Today, some unwelcome reminders for Adelaide’s hordes of Oval naysayers, conservative values, The Australian’s weird anti-Twitter rant, and, slightly off our normal radar, how Nelson Mandela inspired a couple of great 1980s songs.
Eight embarrassing things
ROB LUCAS, 8 March 2010: “It is quite clear that Mr Rann’s Adelaide Oval proposal is simply a giant con designed to try to get him through the election period.”
IAIN EVANS, 31 August 2010: “The government needs to admit it has made a mistake and re examine the feasibility of building a new inner city stadium on a greenfields site.”
KEVIN FOLEY, 1 December 2009, on the Liberals’ vision for revitalising the Riverbank precinct: “Anyone can see that it is a poor man’s Las Vegas on the Torrens. It would, without doubt, strip us of our AAA credit rating and plunge the state into very serious financial troubles.” (Outsider’s note: In defence of K-Fol – this is probably the most accurate prediction about the Oval.)
MIKE RANN, 1 June 2008, turning his back on the need for a city stadium by announcing new funding for AAMI Stadium: “This redevelopment will bring AAMI Stadium up to international standard. It will not only enhance the experience for spectators and users of AAMI Stadium, it will put us in a stronger position to compete for major events such as World Cup soccer matches.”
THE ADELAIDE MEDIA, for the past four years: “Oval won’t be ready! Oval too expensive! Footbridge why!”
THE ADELAIDE MEDIA, yesterday: “Oval awesome! Footbridge nice! So proud!”
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THE SA PUBLIC, for the past four years: “Waste! Shame! Keith Hospital!”
THE SA PUBLIC, yesterday: “Addy, Addy, Addy! Oi! Oi! Oi!”
Stupide
Conservative values are wonderful, aren’t they?
They’re all about family, respect and decency. And distasteful references to your ideological enemies.
When a pair of Adelaide fashion designers thought it was hip to produce a top with the word “Retarde” on it, many parents of disabled kids were naturally upset.
We wonder what they would make of conservative website Menzies House, and its penchant for publishing the term “Leftard“?
Missed the memo?
In a widely mocked editorial this week, Rupert Murdoch’s “boutique” newspaper, The Australian, lambasted young whipper-snappers in other media companies, and contrasted these shallow Gen Ys with its stable of old blokes.
It argued that “seasoned journalists are being traded for ones unable to see beyond the dazzle of the instantaneous fix of Twitter or web-first publishing. These callow reporters and trainee talking heads are setting the pace at Fairfax Media and the ABC, with their ‘breaking’ views and zippy analysis five minutes after something has happened”.
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Web-first publishing?
The Australian’s editorial writer must have missed the memo, reported in The Outsider last week, instructing Rupert Murdoch’s Adelaide journos that “digital first” is the company’s strategy.
This affirmation, by SA-based editorial honcho Mel Mansell, was an attempt to “clarify” input by fly-in Murdoch favourite Col Allen, who exhorted Tiser staff to revert to saving the best news for the print edition.
More confused than a cat emerging from a dryer.
Meanwhile, The Advertiser must be very worried about both its flagging print sales and its influence with decision-makers.
It’s taken to handing out free copies outside the State Government car park in Gawler Place in the morning. It’s where Premier and Cabinet staff, senior public servants and spin doctors park their cars.
Anti-apartheid soundtrack
Please excuse, dear reader, this break from our usual banter.
Back in the late 1980s when The Outsider was a callow, fop-haired youth, cold nights always led to a share-house in an unnamed Australian city, where young over-worked journalists would sometimes gather to gain some solace in each others’ preternaturally jaundiced company.
There weren’t many ideologues in the room those nights; not many ABC/Lefty types; but you didn’t need to be a bleeding heart to know that what was happening in South Africa was evil.
It was a strange and happy coincidence of values and beat that meant that two songs always got everyone dancing and fists pumping.
So, in memory of Mandela, one of the few authentically great leaders of recent history, we give you – Free Nelson Mandela by The Specials, and Sun City by Artists United Against Apartheid.
