When silence is golden !

The day of judgement for those who hold high public office comes after their term has ended.   How they performed in the cut and thrust of politics is of lessor importance to how they manage withdrawal from public life.   How they are seen in the public eye is the line that divides between " Statesman " - and  "just another politician."

Bob Carr's book released this week clearly shows which side of the divide he stands.  It was a spiteful book that broke most of the rules that apply to the high councils of state.  Carr was privileged to to sit at the table with kings, presidents and holders of high office from world countries.  Protocol demands that these conversations remain confidential.  Carr broke that rule with reckless gay abandon !

His moans and groans on the travails he suffered as this country's foreign minister denigrate Australia and make many Australians cringe.   Carping on the addition of MSG in the food served in Chinese restaurants and a rant about not being offered pyjamas when forced to travel in lowly " business " class seems a dig at Australia's  standing in world rankings.     Carr obviously felt that he  - and his wife who accompanied him on every overseas trip -  deserved first class because the representatives of other great powers had an entire private aircraft at their disposal.

We can probably heave a sigh of relief that Carr was only plucked out of retirement to serve the lesser post of foreign minister.   With Rudd becoming toxic to the Labor hope of reelection and Gillard's term in office disappearing down a giant black hole they may have been desperate enough to hand him the keys to the Lodge.

Sadly, Carr's book will probably be read by audiences outside Australia and they will wonder if he is trying to reestablish himself as a comedian - or if this is the level of public service that applies in this country.   It can hardly be written in the need to earn a living, considering that he not only draws the huge pension accorded a past state premier, but added to that is the superannuation for a past foreign minister.

The term - delusions of grandeur - comes to mind.   Perhaps he thinks Australia should honour him with a brass statue in a public place.    If so, the local pigeons will certainly shower him with the opinion many use to describe his book !