20 Comments
Oct 25Liked by Tim Dunlop

Thanks Tim. As usual, well said!

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Oct 25Liked by Tim Dunlop

100% agree Tim. It would have been wonderful had the King called her over for an introduction and then publicly promise to hear her out privately. What admiration and respect that example would have generated.

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author

Absolutely. It would've been huge, and been a stellar boost to his integrity. I guess it tells us something that such a course of action was probably never considered.

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Yeah, monarchs don't do that. Especially with those they colonised.

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Perfect. Thanks.

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Well said, Tim. This whole 'issue' has basically eradicated any hope I had for a republic.

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author

I'd still like a Republic but it would have to be on very different terms to what was being discussed last century. But you're right: it ain't going to happen, certainly not under this government, even if they win the next election.

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founding
Oct 25Liked by Tim Dunlop

Thank you Tim!

I was wondering why nobody else was realising the effect that Charley's carry-on would have on people with many thousands of years of history.

Sometimes rude words are necessary to make an impression.

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author

Change always comes from the "rude" periphery. And rudeness is always defined by contented centre.

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To me this is like when you’re having a “discussion” with senior management and they are flat-out lying to you, and they know they are and you’re expected to respond politely; I.Don’t.Think.So.

I’m not a fan of Lidia, but she has every right to push hard on indigenous issues, speaking politely to “power” will get her nowhere.

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Oct 25Liked by Tim Dunlop

Thanks Tim. I agree with you.

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Oct 25Liked by Tim Dunlop

"What a bunch of hypocrites. Fucking hypocrites,…”

Why is there no surprise in that.

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author

Ikr?

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I had to ask my wife the meaning of that.

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"The nature of the sleight of hand is that it is more useful for the governing class to talk about manners and civility, in this limited sense, than it is for them to acknowledge the truth of our colonial history. Lidia Thorpe gets chastised, in other words, for being rude, not for being wrong."

I've been groping towards thinking much the same and you articulate this so clearly and beautifully here. Thank you.

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author

Thanks, Meredith.

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founding
Oct 25Liked by Tim Dunlop

Thanks Tim. Another classic example of you eloquently describing my thinking on this topic...as if asking nicely and quietly waiting for a response, any response, is the only proper way to get anywhere.

We all know that the powers-that-be make these rules to suit their purpose. Exactly why protest of any kind has been demonised.

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An irregular verb of course. I am proudly politically incorrect, you are uncivil

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author

"They are beyond the pale..." to continue the declension. Lol.

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I couldn't agree more. Whether “civil” or not, acts like Thorpe’s demand that we look beyond surface politeness to ask what’s civility really doing? If politeness merely props up the status quo, then forgive me for thinking that a little friction is exactly what’s needed to move towards justice.

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