OT - Political correctness gone mad

Motherhen,

There are a lot of things that should be done and I hope this review comes up with something far more beneficial than euphemisms. Coming to terms with our changing climate is a major problem for our primary producers as you well know.

Hairs,

Careful, you've probably pre-empted the findings of yet another taxpayer funded review committee of experts.

The latest buzzword is "softening"....so it will be a "softening of the land"

Andrew

Andrew,

I think a "softening" of heads is apparent here :)))

Bob,

Does it matter? They'll all sign off on it no matter which side of politics they're on :)))

Sorry Al,

I went back and read the article after I had posted.

Regards Bob

Bob,

No need to be sorry. I'm just amazed that some of them think this sort of thing is helpful.

Bob,
"the government's hand-picked Drought Policy Review Expert Social Panel". or the DPRESP, to me that looks like the word Despite.
Do you like the word 'Expert', meaning a tap drip under pressure.

Jon,

We could probably say something about the "hand" bit but it would'nt be appropriate on a family forum :)))

Cruiser,

LOL I share your sentiments but being the cynical mongrel that I am, I think the spin doctors used by both sides of politics would have come up with the same result. Does'nt make it any more legitimate though.

Gramps,

You are correct. Maybe not POLITICALLY correct, but still correct.

I dont trust any politician and I dont trust any fat cat from either local/state or federal government departments.

Call me a grumpy old bugga, but I have been lied to once to much and have developed a natural mistrust for them, and as for this political correct crap, give me a break.

Bloody over educated over paid idiots.

Cheers,

Cruiser

CRUISER

agreed...........just think about it, some of the smartest people dont have a degree. :-)
common sense has it all over them .

Now I know that this is an OT subject, but relevant to all who travel Oz.
WARNING..UNPOPULAR STATEMNT FOLLOWS.(I can't believe that Footy is saying something nice about Govt again !)

AFAIK The change from "drought" to "dryness" was an attempt to soften the psychological impact on our rural community. Far too many of them are committing suicide.
I'm certainly sceptical, but isn't any attempt to
1) Highlight the appalling waste of human life and
2) attempt to do something about it...
worth the effort ?

Personally I think it's *censored * in the wind in terms of helping anyone, but at least it's something. Perhaps the derision it achieves might, just might, bring forth something better?

The number of suicides in Australia is appalling, and a national disgrace. ANY effort to help is a positive thing in my opinion.





"some of the smartest people don't have a degree"...So you want doctors without them ? :))

If you are a state of depression from any cause - real or perceived, you won't care what word the government has coined to define your situation. It will make no difference to how you feel or change your mind if going to take that final step.

Many are suffering from very real causes and having no money, banks banging on the door and no hope of getting ahead on today's prices and costs, and fancy words that don't change any of the problems. All an insult to them really; just belittling the plight of many so they can say a problem has been solved.

Motherhen

Motherhen,

That is the sad truth of it. Nobody has an answer other than to hope for an upturn in circumstances.

Footy your are right about
"ANY effort to help is a positive thing in my opinion". I agree, But, there is always a but,
And Motherhen is spot on with her comment
"and fancy words that don't change any of the problems"

Words are useless unless they are backed up with deeds, actually doing something to have people believe in themselves and give them hope.
They've lost hope.
And with all this 'Credit Crunch' and other international events, the cost of fuel, we've forgotten about our farmers, small communities and our back bone.

Definition of an Expert Taken from the book of common sense

On who learns more and more about less and less and ends up knowing everything about nothing.

Then gets a job in the Government telling everybody about it

On the subject of paying fatcats. Isnt it about time ex politicians

stoped getting a pension and all the perks they dont deserve.

That money would pay for a lot of needed operations in the health sector and teach these polys what its like to live on a real pension.
ROFL

How about we start a petition to stop it.

Might be easier pushing jelly up hill with a rake

The sad fact is we do not pay politicians enough.

That is why the quality is lacking.

Some do it for the service to the country. I'll use John Howard (love him or hate him) as a an example.

Howard was a Lawyer. He also had an extremely sharp mind, could think brilliantly on his feet and would have been a brilliant Barrister. He could have been making 2 or 3 million a year in the Law Profession. Instead a salary of $330,000.

He chose to forgo that in pursuit of what he believed to be for the good of the country and must be admired for that. Not many others are prepared to make such personal sacrifice.

Jim.

Jim, them's fighting words :))

The bulk of the governments work is actually carried out by the Public Service anyway. They are only figureheads. Actors with egos.

Watching Parliament is like watching kids in any school yard.

Pathetic.

Have a think about where old politicians go when they "retire". They go onto the boards of companies that comprise the lobby groups that the politician favoured when in office.

Add that to their super, and associated life long benefits, and not too many see out old age in poverty.

Even if they are kicked out at an election, they will have been eyeing off the opportunities whilst in office. Their networking opportunities in Parliament are second to none.

From time to time we do throw up the odd pollie that has the well being of the country and its inhabitants at heart. But I'm not convinced that there's more than a handful in the House and Senate combined. In any party.

As a society we tend to pay groups of people not for what they are, but for the value we put on their services.

And it's in the nature of politics to have the Govt of the day undervalued by at least a large amount of the population.

It's not money that matters at that level. After all, how many poor politicians are selected or elected ?

It's about much more.

Power and ego, and a shot at immortality in the history books.

Some of what you say is 100% right Footy, but a lot of them work their clacker off.

I remember about 20 years ago the State and Federal Industry Ministers, Peter Spyker and John Button were doing visits to various Factories around Melbourne.

They visited the company I worked for at the time. Trust me, these blokes looked absolutely knackered at 10 am. If they were working less than 16 hours a day I'd have been surprised.

Jim.

Ah yes, the so called Button Report on manufacturing, tariffs etc .
Wasn't that credited with stuffing the industry at the time?

Well done Matt. But shouldn't the last bit be

I love the Canberra fountains
I love my morning tea
And if I go into politics
It'll all belong to me.

?

LOL don't bring climate change up. We prefer changing climate.

Ok Gramps,
I won't bring climate change up. It must be totally irrelevant to this issue of a 'drought' or 'dryness'.

Maybe instead of calling it 'dryness' they could call it 'the climate changing'. But then on the other hand that upsets some, turns these people off and brings out the scepticism in them.

Barnesy

Barnesy,

You have'nt posted on here for ages but you go looking for an argument straight away. My reply was light hearted. Take your climate change dogma elsewhere.

Gramps,
it's very hard to tell people's real meanings when they post here. All you can do is go by what you think they mean. If that post was lighthearted then I misread it.

As for the climate change dogma, well that's your opinion of what I posted. I was merely giving a reply to your original post about what rural people think.

The farmers that I know (and their view is shared by most in their community) don't want it called a drought or dryness but they want it called climate change.

Barnesy