Another day, another phonecall to a fucking bitch.
'Hello, Senator Vanstone's office.'
'Yes, hi. I've actually got a question and I'm not sure whether you can help me with it...'
'Go ahead.'
'Well, I just read in the paper that the Bahktiari family may in fact be from Afghanistan after all .'
'Right.'
'And, um - it also says that if this were found to be true, it would make no difference to the government and they'd just deport them anyway.'
'Well, firstly - '
'Is that really true?'
'Well, firstly it's always...with the media, you're not always getting the full side of the story.'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, Senator Vanstone last night released a statement confirming that the family are Pakistani nationals.'
'So the media's not telling the truth but Senator Vanstone is?'
'Well, no. That's not what I said. But there's been confirmation from the officials over there - '
'What about the officials in Afghanistan?'
'There's been confirmation from the officials in Pakistan - '
'Yeah, but apparently even if the family are found to come from Afghanistan you're still going to deport them.'
'That's right.'
'You're going to deport them to Pakistan even though they're Afghani nationals.'
'Well, not exactly - look, the minister released a statement - '
'I hope you realise what a callous, cold-hearted exercise this is. Particularly at this time of year.'
'Yes, well - '
'Seriously. At Christmas? For fuck's sake. I really hope you understand what you're doing.'
'I'll certainly pass your feelings on to the minister.'
'Thank-you.'
Nothing funny today. Just feel sick about it really.
Please feel free to call her and express your disgust. It passes the time between drinking your morning coffee and curling up into a ball on the floor, moaning at the state of the nation.
1021 days til the next election.
Comments
And 50% of the sun burnt country hangs its collective heads in shame.
'Well, firstly it's always...with the media, you're not always getting the full side of the story.' Yes, because News Ltd is simply renown for publishing anti-Government articles which reek of lefty hippy activist sympathy. Fuckers.
Notice how Vanstone is setting heself up with the good old fashion "from the information I have received..." excuse just in case things go pair shaped with this deportation. What officials in Pakistan say the Bahktiaris are Pakistanis? who are they? If they are wrong will Vanstone take any responsibility. Not bloody likely.
apparently it is safe for asylum seekers to be returned to Afghanistan now that the USA etc have installed democracy ...
the Bahktiari family were taken back into custody on Saturday morning and of the Saturday night TV news in Victoria only the ABC covered the story. and it was a pretty slow news day.
Like talking to a brick wall...
Is there anything to be done, really? I really wanna know. I mean I wish there was, but through my dealings with people like Vanstone I've come to realise that the workings of their minds are comparable to wind blowing down an empty street. It just doesn't regsiter. So as much as I'd like to give her a ring, the idea of ending up talking to one of her chattering little PR monkeys isn't something that fills me with the christmas jitters, as it will achieve nothing but to put me off my eggnog. And yet I wanna feel like I can do SOMETHING about it. I just don't understand it. Not for a second. You'd think the government would WANT to help. It seems like what would naturally occur. Some people are in serious trouble and are desperate for aid and have shown amazing courage and made sacrifices for their family? ...'let's help them!' And yet it doesn't happen and I'm left shaking my head in confusion wondering what the hell is different in the mids of these people that these things don't connect. And that not only are not lending a compassionate hand, they're actually making matters worse for these people. It's 2 + 2 = 5!
I'm neither right nor left. ...They all smell the same to me, but this stuff is purely evil. The only thing that will change matters is a complete power shift. That or the truckload of negative publicity this case should be getting and isn't.
For fucks sake, even Ruddock read the right documents. The mans a douche but at least he was prepared to show a bit of proffesionalism.
Ben
PS. See that stuff I wrote there? It's all a bit of a jumbled rant isn't it? But this stuff ispires the jumbled rants in me. Carry on... and Merry Christmas.
Like talking to a brick wall...
Is there anything to be done, really? I really wanna know. I mean I wish there was, but through my dealings with people like Vanstone I've come to realise that the workings of their minds are comparable to wind blowing down an empty street. It just doesn't regsiter. So as much as I'd like to give her a ring, the idea of ending up talking to one of her chattering little PR monkeys isn't something that fills me with the christmas jitters, as it will achieve nothing but to put me off my eggnog. And yet I wanna feel like I can do SOMETHING about it. I just don't understand it. Not for a second. You'd think the government would WANT to help. It seems like what would naturally occur. Some people are in serious trouble and are desperate for aid and have shown amazing courage and made sacrifices for their family? ...'let's help them!' And yet it doesn't happen and I'm left shaking my head in confusion wondering what the hell is different in the mids of these people that these things don't connect. And that not only are not lending a compassionate hand, they're actually making matters worse for these people. It's 2 + 2 = 5!
I'm neither right nor left. ...They all smell the same to me, but this stuff is purely evil. The only thing that will change matters is a complete power shift. That or the truckload of negative publicity this case should be getting and isn't.
For fucks sake, even Ruddock read the right documents. The mans a douche but at least he was prepared to show a bit of proffesionalism.
Ben
PS. See that stuff I wrote there? It's all a bit of a jumbled rant isn't it? But this stuff ispires the jumbled rants in me. Carry on... and Merry Christmas.
Aw shoot I posted it twice. ...Take that Vanstone!
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
We can only hope that one of her dogs eats her for Xmas Dinner, but then again, would anyone wish that on a dog
If you care about doing your job you'll admit to your mistakes and do your best to correct them. Doing your job well is what matters to you.
If all you care about is power you never admit to your mistakes, you do your best to hide them and, if anyone finds out, you accuse them of lying, shift the blame, lie, fabricate, distort and deport. In short: the desire for power breeds corruption.
That's a more succinct version of what I was trying to say in my comment yesterday. Thought I should give it another go, even though I'm doubting my good judgement lately.
Buck, the thing is that the Minister is not making any mistakes. She is doing precisely what she is supposed to be doing, which is stopping the endless tide of baby drowners.
If she put up stickers of herself in Eastwood, Darp & Co would scrape them off. Vanstone connections with the PYL should be vigorously pursued! ;)
-weez
Com. Pletely. Fucked.
Of course it's been done at christmas because parliament is on holidays, and all the decent investigative journalists are on holidays, and half of the fucking plebs who might be roused into action by this shit are on holidays, and by the time everyone wakes up at their desks on Tuesday week it's old news and too late to do anything.
Sending them home at christmas is no accident.
Com. Pletely. Fucked.
Leif
Two things:
1. Just exactly what is the problem here? It appears that this family has lied to officials in order to come under the definition of "refugee" so that they could stay in Australia. Had they succeeded some other family who actually did come within the definition would have missed out. I am at a loss to understand exactly what injustice you think is being done.
2. The conversation that you reported would have been far more interesting if you had allowed that poor official to whom you were talking to respond fully to your questions.
I understand that passions run high here. It is for precisely that reason that people should take a deep breath and think about it for a minute.
So you've taken a deep breath, thought about it and... what? Reached the conclusion that there isn't a problem?
You're so mired in the detail of following protocol that your ability to pick right from wrong is even more messed up than the crap you spout. Do you think that the empty vessel on the other end of that line might have had something pertinent to say?
I don't know if you're being deliberately provocative for your amusement or if you actually believe this rubbish you espouse. Either way you're a tool.
Minty Twat,
1. The Afghanistani authorities have said that the family's status requires further investigation, and that there is some evidence that people in the relevant areas recognise the legitimacy of family members' claims.
2. Right, thanks for that.
Do you know Morrissey, Minty Twat? (Hint: used to be in a band called "The Smiths") Do you know "Svengali in Platforms", for instance? "... you know it's hard enough when you belong here"I am staggered that yoy cannot find a better hobby. Fuck off.
"you" of course, not "yoy"
and what Book Book said
Book Book,
Frankly, after a couple of glasses of red I suspect that it is a combination of beliveing what I say and wanting to be provocative.
Yes, I have taken a deep breath and the point is that I don't think that there are any easy answers. The whole tenor of Ms Fits' post was that the stupid Minister was just obviously wrong (and probably also evil). It's just not that simple, and people who insist that it is are a more a part of the problem than a part of the solution.
Zoe,
You fuck off.
Ms Fits wrote about her disgust that the Liberals are so inflexible that they will ignore facts in order to make a political point. I'm afraid that this is considered "obviously wrong", at least around here.
But you the man, Minty. I shall now go and make the beast with one back.
Ni-Night.
"Beast with one back" - that's very good (and slightly disturbing in light of your profile picture).
Minty Twat,
“The whole tenor of Ms Fits' post was that the stupid Minister was just obviously wrong (and probably also evil)”
Undoubtedly, Minister Vanstone IS wrong if she behaves in such swiftness, without the patience of further investigation and prior to her well paid advisors divulge the whole fucking story. How can you not see this?
Ms Fits is justified and clearly entitled to be enraged given that Minister Vanstone acts on behalf of the people and for the people of this country.
And I wish to personally offer support to Ms Fits opinion that the Foreign Minister is evil and I would be only too happy to tell Mandy V so if I had the occasion.
I’d also like to endorse Book Book sentiments by adding that you Madam, are an idiot!
Merry fucking Christmas.
Hi All,
It's the person who you so NICELY named Minty Dick.
Obviously this was a reference to Minty Twat. How could you even imply some similarity between me and that right-wing arshole. I wouldn't piss on him/her/it if they were on fire. However maybe you compared me to them because I made you feel guilty about your own lack of action?
You see, as I mentioned in a previous post I am active in the refugee action coalition (RAC) which aims to make the public more aware of the governments abhorent policy to refugees, and thus bring an end to mandatory detention. This is only way we can change the policy of the government on this: change the attitude of the public on this issue, and the government will follow.
When I suggested however that you become more politicaly active (OK, I admit I was being a bit of a stirrer too) you all attacked me like I was the second coming of Adolf Howard. Why? Maybe it was because in the case of some (note I say some) of you, it was because you felt guilty over your own lack of action.
However I would like to end by reiterating my point: BE ACTIVE. Get involved in your local RAC/ refugee rights organisation so we can change the public,s attitude, so the government changes it's policy!
Nothing to add, except:
"MsFits for the Senate!"
They don't celebrate any of our festivities, so 'this time of the year' becomes sort of redundant.
For once I agree with you.
Sending families home when we have an ageing population is stupid unless they have broken the law. We shouldn't be setting up defences to keep boats out, we should be setting up the Christmas Island Processing Centre to welcome these people here, if they really do want to come by boat. Immigration control is not just destroying opportunity for the poor and oppressed outside Australia, it is shrinking Australia's future.
Some of you seem to want to allow mass Islamic immigration even though you'd be the first to suffer the consequences. Think of the example of Holland, where Theo van Gogh was brutally murdered and several MPs are in hiding. There are nice, liberal middle-class Dutch families now emigrating to Australia to escape the consequences of large-scale Islamic immigration. Do you know what Islamic cultures think of gays? Of feminists? Of blasphemers? You're mad if you start agitating for large scale immigration from Islamic countries. You're putting your own leftie heads on the chopping block.
Forget Vanstone. Forget Howard. The problem is the average Australians. And boy are they average. Far too may of them are either full-on card-carrying racists or they're closet racists (you know the type, "I'm not a racist but..."). And now racism has been translated into Islam-hating. Educate you next door neighbour, your cousin, your sister, whatever. Educate, educate educate. Cos unless we change the demographic, the Vanstones and the Howards will always do the popular thing. Given the averageness of the Australian psyche, we have exactly the politicians we deserve. Wanna change that? Educate a redneck today!
[/rant]
Gerry, my favourite is my grandmother's line:
"OUr neighbours are Aboriginal/Islam/insert foreigner here. They keep their garden nice and their children are clean."
WTF? :)
I have a new name for this blog:
Hissy fits @ Missy Fits.
(grins, ducks and runs, cackling madly as he disappears into the black night...)
Hey other anonymous.
Unlike many who are 'pro refugee' i'm not of the position that there may not be adverse consequences as a result of a less strict immigration policy. There will be a culture clash and this will result in problems, mostly for the refugees themselves, but I digress. The thing is that in spite of this, decency demands that we be compassionate. And that's what I'm talking about... decency. It's not much to ask. I'm not asking for the australian government to go out on a limb here. Just to be decent... to be civilised. We will deal with whatever problems arise as they do so. In the meantime we have sacrificed decency out of fear of what comparatively seems like a very small price to pay...
Love the impotent rage of the left. Keep making money for Telstra, darl.
Comments are closed.