Trying times
It's been a difficult week. Not just emotionally, although obviously that's part of it. Work has been stressful, as I'm filling in for my boss, and I've also slightly over-committed to Fringe this year, being a dramaturge-mentor for the Outside Eye program as well as a Judge in the performance category.
Then there's all the other crap that's been going on. Like the comments made by this woman, for instance:
"Hello, I'm a rabid ideologue. Do you like my conservative attire? And aren't my 1950's-esque pearls simply to die for? Actually, a third world labourer probably did, while diving for them. Ahah-ha-ha!"
In case you don't recognise her, that's Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop, who tried to justify the Federal government taking over the state-based curricula currently being taught in Australian schools on the basis that some of what was being taught in our class rooms was coming "straight from Chairman Mao".
Oh, won't someone please think of the children?!
Yes, all those nasty Maoist teachers, demonising intellectuals...
Oh wait, that's our Glorious Leader Prime Minister John Howard, sorry.
"Please God make the nasty socialists go away; and if it's not too hard, can you get George to say nice things about me again? That would be bonzer. Oh yeah, and if you could just persude Janette to swallow, it would be triffic. Thanks, Lord!"
Yes, little Johnny has attacked our tertiary university system for producing intelligent people who examine the causes of the world's ills and come to the logical conclusions, ie that governments should be focussed upon caring about the greater good, rather than the rights and incomes of the few.
It's depressing, demeaning and infurating that the fate of our country is in the hands of these people. When even former Liberal Prime Minister's say that our current leaders foster intolerance, you know we're in a bad way.
Oh well. At least there are people out there still fighting the good fight, and prepared to stand up for what they - what we - believe. It's people like these that give me hope, and help get me through these dark times.
Right, that's my astute political analysis and satire done for the week. It's time to get back to the Fringe.
Then there's all the other crap that's been going on. Like the comments made by this woman, for instance:
"Hello, I'm a rabid ideologue. Do you like my conservative attire? And aren't my 1950's-esque pearls simply to die for? Actually, a third world labourer probably did, while diving for them. Ahah-ha-ha!"Oh, won't someone please think of the children?!
Yes, all those nasty Maoist teachers, demonising intellectuals...
Oh wait, that's our Glorious Leader Prime Minister John Howard, sorry.
"Please God make the nasty socialists go away; and if it's not too hard, can you get George to say nice things about me again? That would be bonzer. Oh yeah, and if you could just persude Janette to swallow, it would be triffic. Thanks, Lord!"Yes, little Johnny has attacked our tertiary university system for producing intelligent people who examine the causes of the world's ills and come to the logical conclusions, ie that governments should be focussed upon caring about the greater good, rather than the rights and incomes of the few.
It's depressing, demeaning and infurating that the fate of our country is in the hands of these people. When even former Liberal Prime Minister's say that our current leaders foster intolerance, you know we're in a bad way.
Oh well. At least there are people out there still fighting the good fight, and prepared to stand up for what they - what we - believe. It's people like these that give me hope, and help get me through these dark times.
Right, that's my astute political analysis and satire done for the week. It's time to get back to the Fringe.
Comments
If my mum, a lib voter from way back (I know! what's with that?), thinks there's strange things afoot at the circle k, you know things are pretty bad.
I'm sorry things aren't so rosy for you, you're far too much a divine piece of loveliness for that.
*hugs*
*holds hand*
So it's not that the left have infiltrated all our educational and cultural institutions, but that by being educated those people will have more enlightened views.
One other unrelated thing... how many funny conservatives are there? I can't think of any. All good comedians are liberals (the small-l variety). Particularly in the political arena: I can't think of any right-wing amusing political humour. Maybe it's because I just wouldn't find it funny, but can you think of any?
Sure, the humour is black but you have to appreciate the debacle.
besides, us maoist intellectuals need to stick together...
*whistles the internationale*
Yet, strangely enough, many people become more right-wing in their views as they become middle-aged. So it could be that this view that the left are more educated and enlightened than right-wingers is merely a sign of enlightened arrogance.
Or it could be that in a public education system where the teachers derive their money from a bureaucracy, they are biased towards an economic worldview where bureaucratic systems become larger, and therefore tend to educate children in these way.
Or it could be that the only way to avoid government interference in public schools is to go to a private school. After all, if a right-wing government is seen as being driven by ideology when they make choices regarding a school curriculum, could not exactly the same criticism be levelled at the many Labor governments who have done the same thing?
I just put these suggestions out there because while the coalition government's desire to nationalise the curriculum is immune from criticism, the reactionary commentary it has attracted so far doesn't really amount to criticism, it just amounts to opposition.
I just put these suggestions out there because while the coalition government's desire to nationalise the curriculum is immune from criticism ...
should read:
I just put these suggestions out there because while the coalition government's desire to nationalise the curriculum is NOT immune from criticism ...
Freudian slip, perhaps? Better than a Freudian flip-out.
Looks like Julie's joining Vanstone, Ruddock, Hill etc and all the other Lib moderate sell-outs to get a coveted seat in Howard's ministry.
Look at how university degrees to do with the arts are being generalised. Now instead of a Bachelor of Arts you get a Bachelor of Industries which is the same as what a phys ed teacher, graphic designer, critical theorist, or visual artist gets... Its just not the same thing. All the faculties at Edith Cowan University (WAPPA and SOCCA) had to merge because of funding changes by the goverment. Lectures were sacked, courses were dropped and options became so limited and generic I am glad I finished when I did.
Educated people have always been the biggest threat to Governments like ours which are based on economics and control.
If you recall the private schools' squealing like stuck pigs at Latham's proposal to cut the funding to the wealthiest schools, it's fairly obvious that certain private schools are VERY dependent on government. On, to be specific, John Howard's government.
PS Thanks, Richard!
Normal business practice - not evidence of dependence.
I was merely suggesting it as an hypothesis that people in education would be more enlightened... I have heard the argument lots of times that education attracts idealogues but I don't recall anyone putting forward the view that perhaps that way of thinking is a by-product of education. I wouldn't say it's true, it's just a thought.
Also I went to a private school, and the only opinions I seem to recall from teachers were decidedly left-wing and anti-Liberal government: that that such opinions seemed to be foisted upon us.