Vale Gough Whitlam

[philmud]

Gough Whitlam has passed away at the very ripe age of 98. Regardless of your political bent, he was a remarkable man with a remarkable vision and from a political era when politicians had the courage of their convictions, and not those of their focus groups. May he rest in peace.

 

[DU99]

:icon_cheers: RIP..Gough
The man that abolished National Service

 

[Mr. No-Tip]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dnj68nq2n4c

 

[Forever Wort]

A genuinely sad day but a good one for contemplation on our current political climate (if you can handle it) and thoughts for the future. In other words man up Shorten, you little shit.

Gough may have been dismissed before I was born but he remained a titan of both achievements and missed opportunities for the Australian people.

RIP.

 

[philmud]

Perhaps "it's time" once again.

 

[Black Devil Dog]

RIP.

He was a politician when politicians were wordsmiths, not mudslingers or 3 word slogansmiths.

There wouldn't be too many of us who trundle off to the doctor when ill and wave our Medicare card without a second thought. It was Gough who introduced that, as Medibank.

Thanks Gough.

 

[Feldon]

Vale, comdrade.

 

[indica86]

Thanks for the beers Gough!

 

[Forever Wort]

 

[amarks6]

What a great man.

He has a vast record of memorable quotes and interjections. My favourite is this one:

When Sir Winton Turnbull [who represented a large rural seat] was raving and ranting on the adjournment of a debate and shouted: "I am a Country member". Whitlam interjected "I remember".

 

[Weizguy]

He was a politician when politicians were wordsmiths, not mudslingers or 3 word slogansmiths.

Or a gimp in budgie-smugglers, who walks bow-legged like a cowboy. (edited for added colour)

Thanks for the free Uni education, old mate.

 

[Phoney]

Gough Whitlam legalized home brewing in Australia in 1972. :icon_cheers:

 

[contrarian]

A sad reminder that we have had prime ministers of this country with a vision of how things could be and the determination to make bold changes across the political sphere that have made our country what it is today.

Sadly today we are saddled with politicians who appear to have no vision beyond the next headline or at best the next election.

Vale Gough, your vision was inspirational and we are all richer for it.

 

[Mardoo]

Vale. I've often wished he was still in office. Shame about the CIA. Feckers.

 

[Roosterboy]

Well said everyone , we all are better off because of this GREAT man .... RIP

 

[Feldon]

For those interested, '7:30 Report' on ABC TV will have an extended interview with Paul Keating re. Gough Whitlam's passing - followed at 8:30pm by a re-run of the documentary series on the Whitlam years 'The Power and the Passion'.

(times are for Melbourne AEST)

Maintain the rage.

 

[Mr. No-Tip]

This Whitlam doco is fantastic, but also saddening in the context of the last 15-20 odd years.

 

[spog]

Gough Whitlam has passed away at the very ripe age of 98. Regardless of your political bent, he was a remarkable man with a remarkable vision and from a political era when politicians had the courage of their convictions, and not those of their focus groups. May he rest in peace.

Listening to the radio today with pollies from all over saying polite,respectful,kind words about the man.
What a better country it would be if the ......s put it into everyday conduct,and stopped being blinkered about re election and started applying themselves to the betterment of all.

 

[Feldon]

Been looking up old press clippings of Gough, and found this story in the Canberra Times on Friday 2 Dec 1977. That's about a week before the 1977 Federal Election, which the ALP lost (forcing Whitlam's resignation as party leader and retirement from politics).

Interesting to contrast Bob Hawke's current eulogising about Gough Whitlam and his public bagging of him on the eve of the election in which Whitlam's career was in the balance. A great 'campaigner' was the Silver Bodgie.

[PS. I like the reaction of the pub "snooker player" to the media flash bulbs]

 

[Forever Wort]

Str8 outta Ivanhoe, doing Melbourne proud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6uNhvvR6XKI