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The Forum > Article Comments > So many opinions offered by so few, who seem to know so little > Comments

So many opinions offered by so few, who seem to know so little : Comments

By Kym Durance, published 10/3/2005

Kym Durance asks what is it that makes those people paid for their opinions so special.

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Kym:I do not mind listening to others "expert?" views as they can drive me to investigate for myself. Alternatively these views of the somewhat pompous, arrogant small minded 'experts' can give me a good laugh.Of course jones, laws and adams are beyond the pale - no one should listen to these clowns at all, as well the pliant writers in some n/papers.
What does get up my nose and I think it sad for democratic Australia are n/paper writers/columnists.These "fearless and independent writers" who instead of reporting the truth or even their views seem to write what their boss or editor tells/orders them.Instead of informing they attempt to change our views usually by writing lies and half truths it seems. The Australian is one of these "news?" papers, liberal to the core and so obedient to rampant rupert and too the rodent. Regards, numbat.
Posted by numbat, Thursday, 10 March 2005 12:33:12 PM
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Kym, I found myself nodding in agreement. Probably didn't change my opinion at all (but then I agreed with most of what you wrote).

The scary bit about broadcast/print media opinions is that many of us probably still have some kind of subconscious thinking that claims made in the guise of editorial comment should be backed up by fact. If we stop and think about it we realise how unlikely that is, if we don't we give unreasonable weight to claims made. I know I grew up not expecting the detail behind an assertion to be dishonest, what I learned to question was the interpretation of that detail. I have to constantly remind myself that many (on all sides of politics numbat) are willing to deliberately provide misleading info or outright lies to support what they want me to believe.
Posted by R0bert, Thursday, 10 March 2005 1:09:32 PM
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RObert: What you say about all political parties is, unfortunately too true.Yet you must agree that the'rodent'has majored in deceit and lies, at present no one can hold a candle to him. Regards, numbat
Posted by numbat, Thursday, 10 March 2005 2:31:38 PM
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numbat, I live in QLD and work for a GOC. I think Teflon Pete could hold his own with any of them. Probably depends on which side of politics you tend to favor as to who you think is the biggest liar/spin merchant.

Having said that I have been very disappointed at the apparent willingness to lie and use "spin" shown by the current federal government. More that I expected better of them than that I think they are worse than there opponents (that may be bias on my part but that happens).

Regards
Posted by R0bert, Thursday, 10 March 2005 2:43:51 PM
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I happen to agree with Dirty Harry's view (opinion) about opinions. I cannot, of course, repeat that in full. Suffice it to say that everyone has (at least) one. Paid opiners are, I believe, surrogates for those of us denied the pleasure of expressing our opinions to anyone who will listen. I freely admit that I avoid reading the opinions of those whom I consider to be benighted enough to differ in their outlook from me. It gives me some reflected pleasure to read the opinions of those with whom I generally agree and only slightly less pleasure to ignore those with whom I generally disagree.
Posted by Terry, Thursday, 10 March 2005 6:57:17 PM
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Let's face it Kym, what we are talking about here is just another branch of the entertainment industry. Like CNN.

When was the last time you heard the phrase "newspaper of record", and didn't laugh out loud? With even serious news items presented to us as predigested gobbets, it should come as no surprise that the space needs to be filled with entertainment with even less intellectual value.

So to stay sane, don't look for truth, beauty or enlightenment from the opinion-peddlers, just think of them as extended comic strips.
Posted by Pericles, Thursday, 10 March 2005 7:29:32 PM
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Well, why the need for opinion?As I said a while ago,"Experts know all about the pieces, but no one knows how they fit together."

HENCE WE HAVE THE NEED FOR PUBLIC OPINION!
Posted by Arjay, Thursday, 10 March 2005 10:08:07 PM
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well i need an opinion urgently if anyone wants to help me:
do you think WA parliament reflects the will of the people accurately? (in reference to the state election)
pleeaase people
thanks
Posted by paps01, Thursday, 10 March 2005 10:33:06 PM
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Numbat,rodents have an uncanny way of surviving, time and time again.Be careful ,you might be relegated to the "Cyclops order of power without perception"
Politically,John Howard can think in many planes at the same time.It has nothing to do about your moralising or mine.To effect economic and social change,you have to remain in power, stretching the bounds of your own credibility,and then,and only then, can real change occur.
This is why we have had such a long period of economic growth.
Posted by Arjay, Thursday, 10 March 2005 11:30:34 PM
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Perhaps opinion writers are just trying to make a living - putting their children through school, pay the bills and pay for their private health insurance.

Really, if you don't like opinion don't read it (although obviously you know about this site).

Your point could be made about any amount of other people who do something for a living.

Why all the novelists writing fiction, why all the actors making movies, why all the sales people selling widescreen tvs, why are the fast food companies selling burgers.

Because there is a market for it and people buy it.

The opinion makers work hard at their job, they do research and then they formulate an opinion which some people will agree with and some won't.

It may surprise you but many people in Australia actually like to debate what is going on and a lot of the arguments will be based on opinion not all cold hard facts. Try going into any pub in Australia on a Friday night or have a beer with tradesmen on any given weeknight.

t.u.s.
Posted by the usual suspect, Friday, 11 March 2005 11:12:31 AM
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And if everyone is so concerned about the truth being disregarded by the evil newspaper journalists, nothing is stopping you from doing a bit of sniffing around yourself and writing some stories. Really it can't be that hard and you won't have Mr Murdoch breathing down your neck (because apparently he is in contact with every journalist in the world telling them what to write).
If you come up with a juicy story exposing a lying politician (or a lying snowman) the papers would love you for it and may even pay you money for it.

t.u.s.
Posted by the usual suspect, Friday, 11 March 2005 11:17:16 AM
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Irony sweet irony.
Posted by Penekiko, Friday, 11 March 2005 11:24:28 AM
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Well done t.u.s.

Any opinion that isn't idealogically to the left is wrong. How else could the 'Howard Haters' become relevant.
Posted by Sayeret, Thursday, 17 March 2005 7:49:30 AM
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Lovely, and witty. I've linked you to www.wsacaucus.org, because we pathetic bloggers are all just wannabe opinion writers. But you are right, why shouldn't we matter?
Posted by Naomi, Thursday, 17 March 2005 4:19:54 PM
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We have a reporter interviewing another reporter about his opinion about some event. As such, the reporter is not reporting but merely stating his own personal views, which can be off the mark entirely.

One of the major problems I found is that when I approach someone, lawyer/barrister/politician, etc, they are quickly of the mark to make known that in their view it is not correct what I am saying. Well, when a barrister tells me that who’s client is facing 10 years imprisonment then his client hardly would appreciate this ignorance. Afterwards, the same barrister admitted that because of me, it was exposed that the charges were an abuse of legal processes and charges were subsequently dropped against his client and two others. This, because I did not give up and did my own campaign to fight for the clients justice.
Anyone who would face up to 10 years imprisonment, knowing to be innocent, would obviously prefer a lawyer who listen to common sense.

Regretfully, lawyers are giving legal advise, and if afterwards their clients never the less lost the case, the lawyer still collects the fee and the client may end up severely out of pocket.

Yet, the client acted upon legal advise!

One then must ask, what is this kind of advise word?

Time and again, I come across those being paid to give advise who really do not know what they are talking about. Regretfully, it is their clients usually ending up suffering.

Remarkably, Australian has not even a constitutional council as to advise about how the Constitution applies, and so it changes from time to time, regardless what is really applicable.
By this, those advising as to constitutional application really misadvise others, and in the process many suffer.
Ask for example about the meaning of “due process of law” and a politician will give his views in total contrast to what a person facing the Court may perceive.
Those advising, often have, so to say, their position to push, and by this true independent advise may not come forwards.
So much for advise!
Posted by Mr Gerrit H Schorel-Hlavka, Thursday, 24 March 2005 11:10:40 PM
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