Call a dog a bad name and he'll be a bad dog.

If I'm already named "bad" it's somewhat foolish for detractors to say I'm "bad". "Bad dog you are a bad dog"

It's a personal joke on those who would say I'm bad for no other reason than they want to call me bad. Usually because it's in their perceived interest. A joke against baseless opinions. Such as those who label people as racist- and say that racists are synonymous with Satan- usually without understanding their argument.

Sometimes I even laugh at myself- some may try to score cheap points by saying I have a lot to laugh about- good for them.

Socrates and Thrasymachus argued about "might is right" in "The Republic". The argument for me came down to the point that even if "the mighty" have found a way to obtain power- without wisdom they won't be able to use it effectively to create stability. For this reason in a broad sense- Community Education Is The Key. You'd have to read The Republic for more information on what Socrates defined as education. (This has some similarities to the Chinese story of The Monkey King- Sun Wu Kong.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_a_dog_a_bad_name_and_hang_him
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Wukong

Anyway Diver Dan - Thanks for your question.

Our new Chinese masters may insist on a name change for you CANEM MALUM, something less culturally antiquated, Maa lau zing the monkey imp springs to mind.

You know, I love a good conspiracy theory. Being the pragmatist I am, I've learned not to question the truth to the rumour. Every rumour has “that” mysterious element of truth.

The ABC Is being kept alive against all logic that dictates towards its elimination on the grounds of treason, as a weapon to be used against the “thinkers” among us, who see a future of Australia, fit only for Chinese.

Being called "bad" may not necessarily be a
bad thing. Affectionately it could mean that
what you did was "naughty." ;-)

Dear diver dan,

You said;

“What would Rupert Murdoch do with it? He'd at least make it watchable!”

Are you serious mate?

This is what a Murdoch network would look like, these are real news rooms in real stations;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWLjYJ4BzvI

That would indeed be a “threat to our democracy”.

For you to even contemplate having a foreigner replace the most trusted new source in Australia is shocking and reflects badly on any claim you have ever had of caring for this country.

“Over three times more voters trust the ABC (52%) than trust commercial media (14%)”

“Majority (68%) of respondents think the ABC is more important in an age of social media and fake news, including 64% of LNP and 61% of One Nation voters”

http://www.tai.org.au/content/abc-still-australia-s-most-trusted-news-source

Damn I'm getting bloody fed up with those wanting to get rid of the ABC. This organisation has held both government and big business to account time and time again. They are the last decent television investigative journalistic crew still operating and I value their contribution of taking on the top end of town and looking out for the ordinary Australians immensely.

You should too if you had and bloody sense.

SteelRedux said- "Majority (68%) of respondents think the ABC is more important in an age of social media and fake news, including 64% of LNP and 61% of One Nation voters http://www.tai.org.au/content/abc-still-australia-s-most-trusted-news-source"

Answer-

According to the site- "The Australia Institute is the country’s most influential progressive think tank. We conduct research on a broad range of economic, social and environmental issues in order to inform public debate and bring greater accountability to the democratic process."

I wouldn't be surprised that the progressive think tank The Australia Institute is supporting a progressive media outlet. Sounds like astro-turfing.

I'm not sure you could call them an independent source but could check the way they collect their data.

Lately Murdoch from memory has been one of the few supporting Traditional Australians certainly more than the ABC. Perhaps there is a place for a body similar to the ABC but it needs a broom- they have lost touch with the people- it's not fine for a corporate TV station to act like the ABC- let alone one that receives funding from the taxpayer. I guess the ABC are suffering from the same issues as the government and have lost touch with the Australian people.

The best way to solve the problem is to reduce their funding immediately.

The ABC - Funded by taxpayers and under constant scrutiny and complaint by both sides.

"Free"-to-air and print media - Funded by consumers (at far greater cost than the ABC) but free to say anything in compliance with the requirements of their corporate sponsors or the personal prejudices of their owners.

As for those who constantly complain about the ABC yet seem to watch it for that reason, it's like the Woody Allen joke about the two complaining old ladies in the restaurant -
"The food here is terrible".
"Yes, and in such small portions".