Posted on 03/06/2008 11:46:26 PM PST by naturalman1975
JOHN Howard has broken his post-election silence from the other side of the world, defending his ousted government and attacking his successor before an audience of leading US conservatives.
The former prime minister was in Washington DC to receive a top conservative honour, and used the platform to say he was "disappointed" Australia was withdrawing combat troops from Iraq.
He said now was not the time to abandon the Iraqi people, who needed space to capitalise on the advances made by the US troops' surge strategy in Baghdad.
"It would be a tragedy if those gains were surrendered now by premature draw-downs," he said.
In several broadsides fired at the new Rudd Government, Mr Howard also warned it was a mistake to scrap the Coalition's workplace laws.
"It will be the first time in 25 years that a major economic reform in Australia has been reversed," he said.
"In particular, bringing back the old unfair dismissal laws will stifle employment growth among small businesses."
Mr Howard also said it was "profoundly naive and dangerous" to view the Afghanistan conflict as the good war and Iraq as a distraction from winning the war on terror.
He said no one should doubt what was at stake in Iraq, and "we simply cannot afford to lose in either" war.
Watched by his wife, Janette, daughter Melanie, and her husband, Rowan McDonald, Mr Howard delivered his hour-long speech in the Washington Hilton ballroom to an admiring audience of 1250 influential Republicans and conservatives. It was the friendlest of crowds.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
God Bless ya Johnny!
There’s nothing to defend.
If he became a U.S. citizen and ran for office; I would vote for him.
I appreciate Mr. Howard.
John Howard was a true leader but we still shouldn’t forget that he disarmed the people of Australia.
He didn’t.
I’m an Australian gun owner, and John Howard didn’t disarm us.
Yes, I had to do a lot of paperwork, but it’s not the same thing.
The impact of Australia’s gun laws have been grossly exaggerated in the US - they are far from ideal, but they’re not that bad to deal with.
You can own basic longarms very easily, and handguns and semi-autos without too much difficulty.
Machine guns are really hard, but even that is technically not impossible.
I like this guy, from the little I have read of his comments while in office. I don’t want my comments taken in any other context.
How much was he paid for the appearance?
I’m not sure if he was paid for this particular appearance, but he has certainly signed up for the speaking circuit, and is doing a speaking tour of the US. He fees will be sizeable, but I haven’t seen any actual numbers.
In terms of former US leaders, I dont really have a problem with this but, as in today’s world, you aren’t going to attract quality leadership through the primary process and national election with 200k/yr. Maybe 200M/yr, but....let them get paid up front and be done, and free to walk away.
Sorry you have to keep pointing that out to the uniformed.
God Bless PM Howard and the Aussies.
( ... but not the "Lebs")
Regards
Wrong. Again. At least your persistent and consistent.
yeah howard is such a strong defender of the 2nd amendment /sarc
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,18942664-2702,00.html
JOHN Howard has issued a national call for further action on gun use as he prepares to address the tenth anniversary commemorative service for the 35 people killed in the Port Arthur massacre.
Despite acknowledging a “marked improvement” since national gun laws were introduced in 1996, the Prime Minister said it was time for state governments to take a tough stance against the scourge of handguns.
And he said there was still no need for Australians to have guns outside necessary occupations or formal sporting clubs. “They’re lethal and the ordinary person does not need a gun. I don’t admire the American gun culture one bit,” he said.
His remarks came as the National Coalition for Gun Control called on federal and state governments to act on handguns and move to head off a loosening of the national gun laws.
The second amendment is American law, not Australian. As for the /sarc tag, you don't need it. Everything you post is sarcastic.
John Howard was a true leader but we still shouldn't’t forget that he disarmed the people of Australia.
If he disarmed the Australian people as you insist, what is your link about? Disarming them again? Dolt. Also an Australian Freeper just told you otherwise. But you are still right? Sounds like you need to be right.
From your own link:
Despite the gun amnesty 10 years ago, there are still 2.5 million firearms registered nationally to 750,000 individual licence holders.
You lose.
Thank you for playing.
The 2nd amendment is a basic human right, not an American right.
yes you can disarm people again. Just go after new gun targets. You obviously don’t care that John Howard attacked the basic right of self defense.
lemme guess...you supported rudy or romney
You said he "disarmed the people of Australia". That was a damn lie. The link you posted disproved that. Your own link! Ha ha.
Now you want to change the topic.
Maybe if JimRob goes ahead an puts in an edit button you can go back and change your posts and not look so dumb. Until then ...
You lost. Get used to it.
Mr. Howard...a great man!
it was not a lie at all. Please stop defending gun grabbers.
Perhaps you wanted to show JR your post with the photo depicting Freepers as hooded Jihadii terrorists because they did not share your mancrush on John McCain?
This was supposed to be about you saying PM Howard disarmed the Australian people which a Freeper on the ground, in Australia says is an American misperception.
(Sorry for the lame ping Jim.)
We now have some information on this: John Howard hits paydirt
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