Mandy Nolan: Another lefty Rant
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.
brilliant again mandy x
Mandy,
I think I will leave your cup to runneth over, but the rest seemed pretty right (or actually Left!) to me.
regards,
A male reader….
Thankyou Mandy – succinct, clear and to the point. Must be a leftie ?
Yep, Mandy. All these attempts at ‘discrediting’ of what’s
supposed to be the so-called norm is tiring & unoriginal.
The so called quiet ones versus a thinking & possibly an
understanding spirited lot is almost comical. Sad, too.
Discrediting is such a distasteful & tactless art; one that
has been around forever. Will Equality ever fit! We’ve
far less oxygen in the here & now. Think I’ll settle for
a mid Lefty rant.
Those of us, who care about the importance of the natural world and all its sentient beings, have just got to keep caring, no matter what. Sadly “colonial belligerence” is the foundation of our government’s thinking and processes. It does seem that, the majority of people will take the easy road and fall into line with those processes. In our country there are many powerful destructive people, with loud rude, money backed voices, who use the guise of ‘Christianity’ to push their agenda.
Getting angry eh Mandy?……Bravo!, It really suits you.
Lefties are notoriously incapable of recognising themselves as that, as are conspiracy theorists.
I suppose it’s a bit like Greta Thunberg sailing a carbon neutral yacht from Europe to the US for a climate change seminar, but a crew will have to FLY to the US to bring the yacht back negating ANY carbon saving of her trip.
Or the royals Harry and Meghan shaking their fingers at the rest of us because we’er not doing enough to combat climate change, then enjoy themselves by flying 4 times on private jets.
The hypocrisy of the left is absolutely delicious.
Nailed it again Mandy!!
Leftie and snowflake are now the terms that allow us to identify that the user of those words has neither compassion, concern or empathy. At the moment the right is wearing the Nazi title far too comfortably.
Mandy have you considered entering politics? I think your eloquence and logic on a national stage would benefit us all. As you say, it’s just common sense.
You and I are on the same page
Spot on. So called Christians have only ever been in the game for power. Remember the old days when they burned woman they didn’t like, killed others for getting in the way of holy places and stuff. I think you read the wrong book. The bible is a just cover up (must be a conspiracy) for dirty deeds done dirt cheap. I mean, it was never even written by the people who apparently wrote it. Go figure.
Another terrific piece Mandy!
So much wisdom here.
I particularly love the mix of views- agreement to some issues, antagonism to others – because just because we may be ‘left’ or ‘right’ on some issues doesn’t mean we have to buy the whole package. We can form our own individual package. We can agree, disagree, question & debate (respectfully), and joyfully accept difference. We can even change some of our views!!!
Love the way you put things Mandy.
perfect! Now if everyone who could agree with you could all pull together, we could turn this unsustainable ship around. By the way, did you ention the financial system. thats calling the shots now, turning everything of real value you stand for, into digital money.
“You da Man (dy)”
CO2 comprises 0.04% of the atmosphere! Tasmania used to be connected to Australia! Coal will be blamed for BassStrait!!! Don’t be left right or indifferent be intelligent and not brainwashed by Phd’s Protecting their income databases. Ps large bushfires have occurred in regions of Australia during August. I am aghast by the propoganderised children being affected by the unthinking left loonie brigade.