Agree totally ant,

This 'hard love' approach to everything and everyone is a worry.

Economic imperatives and policies have taken over from policies that unite families, communities and regions around issues of environmentalism and human connectivity. The Greens appear to be the only party that sees the connections between economy and human communities. Both major parties appear to be fighting over how to describe the corporate factory and workers. Its so much more than this.

And this is where Mr Comrie-Thomson falls flat on his face. I think he's been reading too much cultural theory, or not enough. He's deconstructed himself into a corner. That he does remember something from the 1960's is also a worry!

I'd rather be a soppy sentimentalist that believes in something because as the old saying goes - if you don't believe in something than you'll fall for anything.

Rainier,

This is precisely the kind of romantic, make-believe sentimental drivel that Paul takes to task. When, exactly, was this past Eden when families, communities and regions were united around issues of environmentalism and human connectivity, before economic imperatives so rudely interrupted?. Do you seriously believe that past communities were so idyllic? or that today’s poverty can be tackled without hard-headed and effective economic policies?

Of course, you are entitled to your ideals and your feelings. So am I, and the fact that they differ from yours make them no less legitimate or worthy. What Paul points out, however, is that the key issue is not how we feel or what we believe, but what we do about our ideas and how effective those actions are.

The egocentric focus of your ideology – “I'd rather be a soppy sentimentalist that believes in something” – demonstrates precisely one of his key points, the modern delusion that a private affect is a moral act.

ANT

special for you again.

There is something I'm picking up in your posts which shows something of where you are coming from.

Let me give you a classic example:

"Peter Wreiths Rotweilers" (The Waterfront/MUA problem)

"Ruddock and Vanstones incarceration of Children" (Asslyum seekers)

Now. on the first issue. Here is what you did.

-Chose a side and determined the outcome without reference to the goings on in the MUA.
-You portrayed Peter Wrieth as some kind of storm trooper.

You totally ignored the 'SIN' and the evil and the incestuous job protection/pass on from generation to generation closed labor shop, discrimination/ use of pure power to advance the conditions of waterfront workers WAYYYYYY ahead of anyone with similar training in the community, not to mention the strong connection to THUGGERY of the MUA and former Painters and Dockers.

In other words, you demonstrated a level of blindness which would probably equal the sum total of the blind of Victoria, and a bias of extrordinary proportions, and yet, you along with others of your ilk, have the temerity to attack the 'bad christians' etc in regard to responsible social policy.

Now. as for Peter Wrieth, ok. sure, they used 'tough' methods, to get rid of the cancer which was strangling our national competitiveness, and they are not without 'sin' (you like that word), in fact, if you look closely at their lives, I'm sure you might find a whole HOST of bad behavior and knee jerkism and power plays. I can see that and I also see the 'other' side. Can you ?
I condemn evil in ANY political party or movement, do you ? Are Greens or labor or democrats 'sinless' ? (or not violent towards women ?)

David_Boaz, the view of conspicuous sentimentality is a device used by conservatives to try and debunk those who hold a more liberal view. Over thirty years ago I had the view that the earth’s resources were being used in an unsustainable manner; but then I suppose that was a conspicuous sentimental view to hold. David I have noticed that in your posts you constantly quote from scripture;that is, you also write from a particular viewpoint, a conservative one

The waterfront has been an issue for numerous years, those working on the waterfront in earlier years were monstrously ripped off. The captains of industry didn’t like it when the tables were turned. David you are right in suggesting that at times Unions have abused their power; however, overall they have done and do good work also. In service areas, Unions can be useful in ensuring patients/clients obtain better services.

David your post intimates that the end justifies the means in relation to Reith. You also seem to suggest that it is fine to have children placed in prison.
Could you please quote the text from the Bible that suggests that in any situation the means justifies the end.

Yes, David I do have particular attitudes to things, another fundamental premise I base my views on is that violence whether bureaucratic (children in prison), threatened (Peter Reith’s rotweilers), or physical (terrorist bombers) is taboo. Some of our Labor leaders in the past have been thug like (Paul Keating); thuggery has reached new levels currently. Even former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser expresses disquiet about our current Prime Minister.

ANT
conservative yes, 'hyper funda' no :)
Environment, unsustainable use of resources ? I totally agree with you, and that is without doubt one of the major failings of unrestrained capitalism. This is why I do quote from scripture, I give what I believe to be a 'prophetic' approach, in the sense that the prophets called the 'capitalist' kings back to reality and righteousness.
But then, King Hezekiah, was a 'bleeding heart' :) who trusted the Babylonians a tad too much, he even showed them the treasures of the Temple with glowing pride, one of the Prophets came to him "You are an all time IDIOT, now they are going to come and TAKE all that, but as for you, you will die soon, then it will happen" Hezekiahs pathetic response "OH.. not in my lifetime eh ? ok.. no worries mate"

Yep, thats a paraphrase but the meaning is accurate.

It also has significance to our 'open borders' mob who don't see the other political/social side of that coin.

On issues that you raised, there is always the 'other side', for example on the 'incarcerating children' I see that as 'keeping families together'. To my mind, separting children from their parents in an unfamiliar land and culture is rather dehumanizing. Speaking of 'Jailing Children' might be good 'emotive politics' :) but its not quite the full story.

You well highlighted the issue of 'Them/Us' on the waterfront, and this is what we should seek to avoid. Thats why I refer to scriptural principle rather than say the Coalition. My politics is more Family First oriented at present.

Labor's free dental was a great thing. The coalitions reliance on the 'productivity commission' is an appalling attack on small Business in that it is used to effectivly CULL business's which don't fit the 'lets sell lots of wheat to China no matter the cost to our industrial sector' model.

Rhian,

Yes, Paul Comrie-Thomson has attempted to deride how humans care, feel compassion, and are moved by the plight of their fellow human beings. I took the stance in my previous posts that this was useless exercise if one does come up with solutions as well.
By just standing on the sidelines and pathologising sentiment and applying this on a grand scale to all mass social movements is just a bit of usless spectator sport.

In my nearly thirty years of activism and working in communities, I don’t think I could have done what I have without others reminding me (through our relationships) that what I was doing was right, honorable and just. And shock horror, feel sentimentality for what we were doing.

In my own life time I’ve seen my own small town taken over by big corporations and a sense of community die. And did you know that “Australians are three times richer than their parents and grandparents were in the 1950’s, but they are no happier”, why is this so? See this http://www.wellbeingmanifesto.net/

I teach for a living and I’m engaged in a wide range of community activities so when it’s easy to spot people like Comrie Thomson who obviously have lost touch, dropped out, and now spend their time trying to theorise and justify their own isolation.

Writing for the hedonistic Rolling Stones magazine must have been fun for Mr PCT, but this is the real world where all sorts of human emotions contribute to good things happening. Sentimentality is one of them.
"Let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late" - Bob Dylan; Jimi Hendrix, All Along the Watchtowe