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An ill-wind

Hate-type politics and name-calling, as evidenced in the US over the last little while, has seen the shooting of a Member of Congress and others with her. The Member survived, some of the others not.

It's a dangerous and ill-wind when those opposing whatever, are driven to name-calling, invective and insults. It's also plain stupid - with possible dangerous consequences a la what happened in the US.

It therefore ill-behoves the Leader of Australia's Opposition to be an active participant in a rally outside Federal Parliament today where invective and insults were the order of the day.

"Opposition Leader Tony Abbott spoke to protesters in Canberra in front of a banner labelling Ms Gillard “Ju-Liar, Bob Brown's bitch”.

Placards also included “Australia hates liars”, with a picture of a long-nosed Ms Gillard; Ditch the Witch, featuring a drawing of Ms Gillard on a broomstick, and another called her a "frump".

Senator Brown said he knew Ms Gillard had “broad shoulders”, but in his experience, such insults could be deeply hurtful.

He said Mr Abbott should apologise to the Prime Minister."

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