Just got a good laugh from this article,

http://www.smh.com.au/national/blinking-hazzard-makes-keneally-see-red-20091021-h92u.html

First we have Kristina Keneally using supposed sexism as a red herring to get her out of trouble, then the line from the journalist, perfectly placed, 'Keneally arrived late for question time, looking immaculate as usual in a red suit.'

Now, is it just me or was that devilishly witty? Straight after reporting the accusations of sexism, putting in a line describing the woman's outfit.

But on the other hand, it's also terribly unfair, and akin to the old boys ganging up with a bit of sexist bullying.

Now I must confess I cant stand the woman, but it's likely because of the American accent and my opinions on developer lobbying.

So what is the point. Well, is it fair play for a woman to use the sexist card to get her out of trouble, given that she's probably faced a lot of sexism in getting where she is? But if that is fair, is it fair for the male pollies to fight fire with fire because she's given the sexism card a show?

I suppose it kind of parallels celebrities selling their wedding ceremonies to the highest bidder, then complaining about when their privacy is breached.

Is she doing women a disservice? Using these accusations for nefarious purposes surely must weaken any attempts to rid parliament of sexism. Or is it an example of politics being an anything goes sport, and calls for it to be 'cleaned up' for women disingenuous and sexist in itself, as women hold their own and give as good as they take?

Houellebecq wrote: Now I must confess I cant stand the woman, but it's likely because of the American accent and my opinions on developer lobbying.

Dear Houellebecq,

What is wrong with an American accent? I have one. Quite often Australians don't recognise it for what it is. I have been asked if I am Canadian, German or Irish. Australians will be aware that I do not speak like them but can't quite place the accent.

Actually there are approximately ten different American accents depending on which part of the country one comes from.

I get the feeling that anti-Americanism is the most acceptable prejudice in Australia.

Who gives a hoot about her dumb-ass playing of the sexist card in an attempt to muddy the waters?

This is the serious issue we should be discussing: "developers are giving hundreds of thousands to Labor and people like Richo are meeting bureaucrats in coffee shops. Not while NSW remains a mates' state."

david f,

'What is wrong with an American accent?'

Nothing. I just don't happen to like any of the various American accents. I find them annoying. The over-pronunciation of 'er's, the very broad a's.

Further, I cant stand the use of uluminum rather than aluminium. The 'we'll be back momentarily' abuse of the English language, the over-use of 'like' etc.

I am honest enough to admit my dislike of the woman (whom I've never met) is based partly on this, along with her dodgy goings on in her political life, and her pathetic justifications. I hated Alexander 'the things that batter', 'I don't remember' Downer too, and his stuffy private school Adelaide accent.

'I have been asked if I am Canadian, German or Irish.'
What of it? Many of the English I met when living there could not tell the difference between Australian/New Zealander/ South African! accents. I'm sure it happens everywhere.

'Actually there are approximately ten different American accents depending on which part of the country one comes from.'
Yep. And I reckon there are at least 3 accents in Australia.

'I get the feeling that anti-Americanism is the most acceptable prejudice in Australia.'
Maybe. You should see how much we hate the English come Ashes time. The USA is a big country with lots of power. When you use power you're gonna make enemies somewhere, and be perceived as arrogant as well.

Although I'd still say the accent is the main cause of it. And the insincere and cynical 'have a nice day'.

BTW: The Strayan accent is appalling too, just not quite as bad as the American.

Cornflower,

Every issue, on some level, is really a feminist issue. The dodgy dealings with developers is nothing new and been going on since as long as I can remember. It's just there's a lot more nimby's and pretentious lounge chair architects these days.

H,

Coming from you this is a puzzling question

What is the focus of the question the assumed incompetence/Plausible denial, the press reporting or what?

Why do you read the paper knowing it's always looking of a sensational hook?

Why are you surprised by political shenanigans, including playing PC?

Why did you include the bit about the American accent at all?

Was this question a Trojan horse to discuss your prejudices, a Freudian slip or just your strange chauvinistic reasoning ?

Do you really believe that ''fessing up' justifies your rolling in you prejudices? We all have prejudices but why luxuriate in them? What does it prove/gain? I'm not crazy about Cal Wilson's NZ ascent but she is the 'cutest' down to earth female and the breath of fresh air on Aussie TV. She's quick and funny as a comedienne, surely that's the important bit.

What IS the D&M topic here, given you're so bored with OLO?

Houellebecq

<< Is she doing women a disservice? >>

I don't follow NSW politics, so I'm certainly not speaking from an informed position, but on the strength of the article you've referred us to here, I'd definitely argue that Kristina Keneally is indeed doing women a huge disservice.

As pointed out by Cornflower, the real issue here should be the cronyism and corruption within the NSW Planning Department. That a woman could get herself appointed to head such a department and then fail to even recognise the mess within it, let alone take measures to clean it up, unfortunately reflects poorly on females in politics. On reading this article, I'm even wondering if her star was promoted purely on the strength of her being an ambitious dumbass who wouldn't have the inclination or the capacity to rock the boat and get some big heads rolling as they should be.

Rightly or wrongly, the wink accusation seems to further show her up as either lightweight and petty, or as desperately and manipulatively grasping at anything to distract from her own ineptitude. Either or both scenarios are possible, and none of them very complimentary to her political performance. As pointed out by the journalist, the silence from her own side of politics is very revealing. It looks as though she's stupidly accepted a poisoned chalice and that no-one else is willing to back her as she seeks to defend the indefensible.

She sounds fairly naive and stupid to me, but I'm happy to stand corrected. Neither the immaculate red suit nor the American accent do anything to counter that impression either I'm afraid. BTW, David, I have nothing against the American accent in itself. In fact I often rather like it. It's the frequently strident and self-opinionated persona behind the accent that irritates me. There are many good Americans, you very definitely being one of them, but unfortunately there are also huge numbers of the crass, loud and egocentric variety - who see America as the natural centre of the universe and know or care little about the world beyond its boundaries.