For those on the far right who fought so hard for this survey on Marriage Equality to now react with feigned outrage at the tone of some aspects of the debate is a bit rich. It's a bit unfortunate for the young woman whose contract wasn't renewed after her public stand against equality, but that is also the reality we live in. While the business owner who chose to let her contractor go was within her rights, if a bit harsh, that is far from the worst behaviour we have seen around this issue. As predicted, this campaign is bringing out the worst in people. There has been numerous reported violence, harassment and vilification in the name of both campaigns. And while nothing excuses the individuals that perpetuate the violence and intimidation that has gone on, this was in no way unforeseen- it was entirely predicted and the extremist cretins in the coalition ignored it. Now their wilful negligence makes them partially responsible too. I also wish I shared you optimism about people's intelligence. Last week you write that adults should be responsible enough to vote about what they think is right, not which campaign they like better.
I don’t see it that way. Let's be clear, the tone of this debate is shifting and the no campaign is gaining ground. They has been quite canny about exploiting the overzealousness of some of their opponents to paint themselves the victim and connect marriage equality with militant intolerance for other points of view. But media commentators and yes campaigners are giving them plenty of tacit assistance by not calling them on their dishonesty, as well as giving far more coverage to the incidents that support the no campaigners want covered. The yes campaigners are the only ones apologising for the mistakes made in their name. The no campaign just brush off similar events and are not held to account. The girl that lost a contract over her public stance drew far more attention than the church that cancelled a couple’s wedding over the same thing Similarly, Tony Abbot- a known serial liar gets head-butted and goes straight to the media before the police and few even question his story. A day later his attacker says it had nothing to do with Marriage Equality but everyone has already made up their minds - assisted by barely qualified media commentators telling us about how much this will cost the yes campaign, even after Why isn't there a similar reaction when Kevin Rudd’s godson was assaulted? Why weren’t we talking about how that would cost the no vote? What about the bomb threat on AFL House after its statement of support for Equality? Sure the link wasn’t proven, but neither was the assault on Tony Abbott. Shouldn’t a bomb threat hurt the no campaign more than a head-butt costs the yes campaign? Yes. Yes it should. The media commentary seems to have picked its theme and isn’t going to let facts get in the way, so don’t get carried away by their uncritical analysis. - Adam
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AuthorThe guest blog is open to anyone that wants to make a point and is willing to do so respectfully. Archives
January 2018
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