Our PM's dinner

[Surianne]

Isometric, I think the issue with the link is the word "g-a-y" gets some code inserted by the filter.  Try this:
http://tinyurl.com/6hovhm9

Your understanding is the same as mine, though, based on the article, and I agree.  The auction aspect makes it a political dinner rather than a social one (or really, a combination of the two).

[SamiHami]

I think any politician worth his/her salt would be able to handle an enthusiastic constituent that wants to discuss the issues. In fact, it might be welcome. I'm sure once you get to an office at that high a level that you don't get many chances to talk to members of the general public for any meaningful length of time. The PM may actually enjoy hearing from this person, even if they disagree on some issues.

I think that as long as the guest is polite, there's nothing incorrect about bringing up controversial issues to a politician if given the opportunity.

[Isometric]

Isometric, I think the issue with the link is the word "g-a-y" gets some code inserted by the filter.  Try this:
http://tinyurl.com/6hovhm9

Thanks Surianne!

[Twik]

On the topic of security - Australian politicians are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy more relaxed about security than their US counterparts. In fact DB and I once stood within 10-15 metres of the then PM, idly (not seriously!) discussing running up and poking the PM in the eye because of some stupid (in our opinion) policy or another Then we realised that there was a senior police officer right near us clearly listening and tryng very hard not to chuckle when we noticed him and stopped with "Oh Carp" expressions on our faces.

Just a side comment - you may *think* that they are not there. But I recall once waiting in line at a book signing for a prominent politician (who wasn't even in power at the time). I would have sworn there was no security in the room. Then a baby popped a balloon with a loud report. Suddenly, there they were. "Innocent bystanders" transformed before our eyes into security agents. Very alert security agents, until they realized there were no weapons anywhere, and then they faded into the background again like chameleons.

I would always assume that there are always security around politicians of national stature. For most of them, their job involves you not really noticing them.

[Iris]

^Oh, I didn't mean they're not there, I just meant they are a bit more relaxed about potential threats. One of our former PMs was approached and hugged by a constituent one day...fine, right. Except the guy was holding, IIRC, a foot-long screwdriver. Quite openly. The federal police surrounding the PM either didn't notice or decided the person wasn't a threat. Caused a bit of a stir at the time 

We don't have a history of political assassinations, so I think we just don't worry too much about it...

[Twik]

Neither did Sweden, at one time....

[Surianne]

Well, I thought your story was amusing, Iris, and took it in the jokey spirit intended.  I'm in Canada and a bunch of our politicians (including the PM at the time!) have been pied in the face.  Not tremendously mature but it always cracks me up.  So the idea of eye-poking definitely tickles my funny bone.   

[cass2591]

That's all folks.