In his rush to denigrate Treasurer Wayne Swan‘s award from Euromoney Magazine as Treasurer of the Year, Joe Hockey managed to deliver both ethnic slurs and sexist insults.
Listing several countries whose treasurers have previously won the accolade, Hockey contemptuously inferred the utter lack of value he attaches to it, apparently based solely on previous recipients. These include two Slovakian ministers, a Serbian, a Nigerian and a Bulgarian. In 2001 a Pakistani finance minister received the accolade. “That is quite an extraordinary one, that [last] one,” Joe told us, rolling his eyes for the cameras.
He then gave the email address of the magazine as “chunts@euromoney.com” How tragically unreconstructed it is that a seasoned MP can do no better than to use female genitalia in a pathetic effort to convey contempt and insult. It does tell us where his head’s at, in case we were in any doubt. He doesn’t think much of women and select ethnicities.
Hockey did manage to redirect some of yesterday’s press attention towards himself, albeit in largely negative commentary. But like attracts like, and given the coalition’s commitment to unrelenting negativity as a legitimate form of opposition, it’s inevitable that some of it’s going to come right back at them.
Interesting how racism and sexism are apparently Hockey’s default position.
Last night I noticed a bit of traffic from the Lavartus Prodeo blog to No Place for Sheep. I was curious, as since I wrote this post here earlier this year on my brief encounter with some of the charmers over there, we’ve had nothing to do with one another. I once read something by Mark Bahnisch that I thought was pretty good and I meant to leave a comment, but forgot.
Seven months ago it was to be exact when I withdrew my love, I was informed bitterly when I trotted over there last night to find out the reason for the sudden link. They’re keeping track of the months, I marvelled. They’re still quoting the things I said? They’re still calling me “Dr?”
Turns out there’s a climate change dispute happening there, someone attacked what they perceived as regular commenters’ defensive insularity, and was brusquely referred to my piece for his trouble. The matchmaking Mercurio suggested to Norm that he’d have a lot in common with this “lady” called Jennifer, and linked us.
Well, of course I had to thank them for their ongoing interest in me, which led to a brief spray from a few of the regulars, pretty much in the same vein as it was seven months ago, but not as clever.
Seven months is a long time in the blogosphere. Most posts are lucky to hold anybody’s interest for seven seconds. I’m astonished to discover that they still think about me at LP after all this time, let alone send me visitors.
Dr Bahnisch did invite me back to his blog, and said some of them really wanted me to join in. But I’m a bit squeamish about the stratospheric levels of hostility over there, especially that directed at newcomers who don’t always agree with them. The competition to write the most articulate insult seems to frequently overwhelm the matter under discussion. Just like Gillard and Abbott, all topics become an opportunity for the performance of clever spite. After a while, it’s utterly boring to everyone other than the protagonists, and who needs to wade through all that negativity in search of a robust exchange of views?
It’s interesting, however, to see that there are still people complaining about LP’s defensive insularity, and it wasn’t just a product of my fevered imagination and pain killers.
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No Place For Sheep 
Yes, he’s a bit weird, Hockey Joe. A bit like a crass boor. Perhaps he’s trying a little experimental headkicking, Abbott’s previous role, while Abbott gets his wooden mind about the idea of sincerity and where reality is somewhat, beyond arrogating to himself the sort of power some one of his mind set should not have within his grasp.
Gillard apparently copped another jolt, also. Dougie and Faulkner as well, time for the two so called leaders to get their fingers out as to the real problems that ought to be being dealt with.
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Pain-killers?
A stoush at LP?
Haven’t been there for a bit, usually good thread starters, but can’t comment freely due my long term retention on their automods. I understand they shouldn’t want disruptive posters.
I don’t believe I’m one and I don’t bother trying to troll sites and have abdicated much interest in visiting, although now and then for some of the new threads and their read, is always a pleasure. Probably there is still something simmering, lots of us have been following the blogs for some time, but debate can be robust and feelings touchy on subjects that have induced fierce feelings.
I see a guy called Norman seems to be involved (after a glance), perhaps he sounds like a migrant from On Line Opinion to them.
Personally, I hope some at LP or elsewhere finally do make contact and break the ice, a bit of conversation without rancour, on neutral ground on real mutually disturbing issues; an “exchange” to employ a cold war term to frame the groundings of this hope. This surely could cause no harm any where for anyone and be, or mean, a bit of variety for all concerned if done in a spirit of mutual regard and good will?
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In all fairness, Mark Bahnisch did invite me back to the blog at the time, and I declined, saying I’d rather have needles in my eyes, or some such petulant reactionary untruth.
But I really can’t be bothered with those commenters who get some kind of ego thrill out of denigrating others, unless it’s very witty and moderated by humour and it so rarely is.
I’d had minor surgery when the original dispute took place, in which I was defending OLO ‘s stand on publishing an anti gay piece and losing advertising because of it against Bahnsich and that bloke at Club Troppo, who took the highest moral ground this side of the Sermon on the Mount. I had a fever and was practically hallucinating on pain killers, and I perhaps was more bold than I might otherwise have been, though I regret nothing. They tried to tear me to pieces, but I learned how to not let anybody do that to me from when my parents tried it on. Apparently, they haven’t given up trying. (LP I mean, not my parents.)
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Hmmm, I’d never heard of Larvetus Prodeo before. There’s certainly a lot of testosterone marinating the comments thread. From what I’ve observed the unifying characteristic of the alpha male is a perpetual compulsion to justify one’s existence through games of one-upmanship, which are played within a strict framework of rules that, in the interests of preserving a level playing field, have to have been made up by someone absent and, preferably, long dead – in this case Descartes and Newton. (And LP may be a left-leaning blog, but the comentators are all their own particular brand of conservative).
But when someone who has less anxiety over their place in the world shows up with a world view that threatens to supplant their own they rear their ugly heads and show them who’s boss, lest they face the prospect of having to self-analyse, to the inevitable conclusion that the ground they’re on is even more shaky than even they’d ever imagined it to be. Not a nice thing to be subjected to, but if you survive the altercation you would be perfectly justified in taking it as a compliment!
And notice, this tendency of becoming aggressive when threatened is likely (and this is pure conjecture on my part) the source of feminism’s assertion that men are inherently violent, and have a sense of entitlement. And even though this may be the case empirically, if you look at the reasons why they become violent you soon realise that it is fundamentally the result of a deep sense of insecurity and uncertainty over the basis around which they have constructed their lives, partly it’s true that this basis is socially constructed and involuntarily imposed. They attempt to cover this up with bluster, and become highly skilled at this. But they are actually crying inside, and yearning for some intimacy from someone who understands. people who do understand, feel sorry for them, and while they don’t let them get away with bad behaviour they forgive their transgressions, and admire and acknowledge their instances of self-control, and defend them from those who would oversimplify them.
Er, yes, I could probably go on, but essentially, if you are true to yourself, compassionate, and treat others with the respect they deserve (which is often zilch), then you’ll be happier, live longer, and bring up well-adjusted kids who will continue to love you, even when you get divorced!
Have good weekends all.
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That’s very elegantly put, Sam Jandwich.
They’re still at it over at LP and now someone has suggested that their animosity towards me is also to do with sexism. There are not, Philomena points out ,very many smart women commenters at LP ( now there’s a surprise) and she feels that might be because the culture is sexist.
I feel sorry for Norman who seems to be undergoing some kind of initiation/blooding/hazing ritual in the comment thread but he’s going to have to look after himself.
You’re right, I would be seriously worried if they liked me.
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Hockey made some lame comment about his use of the email address, I forget the detail. It would be nice to see one journalist, just one, press him on this. “now, could you just run through that again Joe, explain exactly what was the point of emphasizing the email address? Your colleagues laughed, so must have been funny, right? Could you explain the joke?” And all that crap about introducing mining tax and carbon price, both I would have thought additional reasons for recognition as a responsible Treasurer. Again greeted with guffaws from the fools behnd him. The Truss-Hockey double act was arguably the most disgraceful performance ever seen in federal parliament. Will obviously be replayed on endless loop on tv. No?
Will be interested in your comments on Mirabella. Again something that should have received at least the Thomson treatment. But ignored.
The LP thing is very odd. Didn’t check the original post, just the recent link, what on earth did you say? Better off just exchanging visits between our civilised blogs where we can disagree in a polite way about Ms Gillard, and agree on everything else!
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Wow, on the Mirabella matter – only just caught up on it, I had a frantic working day yesterday followed by social time with my two friends who lived through the Tokyo earthquake and have just come home and told me that scary story. One of them stuck out 6 minutes of quaking in a stairwell seven stories up.
Why isn’t Mirabella getting the Thompson treatment? Damn, I put a “p” in there again, I hope Ms H Pringle isn’t reading this or she will rebuke me again for my carelessness, and I’m already fragile after the unprovoked LP hostilities this morning. I notice they’ve taken down the link to my post earlier this year, and somebody called Helen told me I shouldn’t use the term “you people” and if I didn’t know why I should try it down the pub and see what happened to me. This only confirmed my belief that they have little or no sense of irony over there as well as a talent for nursing grievances, because I used the term with my tongue in my cheek, and they bit. I should have put quotation marks around it. Oh, I wonder if it’s the same Helen? Aaaargh, they’re getting to me!
Will get back to you on Sophie after I’ve read a bit more.
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The “Mirabella matter” is uncorroborated statements from the family of a recently deceased man. Doubtless further facts will emerge with time.
It is a struggle to believe there is anybody who cannot see the difference between that & Craig Thomson M.P.’s situation.
A closer comparison, begging the question of why one is getting little to no press scrutiny, would be between the “Gillard-Wilson matter” & the “Mirabella matter”.
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What’s the Gillard-Wilson matter? Am I being hounded by the PM as well as Lavartus Prodeo? That’s not fair.
The Mirabella story so far sounds horrific. Who looked after that poor old man living in a cottage on her property that he helped her buy?
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Umm… no… Jenniffer, have you been outta the country or something?
The Gillard-Wilson matter is possibly one of the most blatant press censorship events in peacetime Australian history.
I prefer to not fight a defamation case, email me for further details.
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Ah yes, Larvatus Prodeo. That site hasn’t improved any in that time. Your post on the site, & the comment I made on that thread still sum it up aptly.
I’d only add that the sock puppeting is so rife that sometimes regulars will forget which ID they began a conversation in, & will continue it as another ID altogether. Quite confusing the first time it happens to you.
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Seems that to Liberal supporters, no action however serious and unethical by any conservative member of any parliament is of any concern at all – hear no evil, see no evil etc. Conversely the merest hint of a Labor politician having, say, one two many drinks at a party, will bring calls for the return of hanging and the resignation of the govt. The media views things the same way.
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I know, I’m astonished at the lack of commentary on the Mirabella matter – I’ve done a quick run round this am but compared to the clamour about Thomson, there’s deafening silence.
Am working up a head of steam to be channeled into a post.
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Sorry about the “one two many drinks” typo, my brain got confused between two options there, but on second look the phrase could certainly sum up the cause of many of my hangovers!
My guess is that people are being very wary on the Mirabella matter because of the risk of being sued by her. Be careful!
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sole of discretion, that’s me.
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You have a discrete shoe?
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doesn’t everyone?
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Not only discrete but very very old.
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That’s fishy
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I notice none of them have had the guts or integrity to come back and talk things over in good faith at a neutral sight.
They talk big like heroes, but are gormless when they have to argue their points through without fascistic tactics like censorship or or mob-hazing of their opponents
Anyway, what are you griping about?
At least you get your comments posted!
Plenty of other sites, FB etc, to get info, why bother with separatist trogs seeking to browbeat, humiliate, withdraw and exclude; working out their pathologies on people who fall victim to their prejudices.
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Well said PW, I totally agree.
I probably won’t ever get my comments posted again but heck, I’ve been shut out of better places than that in my lifetime.
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Hey, PW they let you back!
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Loved your comments on Joe Hockey! Amazing how they forget themselves when they’re trying to be clever.
I was interested in your comments on Larvatus Prodeo since I began my ‘blogging’ career there a few years ago. I too have felt something of an outsider there, though I really warmed to some of their contributors, particularly Brian whose posts on climate and patient response to questions taught me a lot. On other issues like gay marriage, or poor Kevin Rudd, there has definitely been a narrowing of tolerance levels of even slightly dissenting views.
More than fifty years away from any academic debate or rigorous research I’m now more comfortable commenting occasionally on more welcoming and softer sites like The Political Sword where Lyn’s Links sent me here. Glad I came.
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I enjoy some of the posts on LP – I just don’t get into the comments! I would have to assume a new identity if I wanted to avoid a fight. Even that might not work. I’m glad you came also.
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Isn’t Joe Hockey Half Armenian? So a tad hypocritical with the racist comments methinks? Or, maybe that was the White Supremacist side of him talking in parliament? Or, would an Armenian recipient of the World’s Greatest Treasurer Award be OK with Joe? Or, only a Half Armenian? I’m confused. 🙂
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Oh, I forgot Joe’s ethnic heritage! Sounds like he did as well –
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That’s the the trouble, Patricia WA. It is a good site, but they are as intolerant as the rednecks they criticise on certain “button presser” things.
A simple polite explication of viewpoint in response to another’s question or point would be sufficient in most cases. Instead they will either retreat into this “transgressive silence” (aka sulking) or (group) haze you for not understanding whatever personal subjectivity of theirs you have inadvertantly offended, or censor you if you object when you are misrepresented.
LP is a bit like Miranda Kerr with a dose of acne, a rather beautiful entity marred by something exogenous, a surly sort of blemish that turns off even the most enthusiastic of readers.
So they can stay in the ivory tower in splendid isolation, feeding off their diet of conceits and miss the “main game” and when the politics they criticise eventually triumphs because of divisions within that part of society that does see more clearly, induced by abusiveness and the witholding of pertinent information for fragile and un dealt with subjectivities.
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Should have finished sentence. after “subjectivities”, last sentence add “then they will wonder”.
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HS, it is the normal state to be bemused when Hockey holds forth; he is a naturally-occuring locus of incoherence and ressentiment achieving critical mass and totally a prey to his own pre/misconceptions on himself and life.
A sort of big, boofy Paddington Bear whose blandness obscures a tangled mass/mess of misanthropia, contradiction and subjectivity born of laziness, lack of self reflexivity, self-loathing and poor intentions.
I thought he had Palestinian or Lebanese ancestory, like that perverse ALP-right creature Arbib, who is apparently full of old world Falangist nonsense and reportedly even more dislikeable in some ways even than Joe.
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paul walter,
We’re both right, or wrong, or whatever. This is from Wikipedia about Joe:
‘ Hockey was born in North Sydney as the youngest of four children. His father, Richard Hockey was born in Bethlehem (then in the British Mandate of Palestine) and migrated to Australia in 1948. Hockey is of Armenian and Palestinian background and the family name was originally Hokeidonian’
Btw, for mine, there is nothing as harmless as Paddington Bear about Joe. He reminds me of no one so much as those kids of foreign heritage who inviegle themselves into the Skips group at school by becoming their chief headkicker and brains/insults trust, getting themselves dirty in order that the White boys don’t have to.
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Dunno about half Armenian, but he’s certainly half-@rsed and a whole boofhead.
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haha, well said!
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As one lives one learns. Interesting a story in the aether concerning the mad monk confronted by some his righties for not being obnoxious enough, as to industrial relations. For Gillard, Asylum Seekers as an Achilles Heel, for Abbott fear of back to Serfchoices and US style theocracy- influenced social policy.
Which reminds me. I still haven’t checked out this Mirabella thing. But I DO think the Tories are in a deep Michele Bachmann melancholic, eg some what Manicheanist mindset just now, side effects of a long winter of church going and religious confabs and nonsenses with the Lyons Society and the relentless drip of US politics.. Fitful, futile gooses, they are..
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Political Sword has lots of links to the Mirabella stuff. I’m off in a minute, haven’t got time to put anything up, but I suspect the msm aren’t going after it a la craig thomson because it’s about “family” not unions or public institutions, the apprehension about defamation, and who knows what other devious machinations. Isn’t Reith poking the monk about his IR credentials?
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