Heduanna,

Language can be very powerful. As you insist on feigning ignorance about the negative attitudes contained in your use of it I will make one last attempt to explain:

'Do-gooder' has become a perjorative term - just as are, 'tree-hugger' and 'bleeding heart'. It is ingenuous to suggest that referring only to particular 'do-gooders'is not abusive - the very use of the term has already set the tone. Consider: "I'm only referring to *ignorant* n--gers" or "It's only the *lazy* abos that annoy me."

Equally, telling a group of people to "get off their arses" is demeaning and abusive. When the speaker's good fortune is built on the promotion of demeaning and derogatory caricatures of that group and it is one of which he has no credible experience, then it is also reprehensible.

The populist logic of Belly and Romany, is not untypical of that which allowed the rise of Pauline Hanson and the repeated election of Howard. Of course 'discrimination' means 'difference', but in this context it means difference which harms or disadvantages. 'Discrimination' here is as readily understood to have negative connotations as 'Quality', when used alone, is generally understood to have positive ones.

Noel Pearson, is as credible an authority about Australian Aboriginal conditions as Rolf Harris is not. His remarks are worthy of note and it is a pity that, if you intended a serious discussion on this issue, you didn't choose to start it there. However, he does speak from a particular ideological position and not a predominant one among his own people.

Improving the lot of the Australian Aborigine will not come about as a result of either/or type solutions - nor will paternalistic, imposed interventions or telling people to 'get off their arse' provide the answer. Aystrakuab Aborigines are *not* equal and 'discrimination' in their favour is as essential as it was to further the lot of women. The weaker will always need the assistance of the stronger if they are to enjoy equal opportunity and equal outcomes. It may be paradoxical but unequal inputs are often necessary to produce equal outputs.

Well thank you mikisdad.

This is a much clearer response even though it shows you have not understood my point.

I find it insulting to be accused of ‘feigning ignorance’. You are right language; is a very powerful tool and when processed through a closed mind can be grossly misunderstood. Misunderstand and misconstrue my posts is what you have chosen to do.

What is paradoxical is that you choose to perceive my use of the word ‘do gooder’ as pejorative (despite my clarification) and yet find it acceptable to make racist remarks like ‘ignorant Brits’.

I think you will find it is your perception that is negative not my attitude