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Trump! The death of political correctness and the rise of the bigots.

Being “PC” was once considered the calling card of civilised social commentary and educated debate. But over the last few years (in fact ever since Pauline Hanson let the racist genie out of the bottle with her maiden speech to parliament in 1996), the act of being “Politically Correct” (or PC) has been systematically assaulted by battlers, shock jocks and right wing pundits as a repressive constraint on free speech.

The mainstream media have effectively rebranded the once lauded virtue as an act of excessive pandering to vocal minorities, and managed to disingenuously package it up as an assault on the mainstream.

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But what does actually it mean to be “politically correct”? According to dictionary.com the active component of the term means, avoiding vocabulary that is considered offensive, discriminatory, or judgmental” (particularly on matters pertaining to race, gender or sexual orientation).

X3nsbCI realise this may sound somewhat old fashioned but to my understanding this would mean that being “politically correct” is simply the act of exercising GOOD MANNERS by not publicly espousing derogatory racist or sexist sentiments, or abusing those that are of an alternate race, gender, orientation or circumstance to ones own.

I admit good manners are somewhat of an old fashioned concept, but for the uninitiated the idea is basically this, you don’t say or do things that are HIGHLY LIKELY to lead to offence, vilification or active discrimination against others.

As a caveat to that, exceptions can be granted for those engaging in activities and speech (that might offend some) if their actions are designed to dismantle blatantly unfair and discriminatory practices, such as slavery, or securing women’s right to vote or drive cars. However exceptions cannot and should not be granted when the aim of the speaker is to vilify, arbitrarily exclude and incite hatred and violence.

Contrary to what some in the government may think, dismantling 18c (our laws against hate speech) and legally enshrining the right to abuse and vilify would not serve our political freedom; it would simply be inviting more ignorance, bigotry and hostility to run rampant in our society. (And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that that may lead to some pretty ugly consequences).

Censorship has always been a thorny issue. A persuasive case can be mounted that the ability (under law) to say whatever we please ought to be one of our fundamental rights and freedoms, but in reality extremes very rarely produce good outcomes. While we clearly do not want the overtly repressive censorship that is exercised by some nations, we don’t want to allow an unchecked stream of hateful, violent,antisocial rhetoric to gain popular traction either.

politcally incorrectAs a society we must walk the tightrope between and the extremes of the overly repressive and the overly permissive, and it is a difficult balance to strike.

This is where “political correctness” once used to serve us so well. Being PC was the unspoken pact we had with each other that we would refrain from behaving like utterly hateful bigots, (at least in public); and anyone who crossed the line would be met with anything from the shaming disapproval of a sharply raised eyebrow to unemployment or outright social shunning.

It was a good, self-regulating system. We all agreed not to be hateful in public, and those that harboured hateful, antagonistic feelings towards others knew that they needed to keep those thoughts and feelings to themselves, lest they become a social pariah.

Abandoning that pact comes at no small cost. While the likes of Hanson and Abbott have cleared Australia’s way to socially permissible bigotry, one only needs to look to the USA and the phenomena that is Trump to gain an understanding of what it may ultimately cost us if we progress any further down that road.trump politcally correct

Watching Trump abandon all sense verbal restraint is an agonising spectre. The ease with which he spews his loathsome bile all over the mainstream news cycle, (who happily devour it like rabid dogs), is horrific.

The unapologetic swagger with which he peels off racist and misogynistic epithets is simply staggering. He does nothing for social cohesion; instead he sets the stage for the hateful to come out loud and proud; and emboldened by the vicious unrestrained political rhetoric the haters are rising to his call. Whether it is advocating the brutal torture of refugees, discriminating against the LGBT community, punishing the disabled and unemployed, assaulting Muslim women on the train, or spraying racist epithclosed-mind2-233x300ets on my local Indian restaurant (or worse), they are out there and they are getting increasingly brazen. (So much so that even some right wingers realise it has gone too far, and are now clamouring for the restraint that “political correctness” once afforded them).

But how do we contain the hate? How can we reinstate the PC pact?  Can we actually make back the ground that has been lost? Having thrown off the “PC” shackles of societal shame, the bigots and haters are on the march, and they will not be silenced easily.

57 comments

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  1. Terry Goulden

    I agree that being PC is simply a matter of the good manners my mother and grand mother drummed into my head as a young lad. However, what I object to now is that political correctness is highly personal. If a shock jock bad mouths a prime minister in a totally rude and offensive way that is OK and fair comment and people who object are being overly pc but if I was to call that shock jock the most vicious slime ball of an old white male on the planet then the poor precious thin skinned petal gets teddibly offened and sulks for months. People who love to offend and use political correctness as a defense need to grow a thicker skin.

  2. Kaye Lee

    I so agree Letitia. I do not understand why people want the right to be abusive and hurtful. What can it achieve? If there is a genuine problem then you need reasoned discussion and collaboration to achieve solutions. Fighting for the right to be offensive and to humiliate others seems such a hollow battle. It would never be proposed by someone who truly wants change for the better.

    George Christensen has started a webpage called waronradicalislam and has been asking for contributors. He threatens to “out appeasers.” He scares me.

    I hear his father is running for election to Mackay local council.

  3. hemingway13

    Thanks to Letitia for such an incisive debunking of the Immoderate-Conservatives powerful propaganda weapon against both a minimum of civility in our discourse and a fair go in our society. My Bulldust-detection system issues a loud danger signal whenever Immoderate-Conservatives bellyache about the “evil” of political correctness. Invariably, they follow that up with their other major fairytale target: a mythological monster they call “The Nanny State” and its offsider boogeyman they call “Red Tape”, by which they mean any taxing/regulating of businesses, any form of social safety net, any legal rights for non-rich folks, any industrial relations protections for workers, any form of collective action or protest by unions and consumers, any funding for public institutions (except the military, police, firefighters, politicians), any equal remuneration for women performing the same jobs as men, any anti-discrimination/anti-defamation legislation etc., etc., etc…

  4. Colin

    The phrase in the title “rise of the bigots” implies that they went away at some stage. That doesn’t correspond with my memory of history.

  5. RosemaryJ36

    As a broad generalisation, those who abuse others feel insecure and believe that attack is the best form of defence.
    Does America want a President who is so insecure that he is likely to start a war as an act of aggrandisement?
    Plus America is NOT a secular country and prides itself on being a Christian nation while – to date – tolerating those with other beliefs. It needs to prove it is Christian by overtly embracing core Christian principles such as love thy neighbour, but remember that to love is not necessarily to like!

  6. RosemaryJ36

    Colin – you do not need to go away in order to rise – unless you rise from the dead!

  7. mars08

    Typical do-gooder rubbish…. (/sarcasm)

  8. Christine Farmer

    Brilliant article, Letitia. Thank you. I have never understood why simply being good mannered rather than deliberately offensive should have been tagged with the now pejorative term “political correctness”. I am beginning to think “political correctness” is code for not upsetting the conservative view of life. In the same way, for instance, it is described as “the politics of envy” if it’s pointed out how many public schools are desperate for money, while private schools receive large amounts of public finance for further superior facilities. No, it’s just stating facts.
    Great comment, Hemingway13.

  9. Wally

    Political correctness can be over the top and I think we have become overly PC rather than less albeit with a few exceptions, Trump to name one but as John Lord says “only in America”.

    Often we criticise people for comments that are considered by some to discriminate but the person or group the comment is directed to have no issue with the comment at all. To cite an example, my stepfather (and many other dark skinned people) have no issue at all in being called black, it is their skin colour but add in some other words and it is clearly derogative. One word I detest is nigger, its use is totally inexcusable.

    On the way to Birdsville races last year I met 2 aboriginal fellas and we travelled through the stony desert together, when we arrived in Birdsville they spotted the local ranger, the younger one (mid 50’s) turned to the other (early 70’s) and said “you can’t get any blacker than that uncle”. The entire group (mixed races) erupted in laughter.

  10. mars08

    I suspect that those who moan the most about political correctness are those who belong to the dominant group… and expect to remain there. Or those who believe they can become part of the dominant group by mimicking their displeasure.

  11. Letitia McQuade

    Wally, black is not a pejorative it is a colour, and anyone who thinks describing someones colour is an insult clearly has issues. That is a bit like my stepson getting upset that I said his jumper was in the “bottom” draw, because his mother had told him “bottom” was a bad word. (yes that actually happened).
    But that is not what I am talking about… I am talking about people being deliberately, wilfully hateful, and setting out to vilify and marginalise others, and suggesting anyone that suggests they shouldn’t do it is actually bullying them with “political correctness”…

  12. mars08

    Calling someone bald is not a pejorative, it is a description of their scalp. It’s also an obvious condition which tags them as “different”…. a minority. What do we tell them if THEY feel it’s an insult?

  13. Wally

    Letitia McQuade

    “and suggesting anyone that suggests they shouldn’t do it is actually bullying them with “political correctness”

    Appreciate your reply Letitia and hopefully common sense will prevail and kids can start to sing “Baa Baa Black Sheep” again, I recently heard kids from the primary school across the road singing “Baa Baa Green Sheep” and wondered where they would find a green sheep.

    I don’t think people have any issue with political correctness in general, as you say it is just being polite or well mannered but taking PC to extremes does much damage.

  14. Wally

    mars08

    “Calling someone bald is not a pejorative, it is a description of their scalp. It’s also an obvious condition which tags them as “different”…. a minority. What do we tell them if THEY feel it’s an insult?”

    Get a life! Much more important things to worry about and if that was the worst insult they ever received there is not much to worry about.

  15. Kaye Lee

    If something causes others discomfort is it beyond us to change our way of expression? I come from majority everything and have had a relatively easy road. I have listened and tried to learn what upsets others. To me, that doesn’t need a label. I am always trying to improve myself and the way I express my thoughts. Words can hurt. We can do better.

  16. silkworm

    “Political correctness” is the language of bullies.

  17. Wally

    Kaye Lee

    Agree with everything you say but isn’t it up to the minorities who are hurt by words to state their case instead of every person who has ever been offended by a word/s having an opinion on every aspect of PC much of which they don’t have a clue about under the guise that they (think they) know how others feel.

    We should all treat others how we want to be treated by others without exception.

  18. Annie B

    Great article Letitia …. thank you ……… and good debate following.

    While I cannot stomach Trump, in any way whatsoever – I risk being labelled agreeing with him ( ugh 🙁 ) …. in that I wish the words ” political correctness ” had NEVER been thought up, or brought forward, or used.

    It is a load of crap in fact. Agree with Wally when he says : We should all treat others how we want to be treated by others without exception. …. that is all that is needed, in a nutshell.

    Going back many years, we all had opinions ( as we do now ) on what was what, and who was who. It was not pretty at times – to be sure. But it was freedom of speech, and like todays’ newspaper ( as long as they exist that is ) …. was thrown out as wrapping around the vegie peelings. Forgotten

    If anyone is silly enough to fall for the garbage of ‘political correctness’ then it is their problem. …. One of the worst ‘fear mongering’ tactics devised to date. And so many fall for it. ( oooo – can’t say that – it might offend — when the comment is actually, totally non-offensive ). That’s how far this rubbishy hoo-hah has gone.

    I believe this also makes the point ( from Letitias’ article ) : While the likes of Hanson and Abbott have cleared Australia’s way to socially permissible bigotry, one only needs to look to the USA and the phenomena that is Trump to gain an understanding of what it may ultimately cost us if we progress any further down that road.

    Well said — and personally, I second that.

  19. Kaye Lee

    Wally.

    Wouldn’t it be a wonderful world if minorities had a voice but you and I both know they don’t. They are drowned out by the screeching banshees who are empowered by being part of the majority. PC is a stupid term. If the majority don’t stand up and say that’s not ok then the minorities have no chance to be heard and if others can’t express their point of view without using hateful language then they have no case to prosecute.

    Is the right to sing baa baa black sheep really worth fighting for if its origins are hurtful to others?

    PS I was amazed to see orange sheep when travelling around Scotland. Perhaps they were gay?

  20. Miriam English

    If that idiot Trump gets the presidency there will be a mad scramble to return to good manners after he devastates his country. I expect a lot of people in USA will want very strong anti-hate laws after waves of hateful violence erupt at his bidding.

    It will be a good lesson to the idiots in power over here.

    Actually, I’m amazed that the example of USA hasn’t made the fools in government here realise how dangerous naked hate is… although… maybe they have seen it… maybe that’s why Abbott lost power and why they’re getting rid of the more nasty elements, like Bernardi. I wonder how they’ll shut that creep Christensen up. I hope they do.

  21. Wally

    Kaye Lee

    “I was amazed to see orange sheep when travelling around Scotland. Perhaps they were gay?”

    They might have got sunburnt while on holiday in Spain. (bad joke I know)

    Certainly a very fine line between what is politically correct and what isn’t but we must try to stay on the line, deviate too far from either side and it all goes bad.

  22. Annie B

    Well said Miriam and Kaye …

    There is a wee ripple ( not a surge as yet ) of people in the U.S. looking for greener pastures – like Australia, New Zealand, some Scandinavian countries —- anywhere but the U.S.

    They are the ‘frightened’ lot of people – the ones with consciences, and a sense of helplessness at what is going on there. They want to feel safe again – something they do not enjoy at present in the U.S.

    But there are still too many out of their 320 ++ millions who want to stay, be aggressive and confrontational, flex their muscles and their guns and spew hatred – at any chance they get.

    And THIS historically, we rely on ( more is the pity ) – as co-partners in world affairs, military might, ways of life to be followed and echoed, etc.

    Horrified at the thought. ….

    A slim chance glimmers though that Turnbull might NOT be so swayed. He has near to zilch in policy, but might just be a wake up to the influences that emanate from that inane mob over there …. and will try to allay that somehow.

    One can only hope !!!

  23. Wally

    Miriam English

    Daughter is planning an extended trip to the US late this year or early 2017, she told her mum today that if Trump gets elected she is putting the trip off for 4 years. If a 22yo aussie country girl who is not into politics can see what a dickhead Trump is how does he fool so many of his countrymen. Or should that be countrypeople? Doesn’t have the same ring does it.

  24. Annie B

    Wally ….

    Your daughter is one very wise young lady.

    He fools his ‘countrymen’ because he is absolutely controversial …. and they oooo soooo love that kinda thing.

    Re-education of the entire U.S. population is a thought. !!! …. won’t happen though. 🙁

  25. Wally

    Annie B

    I was speaking to a Canadian here on an extended holiday early this year, he lives near the US border and he commented that 1 on 1 Americans are very nice people who would give you the shirt off their back but in a group they would most likely belt you over the head and steal everything you have. Initially I thought he was joking but he certainly wasn’t, some examples he portrayed showed group mentality at its worst.

  26. stephengb2014

    Well I do not mind saying that whilst Trump goves me concern, I am more worried about where we are going in Australia with this extremist LNP government with the likes of bernadi, christianson, dutton, cash, abbott, andrews, corman, etc etc.

    If this lot gets back in – I as a pensioner, is going to have a torrid time, and I fear for the sick, unemployed, and the real poor.

    S

  27. Stephen

    It occurs to me with people and things like Trump many people say only in America rather condescendingly presumably in the belief it can’t happen here. What they should say is only in American Now. How many other times and problems did we use the only in America dismissal to find ourselves in the same situation down the track?

    Stephen

  28. guest

    For an article opposed to everything you believe in, read Maurice Newman in The Australian today, explaining why Trump is right.

  29. diannaart

    I believe the cartoon from the article, “Feel free to speak about anything I want you to” (http://i2.wp.com/theaimn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/freedom-of-speech-megaphone.jpg?resize=350%2C200), best sums up the idiocy of the big guys complaining about anything voiced by the little guy.

    Whoever thought we needed another term for “good manners” – particularly one as uptight and straight-laced as “politically correct” needs to be called to account. It was never a good idea; sounding arrogant and, oh so, faux intellectual, it was always a convenient target for bullies rather than encouraging people to think about the effect their words may have on others.

  30. mars08

    The Baa Baa Green Sheep story is bogus. Its a myth. It’s misinformation. It’s one of those dodgy tales that are spread to infuriate the bigots.

  31. mars08

    Also the town of Cardwell had not banned Christmas lights, Anzac day will not be renamed, Subway has not removed ham and bacon from their menu, and primary school children are not be indoctrinated with Muim prayers

    Astounding innit… how many examples of “PC gone mad” actually turn out to be myths spread to promote the notion that PC has, in fact, gone mad.

  32. mars08

    Solid, irrefutable proof there, Wally… Magnificent work. Now if you’d like to do some proper research rather than just perpetuate the bullshit….

  33. Wally

    mars08

    A quick search on You tube returned several similar results and I really resent your personal attack on my integrity.

    When my neighbours grand daughters walk through my front yard singing baa baa green sheep and their mother explains that was taught to them at school I do not have any reason to question them, I find most young kids to be extremely honest.

  34. mars08

    My personal attack. You mean, when i asked that you do some “proper research” into your stated example of political correctness? Oh dear… that rates as a personal attack? Yikes! It’s PC gone mad, I tells ya!!!!

    BTW… I didn’t suggest that some child you know was being dishonest.

  35. mars08

    My personal attack. You mean, when i asked that you do some “proper research” into your stated example of political correctness? Oh dear… that rates as a personal attack? Yikes! It’s PC gone mad, I tells ya!!!!

  36. Wally

    mars08

    Why omit the glaringly obvious rude defamatory part of your comment out? “rather than just perpetuate the bullsht”

    You know where you over stepped the line and please explain how you behaviour is any better then that of a bigot?

    Oh sorry you have been the target of racism at times so that gives you the right to treat other people however it pleases you. Has it ever occurred to you that your stance on PC makes you a bully and that in essence you are not any better behaved than the bigots you detest?

  37. mars08

    Wow… Calling you out for being evasive, facile, disingenuous and incurious is a form of bigotry? Oh… harden up ffs….

  38. guest

    Maurice Newman’s article in The Australian today is very revealing.

    In the middle of it is a quotation from Trump himself: “We are tired of being led by stupid people.” The irony is delicious.

    It begins with the dissatisfaction expressed by Trump supporters: “… political correctness… illegal migration…capitalists who use Wall Street…unemployment…welfare cheats…disability frauds…government waste…Obama is a failure…Obama’s condescending lectures…Islam…”

    Later he explains how the world would be different under Trump, rethinking Obama’s policies: “…health, climate change, immigration and Islam. America will become withdrawn and, in forums such as the G20, US-centric.” Does all that seem strangely familiar?

    Oz is currently tied to a US, which is far from acting out the isolationist Monroe Doctrine. And we are tied to the US economically and politically. What will happen to Oz with a ‘US-centric’ USA? Or is the USA, the World policeman, ‘US-centric’ already?

    The USA has Trump the Trasher and we have our own wreckers here who seek to undo everything and retreat into three basic mantras, egalitarianism, liberty and individualism: “… equality before the law, equality of opportunity, freedom of speech and association, self-reliance, limited government, free market economics and devolved public authority.” Think ‘lifters’ and ‘leaners’.

    Too much of these values have been entrusted to institutions which have let them down, says Newman. The Left has taken “the Long March through the institutions” and the Republicans are not able to act “outside the culturally dominant liberal paradigm.” True here in Oz? The reason why the Left is burdened by unions and the Coalition is frozen by inaction?

    And if we look about here in Oz, we have seen very similar sentiments talked about and acted upon. Strangely, it is the think tanks of the Right which have espoused these policy positions here. Trump, however, is neither Left nor Right, according to Newman.

    Some of these ideological mantras have been espoused before in C19th Utilitarian Self-help ideas and have been found to be wanting. What we have now is a huge gap around the world between the rich and the poor, the free and the enslaved.

    It is impossible to believe that a muddled demagogue such as Trump has any clue about changing anything for the better. Greater chaos threatens.

  39. Annie B

    guest quoted ” Or is the USA, the World policeman, ‘US-centric’ already?”

    The shortest answer is “YES” …. it is already. …. And I fear worse is to come, before something happens to turn it all around.

    I believe something will happen – exactly what ? … I don’t know – – – guess it’s up to ones’ own imagination ( and / or hopes ).

    ……

  40. Wally

    mars08

    “Wow… Calling you out for being evasive, facile, disingenuous and incurious is a form of bigotry? Oh… harden up ffs….”

    Put your glasses on and read my comment again, did not say you were a bigot, stated “please explain how you behaviour is any better then that of a bigot”.

    And obviously you cannot so you have avoided my question, are you sure you haven’t been taking lessons from Tony Abbott? I don’t think you realise what you say is offensive or bad mannered but as with PC it is not about the person who makes the comment, judgement lies with the person the comment is directed toward (me in this case). Argue all you like but I stand by my previous comment

  41. mars08

    “… it is not about the person who makes the comment, judgement lies with the person the comment is directed toward…”

    And your comment was bogus and unresearched. But instead of reviewing your comment and putting it in context, you chose to bung on the faux outrage. I’m sure that someone like John Howard would admire your tactics.

  42. Wally

    mars08

    There was nothing bogus or unsearched at all and your continued suggestion there was is offensive.

    initial comment March 9, 2016 at 9:10 pm “hopefully common sense will prevail and kids can start to sing “Baa Baa Black Sheep” again, I recently heard kids from the primary school across the road singing “Baa Baa Green Sheep” and wondered where they would find a green sheep.” This comment was based on fact but WTF are you to question what did or didn’t happen.

    March 10, 2016 at 1:12 pm “Explain this child’s response to a song request. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVa_MGj9erQ” I posted a random link to support my earlier claim and you have still not answered my question.

    10, 2016 at 1:33 pm “When my neighbours grand daughters walk through my front yard singing baa baa green sheep and their mother explains that was taught to them at school I do not have any reason to question them, I find most young kids to be extremely honest.” I provided full details of what my initial comment was based on and you still attest that it is bogus.

    mars08 please explain what is bogus and unresearched? Replying to my question with another question will prove that you are a troll.

  43. mars08

    Children can still sing Baa Baa Black Sheep.

    The example you use of your neighbour’s granddaughter is NOT a result of political correctness. It may suit you to use it as such, but some proper research would show that children are use different versions of the song as part of their education and development. It helps with their imagination.

    I didn’t doubt that somebody knows somebody who sang a particular song. My concern is entirely about how eagerly you presented it as an example of unrestrained political correctness.

  44. Wally

    mars08

    Thanks for clearly stating your case, it has a lot more merit than your earlier comment “The Baa Baa Green Sheep story is bogus. Its a myth. It’s misinformation. It’s one of those dodgy tales that are spread to infuriate the bigots.”.

    I will beg to differ, my personal experience indicates that your belief that “children are use different versions of the song as part of their education” is an excuse to defend the education systems choice to bow to PC. Happy to leave it that we have different opinions but must close in asking where are the links to substantiate your claim?

  45. mars08

    Your personal experience… ahhh… based on hearing a little girl singing in your front yard? Marvellous!

    Or, you could challenge your belief and use the net for some proper research.

    I could easily provide links to back my claim but, frankly… you need the exercise.

  46. Wally

    mars08

    “I could easily provide links to back my claim”

    Put them up or shut up!

  47. mars08

    @Wally, do some proper research. Google is your friend…

  48. Wally

    mars08

    “do some proper research. Google is your friend”

    Have and it supported my argument, did not find anything to support your claim other than some unsubstantaited comments.

    What relevance does your link have to green sheep? SFA

    http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/racial-connotations-over-black-sheep-prompts-changes-to-baa-baa-black-sheep-at-victorian-kinders/news-story/5e8e63e32d0f480f6f7aea23d7dfa82e

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-379114/Baa-baa-rainbow-sheep.html

  49. mars08

    “The charity group that runs the nurseries, Parents and Children Together, said that changes to the nursery rhyme have nothing to do with race.

    In a statement, the group said it has established that the children at the nurseries would now sing a variety of descriptive words so that the rhyme becomes an active one.

    The children will be asked to sing “sad,” “blue,” “pink,” “black,” “white,” “happy,” “hopping,” and “bouncing” when describing the sheep to encourage the children to extend their vocabulary and use up energy…”

    Is that one of the “unsubstantiated comments”?

  50. Wally

    mars08

    A group who change the words of a song for PC reasons are not going to come out and admit the real reason, that would not be PC.

    In my limited experience (only had 5 kids and 4 grandkids so far) making things too complicated hinders a child’s learning, particularly if they have a learning difficulty. Kids songs, books and rhymes are repetitious to make learning easier so I find the excuse “extend their vocabulary” to be on the nose.

    Back in the days before spell check and calculators repeating the alphabet and the times tables over then over and over was how we were taught. It was much more effective literacy standards have dropped off considerably over the last 20 years.

    “But the results also see 42% of Australian 15-year-olds failing to meet national minimum standards in maths, and 36% not reaching the same benchmark in reading. In less than a decade, Australian maths literacy performance has declined by the equivalent of more than half a year of schooling.”

    http://theconversation.com/new-pisa-results-show-education-decline-its-time-to-stop-the-slide-21054

  51. mars08

    The kids are still singing black sheep song AND other variations. The original song has NOT been changed.

    sigh….

  52. Letitia McQuade

    With all due respect a child being taught to sing Bah bah green sheep is hardly such a profound tragedy that it would justify removing 18c or allowing people to spew hateful, inciting bile at their whim… as I said it the middle path we need here… balance… not wild reactionary polarities… let the kids sing bah bah black sheep, and don’t let the KKK hold rallies in the public square,,

  53. Ken Rose (40KViewpoint)

    Trump’s Movement/Revolution is about changing to a new fork in the road, toward survival of Western Culture. It is something we hold dear; especially after spending time in a third world country. We know where we were headed and threw out PC so the truth could be said. Simple logic for the time. Trump will MAGA!

  54. Miriam English

    Ken Rose (40KViewpoint), sorry. You’ve been duped. Trump’s only intention was to say or do anything he needed to in order to win. He lied about everything. Everything.

    If you think you can get truth out of layers of lies upon lies, then I have a bridge I can sell you.

    Oh, it’s a new fork in the road alright. If you thought USA was a third world country before, just wait until Trump finishes selling your asses out to the big corporations. Just have a look at who he’s surrounding himself with. Those vampires will bleed USA dry. Those days you thought were bad? Yes they were, but they’re going to look like the days of milk and honey. You voted in the most dangerous person to ever run for president. But you can’t even see the boot coming down on you. No matter… you will.

  55. John

    Miriam English

    I think Trump and Clintons lies are akin or following in the footsteps of John Howard. Our Liberals are world leaders in telling blatant lies and crucifying opponents for changing direction (Julia Gillard) when they have no choice. If we could only turn the clock back!

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