Political correctness gone haywire...
I'm not politically correct. But then I'm not politically incorrect either. I am my own person and choose to think and speak as I see fit. I am polite. I say please and thank you. I hold doors open for people and I do my best to remain patient and mindful. But I don't give a rats arse for anybody who thinks our language and culture need to be sanitised to the point where it is as weak as watered down beer. Damn them and their PC ways, I say.
In today's Sydney Morning Herald, an article about the use of the word 'mate' in our Federal Parliament really got to me. Apparently, some high-falutin' senior government person issued a memo saying the use of the word 'mate' was not appropriate language (the article stated that no individual had claimed responsibility - that bloody Mr. or Mrs. Nobody is now in politics).
Any of you who have corresponded with me over the last (not quite) 12 months will know I use the word 'mate' all the time. It is not a term I restrict to my male friends either. In fact, it is not a term I necessarily use for just friends. The word 'mate' is part of our national identity. It is a word my grandfather used, in the same way I use it today. It is part of who we are and how we think. For anyone to suggest it is inappropriate just doesn't understand what it is to be Australian. The very fact that this memo was issued from inside our Federal Parliament is particularly worrying. It shows a distinct lact of understanding of what it is to be an 'Aussie'. It shows a distinct lack of understanding of the Australian way of life. But once again, it also shows the great divide between our representatives and our general population. If these people are supposed to be representing us, but obviously don't have any real idea of how we think, then whose interests are they looking after? Certainly not mine.