Apparently being called a leftie is a personal slur. Whenever commentary is dismissed by someone of an opposing ‘non-leftie’ political mindset it’s usually with a statement like: ‘typical leftie rubbish’. It’s a reductionist technique meant to discredit what are usually logical or factual arguments.
I don’t think of myself as particularly left. I don’t think civilians need guns. Or drug prohibition. I think people should have the right to die if they want to. I think we need economic reform. That governments need to stop making global trade treaties.
I don’t think it’s leftie. I think it’s common sense. In fact, most of my beliefs are around conservation, so I’m quite literally a true conservative. Resource ripping, ocean poisoning, forest destroying, and war mongering seem much more radical than my quiet commitment to peace and sustainability.
My values and my beliefs aren’t formed at some secret meeting of beret-wearing bohemians trying to subvert the dominant paradigm with menstrual cups filled with kombucha. They’re formed from talking to people. From reading beyond the mainstream media. And from my experience and my deep belief in social justice, in equity and in fairness.
I like to think my beliefs are formed because I think about things and then I ask questions. I am naturally suspicious of vested interest, both corporate and government, but I’m not a subscriber to conspiracy. Except I do think it’s a bit too coincidental that Jeffrey Epstein hanged himself and Prince Andrew was implicated in a child-sex ring.
I believe every human has a responsibility to ensure the wellbeing of their fellow humans and their planet. Is that leftie rubbish? Sounds more Christian to me. Although I’m not a Christian.
I find the majority of Christians disappointing. Wouldn’t a truly Christian nation or government abhor the cruelty of offshore detention for refugees? Isn’t that what the good Samaritan was about? Or did I read it wrong? Wasn’t it a parable about crossing the street to give assistance to a stranger? I think if you judge people by a book you should probably read it and have a crack at living by its values. George Pell, I’m looking at you when I say that.
I don’t recall any Bible stories where women and children are locked away behind barbed wire. Or where Jesus gave the green light to paedophiles. And what do some people have against trees? Why have we made our forests the enemy? Good luck breathing in the future. As I write this our lungs are on fire. The Amazon provides 20 per cent of the earth’s oxygen, and currently it’s burning.
Fires aren’t unusual in forests. It’s part of a regeneration process. But right now there are thousands of fires raging through the Amazon with Brazil experiencing 74,000 fires this year alone – that’s double last year. Deforestation in the Amazon is fuelling the sharp increase in forest loss. It makes the region drier – spurring even more deforestation. Less rain equals fewer trees equals less oxygen for the planet.
I have never understood the corporate antagonism towards forests. Surely everyone needs to breathe? Even CEOs need air. If right-to-lifers are so concerned about the sanctity of human life then why aren’t they chaining themselves to trees? Instead of fronting anti-abortion rallies why isn’t Mr ‘Life is Precious’ baby-making Barnaby going door to door with seedlings? And why did Pauline suddenly need to climb Uluru? Was it a deep connection to country or just colonial belligerence? Either way getting stuck 40 metres up and having a sook about not being able to get down was delicious justice.
Entitlement is the new black. Just ask the untouchable Mr Jones. Alan’s ‘stuff a sock down her throat’ missives about Jacinda Ardern brought into focus just how extreme his levels of violence and misogyny are and how men like him view powerful ‘lefty’ women. Compassion and intelligence seem to be her only crime. And making our PM look like a total loser.
The fact 2GB still endorses Alan’s Jonestown is a telling moral barometer for this country. Jones subscribers beware. Remember what happened to the original Jones followers. Maybe it’s time Australians stopped drinking the mass-media Kool Aid.
Oh, maybe that’s just a leftie rant. Forget I said anything. Drink up. And please make sure Pauline gets a glass.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
