The nanny state is out of control. A BBC 'big cat' docco showing on ABC just carried the warning:
"The following program contains footage of animals hunting and eating prey in the wild"
I've seen this on TV all my life, without warnings, and I don't seem to be unduly traumatised. In fact if I see another lion chasing a zebra I'll die of boredom.
They didn't have wimpy Australian Story synthesiser washes in the background, or interview a friend of the prey in tears. But it's coming. Mark my words.
This is on the same day that NSW health minister Reba Meagher ordered an approved drug education pamphlet to be pulped because, after advising schoolchildren not to take drugs, it advised those who did to use moderation. (The cover is pictured.)
Unacceptable! No, the message cannot vary from the unrealistic 'just say no' mantra, to please the 'purse-lipped paragons of public virtue'.
They didn't have wimpy Australian Story synthesiser washes in the background, or interview a friend of the prey in tears. But it's coming. Mark my words.
This is on the same day that NSW health minister Reba Meagher ordered an approved drug education pamphlet to be pulped because, after advising schoolchildren not to take drugs, it advised those who did to use moderation. (The cover is pictured.)
Unacceptable! No, the message cannot vary from the unrealistic 'just say no' mantra, to please the 'purse-lipped paragons of public virtue'.
"They will let people die to stay in government," says Bill Crewes.
So kids whose first-hand experience blows the moral panic propaganda out of the water, and who reject unrealistic rhetoric, end up with NO sensible advice. Great result. I see them as the prey and the self-righteous idealogues as the predators.
So kids whose first-hand experience blows the moral panic propaganda out of the water, and who reject unrealistic rhetoric, end up with NO sensible advice. Great result. I see them as the prey and the self-righteous idealogues as the predators.
PS: the whispering presenters of the docco have named one of the lion cubs 'Toto'. (Excuse me while I regurgitate.) The episode finished on a cliff-hanger shot of Toto being stalked by a predatory baboon, no less. Oh no!
At least it makes a change from lions and zebras.
What struck me, was the order to pulp the booklet. Boy, that's really removing the offending material.
ReplyDeleteThe reactions from politicians was sooooo typical. Quick, voters angry, join in. Pathetic. Wait until someone nearly dies and blames not being able to read the booklet. Dat'l teach 'em.
Bill Crewes really put some sunshine into the life of the interviewer. LOL.
i remember seeing an episode of America's Funniest Home Videos a few years back where they had pixelated out any rear end shots of household pets. And I couldn't agree more - I've always thought it disgraceful that animals get around in the nude. Miranda? Hetty?
ReplyDeleteEven funnier video... tonight's ABC news (28/06/08) reports on health experts who want Krudd to convene a summit aimed at forcing restaurants to list the kilojoule rating of each dish. As if restauranting isn't hard enough already.
ReplyDeleteHere's a tip: lettuce is not fattening; cream, deep-fried things and butter are. Oh, the nanny state.
Birthday party snub sparks debate
ReplyDeleteAn eight-year-old boy has sparked an unlikely outcry in Sweden after failing to invite two of his classmates to his birthday party.
The boy's school says he has violated the children's rights and has complained to the Swedish Parliament.
The school, in Lund, southern Sweden, argues that if invitations are handed out on school premises then it must ensure there is no discrimination.
The boy's father has lodged a complaint with the parliamentary ombudsman.
He says the two children were left out because one did not invite his son to his own party and he had fallen out with the other one.
The boy handed out his birthday invitations during class-time and when the teacher spotted that two children had not received one the invitations were confiscated.
"My son has taken it pretty hard," the boy's father told the newspaper Sydsvenskan.
"No one has the right to confiscate someone's property in this way, it's like taking someone's post," he added.
A verdict on the matter is likely to be reached in September, in time for the next school year.