Open letters are the hissy fits of our times, petulant and tedious expressions of collective outrage. It is also by some considerable measure the laziest form of protest.
In other words, the terminally aggrieved could take to the barricades but that would mean having to walk all the way to the barricades, standing around, feeling uncomfortable and what if it rained? It’s much easier to simply put names to a letter someone else had written in strident agreement with its contents.
There is one particularly egregious example of the open letter that caught my eye last night. It comes from the Columbia Journalism Review and is allegedly an open letter from the American press corps to President-elect Donald Trump.
As if journalists weren’t despised enough by the community, along comes this haughty expression of well … a journalist’s basic job description albeit dripping in sanctimony and self-importance. It even includes the grammatical venal sin of writing ‘you’re’ as ‘your’. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Full column here.
Brilliant choice!
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/australians-australian-of-the-year/calum-thwaites-and-tony-morris-make-a-stand-for-free-speech/news-story/1df5e04ca483005287b7db5cee8e65a4
Agree,
Australians should stand up for these principled citizens who are standing up for what all Australians should stand up for.
Apologies about the above but i couldn’t resist it, but I do totally agree, and a very good choice by the Oz.
Indeed.
You won’t be surprised that I don’t agree. IMO the Oz is squandering the award by using it to pursue its elite little ideological hobby-horse. 18C is not an issue that affects most Australians, and if they’re asked, most support the law the way it is. Meanwhile, there are plenty of Australians actually giving their time and even risking their necks for their community. If they specifically wanted a good free-speech candidate, one that actually goes to the core of why free speech is important, they could have gone with any one of the whistleblowers the government wants to silence, like doctors or journalists in detention centres.
Where do you get your figures on most people agreeing with 18c?
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/newscentre/news_centre/more_news_stories/australias_largest_study_on_racism_shows_public_supports_existing_racial_discrimination_act
and
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-14/race-law-changes-receive-little-support-in-new-poll/5387452
Unfortunately no information on the demographics of those surveyed………Uni of Western Sydney says it all.
One should always question the demographics in such surveys.
I don’t know about the UWS survey as you have to subscribe to see the details, but I assume it would use standard demographic weighting methods to ensure the sample was representative. It’s a bit silly to reject it just because it was done by University — most research is. As for the the Nielsen poll, it would use the same demographic analysis every other Nielsen poll uses. Do you guys reject all Nielsen/University polls or only the ones that don’t align with what you already believe?
There’s obviously no point in my going to the trouble of presenting evidence for my statements because you guys are looking for “alternative facts”. A more constructive response might be for you to provide evidence that any significant proportion of Australians want the law changed. Over to you…
The Wandoan Pub is not the best indicator of the National voice.
I’ve had quite a few beers there and can recommend it.
Jack the Insider . 09:36am .
Just clarifying on the other wave of terrorism Jack I meant of mob violence terrorising the public ,not political motovations . The footage seen last few months seems out of control mob cultural violence spilling onto the streets that makes melboune more dangerous then ever now with people scared to go out in public . This will hurt tourism and Daniel Anderson the premier not taking control of that state.
Nice chap is Mr West
http://www.michaelwest.com.au/investigation-social-welfare-cheats-targeted-while-corporate-welfare-elite-runs-amok/
Michael West took the short course in economics Smoke, it is conomics, or comics for short.
RE: Dwight says:
January 21, 2017 at 3:44 am
Dwight & JTI,
Indeed!! My Social Secretary remembers attending Reagan’s inauguration parade, the haughty vibes of the ‘elites’ also derided the then new incumbent. History tells a different tale.
But as Our Host says – ‘The Voters Never Get it Wrong’!!
Seeing the footage of the burning Limo and the broken widows reminds me of the 1980 14th St Riots. Why burn you own back yard?
Bollocks.
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-objective-reasons-ronald-reagan-was-our-worst-president/
The man was ventriloquists dummy.
Here are some side-by-side aerial photos of the Trump and Obama inaugurations:
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/20/14332462/photos-crowd-trump-inauguration-vs-obama
By definition, the “haughty elites” are not sufficient in number to make _that_ much difference. So I would agree that in this case the voters never get in wrong, and they are voting with their feet!
POTUS Donald Trump’s full Inauguration Speech Mr Insider and what a “robust” speech it was too . God bless America, lets hope Trump can achieve his aims in full. The former Presidents present must have been thinking “why didn’t we promise all that”. Mmmmmm
http://tinyurl.com/jzzwpqd
Wouldn’t call it ”robust”, HB. I sort of expected livelier stuff. But he made a point that’s for sure. The bit about destroying ISIS and in the same breath declaring that America would pull out of defending other country’s borders was a bit at odds.
But I am sure what he said appealed to many. Just hope he can deliver.
One thing’s for sure – it’s going to be interesting – and I am prepared to wait and see.
My friends in the USA tell me Yvonne that they have had to delete so many off their Facebooks when they make any pro Trump statement – the anger is palpable it seems from many. Interesting times ahead for sure. Melania a big asset.
Well why the bloody hell did they vote for him if they don’t like him. Or why did the Democrats not put in a better effort. No use whingeing now.
He’s done it Mr Insider, Donald Trump now the 45th POTUS, amazing scenes.
http://tinyurl.com/zhjtb7z
Yep – and didn’t Melania look gorgeous! Real ”first lady” stuff. Hats off to her.
Loved Melania’s blue outfit Yvonne very stylish already being compared to Jackie Kennedy who was a stylish lady if ever there was one.
If just looking gorgeous was ‘real’ first lady stuff Yvonne, a barbie doll could do it.
It is part of being First Lady, Wraith. One doesn’t have to be a Miss World or a barbie doll to do it either.
Melania looked lovely – and the outfit was exquisitely elegant.
That’s a bit of sexist crap Wraith, so she presents well! Give her a break for gods sake, you might find she has the brains class and style to carry the onerous role off very well.
Who had Jackie on a pedestal when JFK got the gig?
Who had Jackie on a pedestal? I wasnt born until 1962. So I don’t know who. Wasn’t me. Is this a trick question?
Let’s hope she learns to write her own speeches. Or at least to hire speechwriters who do more than google “first lady speech”.
Dunno but I hope she was wearing a pantsuit
Yes I agree she did look stunning Yvonne & maybe it’s just me, but during that first dance she looked about as ‘in love’ with him as a kid faced with a plate of brussel sprouts.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/president-trump-shares-awkward-first-9664133
Regards, Bella
History tells us that the wives of many of their democratically elected leaders had a difficult time with their husbands!
Besides, who knows what goes on being closed doors. Being constantly under the gaze if cameras cannot be easy either I guess. Every gesture is analysed to the nth degree.
Oh sure! That bunch looked as “Presidential” as all get out. First lady?
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/07/how_many_wives_has_donald_trum.html
Childish. JB. He’s not the first man to have married more than once, had an affair etc.
Kennedy had women running around the White House right under his wife’s nose. Give the man a break.
So that’s his excuse, he’s not the first? I think he might just be the first President to have boasted of grabbing women he meets by the pussy.
Give the man a break! No chance he’s an arrogant sleaze bag and creep.
Avon, ” Real ”first lady” stuff” as opposed to who? Is that your selth efrican intolerance showing again? Michelle Obama was a fantastic first lady and next to her the Slovenian immigrant, hang on isn’t trump against immigrants? Anyway Melania will never be able to meet the standards set by Mr’s Obama. You rae her on looks alone?? very shallow.
Yvonne has never and I mean never shown any racially based intolerance on this blog you grub. Get back to walking the streets little man.
Yep let’s keep going down the wind path!
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/sas-plan-to-import-electricity-from-victoria-a-threat-to-stability-aemo/news-story/03360eec7effae0fe5f7b4348d68e043
This is just another of the misinformation articles or “open letters” of misinformation and opinion Owen’s has written. Any scrutiny very quickly highlights his ongoing misinformation campaign. I see Queensland’s spot price has dropped below SA’s for the first time is several weeks but they are expecting a price spike in Queensland of over $2000. 00 per mw hour this afternoon. Usual utter bullshit from you.
Go away little boy. Haven’t you got a small animal to torture somewhere.
Just like your leaders trumps and hanson. the truth is an unnecessary inconvenience for you. You have been schooled again or should say your schooling continues.
No. You seem to be convinced that any article that agrees with you is OK but anything that doesn’t is opinion or barracking. You need a long hard look at yourself. Our prices are amongst the cheapest in Australia. Quote the spot price all you want but it’s about the average you idiot. Now here’s a little linky for your education.
Please note just as SA gets rid of coal look what happens!
https://www.aer.gov.au/wholesale-markets/wholesale-statistics/annual-volume-weighted-average-spot-prices
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t recall Turnbull having made any explosively derogatory remarks about Trump.
Unlike Shorten – who must be wishing he could snatch his ”mad as a barking dog” comment out of the air!
…and unlike Howard Avon who describe The Big O as the Taliban’s/Bin Laden’s best friend!
Who is Howard Avon Bassy. Google does not know either
Yep, I was wondering too, Robin
You mean John Howard when he said?
“Mr Howard had said Senator Obama’s call for US troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by March 2008 would deliver a victory for terrorists and destabilise the entire Middle East.”
No I meant this:- Howard… “If I was running al-Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and pray, as many times as possible, for a victory not only for Obama, but also for the Democrats,” he told the Nine Network’s Sunday program. Senator Obama hit back, accusing Mr Howard of “cowboy rhetoric”.
“I think it’s flattering that one of George Bush’s allies on the other side of the world started attacking me the day after I announced [my presidential] candidacy,” he said.
A particularly Howardy remark, that one. Right up there with “I certainly don’t want people of that type in Australia, I really don’t.” Disingenuous, faux-folksy, cunning.
But in the same spirit, it looks like the folks running Russia did more than just draw on a calendar and pray for a Trump victory.
Jack the Insider .10:47pm.
Interesting Jack you mention Hinch giving a gob full when many times not needed, he wanders into other business while his state ignores crime now on the rise as Victoria now tops as the worst for crimes with continuing mob culture violence as we define it as “terrorism ”
After seeing this sad sight yesterday innocent people mowed down running for their lives , this dispicable was once again watered down by the do-gooder premier not ever mentioning the word of terrorism .That picture on TV running for their lives , 3 some dead ,20 injured , if thats not terrorism by this out on bail jerk , well what is!
I’m sure it was terrifying for those in Bourke Street, Rodent but from what we know of the offender, there appears to be no political objective which would define it as an act of terrorism.
Allegedly crazy guy with a history of mental health and drug issues. No sinister political stuff at all. Maybe he got the idea of running people down from previous incidents – who knows. Bloody tragic
JTI,
I can absolutely assure your bloggers it was NOT an act of terrorism. That didn’t stop certain right wing sites across the net declaring it as one within 30 minutes of it happenning.
The hard right will use ANYTHING negative to align it with
1. Terrorism
2. The carbon tax
3. Climate change
4. SA Blackouts
5. Renewable Energy
All of their pet hates.
Mad Hanson IMMEDIATELY jumped on the terrorist bandwagon for the Melbourne hit.
But perhaps inspired by IS MO as Yvonne has already implied, Guv’nor.
CotC you just need an enemy in the shadows to legitimise your falsehoods don’t you.
So America has a new president.
I woke up just as he was being sworn in. I watched the rest of the inauguration.
I just hope that some positivity prevails. I am tired of the anti Trump tirades and silly jokes on FB. There is nothing to be served by incessant ranting against him now. He was democratically elected by the American people as per their system. It’s their country, not ours.
One can only hope that America does not start tearing itself apart and knuckles down for the next 4 years. Negativity will have far-reaching effects. Time to wait and see – he may not be as bad as people think he will.
Great post Yvonne.