You can read my second column reprinted on Online Opinion here. Note in particular the lunatic ravings of 'Leigh' and 'tRAKKA' - their sentiments basically encapsulate about 98% of the letters I received after its first publication.
In addition to being referred to as 'stupid', 'ignorant' and 'talentless', I was called 'vacuous', 'a waste of space', 'narrow-minded' (!) and told to 'get a real job'. That last one made me laugh and laugh!
From online opinion, we have tRAKKA saying:
"What a silly, spiteful little Balmain basket weaver this writer is. "Payback is a bitch". Good grief! Imagine feeling so inferior that you feel people are talking down to you. Your problem, not Johns, girly!
Posted by tRAKKA, Monday, 3 December 2007 3:25:12 PM"
I imagine one might gain slightly more credibility in their critique if they could bother to get the name of the author correct in the first place. How Clementine translates to Emma is beyond me.
I particularly love the implication that imagining disdain or oppression exists somehow belies a sense of inferiority in the speaker rather than a genuine interpretation of reality. In ten years time, when I realise what a 'twat' I've been, I'll be sure to look back and lament the time I stupidly believed myself to know better than my elders. Honestly, I don't even know why they allow us to vote...
This one is a work of art though. Ah Leigh! What an entertainer you are!
"It would be wonderful if the dead-head Y Generation did all migrate to New Zealand. They are no use here, and NZ immigrants to Australia have left plenty of room for them. It is appalling to contemplate that these total wastes of space are, as this one of them says, “the future leaders of Australia”. At 50 years of age, Kevin Rudd probably thinks the same way as we seniors do. If Rudd did deliberately appeal to the Y Generation as Ford seems to think, gawd help us all!
We can be sure that Ford really believes that: “Rather than being the disinterested lot we're painted as, young folk these days are far more savvy when it comes to, well, just about anything that their parents dealt with.” But that’s only because Generation Y is so disinterested in anything but itself, and wouldn’t have a clue what previous generations think, do or did. Everything was ‘just there’ for the little punks.
And simply denying that Generation Y is “anything but” self-interested and selfish, is merely a childish denial completely bereft of any self-examination. Also, the fact that this twerp can call a man (John Howard) old enough to be her grandfather, and with commensurate life experience, a “war monger” and yes man completes her self -portrayal as an ignorant little girl.
Generation Y should have been smothered at birth
Posted by Leigh, Friday, 30 November 2007 9:09:34 AM"
It's a good thing we've got people like tRAKKA and Leigh to take us young folk down a peg or two. Apparently it is not the youth's to question political actions taken by men 'old enough to be their grandfathers'. Matter of respect I imagine. Thank heavens we live in the kind of society where the elderly are allowed to refer to us as 'selfish', 'twerps', 'ignorant' and 'wastes of space'. Generation Y should have all been smothered at birth, says Leigh. Wise words.
I did however also receive little missives from a couple of people who told me they were happy to see young people so engaged with the political process. This was my favourite:
"As an octogarian I can only say well done. Your comments described the feelings of not only the younger generation but that of those who voted for a new government.
It is the younger generation who are going to handle the affairs of this world. We older ones are being left behind. For example my knowledge of computors is only thanks to Tom, my grandson, taking the patience to show he the very basics. If it wasn't for him you would be getting this memo from my old Royal typewriter.
Unlike the previous government which only followed the Liberal idealogies I do believe Kevin Rudd is a very genuine person who is determined as he said "to govern for all Australians"
Your article described the situation better than all the political commentators put together.
Once again CONGRATULATIONS."
Seriously, what a heart warming little pocket rocket of love! I wish he HAD sent me a letter on his old Royal typewriter. I would definitely stick it up on my wall. It's nice to get some reassurance amongst all of the letters calling for my admittance to special ed school and tirades on how obviously brainless and uneducated I am.
Peace out (I'm off on a well needed voyage of knowledge, and then hopefully to find a real job...)
That aside, I believe this elected government will have a honeymoon of 12-18 months before the unions start rattling cages and sabres.
Kevin won't be the answer to your prayers Emma. First decide what you want and then work out what YOU have to do to achieve your aims. You won't get anywhere, by the way, UNLESS you help others get what they require. So sorry, you're going to have to do some more work to get to your utopia.
Good fortune on your voyage of knowledge. I've a feeling you're going to need it.