Jim SpearsStandards and Fetishes
June 10th 2008 19:44
In Australian political life it seems that abstractions like good and evil are worthless. Anyone political who’s good or evil has ambitions beyond Australia; there are no evil underachievers. Australia is a small, isolated country so historically stakes were smaller and standards lower. The smaller the politics the grubbier it gets. Local politics are like Tasmanian dog races; very, very dodgy. With global politics entering a new epoch the changed trade, terrorism and environmental conditions bring greater spending power to federal politicians and they need higher standards. If only for themselves...
Handshake control became part of Australian political mythology after Mark Latham nearly dislocated John Howard’s arm way back in ’04. But the political masculine ideal is not macho or strong but sport is crucial. John Howard’s commitment to politics seemed contingent on his securing great seats for the Wallabies and cricket tests. Kevin Rudd has latched onto football with his World Cup dream. Sport becomes an innocent pawn in the political game.
You’ve gotta have kids because without ‘em you can’t understand Australia. Bob Carr received some stick for not having kids but Julia Gillard would have some stories. The infamous line “deliberately barren” was over the line but it would be naïve to assume Gilla hadn’t faced such slurs before. Her hair is dead-straight and it is impossible to do anything with it, is this not a more appropriate target? Dead-straight hair is annoying to all genders. Because gender stereotypes and expectations are less flexible for politicians the slurs must become gender-neutral if we are going to change anything. And change it we must.
Investigating sexuality and gender in politics means facing the prospect of an elected fetishist. British politics is full of it we just need to determine what types of fetishes are acceptable for those in public office.
Personal experiences tell me that gimps are politically appalling but having a sadist as treasurer generally works. I have no objection to shoe fetishists but Australian parliament isn’t ready for a flasher just yet. Investing Australian political culture with self-control will not happen overnight but great strides are being made everyday.
In this light it would be wrong to say there are no standards; a particular type of political controversy feeds the tabloid beast implying latent standards. Australia has no tradition of the divine right to rule and with no ruling elite in place the Australian politician didn’t rise above the people it emerged from them. That’s right they were originally one of “us” and so Australian politicians are judged by our personal standard…at least whatever it is perceived to be and that should probably change.
P.S. Spain will be European Champions.
Great tattoo or something more?
Handshake control became part of Australian political mythology after Mark Latham nearly dislocated John Howard’s arm way back in ’04. But the political masculine ideal is not macho or strong but sport is crucial. John Howard’s commitment to politics seemed contingent on his securing great seats for the Wallabies and cricket tests. Kevin Rudd has latched onto football with his World Cup dream. Sport becomes an innocent pawn in the political game.
You’ve gotta have kids because without ‘em you can’t understand Australia. Bob Carr received some stick for not having kids but Julia Gillard would have some stories. The infamous line “deliberately barren” was over the line but it would be naïve to assume Gilla hadn’t faced such slurs before. Her hair is dead-straight and it is impossible to do anything with it, is this not a more appropriate target? Dead-straight hair is annoying to all genders. Because gender stereotypes and expectations are less flexible for politicians the slurs must become gender-neutral if we are going to change anything. And change it we must.
Investigating sexuality and gender in politics means facing the prospect of an elected fetishist. British politics is full of it we just need to determine what types of fetishes are acceptable for those in public office.
In this light it would be wrong to say there are no standards; a particular type of political controversy feeds the tabloid beast implying latent standards. Australia has no tradition of the divine right to rule and with no ruling elite in place the Australian politician didn’t rise above the people it emerged from them. That’s right they were originally one of “us” and so Australian politicians are judged by our personal standard…at least whatever it is perceived to be and that should probably change.
P.S. Spain will be European Champions.
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