Christmas spin by seasonal political workers

What do I need to say? Yep that's it ... nothin!


















by Thaves
Just click to make it larger.

Parliament House, a place of humour … it usually is, isn’t it?

Parliament House was abuzz with laughter on Friday night - fitting for the 20th anniversary of Colin Wicking making Territorians laugh with his cartoons.

Wicking was celebrating 20 years as a cartoonist with the Northern Territory News.

Politicians, business people, public servants and a host of fans gathered to kick off an exhibition of his work and launch his latest book Best of Wicking Volume 4.

Former Administrator Austin Asche officially opened the exhibition with a poem about Wicking and a speech about the danger in taking life too seriously.

He spoke about the Australian sport of lopping tall poppies.

"Some intellectual drongos get very upset about this," he said. "We cut people down to size because it is our national duty to do so, and because it is our greatest defence against tyranny."

Mr Asche said Wicking helped Territorians laugh at themselves.

"It is notorious that, to appear in Wicking, is a sure road to popularity," he said.

Mr Asche said former deputy chief minister Barry Coulter and former chief minister Clare Martin gained 100 extra votes every time Wicking drew them in the NT News.

Wicking took to the podium and welcomed Paul Henderson as the Chief Minister - "just". And Terry Mills as the Opposition Leader - "still".

He said he was harassed only once in his career.

"A woman chased me around the NT News car park with an umbrella," he said. "I knew I was doing something right."

Historian Marilyn McDonnell-Davis said Wicking captured the "feelings of all Territorians".

All works at the exhibition are for sale and proceeds go to Wildcare NT and Total Recreation's Totally Talented Art and Craft Group.

Twenty Years of Wicking will be on display at the Great Hall of Parliament House until August 31. Mon-Fri 10am to 6pm; Sat & Sun 1pm to 5pm. Entry Free!
(Words from News.com)

Wicking has always had total disrespect for everyone; he doesn’t single anyone out or give attention to any group in particular and no-one is safe from his attention.

I think that is the reason I like his humour – everyone is fair game. He does, however, seem to give cats a bad time. But I have been assured that he has a couple of them, so his regular cat harassment could be just because it works, or perhaps he is regularly on the receiving end of disdainful treatment from his resident felines.

He has also been quite keen on targeting women, and below is one of his recent cartoons on that subject.

So, keep up the good work; and all the best for the next 20 years

Politics and Religion ... the importance of being earnest

In less than two weeks the Northern Territory voters go to the polls, to elect their politicians for the next four years.

I am reminded of a story I heard a while ago ...

While walking down the street, a Politician is hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven, and he is met by St Peter at the pearly gates.

"Welcome to heaven," says St Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see such a high official around these parts, you see, and so we're not sure what to do with you."
"No problem," says the Politician, "just let me in,".

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from 'on high.' What we do is have you spend a day in hell, and a day in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity," says St Peter.

"Okay, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Politician.

"I'm sorry but we have our rules," says St Peter.

And, with that, St Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a club, and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who'd worked with him. Everyone is happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they'd had, while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a great game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who's really a very friendly guy, and joins in the good time, dancing and telling jokes. They're all having such a good time and before he realizes, it is time for him to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator closes.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven, where St Peter is waiting for him. "Now it's time for you to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass, with the politician joining a group of contented souls, moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp, and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by, St Peter returns, and says, "Well, you've spent a day in hell and a day in heaven. Now choose for eternity."

The Politician reflects for a minute, then answers: "Well, I never would have said it before, I mean, don't get me wrong, heaven has been delightful, but I think I'd be better off in hell."

So, St Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors of the elevator open, and he finds he's in the middle of a barren land, covered with waste and debris. He sees all of his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash, and putting it in bags. The Devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

"I don't understand," stammers the Politician. "Yesterday there was a golf course and a club; we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, danced, and had a great time. Now there's nothing but a wasteland full of garbage, and my friends look miserable. What happened??"

The Devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning; today you voted....

There are promises, and then there are promises that might be kept. Try to figure out the difference before you put your mark in the boxes on August 9.