Moggy and the *Greens
Sunday April 9
So I went along, albeit begrudgingly, to the launch of the local Greens campaign. Begrudgingly?
Yes.. because I am not a politician and I don’t like working with organizations or committees. They are full of bossy people who like telling other people what to do.
But I felt I owed it to the candidate who is a lovely lady. I teach with her as a volunteer at the local community centre.
I wandered around and eventually I struck up a conversation with someone. Almost Immediately I was interrupted by some loud person who butted in and 'took over' as they knew who I was talking to.
I moved on and started another conversation
and exactly the same thing happened again!
and again
…and again!
Four times in ten minutes I struck up a conversation only to be interrupted by some rude person who couldn’t wait to talk to the person I was talking to.
After the speeches I was inevitably approached by the clipboard brigade asking me how I would like to volunteer.
She was very young.
Looking at her list of things I could do I said
Na, I don’t do any of those things.
What about door-knocking or handing out leaflets? she said
No, I said, people who vote for the main parties and against the greens are not persuadable because they do so either out of selfishness or fear. They are irrational and you can not argue with fear or selfishness. Greens policies are simply common sense-if people can’t see their own self-interest, there is no point in talking to them. You can’t say to someone –“Stop being selfish or afraid” They simply won’t listen.
The young clipboarder girl looked deflated so I felt guilty and sorry for her and said..
But I can help with your multicultural committee. That is what I do. I told her I was a teacher and what I did and she said
‘That is amazing! '’. I was saddened that she was genuinely astounded that my work was pro bono. I was also chuffed and delighted at the compliment.
Then she blotted her copybook by saying..
If you go to the website…..
Now it was my turn to interrupt
No! I exclaimed, I don’t do websites or pamphlets. … I've already done that and got no response. If someone is interested they can contact me…here is my number.
Oh…uh…ok she said searching for words and clearly disconcerted and unconvinced it would ever happen. (So was I)
I had a few sandwiches and sat down. This time I was approached by another couple . Body language very friendly.
Similar conversation as the others…
I said..
my strength is multicultural stuff but I notice no-one here is from another culture-they are all white Anglos— no indigeneous people either?
Awkward pause...and then
No! she said pointing…there is one indigenous lady –over there. She was right. There was indeed a very milky coffee-coloured lady. I stood corrected.
but undeterred, I went on
where is the voice of the multiculturals in Australia? They are only 'tolerated' here if they overtly express their gratitude for being tolerated-and wag their tails like a dog when spoken to. Isn’t this just white people sitting around doing what they are good at - talking about power and how to get it. Where are the multiculturals?
My friends were losing interest in me –but we were all saved from each other and embarassment by yet another rude interrupter who sat down beside us. On cue, although my conversation had not yet finished they all proceeded to ignore me.
I was about to get up and go home,but the interrupter had a dog and since no-one was now speaking to me , I introduced my self to him. Moggy was a friendly little fellow-he welcomed me with smiling eyes and a wagging tail.
Like many multiculturals Moggy knew how to greet people and make them feel welcome.
‘I love dogs’ I enthused to Charlie
Well ..buy one then ! …said Charlie rather unhelpfully I thought.
No…I said…I can't what would I do with him if I went on holiday?
Give him to me! volunteered Charlie.
And he meant it.
I shook his hand ..
You are the first person I’ve met who has ever offered to do such a thing.
A few minutes later I said goodbye to my friend the local candidate and was asking her a question when I was interrupted yet again by some rude person.
In despair I decided to leave -but Moggie caught my eye. I turned and ostentatiously extended my hand towards his paw.. much to the visible consternation of those around me..
See ya Moggie! Enjoy the rest of your day!
Moggie wagged his tail and smiled
At last I had found someone I knew I could talk to without being interrupted
Regards,
Don
P.S. Just imagine what a Liberal party fundraiser launch would be like
So I went along, albeit begrudgingly, to the launch of the local Greens campaign. Begrudgingly?
Yes.. because I am not a politician and I don’t like working with organizations or committees. They are full of bossy people who like telling other people what to do.
But I felt I owed it to the candidate who is a lovely lady. I teach with her as a volunteer at the local community centre.
I wandered around and eventually I struck up a conversation with someone. Almost Immediately I was interrupted by some loud person who butted in and 'took over' as they knew who I was talking to.
I moved on and started another conversation
and exactly the same thing happened again!
and again
…and again!
Four times in ten minutes I struck up a conversation only to be interrupted by some rude person who couldn’t wait to talk to the person I was talking to.
After the speeches I was inevitably approached by the clipboard brigade asking me how I would like to volunteer.
She was very young.
Looking at her list of things I could do I said
Na, I don’t do any of those things.
What about door-knocking or handing out leaflets? she said
No, I said, people who vote for the main parties and against the greens are not persuadable because they do so either out of selfishness or fear. They are irrational and you can not argue with fear or selfishness. Greens policies are simply common sense-if people can’t see their own self-interest, there is no point in talking to them. You can’t say to someone –“Stop being selfish or afraid” They simply won’t listen.
The young clipboarder girl looked deflated so I felt guilty and sorry for her and said..
But I can help with your multicultural committee. That is what I do. I told her I was a teacher and what I did and she said
‘That is amazing! '’. I was saddened that she was genuinely astounded that my work was pro bono. I was also chuffed and delighted at the compliment.
Then she blotted her copybook by saying..
If you go to the website…..
Now it was my turn to interrupt
No! I exclaimed, I don’t do websites or pamphlets. … I've already done that and got no response. If someone is interested they can contact me…here is my number.
Oh…uh…ok she said searching for words and clearly disconcerted and unconvinced it would ever happen. (So was I)
I had a few sandwiches and sat down. This time I was approached by another couple . Body language very friendly.
Similar conversation as the others…
I said..
my strength is multicultural stuff but I notice no-one here is from another culture-they are all white Anglos— no indigeneous people either?
Awkward pause...and then
No! she said pointing…there is one indigenous lady –over there. She was right. There was indeed a very milky coffee-coloured lady. I stood corrected.
but undeterred, I went on
where is the voice of the multiculturals in Australia? They are only 'tolerated' here if they overtly express their gratitude for being tolerated-and wag their tails like a dog when spoken to. Isn’t this just white people sitting around doing what they are good at - talking about power and how to get it. Where are the multiculturals?
My friends were losing interest in me –but we were all saved from each other and embarassment by yet another rude interrupter who sat down beside us. On cue, although my conversation had not yet finished they all proceeded to ignore me.
I was about to get up and go home,but the interrupter had a dog and since no-one was now speaking to me , I introduced my self to him. Moggy was a friendly little fellow-he welcomed me with smiling eyes and a wagging tail.
Like many multiculturals Moggy knew how to greet people and make them feel welcome.
‘I love dogs’ I enthused to Charlie
Well ..buy one then ! …said Charlie rather unhelpfully I thought.
No…I said…I can't what would I do with him if I went on holiday?
Give him to me! volunteered Charlie.
And he meant it.
I shook his hand ..
You are the first person I’ve met who has ever offered to do such a thing.
A few minutes later I said goodbye to my friend the local candidate and was asking her a question when I was interrupted yet again by some rude person.
In despair I decided to leave -but Moggie caught my eye. I turned and ostentatiously extended my hand towards his paw.. much to the visible consternation of those around me..
See ya Moggie! Enjoy the rest of your day!
Moggie wagged his tail and smiled
At last I had found someone I knew I could talk to without being interrupted
Regards,
Don
P.S. Just imagine what a Liberal party fundraiser launch would be like
*The Greens are a left wing political party in Australia
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