Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Bollocks!

Everybody knows I’m a Labor man, but I’m no fan of right-wing pinheads like John Della Bosca.

That said, the story that ran in the Daily Telegraph about his six-month affair was bullshit and I doubt very much if a similar story would have appeared in the Melbourne media.

The rough rule of thumb in the media used to be that unless this sort of guff was obviously interfering with their ministerial responsibilities or it was obviously hypocritical (a strong “family values” MP conducting an affair), then what an MP did – as long as it was legal – was his or her business.

I fail to see how the story in the Tellie meets either of these criteria.

True, the woman alleges Mr Della Bosca was neglecting his duties, but this is based largely on hearsay and innuendo. And I can’t recall Mr Della Bosca making a big song and dance about “family values” but I’m prepared to be corrected.

What I do know is that the Tellie has form when it comes to dodgy news stories; witness “I can’t believe it’s not Pauline Hanson – oh wait, it isn’t” and ‘UTEGATE – the email that could bring down a Government Malcolm Turnbull”.

This seems less than a legitimate news story and more like the latest chapter in the Tellie’s “War on Everything Labor”.
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23 comments:

  1. squibSeptember 2, 2009 at 11:14 AM

    I think this story would have run in any paper. People love reading this kind of stuff

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ramon InsertnamehereSeptember 2, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    That makes it gossip, Squib, not news.

    Tellie was still calling itself a newspaper, last time I looked.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mr ESeptember 2, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Mr ESeptember 2, 2009 at 11:49 AM

    I thought it was a valiant attempt to add some entertainment value to an otherwise dull story. Sticking strictly to the facts, the only appropiate headline would have been "JOHN DELLA BOSCA IS A CUNT!". Which is hardly Walkley material.

    ReplyDelete
  5. squibSeptember 2, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    Journos are terrible gossips. Should we censor them, Ramon?

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousSeptember 2, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    He has to go home after this and face Belinda Neal.

    Hasn't the man suffered enough?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ramon InsertnamehereSeptember 2, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    Yes Squib.

    When I was a working journo, the newsroom was filled with gossip and yarns.

    Doen't make them news.

    ReplyDelete
  8. wari lasiSeptember 2, 2009 at 12:41 PM

    I can't recall his name but I saw an interview with the editor of the Telegraph and he made a complete meal of the "public has a right to know" excuse. He came across as an arsehole.

    There's some talk the lady was "taken advantage of", and another line that she was a stripper.

    And Squib, I now have my badges in person. They're great. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fad MDSeptember 2, 2009 at 2:58 PM

    He has to go home after this and face Belinda Neal.

    Hasn't the man suffered enough?

    My thoughts exactly.

    By the way, why isn't it 33C in Melbourne? Stupid seasons! I'm freezing my tits off and the kids are confused.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ramon InsertnamehereSeptember 2, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    Really Fad?

    I'm hot.

    I mean, I think it's a warm day - not "I'm HAWTT".

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lewd BobSeptember 2, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    Weren't there biscuits in the 70s called Della Boscas?

    ReplyDelete
  12. MelbaSeptember 2, 2009 at 5:08 PM

    I don't know Bob but didn't Jerry Seinfeld's parents retire to Della Bosca Vista?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ramon InsertnamehereSeptember 2, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    By gum Melba, you're right.

    The mystery deepens.

    ReplyDelete
  14. squibSeptember 2, 2009 at 5:34 PM

    Good-oh, Wari

    Wasn't Della Bosca the name of that vampire guy?

    ReplyDelete
  15. MelbaSeptember 2, 2009 at 6:08 PM

    And George's PIN number was BOSCA!

    Fuck, talk about mystery Ramon.

    PLOT. THICKENS.

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownSeptember 2, 2009 at 8:02 PM

    I heard a news report mention the fact he'd had sex on the couch in his office and to be frank, that's way more information than I really needed about this story.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mad Cat LadySeptember 2, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    you are like, so totally, hawt, ramon *she said twirling her hair round her finger playfully*

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mad Cat LadySeptember 2, 2009 at 10:30 PM

    okay
    fine
    i am a little on the merry side
    brown brothers pinot grigio salutes you

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dr. GolfSeptember 2, 2009 at 10:59 PM

    Amazing to look back at the Kernot-Evans affair and the way jounos held back from running the story for so long.

    No way would that happen now.

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  20. Dr. GolfSeptember 3, 2009 at 6:05 AM

    Troy Buswell is living proof that Della's run for Premier isn't necessarily over just yet.

    Who knows maybe even Theo can make a comeback.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ramon InsertnamehereSeptember 3, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Thanks Evil, but I am so totally not hawt.

    Trust me on this.

    Who knows maybe even Theo can make a comeback

    His colleagues will have to take the stake out of his heart first.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Mr ESeptember 3, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    I've always thought "Theophanous" would make a good adjective for something.

    ie "the charge was dismissed due to the theophanous nature of the evidence".

    ReplyDelete
  23. catlickSeptember 3, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    "the charge was dismissed due to the theophanous nature of the evidence".

    ...in that it sounded plausible, possible, probable, likely to be true, but, damn it! unproveable!!

    ReplyDelete