"The Left"

[Lebbo73]

Comprehension not a strong point no?

My comprehension is fine. How about you take a good, hard look in a mirror before you post anything for the sake of whinging!

 

[The Passenger]

My comprehension is fine.

Clearly it's not.

 

[Lebbo73]

Clearly it's not.

You keep telling yourself that that. I am sure you will garner plenty of support for your cause on BF though!

 

[Major Colvin]

Great post Keithy George

I was trying to think of the article that really got my blood boiling from Miranda Devine and this is it, called a Darker Shade of Green.

To use the rape of someone as a platform to start attacking environmental policy shows that she is an absolute horrible and despicable human being.

Bloody hell. Talk about anti-journalism 101 - but ticks everything on the NewsCorp editorial checklist - hyperbole, irrational fear-mongering, associates environmental advocates with terrorism, omission of evidentiary support of argument - but worst of all, as you mentioned - feigned empathy for the victim of a horrible crime to peddle a pathetic agenda.

The irony of calling the "green movement" luddites for using technology to solve a problem, is spectacular.

Someone please explain to Miranda that a Luddite is someone that resists technological change, they close their eyes and put their fingers in their ears, denounce and remove funding for renewable energy and support scientifically proven to be environmentally hazardous consumption of coal.

The article reinforces my point about media pundits against "the left." In this article she denigrates them as "greenies" but the point remains the same. Caring about the environment, having empathy for future generations is considered pitiful. It will lead to the complete break-down of society - "back the dark ages" apparently. Conservatives need to understand that labelling themselves as such is to completely lack any knowledge of human history. Nothing is ever achieved, humankind has never progressed by adhering to the status quo. Times change, problems evolve and our solutions to them must as well.

This article would also particularly enrage some feminists, because while well-lit areas have (i think) statistically been shown to reduce crime - it removes responsibility from the perpetrator and places it with the victim. The crime scene, according to Miranda, is "clearly the ideal sport for a predator" as if woman walking in a poorly lit area are inviting such an attack.

Then let's close off the article by invoking the "Orwellian" phrase despite probably never having read Nineteen Eighty Four - a story itself about a person who protects the powerful by churning out propaganda - the only difference between Winston Smith and Miranda Devine being that Winston was doing it unwillingly while living in squalor, she actually believes the shite she's being fed by her predecessors and recycling it was malice and vigour - and getting paid triple figures for it.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

The way it is used by Bolt and Devine its like it the Borg or something - it can accomodate anything from those who believe in progressive taxation and the Welfare State to full on militant Maoists. For Bolt it's an "other" category and includes everybody who does not congratulate him on his incisive columns and TV shows

Aside from my ideological disagreements with people like him, he's just sloppy with his terminology. Like in the examples you highlighted.

I remember reading something from him years ago, and he was talking about young, trendy corporates who dye their hair, snort coke and have a libertine attitude to sexual and moral stuff. He lumped them in as 'the left'. It's the type of thing you'd see from some academically lazy undergrads.

 

[Contra Mundum]

Aside from my ideological disagreements with people like him, he's just sloppy with his terminology. Like in the examples you highlighted.

I remember reading something from him years ago, and he was talking about young, trendy corporates who dye their hair, snort coke and have a libertine attitude to sexual and moral stuff. He lumped them in as 'the left'. It's the type of thing you'd see from some academically lazy undergrads.

100% agree - we have talked about this before but Seppo right intellectuals of the old days - and even Bob Santamaria here where much more precise with the use of words - like a typical propogandist he does not believe in fixed categories

 

[Contra Mundum]

Bloody hell. Talk about anti-journalism 101 - but ticks everything on the NewsCorp editorial checklist - hyperbole, irrational fear-mongering, associates environmental advocates with terrorism, omission of evidentiary support of argument - but worst of all, as you mentioned - feigned empathy for the victim of a horrible crime to peddle a pathetic agenda.

The irony of calling the "green movement" luddites for using technology to solve a problem, is spectacular.

Someone please explain to Miranda that a Luddite is someone that resists technological change, they close their eyes and put their fingers in their ears, denounce and remove funding for renewable energy and support scientifically proven to be environmentally hazardous consumption of coal.

The article reinforces my point about media pundits against "the left." In this article she denigrates them as "greenies" but the point remains the same. Caring about the environment, having empathy for future generations is considered pitiful. It will lead to the complete break-down of society - "back the dark ages" apparently. Conservatives need to understand that labelling themselves as such is to completely lack any knowledge of human history. Nothing is ever achieved, humankind has never progressed by adhering to the status quo. Times change, problems evolve and our solutions to them must as well.

This article would also particularly enrage some feminists, because while well-lit areas have (i think) statistically been shown to reduce crime - it removes responsibility from the perpetrator and places it with the victim. The crime scene, according to Miranda, is "clearly the ideal sport for a predator" as if woman walking in a poorly lit area are inviting such an attack.

Then let's close off the article by invoking the "Orwellian" phrase despite probably never having read Nineteen Eighty Four - a story itself about a person who protects the powerful by churning out propaganda - the only difference between Winston Smith and Miranda Devine being that Winston was doing it unwillingly while living in squalor, she actually believes the shite she's being fed by her predecessors and recycling it was malice and vigour - and getting paid triple figures for it.

There is a great sympathetic history of the Luddites called "Rebels against the future" if anyone is interested. I find Devine more offensive than Bolt even - here Dad was an absolute grub as well. This is why I have a man crush on David Marr he calls out their logical inconsistencies and bullshit. Devine has never sat on a panel with him for that reason. Her columns reminds me of what Orwell said about fascism "its the only ideology without love"

 

[blackcat]

There is a great sympathetic history of the Luddites called "Rebels against the future" if anyone is interested. I find Devine more offensive than Bolt even - here Dad was an absolute grub as well. This is why I have a man crush on David Marr he calls out their logical inconsistencies and bullshit. Devine has never sat on a panel with him for that reason. Her columns reminds me of what Orwell said about fascism "its the only ideology without love"

irony much, the Tele' blogger Eric Blair's penname. And both sides taking ownership of Orwell.

 

[Contra Mundum]

irony much the Tele' blogger Eric Blair's penname. And both sides taking ownership of Orwell.

Orwellian has become a bigger cliche that Kafkaesque - they never refer to the Road to Wiggen Pier or Down and Out in London and Paris!

 

[blackcat]

This a term thrown about like confetti in Australia, and I've come to the conclusion that many who hurl it about have no clue what they mean by it. I think there is a very strong case for an argument of minds/ideology over future economic direction, but to many, "the left", often accompanied by an synonym of crazy seems to be a catch all term coined by conservatives in the media, and enthusiastically adopted by their acolytes to mean anybody opposing this government, and it's policies.
So what does left wing mean to you? Is it Maoism, socialism, communism, Marxism, it's never exactly been a united movement, which is why I find this sweeping generalisation odd.

on a similar note, the epithet un-Australian.

when most invoke this term, i am usually struck by how the act or phenomenon they seek to undermine, is actually very indicative of a domestic culture, and they just can't reconcile this with their worldview and identity, so they say its un-Australian.

I also think that is similar to the BS that went on about Goodes in the last week, it is a fig-leaf for people to feel good about themselves like Rob Murphy. If anything needed to be done, it was before it came to a head, and it was just equivalent to Princess Di public grieving to feel an emotion so you can look in the mirror and consider yourself part of a social movement. I think it is superficial. The major irony, is Channel 7 public masturbation, it is the editors and producers in the football broadcasts, that sought to replay Gooodes diving over and over and over again. Which was unnecessary. Now, devils advocate they jumped on Mitchell's kneeing, and Judd gouging or arm bending. But that does not mean, they have not vilified Goodes with the repeated showing. Because everyone dives. They liked to do it to Thomas of Norf too. /enough

 

[Contra Mundum]

on a similar note, the epithet un-Australian.

when most invoke this term, i am usually struck by how the act or phenomenon they seek to undermine, is actually very indicative of a domestic culture, and they just can't reconcile this with their worldview and identity, so they say its un-Australian.

I also think that is similar to the BS that went on about Goodes in the last week, it is a fig-leaf for people to feel good about themselves like Rob Murphy. If anything needed to be done, it was before it came to a head, and it was just equivalent to Princess Di public grieving to feel an emotion so you can look in the mirror and consider yourself party of a social movement. I think it is superficial. The major irony, is Channel 7 public masturbation, it is the editors and producers in the football broadcasts, that sought to replay Gooodes diving over and over and over again. Which was unnecessary. Now, devils advocate they jumped on Mitchell's kneeing, and Judd gouging or arm bending. But that does not mean, they have not vilified Goodes with the repeated showing. Because everyone dives. They liked to do it to Thomas of Norf too. /enough

Reasoned conservative debate in Australia:

 

[Chief]

Reasoned conservative debate in Australia:

Have you seen the Vine of that?

 

[Chief]

There it is. I don't think there could be a better rebuttal



But I am going off topic.

Continue please.

 

[Contra Mundum]

There it is. I don't think there could be a better rebuttal



But I am going off topic.

Continue please.

Unbelievable with sound

 

[Mningasimisonda]

Good point. I too try and read the Miranda Devine's and the Andrew Bolt's - difficult as it may be - because its important to familiarise yourself with differing arguments and perspective. Unfortunately the Devine's and Bolt's of the world do not reciprocate. I know these people, like everyone serve the agenda of their employers but I find it baffling that these people are not even curious to consider perspectives not perfectly aligned with their own.

The "left/right" name-calling in polemic is a way of condensing and simplifying an argument, while evoking resonance with whichever target audience the article is tailored. It is, of course, lazy arguing because issues or policies are not analysed on merit - rather, tucked away neatly under partisanship and therefore summoning on and further consolidating the publics political prejudices.

Bill Maher described the current US political landscape as the Left having moved toward the right, and the right moving towards an insane asylum. I feel a similar dynamic is developing (if not already rooted) in Australian politics.

The "bleeding heart lefty" name calling is a good example of just how little empathy those people must have. Empathy is considered a weakness, it is for people who are not "business-minded" - poor people are considered inherently "bad" - the acquisition of money is the acquisition of morals, apparently.

You only need to hear Abbott's comments on asylum seekers, the incredible comments directed towards Gillian Triggs after her release of the HRC people in detention report. At no stage then or since has Abbott expressed the slightest concerns for the details in the report, nor has he disputed it factually. Instead, he is incredulous about how it affects him politically. Introducing legislation to gag detention workers. As far as this government is concerned, people that are genuinely concerned and devote time for the welfare of others are losers. How much money does a social worker or domestic violence counsellor make after all? What's their share price? Why would people devote their time to help people who can't even help themselves?

Bleeding heart lefties...with all their government expenditure, you'll never get into surplus by putting people before profit!

When media commentators denigrate the left they are deriding that factions inability to make money and the inability to provide practical solutions (i.e. those which costs the govt money (in the short term) rather than making it). When liberal commentators talk of the "right" - you can be sure that they are implying it is the wrong. This, again, is not entirely helpful because they are demonizing an entire cohort (justified as it may be) rather than actually discussing the policies and issues.

The only time you'll ever hear this government empathise is when it is politically advantageous to do so. That is the case for all western governments I guess, but particularly this one. They actually pride themselves in not caring about the suffering of others.

I thought Miranda Devine and Andrew Bolt's articles were just written so people can be offended by them and gripe about them. Pretty sure there aren't many people who agree with them. At least I hope there aren't...

 

[Little Big John]

Unbelievable with sound

Goes a bit Cobain-esque on the slo-mo.

 

[medusala]

I wouldn't even describe our current government as being collectively conservative.

That's what happens when you let the Micks in to the sweet shop, Gough.

The most humorous aspect of the debate is how those on one side froth at the mouth over the evil right wing Murdoch yet somehow manage to keep a straight face when attempting to claim the ABC isn't biased.

Its as if they tell themselves the same lie often enough they will actually believe it. Amusing but pathetic at the same time.

I thought Miranda Devine and Andrew Bolt's articles were just written so people can be offended by them and gripe about them. Pretty sure there aren't many people who agree with them. At least I hope there aren't...

Amazing how many of the latte sippers read those articles. The genius of Murdoch, taking money from those who despise him.

 

[Contra Mundum]

That's what happens when you let the Micks in to the sweet shop, Gough.

The most humorous aspect of the debate is how those on one side froth at the mouth over the evil right wing Murdoch yet somehow manage to keep a straight face when attempting to claim the ABC isn't biased.

Its as if they tell themselves the same lie often enough they will actually believe it. Amusing but pathetic at the same time.



Amazing how many of the latte sippers read those articles. The genius of Murdoch, taking money from those who despise him.

I can't keep away from his blog - oakshot he is not!

 

[medusala]

I can't keep away from his blog - oakshot he is not!

I used to love reading Pierponts blog in the AFR (Trevor Sykes). No fool and rather good at skewering charlatans in the finance world. Oz newspapers aren't what they were, sadly. Fairfax worse than most, just a parody of PC nonsense now. FFS they even have Caro in the sports section banging on about Australia's shameful history. She must fancy herself as the new Catherine Deveny. She has the head for it.

 

[Lester Burnham]

Orwellian has become a bigger cliche that Kafkaesque - they never refer to the Road to Wiggen Pier or Down and Out in London and Paris!

Think you mean Wigan Pier. Getting your cyclists muddled with your grim northern English towns. Strangely, in another lifetime, I was reading Orwell when I was working at Wigan Pier. If you ever wander into the museum there and see the working steam engine - I helped to build it.

 

[medusala]

I find Devine more offensive than Bolt even - here Dad was an absolute grub as well.

A catholic and a Kiwi. Too many crosses to bear eh Comrade?

 

[Contra Mundum]

A catholic and a Kiwi. Too many crosses to bear eh Comrade?

He was of the Torquemada variety brother

 

[blackcat]

I can't keep away from his blog - oakshot he is not!

what, unctuous speeches and doorstops in canberra with paroxysms of selfglorification (that is a double pleonasm)

the verb "to oakshot" when one behaves with grandiosity pomposity and self-grandeur. ie. Matty Hayden: today I oakshotted myself after my ton with the brown-nosed gnome and alliteration, and cooked one of matty hayden's best third person bbq's with some morten bay bugs. But I could not find Symmo cos i think he got into a blue down the corner pub and is sleeping it off under the table.
medusala

 

[medusala]

the verb "to oakshot" when one behaves with grandiosity pomposity and self-grandeur
medusala

The UK speaker is about as good as example as you would find. Finding out his wife was cheating on him with his cousin produced few pangs of sympathy. Chris Patten another. Pompous non achieving , pigeon flying, campaigner

Steve Waugh would probably nominate Ganguly. McChins only saved because as he likes to constantly remind everyone he is from Broadmedows. No Eddie you twit, anyone who runs with a shortened derivation in to their thirties can have no aspirations of grandeur regardless of the hovel they came from.

 

[blackcat]

The UK speaker is about as good as example as you would find. Finding out his wife was cheating on him with his cousin produced few pangs of sympathy. Chris Patten another. Pompous non achieving , pigeon flying, campaigner

Steve Waugh would probably nominate Ganguly. McChins only saved because as he likes to constantly remind everyone he is from Broadmedows. No Eddie you twit, anyone who runs with a shortened derivation in to their thirties can have no aspirations of grandeur regardless of the hovel they came from.

but prince edward would require a painful piercing, oh no, thats prince albert. carry on.