o sung wu,

Pardon me if I get in before the anticipated deluge of pages of 'Its all Abbott's fault!' and 'You too!' to observe that in Australia the politicians have been allowed to stray well away from the Westminster conventions that are essential to the ethical and effective operation of the Parliaments, federal especially (where there was some leadership and modelling of principle a long time ago).

I suspect it is because the political machines (of parties) and the 'numbers (wo)men' behind the scenes are pulling the strings more than ever before. The perfect example was Kevin Rudd's exasperation and futile efforts as federal Labor leader to wrest power back from the influence of (corrupt) factions to the Labor Caucus, comprising all Labor members in the House. Later, it was to transpire that Labor members themselves were to be shown that they could never have an effective say either. So much for democracy.

I am satisfied that the only real protection and the sole robust control we can rely on is freedom of speech.

However freedom of speech received another setback recently when terrorist threats forced George Brandis to rescind proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. I wonder if anyone remembered later how politically correct self-censorship and concerns about possibly upsetting the multicultural wagon permitted hundreds of young children to be traded as sex slaves and introduced to hard drugs at the same time?

It is the enemies of free speech we should be concerned about.

G'day there ONTHEBEACH...

This political correctness 'thingo' is truly insidious, and threatening the very notion that we have 'freedom of speech' in this country. I believe there are many Labor supporters out there, who are just as fed up with watching every word they say, lest they also fall victim of the 'thought police' ?

You listen to traditional talk back radio hosts, and many of them are ever mindful with what they say, lest someone of some obscure religious sect reacts in a negative manner. So scared, so fearful are our politicians (as evidenced of Geo. BRANDIS backing down over S.18c) even they are nervous of violating some obscure PC directive !

Imagine if you will, if some of our stronger more forthright politicians, from ANY political party, were NOT constrained or obstructed by this preposterous PC nonsense, perhaps then they may well be in a position to speak with more honesty, with more integrity and sincerity, instead of trying to express themselves, as if they were timidly walking on these PC egg shells ? We might not like or believe what they've said, but we'd be left in no doubt what they meant !

Another feature of this damnable PC detritus, I believe it can manifestly assist those corrupt politicians, from speaking the truth, particularly in matters associated with questions of their own propriety and vocational rectitude ? There's nothing like putting a question or questions to someone you suspect of wrongdoing, when they claim privacy law, or PC as an inhibitor to speak with absolute candour !

Interestingly, there's nothing like claiming 'privilege' or immunity when something is allegedly said, in House Confidence to adequately assuage one's guilt. Thank you very much indeed, to the architect of 'Political Correctness', you've caused incalculable chaos and widespread mistrust and scepticism, probably throughout the free world.

otb,

"I am satisfied that the only real protection and the sole robust control we can rely on is freedom of speech.

However freedom of speech received another setback recently when terrorist threats forced George Brandis to rescind proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act...."

"It is the enemies of free speech we should be concerned about."

What a joke...this govt has done more in the last week to dilute our "freedoms" than any govt has before it...in peacetime...in the service of a confected "terror threat".

Funnily enough, Abbott spoke up on behalf of Peter Greste who was jailed for 7 years by the Egyptians for revealing (what was deemed to be) sensitive info.

The Abbott govt now has instituted laws that would jail him for 10 years if it happened in Australia.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/our-free-press-is-under-siege/story-fni0fha6-1227072053944

"IN opposition, Tony Abbott and his Coalition colleagues were great defenders of press freedom, fighting off with ferocity Labor’s attempts to introduce new media laws.

In government, the same Coalition politicians are using the terrorism threat to justify measures that will hamper journalists in their investigative, watchdog role.

New anti-terror laws have aroused concerns that journalists could go to jail for doing their most important job: holding those in authority to account. And on the most vital of issues — national security.

On top of that, plans to increase the range of communications data that can be accessed by authorities, and the time for which it is stored, would add to difficulties already faced by reporters in the digital age."

Any complaints about the curtailment of press freedoms, otb?

o sung wu,

The prevailing political correctness is so deeply ingrained and insidious that we often catch ourselves self-censoring and blubbering protective statements even before we say our piece.

After watching the attack on Virgin for the very safe and flight approved sponsor flight over the MCG as a prelude to the AFL Grand final, I am wondering too if being offended has become THE national pastime. At least in some quarters, eh?

So many play the victim and they are so good at it! Still, any night on the SBS and ABC and they will get plenty of lessons.

Poirot,

LOL, have you come to the wrong guy for a game of forum tit-for-tat. No time for that and no inclination.

I just read a very interesting article on the origins of Political Correctness. "In 1923 in Germany, a think-tank is established that takes on the role of translating Marxism from economic into cultural terms, that creates Political Correctness as we know it today, and essentially it has created the basis for it by the end of the 1930s."

http://www.academia.org/the-origins-of-political-correctness/

Hi there CONSERVATIVEHIPPIE...

What an interesting link you've provided us with, detailing the origins of 'Political Correctness'. As I stated in an earlier thread, PC is probably the greatest threat we have, by eroding our rights to 'free speech' !

Once we lose those rights, to speak totally freely, amongst ourselves, as well as in public places, our environment will not be unlike that of Berlin in the late 1930's ?