ABC phobia, page-73

Hairyback, this thread is about ABC Phobia; a mindset that Tony Abbott and some of his backers appear to be infected with. It's apparent in the relentless and destructive anti-ABC campaign that started in earnest when Barrie Cassidy was forced to step aside from an honorary role for the old Parliament House.

One of Abbott's own former editors has remarked that Abbott struggled to achieve balance in his articles; having to re-draft them up to five times! This reveals that Abbott has minimal comprehension of views that are alternative to his own, as reflected in his cringe-worthy statement of regret that a private members bill on gay rights is about to be presented to Parliament.

As Opposition Leader, Abbott was destructively negative as he acted in his own career best interest and ignored the national and global interest. He was never held to account for that behaviour.

Since becoming PM in September 2013 Abbott has failed to make the transition from destructive negativity, shaming and blaming to becoming a visionary nation builder. His actions reveal an attempt to duplicate much of what John Howard did, right down to telling some of the same lies.

My assessment of Abbott have nothing to do with "hate"; you're the one using that language and who therefore owns it. Robust debate and holding politicians fully to account is essential to sustaining vibrant democracies. The alternative approximates stifling political opinion, vilification, persecution, invasion of privacy etc of the kind we prefer to associate with China and Russia.