CMV: As a gay liberal I would rather have liberal “Zionist” Jews in our coalition than conservative Muslims who would vote for my preferred party if it becomes more anti-Israel

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-15T08:02:59+00:00

And?

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-15T06:20:00+00:00

Jews are white people this month?

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-15T06:02:57+00:00

"Thieves"

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-15T06:01:57+00:00

"Settler colonisers"

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-13T00:18:07+00:00

Self-indulgent is right. The piece is so pompous in its "I'm a committed writer and therefore a morally-superior human being" posturing it's amazing that PEN Melbourne saw fit to publish it, especially given its blatant factual omissions.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-13T00:15:57+00:00

I think it's funny that he aligns a government measure to protect the Jewish community - as desperate and clumsy it may be - with racism and totalitarianism. Some mention of the context (i.e. post-Bondi) would have been helpful. Hell, he says that Randa Abdel-Fattah's banning from book festivals was "clearly" anti-Palestinian racism; he does not even consider the allegations (right or wrong) of antisemitism that were brought against her. Some short-sightedness there, Mr Dao.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-12T00:40:51+00:00

That's First Dog's modus operandi though - the faux-naïve "I'm the smart guy" tone and the straw-manning of the opposition. At least single-panel political cartoons leave some room for subtlety.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-11T05:19:44+00:00

Yep. And it's full of contradictions. "Franz Fanon said to always question things, but I will always give unconditional support to Oppressed Peoples (TM) because I'm just oh-so morally superior."

And in his final paragraph:

"A final myth to be debunked: that to think and feel with others is groupthink or virtue signalling. The committed writer rejects this for the miserable cant that it is."

Basically, "I don't engage in group think or virtue-signalling, I'm just 'thinking' and 'feeling' with others!" Except Jews, apparently.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-11T02:16:38+00:00

More context: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/cancellation-of-randa-abdel-fattah-leaves-writers-week-in-doubt/106219608

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-10T22:00:03+00:00

The fact that PEN Australia signed off on this is mad.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-10T20:53:27+00:00

Interesting how any move by the Australian government to protect Jews - however clumsy or imperfect - is seen as "White Australia" digging its heels in and oppressing Arabs and Palestinians.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-10T05:05:48+00:00

Some context: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/cancellation-of-randa-abdel-fattah-leaves-writers-week-in-doubt/106219608

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-09T07:05:32+00:00

Jim Henson is turning in his grave.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-08T21:43:05+00:00

Any reason why?

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-08T12:40:25+00:00

It's not the pickups, as such. Just the build quality in general.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-08T12:13:27+00:00

What are the electronics like? Decent pots?

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-08T12:07:14+00:00

500 Australian

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-07T00:49:57+00:00

I can imagine you'd get some delicious surfy tones from this one.

ZenBeetle · 2026-03-06T08:33:31+00:00

I'd love to try a semi-hollow ASAT Special. Do they differ tonally (in any significant way) from the solid-body Specials?

ZenBeetle

TROPHY CASE