I don’t really like to talk about politics. I do like to talk about things like kindness, being a good human and living happily. And the events of the last few days have rattled me a bit. Not very kind. Not very human. Not happy.
I am not a huge fan of our PM, I admit. She’s alright. She’s not my fave. I am not a huge fan of her rival Mr Abbott either. I’ve got issues, ya know? But I also take issue with how PM Gillard has been treated recently. It’s just insane. For those who aren’t up to speed with our government shenanigans, let me explain:
Our PM was the target of a pretty revolting, sexist, sexual joke at an (opposing) Liberal Party fundraiser. This ‘joke’ only came to light this week, although it happened some time ago. Interestingly, this revelation came after she was VERY WIDELY scoffed at for ‘playing the gender card’ and discussing misogyny (even by these experty guys. Gazooks!)
Apparently men and women are treated equally in politics. The PM was wrong. I mean, what would she know?! She’s a woman!
Today’s PM Taunting Olympics involved a man called Howard Sattler interviewing Ms Gillard on radio 6PR. (The interview took place yesterday.) Sattler began a line of questioning involving supposed rumours (cue Twilight Zone soundtrack) about the PMs partner, hairdresser Tim Mathieson. He went on to ask Ms Gillard if her partner was gay, although he stressed HE wasn’t saying that. The rumours were saying that (cue Fleetwood Mac soundtrack).
Then it went something like this. Pay attention. This bit is amazing. Sattler deduced: Man (who is a) hairdresser = GAY MAN! Ta-dah! What a tool.Today Mr Sattler has been sacked. Good thing too…
Via The Courier Mail on Sattler: He made his debut on Media Watch in 1990 after saying “good riddance to bad rubbish” about the death of three Indigenous children who were killed when the stolen car they were in crashed while being chased by police.
Vile tool. Today I’ve heard a lot of talk about our PMs dignifed response to her treatment of late, especially her response to the Sattler attack.
Via News.com.au: 6PR’s Jane Marwick, at the start of her afternoon show, said that she was “embarrassed” by Sattler’s interview, watching it in the studio as it happened.
“Yesterday Julia Gillard handled herself with grace and dignity,” she said.
WHY? Why do we have to be dignified in the face of attack? Is this a thing that women are meant to do? Is a man allowed to serve back a giant dose of ‘Um. STFU!’? And are women meant to take a deep breath and say something measured and dignified? Be… graceful?!
I think she should have terminated the interview and given him a giant dose of the forks. I know, I know. That brings its own consequences for the PM. Cries of ‘aggressive’. Blah blah blah. But jeepers, why SHOULD she, or we, be dignified in the face of an attack? Why is that considered by some to be the correct ‘measured’ lady response?
I don’t like it. I say less tools. More forks.
(I’m very sorry for your super crappy week Julia. Hugs to you. Come over and I’ll show you some good ways to do the forks and why crochet is better than knitting.)
x Pip
PS : Let’s talk about manners.
NB: Normal not political chatter will continue tomorrow. There will even be woolly, foodie, non-tooly photos. I promise.