Table Talk: Bob Ellis on Film and Theatre

Frank May 5, 2012

What did Mal Brough do that was so odious Bob? Please expand for the benefit of your readers.

Also if you intend to blog on Bob Carr why not include his latest tweet:

“This Ashby seems more rehearsed than a Kabuki actor.”

Bob can you see anything worrisome of a Minister of the crown commenting on a victim of sexual harassment? Bob Carr is providing a lot of ammunition to the Liberals.

Now you can ban me.

Reader1 May 5, 2012

From Wikipedia -

Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. The individual kanji characters mean sing, dance, and skill. Kabuki is therefore sometimes translated as “the art of singing and dancing.” These are, however, ateji characters which do not reflect actual etymology. The kanji of ‘skill’ generally refers to a performer in kabuki theatre. Since the word kabuki is believed to derive from the verb kabuku, meaning “to lean” or “to be out of the ordinary”, kabuki can be interpreted as “avant-garde” or “bizarre” theatre. The expression kabukimono referred originally to those who were bizarrely dressed and swaggered on a street.

Bob Ellis May 5, 2012

To Frank:

It may not be so. But it is possible Mal Brough advised a devious homosexual on how to entrap, embarrass, blackmail, denounce and politically destroy the third highest official in the Commonwealth of Australia, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or do I mean the second highest.

Conspiracy to entrap and blackmail a high official is against the law and punishable, as I understand it, by imprisonment. I may be wrong about this.

And it may not have happened. But the ashen Tony Abbott, his current parliamentary strategy of smear, move No Confidence and govern suddenly in ruins, clearly thinks it did, or it might have.

Why did Brough speak with him three times? How long was that in toto? Six hours? Three? One?

How long does it take to say, ‘You should see my lawyer. Here’s his number.’? Four hours? Two? One?Really?

What else, then, did he say? What did they talk about?

I’ve decided not to ban you at all. Keep writing. You’re such a goose. You help me out. You cheer me up. You make my day.

Please answer this.

Marilyn May 5

The real point is that Ashby was working to have a candidate elected when he worked for a member.

that is an illegal use of parliamentary offices.

True Believer May 5, 2012

If you don’t mind me asking, Bob, can we expect any more updates on Sydney Mayoral Election and Damian Spruce in the near future? I’ve become very supportive of Spruce’s bid since you first bought his campaign to my attention, and the election of a left-wing social democratic mayor in a populous city in the West is now sorely needed in light of Ken Livingstone’s unfortunate defeat in London. Commiserations Ken, but good on you for showing them what real Labour politicians stand up for.

Bob Ellis May 6, 2012

He plans I think to enact gay marriages on the Town Hall steps and the Opera House steps by skyped or flown-in marriage celebrants from, say, Vermont, the marriages valid in that jurisdiction, if the couples undertake, in the next three years, to honeymoon there. If Vermont is not the appropriate state, or they refuse to do it, Spain might agree to it, or a South American country.

It is as good enough a policy I think as to win him the gay vote holus bolus, if that’s the adverb I want, and perhaps, just perhaps, unseat Clover Moore in September.

Cuchulain May 5, 2012

Brough has witnesses at each meeting, who will no doubt confirm his version of events, not a silly man.

Cabcharges are the main game, up to police forensics and accountants, no matter what Albo or Abbott would prefer happen. Easy to lean on cabby with priors, so police should have good chance of finding out one way or the other.

Sexual harassment unless witnesses is difficult to prove, though SMS shows straying beyond employee/employer relationship, as does Ashby’s massage, though who strayed first? Could be a long complex court case, unless potentially they (Govt and Slipper) settle quickly with No Admission!

A Grech (a failed gotcha induced leadership change) may be worst possible outcome for ALP Abbott is now Coalition liability, anyone else may see LNP vote elevate dramatically.

PS tas leg council Hobart election today ALP vote halved! Scary for Giddings and Gilllard

Frank May 5, 2012

It may be that Ashby was entrapped as you say but it is most unlikely given that Peter Slipper pursued Ashby for quite some time and offered him the job alegedly once he realized Ashby was homosexual. Yes it is true that Mal Brough covets Slipper’s seat and will in probability win the seat for the Liberals. But Bob you must realize and acknowledge in your heart that most people are of good will whether Labor or Liberal. Pure villainy is rare in most hearts irrespective of political persuasion.

Brough has a sterling reputation. As he said to Ashby:

“I said to him that my strong view was that you need to make sure you are on extremely strong ground because the media, the government and Mr Slipper will tear you apart,” Mr Brough said that he told Mr Ashby during a second meeting in late March.

“I said that you had better know that what you are saying is true and beyond any doubt.

“And, if it is, my strong advice to you is to go to the AFP (Australian Federal Police) with your claims of criminality and you had better get yourself legal advice regarding the civil matter.”

Mal Brough offered good and sensible advice. Advice no one could refute.

He should not be vilified. Wait untl more details emerge before condemning him.

Doug Quixote May 5, 2012

“It may be that Ashby was entrapped” (!)

I hope that is a misprint!

Bob Ellis May 6, 2012

It would be easy to ascertain how long those meetings were. Meetings between a man keen to damage the third highest official in the nation and a man keen to win his seat.

If over an hour, they add up, surely, to a conspiracy.