Not Happy John In February 2003 our family set out on a days adventure for something we felt very strongly about - Australia joining forces to invade a country for NO PROVEN REASON !! Complete with back packs, water bottles and signs laboured over by 8 and 10 year olds we joined the mass of humanity accumulating in Hyde Park. We laughed, sang and chatted with people from every part of Sydney and beyond. We stood patiently in the crush and were overjoyed that there were so many people we couldnt physically march. We went home tired, footsore and hungry but elated that Australians had got off their arses and shown how they felt. It didnt last very long - in a blatant show of sheer arrogance I heard us referred to as 'a mob' we were not seen as the democratic voice of Australia just a bothersome gnat that could be squashed. Thank you for your book - I have bought multiple copies for friends and families and my own copy has been lent and religiously retrieved several times. Thank y

It was with a deepening sense of gloom and depression that I read your book Margo. I hasten to add that this was not reflective of the treatment of the subject matter or the quality of your writing, rather it was for the reason that is obvious from the title of my review.

I fear that only people like myself and others of a similarly 'liberal' persuasion would bother to read it and thus would not be aware of the fact that their democracy is being corrupted by those who profess to be its most ardent practitoners.

Although I was heartened to read articles from those who are from the 'right', I am yet to be convinced that those voters who do not take a strong interest in the electoral process can be mobilised against the party machines at work.

I fear that the level of effective public debate is such that if anything, the government's appalling actions will be put under the category of: 'They're politicians...what do you expect?'

Hello. I bought your book a few weeks ago, and I know the source of one of your quotes that was mentioned at the start of one of the chapters. In your book, I believe that it says 'Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.' - Quote from a computer game.

The computer game is called Alpha Centauri, and the whole quote can be found here - here. The full quote is:

'As the Americans learned so painfully in Earth's final century, free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny. The once-chained people whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow will soon burst with freedom and vitality, but the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism. Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.' --- Com

I am running as an independent for Berowra against Phillip Ruddock. After taking a while longer than hoped to develop my website I finally have gotten underway with my policies.

My policy entitled 'My vision for Australia and our system of government' is intended to set my overall direction but also includes actions that I would take if elected to establish a stronger foundation for our democracy. Amongst other things is the idea that election candidates would be able to register an election commitment with the AEC, which they would put on their website. They would also be able to, upon issue of the writs for the following election, report on how they had honoured that commitment. Whilst the voluntary nature might on first impression make this sound like a weak measure, I think in practice it would become standard that if a candidate wanted their commitment to be regarded as credible, they would have it so registered. It wo

Lying lyinger lyingest lies and the lyingestically lyingorific lying-liars who...oh, for ----'s sake, forget it.

Trust no-one. Believe no-one. Vote 1 Independents and/or Minors.

Is this the discussion forum Margo talks about in her book? If so, I'm keen to join in...

NHJ! (JR): 'Sort of', Ruby - it's really more of an ideas submission forum than a 'chat room' as such, but whatever you want to call it, you're in.

I'm at a loss to describe the feelings NHJ has evoked in me. It is as if the world around me has changed in the space of 24hrs; from when I picked up the book yesterday afternoon to when I put it down today. The sad thing is I was not really surprised with the atrocities contained within Margo's book, it merely cemented my disapointment and lack of faith in our 'honourable' representatives. I only hope the growing discontent among my fellow Australians will be represented by something dramatic and remarkable in the next election giving way to a positive change for all. As it stands I, in my mere 20 years of existence, feel there something is drastically wrong with our society when the youth of the country not only loose faith in its leaders, but never have any to begin with. For we are the future, yet we have little hope. Where are our inspiring, honest, brave leaders? Who are we to look up to in this time of pain and corruption? When will this country have the chance not only to

The following letter appeared in today's SMH, related to the latest allegations against John Howard and the children overboard claims of 2001:

'John Howard's response to Mike Scrafton's disclosure is his usual one: to split hairs.

But after all these years, we are learning to examine very carefully everything the Prime Minister says for some obscure literal meaning he will later rely on if it suits him.

What future does a politician have if his words can no longer be taken at face value?

Not happy, John'.

Richard Ure, Epping, August 16

There is a common law tort of deceit, but the person suing would need to be the person who suffered the loss from the deception. The $2 comes from the Government, not the voter. Even though it's the voter whose decision determines where the money goes, the voter has no loss.

You cannot sue for deceit in policy statements that causes you losses elsewhere either.

The coverage of NHJ in the Murdoch press has been virtually nonexistent. Hardly surprising, really, considering the claims made against the media mogul.

But today's Australian, however, has broken the drought. Mike Skeketee, national affairs editor, writes about the internal dissenters in the Liberal Party, and especially John Valder's Not Happy, John! campaign.

Key quote:

'Howard is stuck with his legacy on the Iraq war: all he can hope for is that, despite the wrong intelligence and failure to find weapons of mass destruction, the country becomes more stable and democratic than now appears likely. His luck is that the issue does him most harm in safe Liberal or solid Labor seats.'

The trooly-o-yay-and-verily angelic truth-seekers of the ripping John Howard Lies website are maintaining a relentless squirrel grip on PM-Credibility-Overboardgate even as it hourly unfolds.

A CSI rubber-glove probe, John? The X-Files truth-is-out-there, Mark? Hah! Begone! with your imported Yankee cultural metaphors, the let's-go-to-the-record forensic fiends who crank out 'JHL' even give A Certain Hansard Committee a run for their money. (Speaking of money, while you're over there why not think about chucking these big-hearted Citizens a buck or two? Even those diligent PH Senate Committee scribbler n' scribey types do it at least partly for the weekly paycheck, but your public-spirited amateur record checker can doubtless use all the spare change going...)

Keep lying all you like, Prime Mi

Where can I get NHJ stickers in Perth?

NHJ! (JR): Jenepher, there's no Perth-based NHJ movement as yet that I know of, so contact John Valder's campaign office in Sydney on 02-99296818, email is anyonebutjohn@yahoo.com.

Who knows, he may even be able to send you a whole bunch to distribute in the West on a franchise basis!

It is a pity that the electorate can not be inspired to throw the politicians out, then rewrite part of the constitution so that political parties are outlawed. If the 'machine' is the problem (and it is) then demolish the machine and take back the system from the politicians - vote independents where possible-even the Democrats and Greens are more interested in their ideologies than thinking through each issue and doing what is right for the majority or all.

NHJ and Fahrenheit 911 in consecutive weeks - how good would NHJ look on the big screen? - there must be an Ausie version of Michael Moore out there somewhere! In the last week I've read Stupid White Men and will hit the book shop tomorrow for Imagining Australia: Ideas for Our Future. Thank you Margo for opening my eyes wider, and for encouraging me to yell louder and bang the table harder to get through to my staunchly liberal voting (but darling) husband that his beloved John has to go.... for us, for our kids and for the whole nation (including all those who have come here to escape from a life so terrible we can't imagine).

By the way, anyone who doubts Mr Scrafton's motivation or veracity might like to read Patrick Walters' powerful profile in The Oz, headed 'A Fearless Public Servant'. Fearless is exactly right - note this passing aside:

In the late 1990s [Scrafton] was subject to an internal Defence investigation and subsequently counselled for accessing pornographic websites on the Department's computer system. This did not prevent him from being hand-picked in 2000 by his departmental boss, Allan Hawke, to work for then defence minister John Moore and his successor, Peter Reith.

Scrafton doubtless knew this (minor) transgression would quickly surface, yet clearly cared more about public truth, public service and a correct & complete public record than his own inevitable public embarrassment. Could we possibly desire any greater level of integrity and self-sacrifice in our Pu