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.

pontificator you really were a counsellor. How does that make you feel? Let's pursue that.

I'll leave the first 5 questions under the heading; Pontificator needs to get some comprehension skills.

Bootylicious is all I can say. One day you'll understand.

'Do you really believe that ''fessing up' justifies your rolling in you prejudices? '
I really believe I don't need to justify anything. Especially to you.

'We all have prejudices but why luxuriate in them?'
I luxuriate in all aspects of life and human frailty is one of my interests. Prejudice, Anger, fear, aggression, hate are just as interesting, valid and worthwhile as any other aspect.

'What does it prove/gain?'
That's the difference between us. You're always looking to prove or gain something. Whether it be popularity, the high moral ground, intellectual superiority or pompous self richeousness.

I just luxuriate in the journey.

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

If you cant tell what my motives are or what my messages are that's not for me to tell you. You should take out of me what you want to.

As Paul Dempsey once said...

'Whatever you want! Whatever appeals to you, whatever it is you haven't got.'

You sound like a teenager wanting to know what the song words mean.

H
Thanks for that, I think.

Perhaps I've miss estimated your abilities for substance rather than process.(prof Greenfields)

I simply fail to understand how the antics of a state minister under pressure does anything but make her look silly. Obfuscation and diversionary attacks on trivial issues are stock and trade of those without sound answers.

The SMH is hardly the bastion of intellectual analysis certainly not this piece. News papers are notorious for 'sexing up' a 'hook' to get people in.

I noted that you seem to take the bait. I wondered why you bother...that assumed depth of thought.

I was curious about your inflammatory comment about ascents then your unnecessary insensitivity when challenged. Wondering if there was some point to this stance again assuming you'd thought the issue through before your responding.

As for proving something are you saying you write without purpose?
I just look for meaning reasoning ...isn't that the point of discussing/Communication as opposed to raving, understanding the point of life?

I would have thought that my ego isn't determined by OLO but what I do in the real world.

Given your comment about being bored on OLO I thought the issue MUST have some deeper meaning I missed.
When in doubt I ask.

PS None of my previous post made claims or personal attacks merely asked then where possible gave an explanatory example.

Interesting how being in the process colours the perceptions of what was said. (the good prof strikes again)

The more we select people for positions on the basis of their sex rather than competence the more we will end up with the inept Labour women we have in power. Quotas, EEO and other sexist programs have led to a dumbing down of the Public service and Parliament. Thankfully in the real world companies largely choose on the basis of competency.

I think all in all you just cant understand when I'm playing and when I'm serious. Some counsellor. Most people seem to have those comprehension skills. Certainly nobody else on OLO has any trouble.

I haven't taken any bait. I merely mused whether the author deliberately put in that perfectly timed one-liner when it struck me funny. Then it lead me on to the sexist card and how it could be used or abused. Bronwyn seemed to get it and gave a pretty comprehensive response.

You seem obsessed with pointing out every time that every piece of journalism is there for sensation and generating outrage, or think that you're the only one in the world that appreciates this.

As Paul Dempsey said..

'You're not the first to think that everything has been thought before.'

And before you say someone else said it first... haha don't you get it.

Sometimes I wonder what you are in the 'process' of doing when you write all this pontificating drivel. Maybe you should swap hands every now and then, or maybe that would interrupt your 'ascent'.

You're being a perfect straight man for me though, I do thank you.

You remind me of that Kevin Kline character in A Fish Called Wanda.

Australia very sexist. The trouble is if you are a woman, or even a different race for that matter you need to drop those differences to fit into white corporate culture. So yes it is open to you but not to your differences. Lose your foreign accent (unless it is cute), lose your womanly emotions or your cultural views. Very conformist society that by it's very nature exludes people for their differences.

The problem when woman air their grievance they do not do it in a male way or as they say, a corporate way. This is because they are woman and about time this difference is embraced rather than condemned.

The Missus

I am shattered that you find Australia 'very sexist', would you care to list the nations that are ahead of it?

What if an anti-discrimination commissioner ever declared:
"Liberals and feminists have been the big success story in the control and direction of modern culture, education, and the dissemination of ideas and moral views, as well as recipients of the elite status and high income accruing to such success and power. Clearly, they will have their position changed because they will be competing in a different way with the people they have been marginalising, namely white men." and demanded the passage of a law requiring positive discrimination against liberals and feminists?

That would be shocking, discriminatory and totalitarian you might say? Yet Victoria's Equal Opportunity Commission CEO Dr Helen Szoke has got away with declaring that 'white' males had "been the big success story in business and goods and services".

She went on to say, "Clearly, they will have their position changed because they will be competing in a different way with these people who have been traditionally marginalised,"

While listing the many countries that are ahead of Australia in the anti-sexism stakes you might take the time to define what you mean by sexism.

Returning to Kristina Keneally, it is to her disgrace that she flashed the 'sexism' card to cover her exposed behind and it is ridiculous to try to rationalise her abuse of her parliamentary accountability. She refuses to be accountable and that is a serious matter.

Hi All'

I am smiling while writing this comment. I have many dear friends in the USA, but one thing I will point out is that many cannot laugh at themselves. they can laugh at others, but unlike the Irish, the English or Aussies, they cannot easily take the "Mickey" out of themselves.
One friend defended me when I made a joke against myself. I said to him don't take it so seriously. If you cannot laugh at yourself then you have real problems. Being capable of laughing at yourself means that others laughing at you cannot reach or hurt you.
Another friend was frequently telling me that America is God's gift to the world.

I replied No. That is incorrect. Australia is. America was only an after thought. He paused for a moment and then said You're taking the "mickey" out of me aren't you and then laughed. He agreed that Americans have a habit of taking themselves too seriously.
Generally I would argue most Americans are very nice peopel. The world view is to judge the government and this is where the claim of bullying, arrogance, etc come about.
Anyway enough from me. Have a good laugh especially at yourself and you will feel better.
professori_au

If there was a wink maybe he was winking to be supportive or encouraging.

The whole thing is a silly diversion anyway. If she didn't like it she could always have just flipped him the bird in response.