Thomas:

You have gone to a lot of trouble just to say this issue does not matter. Haven't you got anything better to do?

It's just a little more complex than the simplistic rationale the Author describes?

People doing it tough, like some drought stricken or dairy farmers often see themselves as failures? When they can't do what generations in the past managed to do with far less!?

Fiercely independent, they don't like begging! Given this transfers their independance and the fleeting remnants of their personal power to the "good samaritan"? And the reason for the huge suicide rate, (four farmers a week?) during the height of the worst drought in living memory!

Or the well publicized case of a bloke choosing to top himself rather than let a gas company explore his holding! Note the term holding as opposed to his land!

This is where it gets complex with numerous actors and activists all trying to ride on the coattails of the depressed and downtrodden to progress a political agenda or belief system/cover diabolical financial or dubious politically motivated advice, replete with a hidden agenda/no perceived or actual integrity?

Rather than shut the gate, we should welcome gas well drilling? The first reason being for sound commercial reasons! The second being recent advances in new technology desalination turns around 95% of the recovered salt water into potable water eminently suitable for host of cost effective affordable irrigation projects!

Which then lays an envelope of fresh on the water table, forcing any salt further down! And a win/win for the economy, the farmer, the financiers and the environment! Particularly if the favorable gas well terms are made public and become the benchmark for other deals?

That said, as someone whose back was broken in five places a problem further compounded by a stroke! I understand just how difficult it is for a proud and fiercely independent man to accept even well intentioned help, let alone proffered assistance/personally demeaning control freak abuse, that comes with strings!

i.e., the man will cease and desist his choice related advocacy and return to the fold! The fold being sheep, where the blind lead the blind!
Alan B.

Hey Thomas,
Good to see you're out and about.
I'd hate for you to do your head in restricting yourself to all that climate change nonsense.
Have to agree with you, cant see any point in this article except to anger me after reading about Yassmin Abdel-Magied and her life of 'so-called' oppression.

Her receiving Queenslander of the year award when she wasn't even born in Australia makes me feel oppressed.
As does her promotion of Sharia law also makes me feel oppressed.
I feel both oppressed and offended just reading about her.
She asks "What does my headscarf mean to you?"
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-12/yassmin-abdel-magied-book-memoir-islamic-youth-leader/7160458
Well for me it means she'll never be a true blue Aussie, no matter what any piece of paper says.
I can't very well sit down with a Muslim over lunch and have a good old whinge about the Islamification of my country can I?

I heard this guy and read a few of his writings. He's a Philosopher by Trade? (or he should be lol) And this guy in the interview below sums my thoughts about free speech and taking unnecessary offense.

However I still don't see any problems with 18C/18D. Bolt only needed to write a better article continuing the same facts he was all so offended about.

Writer and critic Richard King believes that Australians have become too quick to take offence.

"On freedom of speech and the freedom to offend"
ABC Richard Glover Conversations
Broadcast date: Monday 18 November, 2013

Richard King argues in his new book that there is a new mood of self-pity and self-righteousness.

People are now more likely to parade their hurt feelings in public, which is poisoning debate. Richard says freedom of speech means nothing without the freedom to offend.
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/11/18/3893227.htm?site=conversations

"On Offence: The Politics of Indignation" is published by Scribe.

( eg everyone has different tastes in humour - I'm always laughing at my own jokes, don't you? )

My son told me this story about an interview recently, where someone was asking about what is 'culturally' appropriate, like is it ok for primary school kids to do 'dots' paintings at school like aboriginal art works does it. Was that ok?

We both lol at the silliness of it all, because the interviewer was really serious in the questions. worrying about where's the line with no being offended or invading upon someone else's 'owned' heritage style etc. But, there's always a line between a little offense bad taste and being abusive or harassing/bullying. It moves about a lot though. (smile)
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You can either listen to each Conversations interview by clicking on the audio or you can download each interview as an mp3 by right clicking on the blue heading under the audio.

I haven't read or heard Shriver's comments, but if the article reflects them, then I think they are entirely reasonable.

Far too often issues of social justice become wrapped up in the identity of some particularly vocal group or other that has colonised the space and becomes a defacto "leadership", often attracting considerable funding that has few strings.

The model was formalised by Saul Alinsky, in his "Rules for Radicals", but it has been expanded as some of these groups become structural features of the political landscape - hardly "radicals", but reliant on a carefully manicured public outrage at the plight of the members of the particular community of disadvantage they claim to act for. The worst aspect of this is that it tends to perpetuate that disadvantage in some parts of the community: there's no smoke without fire, so the fire must never be allowed to be extinguished, no matter how feeble. A few well-considered puffs of hot air can soon bring it back to a sputtering display of smoky glory whenever funding is running a bit low.

The problem, in other words, is not who is doing the speaking per se, but how to ensure that they are ethical and honest in so doing. I think we could take some useful instruction from behavioural economics in that.

@phanto, Great comment and question. Ironic isn't it? :-)

A subtle hint (I admit) on all media, politicians, marketers and commentators engaged in swaying 'public opinion' was in: "I saw the words 'Integrity and identity' on the articles main page which hooked my attention."

Words act like 'baited hooks' to catch a fish. Beware of manipulation from all sides of an issue.
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"The fold being sheep, where the blind lead the blind!" Alan B.
Yes Alan I agree.

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@Armchair Critic: "I can't very well sit down with a Muslim over lunch and have a good old whinge about the Islamification of my country can I?"

Sure you can. First compile the solid evidence to support your belief of "the Islamification of my country", then go find a Muslim.

Muslims are similar to Aboriginals and Jews ime, more open to 'deep and meaningful' discussions than the average angry white fella feeling threatened by 'diveristy' and poor logic.

My first contact with Muslim Immigrants was back in the mid-80s at work. There was nothing wrong with them then. Were Australian as I was (but didn't drink alcohol) decent, honest, hard working, respectful of others, live and let live etc.

Gosh they weren't any different than Lebanese Christians or Orthodox Greeks I knew. The only difference was their chosen religious beliefs which was and still should be irrelevant in our secular country.

I have seen nothing to change my mind since. I reject fanatical extremism, fraudulent ideologies, violent criminals and terrorism no matter who does it.

The Law treats all citizens the same. A criminal will be and should be dealt with the same way, even an Irishman called Paddy who maybe undercover for the 'Real IRA' ready to pounce at a moment's notice. (so be scared and vigilant)

Maybe try being more like Lady Justice? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Justice

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@Craig Minns" "Saul Alinsky, in his "Rules for Radicals", "

I agree Craig. Alinsky rocks!