We all talk about politics a lot and while it is deathly boring at times, we persist because it is important shit. Who runs what, how, and why, are all biggies. But the language and arguments that make up our political discourse are sometimes quite detached from any sort of observable reality or historical record. So, it is necessary at times to step back and spend a moment pondering ‘what the fuck’. I suggest that this is one of those moments.
When Pauline Hanson grasps a flag and declares herself to be the authentic voice of everyday Australia, and is taken seriously by most of the mainstream press, then the choo-choo is off the rails. The press is engaging in manufacturing product, not enlightenment. When this occurs, it is incumbent on every sentient lifeform that is sophisticated enough to both avoid the traffic and consume the news to call ‘time out’.
Over the course of the last two decades the right-wing political press in our country has been busy developing and celebrating their own unique take on what it means to be an ‘authentic Aussie’. However, the right-wing mythology regarding our country has now become so absurd and detached it is time to loudly proclaim – whenever they are spotted in public – that they are a bunch of bigoted idiots who are talking nonsensical gibberish. When parts of the mainstream press describe a Neo-Nazi sympathizer booing a veteran at an ANZAC service as ‘a patriotic Aussie’ then the storyline has departed the realm of ‘the news’ and has entered lalaland.
Consequently, I am going to reach out and firmly grasp that third rail of Aussie commentary and spend a little time talking about what it means to be ‘an Aussie’. I know that when I make such a declaration a lot of readers will wince. Which I reckon is not only a perfectly understandable but also admirable response. I agree the whole thing is icky. But this is the emotional and aspirational space that the far-right-wing in our country have recently invaded and colonized, so it is necessary to call out their bullshit.
The reason that most of us do not like talking about patriotism and what ‘it means to be an Aussie’ is because it is largely a bullshit idea. At the core of the national ethic has always been an appreciation that we are a mix of race, creed, and colour. The deeply ingrained idea of ‘a fair-go’ seems to power a reluctance to discuss what it means to be an Aussie, or hug a flag, or define anything too closely, simply because the whole idea is stupid given our collective predilections and history. We are one yet we are many. We consider ourselves to be a congregation of nice people living in different places and liking many different things. We share a political life but not much else. Nor do we want a lot of intemperate twats telling us what we should be or should aspire to.
Yes, we like a good ra-ra Aussie pork commercial, which is a bit tongue in cheek. But in these sorts of commercial the razzle-dazzle patriotism is always broad-brush multicultural. There are obvious representatives drawn from many of the great host of different tribes that inhabit our modern social and actual landscape. It is always an inclusive and embracing representation. Then consider the threadbare story so often retailed in our political discourse.
How many times have right-wing politicians tried to tell you that the salt of the earth Aussie lives in the bush, is white, and drives a Holden or a Ford, or a tractor. Yet right from the moment of its inception Australia has been the most urbanised country on earth. The right-wing constantly assures everyone that their opponents are socialist scum. Yet in our founding conventions and documents Australia is described as a democratic socialist state. One Nation is largely funded by one of the biggest mining corporations in Australia yet advertises itself as a champion of the diggers.
With all of this in mind I suggest that there is a need to constantly and loudly denigrate the bullshit history and malformed ‘patriotism’ that is so often on display in our politics and press. Aussie patriotism is proclaimed in good acts and tolerance, and standing up for a mate down on their luck. It is all about giving the middle finger to the man, the church, and old-world tradition. So, we do not hug the flag here. In fact, most of us reckon it makes you look like an utter dork.
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Hanson and co are flag shaggers.
There’s a kind of madness, lunacy, unreality, that is so pervasive that it’s almost unrecognisable, and it exists within all modern societies. Given the extent to which the majority of citizens align with the planks of this crazy platform, it’s also unlikely to change, anytime soon.
The really mad people, those who attract the attention of authorities and the medical fraternity, are often the ones who recognise how much things are out of whack, and their distress is so disturbing that it, itself, initiates their madness.
Our alienation from nature, our fascination with technology and culture, our separation from the spirit world; all of these contribute majorly to the general malaise that this planet and its citizens are suffering.
Is there a solution to this disastrous state of affairs? Possibly, but probably not. It will take a revolution in humanity’s consciousness to achieve, and that, to be frank, is a very long shot, long odds, and most unlikely.
It’s noted that the Doomsday Clock is currently set at around 18 seconds to midnight. Somebody posed the question: If this planet self-destructs through thermonuclear Armageddon, will it be noticed in the Universe? The answer was… unlikely. We are, after all, albeit significant to ourselves, utterly insignificant in the overall context on the scale of the myriad galaxies and their uncountable myriads of stars with, in turn, their own solar systems that comprise the unfathomable scale of this extraordinary place we find ourselves existing within.
“So, we do not hug the flag here. In fact, most of us reckon it makes you look like an utter dork.”
I remember back in the 90s Guy Rundle noted approvingly that we were the world’s first post-patriotism country.
He was correct.
Then along came Howard.
Today is the 125th anniversary of the first sitting of the Australian Parliament.
It’s our quasquicentennial.
9 May is a suitable day to celebrate a non divisive Australia Day.
Have we heard anything about it?
Is there any discussion?
Have I missed the public celebrations?
Harlotty harpy harridan hagfish Hanson of broomjockeying notice is a deluded selfsaturated fantasist freaky fraud, as a dud un-Australian, uncivilised, unrealistic, unachieving, unaware political tart, ever. She and her rented shifty party flirter freeloaderwanting winner disgust anyone with awareness, balance, knowledge, as being doomed fraudites. And who voted this, and why, as if a childish tantrum approach will “work” for this nation’s fair and decent progress?
May 9th would be a great day “a commentator”. ANy other day would be a great day.
In fact ot would be far more sensible – given the desire for people to have barbies and drink a lot lying around in the sun – to pick not a DATE but a DAY, the last Sunday in January would be great. No date to whinge about, just the holiday that everyone seems to want