Senator Andrew Bartlett
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
 
I read a newspaper column a week or so ago that outlined a few reasons why the Democrats had done badly. The reasons given were pretty facile in my view, but I won't address them at the moment. The column also said that we'd probably just blame the media and also said that this is what we usually do. I've actually spent many years avoiding blaming the media, despite strong temptation to do so. I've figured that the media isn't going to change, so blaming the media for behaving like the media is like blaming the sky for being blue (although I've always preferred black and dark grey skies now that I think of it.). However, having read this assumption that I will be blaming the media, I've decided I'll give it a go.

Before I get into this new approach of blaming the media, I will write something positive first.

There was a good piece in the Australian newspaper yesterday by Catherine Armitage on the weak approach the Australian Government takes towards the widespread and severe human rights abuses of the Chinese Government. 25 billion dollars in trade between the two countries is obviously a powerful force for buying silence and acquiescence from our Government, even whilst it still tries to paint itself as supportive of human rights to justify its actions in other parts of the world.

One past action of mine I regret was deciding to attend the speech to the Australian Parliament by the Chinese President, Hu Jintao, in 2003. If I had decided to boycott the event, I doubt that it would have been noticed by many or had much impact. However, the Chinese regime is not one that deserves respect and it would have been better if I had not attended. Brian Harradine made the right decision at the time in not attending. It was barely noticed, given little coverage and perhaps made little difference, but it was still the right thing to do.

posted by Andrew Bartlett @ Tuesday, November 16, 2004
|


<< Home