A Weird Mob or Simply Bullies?

I was reminded of Nino Culotta’s book titled They’re A Weird Mob yesterday. I was trying to make sense of the some of the treatment handed out to people on social media and for some reason the title popped into my head. 

My Twitter timeline was invaded yesterday by a person unfamiliar to me. I was watching the Bolt Report and in particular Bolt’s interview with Tony Abbott. Bolt was trying unsuccessfully to wedge Mr Abbott on a number points not the least being the Islamic Terrorist issue. Bolt raised the Quran suggesting it gives terrorists license to justify acts of terror. Mr Abbott responded “The devil can quote scripture for his purpose”. I thought it was a really good response  and I tweeted it along with the comment that Mr Abbott slam dunked Bolt. In chimes the troll with this, “or a biased take on any quote”. Given it was, Mr Abbott’s quote, which I repeated word for word, I endeavoured to politely clarify the point. You be the judge. 

Up pops the little troll again with this gem, “that’s not the point you Twitter screamer, rambling on it’s a slam dunk is just rubbish”. Hmm, so firstly the quote was a biased take and when point out it wasn’t I’m a Twitter screamer.  Now, I should have just left it that, but stupidly I didn’t. But, I thought I was rather polite in saying “Well, simply ignore me and take your mindless little comments elsewhere.” But the troll didn’t take the hint and started to ramp it. Hence the following dialogue ensured. 

Now I’ll confess my closing comments were sarcastic. But seriously, I’m fed up with this rubbish and my tolerance level is at a very low ebb. I will justify it in saying sarcasm worked where all else failed and the little troll left. Big sigh of relief. Oh, silly, silly me. Entrance stage right, the exLib rear guard. 

So I am supposed to take crap from people but if I respond, I'm a Turnbull butt kisser and Islam apologist???? I thought long and hard before blocking out the name of my assailant and I’m sharing this merely to point out the hypocrisy of some exLib Twitter bullies. Next time for what it is worth I will name them. I've had enough of sanctimonious bullies like this. Those who regularly refer to others as morons and imbeciles and worst still ‘idiotic Turnbull Butt lickers’ (yes, she uses that term as well, regularly) and it’s about time they climbed down off their high horses and minded their own bloody business. They troll Liberal accounts and chime in with attacks all too frequently. I should mention my assailant only unblocked me a couple of weeks back after one of her regular blocking events. I think my latest blocking is number four. I am so pleased she feels good, she has obviously set very low personal expectations for herself lol. 

There are some lovely exLibs out there, but sadly there is a small group out who are intent on making the lives of LNP supporters on Twitter a misery. Someone said to me recently after a particularly vicious attack, it’s social media you have to expect it. Another even suggested people are still angry because of the leadership change. Well, I don’t know why I should have to expect it and I certainly don’t know why someone else's anger is justification for them to call me a Turnbull Butt licker and worse in some cases. More importantly, why SHOULD I have to tolerate it!!! I don't use language like that. 

I so in closing, perhaps confusing people like that with a Weird Mob is being overly generous now that I think about it. They are not weird. They are merely sad bitter little people with nothing better to do with their sad little lives than go around attacking people from their self-appointed moral high ground. I don’t know whether I should despise them, pity them or be revolted by them. What I do know is, I am not caving into them. Not now, not ever. 

The World Does NOT Owe You Or Me A Living

There are many things I dislike about social media. However, on the plus side, I have met some unique and interesting people and occasionally I meet people, albeit anonymously, who teach and inspire me. Most importantly, give me one hell of a wake-up call and make me think. 

Politics is a particular passion of mine and it would be fair to say that it has resulted in some very emotive exchanges on social media. Not just for me, but for many people. As a result of one of those exchanges, one of my followers shared this story with me. It had such a powerful effect on me, I asked permission to share it on my Reflections blog. 

It reads: 

“Unfortunately, when you care about the direction our great country is heading in and the cost of doing or not doing something, it's hard to not get angry at the indifference, our politicians have to the people they govern. I  have to say both sides are guilty of forgetting that it's the people they govern, not business. I'm also particularly annoyed at tax avoidance by multinationals or even nationals and I don't agree with our current policy. 

I also think our welfare system is bloated from social, business and middle class welfare that needs to be cut immediately. Our politicians also need to stop the rhetoric about climate change and start the nation building projects that take 10/20 years to bring home instead of these one term projects. 

Sadly, it's all about getting reelected and staying in power. 

Abbott stuffed up, made promises he should not have made and then he had to back track. He was also  a bad salesman. I fear Turnbull is too soft and too far left leaning to take the necessary measures to stop the rot in the welfare mentality and the ‘me me’ generation of wanting it all now. I look at the Aldi workers complaining about having to de-pallet boxes in the store and their complaining it's hard work and think, ‘get over it, it's a job.’ 

Welfare  isn't a lifestyle it's supposed to be enough to buy essentials like food and to live. 

I have worked every day since I was 9 and I'm 49 now. I earned $4 a day for hard back breaking work. I also delivered milk every day from 5.30 am for $16 week. I washed cars for $3. Whatever I earned I gave  50% back to my parents. 

We had no phone, colour TV, bathroom, hot water, or even a car. 

l left school at 14 but went back and completed the HSC equivalent when I was 16. When I finished school I couldn't get a grant for college even though my dad didn't earn much, yet rich peoples kids were getting grants. Who you knew seemed more important than your right to receive. But, my mother was a fighter and finally got me  $1000 a year grant to live. It didn't even cover rent. So I worked and saved and put myself through college. 

I came here as a 20 year old by myself with just $1200 and a suitcase no family or friends. There was no one here to help me and I've worked hard every day to get ahead with no help even during periods of no work. I never asked  for or went on the dole. It was not easy and there were times I had to sleep in my car when my clients wouldn’t pay me. 

I have employed 10 designers at various stages in my career. I’ve won awards overseas and I’ve published worldwide. I've done the hard yards over the years and contributed to this country that has given me a chance. 

My political views are from my life experiences and I may take a hard line sometimes but it's never personal. I believe that those who choose to serve shouldn't forget that their job is TO serve. 

I'm over the ALP and the entitlement belief and the eternal ‘take, take, take’. This  country needs good leadership steeped in conservative values to bring us back from this PC UN values nonsense before we become a version of the U.K. 

So, forgive me if I come across as hard or arrogant, it's just that I probably care more than I should as a non participant.” 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was deeply moved after reading that and I sense it  echoes what a lot of people think. Perhaps we have not had to struggle like my friend has, I know I haven’t, but I firmly believe the world doesn’t owe anyone a living. I certainly agree about Tony Abbott and whilst I’m not as concerned about Malcolm Turnbull lurching too far to the left and I’ve articulated my reasons a number of times, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I still have doubts. 

I strongly agree, it is about time all politicians realised they are our servants, not the other way around. Their first allegiance is to Australia and the people who call this country home not foreign entities. I’m over the stupid political game playing. We are part of a global economy but that shouldn’t result in us losing our sovereignty, our rights or control. 

I couldn’t agree more that it’s time to end the ‘cash for votes’ mentality and that includes greedy people who vote for parties based on what they get, not what’s in the best interests for our future. As an example. No kid should be allowed to leave school and go straight onto the dole. That is simply hideous thinking and gives no incentive for kids to understand you get nothing for nothing. Someone ha to pay. 

I watched a program recently from the UK. It was a lifestyle program, but what really struck a cord was the family situation. Single mum, I would have guessed under 40. Ten kids, living in a council house. The eldest daughter was 21, a single mum with a small child of her own, living with mum and her nine siblings. The daughter was moving out shortly after the program was filmed. Yes, into her own council house.

No one should expect that the aged pension is their retirement fund. Our taxes fund services throughout our life, they are not our future savings plan. Those who plan and save for their retirement get nothing and it appears the Government is looking at raiding the superannuation funds of future self-funded retirees. What type of woolly headed thinking is that, reward the dependants by screwing the self-sufficient. That thinking makes me very, very angry because it kills incentive. 

By all means we must look after those who are totally incapable of looking after themselves. But when you consider how much it costs our country in handing out the ‘lollies’ to those who are capable, it’s not hard to realise the problems we face; economic, social and politically. 

Welfare is the career of choice for far too many.  When it’s not treated as a ‘full-time’ career, it becomes a part-time occupation = middle class welfare. We are raising kids with a cradle to grave welfare expectation and politicians promote it. It has to stop. 

Back to the exchange with my friend. It ended with him saying. 

"I've lived the dream here, gods own country so I'm thankful for it all every day." 

Hear, hear but we have a lot of work to do,  to ensure it stays that way. 

The Election & The Rising Of Right Wing Extremists

I am fearful of what may result from the next election. I'm not overly concerned that the LNP will fail to win government. I believe we are in a very good position following recent changes, although it would be foolish to take things for granted. What I am fearful of, is what we will end up with in the senate given the number of one cause parties springing up. The agendas of some are frankly frightening. 

Most of these 'chancers' are chasing senate seats because they see that is where the power lies. It’s the classic 'power of one' play. We've already witnessed the behaviour of egocentric power players within the existing senate. The likes of Jacqui Lambie, Glen Lazarus, David Leyonhjelm whose views at times are extreme relish in holding the elected government to ransom and threatening and in some cases blocking good policy because they can't get their own way.

I know many people do not read the Senate Hansard, but it gives you a fascinating insight into the thinking and the language. It often makes for alarming reading at times. Particularly when the headline chasing cause senator Lambie takes the floor.  

Some of those throwing their hats into the ring for the next election should ring the alarm bells very loudly and very, very clearly. Now, I will preface this by saying I know many people are worried about the 'Muslim issue'. In some cases with good reason. Parties who are running on that agenda border on extremists themselves. Consider the likes of the United Patriots Front (UPF) who have said they plan to run for senate seats.

The UPF group formed as a result of a breakaway by the founders of Reclaim Australia after claiming that Reclaim had been invaded Neo Nazis. Yet, the current leader, of UPF, Blair Cottrell's a Jew hating, woman hating self-confessed Hilter devotee himself. Their main activity is protesting at anti Muslim rallies, fighting  amongst themselves for power and finding inventive ways of scamming money from gullible followers it seems. That last comment relates to the recent stunt pulled by the 'delightful' Sherman Burgess and his well publicised resignation from the UPF. This lasted all of a day and included an equally opportunistic grab for money to help with his car payments and buy a birthday present for his kid. The disciples rattled the can for Poor Shermi who took the money, went on a holiday and announced his resurrection in rapid succession. I think Mr Sherman has learnt from the equally delightful exFootball thug and convicted criminal Tommy Robinson AKA, AKA, AKA on how to scam people. 

We have the The Australian Alliance (ALA) affectionately labeled the Gert Wilders Party. This party resulted from the anti Muslim and all things Halal Q Society. If social media is any indication, this group are attracting some support from the exLibs groups. Dig deep and the motivation is very obvious. 

There are many others, but I wanted to highlight the latest single cause activist to declare their hand. Enter Kim Vuga and the Love Australia or Leave Party. Actually, it hasn't got a lot to do with loving Australia, but it does have a lot to do with hating all things Muslim. Kim is very passionate about her loathing of Muslims and she does raise some important points about ISIS sympathisers and terrorists. But if Kim has her way we will be back to the days of the treatment handed out to the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Hilter and the KKK will be cheering from the sidelines. When you look at the following, the only thing missing is forcing Muslim’s to wear the equivalent of the Jewish Star and sending them to concentration camps. 

No one has the right to demand of anyone that they declare their love for the country they live in and if they don't demand they leave. We do have the right to expect people obey our laws, live in harmony with us, do us no harm and contribute to the country. I certainly have the expectation that if people migrate here and don't do these things, then they should be helped on their way back to from whence they came. But to go down Kim’s path is supporting extremism every bit as extreme as though she protests about. 

We need to deal with the radical Muslim issue. No argument from me but branding and labelling everyone because of their religion is totally unacceptable. Most of the new parties appear to be basing their foundation on the Muslim issue. It almost borders on ethnic hatred. That worries me a lot more than a 100 or so religious radicals. I'm confident the authorities will deal with them. 

Back to what worries me about the election.  There is a core of people, albeit based on various polls and comments on social media who have simply given up on the LNP since the change of leadership. That is their right and they make those decisions based on a number of factors, not the least being their hatred (many have said it so I'm simply quoting the example) of Malcolm Turnbull. There are others, who like me are comfortable with change, but still wary about the new leader. For me, as long as policies are consistent with conservative expectations I'll stick with the party and frankly I don't see a viable alternative. 

The group that worries me the most are the 'we are going to teach the Liberals a lesson' lot. They will probably vote LNP in Reps. Many have said that, but they won't vote LNP in the senate. Many will vote for the new 'opportunists' anti-Muslim parties in the senate. Can you just image a senate full of more Lambie clones!!!!! God help us.

Malcolm has around year to prove himself and to present a set of policies that meet the expectations of the majority of Liberal Conservatives. Hopefully as a result we can also pull in some of the swinging voters. If he wins the election and then fails to meet those expectations we can vote him out in three years. But, if hardline opportunists are voted in to the senate we are stuck with them for SIX YEARS. Not three, six. All I ask is people think about that because your decisions impact on all of us, just not you. 

We have already seen what a hostile senate can do. Let's not forget the existing senate played a major role in contributing to the downfall of Tony Abbott.  I often wonder if Mr Abbott had been able to work with the cross benchers (regardless of how abhorrent a couple are) and therefore got reform policy through how different his fate might have been. 

We have already seen what a hostile senate can do. Let's not forget the existing senate played a major role in contributing to the downfall of Tony Abbott.  I often wonder if Mr Abbott had been able to work with the cross-benchers (regardless of how abhorrent a couple are) and therefore got reform policy through how different his fate might have been. All too frequently,  lack of support had nothing to do with the merit of the policy it was based on personal dislike of Tony Abbott and personal agendas. 

Suffice to say there is a lot of water to run under the bridge before the next election assuming Turnbull goes full term. Who knows what the mood of the electorate will be by then. There is certainly a lot riding on the outcomes in Paris. Many detractors are promoting the theory that Malcolm Turnbull will sell us out. I don’t know if he will or won't. I can only rely and what he has said and I pray he is telling the truth. The tax reform proposal is very important as are all their policies. Who knows, perhaps people will have finally released their anger and based on performance decide that get square is not advisable. That said, we can not rely on that happening. The only real fail safe is for Nick Xenophon to be successful in achieving support for changes to senate elections, which will hopefully stop micro parties gaining seats, and therefore we can eliminate some of the far-right radicals. If we don’t and they are successful in getting rid of all the Muslims who will they come for next. It might be us. 

Timely reminder. 

The Folly of Labelling Muslims Moderates

I originally wrote this article back in January 2014. It was as a result of reading an article about the folly of branding Islam or Muslims 'moderate'. I'm certainly guilty of that, but I do try not to use the term after reading what was written, and after giving this some thought. 

I was promoted to dig it out, brush it up and republished after reading some very ordinary posts that are circulating on Twitter today. A question was asked, “what really is  a moderate Muslim.” Someone who shall remain nameless posted this. 

 What stuns me is exactly who the people are who RT this crap.  Very disappointing. 

Back to the article I read, in 2014. It resonated with me at the time because of my loathing of being put into little boxes and labelled and the real reason why people do that; largely an attempt to control and bully.  I guess when you think about it, it's the same as putting Muslims into 'boxes'. Carving up the Muslim world into either "good Muslims" or "bad Muslims". Until the collective "we" decides they are moderate which used to mean good, but that appears to have changed now. Or they good they remain bad and in mainly cases perceived as extreme. Granted, some certainly are extreme but the vast majority are not. 

It's certainly true that people don't spend the same amount of time searching out "good" and "bad" Christians (like Westbro Baptists, the Lords Resistance Army and those other Christians slaughtering people in Central Africa) or Jews (like the Jewish Defence League and those slaughtering Palestinians) or Buddhists (like those murdering people in Burma and Sri Lanka). We can deny all we like but they certainly exist and when this is pointed out it is explained away by the deniers as they are aberrations. The usual answer is "there aren't many of them compared to Muslims". So in the heads of some it's OK because there's "not too many" and they don't threaten us.  That is not only wrong, but unbelievable thinking in justifying wicked deeds. 

Earlier in the week when I mentioned that all religions have extremists and those extremists carry out acts of aggression and terrorism, I was stunned when I received the reply, “But in the west they don’t.” That isn’t true but it also indicates that for some people cuts of terror are OK as long as they don’t happen on our doorstep. 

The Muslims 'bashers' argue that 15-25 percent of world's Muslims are extremists and that the remaining so called "moderates" are irrelevant or it seems just waiting in the shadows letting the extremists do what they won’t. That’s ‘lint for brains, bigoted thinking’ in the extreme. That aside, if the assertion was correct (note no one knows what the number is) and based on the lower end of that range, that’s 240 million of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims that are extremists. That's the equivalent of every single Muslim in Indonesia, Malaysia and Australia, nearly six times the number of all Muslims on the entire continent of Europe. What utter rubbish. Where are the examples of such supposedly widespread extremism? Sure, there a trouble spots and there have been incidents reported outside of the Middle East and Central Africa, but even if a mere 1 percent of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims are committed to violence, why is it that we haven’t seen 16 million individual violent attacks? Another minor detail which is glossed over or ignored. 

As was pointed out in the article on the folly of labelling Muslims, moderate, and to quote, "Proving one’s “moderation” is a trap, anyway. The only way to do it is to meet the criteria set forth by the person making the demand." That is an almost impossible task because the only way any Muslim can do that is to give up their faith. That’s like asking all Catholics to give up their religion because of pedophiles within the priesthood. No one would ask a Catholic to do that, but many demand Muslims do. 

So back to the problem of the  “moderate Muslim”. The writer went on to say, "It empowers anti-Muslim activists by implying that the degree to which a Muslim digests their religious faith is indicative of their status as a potential terrorist. Thus, “moderately” subscribing to the teachings of the Quran is OK, but should they cross over into the world of daily prayers, Friday afternoons at the mosque, and, God forbid, Ramadan, they’re suddenly flirting with extremism. That way of thinking is predicated on the unfounded notion that pious religious orthodoxy necessarily entails Muslims behaving badly. It also implies that religious “moderation” involves swallowing up one particular political narrative." Hear, hear. 

"Moderate Muslims” are continually berated for not condemning violence, or other abhorrent acts (when in fact many are including religious leaders if people bothered to look). Because most people don't look (preferring to rely on social media and right-wing media reports) those doing the attacking presume that every Muslim who doesn’t is a terrorist lying in wait. Those of us who do point out that Muslims speak up are equally berated. I can not tell you the number of times I've had "it's taqiyya" thrown back at me. I've been called naive and an apologist, I've been accused of being easily fooled and they are the soft accusations.  It appears, therefore, that only those Muslims who jump to the beck and call of Islam’s so called 'experts' police are the peaceful ones. What an absurd position is that.

In order to create a more equitable and peaceful place in our world we have to stop pretending we are the authorities on the faith traditions of others and as such entitled to dictate how they must interpret their faith in order for them to be welcomed and accepted. This certainly applies to those whose only point of reference is internet Q & A's, or who are part of the massive get-rich-quick industry riding on the back of islamophobia. Make no mistake this industry is almost as profitable as the climate scam industry, it just has fewer players. But people like the Pamela Geller’s, Tommy Robinson’s (many aliases) do very nicely thank you. Putting Muslims (and other faith believers for that matter, into 'boxes') to fit with our idea of what they should be doing, how they should be acting (even what they should be wearing) is not going to solve anything. If anything, it only serves to create a bigger divide and provides those who do with the opportunity to harass and bully. 

We really have to stop trying to put people into little boxes and stop dictating how others should react and respond.

“Judge me on what I do and how I treat you and not, on what I am or what I believe in” is a lesson a few people would do well to learn. 

If This Is The Best We Have Time To Get Rid of The Senate NOW

If ever we had reason to demand the removal of the senate from our parliamentary system we have it in spades over the last week. That said, there are some very good people in the senate, but sadly the latest bunch of independents ruins what could and should be a sensible review unit. 

It’s obvious this bunch of highly paid free loaders don’t have enough to occupy their time. They are not majority elected representatives. They are merely there as a result of back room deals and fortuitous voting card placement. 

We have a senate inquiry into Government cuts to the Arts currently underway. This is chaired by no less than the doyen of the arts, Senator Lazarus. He, along with Nova Peris, another well known connoisseur of the arts are flitting around Australia conducting an inquiry to the arts funding cuts. What this lot know about the arts completely escapes and if this is the best use of highly paid senators time I’m yet to see. Value? I don’t think so. Joke? Most certainly. 

We have common sense (tongue in cheek) luminary David Leyonhjelm and his equally well respected (hic) sidekick Sam Dastyari conducting an inquiry into the Nanny State. Mr Leyonhjelm has spent the best part of the day attacking the police and sympathising with the feral grubs who cause trouble at Western Sydney Wanderers games. It’s a sad day when a politician attacks police who are trying to protect football supporters who love their team and simply wants to watch the game free from the ‘grubs’ who light flares, uses foul language in front of children and ruin the day for the majority. Mr Leyonhjelm has taken to Twitter today and an example of his tweets follows. What a fantastic role model he is; not and this proves what I am saying.

 

 

Charming coming from a servant of the people. 

Then we had the Senate joke,  Ms Lambie. What more can I say. 

Ms Lambie is sounding like a fully paid up a member of the CFMEU by the day. 

I object to my hard earned taxes being spent on keeping people like this in a job. Worse still they decide on the laws that apply to the rest of us.  Remember Lazarus, Lambie and Dastyari all voted down the very laws that would see Union officials jailed for the types of dishonest bordering on criminal behaviour that is surfacing at #TURC. Now we have Leyonhjelm attacking people trying to protect football fans from hooligans. If  the senate can’t attract better than this lot and spend their time on more worthwhile enquires then it’s time to pull the plug and get rid of the senate.