1. Always listen compassionately to the concerns of others, and be mindful of their feelings.
“Can’t we all just grow a spine and grow up?” – Matt Canavan, Senator for Queensland
2. Always be sure of the sound ethical underpinnings of your position, before attempting to defend it.
“We know exactly who they are. They have been on Nauru or Manus for over three years and the only reason we cannot let them into Australia is because of our commitment to not allow people to come by boat. Otherwise we would have let them in. If they had arrived by airplane and with a tourist visa then they would be here.” – Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister.
3. Remember, while making your case, to keep your priorities in order.
“And if there is a law that says that I have to disclose [evidence of child sexual abuse], then yes, I will conscientiously refuse to comply with the law,” – Father Frank Brennan, priest and provider of moral guidance.
“I cannot see that the sacrosanct nature of confession would ever change [in order to prevent child sexual abuse],” – Denis Hart, Archbishop.
4. Show that you are taking the matter seriously by ensuring you are across all the detail.
“Having become aware of my citizenship status, I hereby resign.” – all of Australian Parliament.
5. Stay informed – in a debate you will look foolish if you haven’t done the most basic homework beforehand.
“Why can’t we use nuclear weapons?” – Donald Trump, freelance president.
6. Don’t get personal: it just undermines your argument when you resort to personal slurs against your opponent.
“I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don’t watch anymore). Then how come low I.Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe came to Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year’s Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!” – Donald Trump
“Why would Kim Jong-un insult me by calling me ‘old,’ when I would NEVER call him ‘short and fat?’” – Donald Trump
“We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas.” – Donald Trump
7. Always be open to alternative points of view – that’s how we learn!
“Get out of my face.” – Barnaby Joyce, farmer
8. Remember that it weakens your position to make hysterical, hyperbolic claims that everyone knows are ridiculous.
“[Same-sex marriage means] parents would lose their freedom to have their children sheltered from radical LGBTIQ (sic) sex education in schools, which will become widespread and compulsory.” – Lyle Shelton, private citizen
9. Never lose touch with the zeitgeist.
“I liked that guy Tony Abbott, I thought he was cool.” – Milo Yiannopoulos, socialite
10. Make sure every point you make is delivered with clarity, articulated with precision, and makes perfect sense.
“Why are we pushing in parts of this country in the school educational program … teaching kids about body parts, and their body parts and everything?” – Pauline Hanson, serial MP.
I am sorry Ben you have mistaken Barnaby Blatherskite Joyce’s occupation. The correct term starts with “F” like farmer, but it ends in “wit”.
Dear OGO,
I think you have just inadvertently invented the real ‘word of the year’ – forget Kwaussies, Australia’s greater political cohort can now be appropriately referred to as ‘Fwits’ (a collective of Aussie politicians)
Too eezy – considering the material spewed out daily, hourly & minutely, one could drown in the tsunami of inanity, venality and sheer spite.
How to choose the worst of the unspeakable in pursuit of the unforgiveable.
Naughty, naughty. You swiped that last sentence from Oscar Wilde.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if all current parliamentarians followed the rule my mother used hold me to when I was growing up? “If you don’t have anything worthwhile to say, then don’t say anything.” Oh bliss oh joy, so quiet in the House now!