Ok, this is my last post on the fires for a while.
I had written a big, long post on it, but to be frank it was self-indulgent and irrelevant so I scrapped it.
I will say though to all the pissed dickheads that run around wearing an Aussie flag as a cape and abusing people, take a good hard look around. The volunteers serving their and other's communities, neighbours helping neighbours and joe/jane citizen helping people they have never met are displaying the true Aussie spirit. Get in there, help someone out and give it a go. It's not about symbols and noise, it is about support, resilience and community.
There are examples of this every day that rarely get any publicity, so take this opportunity to learn what it means to be Australian. Maybe in the future you will pull your fuckin' heads in!
Watching Fallout.
17 hours ago
Amen. Doesn't matter the nationality.
ReplyDeleteAlways heartening in the midst of the bad to see some good in people. Gives one hope for humanity.
True YD.
ReplyDeleteYeah I've knocked it on the head as well. Until there's some sorta conclusion, at least. I'd hate to be thought of using it for hits or something, that's not the intention, awareness is.
ReplyDeleteSearch "To The Australia Day Hypocrite" by a dude called Yakovich at Youtube. Very appropriate.
I will try and have a look in the next couple of days Moko.
ReplyDeleteGuys like this http://bigpondnews.com/articles/VictorianBushfires/2009/02/11/Be_aware_of_bogus_bushfire_fundraisers_301941.html
ReplyDeletemake me so proud! Yet, you hear of some folk in Ingham giving their own flood relief money to the bushfire appeal. There are all sorts I suppose. But, please don't deprive me of empty symbolism - It is all I've got!
Naut, you're on the mark mate (surprising now that i've met you!!!!).
ReplyDeleteTime to do some hard yards and regain some ground.
Lerm - you are the rare type of individual I will accept empty symbolism from as it is somehow symbolic.
ReplyDeleteChaz - Hey, I am not all good looks and style, there is a little bit of substance buried underneath.
The flood victims handing over relief money to the bushfire appeal really struck home. Amazing spirit.
ReplyDeleteBang on Naut. Pissed bogans at the Big Day Out punching people out for not kissing the flag, as far as I'm concerned, is about as un-Australian as you can get. This - the completely selfless giving of money, belongings and even lives for others, even strangers - is Australian. It's a story of what we are and how we got to be where we are as a country.
ReplyDeleteIn time of trouble people band together in an emergency no matter what banner they live under. It's the people under the banner who abuse and use it as a mascot for causing trouble that are the problem!
ReplyDeleteWe had similar stuff go on post-9/11. People filing life insurance claims (or claims from the 9/11 relief fund that weren't even in NYC that day).
ReplyDeleteQuestion...are people really wearing them like capes? Or are you being metaphorical? People here in the US might wear flags as capes, but they're often mentally ill and talk to shopping carts.
Therbs - Yep.
ReplyDeleteDr Y - Most countries claim that kind of tradition, but for me it is an intrinsic part of our identity.
Mr Stu - I am an actions speak louder than words or symbols type. If an organisation is worth being part of then you won't need to proclaim it's greatness loudly to the world.
Steve - Yes as capes, it is quite common down here and I find it OTT even when done my peaceful decent people.
Naut, I agree with your comments to Mr. Stu. As you probably know, many Americans wrap themselves in the flag (usually only figuratively, except in professional wrestling), and fly the flags from their cars, 24/7, wearing lapel pins, flying it in the front yard.
ReplyDeleteAsk those same people if they would go on food and fuel rations to support a war effort and they'd probably threaten to sue (also a very American activity).
One of the images from the Cronulla Riots that I shall never forget, was that young kid wearing the flag like he was Captain Courageous with the words "We grew here, You flew here" in zinc cream across his breast. A healthy portent for the future!
ReplyDeleteIs that why you were such a bad soldier, Lermontov? The idea of killing/dying for such a man didn't sit well with you?
ReplyDeleteSteve - Yep
ReplyDeleteLerm - Yeah that fact that it is the kids shits me the most. Where did they learn this crap!