Australians are grovellers.

Now, that being said, Australians are… well… inveterate grovellers.

Above even the national pastime of cutting people down to size in a rite we have cutely termed, the ‘tall poppy syndrome’; that, and our obsession with glorious defeat, which we celebrate whenever we can.

And from the late 19th century through to the present day, this grovelling instinct has evolved and entrenched itself into the national psyche.

Its first and enduring manifestation was with all things royal. There was Queen Victoria, after whom two states were named.

There was ‘for King and Empire’ which saw the nation blindly throw itself - or, more accurately, its youth - into the hell of World War 1 with the boundless enthusiasm of teenagers to fight for Mother England - as if Mother England was throwing an all-expenses-paid global 18th birthday party.

Our senior politicians doffed the hat and tugged the forelock even at the sight of a British aristocratic governor or governor-general - and nevermind ‘I did but see her passing by and yet I love her till I die’! For which Menzies said be spoke for all Australians!

In 1954, Peter Finch, in his best 'received pronunciation' expressed the sentiments of his compatriots at the start of the Australian royal tour of Elizabeth II and Phillip, “And here they are at last! Amongst us! Moving in triumphal progress through each city in its turn…”, as the ecstatic nation’s people lined the streets and building rooftops in their hundreds of thousands to watch them 'passing by' (would that Caesar returning to Rome as a victorious conqueror should have been so feted!), and ending the tour with “They were leaving us, and at that moment we realised how sadly we should miss them”.

Then, of course, there was Lyndon Johnson’s visit to Australia in 1966 – Australia’s grovelling having been gradually transferring from British aristocrats to US presidents since World War 2.

By 1983, our grovelling instinct had well and truly found its way to all things American with the winning of the America’s Cup when, to the bemusement of all Americans, no doubt, an ecstatic Australian Prime Minister said it all for us with “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum!” – Yer what?! Over a yacht race?!

To be continued…

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 6:22am:

Australians are grovellers. Now, that being said, Australians are… well… inveterate grovellers. Above even the national pastime of cutting people down to size in a rite we have cutely termed, the ‘tall poppy syndrome’; that, and our obsession with glorious defeat, which we celebrate whenever we can. And from the late 19th century through to the present day, this grovelling instinct has evolved and entrenched itself into the national psyche. Its first and enduring manifestation was with all things royal. There was Queen Victoria, after whom two states were named. There was ‘for King and Empire’ which saw the nation blindly throw itself - or, more accurately, its youth - into the hell of World War 1 with the boundless enthusiasm of teenagers to fight for Mother England - as if Mother England was throwing an all-expenses-paid global 18th birthday party. Our senior politicians doffed the hat and tugged the forelock even at the sight of a British aristocratic governor or governor-general - and nevermind ‘I did but see her passing by and yet I love her till I die’! For which Menzies said be spoke for all Australians! In 1954, Peter Finch, in his best 'received pronunciation' expressed the sentiments of his compatriots at the start of the Australian royal tour of Elizabeth II and Phillip, “And here they are at last! Amongst us! Moving in triumphal progress through each city in its turn…”, as the ecstatic nation’s people lined the streets and building rooftops in their hundreds of thousands to watch them 'passing by' (would that Caesar returning to Rome as a victorious conqueror should have been so feted!), and ending the tour with “They were leaving us, and at that moment we realised how sadly we should miss them”. Then, of course, there was Lyndon Johnson’s visit to Australia in 1966 – Australia’s grovelling having been gradually transferring from British aristocrats to US presidents since World War 2. By 1983, our grovelling instinct had well and truly found its way to all things American with the winning of the America’s Cup when, to the bemusement of all Americans, no doubt, an ecstatic Australian Prime Minister said it all for us with “Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum!” – Yer what?! Over a yacht race?! To be continued…Why?

australians havent really known much adversity

a few bombs dropped on darwin , but basicly, like americans, pretty sheltered existences.

if we look at who has crushed it over the last 50 years

germany, japan, china, south korea, israel

these are people who have been through the blowtorch and come out hardened.

our farmers (some of them) are still pretty tough individuals as are our miners.

but your average urban chode?

soft sloppy entitled and therefore, by definition, has no sense of legitimate self worth.

so always prone to seek to snuggle up to an authority figure

look at the covid response

victoria was an international laughing stock

longest lockdowns on the planet  ::) ::)

Some of our farmers have been too hell and back over the last decade.

Look at the New England region.

The meth capital of Australia.
I can only imagine what having your children and friends become full blown ice addicts before your eyes
Must hurt!

Than seeing your area go from a rich wonderful land to a drugged out ruined crime infested wasteland.

It’s a tragedy what has happened in Tamworth , Moree and Armadale.

When Peter Garrett first entered Parliament, becoming a cabinet minister, one of his first acts was to, metaphorically, wrap himself in the American flag and publicly disavow that he still harboured any sentiments he once expressed in his anti-American rock song - 'US Forces'.

Why the need? He was not to be the Defense Minister, and even if he was, it was a song written by a young man to provoke a sense of outrage at US military actions - hardly anything new, even in America and sung about by Americans for decades

But that is not how Australians do things when it comes to Americans... apparently - i.e. use freedom of speech to express a legitimate point of view - just in case we upset Americans.

This form of Australian grovelling - to the US - with its roots in WW2, eventually eclipsed that of the monarchy in the late 20th century and grew stronger into the early 21st - although it has taken on less fawning displays since Johnson's welcome in 1966.

Grovelling is always transactional - in the Australian-US context, it is intended to be a trade: political and social subservience in return for military security.

But, as General MacArthur told a grovelling Curtin - We are here because it is in US interests to be here. In other words, no grovelling is necessary nor will it influence whether the US defends Australia or not.

Grovelling is low status and will not get you anything but contempt.

Ask fat steve whether taking out the trash for his putz shaming wife, janeen, gets him some mercy sex?

It doesnt

The superior man understands that when you give away your power, people treat you like furniture

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif

Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 5:22pm:

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif

Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 6:05pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy.

But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 7:00pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him.

Are you an early Boomer?

aquascoot wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 3:22pm:

look at the covid response

Yes, let's look at that. Australia had an OUTSTANDING result in the 2020 Covid crisis. Because we responded to authority. We also had the advantage of being an island, but we didn't do quite as well as New Zealand.

More people want to visit Australia, I guess.

Perhaps you'd rather we be "the land of the free Mk. II" and perished for our free thought (I'm talking about America of course.)

We did great, and you should be proud of that.

aquascoot wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 4:49pm:

Grovelling is low status and will not get you anything but contempt. Ask fat steve whether taking out the trash for his putz shaming wife, janeen, gets him some mercy sex?

Taking out the trash puts you at physical risk. If someone really wants to kill you, that is when they will strike. And no I don't mean 'if they've got a gun'. They can come at you with a cricket bat, out of the shadows, and you're just as buggered as if they had a gun.

Our politicians generally, with a few exceptions, grovel to every trendy nut-bag idea coming down the line for fear of missing out on a few votes from the borderlines, the mentally insufficients, and the totally insane...

How many elephants can fit into a single party room?

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2024 at 9:49am:

Our politicians generally, with a few exceptions, grovel to every trendy nut-bag idea coming down the line for fear of missing out on a few votes from the borderlines, the mentally insufficients, and the totally insane...

That's a criticism that could be made of politicians in every democratic country.

Also of the media.

There's nothing specifically Australian about it.

The response to the Thorpe demonstration spotlights and puts into stark relief, the, now more covert, Australian grovelling instinct.

While, normally confident men, clasp their hands in front of their genitals - an instinctive gesture revealing willing subservience and obeisance normally reserved for god in churches - Thorpe shows a contempt for the living symbol of a former colonising and imperial power.

Her actions, while undignified, at least demonstrate that some Australians are not overawed by the 'majesty' of the British Crown.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2024 at 10:18am:

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Oct 23rd, 2024 at 9:49am: Our politicians generally, with a few exceptions, grovel to every trendy nut-bag idea coming down the line for fear of missing out on a few votes from the borderlines, the mentally insufficients, and the totally insane... That's a criticism that could be made of politicians in every democratic country. Also of the media. There's nothing specifically Australian about it.

True - but our politicians are much better at it... have been since the blokes who held Cambra in the 1970's were overcome by Pussy fumes and started to adopt the ways of feminism..... place has never looked up since... equal pay and such were all fine and good - but all the rest is garbage to facilitate a grab for power and control - look at the joint.

Tamworth (or was it Armidale?) city council this time is all men - the sighs of relief are manifold and manifest.  Must tell you something.  Armidale has a university - that means the Pussy will rule there.... with all the associated rat-baggery.  Have no fears though - my ancestral freehold claim for stamping grounds past of ancestors covers that entire area.... two professors there - one each from the major branches of my family... I'll make them Gauleiters or something once my claim is in....... arrrgh..

---

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 7:02pm:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer?

Depends what you mean by that,
I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2024 at 4:42pm:

When Peter Garrett first entered Parliament, becoming a cabinet minister, one of his first acts was to, metaphorically, wrap himself in the American flag and publicly disavow that he still harboured any sentiments he once expressed in his anti-American rock song - 'US Forces'. Why the need? He was not to be the Defense Minister, and even if he was, it was a song written by a young man to provoke a sense of outrage at US military actions - hardly anything new, even in America and sung about by Americans for decades But that is not how Australians do things when it comes to Americans... apparently - i.e. use freedom of speech to express a legitimate point of view - just in case we upset Americans. This form of Australian grovelling - to the US - with its roots in WW2, eventually eclipsed that of the monarchy in the late 20th century and grew stronger into the early 21st - although it has taken on less fawning displays since Johnson's welcome in 1966. Grovelling is always transactional - in the Australian-US context, it is intended to be a trade: political and social subservience in return for military security. But, as General MacArthur told a grovelling Curtin - We are here because it is in US interests to be here. In other words, no grovelling is necessary nor will it influence whether the US defends Australia or not.

And Labors groveling to China since the Whitlam era???????

I think I'd prefer all the Yank foibles as an ally then to be having all our eggs in the Chinese basket....

and being held to ransom on trade agreements when the Chinese take offense to any criticism or perceived slight over their military and territory expansion.

The Javanese Indonesians are expansionists - their trans-migration policy into Timor and West Papua proves that.

The Chinese are expansionists too - Tibet, other disputed areas along the border with India, the Spratley Islands and buying their way into Pacific Islands and Sth American nations with their Belt and Road debt trap.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2024 at 10:36am:

The response to the Thorpe demonstration spotlights and puts into stark relief, the, now more covert, Australian grovelling instinct. While, normally confident men, clasp their hands in front of their genitals - an instinctive gesture revealing willing subservience and obeisance normally reserved for god in churches - Thorpe shows a contempt for the living symbol of a former colonising and imperial power. Her actions, while undignified, at least demonstrate that some Australians are not overawed by the 'majesty' of the British Crown.

She is a very bad example to use to try and make a point.

She's a rabid self centred luntatic activist who only pushes her own agenda for her mob .... not all her constituents.

So she's either a Senator or a militant activist - she has no right to be both.

Any other working Australian who carried on like she has done in the workplace from day dot would be before the Boss or management for a show cause as to why their employment shouldn't be terminated.

She rails against the King and the historical past but in doing so she continues to take the Govt pay check as a Senator in a Westminster system - a place she was granted - not elected to by the Greens ... who she no longer belongs to.

She is there under false pretenses and what's worse than her last rabid public tantrum was the previous one where she donned terrorist groups clothing, headwear and waved their flags on our streets. Encouraging the rise in anti-jewish sentiment/discrimination and harassment by ME protesters in our streets and on our Uni campuses.

Sedition comes to mind.

Yeah nah - she should be held to account for behaviour not fitting of the office she holds.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 9:28am:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:02pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer? Depends what you mean by that, I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver.

So you're a part of the Silent Generation - like my parents.

Look out or a few here will be calling for you to hurry up and die .... or do like the Inuit used to do with their aged ..... put them out on the Ice for the Polar bears.

Rethink required Meister? ;D

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 9:28am:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:02pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer? Depends what you mean by that, I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver.

More power to you! Here's to wishing you a life over 100.

You are in the rare breed of people who have living memories of grandparents recalling times in 19th-century Australia (or wherever).

Gnads wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 9:53am:

And Labors groveling to China since the Whitlam era??????? I think I'd prefer all the Yank foibles as an ally then to be having all our eggs in the Chinese basket.... and being held to ransom on trade agreements when the Chinese take offense to any criticism or perceived slight over their military and territory expansion. The Javanese Indonesians are expansionists - their trans-migration policy into Timor and West Papua proves that. The Chinese are expansionists too - Tibet, other disputed areas along the border with India, the Spratley Islands and buying their way into Pacific Islands and Sth American nations with their Belt and Road debt trap.

Yes, there are worse arses up which to blow smoke, is your sentiment here.

Indonesia's response to East Timor has more to do with the problem of a possible power vacuum as the remnants of the Portuguese empire collapsed, than a mindless power grab. Australia poses no sociocultural, political or military threat to Indonesia - it is not a rival Indo culture.

Gnads wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 10:09am:

She is a very bad example to use to try and make a point. She's a rabid self centred luntatic activist who only pushes her own agenda for her mob .... not all her constituents. So she's either a Senator or a militant activist - she has no right to be both. Any other working Australian who carried on like she has done in the workplace from day dot would be before the Boss or management for a show cause as to why their employment shouldn't be terminated. She rails against the King and the historical past but in doing so she continues to take the Govt pay check as a Senator in a Westminster system - a place she was granted - not elected to by the Greens ... who she no longer belongs to. She is there under false pretenses and what's worse than her last rabid public tantrum was the previous one where she donned terrorist groups clothing, headwear and waved their flags on our streets. Encouraging the rise in anti-jewish sentiment/discrimination and harassment by ME protesters in our streets and on our Uni campuses. Sedition comes to mind. Yeah nah - she should be held to account for behaviour not fitting of the office she holds.

Maybe she is Mothra!!!

But seriously, it's better out than in...

At least it intensifies a debate about the relevance and appropriateness of the monarchy's role in modern Australia, which is stifled by instinctive Australian grovelling to monarchy; and its compliant media which heavily choreographs images of a fawning Australian public for British consumption.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 10:19am:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 9:28am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:02pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer? Depends what you mean by that, I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver. More power to you! Here's to wishing you a life over 100. You are in the rare breed of people who have living memories of grandparents recalling times in 19th-century Australia (or wherever).

Thank you for that, if all goes well I’ll make the century,
I only knew one grandfather, the Irish one and he was born in 1858.
His first language was Irish and he learned English after he went to sea at 12.
Wish I remembered more of what he’d told me.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 11:02am:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 10:19am: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 9:28am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:02pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer? Depends what you mean by that, I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver. More power to you! Here's to wishing you a life over 100. You are in the rare breed of people who have living memories of grandparents recalling times in 19th-century Australia (or wherever). Thank you for that, if all goes well I’ll make the century, I only knew one grandfather, the Irish one and he was born in 1858. His first language was Irish and he learned English after he went to sea at 12. Wish I remembered more of what he’d told me.

Even more poignant given it is a rare vestige of a time when some Irish still spoke Irish as a first language - given the English determination to wipe out the speaking of the native language.

As they say, the Welsh lost their religion but kept their language. The Irish lost their language but fought to keep their religion.

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 11:13am:

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 11:02am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 10:19am: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 9:28am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:02pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer? Depends what you mean by that, I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver. More power to you! Here's to wishing you a life over 100. You are in the rare breed of people who have living memories of grandparents recalling times in 19th-century Australia (or wherever). Thank you for that, if all goes well I’ll make the century, I only knew one grandfather, the Irish one and he was born in 1858. His first language was Irish and he learned English after he went to sea at 12. Wish I remembered more of what he’d told me. Even more poignant given it is a rare vestige of a time when some Irish still spoke Irish as a first language - given the English determination to wipe out the speaking of the native language. As they say, the Welsh lost their religion but kept their language. The Irish lost their language but fought to keep their religion.

Irish is alive and weii with over a million people who can speak it in Ireland and some 100,000.who use it as their home language, about 60,000 speakers in Scotland and pockets around the world.
4 of my children are fluent speakers, they learned at school in Ireland and 3 of the grand children have it as a first language whilst the others learned it, of the great grandchildren one is on the way to being a native speaker [mother and grandmother have it as a first language,] for the other it isa learned language as English is her first.

Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24^th, 2024 at 7:54pm:

MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 11:13am: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 11:02am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 10:19am: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 24th, 2024 at 9:28am: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:02pm: Sir Eoin O Fada wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 7:00pm: MeisterEckhart wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 6:05pm: Brian Ross wrote on Oct 22nd, 2024 at 5:22pm: https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img641/9394/yawnr.gif Ironic that you only show disciplined focus in your apathy. But Brian h/as a valid point and I’m yawning along with him. Are you an early Boomer? Depends what you mean by that, I turned 90 last March. and a month later [boast at any opportunity😇😇 shot the possible of 60 [3x] in Rapid fire pistol at 7 metres, 6 shots in under 5 seconds using a double action revolver. More power to you! Here's to wishing you a life over 100. You are in the rare breed of people who have living memories of grandparents recalling times in 19th-century Australia (or wherever). Thank you for that, if all goes well I’ll make the century, I only knew one grandfather, the Irish one and he was born in 1858. His first language was Irish and he learned English after he went to sea at 12. Wish I remembered more of what he’d told me. Even more poignant given it is a rare vestige of a time when some Irish still spoke Irish as a first language - given the English determination to wipe out the speaking of the native language. As they say, the Welsh lost their religion but kept their language. The Irish lost their language but fought to keep their religion. Irish is alive and weii with over a million people who can speak it in Ireland and some 100,000.who use it as their home language, about 60,000 speakers in Scotland and pockets around the world. 4 of my children are fluent speakers, they learned at school in Ireland and 3 of the grand children have it as a first language whilst the others learned it, of the great grandchildren one is on the way to being a native speaker [mother and grandmother have it as a first language,] for the other it isa learned language as English is her first.

Great to hear. The Irish have resurrected their language.

Language being the greatest culture bearer of a people.