Bernie

Tolerance of what?

"Much of Australian culture is charming but superficial. We make heroes out of sportsmen, contribute a little local colour to English, lionize the “true blue” in sentimental songs."

Snout, charming these things may be, superficial they are not. They are all a part of the glue that binds our culture together. We are indeed a very mixed bunch, with hugely differing backgrounds. That holds as true for those who were born in this country (and whose parents and grandparents were), as those that have arrived more recently. Whilst other things may form the base of a stable and decent society (which I believe we are, despite the odd deviation from the straight and narrow), those attributes that you have denigrated as being superficial are truly what makes us different from other cultures. Its pride when our cricket team flogs the Poms (its much more satisfying beating someone who invented the game)that helps to form a national spirit. Its also the sense of amusement watching other english-speaking nations try to understand our take on the language. Its being prepared to recognise the things that bind us together rather than the things that drive us apart.

And before you knock the songs that "lionize the true blue", try listening to the words and reading between the lines as to what they really mean - what they are really saying about the nature of Australians. I might be the product of the australian public school system, but I at least picked up a few analysis skills along the way.

Some more "Australian" values (off the top of my head, and in no particular order):

* The Tall Poppy Syndrome
* Bring Back The Biff
* I'm Alright Jack
* Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi
* The Yellow Peril (latterly expanded to Islam)
* All the way with LBJ (latterly GWB)
* In like Flynn
* Six pack = foreplay
* Might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb
* Dobbing is worse than any crime

Etc etc etc :)

I mean, these are all distinct elements of "Aussie" culture - as opposed to the universal values that dog-whistling rabble rousers like Howard, Costello, Beazley, Muehlenberg etc would like to claim as our very own. Should prospective visitors, residents and citizens have to sign up to these as well?

keith,
You have got the basics right. I would include respect where possible, but maybe thats splitting hairs. Good work!

Steve, Can you show where the PM and Treasurer showed unacceptance and intolerance. I thought what both have said has been quite reasonable. Their statements are easily obtainable.

Steve and bennie, Should we be tolerant of all things? What about wife beating, FGM, rudeness to women, gang bashings, gang rapes, no respect shown to police or courts,the consumption of foods we find unacceptable, cock fights, dog fights and bull fights. How tolerant should we be with those that cannot hold a soccer match without rioting, burning cars and shooting at buildings? Or intimidating voters going to a polling booth, then causing havoc after, including bashings and shooting people.

Where would you draw the line? Now is your opportunity to let us know how tolersant we should be.

With the exception of FGM, I would have thought all of the antisocial behaviours listed by Banjo above have been very well documented in the social history of our dominant Anglo-Celtic Australian culture. Perhaps s/he could be somewhat better informed about Aussie social history before trying to malign more recent arrivals on the basis of activities that were part of the formation of the very same contemporary Australian culture that s/he purports to defend.

Values, values, values. These values are walking out the door! Get your values here at a reduced price, but only until MIDNIGHT tonight! That's right! I've gone ABSOLUTELY mad, and I'm selling my values to the lowest bidder! We've got 'tall poppy syndromes,' 'scapegoating,' 'free-loading,' and who could forget the greatest value of them all, 'a fair go!' All walking out the door today only! But only until Midnight tonight...

And on and on the Crazy Warehouse Guy goes...

Why are we having this cut priced sale on Australian values? That's right, because our new workplace laws aren't really cutting the mustard with the punters. So let's find a scapegoat. Let's find someone to fear, someone to blame. Let's see if the punters fall for it?

It's really, really clever politics. Bang on about values, and good, honest, hard-working Australians (That's US) can feel good about themselves. And lay the boot into the bludging, whinging, free-loading, conniving, snivelling, foreign language speaking, wogs, frogs, chinks, dagos, poofter b*st*rds (That's THEM). And feel good about ourselves. And BLAME them. So we can feel good about ourselves, etc.

John Howard being divisive? Never! He wouldn't know how!