Sorry Scotty, but it seems Australians care more about their dogs than they do about you.
Feedback on recent articles centred on Scott Morrison and dog owners demonstrates a much greater passion for people’s four legged friends than for their prime minister.
The articles in question are numerous satirical texts published in a monthly magazine called The Beast, which is distributed in Bondi and the eastern beaches of Sydney.
The first article concerning the prime minister was titled:
“Scott Morrison Imprisoned for UnAustralian Activities”
It suggested that the current elected leader of the democratic nation of Australia should spend the rest of his life in bars – effective immediately. It listed many real shortcomings of the prime minister and his colleagues, and focussed on one particular action which is UnAustralian (you’ll have to read the article to find out).
Other articles were titled:
“The Shire Sends ScoMo Back to Where He Came From”
“Waverley’s Nightwatchman Scores a Century”
The articles provoked no response. No letters were sent directly to the author. No letters to the editor were published in the following issues, despite the fact that Morrison grew up in the eastern suburbs, went to school in the area and still has family and friends in the area. The region is also a safe seat for the Liberal Party, Morrison’s party.
Not one reader leapt to his defence.
Why?
The nickname “Scotty” may explain their reluctance. Educated and informed Australians call Morrison ‘Scotty from Marketing’ because they know he is nothing more than a Liberal National Party re-branding exercise. The previous leader, Malcolm Turnbull was seen as aloof and unapproachable. Thus, Rupert Murdoch, Gina Rinehart and Liberal powerbrokers removed Turnbull and installed Morrison, and sent him forth to drink beer, watch football and spout meaningless slogans.
‘Liar from the Shire’ is another popular nickname. The Shire is the region of southern Sydney which Morrison represents, and Morrison is famous for lying about many of his own policy failures. It is also commonly known that Morrison only won preselection for the safe Liberal seat after moving out of the eastern suburbs and running a dirty tricks campaign against the other Liberal candidate.
Australians also know that Morrison is merely a puppet of Rupert Murdoch and the fossil fuel industry. Perhaps readers of The Beast did not rush to defend the prime minister because they are starting to see through the spin.
Maybe the satirical articles have no impact.
Perhaps, but the reponse to the dog articles would suggest otherwise.
Recent articles about dog owners in the eastern suburbs have carried the following titles:
“Safe Injecting Space Planned for Mackenzies Bay”
“Free Literacy Classes for Eastern Suburbs Dog Parents”
“Dog Owners Kicked off Clovelly Dog Park”
All of these articles criticise eastern suburbs dog owners, primarily because they walk their dogs in off-leash areas and ignore the local rules.
Every single article about dogs and dog owners provokes a flood of responses. Readers launch into an attack on the author and the content of the articles. Feedback is impassioned, emotional, personal and usually filled with profanity.
Mistake-ridden responses include phrases such as
“Fuck you and your shit article…”
“Up you’res kieran im gonna take 10 Dogs n do drugzzzz”
Other responses are not suitable for public viewing.
Dog owners react strongly to every single article written about the topic of dogs and the actions of their owners, but ignore articles about the person who runs their country, who was born and bred in the eastern suburbs.
Australians clearly care more about their dogs than their prime minister.
Images: Gabriel Crismariu, Craig Greenhill
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