Anti-Establishment Movement

I’m all for challenging the status quo and challenging the establishment. I’ve never been what you would call a good rules person. My Dad always said I was ‘born ‘agin the government’; he was right. Far too many rules serve only to inhibit us. Far too many decisions are made that serve the minority and those with their hand out.

That said basic rules such as those taught to us as children (being raised in a Christian society) have merit.  Whether you subscribe to the specific doctrine is another matter. But the rules of decency, honesty, charity etc., make good common sense.

We are going through turbulent times, both globally and to a lesser degree here in Australia. We hear ad nauseam how angry people are. How disenfranchised people feel. I don’t dismiss it, it’s a fact. We are seeing a lot being played out all too graphically in the US with the run-up to their election. We see this played out on social media daily.

But a question I ask myself all too often of late is this. Why are so many people who are leading the anti-establishment charge such goddamn awful people? So many behave like disrespectful bullies. They are aggressive in the extreme.  With Donald Trump his morals both personally and professionally are questionable. I will say Hilary Clinton appears to be no better but she isn't championing the anti-establishment cause, Trump is. We see the same in our own country. Dare I say, the worst hide behind their Christian halo? They are nothing more than frauds in my book.

I’m not sure what it says about society when people like that manage to attract followers. Perhaps it’s because people just listen to the lines they are being fed and don’t look beyond to the legitimacy of the person. They are simply looking for someone to ‘save’ them. The demigod syndrome. Or, is it a matter of strike back and pays back. Lashing out and jumping on board with the first person who says what they are thinking regardless of the consequences. Perhaps it is like following like. Who knows, but it worries me. I get the overwhelming feeling this will not end well.

What we desperately need are people with values who live those values and who have credibility to challenge the establishment. We don’t appear to have people like that anymore. If we do, they certainly don’t get a voice. Instead, we are left with the dregs.

I think it’s a very scary trend. What to do about it, I’ve no idea. I guess there is not much I can do apart from (in my very small way) keep talking about it and demanding better from those who seek to lead. Keep searching for role models.  Then make others aware they are out there.

No one is perfect. But when we choose leaders, we should choose those who are closest to an expression of our values and our aspirations. To do otherwise, is to betray the very things we say we stand for. Because at the end of the day, our behaviours reflect our values. That goes for who we pick to lead us as well.

Get Off Your Backside & Take Responsibility For Yourself

That probably got your attention. I should add its not personally directed at you, unless you are in one of the groups on my hit list.

A few things have happened recently regarding the culture of entitlement and victimhood. We really need to be talking about this stuff. Freely, openly and, honestly.   

I’ll start by saying I was delighted with the announcement from the High Court of Australia confirming they have thrown out the challenge by four former federal MP’s to retaining Gold Passes entitling them to free travel for life. They are now entitled to 10 domestic free trips per year. This greedy bunch; Barry Cunningham, Tony Lamb and Barry Cohen (Labor) John Moore (Liberal) wanted more.

It has emerged, this High Court decision has saved taxpayers MILLIONS on top of our annual $40MILLION pension bill; current payments to former politicians.  Had the High Court upheld the appeal, 350 ex-MPs and 100 spouses would have benefitted. So well done and three cheers to the seven member bench of the Court.

Yesterday, Linda Burney, Labor MP was in printed sprouting on about domestic violence within the indigenous community. Ms Burney highlighted one particular case that resulted in the death of a young woman. Yes, it is both very sad and appalling. Yes, there’s a problem. But I object to this statement.  “The blame for that murder lies firmly with the person who committed the crime but the failure of the system is the result of government funding cuts.” Every time it comes back to money.

Ms Burney went to say, “The violent history of colonisation, policies of forced removal and the breakdown of kinship structures have long-lasting legacies. It must engage those in communities already battling the issue.”

Ms Burney goes on to lay blame at the feet of Liberal state and federal governments. Stating Policy failures rest with government, not communities who have been crying out for decades offering solutions, only to be ­ignored.

These problems are not new. Ms Burney wants to blame the problems on our violent history, forced removal and the breakdown of kinship structures, they didn’t happen yesterday. How many more years have to be spent on trying to fix these issues? We already contribute millions and millions annually to indigenous causes. So from where I sit, it’s not about money or which government is in power. It’s about the status of victimhood and entitlement. Take ownership and fix the problems yourselves.

I read an interesting article recently. It was about peacekeeping and justice. They made some excellent points. This one really resonated; it was about claims of deservingness. How that can lead to societies where rights and access to state resources depends on what group you belong to rather than on fairness and equality. So, special rights can present a problem for social justice.

Based on research conducted by Vamik Volkan the article also highlighted victims tend to behave selfishly. This is led by a sense of entitlement to ‘equal the score’. We see this behaviour a lot during the indigenous discourse. I’ve been wronged so you pay. Professor Volkan observed such “exaggerated entitlement” in studying groups of victims that make claims for their own group regardless of the costs and consequences for others. In the globalised field of peacebuilding, the status of victimhood has experienced an “upgrading”. Victims have had an almost sacred “aura” now.

We are really struggling as a society in Australia to keep up with the demands on the public purse. We have been warned time and again we are living beyond our means. But still they line up for more. This is the point Professor Volkan is making. Where we have entrenched entitlement it is all about them and their group. They don't consider or care about anyone else. It's so selfish.  

How many times do we have to hear I’m entitled because of what happened two hundred ago? Or  the stock standard I’m entitled because I can’t get a job. More likely far too many are not prepared to sacrifice anything in the efforts to actually get a job. Then we have those who are ripping off the system based on both entitlement and victimhood. The list is too long. To long to cover each group but disability cheats are way at the top.  

Get off your bums and do something constructive with your lives should be the message we send. Whenever sobs stories emerge I am reminded of the wonderful Nick Vujicic. Nick is an Aussie. He was born with no arms or legs. His motto, “No arms, no legs, no worries.” Nick has a career, a family and a wonderfully productive life. Pity more didn’t follow his lead. If he can do it. So can so many others who will never have to face the challenges Nick has.

Whilst the example of greedy politicians and, our indigenous are coming from different standpoints the mindsets are the same. My group deserves more than your group. We see the same with many welfare recipients. Recently we were made aware of whole families feeding off the public purse, year, after year, after year. The trouble with these entitlement parasites is people who really need and deserve help are struggling to get it. Worse still, they have political parties doing their bidding for them. It’s galling when you think it about it. We pay politicians (who rip us off) to do the bidding for the ‘entitlement’ “victimhood’ industry to rip us off even more.

“A society where victims become the protagonists based on the ‘compassion and entitlement economy’ based on the ‘commoditisation of so called suffering’. Entitlement and victimhood has become extremely profitable bringing with it self-appointed moral authority crusaders, contrived political legitimacy and significant economic victimhood industry benefits.”

Oh what an incestuous society we have created.

Women Have A Responsibilty To Call-Out Reprehensible Behaviour

I was told to calm-down over Donald Trumps comments about women. Well, I won’t. 

In response to my last blog on Trump one man suggested I should consider the behaviour of the women Trump was talking about who encourage men to behave as Trump does. When I enquired if he also considered women in short skirts were asking to be raped, he told me I had a problem. I needed help, and I was a hypocrite (I’m still trying to figure out the hypocrite bit). I’m not the one with the problem but any man who blames the victim sure as hell has one. I’m also betting he’s not all that well informed on Trump’s background. 

I feel very strongly about the objectification of women. No female should be subjected to such oafish, demeaning comments as those spoken by Trump. No, father should ever agree it's OK for a shock jock to say on radio his daughter is "a piece of ass". Fathers are supposed to protect their daughters, not support and condone their objectification. 

My condemnation of Trump has nothing per se to do with the US election. To me, both candidates are equally bad. Albeit for different reasons. I don’t live in the US, so I don’t get to vote, anyway. My condemnation (and concern) is based on broader issues. That of the vilification of women. Plus, the hypocrisy and inconsistency with which various behaviours are treated.  

Thousands of women are abused, demeaned and treated as second-class citizens. When the possible leader of the free world behaves the same way, the signal it sends out is, (as far as I am concerned) it's OK. It’s OK to demean women. It's OK to talk about groping them because they are attractive. It's OK to call women fat pigs, dogs, bimbos and slobs because to you they are unattractive or they've had the temerity called you out. Well, it's not OK in my book.

People say what Trump has said is all this in the past. Sorry, it isn’t. Even if it was, it shouldn’t matter. It wasn’t 10 years ago when he said to a female contestant on The Apprentice it would be nice to see her on her knees. What he is suggesting? A woman’s place in the boardroom is on her knees? Seriously, what Neanderthal thinking that is!! 

In commenting in recent times on sexual assaults in the military Trump slighted both men and women with this comment,  “What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?” So rather than condemn the crimes he suggests men and women are incapable living together? To be honest, that's as bad as Muslim men suggesting women have to cover themselves because they can’t trust themselves. 

Only last year he took a crack at Arianna Huffington (not for the first time) tweeting, “How much money is the extremely unattractive (both inside and out) Arianna Huffington paying her poor ex-hubby for the use of his name?” He poked fun at her over her divorce. Is that the behaviour of someone who respects women? Not in my book. He attacked her because she stood up to him. 

Of Carly Fiorina he said "Can you imagine that, the face of our next next president? I mean, she's a woman, and I'm not supposed to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?" No, he isn’t supposed to say things like that, but he does. When he does, and it's condoned then others follow the lead. 

In making those comments (some in the last 12-months) Trump has all but affirmed that he does not respect women or regard them as equals. 

I know what it's like to fight to be treated as an equal. I’ve been put down by men who think and act like Trump. I know many others who have as well. Why? Because there is a certain class of man who has a problem with strong women. Those men will resort to trying to belittle woman. I can look after myself and I don’t cave into bullies like that. But not everyone can fight their corner. 

What really saddens me is this. We now have a man in Trump. who has the desire to be the leader of the free world who thinks so little of women. His voice will reach much further than the bullies I’ve encountered. But in essence he’s no better than them.  

It is blatantly obvious Trump has a long history of pigeon-holing of women as either just a piece of ass or ugly losers. When you analyse it, you start to realise women with a voice, women with power, threaten Trump’s world view. The “bimbos” he simply disregards with condescending, disrespectful rhetoric. When it comes to the power group, Trump extends to those ladies, no less than some straight-up brutal attempts at assassinating their character. He doesn’t attack their credentials because he can’t. He resorts to personal assaults. As they say, it's a weak man who has to try and demean a woman to feel powerful. 

In the course of an exchange yesterday, it was stated all men speak and act like Trump toward women. In my experience they don’t. But for those who do, then with respect it might be time for a bit of reflection and soul searching chaps. It is 2016. Remember those women you are demeaning are someone’s daughter, sister, wife, perhaps even mother. How would you feel if someone spoke about your daughter, or your wife in a smutty, tasteless, manner? So. I will continue to speak out and condemn it, in the hope society will strive to be better. 

We have no right to criticise the repression of women by any other culture if we willingly support sexism, denigration and bullying of women in ours. Whilst many demand women be treated as equals by other cultures. We are simply hypocrites if we don’t demand the same from ours. We should certainly demand the same from those who seek to lead. Making smutty comments is bad enough. But, to suggest that a woman will allow you to do anything to her if you are powerful enough is simply appalling. Particularly if you have desires to be the most powerful man in the world. 

When Bill Shorten verbally assaulted a woman in a pie shop, conservative supporters in Australia went into meltdown. Rightly so. Many of those same supporters are cheering Trump.  A misogynist is a misogynist, regardless of circumstances. We can’t condemn one and cheer the on the other because we sit in different political camps. 

In preparing a leadership paper recently, I came across a list of how to recognise an  “Asshole at work”. How to spot the red flags: 

• Personal insults
• Invading one’s “personal territory”
• Uninvited physical contact
• Threats and intimidation, both verbal and nonverbal
• “Sarcastic jokes” and “teasing” used as insult delivery systems
• Withering e-mail flames (I’d add in Trumps case tweets) 
• Status slaps intended to humiliate their victims
• Public shaming or “status degradation” rituals
• Rude interruptions
• Two-faced attacks
• Dirty looks
• Treating people as if they are invisible

Hard to argue with any of that and it reminds me very much of Trump. 

Trump in issuing his apology last week said. "I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly I played along. I'm very sorry.” The chump was 60 for heavens sake. Trump is now 70 years old. He is still attacking women so what's his excuse now? 

I was pleased to see that at least one of the political leaders of this country has the cuts to call Trump out. Derryn Hinch in responding to Pauline Hanson defence of Trump said,  a "normal man" would not do what Trump claims to do to women. 

"The man is a sexual predator and is a disgrace," Hinch said. Hear, hear.

On the other hand we have the oafish Nigel Farge insisting Trumps comments amount to 'alpha male boasting'. Well that's OK then. It just boys being boys.

One comment on the Presidential election. To think this has been relegated to the level of who can be the most obscene is a very sad indictment of society today. The world deserves better. John Oliver said,

"Do me a favour - look up into the sky right now...
Higher..no higher still..
Do you see that?
Way up there, way up, above the clouds..
That's ROCK BOTTOM.
And we are currently down here."

Oliver is 100% correct.

So back to my starting point. I will not ‘calm-down’. Whilst I am free to voice my opinion I will. Just because ‘all’ men behave badly as suggested, it doesn’t make it right. Just meekly accepting the status quo is not in my DNA. To the idiot who obviously believes ‘women are asking for it’ in other words, blame the victim, grow up. 

It's A Question Of My Self-Respect

I have voted conservative for most of my life. There was a period in my earlier voting life where I did ire and vote Labor. But hey, most of us went through a ‘young and naïve’ idealistic phase. 

I support the conservative side for several reasons. Foremost I support self-sufficiency. We give people a hand-up when they need it. But, handouts should never be a way of life and that includes pensions. Far too many people view the pension as their saving plan. Sorry. Going of topic.

Conservatives have traditionally been driven by a set of values where we strive not be a burden on society. We uphold family values and our Christian ethic has been strong. We show respect for the opinions of others and we value free speech. My challenge is, I’m not convinced a lot of conservatives live by those values and principles anymore and hence I am in a quandary. 

What’s sheeted this home are comments from conservatives about Donald Trump and his grossly deeming comments about women. I should add Trump’s deeming attitude also includes his lack of respect for his own daughter. Seriously, what father allows a shock jock to make unsavoury comments about his daughter and he says it’s OK!!! 

Many people state they are supporting Trump because Bill Clinton did worse things and Hilary supported him. They claim what Trump said is just words. Well that's OK then (not). I wonder how Nancy O’Dell and her family feel about those ‘just words’? I suspect they are angry. I haven’t heard any conservatives standing up for her. Whilst Trump apologised I didn’t hear a direct apology to Nancy O’Dell. She is the first person he should have said sorry to. 

Trump was eloquent in his TelePrompTer apology. He obviously had a gun to his head. His expression and tone was that of a man who didn’t believe what he said. He is a man who boasts when you are a star you can do anything. That includes groping women. He is a man who boasted that even if he shot someone people would still vote for him. In his mind  regardless of how appallingly he behaves people will still support him. So why would he be sorry? 

If Trump has any decency he would withdraw from the Presidential race. He won’t because his ego is so big it wouldn’t let him. He thinks he can do what he likes, say what he likes and like a bunch of lemmings people will follow him. There is no way I could ever support anyone who belittles women as he does. I have too much respect for myself to do that. As for the claim his Nancy O’Dell comments were a private conversation 10 years ago. Big deal. His comments on radio to Howard Stern (over many years) were not private comments. Trump has form. 

This man isn’t applying for a Pub Managers job. He wants to be President of the United States. The most powerful job in the world!!! The would be leader who thinks so little of women doesn't deserve the job, He claims, he made comments a long time ago. It was 10-years. He was 60 years old not 18. Now, he claims he will be a better man. At 70? If he wasn’t a better man at 60 I frankly don't believe he will be a better man at 70. Leopard theory at play here. 

So, back to my quandary. As a conservative I’ve always felt comfortable with the values of conservatives. But, as so many appear to have deserted those values in supporting Trump. I’m not sure where I fit anymore. 

I suspect I’m not the only one who feels like they are in no man's land. But one thing I am clear about is this. I have too much respect for myself and other women to ever condone what Trump said regardless of the Clinton’s behaviour. No man ever became great demeaning women and making them look small. No woman worth their salt would ever standby and say nothing when he did. 

Sexism: The Girls Who Cry Foul

Joanna Lumley has earned the ire of the social media warriors for commenting on the debate on everyday sexism. Ms Lumley claimed, wolf whistling is in no way “sexist” and should instead be perceived as a “compliment”.

She went on to say there’s nothing wrong with wolf whistling and people are too easily offended in this day and age. I agree with her, we are too easily offended. Rather than teaching people how to deal with situations they find difficult we've taught them “how to cry foul.” 

I have a friend who is highly insulted by a man wolf-whistling at her. She isn't backward in making her feelings felt either. Her responses can be withering. But then, she won’t let a man open a door for her and allow her to walk through first. She even refuses to hop into a car if a man opens the door. Conversely some other friends think a wolf whistle is a right giggle and they take it as a compliment. Having been on the receiving end of my share of wolf whistles (apart from feeling a bit self conscious at times, dependent on time and place) I’ve accepted them in the spirit in which they were intended. Good-hearted fun. 

The response that both worried and saddened me the most was this. "What Joanna Lumley fails to realise is that in 2016 it isn't actually a wolf whistle it's lewd comments & threats of rape & violence.” Who on earth teaches women to think like that? What kind of world are we creating where something as benign as a wolf whistle is perceived as a threat of rape & violence. How did we come to this in 2016? 

Thousands upon thousands of women suffer at the hands of violent men. Men who beat them black and blue. Many lose their life as a result. Thousands are raped in the most brutal fashion. To equate a wolf whistle with that level of violence is offensive in the extreme. 

I think people should be angry over the things that are truly worthy. So, let's save our anger, offence and outrage over rape and violence. Let's stop devaluing these crimes in equating then with a wolf whistle. If women find a wolf whistle threatening, then perhaps they need to do a bit of self-evaluation about perspective. At the very least, learn the art of a withering rebuttal.