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This is not about the controversial remarks against former Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the passing of Mr Gillard "....dying of shame...." nor about putting her "...in a chaff bag....(and)...putting it out to sea..." Neither is it about shouting at the CEO of the Opera House for not advertising a horse race on the sails of the Opera House. Nor is about mobilising people to attack a particular religious and racial group at the beach.
The recently published report by the ACMA has a similar vein of using words of violence towards a person such as "....shoving a sock down her throat..." of the NZ PM in front of the PM of Australia. The report mentions racist language of imputing all the citizens of Tuvalu as having a cargo cult mentality.
Clearly if there is a problem with government policy or Opera House policy or the policies of another government, it should be a criticism of the policy not the person or the people. For example, Mr Jones' criticism of the PM of Tuvalu should have been a criticism of the policy of Tuvalu in regards the contradictory nature of needing to address climate change and allowing carbon dioxide emitting jet planes landing on Tuvalu. That should have been criticised. It was totally unnecessary and hurtful to impute the policies on the people of Tuvalu.
It is in Australia's interest that we maintain a good relationship with our Pacific Island neighbours rather than alienating them and with the result of the country seeking assistance from other nations. Criticise the policy.
We know that Alan does not believe in "climate change". During the pandemic it was reported that carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 17% due to reduced economic activity, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/19/lockdowns-trigger-dramatic-fall-global-carbon-emissions.
This would have presented Alan with the question, "...mmmm....carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 17%....what has been the corresponding change in temperature?...." That would have been a perfectly valid question since reductions in carbon dioxide should result in a reduction in temperature.
He did not ask that question on air. It could have been a feast on attacking that issue of "....there was a 17% drop in CO2 emissions....WHERE'S THE DROP IN THE TEMPERATURE?"
I have written to him about drop in CO2 emissions. Even though he says that he answers all emails, he didn't address this issue nor answer email when I raised that question.
Even several years ago before the issue of the prohibitive cost of producing Aluminium was even on Alan's radar, I raised that issue that Aluminium production requires a lot of energy based on the chemistry of the bonds of Aluminium Oxide and its variants. He never answered that email. (I wished I had a copy of the email sent that time).
Despite Alan's on-air foibles, they pale into insignificance compared to his broadcasting career. In this instance, Alan's broadcasting career is not like the game of "snakes and ladders". Alan's minor foibles should not be the snakes that diminish his achievements.
We know Alan's narrative. It is generally consistent and well- researched and tilts towards the conservative side of politics. One does not necessarily have to agree with everything he said. For me I disagree with his downplay of the current covid19 epidemic and his lack of understanding of mathetical modelling.
Disagree or agree with Alan or any media commentator that does not accord with your values, we need these commentators in the overall discourse of issues. Australia's media is diverse and does not necessarily reflect a particular political party's or economist's views.
Thank you,
Anthony of I finally got that out of my system, Belfield
In regard to Jacinda Ardern ... ah, I don't think he actually meant for anyone to in fact DO that. It's a turn of phrase. Something many people use:-)
What is wrong with Australians today. SOooo sensitive. Too many self-righteous lefties!
(and another comment that won't be published no doubt)