Sniffle XXVI
News.com.au - PM defends holding wife’s hand
PRIME Minister John Howard says he will continue to hold hands with his wife, Janette
Awww!
Although, in case all of you go “Wha?” then just shrug and move on, I’ll quote a little from Tim Blair’s post on this cuz it’s really the most incredible thing (it also answers last night’s question if PMs are married to First Ladies):
Tim Blair - TALL, MANNISH WOMAN LASHES OUT
We all remember Margaret Whitlam’s extensive contributions to Australian public life. There was … well, something. And possibly one or two other things. All of which leaves her entitled to criticise Janette Howard:
Former first lady Margaret Whitlam has criticised Prime Minister John Howard’s wife Janette for not doing enough for the community.
Mrs Whitlam, whose husband Gough was prime minister from 1972 to 1975, says Mrs Howard has no sense of humour and should not still be holding hands with her husband in public.
“For God’s sake, they’ve been married for over 30 years!” Mrs Whitlam says in a new biography to be published next week.
No holding hands? If you say so, Mullah Margaret.
I read the Wiki on Mrs Howard probably around a year ago, and this issue of whether or not she was doing enough in her “role” as First Lady was there then, so it’s nothing new. It also said that since she’s just there because she’s married to the PM and has no real official role then there’s no reason why she should have to do anything.
And I’m one of those people that gets choked up when I see older people holding hands in public. But this time it’s older people defiantly holding hands in public! How great is that?!
September 28th, 2006 at 6:17 am
Jimmy Carter used to hold his wife’s hand in public and people used to get a bit sniffy about it over here (not sniffy in a nice ninmesque sense, more like snobby).
September 28th, 2006 at 8:45 am
Well, that’s probably what the Aussies are doing. I guess that’s the good thing about Bush being so universally hated around the sniffier parts of the world. They hardly have time to notice that he holds Laura’s hand.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:26 am
Another reason to love John Howard. I must say, however, this is rather selective liberal sniffery. The Clintons hold hands all the time. I guess it’s only annoying if it appears to be sincere.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:01 am
They also dance on beaches without music because in photos you can’t tell.
September 28th, 2006 at 11:07 am
The music is in their hearts, nin.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:40 am
Two nano orchestras playing then.
September 29th, 2006 at 9:13 am
Golly Half, you can be sharp at times! Accurate, though.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:13 am
I can still see the occasional nonbreaking curve.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:18 am
Hehehe
Ah, I love Half when he’s catty.
October 1st, 2006 at 2:04 pm
My mom reminded me last night that the press in DC used to make a “thing” out of the fact that Nixon and his wife never held hands. And Mom served Australian wine with dinner last night –just to toast John Howard and his non-dhimmi cabinet ministers.
October 1st, 2006 at 5:54 pm
Ah, the story has reached even your mother? Fantastic.
I’d like some Australian wine. But we’re on another saving spree. Even Trader Joe’s three-dollars-baby! is a special occasion for us. I’ll have to celebrate Australia in other ways. Other, more spiritual ways. Read: free.