Shut down

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Good day

And again

Cartoon Commentary

It's been sometime. With the Australian Open currently taking place in Melbourne this provides a illustration of action. It was the Ford Australian Open. It was Flinders Park. It was Spencer Street Station. Perhaps the renaming of the Yarra is next?

Australian?

Apparently 'dobbing' is un-Australian. This is according to Chris Berg: 'The Ramifications of Dobbing for Australians.' He observes that "Australia is a nation founded by people who were dobbed in" (he does have a point there) and therefore there is a tendency in the land of the convicts to avoiding dobbing ones mate in at all costs.

I disagree. If fact I believe dobbing is often very un-Australian.

For example, Australians frequently chop down their tall poppies, see "Tall Poppies" by Susan Mitchell. If we look at the ability and tendency of many Australians to chop down tall poppies, then dobbing (in this instance because people have been in breach of watering guidelines) can plausibly be construed as Australian.

Why do we dob in our neighbour for misusing water? Perhaps, on a superficial level, this is because neighbour A doesn't want neighbour B's grass to be green and lush, while neighbour A's grass remains yellow, brown and dead in patches. Or perhaps neighbour A's garden bed (prize winning roses, and other European imports) wilt and die while neighbour B's garden (also prize winning) flourishes. This is not because they are using water from a tank, nor grey water from their washing machine but because they are watering everyday with a hose. For all those not familiar with the new water regulations in Victoria house numbers are allocated specific days of the week they permitted to water and only hand watering with buckets is permitted. Is this fair? is this equal? Why should neighbour A have to deal with the results of drought and neighbour B disregard the lack of water in the state. Are the actions of neighbour B helping the little Aussie battler?

No. It isn't fair, nor should it be in the 'lucky country.' Neighbour B's garden bed and lawns should flourish while neighbour A's dies away in the drought ravaged state. I think not dobbing in this scenario is absolutely un-Australian. (I will concede that the argument is weakened by the documented substantial increase in water usage by state parliamentary offices. Hopefully someone is holding them to task, and also that one of the highest consumers of water in Victoria is in fact the Zoo. Could I suggest rain water tanks?)

Alternatively, using the garden example again, are the actions of neighbour A un-Australian. In my opinion, which isn't worth much these days, No. A's dobbing in of neigbhour B I would argue is as Australian a vegimite on toast. The behavior of neighbour B; their deliberate attempt to ignore rules and regluations to ensure their garden doesn't suffer the effects of drought, while it is highly likely that neighbour A's garden will wither away and die, is not Australian. When the prizes for gardens are next awarded neigbhour B will have an unfair advantage over neighbour A. That isn't Australian, that isn't fair. Let's chop the tall poppy down before they get the chance. Let's dob them in (NB, as much as I do have issues with the assasination of tall poppies it has been noted as an Australian trait. While used in this example I do not necessarily endorse the destruction of tall poppies, nor do I believe that life should be made so intolerable for them Australia that they are forced to run away to England.)


Perhaps we should also consider that dobbing relates back to that idealistic notion that Australia is an egalitarian country. In this country the Aussie battler is given an opportunity (well that was until the current Prime Minister turned his back on this group of people, the people supported him and many commentators say were instrumental in his successful election.) If we are all equal then one abusing the watering system devised to ensure fairness should be 'dobbed in' as we attempt to remain somewhat fair and equal.

Alternatively, I would like to think that reporting the misuse, of what is rapidly becoming an incredibly valuable resource, could be linked to the environmental concerns of many Australians. Wasn't it people power in Australia that put a stop to the damming of the Franklin River?

So perhaps 'dobbing in this instance isn't as un-Australian as some would have you believe.

On the topic of what is Australian and what is un-Australian it's sad to see that an Australian icon is no longer to be manufactured in this country. It's heading off-shore. Now that is un-Australian, or is it really Australian given market trends?

News

My promise to stop reading the Age was effective for a little bit. However, life isn't right without the coffee and the paper to start the day. I've made the sacrifice to read on line, rather than in hard copy. That's probably not a sacrifice given the reduction in environmental waste. Who knows, here is some interested articles from the last week:

Rather amusing, however, I think the poms vs Aussies rivalry is a bit boring. I know it's entertainment. Read here.

Barry Humphries, always entertaining. Here.

I am against most recent changes to tertiary education, including but not exclusive to VSU, the introduction of Fee Help, the reduction of HECS places so on and so forth. This is one of the reasons why.

Dakota Fanning is unique. I do not believe she should be compared to other child stars, as described in this article.

Didn't really like the theme behind the advertising campaign but I would still encourage people to visit Australia. While I don't condone Lara's actions it does 'take two' and the media's assault on her has been unequal when compared to the other party. Thoughtful commentary here.

This weekend I haven't got around to much reading wise, but have read the weekend Australian cover to cover. A definite plus being back on campus the papers are at breakfast every morning.