Employers and employees in Sydney's CBD have had their lives put on hold for a week in order to entertain the heads of APEC (Arsehole Potentates Enjoying Cronyism). The loss of income for these wretched of the earth is of no import in the face of the pomp and glory of men who wield power over them. Or so thinks former Victoria premier Jeff Kennett.

In remarks reminiscent of his exhortation to Victorians to stop whingeing about the lack of heat and hot water in their homes for 19 days in September and October 1998, when the entire state lost its supply of gas, Kennett (who spoke at the time from a warm hotel room in Perth) has now rounded on irate Sydneysiders to "get a life" and stop bitching. Naturally, being a member of the Illiberal Party, he referred to them as "the chardonnay set".

Well that's the Illiberals for you. But what about Labor?

In remarks reminiscent of his exhortation to a student protestor in 1995 -- "Get a job. Do some work like the rest of us" -- Paul Keating told Sydneysiders complaining of losing income because of the APEC circus, "Grow up and count yourselves lucky." He may even have echoed (or been the first to say it) Kennett's contemptuous advice to "get a life".

Both claim the $150 million spent (and incomes lost) to protect the potentates will be "a huge asset for Sydney." Yet another reminiscent remark, that of the American General who, during the Vietnam war, said the only way to save the village from the Commies was to burn it.

But hey, why do the peons always have to suffer? Is this part of some unwritten law handed down by the Wealthy and Powerful that in order to host a Gathering of Y Chromosome Strutters the serfs must dine on bread and water … if they're lucky?

As many have asked, why was this shindig not held in Canberra? Or some place where it would have been almost impossible for a terrorist attack to take place?

But then, it's not for we plebeians to interfere with the wisdom of the ruling fathers, but to do or die without a murmur.

-- Bilegrip Admin