• I have lost patience today. Balance has always been a pile of crap when the evidence is overwhelming. - ro.watson
  • Many of us are old enough to remember those debates about terrorist versus freedom fighters and the weird and false dualities if your country has involved itself in a war overseas killing people, especially if it is illegal under UN Conventions.. Many protested to gain attention for what we thought was illegal or unjustified wars with the aim of getting our point of view put across('getting attention") with the ultimate purpose of our actions being to STOP violence. Many of those protests were not ever published~ the one I am thinking of is the opening of our current Parliament House where many of us spent a very very cold Canberra night before marching early to demonstrate our views about the treatment of aboriginal Australians by governments, past and present. There were and are lots of us. Anyway~ about those young men in Woolwich, who did what they did and then after that, sought to gain, and did gain, media attention, around the globe is different. I am still unsure about whether or not those images of those men should have been published. - ro.watson
  • Love your work Matilda. A pithy mix of intellect and anger! I have given up on the 7.30 report; too much yelling at the TV listening to the blatantly biased and negatively emotive Uhlman whenever he speaks about the government. - Kel
  • Until the ABC has the guts to get off their backside and investigate the Ashby/Pyne/Brough disgraceful attempt to bring down the Govt. Until some goolags are evident in persuing Kathy Jackson and the Victoria Police for their scandalous handling of the attempt to destroy Craig Thomson, his career and his family. Ms Sales you can shove your ABC right up where the sun doesn't shine. No offense intended just want the truth which is being kept from the public. Thank heaven for independent jurnos like Peter Wicks and Dave Donovan of http://www.independentaustralia.net/ who are not afraid to seek the truth - Zachary Church
  • Thanks Sandy. Despite my disposition - I'm not a total basket/welfare case. I just want our decision makers and women's studies theorists to be aware - that many of us midlife "women" are truly independent of having sugardaddys at home to support amd patronise us (and therefore poor). And copious indulgent, in-house parliamentary debate on misogyny and sexism does not get unemployed people like me anywhere. I am fully aware of my rights as a woman and individual - I've read the literature. Which makes it all the more annoying when our leaders (men or women) ignore the key and crucial issues at hand affecting women from all sections of society (and particularly the poorer ones). As for starting a business: I'm looking at all options including midlife pole-dancing - maybe I can fill a gap in a niche market? - Patrice
  • And the NSW police and the Victorian police. The 'coincidental' arrest of Craig Thomson on a shonky warrant as Abbott was umming and ahhing his way through some fairy tale at the Press Club was just too much. And another thing Emma it's one thing for you to be a fearless seeker of the truth but what has happened to the investigative journalism at the ABC? As other correspondents have mentioned the intrigue and dirty tricks of the LNP have been ignored. As Carole mentioned about the Ashby fiasco, "This case was surely a gift to all reporters. What happened ?????????????" - Kel
  • Emma, my Dad was a small country town newspaper editor and ran for Parliament and lost. His opponent complimented him on his integrity. That's why this story resonated with me. He's retired but still is a journalist!! - Andrew Whalan
  • I felt very upset hearing the news about Hazel Hawke. She was a wonderful woman who I always admired, and I agree with Paul Keating's tribute to her.... "She was a person of her time, who conducted her life in a no-nonsense way, free of any airs and graces," When she learned she had Alzheimer's her immediate response was "bugger, bugger, bugger" - and I can imagine how stoic she would have been. Despite that horrible news she still kept working to help others for as long as possible. A family friend has suggested the best way for people to honour her memory would be to donate to the Alzheimer's research fund through Alzheimer's Australia. I will certainly be doing that as my mother was also an Alzheimer sufferer. - JoanneH
  • Gotta love this site. Bloody good hard questions from many commenters. These are the questions going through our heads. Would love for Emma to provide a response. - Sandy
  • Isn't the issue also on how deep a good balanced journalist will go at questioning a political figure. To give an example: Would Emma ask while interviewing Malcolm Turnbull on the NBN why he owes Shares in a similar NBN technology Company in Europe as Labor's is rolling out here which he is constantly condoning ,trying to destroying, and talking down? Or did I miss her asking him that ! - DP
 
13
Categories:  Corinne's Circus, News and Opinion

A TALL POPPY GUIDE TO THE OLYMPICS

By Corinne Grant
July 19, 2012

I’m not sure whether you’ve noticed or not, but the Olympics start in just over a week. 

Perhaps you’ve seen some of the lead up to it. The special on Ian Thorpe on the ABC last week was a cracker.

 

Olympic abuse started early with Ian Thorpe… he didn’t make it so of course he deserves it.

The Twitterverse came out in force to call the Thorpedo arrogant, a loser, a waste of space, a nuisance, gay and a bunch of other well-considered names.

The guy didn’t make it into this year’s Olympic squad, so he definitely deserves it.

We even got into a bit of pre-Olympic warm up by abusing Luke Nolen, the jockey who rode Black Caviar to an historic win at Royal Ascot. The bloody idiot made a mistake and by god, did we let him know it. What a dickhead. Sure, the horse still won but that’s not the point. The point is Nolen isn’t perfect and he needs to be reminded of that.

So, with the Olympics about to start, it’s time to hit our true blue ‘Come on, you bloody mug, stop stuffing it up!’ stride. And to make sure we’re all on the same page, I’ve put together a little Guide To Watching The Olympics Like A Proper Bloody Aussie.

Number One: Over the coming week, tell everyone you know how much you hate the Olympics. This is to ensure you look nonchalant and groovy. Rant about how overrated it is, how our nation spends too much money on sport and how everyone is on steroids anyway, so the whole thing is meaningless. Also throw in some stuff about how stupid the uniforms look.

Then watch the opening ceremony, get overcome with sentimentality and national pride and start organising your social schedule around the dressage semi-finals.

Number Two: Don’t waste your time boning up on the rules of the sports you are going to watch. Armchair expertise is all A Proper Bloody Aussie needs. Sure, the last time you watched women’s hockey was two years ago during the Commonwealth Games and you didn’t really understand it then, but that doesn’t mean you can’t yell at your television this time around. Hockey is basically soccer with sticks – just apply the same barracking rules and Bob’s your uncle. If you don’t know the rules of soccer, just yell ‘That’s bullshit!’ every time an umpire blows their whistle.

Apply the ‘That’s bullshit!’ rule to all sports involving umpires and you’ll be fine.

Number Three: Publicly support our athletes. Jump on Facebook and yodel about how excited you are to see pole vaulter Steve Hooker or swimmer Libby Trickett compete.  Send them hero messages.

If they lose, get back on Facebook and call them a national disgrace.

Number Four: Hate the Americans, claim the Russians are all on drugs, declare the Chinese are cheating and suspect all non-Australian women who win are actually men. It’s the Olympics: if you can’t be racist and bigoted now, when can you be?

Number Five:  Australians love an underdog, so find one and get onboard. Nothing can go wrong when you love an underdog. Unless the underdog loses. Then the underdog is a bloody disappointment. It is also culturally appropriate to express your disapproval if the underdog wins more than once. Winning twice means the underdog is no longer an underdog and is now totally up themselves.

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13 Responses to this article

  1. Robyne Young July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Hi Corrine, Snap! I’ve been a member of the Australian team at two Olympics – Sydney and Athens – and the whole couch commentating – I could have ridden that horse better, won Wimbledon and the Tour de France with my eyes shut’ attitude – raised my ire too. My thoughts from a couple of weeks ago on those who choose to yell from the couch. http://wp.me/p191Ei-6I

     
  2. Cate July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    And whenever a discussion about the medal tally arises, the friend who says “Isn’t it great we’ve got 16 Silver medals so far?” must be howled down with “NO, THAT’S 16 MISSED OPPORTUNITIES.”

     
  3. Pete July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Can I just not watch any of it and remain nonchalant and groovy?

     
  4. Linda July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Very witty and entertaining as always. Personally I am in awe of anyone who has the talent and has made the sacrifices to get to the highest levels of competition. Yes I love it when an Aussie athlete or team does well But I will take my hat off to every single competitor ( and their mums, families) who have probably given up just about every weekend and family holiday to have this opportunity.

     
  5. Dee-Anne July 19, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I love the Olympics. We all watch at our house and cheers too. My only gripe, hope we get to see other events where Australians may not be as competitive. Usually the commentary and view is only of Aussies.

     
  6. Jenny July 20, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Why oh why can’t we cheer for ALL great competitors regardless of nationality? And why not support ALL Australians, win or lose? I remain in awe of all who reach the standards required for competition at this level.

     
  7. Kelly Exeter July 28, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Ah Corinne you never disappoint! Love your work :)

     
  8. Airdre Grant July 28, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Don’t forget to cheer the Kiwis too. They can win in sports Aussies dont care about. The rule is first Aussie, Second Kiwis and the rest are all tryhards.

     
    • Peter Dunn August 2, 2012 Reply
       
       

      The way it actually works is that all kiwis who do well are Aussies and all Aussies who perform badly are actually kiwis. That’s why Sam Niell is Australian and Russell Crowe isn’t…..

       
  9. Topdog July 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Great story! Help us support the underdog at the London 2012 Olympics at http://www.londonunderdogs.com

    Because it’s the taking part that counts!

     
  10. kid July 30, 2012 Reply
     
     

    I must move in the wrong (right?) circles, because apart from the “it’s a waste of money bloody sport etc” I don’t know anyone who carries on like this. All our whinging is reserved for the dreadful “edited highlights” style free-to-air coverage. In fact, given the media’s obsession with medal counts and winning, I would suggest Corinne’s been hanging around journalists too much!

     

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Comments

  • ro.watson: I have lost patience today. Balance has always been a pile of crap when the evidence is overwhelming.

    Reply|Read all

  • ro.watson: Many of us are old enough to remember those debates about terrorist versus freedom fighters and the weird and false dual...

    Reply|Read all

  • Kel: Love your work Matilda. A pithy mix of intellect and anger! I have given up on the 7.30 report; too much yelling at ...

    Reply|Read all

  • Zachary Church: Until the ABC has the guts to get off their backside and investigate the Ashby/Pyne/Brough disgraceful attempt to bring ...

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