support, houses to buy - whereas women 'shouldn't really be working' and supposedly supported no-one but themselves.  It was the era bridging stay-at-home mothers and 'working men'.  Australia hadn't resigned itself to the fact working-WOMEN were here to stay.  Took even longer before it was acknowledged that many women were forced to work for a variety of reasons, chief amongst those being that the 'father' of the family refused to support it OR had shot through leaving his family destitute

Now, women comprise more than half the workforce and the vast majority of single parent families are supported by women

So, in Labor's favour, they at least were progressive to the extent they chose a female leader

Then we look at the Libs.  We look at Abbott's stitch-up of Pauline Hanson.  Then we remember poor old Bronwyn Bishop being trotted out on a leash as evidence that Libs were prepared to provide a token female as long as Bronwyn sat on command

Little Johnny on his walkabouts or dressed like a dork when he went kissing rural babies.  Abbott with his speedos.  Abbott on his bike.  Abbott's women tucked neatly and silently in the back.  Fraser with his lantern jaw, speaking always for posterity, his meek, self-effacing Tammy consigned to endless country-women association fetes.  What did those guys do for aged pensioners?  In what meaningful way did they recognise the contribution of women in the workforce & home -- homes which did not and do not enjoy a parliamentarian's salary ?

Labor males are at least sufficiently secure in their sexuality to choose a female leader.  Well, twice, if we're to acknowledge that Kevvie is more of an old woman than is Gillard

The issue of euthanasia will come more to the fore in the next couple of decades.  It's my firm opinion that people should not be required to seek 'permission' to die from a temporary government drone or party.  It's my personal belief that euthanasia facilities should be as numerous on the streets as ATMs.  Abbott with his alleged religious loyalties is hardly likely to entertain the RIGHT of people to quit their lives at a time of their own choosing for any reason they might wish.  And I'm remembering now an Insight show in which people in remission along with people suffering debilitating and terminal conditions were confronted by Liberal's baby-faced Chris Pine who -- refused -- lol, this kid refused to consider legalised euthanasia, even when confronted by disease-ravaged individuals three times his age who'd had 'Do Not Ressucitate' tattoed on their chests

Mmm.  I'm surprising myself, because I confess to find Labour, with all its faults, to be the more humane face in Australian politics

I surprise myself again when I confess that I consider Gillard to be the warmer, more approachable of the current two 'leaders'

Nothing to do with sexism, unless we take into account that Liberals come across - to me at least - as infinitely more sexist, misogynistic, sexually insecure and determined to maintain the divisions between ordinary men and women

Thanks, OP.  You forced me to question the assertion contained within your thread's title.  And I've discovered, to my surprise, that I don't agree with you

playing the sexism or gender card has only ever backfired on her in the past and will so even more now.

Peter Freedman wrote on Mar 27^th, 2013 at 7:07am:



euthanasia machines as common as ATMs?????? it is that kinds of dangerous non-thinking drivel that made the rest of the post daft as well.

for many years while labor had its mandatory minimums for womens involvement and preselection, the Libs did not. Yet somehow the libs had MORE women than men at that time.

and for all you talk about labor and female leaders, she has done a great disservice to women. she is viewed as a liar, incompetent and generally nasty. she has set the case for women in high office back 20 years. the succession of female democrat leaders underscores this. Woman are not intrinsically less capable as leaders than men, but Australias experience with women leaders of parties doesnt support it particularly well.

PZ547 wrote on Mar 26^th, 2013 at 4:54pm:

It is quite the little mind, to think picking a female leader is worthy of any prize.

Just because you like mediocre as evidenced by gillards track record and perception from the people, does not make it an honorable decision.

Sounded good though at the time of writing I bet.