I'm Waiting For The Photo Op Where Rudd Kisses A Baby Whale...
So the government's come out of left field and actually announced they're taking Japan to the International Court of Justice over their illegal commercial whaling. I'd like to say I was ecstatic about this - I could have even used my LJ mood theme thingie and everything! But at this point in time, I don't think the outcomes are looking all that favourable.
Without a doubt this is a political ploy to distract away from the government's debacles over the last few months with the insulation and school halls stuff. Not to mention Rudd's rapidly free-falling approval ratings.
I worry because it was only a few short months ago Rudd resigned the notion of suing Japan until December this year - AFTER the election and a few weeks after that announced they were shelving the issue indefinitely. Now suddenly they're pushing ahead next week - hardly enough time to build a proper case - this is yet another issue they seem to be tackling half arsed that will probably either blow up in their faces or wilt under any kind of proper scrutiny.
It's also quite telling that the announcement was handled largely by Stephen Smith, not Peter Garrett who's appeared quite the fool recently, and is now relegated to pretty much keeping his mouth shut. Yes he is the foreign affairs minister, but whaling falls squarely under Garrett's portfolio.
There's also the International Whaling Commission's Obama spear-headed proposal to legalise commercial whaling which if approved would severely weaken Australia's position and force them to rely solely upon the laws of the Antarctic treaty. But then again, Japan is already ignoring the bits and pieces of that treaty they find unfavourable too.
I will post all of the news, videos and what not over at whale_sanctuary if you're interested in learning more.
Without a doubt this is a political ploy to distract away from the government's debacles over the last few months with the insulation and school halls stuff. Not to mention Rudd's rapidly free-falling approval ratings.
I worry because it was only a few short months ago Rudd resigned the notion of suing Japan until December this year - AFTER the election and a few weeks after that announced they were shelving the issue indefinitely. Now suddenly they're pushing ahead next week - hardly enough time to build a proper case - this is yet another issue they seem to be tackling half arsed that will probably either blow up in their faces or wilt under any kind of proper scrutiny.
It's also quite telling that the announcement was handled largely by Stephen Smith, not Peter Garrett who's appeared quite the fool recently, and is now relegated to pretty much keeping his mouth shut. Yes he is the foreign affairs minister, but whaling falls squarely under Garrett's portfolio.
There's also the International Whaling Commission's Obama spear-headed proposal to legalise commercial whaling which if approved would severely weaken Australia's position and force them to rely solely upon the laws of the Antarctic treaty. But then again, Japan is already ignoring the bits and pieces of that treaty they find unfavourable too.
I will post all of the news, videos and what not over at whale_sanctuary if you're interested in learning more.