This is ridiculous. I am not talking about the millions of dollars in funding Julie Bishop received through the WA liberal party from foreign businesses while her government squawks hysterically about Sam Dastyari. That is also ridiculous but makes less news. What I find cringingly embarrassingly are the most recent headlines I have been exposed to about Ms Bishop. In the last 24 hours I have seen a story run in both ABC News and in the Mercury about “Bishop’s bold fashion statement,” when meeting Boris Johnson, the UK Foreign Secretary and part time raving lunatic.
This is obviously a little bit sexist in an old-fashioned chauvinist kind of way. Much like Julia Gillard, Julie Bishop’s choice of clothing is a focus for attention in a way that the choices of her male counterparts are not- with the possible exception of Tony Abbott’s speedos. I have actually said elsewhere, I think those striving for gender equality need to be a little careful about their level of vitriolic in combatting sexism, so don’t assume I get angry every time I see something sexist. But the sexism here is not what gets me angry. Like racism, sometimes the inherent sexism that drives an action is not actually the worst part of it. What makes me angry here is the stupidity! According to two different media organisations (including the national broadcaster), the fact that our foreign minister chose to wear a pair of shorts is important news. Far more so than the results of the meeting or many other important real events happening around the world. Is it any wonder the electorate is so easily manipulated by the lies of politicians when their knowledge of the world relies on such poor news outlets?
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