Politically incorrect Diggers
Some Diggers are in trouble for using intemperate, politically incorrect language on a private Facebook page. The Chief of Army. General Morrison is very angry as are lots of precious souls, Army haters, Multiculturists and fellow travellers.
The site refers to Muslims as “ragheads”, suggests immigrants are not welcome, and one post says “all women are filthy, lying whores”.I can only suggest that the diggers see the Facebook page as their private space. In my days it was the diggers boozer and one could feel free to say whatever you liked so long as the other guys generally agreed. When they didn’t, when one got out of line, he was hauled back in. Sometimes with physical force. NCOs and officers weren’t allowed in there, let alone Generals, and that is right and correct. They need there own space and having been a member of all the messes in my time I know it more than most. Language was often offensive, obscene, misogynistic, racial and disrespectful. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, often insulting but seldom malicious. Which is what you will encounter in pretty well any group of young men socializing after work. Been drinking with young tradesman lately, with bushies in a country pub, with miners…truck drivers… ? Clearly a lot of commentators haven’t. They seem to be so hugely offended by these posts I wonder whether they shouldn’t get out more and meet some people outside their own immediate circle. I see no big problem with the comments about “ragheads’ and “boat people” but the “filthy lying whores” quote is a bit off. Maybe the digger had been treated poorly of late by a girl and he was lashing out. I think he thought he was lashing out in a private domain, like the Diggers boozer of old, and in effect he was until someone forced entry to the site. It might astound the genteel types but a lot of young men talk like that when they are amongst their mates – So do a lot of older men. My reading of the matter is that the Facebook page is a private forum. It was never intended for the general public to read it and I’m sure the General wasn’t invited. So, do they have any privacy? When I think I’m alone I can sometime say things that I wouldn’t want others to hear and I’ve certainly said things to others when I was in the Army that would horrify those genteel types who never get out. Most likely aimed at them and their politically correct ways. I presume the incident received prominence because it involves soldiers but they are only a reflection of society generally so maybe we should all take a chill pill and concentrate on hating murderers, rapists, pedophiles and the like. Chris Uhlman interviews General Morrison COA. Link here
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Generally agree – it’s a beatup. Having said that, I’m amazed that the crap being posted is being defended by those wanting to have a crack at the ABC.
Talk about shooting the messenger…..
Maybe current diggers need guidelines in the use of social media. Facebook may be regarded as a private forum, but as a teacher, I have no defence if I post something inappropriate on Facebook in reference to work.
As for this being typically male behaviour, my observation based on experience would be that those who are the most vocal (or the most literal on Facebook) tend to be thick or useless or both.
Have another go at the Regs and Reservists 1735099, your popularity can only improve. It would be interesting to know how much work place experience you have outside the staff room and the class room to enable you expertise in forming opinions on typical male behaviour. Teachers seem to have a very insular existence, not including those that have taken up second jobs to boost their income. Personally I have acquaintances and friends spanning many occupations from labourers to lawyers and accountants and teachers, coppers, business people, doctors, clerical people public servants and from many other walks of life, both sexes and differing ages, from teens to seventies…..with the exception of the comments directed at “all women” these groups indulge in the same small talk and in the same terms. In their own social groups and with others they can trust, but not in the public arena in case some crank with a cross to bear gets excited. I would agree with Kev’s guess at the “owner” of the terms used in relation to “all women”, he may have just received his first “Dear John….” and probably by e-mail. Who knows? I know a couple of blokes who gave vent to much more descriptive language in that situation.
“Have another go at the Regs and Reservists”
You’d better go back and read what I posted. I referred to “typically male behaviour”.
“It would be interesting to know how much work place experience you have outside the staff room….”
I’ve worked heaps of jobs over the years. Some of the stranger ones include picking tobacco (when it was farmed around Beerburrum), as a factory hand at Northgate (J C Cooke’s making nails), to supplement my income whilst at Uni, and delivering mail on a pushbike in Caloundra when I lived there years ago (great job as I could surf between shifts) although the hills were a pain.
I don’t recollect staff rooms in any of these places and in the other variety of jobs I’ve done outside teaching down through the years.
“Teachers seem to have a very insular existence, not including those that have taken up second jobs to boost their income.”
Maybe you’re the one who’s isolated in an insular world of cliché and stereotype.
“but not in the public arena” – Facebook is, unfortunately sometimes a very public arena.
“Maybe current diggers need guidelines in the use of social media. As for this being typically male behaviour, my observation based on experience would be that those who are the most vocal (or the most literal on Facebook) tend to be thick or useless or both.” In a blog about indiscreet use of a social network by members of the armed services I guess you were indicating university students….
I am happy that I have brought back some 40 year old memories for you. I guess that there are a lot of tobacco pickers, factory workers and posties that are totally reliant on their jobs for survival who would be happy to hear you speak of their jobs as “some of the stranger ones”. Seems to evoke memories in me of a term…2 bob snob. You han’t been anywhere near the coal face in a long time.
You are correct Facebook is quite often unintentionally part of the public arena, but my statement was to indicate that people of all walks of life share common beliefs and share them in confidence, with people of like beliefs. They now have to decide what will not be seen as offensive by some crank with an axe to grind, before speaking out. Political correctness is rife in our society and achieves nothing but devisiveness. Instead of calling someone an arsehole you now have to describe him as a sphincter and hope he isn’t bright enough to know what you mean. Yeah I know you know.
“Instead of calling someone an arsehole…”
No that’s okay Bob. 17 bobby red-herring is an arsehole, no PC smokescreen required.