Media and Politicians Lies

I watched a video today titled How the Media Needs to Respond to Trump Now, by Keith Olbermann GQ. The link is below.

Please don’t let the reference to Trump put you off watching it. Trump isn’t the reason why I posted it. I posted it because Keith talks about the media. How the media should respond. After watching it, I think that it is how the media should respond to all politicians lies.

In our own country (Australia) our politicians lie to us all the time. The worst offender of the lot is none other than Labor Leader, Bill Shorten. Yet, even the media who is traditionally thought of as conservative like the Australian and Daily Telegraph rarely ever highlight it.

It isn’t good enough to simply say politicians lie. In the world of the fast paced news cycle it’s all about getting the story out. Keith Olbermann highlights why; money, the almighty dollar. The media needs to (in fact MUST) point out the lie but then present the facts. In doing that hopefully three things are achieved.

Politicians start to become more responsible. They can’t hide behind untruths and what is blatant and in many cases habitual lying.

The public becomes better informed.

The media starts doing their blasted job. Stop the headline chasing and start to present the truth; fact and data. Report on the lie but back it up with the truth.   

The ones most responsible for this should be publicly funded media. If they can't present us with the truth who can we rely on? Then we have the media machines; those driven by advertising dollars. Far too many journalists hide behind their 'unnamed source' justification. Whomever 'unnamed source' is, he or she is now the news feed for the world. That has to stop.

Until the media starts behaving as we expect them to, we should stop reading MSM. We should definitely stop watching TV media and above all stop promoting them. Hit them in the back pocket where it hurts. Money talks for them and we can make it sing for us. As for our publicly funded media? We support the party who insists on the media we fund telling the truth even if it is critical of them.

How The Media Needs to Respond

Hitting the media though their back pocket will be a lot more effective than complaining about them on social media. Or posting negative comments about journalists in response to their columns.

Edward Murrow once said, "A nation of sheep with beget a government of wolves." One of the major corner stones of democracy is a free press. One that tells us the truth even when we don't want to hear it. We need their help to keep with wolves under control. They need to start doing their job.

Politicians Blocking Voters on Social Media

It seems politicians of the male species don’t particularly like being challenged on social media. Anyone who follows me knows I’m not abusive. I don’t use bad language. The worst that could be said, is at times I’m sarcastic. In my defence I will quote Oscar Wilde who said, “Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.” I will however and do hold politicians to account when warranted. Likewise, regardless of political bent, if they do a good job, I have no hesitation acknowledging that. 

So I’m somewhat miffed when politicians, who are after all the servants of the people, our employees block me. Queensland politicians of the male species being the worst offenders. Although NSW males pollies are a bit trigger-happy as well. I’ve been blocked by the likes of Clive Palmer, Glen Lazarus (that was no real loss and I was particularly hard on them). Tony Burke has given me the ‘red dot’ as has Richard Marles. As an LNP supporter I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. But as both of the men (I won’t label them gentlemen because they aren’t) are there to serve voters, blocking us is cowardly, disrespectful behaviour in my opinion. 

This one I’m particularly pee’d off over. I discovered today I’ve been blocked by George Christensen. Granted, I have been somewhat critical of Christensen over recent weeks. His constant grandstanding, threats of crossing the floor and general ‘look at me’ has drawn criticism from many quarters. Not just from me. It appears Mr Christensen can dish it out, but he suffers from a VERY thin skin when it comes to criticism from voters. If I was abusive I would say fair enough, block me.  The worst thing I have said to him is, it's about time he stopped the big ego over plumped up peacock act. Personally, I thought that was a pretty good description. 

One if the things I have noticed is, women politicians appear to be more resilient when it comes criticism. I can’t recall being blocked by one female politician. Perhaps women are tougher, not so thin skinned. Perhaps they are interested in hearing what voters have to say about them; good or bad. As they say, there is no such thing as bad feedback. 

One of our female politicians in particular has copped a lot from me. That is Senator Jacqui Lambie. Prior to the election l was somewhat surprised to discover Ms Lambie was following me on Twitter. I followed her back. Why? Because whilst we will never share the same political beliefs, I respect her. She hasn’t taken the cowards way out and blocked someone like me who has criticised, her many times. That says a lot more about Ms Lambie and her values, respect for voters and commitment than it does the likes of Christensen, Marles, Burke and their ilk. 

As an LNP supporter and Liberal member it would serve George Christensen well to listen to centre right Liberals like me. For many of us, party loyalty is extremely fragile. The thread is frayed. I like many others are fed up with the grandstanding, the big noting and constant threats to destabilise. It's people like Mr Christensen who are driving the wedge ever deeper.

ENOUGH POLITICAL BULLYING

It has been a while since I put pen to paper, but I feel compelled to raise the issue of political bullying and intimidation. What has prompted this, is the number of people who have contacted me privately to voice their concern over the level of intimidation and the hate speech they are being subjected to on social media. To the point that an alarming number of people are at the point of considering closing their accounts. I sympathise with them, because I’ve felt the same over recent weeks, but my resolve never to bow to intimidation kicks in and the kind words from others gives me heart. 

The responses to the recent change in Liberal leadership has shaken a few of us to the core. The level of vitriol and accusations levelled at (for the want of a better term) Liberal loyalists has been challenging and deeply distressing to say the least. It’s been vicious and nasty and frankly there is absolutely no excuse for it. 

A few weeks prior to the leadership change, I was contacted by a number of followers on social media, who like me were frustrated with the Government and Liberal leadership. Whilst we all acknowledge the Abbott led government chalked up a number of successes, we were being roundly flogged by the media, by polls and by the constant leaks coming from the PMO. The call for a spill back in February was a stark warning that all was not well and that something needed to change. Those of us who had the temerity to say it were attacked for doing so. More than one person told me in private they were too scared to even speak up because they had seen the treatment handed out to others like me who had. So I guess the alarm bells should have rung at that point because it was an indicator of how some people would respond if in fact the inevitable did happen.

I sincerely hope Liberal loyalists don’t bail out and leave social media because it’s a very important part of the political landscape today.  I sincerely hope the many who are out there will have the courage to speak up and to band together and to support each other. We don’t have to accept the criticism being hurled our way for merely saying we are prepared to give the change a chance. That doesn’t mean we hate (the favourite word of the anti/brigade) the previous leader. In fact, to the contrary, he did a good job, but he simply wasn’t able to marshall the necessary support to be a great leader. To his credit and to Joe Hockey’s credit they have both publicly asked supporters to do exactly what I and many others are doing; giving the government a chance. So far, things are going OK, that gives me hope. Furthermore, it’s a refreshing change not to wake to another day of gaffes, infighting and senate standoffs. 

GUILTY: TRIAL BY MEDIA

I wrote on a meme today, that once upon a time, you actually had to COMMIT a crime to be found guilty. In the new world, however, you don't even have to be at the scene of the crime. Now, you are found guilty, sentenced and hung on the basis of a mere 'fallacious' fingerprint.

This comment was in response to recent events involving Union Royal Commissioner Dyson Heydon. He has been declared guilty by Media Trial for not attending a speaking event, organised by Liberal Party Lawyers. And yesterday, we had Andrew Hastie guilty of war crimes, that he was not involved in (apart from reporting the incident). Two men, found guilty when they were not even at the scene of the crime. If it wasn't so serious, you wouldn't be remiss for thinking this was the story line for a low budget political farce. But sadly, it isn't and the unblemished reputations of two good men are being tarnished.

It's a very worrying trend, when reputations can be ruined based on nothing more than mere spurious accusations or associations. Whilst many trials of late; such as in the case of Mr Dyson & Mr Hastie are most definitely politically motivated, the attack can be for any reason.

News media are the first to kick off politically focused trials (serving their political masters) but social media soon takes over. That's when we are regaled with the most vicious, slanderous attacks. A couple of twitter posts from yesterday highlight the extent.

THIS ONE WAS RETWEETED BY A LABOR POLITICIAN!!!

It’s a worrying trend and don’t think you are immune to media trial. None of us are. More and more employers read through their employees and potential employees social media profiles and threads and that research can be (& at times is) used as the basis for assessments. Now we accept, that some people ‘out there’ believe everything that media and social media publishes about individuals. So what happens, if one of those people just happens to be your boss or possible future boss and they just happen to believe some spurious accusation levelled at you. Conspiracy? Definitely not.

Let’s face it, even genuine (loose term in the circumstances) media hacks promote fanciful conspiracy. Back to Mr Heydon. The media, in their pathetic attempts to blacken Mr Heydon and tie this to Prime Minister Abbott related to an event over 30-years ago where Mr Heydon sat on a committee of seven who awarded PM Abbott his Rhodes Scholarship, was a classic. The inference was: 

30+ years ago a man sat on a committee to award a scholarship to  a the recipient, so that 30+ years later the recipient would be elected PM so that he could appoint a specific selection committee to a Royal Commission to bring down Unions and the current leader of the opposition. AND, some people believed it. 

So I guess the gullible will fall for any line spun to them. The disreputable will promote lies an innuendo for political gain (or any other cause they are championing) and unless we take a stand and say ‘enough’ good people will continue convicted by Media Trial based on nothing more than a mere 'fallacious' fingerprint.

What Message Are We Sending to Our Impressionable Youth?

The threat of ISIS and their ability to attract the young is of grave concern to many, me included. Others just write it off as the Muslim call to arms which is a tad naive.  Naïve for two reasons; firstly, many who rally to the call are converts and two, most have little understanding of the deeper ISIS agenda which is in conflict with most Muslims desire to live in harmony.

Musing over the issue, following a number of recent articles I have read and comments I have read it got me thinking about the confusion many must struggle with. We often talk about the decline in behavioural standards. Of parent’s inability to control their children and of the mix messages children receive from what has become an ever increasing left learning education system.

In the case of Muslim youth where strict disciplines apply in the home, kids hear a very different message on the street, on social media, often in schools and from their friends. The global push to brand every Muslim a terrorist and terrorist in waiting certainly doesn’t help. No wonder some turn elsewhere for so called solace and acceptance. There, waiting in the shadows is ISIS.

ISIS is extremely skilled when it comes to propaganda. They know exactly how to reel these kids in. We can deny it all we like, but society in general has helped create the environment where groups like ISIS can continue to recruit these kids. This isn’t new. We have had groups before who were equally skilled. The difference now is the scale and the global impact. Examples such as The “Children of God” are no more than a sex perversion group but they do attract people. We’ve had the “Japanese Extreme Truth” they are largely religious terrorists but their impact whilst brutal is geographically restricted. The Moonie’s (Unification Church) as an example didn’t recruit kids and then teach them how to strap on a bomb and blow themselves and anyone close by to bits, ISIS does.

I read a story last night about a Germany ISIS recruit who managed to escape the clutches of ISIS and return to Germany where he is now facing trial. He commented that he was so disenfranchised he would have joined any group who accepted him. In his case, the first just happened to be ISIS. Of course when he got to Syria he discovered he had two options; learn how to fight or learn how to be a suicide bomber. In his words that really meant “death or death”. He mentioned he was offered four wives and stated who wouldn’t want four women. His closing comment was life in jail in Germany was preferable to the horror he witnessed in Syria at the hands of ISIS. He was sold a dream and received a nightmare.

Sarah Khan from the outstanding Inspire Group in the UK spoke eloquently on the topic recently when highlighting some of the propaganda that is spread. She mentioned the picture painted is that the west is at war with Islam but equally Islam is at war with the west and Muslims have no choice but to pick a side. Hard to resist when you feel you have no option because no one else wants you. I have attached the article at the bottom. I encourage people to read it and to get behind groups like Inspire who are taking the challenge of extremism head on.  

There was a time, not so long again where the messages kids received in the home, at school and from people in authority were largely the same. Certainly I received very complimentary messages from others areas. Work hard, respect others (treat others as you would have them treat you), respect your parents and obey them and the law. In other words, live by the values we were taught in line with the 10 commandments as an example. Most religions have a similar set of values. But of course now, the narrative in many instances is very different as Sarah highlights.

In the past kids didn’t have access to the Internet so the life education they received came from parents, relatives, teachers, group leaders who as I’ve stated “all sang from the same hymn book”.  

As an example, religious study has been largely removed from schools. We have also, at the same time witnessed a dramatic decline in Christian followers which probably has a lot to do with the school decision. The exception to this being faith schools. Children are taught they don’t have to obey their parents, that they have rights. Some kids have even sued their parents and won. Kids show little respect for authority. You only have to sight the behaviour of some youths at protests to see that. Jump onto Facebook or Twitter and read some of the comments. The parents sadly in many instances are no better.  When I read what some parents say on social media, I wouldn’t trust them to raise a dog let alone kids. Even worse, for many kids, life education comes from the internet.  A scary thought indeed.

So everywhere you turn there is mixed messages.

We can endeavour to do something about it if we have the will. This is where Leadership plays an important role and each of us can play a part in this. We can be consistent with our message and challenge those messages that create confusion. We can support Muslim and other organisations who are actively involved in fighting extremism and who are creating the ‘right narratives’.  We can stop blaming everyone else and take responsibility ourselves because like it or not we have helped create the environment we are now faced with changing.  It’s down to each and every one of us.

Will Inspire - Sarah Khan

Our Reasoning Ability Is Rapidly Diminishing

I’m becoming increasingly fed up with people labelling me in their pathetic attempts to justify their own bias. We see this a lot on social media. It isn’t the domain of one group or another. People from all groups are doing it. Hence my lament that mankind’s ability to reason is rapidly diminishing.

Like many,  I was horrified by the number of attacks carried out in the preceding 24-hours by Islamist extremists. I posted a comment on twitter attaching a clip from the BBC website. Out of the 10 most recent updates 8 related to events, highlighting 5 different attacks.

Number two on the recent update list mentioned Gay Marriage to which someone replied “Gay marriage is more important than 165,000 Christians being murdered every year”. In the context of the BBC updates I replied it’s just detailing the most recent updates, nothing sinister in that. Well from there I was accused of being young (I’m not) and weak (I’m certainly not) and that Jones (assume he meant Alan Jones) and Paul Murray are wrecking a 1000 years of the conservative tradition. WT!!!

As it happens, I don’t listen to Jones or watch Paul Murray, but I digress. Now I did suggest the reply was the dumbest reply of the week. This was followed by an assault (using the latest weapon of choice of the social media crusaders)….. You are a Leftist!!!! Well, actually I’m not. In  fact, I’m a dedicated middle of the road conservative who thankfully was born with a brain and the ability to reason based on good old common sense.

You will recall the recent issues in Asia with thousands of asylum seekers stranded on boats. A number of us were discussing the problem there, as well as the problems in Europe. I had made a number of comments about the size and the potential scale of the problem given there are over 50million displaced persons. And the the fact that many  of those people are escaping on boats heading for Europe. Hundreds had drowned. I also mentioned countries like Italy & Greece can not be expected to keep absorbing thousands of asylum seekers. And voiced my frustration over the fact that groups like the UN are quick to condemn receiving countries, but do little to address the issues in the asylum seekers own countries.

One of our  ‘conservative brethren’ posted  a comment “give them life jackets that way they won’t drown  can just freeze to death”. Now any reasonable person would consider that a dreadful thing to say (unless of course you have an irrational hatred of Muslims). As a reasonable person, I said as much. What followed, once again was bizarre.  Judge for yourself.

Poster: “Maybe we should give them Lifejackets, won’t drown just freeze to death ”

Me: “That’s a dreadful thing to say. Something has to be done to fix problems on their home soil so they don’t leave”

Poster: “Start with smugglers, but living in corrupt countries will never happen. Can’t solve the worlds problems”

Me: “Never say never, never say can’t. There are 50million plus wanting to escape doing nothing isn’t an option”

At this point someone else joined the discussion & asked what I thought needed to happen. My reply.

Me: “Apart from removing despotic leaders, educating people and stop funding terrorists, I have no idea”

My poster chimed in:

Poster:  “What are you doing for them apart from twitter”

Me: “Apart from sponsoring children nothing. What are you doing?”

Poster: Ignored question, but came back with “What leader would you have, you seem to have all the answers”

Me: I don’t have all the answers and I will admit my patience was waning. Hence reply “Don’t be so stupid” By this time I could almost sense where we were heading. I know the poster form.  

Poster: “You’re the one performing either do something or go away. I’m blinking you. I don’t tolerate idiots. I’m blocking you”

How is that for intolerance and a lack of reasoning ability? The person in question hates Muslims and thinks the answer is let asylum seekers freeze in the ocean and she labels me an idiot.

Conservatives, rightly or wrongly have considered themselves to be above liberal progressives. That was always a bit smug in my opinion, even though I’m a conservative and I do consider myself above the rabble. Conservatives are just as capable of being as intolerant and abusive as anyone else. They prove that over and over again and often over the most mundane issues as per my recent exchanges. If you dare to question, regardless of what you have stood up for, condemned and defended previously, you are automatically labelled; you are not one of us, you are one of them. One of the evil lot. Of course, that is merely a bullying  tactic to attack based on the attackers own bias. “If you don’t agree with me, you are a traitor”.

Equally idiotic are statements such as “All Leftist Are Scum”.. Well, they aren’t. “All Conservatives Are Nut Jobs”.. Wrong again. Granted, some people on both sides are indeed scum. We certainly have our fair share of nut jobs of all persuasions but to brand whole groups highlights once again the inability to reason. It saddens me, but all I can do is continue to call out the behaviour for what it is.

Bullying by people based on their prejudices toward opposing or differing views and their inability to reason based on sound judgement.  In its place we have the  “If you don’t agree with me, you are a traitor” mentality and the world is a less tolerant and intelligent place as a result.