A laughing stock

I have frequently admired Tony Jones' ardour in refusing to allow individuals on the Q & A panel to filibuster and/or bully. However, John Elliott was appalling last night.(here) To be fair Tony and the other panelists looked increasingly disgusted. Elliott was dogmatic and loud (always a guide, you would have to think, about how much actual substance is going to be there). It seemed to me that if Elliott has any claim to be a legitimate commentator on issues that they evaporated last night. While he might be an amusing distraction on Q&A from time to time I, for one, would be happy if they didn't waste the spot on the panel. A Dick Smith or a Tim Flannery, Joan Kirner or Isabel Redmond would be much better value.