Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Oh, FFS!

Thank you yes, I will have another beer.

The Melbourne media, politicians, talk-back hosts and that cat who lives down the road in my street and keeps shitting in my front yard have been in a mad flap over this, with much hand wringing and cries of woe.

Imagine! A fight! In a nightclub! On Saturday night!

Hand me the soup spoons and escape pack comrades, there’s alcohol-fuelled violence in the city – sometimes, with not many people hurt.

Get a sense of perspective chaps.

Violence in inner city Melbourne is nothing new. Read any newspaper from the turn of the last century and gangs would be fighting in the streets with razors. Fitzroy and Collingwood were “no-go” regions*. Violence is obviously distressing for those caught up in it but to assume things are getting worse is a nonsense.

And now that Marcus Einfeld is in the slammer, can we get rid of this stupid, stupid “National Living Treasures” sheep shit. It’s meaningless, pompous, twee gibberish – much like Radio National, really.

Run your eyes over this list from 2003 and one name stands out (apart from Marcus Einfeld, that is)

The Most Rev Peter Hollingworth AO OBE

Whoops.

And John Farnham!? Somebody has to be taking the piss, surely?

*They’re still “no-go” regions, but for very different reasons.

22 comments:

squib said...

I felt sorry for Marcus

Perseus said...

I didn't.
I watched that Four Corners thing last night. Just like Tamsyn's boobs and Tamsyn's talent are two independent things, likewise, Marcus's humanitarian deeds and his appalling lying scum-ridden fine-evading twittery are independent.

Yes, he has done some fine things for humanity.

But is he a lying toe-rag fuckhead? Oh yes. Oh yes.

What particularly got up my goat was the way he squirmed out of answeringthe accusation that this was not the first time he lied on stat decs. He squirmed. He refused to concede. I don;t care if there was some legal reason, I'd have more respect for him if he admitted it and said, "Yeah, I was doing it for years."

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

That was a very strange performance by Einfeld on Four Corners.

If it was to garner public sympathy, I rather think it backfired.

shitbmxrider said...

The current uproar over violence in the city has me confused...

Im 24, male, and out in the city, quite often on King St for at least a few hours on any given time...


And all I have ever seen is 2, maybe 3 fights in the 7 years I have been frequenting the city niteclubs..

And even then, its usually 1 pissed idiot taking on a bouncer at a stripclub...

Lewd Bob said...

I love how the National Trust's list of Australia's Living National Treasures includes several deceased members of our community.

Perseus said...

Leunig's on that list.

National Treasure?

National Cubic Zirconia!

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

How about "National Living/Undead Treasures" Bob?

"My God, it's Zombie Don Dunstan!"

"Braaains, lightly sautéed braaains."

Lewd Bob said...

Or perhaps the Don returning from the grave to skewer us in the eyes with his famous cricket stump.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Bryce McGain is enough to make any cricket lover rise from the grave, Bob.

squib said...

Why do you all hate Leunig?

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

I have had the unpleasant experience of hearing him speak, Squib.

A more self-important, puffed-up little gobshite, I've never met.

squib said...

I've always liked his drawings but when I saw him on 'Enough Rope' I felt a bit let down. I got whiffs of a condescension and self-righteousness, especially re: mothers/childcare. I still like his art though

Melba said...

I've also wondered why people hate Leunig here. I've really liked pretty much all of Leunig's stuff, except the duck and Mr Curly pap. I liked Leunig's mothers/childcare cartoon(s). I thought they were provocative and not without truth. I liked the fallout, the hysteria, the chest-beating that went on.

As for the man, I have no opinion, nor do I care. I like his work.

Anonymous said...

I accept the idea that pubs and city streets have always been potentially violent places and that public spaces are probably just as safe or safer now than they were a hundred years ago. On the other hand, I don't particularly like the idea of ignoring a problem just because it's always been there. I think the trick is to avoid kneejerk solutions that do little to solve the problem and end up doing more harm than good.

I would also like to express my lack of sympathy for Mr Einfeld.

Like Melba, I have no opinion on Leunig the man. The only thing I can say is that the art of his that I have seen holds absolutely no appeal for me.

And a list of national living treasures? Who comes up with this shit?

Melba said...

I don't like his art, if that is something distinct from his cartoons.

I like his cartoons.

Anonymous said...

I was including his cartoons when I used the word 'art'.

Melba said...

Oh. Ok. I thought maybe he did paintings and stuff as well.

Er.

Anonymous said...

Oh. Ok. I thought maybe he did paintings and stuff as well.

Indeed he does. If you're keen, you can check out some of his paintings and poetry on his official site.

wari lasi said...

Thank you yes, I will have another beer.

Yep. Watching David Williamson (avec missus) being interviewed as we speak. Boring as all of his stuff.

Looking forward to the next episode of Two and a half men. Great show except for the canned laughter. The script is well written enough for that crap to be unnecessary.

Looks like it's Wipeout for me.

Louche said...

You may have nightclub brawls, but do you have motherfucking bikies killing eachother at your major airport?

I don't think so. Sydney wins.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

You must be so proud, Louche.

Melba said...

Thanks Alex. I didn't look. Not interested in his poetry or paintings. Just like the cartoons, if they're good.